Harry stood at a respectful distance, watching Hela's long-awaited reunion with her parents unfold before him. The vast, golden expanse of Asgard shimmered under the bright sun, but Harry's attention was solely fixed on the trio ahead. Even though they were far from the forge or the many adventures they had embarked on together, Harry knew this was perhaps the most crucial moment for Hela since they began their journey.
Hela's mother, Frigga, was the first to step forward. The joy on her face was unmistakable. Her eyes, brimming with emotion, shone as she rushed toward her daughter, arms wide open. There was no hesitation, no fear in her approach—only pure maternal love.
"Hela, my daughter!" Frigga exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion as she embraced her. The warmth of the reunion was palpable, and for a moment, time seemed to slow as mother and daughter reunited. Frigga held her close, like she had never let her go, and Hela, who had been so fierce and proud in all the battles they had fought, melted into her mother's arms.
Harry smiled faintly from where he stood. The bond between mother and daughter was still strong, untarnished by the years of separation and the strife that had defined much of Hela's past.
But then there was Odin. Harry's eyes shifted to the Allfather, who stood off to the side, stiff and tense. Odin had not moved. His body was rigid, his eyes flickering between Hela and the guards who stood nearby, as if he was weighing the risks, calculating every possible outcome should this reunion go awry. There was an awkwardness to his posture, and Harry could tell that Odin was unsure of what to expect from his once-rebellious daughter.
Hela, stepping out of her mother's embrace, turned her gaze toward her father. She looked different now—no longer the embodiment of destruction and chaos. She had learned so much during their time together, and Harry could see that the years had softened something within her, even if only slightly.
"Father," Hela greeted, her voice even but filled with an undercurrent of tension. Her sharp eyes met Odin's, and for a brief moment, there was silence between them. Then she asked, "How is life treating you?"
The words were simple, casual, but they held the weight of years of history between them. It was not the confrontational tone Harry had half-expected. Instead, it was a question of genuine curiosity. And it was followed by something Harry had never seen from Hela before: a genuine smile. It wasn't the cold, calculating smirk that had become her trademark, nor the proud, arrogant expression that had often graced her face. This smile was something softer, something real.
Odin blinked, clearly taken aback by the shift in his daughter's demeanor. The tension that had gripped him seemed to release, and the tightness in his expression began to soften. His rigid posture relaxed, his shoulders dropping slightly as if a great weight had been lifted off him. All the worry, all the tension melted away in the face of that unexpected smile.
"Hela..." Odin began, his voice hesitant. For the first time in a long while, he didn't sound like the all-powerful Allfather, the king of Asgard. He sounded like a father unsure of how to speak to his child. "It's been... difficult without you."
Frigga watched the exchange closely, her hands still resting lightly on Hela's shoulders. The tension in the air was thick, yet there was something unmistakably human about it—family, after all, was complicated.
Hela nodded, her expression still calm but unreadable. "I can imagine," she said softly, and for a brief second, something in her eyes flashed—an old pain, perhaps. But it disappeared just as quickly as it had come.
Harry, still observing from a distance, couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment. This was a reunion not just of family, but of identities. Hela had been so much—warrior, rebel, conqueror—and now she was simply a daughter, standing before the father she had once defied.
Odin hesitated again, clearly struggling to find the right words. "You've changed," he said finally, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "I can see it in your eyes."
Hela tilted her head slightly, her lips twitching into a smaller, more amused smile. "And you've gotten older."
At that, a low chuckle escaped Odin's lips, and the ice that had lingered between them began to thaw. He took a step forward, slowly, cautiously, as if testing the waters. When he reached Hela, he hesitated for only a moment before pulling her into an embrace, much like Frigga had done moments earlier.
Hela stiffened slightly at first, as if unsure how to respond to the gesture. But then, almost instinctively, she relaxed, allowing herself to lean into the embrace, if only for a moment. It was far from perfect, and Harry knew that there was still much left unsaid between them. But it was a start—a fragile but important step toward reconciliation.
After what felt like an eternity, Odin stepped back, and Hela straightened, her face unreadable once again. But the tension that had lingered between them had lessened, if only slightly.
Frigga stepped forward, her smile radiant as she looked between the two of them. "Let's not dwell on the past. We have time now—to heal, to talk, to be a family again."
Hela glanced at her mother, then at Harry, who was still watching from a distance, giving her the space she needed. She nodded once. "I suppose it's time," she said, her voice softer than usual. "Time to rebuild."
Odin looked at her, his gaze thoughtful. "Yes. It is time."
As the family stood together, Harry couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for Hela. She had come a long way from the woman he had met years ago—fierce, unyielding, and filled with anger. Now, she was something more. She was still a warrior, still powerful, but now there was a sense of balance within her, a willingness to reconnect with those she had left behind.
Harry stood in the golden courtyard of Asgard, gazing at the reunion between Hela and her family from afar. With a quiet sigh, he turned and made his way back to the Gryffindor, his ship that hovered just beyond the palace grounds. It was time for him to let Hela face her past on her own terms, without his presence overshadowing the moment.
As he approached the ship, he waved his hand, lifting the invisibility spell that had cloaked him from sight. His body shimmered back into view, and for a moment, he glanced over his shoulder, back at the Royal Palace. The reunion had gone far better than he had anticipated. No anger, no hostility—just the awkwardness of family members who had been apart for far too long. It was a warm welcome, one he hadn't expected, especially given Hela's turbulent past with Asgard.
