Chapter 1
Thor could feel nothing but rage as he fell. His father had cast him out for doing exactly as he had done! He was only trying to follow in his father’s foot steps! After all, the Frost Giants were war hungry. They had attempted to steal from Asgard and they would pay for their treachery!
He felt the moment his trajectory changed - the sharp turn as he was pulled away from the expected path and in another direction. His whole body jolted and he cried out in outrage as a force beyond his will decided his path for him. Just another thing he could blame the Allfather for.
He landed hard, body weaker than it had ever been - and he struggled to his feet, rage burning through him once more. He looked around at his surroundings, even angrier than before. He was in a dark forest, the sky invisible above him - blocked out by dark and looming boughs.
“What is this place?” he demanded, even as the chill began to seep under his skin. He knew the feeling of danger even if he’d never felt real fear before. The sound of a twig breaking behind him had him spinning around, ready to shout and curse at whoever was sneaking up behind him, but then the scar on his chest began to glow the colour of a flame and words failed him as he came face to face with bright green eyes peering out of the darkness. A darkness that was being pushed back by a matching fire glow, revealing the young face of a boy, watching him curiously.
Harry woke up, the scar on his chest itching. He knew it was his soulmark, but he’d never felt anything from it before - to the point where he often forgot it was there. He knew everyone had one - but it wasn’t until he’d been brought into the magical world that he really understood what they were.
They were called splitting scars, and they were said to be the mark left behind when one soul had been ripped in two, the sign of soulmates. That when the other half of your soul was near, both scars would glow, a sign that the two halves were reuniting.
He’d never really had cause to believe those words before. Not that he doubted, per say, but he’d never really seen it, and his own scar had always just been that - a scar.
But not anymore.
Now it itched, like something was trying to scratch its way from under his skin, and there was something akin to the prickle of anticipating making itself known.
Carefully, he slid out of bed, putting his shoes on. He hesitated a moment before reaching for his invisibility cloak. Even as he clasped it around his neck, he revelled in the fact that it had been his father’s. He’d only had it for a month, but it was his most prized possession and he hugged it close as if by doing so its last owner would feel his affection. Cautious, he pulled the hood over his head, slipping from his dormitory. He knew the other first years wouldn’t wake - they all slept like the dead - but he was more worried about the fat lady in the portrait giving him away. He may be invisible, but portraits never opened for no reason.
He was in luck because the fat lady was fast asleep when he slipped from the common room and stood at the top of the staircase, hesitant once more.
He wasn’t really sure where he was going or just why he felt so strongly about following the urge, but then it was like his scar tugged on his chest and he followed the feeling. He followed it down the stairs and out the doors onto the school grounds. He followed it all the way past Hagrid’s hut, hesitating only briefly on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. After all, he’d already been beneath its boughs and the experience had been less than pleasant.
Harry shook the thought off, the pull in his chest more insistent now. He followed it into the forest, weaving his way over roots and around bushes, very aware of the sounds of the forests residents as they moved around him. A shiver crawled its way up his spine but he ignored it, pushing forward.
A bright flash of light shone up ahead followed by a resounding bang of something landing hard on the ground. Harry knew without a doubt that whatever was pulling him forward, was what had just landed. He hurried forward, not noticing when the hood slipped from his head in his haste. He heard a man’s voice shout up ahead - not quite catching the words - but then he saw him and he couldn’t help but shrink back at the sight at first. The man was huge; tall, and broad, with muscles that made everyone he knew look weak and scrawny. He had golden hair to his shoulders, and when he spun around, bright, electric blue eyes fell on him. The moment they did, a light flared on the man’s chest, through the shirt he wore, the colour of fire. He jolted in surprise when those eyes met his, and then he felt a flare of magic from his own chest. He pushed his cloak aside and watched in awe as a light the same bright colour glowed from his own chest.
“Well met, little one.” and the anger he’d heard in the man’s tone earlier was gone. Harry’s head snapped up to look at him, but he had his hands up in a show of peace, lowering his stance so he no longer appeared quite so big.
“Er, hello.” Harry greeted in return, unsure. He’d never seen anyone meet their soulmate before, he had no idea how this was supposed to go. He also hadn’t heard of anyone else meeting their soulmate when they were only 11. He knew it was probably something else people would find unusual about him.
