The Royal Reunion pt. 2
November 2011
Greenwich, London
The second they touched the ground after side-apparating, Harry and Loki were met with the sight of destroyed buildings and a T-shaped spaceship parked in the middle of the Greenwich College’s ground. The aurors appeared to have casted a dome of protective shield. It’s seemed to be a mix of muggle-repelling, notice-me-not and magical protection charms.
Half of the British aurors and most prominent wizarding figures have been patched to help with containing some strange beasts and mug… No-majs. The other half tried to fight over the army, either on the air with brooms against their smaller space craft or on the ground against the army with medieval weapons. Their sides seemed overwhelmed by the look of it.
Without prompt, Harry immediately casted spells wand less here and there. His stag emerged from his hand like an avenging corporeal light being, scraping the ground with its hoof and head bend down to show its sharp antlers. It immediately ran to strike Harry’s enemies with its massive antlers.
The man who has faced Voldemort in his teen years stretched his arms wide to conjure several blue lights that seemed sharp and long. His spells stroke through the elves that were trying to attack him left and right. Their bodies immediately crumpled to the ground in heaps.
The wizard gave a minute motion of his hand in front of him to swat at a couple of elves in front of him as if he had swatted them with a giant mosquito bat.
In his peripheral vision, he saw Loki wasn’t idle either. The man moved with the graceful way of fast fighting with daggers and the swift use of his magic. He has managed to kill ten enemies in a few seconds. It wasn’t just a rumor that he was dubbed as Asgard’s best battle mage.
Harry’s sense tingled as he dodged an attack from behind by taking a step to the side calmly and used a cutting charm against his assailant’s neck.
As they’ve attacked the aliens, Harry caught sight of a woman with long brunette hair in the middle of the battle. Her body was hovering straight a few feet in the air with her arms stretched wide. Dark blood red alien magic swirling from her eyes, ears and nose like smoky snakes trying to release themselves from her.
In front of her, not too far standing a dark elf with his hand extended in front of him to receive the powerful magic. He has no mask on him unlike the other elves. The moment the power transferred to him fully, the woman was dropped onto the ground unceremoniously.
The elf smirked evilly at the woman, but before he could attack her or Harry could apparate there to save her, a voice loud enough stopped him.
“MALEKITH!”
The source of the voice was a big man with short blonde hair with a dark elf sword on his hands running towards the dark elf. Malekith, the dark elf turned the man’s sword into nonexistent before he lifted him with his hand a couple of feet in the air.
“Oh, I recognized the signs of Bor’s descendants anywhere, “ the dark elf’s voice seemed to amplify in the air. “Tell me, child. What is your name? And why can’t I sense your Asgardian magic in your being?”
“Bor? That name sounded familiar somehow,” Harry whispered as he disappeared to apparate next to the fallen woman and transported her somewhere safe.
As he put her to lay against a pillar, Harry recognized her immediately. “Ms. Foster? Wait, that means…”
“Let him go!”
The wizard quickly stood up and turned around. In the court, Malekith has released the ma… Thor, and Loki has posted himself in front of his brother, who was kneeling behind him looking as if he has just seen a ghost. The sorcerer has positioned himself in a battle stance with both daggers crossed over his chest.
From where Harry stood, he could see the godling looking angry. But before he could apparate to help his friend, something tugged on his robe down.
The female scientist had stirred around, gripping onto Harry’s robe. She looked fatigue and incoherent . The only thing he could catch from her was, “ Please… Don’t… Thor, help…”
Being a healer, he was reluctant in leaving his patient alone but the few seconds were enough to distract him. Because when he looked back at the main battle again, the bothers has traded position somehow. The blonde man has somewhat pushed his little brother away. His back that was facing against the dark elf has been pierced by a red energy looking like spear through and through.
To distract Malekith, Harry commanded his stag to run through the dark elf before leaving Jane unconscious from her exhaustion near the pillar. Shortly, he appeared in front of Thor.
The moment the dark elf was away, the red energy disappeared from Thor’s guts. The former God of Thunder was spitting blood out of his mouth; yet, he was smiling in the edge of his demise. On the other hand, his younger brother looked completely white. The black-haired God swiftly crawled towards his fallen brother and held him in his arms.
Harry tried to cast episkey but the spell didn’t seem to work. The wound was bleeding more and more, but as a healer, he couldn’t give up on his patient so he kept on trying. Thus, he tried every healing magic that he knew to heal the fallen god and hoped for things to change.
