Chapter 8
It had been a week since the Battle of New York and Harry was in misery. The media got hold of videos and pictures of him saving innocents while destroying the aliens and dubbed him "The Mage". Harry was not a mage and he was most certainly not pouting about his name.
Harry was reading in the Manor's very extensive library - it was the whole basement, which was almost the size of the whole mansion above ground - when the wards around the house went off. Harry bolted upright and put extra shields around a sleeping Teddy in the travel bassinet. He used one of the many secret passages and arrived at the entrance - where the disturbance was - right as the doorbell rang. Harry cast a see through charm on the door and was floored. There Loki the god of mischief stood. Loki couldn't see Harry of course but Harry could see him and what a sight he was. In his sleek black and green Asgardian robes covered in various necklaces and other jewels Loki waited for Harry to open the door, still unaware that he was being watched. Now Harry was old enough to admit when he has a crush on someone. That being said, Harry had a huge crush on Loki. Ever since Loki was freed from mind control really. Harry shook himself out of his shock and opened the door for Loki.
"You have very impressive wards, though I couldn't help but notice they still allowed me in," Loki said as a way of greeting.
"They allow in anyone without ill intent upon the Manor's inhabitants. It does, however, let me know when someone crosses them," Harry explained as he led Loki to a sitting room.
Harry summoned some tea and raised his eyebrow in question.
"One sugar please."
Harry made Loki's tea and waited for Loki to explain why he was here and not at Asgard.
"Mother insisted I come see you again after I returned, to thank you, Loki started.
"But you already-" Harry's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"You freed my mind and body, Little mage. My simple words do not come close to undoing that debt," Loki interrupted, suddenly very serious. Harry smiled at the nickname. The god cleared his throat and went on. "Father has been particularly annoyed with me for a while now. Mother thought it'd also be a good way to get away from him."
Harry nodded. They sat in silence until Harry broke it.
"What were you going to use the tesseract for?"
Loki sucked in a breath and his eyes widened slightly.
"I was…jealous. My brother had been made the hero again while I was made out to be the disappointment again. I was impulsive and believed that I could harness its power and show them all I could be something." Loki sighed.
Harry understood that feeling and reached over and took Loki's left hand in his own, slowly rubbing his knuckles. Loki stared at their intertwined hands and cleared his throat.
"I was foolish and went down to Midgard to steal it. I succumbed to its power almost instantly. It took all of my control from me. All I could do was watch as my body and powers were used for that." Loki took a deep breath. "Then you came along. All that confidence and bravado. You were the first one to believe I was ever innocent. You freed me, Harry and anything I do will never be enough to repay you."
Harry stared at Loki in wonder that this man - no god could think that he was in debt to Harry. He slowly understood that Loki wasn't going to accept that there was no debt and the pair moved onto less depressing topics.
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It had been a year since the Battle of New York and all was well in the marble manor, Harry formally introduced Loki to Teddy - who adored Loki -, Loki and Harry were learning more about and from each other than ever before, Harry introduced Loki to his friends in Britain, life in general was great. But all good things must come to an end. Specifically on a random day when everything seemed perfect and door bell ringed
Harry opened the front door to see Fury.
"Hello Mr.Potter, we need you."