Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Across the Universe	By : Marionne25 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 5055 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and Marvel and am not making any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Author's Notes:
Iwould like to explain my hiatus hahaha.
It’s the middle of the summer in my country and my work (teaching music) to students are done here and there, daily and in the rough hours that I leave early and come home early as well. At the hours I don’t spent time teaching kids, I’m actually packing and transferring my stuff at my new home.
I’ve finally and officially moved out from home and yay I got myself a really nice place at my favourite part of the city with a really, REALLY heavenly morning and night view.
As of the moment, my things are all over the place as I barely have time to fix them all in one go since half my days are spent outdoors for work and running errands for the new place.
The good news is that I’m just a walk away from the coffee shop and I have a good working area with a nice view at my new place where I can actually spend hours at home when I have no work writing my time away and reading and editing because hey, it’s a very beautiful part of the house that inspires me to work on.
I don’t actually have to live in cafes to get myself to write since I didn’t want to do it at our old house because the view there is just plain and uninspiring.
After years, more than a decade and hoping for me to get a place so I can arrange my life back to focus, I’m here and now is just a beautiful day – almost every day – to write away and work my arse off.
Mother’s day in my country so a happy one to all your moms and mothers out there reading my works.
An update of the rest of the stories will be done soon as at times I’m too busy and exhausted after a day’s work and running errands and transferring stuff that I’m just too tired to click the button and all that.
Other than, high rise living is extremely loving and fit for my lifestyle.
Lots of love you all!!
xx

Chapter XV
The Gala

“Thank you.” the younger prince of Asgard nodded to the young & definitely new palace guard who bowed at the two of them and avoided their gaze as he sneaked them back inside the palace and locked the grand double doors back.
Loki walked fast and breathless behind his brother as they snuck back inside the palace at half past two in the morning.
There was a thread in the city the struck at exactly midnight and the king and half of his army had gone down at the first ground defenses area of the palace that evening to ensure the security and safety of those he ruled within his boundaries.
The king had ordered a complete lockdown in the palace and had been very sure that he had left his family safe and secure inside the castle – how wrong he had been.
The moment he had left, Thor had defied all orders and had decided to pursue his promise to meet a young maiden a little far off the palace grounds.
‘I’ve made a promise’ Thor had told his brother who caught him sneaking out of the palace, ‘If you don’t let me go you might as well be letting my change at true love go’ he had begged him as he tried his best to persuade his brother to let him pass without telling anyone else.
Ofcourse the younger prince wasn’t stupid.
He knew that this wasn’t ‘true love’ but merely one of those ‘cold nights’ his brother Thor was having – a mere nest to be comfortable and lay his time down for only a season or two or even less.
“She’s not your true love.” Loki had rolled his eyes as changed into robes as his brother forced him out of his comfortable bed. “You just want to bed some woman tonight to answer your desperate calls.”
“Oh please.” Thor said as he peaked through their doors and eyed the two guards guarding their chambers. “Not because you haven’t met your true love means I haven’t, brother.”
Thor smirked at Loki and the younger brother stared up at him, halting halfway into tying up his robes.
“I can go back to sleep, you know.” Loki said with a smirk over his face. “You can do this with or without me.”
Thor shook his head and closed the doors and walked back to him again.
He knew that tasks as this requires his brother and his brother knew that very well.
“Oh, please, please. I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant.” Thor said as he hastily fastened the robes into place and straightened up his long and smooth hair and gave him the friendliest smile he could give his brother.
Thor stared back at his brother with a big hopeful grin over his face.
“You’re turning eighteen, Thor.” Loki muttered staring back at him and waiting for his brother to beg some more. “You can actually do this without me.”
“I can’t punch my way out of those guards.” Thor reasoned out to his brother. “But you, brother – my brilliant, my very handsome, my dear sweet, sweet and very magical little brother-“
“I’m not very little-“
“Younger brother.” Thor corrected himself placing his hands on either of his shoulders. “You. You have these magic.. these gifts that mother bestowed upon you.”
“Did you not tell me that punching your way out of things had always been a lot more helpful that these little bag of tricks I’ve got?” Loki asked him with a mocking look over his face. “I remember quite clearly cause you always make me feel-“
“Oh please, please that’s not entirely what I mean.” Thor said. “You know I always.. I usually slip things.. you know that I’ve always considered your gifts.. very, very significant and not to mention useful in all-“
“And she will be very disappointed if she finds out where I use it.” Loki bitterly said crossing his arms over his chest.
Thor gave him another weakened look and gave him a quick hug.
“Come on. You like our adventures..” Thor gently said ruffling his hair. “Yes? You know you do.. you know I can’t do this without you.”
“We’re not always going to be together, brother.” Loki pointed out with a slightly saddened look over his face. “Once you ascend to the throne you’ll be very busy and I’ll be-“
“My right hand.” Thor confidently told him. “You will be my right hand. You will be spending a lot more time with me than anyone else, brother. I just ask you one favor.”
“One too many favors.” Loki pointed out with a raised brow as he stared back at him.
A little silence passed them and Thor just stared at him until Loki finally shook his head.
Thor gestured a triumphant punch over the air and embraced him tightly.
“Don’t suffocate me.” Loki said pushing his brother of him and straightening his robes down.
Loki had always been wiser than his brother, the one who followed the rules and the one who was also thirsty for little adventures more than he let others know of.
And ofcourse, his older brother provided the quench for this certain thirst for adventures that he knew Loki wouldn’t have the stomach to do by himself.
He told him he didn’t need to go with him & that he would be fast and safe and all he needed to do was stand aside and let him pass with the help of his little gifts.
Loki had been insistent into telling his brother that he would have let him another night but not tonight – not two days away from the future king’s 18^th birthday.
The king had been ordering to secure the kingdom twice its usual security measures due to the coming birthday of his older son and the queen had a closer security and entourage to watch them.
It wasn’t like Thor actually cared about these measures for his own safety; he always defied them and did what he always wanted to do anyway.
But it was his younger brother, Loki, who always had a way or two to stop him or slow him down from his rebellious decisions against the measures taken for his own safety.
Despite circumstances, Loki always watched over his brother but as any individual, his weakness was also his brother as he easily gives in to his whims especially if he knows that he could also benefit from it.
Despite all his beliefs, all the rules, despite all the laws, Loki had always been loyal to one – and that was his brother, Thor Odinson.