“You great big oaf,” Loki has tears trailing down his cheeks as he scolded his adopted brother. “You are a mere mortal, now. How could you… you cant die, brother. I forbid you!”
Thor still looked relieved even after he coughed more blood out.
“It pleased me to… to see you a…live, Loki,” slowly he lifted his hand up to cup Loki’s face and wiped a tear with his thumb. “I fa…failed you the last time. I’m not go… going to fail you th… this time, little brother.”
The blonde man’s eyes looked droopy by seconds. Looking frantic, the other Asgardian yelled at Harry. “Harry, do something!”
“I’m trying,” Harry concentrated on closing the wound. He accio-ed a blood replenishing potion from his expended satchel and poured it to the warrior’s mouth. But, whatever it was, his body just didn’t want to accept his spells or the potion.
Before the healer knew it, the mortal As opened his eyes for the last time to smile at his brother. “Loki… you will al… always be my brother. Jo… Jotun or Aesir.”
With that his chest stopped moving after he taken his last breath.
Harry couldn’t breathe for a second at the loss of life. Being a healer, he has a couple of experiences in losing patients; on the other hand, this was the first time he lost someone meaningful to his friend since he became a healer.
He was devastated, and yet devastation should be the last thing in his mind at the moment. All of his attention should be directed at the family of the dead.
“Loki I…” Harry watched him sorrowfully.
The god disappeared before he could utter his condolences or tried to appease him of his loss. Instead, Loki appeared to fight Malekith, whose presence could be seen from where he was kneeling next to Thor’s body.
Loki looked like an avenging god, clashing and slashing his daggers with the dark elf, while his opponent treated him as if he was just playing with him.
Frustrated, the God of Trickster created a hundred clones of himself and began attacking his enemy. Ice spears thrown from every direction at the elf along with fire bolts, but with a motion of his hand, they were all turned into bubbles.
When the elf was focused on those attacks, Loki conjured a dragon made out of ice to bite Malekith from behind with a swift movement of his hands. The elf didn’t expect an attack from the back so he was swallowed by the inanimate ice creature.
It proved to make Malekith angry when not a few seconds after, the dragon figure was destroyed into pieces and the elf held Loki by the throat.
“I should kill you right now, pest,” malekith hissed threateningly.
But before he could fall through with his threat, suddenly there was an ozone burning smell in the air. Clouds started to darken instead of staying red. Thunder rolling from above and the wizard heard a zing sound from a far that’s getting closer and closer.
Everybody were looking at the direction from whence the sound coming from and like lightning, something flew straight towards Harry. Wait, not to him, but probably… Just maybe…
The foreign flying object flew to Thor’s unmoving body and it crashed with a resounding sound along with dirt flying all over. The crash even pushed Harry backwards.
“What…”
Before the elf could finish his question, a hammer flew and hit him on the face, prompting him to let Loki go. A man with red cape appeared in fast lightning to catch the Asgardian mage.
Loki’s savior turned around and Harry couldn’t believe what he’s seeing. It was Thor, hale and well in all of his battle regal. Just a minute ago, the former God took his last breath and now he was looking healthy like a horse without even a single cut marring his face.
He walked slowly towards Harry to lay his brother in front of him. As he did that, the wizard sensed the potent magic behind the resurrected Aesir or the crackling electricity appearing and disappearing surrounding his whole body.
“Healer, I implore you to see to my brother’s care and wellness,” he kneeled on one knee and looked at his brother with mixed expression of joy and forlorn.
“Loki is a friend and a former patient. I will look after him,” he answered him in a daze, still disbelieve from the sudden phenomenon that had just occurred right before his eyes. “I hope you destroy that elf soon.”
A menacing grin appeared on the God of Thunder’s face.
“With pleasure.”
***
It was a very busy day in Greenwich after the battle and the Convergence were over. With Thor’s help, every beast have been returned back to its prospect realms before the convergence was over. All the living dark elves were imprisoned in their own ship.
The British wizarding savior missed all the fun and action on how Thor defeated Malekith, the evil dark elf as he was busy tending to Loki’s health.
The second prince of Asgard had pushed himself too hard and too fast, almost to the point of deflating his magic core and life essence.
It’s no wonder he reverted back to his original physiology as a small Frost Giant. Knowing how private and sensitive Loki was about the nature of his ancestry, Harry disguised him immediately.
When he was well enough after bouts of diagnosis, healing spells and potions, the Lord of two most distinguished Wizarding houses sent for his house elf to transport Loki to one of his townhouse in London.