“What is your name?”
“Um, Harry, Harry Potter.” he offered. It couldn’t be wrong to tell his soulmate who he was, could it? And after all, most people knew who he was without introduction anyways. He mustered up all the courage he had. “Who - uh - who are you?”
“I am Thor Odinson, prince of Asgard.” Harry blinked. A prince?
“Where’s Asgard?” he found himself asking, despite himself, and Thor offered him a bright smile.
“It is one of the nine realms of Yggdrasill. The world tree.” Harry nodded. It sounded vaguely familiar, but he was fairly certain he’d heard it from a myth. He wondered if the magical world felt differently about it.
“Oh. Um. That’s cool.” he replied, feeling awkward. “But if you’re the prince, what are you doing here?” that rage came flooding back, but it wasn’t aimed at him. That was the only thing that didn’t have him scuttling back.
“Father banished me to this realm as punishment.” he scowled, glaring up at the sky. “He banished me for wanting to punish those that would steal from us. My father once declared war on their people and made them bow before him. Now they would spit in the face of his mercy and steal from our kingdom.” Harry frowned. He didn’t really understand.
“But - what were they trying to steal?”
“A cask. One my father claimed as reparations for the damage done during the war.”
“So, it was theirs?” Thor scowled.
“Once, but-”
“So they were taking back something that already belonged to them.” Thor’s scowl darkened.
“They would have if we had not stopped them.”
“So, really your father stole it. They just wanted back something that already belonged to them.” Thor didn’t respond right away. In the glow from his soulmark, he looked particular dangerous.
“Yes.” because the boy’s words were true despite his feelings on the matter.
“And you want to kill them for that?” the boy looked nearly heartbroken by the thought. It hit him like a physical blow. That he would be the one to put such a look of sadness on his soulmates expression made him realize that perhaps his father might’ve been right to cast him out.
“There was a time when they killed many of my people.”
“But so did you,” Harry countered, unsure when he’d decided he could speak his mind without fear, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. “It was war, right? People die in war.” Thor wondered what sort of pain this youth had experienced to have such ghosts lingering in his gaze. It seemed he didn’t have to ask because the boy, Harry, volunteered the information.
“My parents were killed by someone who wanted to rule over everyone. He thought he was better than everyone else too. He thought that because of where his blood came from he was better than everyone else and everyone else didn’t deserve to be his equal.” his eyes were liquid bright when they looked up at Thor, filled with unshed tears but unwilling to back down. “He killed them and he was going to kill me and the only reason I’m alive is because my mum loved me so much she protected me even after she was dead.”
Thor could only stare at the boy who was meant to be his other half. He stood there with such grief and pain in his gaze, and yet even still he stood up against him, someone many times his size, and refused to stand down.
He wanted to rage and scream at how unjust it was that his soulmate had felt such grief - such terror at such a young age, when all he wanted was for people to live safely and in peace. It put his own actions in sharp relief. When had he not fought? When had he not killed any who would stand against him on the field of battle? Though he wanted to believe his actions were justified, in the face of this boy’s pain, he could feel nothing but shame.
“I am sorry.” he wasn’t sure if he was apologizing for his own actions, or for those brought against his soulmate, but he was sorry all the same. Harry blinked at him, surprise clear on his features. All of the ferocity that had been visible in his expression faded back behind discomfort as he scuffed a shoe against the ground.
“You don’t have to apologize to me. You didn’t hurt me.”
“Perhaps not, though I damaged your opinion of me, and for that I am also sorry. I would not have you think less of me.” And those huge green eyes stared at him, wide.
“I don’t think less of you.” the boy hurried to assure. “You’re my soulmate, aren’t you?” and there was insecurity there now. Thor could not have his other half being so uncertain of their bond. He moved forward, lowering to a knee in front of the boy.
“Aye. We are bound.” he offered a hand and watched the indecision flit over Harry’s expression. The longer he watched, the more he realized that the hardships Harry had shared with him were not the only ones he’d faced. It was obvious now that it was not just his own worth he doubted but that he deserved such a thing as a soulmate. Thor vowed to prove otherwise. If he was to spend time here on Midgard, he would spend it all making sure his soulmate knew he was cared for and deserved such care.