“Thank you brother for this.” Thor whispered haughtily as they walked over the guards that Loki had just magically steeped down to a deep slumber. “I know I can always count on you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” Loki pointed out as they walked like silent cats down the corridors out of their chambers. “Thank me if we get back to our chambers without anyone catching us.”
“But I know I can always count on you.” Thor confidently said as they turned another corridor. “You’re the best. You and your little magic tricks. You amaze me with them.”
“They’re not tricks.” Loki irritably said as he halted and pulled Thor’s shoulder back to hide them behind a large statue as a pair of guards were about to walk past their way. “And you’re only amazed by them if it benefits you.”
“You know that’s not like that.” Thor whispered back as they crouched down low. “You know I owe you for this one. I thank you for this.”
“Thank me we get back without getting caught.” Loki said as he pulled him up to his feet again and they resumed their little cat-like walk down the corridors to reach the exits.
“I’m with you.” Thor gruffly said. “Ofcourse we’ll get out of here without trouble.”
“Without mother you mean.” Loki whispered back as they halted and crept into another corridor and quickly jumped to the other side before the guards see them. “We’re as good as dead if she finds out about this.”

Thor and Loki watched silently as the pair of guards walked past them and completely oblivious by their presence behind the shadows.
They were silent for a minute and when they were sure that they had gone, Thor led the way back again.
He patted Loki’s smaller and thin back with his large hand with a grateful smile over his face.
“I don’t know what to do without you, brother.” Thor said giving him a genuine smile. “I thank the gods for sending you to me as my brother.”
Loki stared back at his brother with a grateful nod and twinkle in his eye on how happy he is that he is able to make his brother happy once more.
“Don’t be melodramatic.” Loki said with a mischievous grin over his face. “I’ve been making a list of things you owe me. You’ll have to pay me too someday, brother.”
Thor laughed loudly that Loki had to suppress his laughter and placed his hand into the air to intimidate him with a charm to silence him.
“Ofcourse I will.” Thor whispered back as they resumed their little cat like walk back to their chambers with proud smiles over their faces. “Whatever it is you ask for – lands, riches, power – and most importantly, women.”