As much as Thor wanted to stay with Loki, the brother he thought was dead because of his arrogance and immaturity, he trusted his brother in Harry’s care for the moment. He needed to go back to Asgard as soon as possible to find out the reason behind the absence of Asgardian troops.
The dark elves were one of Asgard’s biggest enemies and King Odin would have sent for warriors to come and aid all the realms on convergence day on Midgard. (Earth)
The heir to the throne was worried something might happen up there in Asgard. The kingdom of Asgard must always came first before family; therefore, as much as he wanted to linger and wait for his brother to wake up, Thor had a duty to see to his people and kingdom’s safety.
The God called upon someone called Heimdall up in the sky before a source of light appeared to transport him to the realm of God.
After the awed look on all the wizards on the scene at being visited by a real Norse God, the matters of International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy came to mind. The Magic department began patching st. Mungo’s healers to heal the injured and after, the aurors began casting memory charm here and there against the no-majs or muggles.
Harry was there taking care of Jane when an auror wanted to cast the charm on Jane.
“This woman is in a romantic relationship with Thor, the God who saved our arses just now,” he cocked an eyebrow. “Do you really want to explain to him about messing with her memories?”
A look of terror marred the auror’s face. Feeling sorry for him, Harry continued with,” I’ll explained it to minister Shacklebott. Don’t worry.”
After all, he would need to take care of the paperwork on this incident since every wizards on scene have witnessed him fighting. Maybe tomorrow. The healer was sure that there were wizards who saw his familiarity with Thor and Loki.
After witnessing their power while fighting the aliens, the story about both beings would have been circulated like fire, especially with Daily Prophet. Kingsley would want his explanation on this.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Potter,” the auror scurried away as if he was on fire.
After that, he left the aurors to deal with reparation and everything before apparating with Jane to his house. He put Jane to rest on the room next to Loki’s and asked his house elf to prepare some tea and light dinner.
Overall, Harry hasn’t been this tired mentally since that time James was sent to kill his adopted parents. That was one painful and exhausted night for them all. What happened this afternoon was on a much larger and much odd case, though.
Alien invasion, blimey.
The existence of aliens were not a surprise to him since he came across a lot of them when he had to do his duty as the Master of Death to guide their souls once every nine years. But to have one of their species invading Earth, his home planet, it was still shocking nevertheless.
The earth wasn’t ready for odder, stranger things. He wasn’t even sure no-majs would be ready to accept wizarding community yet.
For now, he needed to focus his mind on his patients’ well beings. And to make it easier for him to monitor both of them, he duplicated another bed in Loki’s room and charmed more space for the other bed. Gibby, his London’s house elf helped him moved Jane to this room with a snap of his fingers.
As a considerate house elf, Gibby prepared a teapot and cup (for after he finished dinner) with a glass of water along with dinner on the small table in the bedroom for Harry. He even charmed the tea to stay warm and deprived the smell of the food not to disturb the air in the room before he went back to his cleaning duty.
Before he became a healer, Harry has learned the need to be patient when he raised a young genius with two other parents. So, even though it has been a couple of hours, the wizard managed to occupy his time with a cup of tea and reading the newest magical maladies medical journal.
He was quite enjoying his reading material when he felt shimmer in the air. There was a person outside the house’s protective ward. Someone with strange magical aura, similar to Loki when he used Aesir magic. As there’s no change with both patients, Harry decided to go outside to see his house guest.
“Master Potter, Gibby will open the door,” the house elf appeared next to the door, ready to open it for him.
“No need, Gibby,” he smiled. “I will handle it. You can go back to your duties.”
“As master Potter command, sir.”
After he disappeared with a bow, Harry opened the door. With the help of the streetlight, he saw his visitor. She was a blonde woman stood with her back against him below the stairs.
She was wearing an interesting looking silver long sleeve dress, almost reminding him of medieval fashion or some sort. As if sensing that she’s being watched, the lady turned around with her hands clasped below her breast.
She was an older lady, perhaps in her late 50’s but still looking quite beautiful for her age, just like mom. The lady looked presentable and perhaps a royal, from the crown he spotted on her hair.
And she’s looking right at him. Odd, that she could see him with the invisibility charm, this house has. Then again, he could sense her magic in the air and it was strong even though it wasn’t as strong as Loki.
“My name is Queen Frigga of Asgard,” she inclined her head at him gracefuly.
“Oh, you’re Loki’s mother. I mean Prince Loki. Please come in,” Harry immediately turned the ward down for her to come forward.