As he didn’t remove the hand despite Harry’s hesitancy, the boy slowly put his hand in Thor’s. The moment contact was made, the light between them flared before tempering out. Harry sucked in a sharp breath but didn’t pull away, and Thor was sure he made a similar sound, though he was focused on the boy in front of him. From this close, he could see even more clearly just how young he was, but beyond that, how small he was. Far too small in Thor’s opinion.
“Wow.” the boy breathed, and Thor didn’t even try to contain his grin.
“Aye.” he repeated, warmth spreading through him.
“So now what?” Harry asked, still looking nervous but making no move to pull his hand away.
“Now I can only strive to prove to you I am worthy of such a title as being your soulmate.” Harry stared in surprise.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me. I’m just Harry.” Thor shook his head. It seemed he had more to prove than he’d initially thought.
“You are the only one I must prove myself to.” Thor countered. “Until then, I would hope you would allow me to remain by your side as your friend. I would protect you from any further hardship.” For now, that’s what the boy needed - a friend. Anything else could come with time. For now, Thor was content to be both the boy’s sword and shield until a time when he was old enough that they could stand side by side.
“You - you want to stay with me?” Thor nodded, sincere.
“There is nowhere else I would rather be.” Not even the thought of the halls of Asgard called him now. Knowing his soulmate was here, so young and vulnerable and clearly mistreated, he could not imagine being anywhere else. He watched the tentative smile spread over Harry’s features, and he returned the expression easily. Standing, he offered his hand once more, helping Harry clamber over the large collection of roots between them.
“Shall we then, Harry?” and he didn’t comment on the tight grip Harry kept on him, or how he kept darting glances in his direction, surprised and pleased in turn. Once they were well on their way to returning to wherever Harry had come from, he spoke once more. “Where is it we are going?” Harry’s smile was tentative once more, but excited all the same.
“I live at Hogwarts. It’s a school for witchcraft and wizardry.” his cheeks tinged pink, embarrassed even as he was clearly pleased. “I’m a wizard.” Thor could only blink in surprise before he offered a blinding grin. His soulmate could use magic, just as his brother could.
“That’s very impressive.” he announced. Harry’s smile became a little more confident.
“It’s the best.” he admitted, and Thor beamed back.
“Then I look forward to being able to witness your growth as a Seidr.”
“A what?”
“A user of magic.” Thor explained, glad that for once that he was able to share his knowledge. Harry nodded, expression thoughtful. When they were clear of the forest Harry paused, looking up at the castle up ahead, and Thor could admit to finding it beautiful. It lacked the majesty of Asgard, but there was something haunting about it that he was sure would stick with him for years to come.
“That’s Hogwarts.” Harry told him, voice reverent. Thor made sure his expression was one of appropriate appreciation.
“And this is where you live?”
“During school, yeah.” There was something about the way Harry wouldn’t quite meet his gaze that told him he would have to ask about just what about Harry’s life outside of school made him quite so skittish, but knew now wasn’t the time. Then Harry was looking up at him in a panic, hand tightening around his. “What if they won’t let you stay with me? Since you’re not a student?”
“I imagine not even the Seidr of Midgard would risk separating soulmates once they are bound, regardless of age.” but Harry didn’t look relieved.
“You don’t have to stay with me, though. It’s probably boring. There’s only kids here.” Thor lowered to a knee once more so Harry could see directly into his eyes, and know his words for the truth they were. He kept Harry's hand in his and placed his free hand on the boy's shoulder.
“I would not wish to be anywhere you were not, Harry. You are my bonded, as I am yours. I wish to remain by your side. Nothing could convince me otherwise.” his smile then was wry. “I will repeat myself as often as necessary until you believe me.” and Harry looked surprised he was willing to do such a thing. Thor did not like what that implied about Harry’s childhood. Once more, he pushed the thought aside. It didn’t matter. Not yet. All that mattered, was making sure he could remain with his bonded.
“Now then, take me to the ruler of this castle.” Harry cracked a smile, eyes sparkling with laughter.
“There isn’t a ruler, exactly. Just the headmaster. I’ll take you to his office.” Thor nodded imperiously.
“Onwards!” and that did spark a laughter from Harry.
“Onwards.” he repeated, giggling.