Loki stared back at his brother with an utmost smile over his pale face and shook his head.
“You really think that everything is about wealth, power and women?” he asked him back with a raised brow and a sly smile over his handsome and young face. “You really think that way, don’t you brother?”
“Ofcourse.” his brother confidently replied as they turned another corridor that will lead them up to the staircase that led back to their rooms. “It’s what everyone wants.”
“Not me, perhaps.” Loki said with a smile and Thor slowed down his pace and waited for his brother to catch up on him.
He looked back at him, watching him closely and bearing a scowl then a smile over his face.
“Ofcourse that’s not true, brother.” Thor said. “You want the same things as what others want, as what I want.”
“What makes you say that?” Loki asked with a narrowed look over his face as he halted making his brother stop and turn back at him as well.
“Well, look at you.” Thor said looking him up and down proudly. “If you were really, genuinely like father and his adamant rules – you won’t be here with me, sneaking back into the chambers when there is a complete lockdown.”
“I didn’t do it because of that reason.” Loki said as he straightened up and folded his arms over his chest.
“But you had a reason.” Thor confidently said with a smile over slightly bearded face that was in contrast to his brother’s clean shaven one.
Loki opened his mouth to say something but closed it again, thinking back and hesitating his answer.

Thor threw his head back in laughter and patted his back.
“Oh, admit it brother. You’re just like me.” Thor said as they resumed walking again. “We want the same thing, we enjoy the same things. You’re here with me – isn’t that proof enough that you enjoy the same thing I do?”
“I let you in and am here with you because you’re my brother.” Loki cut short halting both of their steps towards the staircase. “I do this because you’re my brother, that’s the reason, nothing else.”
Thor stopped smiling and stared back at the brother he loved so dearly.
He was staring seriously back at him and he realized that what he said might have offended his younger brother.
“That wasn’t what I meant, Loki.” Thor said making a step forward him to reach for him. “I know we’re the same.. and also different.. in ways..”
“Really.” Loki answered with a mocking tone back at him.
“Come now.” Thor began gesturing him to come closer and wearing another inviting smile. “You know what I meant. We differ in ways more than one but we certainly are alike and enjoy the same things. I respect what you believe and what you do brother – and you conniving with me in these little adventures even if you truly enjoy them – doesn’t make you as bad as I am. Or maybe just a little worse.”
Thor winked at him and waited for Loki to react at him.
For a moment he just stared back and then he also nodded and broke into a big smile back at his brother.
Thor laughed at him and ruffled the soft, black tousle hair and gave him another strong pat over the back.
“You’re an idiot, you know that?” Loki asked him. “If we ever get caught, I’m not helping you ever again.”
“Yes, I know.” Thor said as they both turned to ascend the stairs. “I concede to that – for the hundredth time.”
They both sniggered and laughed as they made their way up the stairs to their chambers.
“No, really. I’m not helping you next time.” Loki said although he was still wearing the same mischievous glare back at his brother knowing that it wasn’t going to happen anyway. “Do you have any idea what mother would do to the both of us if she finds this one out?”
But Loki knew that he would always help his brother; he would always help his brother no matter what.
“We’re not children.” Thor gladly told him. “What is she going to do with us? Lash a stick on us? Give us a detention or house arrest of some sort?”
“I’m just saying.” Loki said. “I would always help you but not when you’re wrong. I’ve got your back but that-“
“And I’ve got yours.” Thor replied as he skipped a few steps up at the stairs to stay ahead of his brother. “And besides, I’m almost very sure that I’ve already heard all these before from you – last time of helping me for something. Oh wait, when was the last time I’ve heard that? Oh yes, ever since we were children you’ve always said it’s the ‘last time’ you’d help me out.”
Thor winked and stared at his brother who just stared back at him, shaking his head quietly.
brother. “This is the last time. We might not get lucky next time. You’ve been abusing my generosity.” ”
“The stars are with us, brother.” Thor said with a confident smile. “I assure you that we will always get away with everything.”
“You don’t know that.” Loki said with a purse of his thin lips. “Let’s not think about what father will do to the two of us because that’ll be the end of it all but mother – I can’t fathom what mother will do to us if she finds out I’ve been helping you in this little escapades.”
“Oh please brother.” Thor said with gloating smile over his face. “We both know you’d always be by my side besides, father is the end game and he’ll never really know – he won’t do anything even if he finds out. I’m his favorite – he won’t do anything. You should be confident cause you’re mother’s favourite-“
“I’m not.” Loki cut him short although the grin over his face told them both that he was proud of that little fact they both know to be true. “I can’t imagine what mother would do to us if she finds out. So this is the last time I’m helping you.”
“You’re not the only one wondering what mother would do.” Thor said as they reached the top steps of the staircase. “We’ve had more than hundreds of adventures, Loki and mother has never found out.”
“If she does-“
“Come on, she won’t.” Thor proudly said as they reached the top of the staircase. “You worry too much. I feel the same way but I don’t worry too much.”
“You feel the same way?” Loki asked back with a raised brow.
“Yes.” Thor said as they both turned to walk to their chambers. “I also feel scared that what if mother finds out you know and I also fee lthe same way you do - all these tremendous guilt-“
“You?” Loki laughed at him. “You’ve never been guilty about anything-“
“Oh, ofcourse I have.” Thor said looking kindly back at his brother. “When it comes to you and the trouble I’d bring you into, I always feel guilty.”
The mocking smile faded from Loki’s face and his heart felt touched by those words.
He knew that he would always care for Thor and despite that his brother would barely show it to the world, he knew that Thor would always have his back.
Loki opened his mouth to say something when he closed it quickly upon seeing someone before them, waiting for their return.