Frigga nodded her head to thank him before she walked up the stairs and entered the house after he openend the door for her.
As he closed the door behind him, Harry tried to calm himself down. After all, it’s not every day one got a visit from a royalty.
Well Loki didn’t count. He’s more of a moody freeloader rather than a Prince. The image didn’t quite suit him after that time Harry caught him sleeping on the couch with bags of chips strewn around him. There was even a couple of chips on his hair.
“I apologized for the intrusion, master of Death,” Frigga turned around and gave him a short curtsey.
Awkwardly, Harry bowed towards her. “ Mm, yes, yes. But you don’t have to do that,” then he realized. “Your highness, how did you know about me?”
Smiling serenely, she said,” I have always been closed to the Norns. And please don’t be alarmed. I have not informed anyone about your true identity, milord.”
“Oh,” the wizard looked startled but tried to put on a calm face.
“May I see my son?” The queen tried to look composed, but by the curl and uncurl of her hand, Harry knew she was anxious to see her child.
As a parent himself, if anything happened to Tony or Lily, he would be out of his mind as well.
“Follow me,” Harry motioned her to follow him. “He is currently resting at the moment.”
“Is he alright?” There’s a hint of worry in her voice.
“He overexerted himself in the battle,” he told her gently. “He is recuperating and trying to build up his magic as of this moment.”
Harry opened the door to the bedroom. Queen Frigga immediately strolled towards Loki’s bed. She was trembling slightly, emotions welling up on her face. Slowly, the lady bowed and stretched her hand to touch her son’s face.
She gasped with a hand on her mouth as her fingers make contact with her son’s face.
“Thank the Norn. I thought I would never see you again, my child.”
Harry felt like an intruder but he still pulled out a chair and offered it to the noblewoman. She thanked him for him without taking her gaze away from her son.
“Out of curiosity, where is Thor?” The wizard couldn’t helped himself and asked about the God of Thunder’s absence.
“My son is currently trying to appease the dignitaries from the neighboring realms,” she answered. “Since my youngest son die… disappeared, my husband, King Odin has been experiencing Odinsleep and our people and the other realms grew restless with both of my sons’ absences.”
That explained why Asgard didn’t respond to Malekith’s threat. As regent, the queen must foresee the matters of internal restless first, thought Harry.
“When Thor returned, my husband woken up from his deep slumber,” she continued as she began stroking Loki’s hair. “Then when he brought news about Loki’s survival, I couldn’t help myself. I… need to see him. My dear, dear heart.”
“I understand, milady,” Harry smiled at this reunion. “I myself am a parent. Our children will always be our first priority.”
“Milord, may I…”
“Your highness, please just call me Harry,” he said.
She turned her face around, eyes a bit sad and nodded her head gracefully. “Harry. May I asked you a question?”
“Of course, milady.”
“Did you know my son for long?” She asked. “Thor, my eldest seemed to think that you knew my Loki. He told me that you proclaimed yourself to be my youngest son’s friend.”
“He is,” Harry fidgeted on the spot. “ We are friends. He has been living in one of my home for 6 months.”
She suddenly looked tense. “Since we thought him to be perished?”
“Death brought him to me to be healed,” he explained. “I didn’t know why but he has been in my care since then.”
“Mistress of Death saved him?”
“Yes, your highness.”
“Was he… were his wounds severe?”
“It took time for him to heal but he got better after a time,” he shrugged. “I’m more worried about his mental health, your highness.”
“Mind sickness? My Loki is ill?”
Sighing, Harry didn’t want to cross a line with the royal family but Loki’s a friend and he hated how confused and stressed out he got when it came to the topic of his family.
“Loki refused to talk about you,” he sighed deeply. “About his family. I guessed that’s what stopped him from coming back to Asgard. I do not know what happened before he came to me, but he’s my friend and I’m worried for him. As a healer, I think it’s best for you to talk to him. He needs you, all of you.”
The Queen of Asgard looked pale at Harry’s bluntness but she immediately put on a calm façade. “I thanked you for bringing this matter to may attention, Harry.”
“Mother?”
It seemed that the sleeping Prince has woken up. There was a soft and relieved look on the Queen’s face when she looked back at her son who has woken up from his deep slumber. She thumbed his hand gently and smiled warmly at her son.
“I am here, my heart,” Frigga’s eyes were rather glassy as the elder woman pulled his son’s hand to rub her cheek and kissed it with tremors on her hands. “I am here.”
***