Harry had made himself invisible as a precaution. He had known that stepping into Asgard with Hela was not without risks. Odin was a cautious king, and Hela's return could have easily led to confrontation. Harry wanted to be ready, just in case things went awry. If Odin had attempted to harm Hela, Harry would have been there, unseen, to intervene.
But it hadn't come to that.
To his surprise, instead of battle or accusations, there had been an embrace from her mother and a tentative acceptance from her father. It was far from perfect, but it was a step in the right direction. Hela had been received with open arms—a relief he hadn't anticipated.
Entering the Gryffindor, Harry glanced around at the familiar surroundings. The ship was as luxurious as ever, with its advanced systems and spacious interiors. Despite its opulence, it also carried a certain warmth—like a home he had created for himself and Hela. The gleaming walls and enchanted tools in the forge reminded him of the many projects he had worked on since his journey across realms began.
Harry settled into the pilot's seat, though the ship required little from him to operate. Gryffindor could travel on its own, programmed to respond to his thoughts and commands. Still, he liked to be at the helm, his hand resting lightly on the ship's console, feeling its gentle hum beneath his fingertips.
As the ship's interface came to life, Harry reflected on the events that had unfolded. He hadn't wanted to overshadow Hela's return to Asgard, but he also couldn't shake the sense of responsibility he felt toward her. They had been through so much together—fought battles, shared secrets, and forged weapons side by side in the dwarven realms. He had seen her struggle, her pain, and the loneliness she carried. Now, watching her confront her past, Harry felt a mixture of pride and relief.
The ship was quiet, save for the gentle whirring of its systems. Harry leaned back in his seat, allowing himself a moment of rest. He had anticipated a fight—a clash of wills between Hela and Odin—but instead, he had witnessed the fragile beginnings of peace. It was something he hadn't expected, and it reassured him that perhaps this was the path Hela needed.
Still, his mind lingered on the possibility of what could have been. If Odin had attacked... if the reunion had soured... he would have been ready. The invisibility spell had been a precaution, a way to ensure he could act without revealing himself. After all, Harry had no desire to draw the ire of Asgard. He wasn't here to challenge Odin or make enemies of the gods. His sole concern was Hela.
But now, seeing the reunion unfold without violence, Harry allowed himself to relax. He had been prepared for the worst, but it hadn't come to pass. Hela had handled herself with grace and poise, and her family, though strained, had met her halfway.
As he settled deeper into his chair, Harry's thoughts turned to what came next. Hela had her reunion, but where did it leave them? Their journey had taken them to countless realms, from the dwarven forges to the far corners of Midgard. Now, standing on the threshold of Asgard, Harry wondered how much further they would go.
He glanced down at the many tools and weapons he had crafted with the dwarves, each one a testament to his growing skills as a smith. And there was still so much to learn, so much to explore. The possibilities were endless, and with the Gryffindor capable of traveling between realms, they had the entire universe at their fingertips.
Harry smiled faintly, his fingers tracing the edge of the ship's control panel. The world of Asgard was beautiful, but he was a traveler at heart, always searching for the next adventure. Yet, for now, he would remain in Asgard for Hela's sake. He owed her that much after all they had been through.
Inside the Gryffindor, Harry tapped the silver bangle on his wrist, feeling the faint hum of its magic. These bangles, forged from mithril and enchanted with powerful runes, were one of the many tools Harry and Hela had created together during their travels. Modeled after Hermione's original design for the Dumbledore's Army coins, this advanced version allowed them to send short messages instantly, no matter where they were.
Harry hesitated for a moment, his eyes drifting back to the shimmering towers of Asgard in the distance. Though the reunion had gone well, there was always a chance that old wounds could flare up. He didn't want to be too far in case things took a turn.
With a quick tap, Harry sent a short message through the bangle.
"I'm nearby, hovering above Asgard in case of an emergency. Call me if you need anything."
A faint glow pulsed from the bangle as the message was sent through the magic-infused metal. The connection between them was immediate, and Harry waited, his eyes scanning the sky as the Gryffindor hovered silently, hidden from view.
Moments later, his bangle vibrated softly, a reply forming across the surface. Hela's voice, calm and confident, seemed to echo in his mind as he read her message.
"Everything is okay. No need to worry."
Harry exhaled, leaning back in his seat with a small smile. Hela was handling things well, much better than he had anticipated. Still, he couldn't shake the sense of duty that kept him close. Even though Hela had reassured him, he would remain on standby, hovering over Asgard just in case.
Through the large window of the Gryffindor, he watched the golden city, its spires reaching into the heavens like something out of legend. The world of gods and warriors lay below, and here he was, a wizard from Midgard, watching over it from the skies.
He trusted Hela—she was a force to be reckoned with, after all. But family reunions, especially ones as complicated as hers, could be unpredictable. For now, though, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
With a flick of his hand, Harry activated a few runes on the ship's console, setting it to hover silently in place. He decided to relax for a while, keeping an eye on the situation but giving Hela the space she needed. The bangle on his wrist was a lifeline, a way to stay connected without being intrusive.
As the Gryffindor floated silently over Asgard, Harry settled into the captain's chair, his thoughts drifting to the journey ahead. There would be more adventures, more realms to explore, but for now, he was content to be the watchful guardian, just in case Hela needed him.
Author's Note:
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