The smile from Thor’s face faded as he turned from his brother and back at the direction he had been staring, at the very same place that wiped off the smile from his face.
The brothers turned, both faces wearing nothing but a glow of red and guilt as they stared at the beautiful woman standing alone by the grand hallway wearing a peculiar smile over her face.
Her eyes moved from Loki who looked twice as guilty as Thor and then back at Thor who looked proud of himself yet the glow of guilt for his brother and the trouble he’d get him in now.
“Hello my sons.” Frida greeted them with a big smile as she gently placed both her hands in front of her.
“Mother…” Loki began to explain but Frida ignored him with a short smile and nod over her face.
“How about we find out?” Frida asked turning back at Thor. “How about the both of you come with me so we can find out how I’d actually punish the both of you for defying your father – the king’s – orders under this lockdown situation?”
Thor discreetly stared back at his brother who stared back at the same ashamed, guilty face back at him knowing this wasn’t exactly how they were both planning to spend the night away after their triumphant little adventure tonight.

They stared at one another, both red in the face and breathless and before Hermione could do anything, they both heard her apartment bell ring.
They broke their gaze for a moment and then they both looked back at one another.
Loki’s grasp of her slackened and Hermione quickly took the opportunity to grab her hand back.

Before Loki could do anything, she moved and quickly pushed herself through him and called out onto the door to ensure that someone knows that she was inside her apartment.
“Harry?” she called out hopefully.
“Yeah, it’s me.” Harry answered back from the outside. “Came for some bagel and all from George’s and Mrs. Weasley.”
Hermione quickened her footsteps, extremely glad for Harry’s presence and uncaring what she have to say if he sees Loki back inside her apartment.
“I’m coming.” Hermione said without breaking her gaze from Loki who stared back at her with question in his eyes. “Be there in a minute.”
“Hermione-“ Loki began but before he could get to her, she had quickly turned and had jogged fast to let Harry in.
Loki cursed to himself as he straightened himself up and tried to look as decent and casual as possible.
Loki had reached for her arm to stop her and Hermione momentarily looked back at him.
She gave him an uncertain look over her face that told him that she wasn’t prepared to tell Harry or anyone else whatever it was that had transpired between the two of them awhile ago.
He knew then that she barely comprehended it and he let her arm go.
Hermione quickly left him back at the hallway and walked to her door for Harry.

