Chapter 6
Harry heard the boom of thunder while sitting in a bright patch of sunlight and knew exactly what it meant. He dropped the letter he’d been writing back to the twins, darting around the side of the house just in time to see his uncle Thor striding towards the building.
The man had managed to come for his birthday and stay a few days after, but he’d been distracted the whole time and when he’d asked if everything was okay, his uncle had admitted that there was unrest at home, an issue with his brother.
Since he didn’t know much about his uncle Thor’s brother, he didn’t ask, because he knew enough to know it was a sensitive topic.
Even now, as Thor crossed the lawn towards the front door, Harry could see the frown in place. It lifted at the sight of Harry and when he leapt forward, his uncle swung him off his feet into a bear hug so tight it nearly hurt. He loved every second of it.
“It’s so good to see you! I didn’t think you’d be back so soon!”
“Unfortunately, little one, I do not bring good tidings.” With the words, he set Harry back on his feet, and with a hand on his shoulder, guided him inside. “There is news, and it is something you should hear.”
The words had Harry’s stomach dropping, but he followed his uncle inside, the hand on his shoulder keeping him grounded.
It was James they saw first, and he took one look at the pair of them before calling to Jarvis.
“Hey, Jarvis? I think everyone should come to the common room.”
“Right away, sir.”
It didn’t take long for everyone to gather, and Harry settled on the couch between his aunt Tasha and uncle Clint. uncle Tony and Newt were on aunt Tasha’s other side, while Sirius, uncle Bruce, and Remus ranged next to uncle Clint. James stayed hovering in the doorway, gaze flickering over the exits, unable to sit down.
Thor faced them all, expression grave.
“Loki is missing.”
There was a brief second where everyone froze, and then Clint was on his feet, hands shaking as they fisted at his side.
“You promised that would never happen.” Clint’s voice was low and raw, and he started when a hand reached for his, glancing back to see Harry had reached out. He squeezed the offered hand, letting it ground him as he turned back to Thor.
The god bowed his head.
“I did, and that vow has been broken, but not by myself, and not by Loki either.”
“So what, he was released?” Tony asked, brows drawn together.
“I’m sorry - who’s Loki?” Sirius interrupted, confused. Tony surged to his feet as well then, pacing towards the window.
“Jarvis, throw up some footage of New York.”
Jarvis didn’t reply, instead, news footage from the invasion in New York projected into the middle of the room, revealing the horror of how they’d all met and gathered together.
“That’s enough.” Natasha interrupted, and the image cut away. She wrapped her arm around Harry’s shoulders, worrying at how pale he’d gone.
“I’m sorry.” Tony apologized immediately, but Harry waved him off.
“It’s - it’s okay. I’ve seen it before. I just - I’d just forgotten.”
It was a sharp reminder to them all that Harry was still so very young, and hadn’t been touched by it.
“I remember hearing about that.” Remus admitted, and when he looked at Newt, the zoologist nodded as well.
“As do I. It caused quite a stir.”
“To be fair, I was locked in a magical prison will literal soul sucking monsters as guards.” Sirius shot back into the room, and everyone quieted again.
It was James who broke the silence.
“You said missing, not escaped. Was he taken?”
At the question, all eyes turned back to Thor, who while surprised by the question, nodded all the same.
“Yes. It was through an old ritual - one we had no idea still existed.” He turned back to the room at large. “As you all know, we were once worshiped as gods. While we are not exactly a god as you would call one now, we did gain abilities, of sorts, from this belief.” He paced to the window, placed a hand against the glass. Thunder rumbled in the distance in response.
“I was not always able to control lightning like this. It was a gift I not only learned, but had to earn. Humans bestowed it upon me, in a way. It is mine now, but there was a time when lack of belief could’ve stripped me of my power.” He turned away from the window then, but the air was charged with the residue of his power.
“In order to be worshipped, we needed to be seen. Temples were created in our honour - rituals, feasts, spells. There was one such ritual that was devoted to calling upon the god you called your own - calling on them for a blessing. We could hear prayers.” He said it so casually it was all anyone could do not to react, not wanting to interrupt. “But there were those who wanted more; who demanded more. They created a ritual so powerful it could pull us forward whether we desired it or not. It was Loki and I who hunted down the spell and the people who knew it. He, more so than I, was harmed by this spell. As a god of trickery and magic, he was favoured among the sort who would use such a ritual. It caused him no small amount of grief. He hated that anyone would have such power over him.”
Tony snorted, but Thor ignored it, continuing.
“I know there were none left who remembered it; no copies left of the papers written; and yet I could feel the magic. I could feel that was the ritual done. Only someone very powerful and strong of will would have been able to manage such a thing, so on that note, we must be wary. Whoever has called Loki forth may have the power to control him. We must be careful, and I will stay to help defend our home.”
There was another moment of silence before Sirius spoke up once more.
“I’m sorry, you’re telling me that your brother, the actual god of trickery and magic, somehow managed to escape a prison literally built for gods and that he’ll probably come after us?”
Thor nodded. Sirius flopped back on the couch, mouth agape. For a moment, he looked about to say something further when he sat back up, glancing at Remus and raising a brow.
The werewolf cocked his head, blinking quickly before nodding.
“Right, we’ve got preparations to make.” Sirius said as he stood, but before he could leave, Thor interrupted once more.
“Wait, there is one more thing. We have an advantage with us. Loki is not able to track the magic that Midgardian wizards use. He will not be able to find us so easily this time, and we will be able to well with the magical barriers in place.”
Sirius blinked at the revelation before a wide grin split his features.
“That’s the best news we’ve had all morning. Right then, we’ll be back.” He dragged Remus from the room before anyone else could respond.
With an eye on Clint, who’d stalked over to talk to James in a low whisper, and Bruce who’d joined Tony in the window and was murmuring assurances, Natasha kept her arm around Harry and turned to Newt.
“I think now would be the perfect time for that field trip.” she announced, voice soft so as not to carry. Newt blinked owlishly, but he didn’t argue.
“You won’t join us?” Though it was phrased as a statement, Natasha understood what she was being asked.
“Not anymore. Be safe. Don’t come back any sooner than a week from now.” She ordered, and Newt nodded, standing.
“No time like the present.” He agreed, and though Harry looked nearly shellshocked, he reached out to grab him by the shoulder.
With a pop, they apparated out of sight.
Tony and Bruce turned to look at her, frowning at the missing boy and zoologist, but Natasha just lifted a brow, rising to stand with them.
“He’ll be safer this way.” Was all she said, and they didn’t doubt her in the least. If Loki had any sort of autonomy and was on earth, he’d definitely be coming after them, and none of them wanted Harry in the crosshairs.
She knew Sirius would be angry when he realized she’d sent Harry off so suddenly, but even he would have to understand.
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The moment they landed, Harry spun on Newt.
“What - why did you do that?” He demanded, and for once, Newt’s gaze didn’t shy at the confrontation.
“Your aunt wants you safe, and our magic can’t be tracked. If we’re off on an adventure, that puts you out of harms way.” He stepped forward, putting his hands on Harry’s shoulder and squeezing. “We’ve talked about this trip anyways. We’re just leaving a few days early.” He kept his gaze on Harry’s, watching emotions swirl, before Harry’s shoulders slumped. Newt pulled him easily into a hug.
“I just want to help.”
“We are helping.” Then he stepped back, offering a bolstering grin. “Now, what creature would you like to look for first?”