“Are you alright?” Harry asked Hermione as the door opened and he saw her flustered face right back at him.
“I’m fine.” Hermione breathlessly lied back at him as she opened the door hoping that Loki would have the decency to leave soon.
Harry entered still looking skeptical at her flustered form and expression but before he could inquire further, they both heard footsteps and before neither of them could comprehend what was going on, Loki had come pass them and took his scarf from where he had hung it over and walked to Hermione.
Harry’s mouth fell open in shock and he couldn’t even find his voice to say anything at seeing Loki in Hermione’s place.
Hermione tried to avoid Harry’s gaze for which was obviously burning at the very moment at the sight of them.
Without warning, Loki had suddenly kissed her over her cheek and smiled at her as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
“It was a delightful afternoon, Hermione.” Loki had said with a gesture of his hand to hers. “Perhaps one last time to ask if it interests you to come with me for lunch tomorrow?”
Hermione and Loki’s eyes met and she knew what he meant with that invitation.

She had been too shocked at what he has done and had barely recovered and still he was very insistent into asking her for the last time if she would ever be interested in him.
She didn’t know him very well and she wasn’t the type to venture with someone she barely knew.
But she had to admit even to herself that she was very curious of him, his intellect and his character.
Hermione knew that she had to make a decision and right in front of Harry.
She never wanted to mix business with pleasure even if that didn’t seem to matter to this man who was obviously perhaps a little older than Bill Weasley.
Hermione nodded gently at him and a genuine look over her eyes came and Loki already knew the answer before she even spoke of it.
“Thank you.” Hermione warmly said taking his hand to shake it for the last time. “I’d have to pass. I’m really, really not interested.”
Harry stared at Loki and back at Hermione and as her bestfriend all these years, he already knew that there was something he was definitely missing at that very moment.
Loki nodded courteously and like a gentleman, he shook her hand back.
“I usually don’t take no for an answer.” Loki honestly said in a warm voice as his gaze held hers. “But I’d respect this decision of yours. Shall I see you around then?”
Hermione nodded at him and broke their hand contact and made a step away from the man.
“I’ll see you at the Ministry, Mr. Laufeyson.” Hermione answered letting him know that she was drawing the line between the two of them at that very moment.
Loki nodded at her and made a gesture at Harry before turning to leave as Harry followed him to close the door of the apartment for him.
Hermione watched as the man left without another word or look back at her and waited for Harry to return to the small hallway with all the questions he had in his head about what had just transpired.
“Butterbeer?” Harry offered her when they were alone as he waited for her to speak to her about what it was all about.
Hermione shook her head and rolled her eyes as she gestured that she’d just get her cloak and scarf.
“More like a lot of alcohol tonight, Harry.” Hermione said as he nodded and took her arm and took her out of the apartment.

A week has passed since the afternoon that Loki Laufeyson left Hermione’s apartment.
And despite that Harry never asked into full details and questions since that afternoon for which Hermione enlightened him about what was going on – skip the part that they kissed – Harry didn’t miss the fact that there were moments where Hermione seemed lost in her thoughts and kept on walking past the conference room where Loki was usually found if he wasn’t in his penthouse office.
And speaking of it, since Hermione’s transfer she had only ever seen him twice – and never again since that event in her apartment.

She wasn’t stupid.

She knew that all of these had something to do with the kiss and the rejection she had given flat over his face.
She knew that soon enough, since he didn’t get what he wanted, she would be sent back down into her old office floor and office in a memo’s notice.
Hermione was almost as ready and willing to pack all her things back down again.
He had been an interesting man, an intellectual one to be honest.
She would have to admit to herself that his ideas challenged her and despite that he had described her as somehow ‘challenging’ which was slightly offensive in her part, she had to admit that he had a good perspective in things.
What was wrong with her?
Well first of all, he had been too much, too over-wearing and obviously over-confident of himself.
He poised and imposed himself upon her without giving her enough time to really understand and realize what was going on between the two of them without even feeling the slightest bit of guilty around him or feeling sensitive enough that she’d take time.
And secondly, she didn’t want complicated attachments.
He was foreign to their place and who’s telling that he’d stay or rather he’d stay for her?
He just came out from nowhere and he wanted what could be called an attachment, a relationship and Hermione didn’t like complicated ones.

She wasn’t scared but for her, feelings are a lot of work.
She had long declined Ron and Viktor Krum and she had successfully managed to cock-block Harry in his little attempts way back, a long time ago.
There was an Auror and a Healer and even a Ministry official who had attempted to see her and date her, but they were all just less than what she had been looking for – too much or never enough.
And this man who comes out of nowhere, was somewhere in between of those description.
“Stop it, Hermione.” Hermione berated herself for the nth time.
“Stop what?” Harry asked as he entered with a bag of bagel and coffee in his hands. “Thought I’d bring you some since we’re going to stay over a meeting later.”
Hermione checked the clock and it was half past five.
There was an overtime meeting that they all had to attend and Harry had insisted on staying with her until meeting time.
“Oh, before I forget, here’s something we need to go to on Saturday night.” Harry said handing her what looked like another fancy invitation.
Hermione took it and read the cover of the invitation where what looked like a real peacock feather was atop the fancy and shimmering lettering was carved.
“Selling birds?” she asked sarcastically opening the invitation.
“No.” Harry sniggered back at her. “Selling arts. Charity event. Gala ball.”
“You know I hate these things.” Hermione told him rolling her eyes and reading through the envelope.
“Not any more than I hate.” Harry pointed out as he took a bagel from the bag and settled himself in her large office couch.
“It states here that it’s a sort of art exhibit and only your name is here-“
“That’s because if you’d read through, I’m supposed to bring a date.” Harry cut short staring at her as if she had been stupidly reading.
“And who are you bringing?” Hermione asked folding the letter back after she’s read it.
“You.” Harry pointed out clearly with another mocking look over his face. “Are you alright?”
“Me?” Hermione asked completely uninterested with the event. “Why me?”
“And who do you suppose I bring?” Harry mocked back grabbing the invitation from her before she does something with it. “I’m not bringing Kingsley.”
“Very funny.” Hermione said. “I’m not going.”
“Yes you are.” Harry pointed out with a tone that told her it was end of discussion.
“I’m not.” Hermione said. “I haven’t got anything to wear.”
“If you read it, just a cocktail dress is enough. And don’t lie that you don’t have any because I’ve seen you wear those little-“
“Yes, yes, I get the point.” Hermione said rolling her eyes and grabbing a bagel from the package and sitting next to him.
Harry had been chewing on the bagel with peace in his life when Hermione took a bite and scooted next to him.
Harry rolled his eyes and kissed her over her dark tresses.
Hermione sighed heavily and Harry already knew that something was wrong
“Spill it.” Harry said in a mouthful as he held the bagel in his other hand and the other playing with her hair.
“I’m not feeling.. okay..” Hermione muttered slowly unsure how to tell her bestfriend how she had been feeling these past days.
Silence passed them and based on Hermione’s breathing pattern he knew that he wasn’t that well alright.
“You’re feeling guilty about the whole Laufey-situation.” Harry simply pointed out.
“Ofcourse not.” Hermione quickly countered knowing very well she was only lying to herself.
“I’m sure you’re not.” Harry pointed out with a smirk as he pulled her face to stare back at him.
“What?” Hermione spat at him trying to avoid his gaze.
“Look me in the eye and tell me that you don’t goddamn miss him and you aren’t feeling guilty at all, whatsoever about this whole thing between the two of you and what you did.”
“I’m not.”
“Hermione.”
“I told you I’m not.”
“Mione.”
“I’m really, really not.”
“Then look at me and tell me that you’re not.” Harry gently said looking at her eyes.
Hermione rolled her eyes and stared back at him.
“I’m not guilty about this whole Loki Laufeyson issue.” Hermione said staring hard at him. “I’m really, really not.”
Harry stared and waited.
And then Hermione blinked.

A smile spread his face and Hermione rolled her eyes and gently hit him over the chest and then buried her face into him as well.
“You actually like him.” Harry pointed out. “And now that you’ve flat out rejected him, you haven’t heard from him for a week. I think that’s missing out on something.”
“I’m not..” Hermione began not even sure what to say. “.. I’m not missing him. It’s just..”
Harry waited for her face to turn red and red by the moment.
“Damn it, Harry.” Hermione muttered at him. “I’m not missing him but I don’t understand what I’m feeling.”
“You miss him.” Harry pointed out. “You have reservations about him but you feel curious about him. And now that you haven’t heard from him for a week, you’ve absolutely got no clue how he feels now towards you and you’re being paranoid all over.”
“Ofcourse he feels rejected that’s why I haven’t seen or heard from and about him.” Hermione intellectually said.
“And that’s the whole point. You’re missing him and you’re worried about how he now feels about you.”
“I’m not entirely worried what he thinks of me.”
“Think is different from feel, ‘Mione.” Harry corrected her and she gave him a look knowing she always hated when she was corrected or if someone was right than she was.
“So what do I do?” Hermione asked him. “I don’t prefer jogging up to his penthouse apartment.”
“You’re situated right up at the floor where he works.” Harry said. “Couldn’t you knock your way through?”
“His blinds have been down since the other day.” Hermione said. “And I don’t think he came to work this past week.”
“Maybe an out of town trip.” Harry pointed out. “Besides, he’s not really a Ministry employee to be there at all times. You’d only have to try and chance upon a circumstance where he could be.”
“I don’t know.” Hermione said sighing heavily and placing the back of her arm over her forehead. “This is stupid. I’m not even supposed to be feeling this way after I’ve rejected him.”
“That’s because you’re feeling guilty all the same about what you’ve done and also because now that you haven’t heard from him after you bluntly rejected him, you’re absolutely confused of your feelings all over.”
Hermione was silent, Harry’s unsurprising attempt to console her regarding relationships was something that she really didn’t expect.
He had had relationships in the past and perhaps for the first time, she had something from Harry that was actually helpful.
“That’s my point Harry.” Hermione sighed heavily sinking back in his arms. “I don’t get lost or confused all over about things.”
“There’s always a first time, ‘Mione.” Harry pointed out kissing her forehead. “Always one.”

The week had come and gone and Hermione had not only succumb into being lost and confused but had practically given up at the idea that she’d see him any time soon.
She knew that he was purposely avoiding her now and Harry’s clarification and realization of her feelings didn’t help her week either.
The man had been gentle and intellectual but had also obviously proved that he wasn’t used or rather sport when it came to rejection. ;
He obviously wasn’t used to being rejected and Hermione had served it hot right at his face.

“Can you please zip me properly in place?” Hermione snapped at him as she turned around and asked Harry to fix her cocktail dress.
It was a tight one-zip black cocktail dress that hang an inch above her knees was the perfect match for the simple necklace that hung around her neck for the night.
“Because we’re already very late.” Harry pointed out as he zipped up her dress and turned her around to help her straighten out her hair that got caught at the back of the dress.
“Well if you came on time we won’t be late now, won’t we?” Hermione lashed back at him as she hurriedly opened her purse and pouted her lips and turned to her apartment’s mirror and placed the dark magenta lipstick over her lips while Harry struggled to tie his necktie.
“Oh, we’ve done this about ten dozen times Harry.” Hermione said shoving her makeup back inside her bag and turning to her bestfriend to untie the knot and tie it properly around his neck.
“Thanks.” Harry said. “Well my alarm didn’t buzz this morning and I need to do errands and stuff. So I overslept out of exhaustion this afternoon.”
“Yes, well whatever. Let’s go.” Hermione said checking herself over the mirror and her bestfriend before her.
“I would do you, Hermione.” Harry bluntly said staring her up and down. “I mean if you weren’t my bestfriend.”
“Shut up.” Hermione said waving her wand around her apartment as they finished up. “You’re late picking me up and you’ll give me very lame pickup lines. Seriously Harry Potter. You’re never gonna get laid with those attributes.”
Harry mocked smile at her and then watched her shove her wand inside an inner secret stash inside her dress as they made their way outside of her apartment.
He made her smile but keeping up a commentary on how beautiful her hair had been tonight as Hermione led them out of her apartment and into the night to the Gala Ball.

If there was anything than the two princes of Asgard vastly differed from one another, it was the social gatherings and other social responsibilities they both had and were required to do so.
Thor would always enjoy and bask away in these gatherings, drinking and eating his fill while his brother only stayed until the moment where he was actually required to stay. Other than, he would find himself bored and rather irritated by the noise consummated within such events.

“The party has just began downstairs, Loki.” Frida said as she entered the vast room of the younger prince.
Loki looked up from the middle of his grand four-poster bed and quickly illuminated the whole room with a swipe of his left hand.
The fire in the hearth grew big and he removed his eyes from the book he had been greeting as he moved towards the edged of the bed to greet his mother.
She nodded and gestured that she’d come to him.
He returned to his position and pretended to be reading again.
“Loki?” Frida asked as she settled herself next to him.
“They’re too noisy for my taste, mother.” Loki said turning a page from his book. “You know I’m not really interested in these gatherings unless they are political or intellectual.”
“Does your brother’s victory against one of those blatant armies trying to get into Asgard not political or intellectual enough for you?” Frida asked knowing the answer.
“I’ve celebrated with the rest of you at dinner. I’ve also stayed and prayed with you to the gods after dinner. I have greeted and shook hands with generals and stayed for another hour. May I ask why I am still required to go downstairs when all they do is drink and eat and dance around? Father’s not even at the party any longer.”
“Odin is not feeling very well.” Frida simply said reaching for his arm. “Are you not joyous of another victory of your brother?”
Loki sighed heavily and closed the book he was reading.
“I am grateful of the victory mother.” Loki replied with a small smile over his face as Frida waited for him to do so. “I’m just not.. interested into drinking the night away. I’m happy for what my brother has accomplished tonight and believe me, I’m glad to be rid of those vindictive army. But I’m really too exhausted and he’s with his friends, he doesn’t need my company.”
“But ofcourse he needs you. He wants you downstairs.”
“He wants me downstairs or you want me downstairs?” Loki asked her with a look in his eyes.

Frida nodded at him and gently pressed his arm.
“I know gone are the days when I can ask you to stay close with your brother.”
“He’s big enough. I think killing an entire army, he can handle himself well into drinking to oblivion.”
Frida stared at him and listened at the sarcasm that came out of his mouth.
He knew that his younger son had no time to make a fool of himself in parties and would rather read a book than waste the hours away drinking too much like his brother.
“How you two have grown in your own ways.” Frida said and she moved closer and pulled Loki to her.
Loki sighed and let himself be moved closer to Frida.
He smiled at her as she nodded and kissed him warmly over the forehead like he wasn’t eighteen and merely a young boy that she always see them to be.
“I love you, Loki.” Frida said with a warm smile. “You may not be the one to lead an army into battle but you will always be that little boy I’m ever so fond of.”
“My brother has better use, mother.” Loki pointed out lowering his eyes.
Frida grabbed his face to gently make him look back at her.
“I love both my sons whether they are to ascend a throne, lead an army to death or be at my palace counseling my government.” Frida said in a tight voice. “I love you both no more and no less than the other.”
“Even if I’m not to be king?” Loki pointed out knowing the answer already. “Even if I can’t lead your army out onto the battle?”
“What would a dead son make out of me?” Frida asked taking hold of his hand again. “I love you Loki. I always would whether you become king or right hand of a king. You are my son and you are loved and that is the only thing you’ll ever have to remember with or without a crown.”

The first half hour of the party had been nothing but a mere blur for both Harry and Hermione.
The gala was an art exhibition of sorts from old magical artifacts collected around the globe to old and valuable books and many other important and magical objects.
Ministry officials had been present and seeing the both of them, the next hour had been spent chit-chatting with the people they knew and who knew them well.
By the third hour, Hermione had finished walking twice around the exhibit to appreciate everything that were displayed on sight and had finished talking to most of the people who knew them in the gala event.
The bidding had also been done and a lot of the earnings would go to the same family and charities that were affected or had served in the First and Second Wizarding War.

“I want to go home.” Hermione mumbled at Harry’s ear as the woman he had been talking to had left him to get them some more drinks from the bar that had been set up.
“Two more hours before the party ends.” Harry mumbled back. “Thirty minutes, Hermione.”
“You’re enjoying yourself.” Hermione pointed out gently smacking him over the chest. “Who’s that girl? Are you going to get laid tonight?”
“Shut up.” Harry replied shaking her hair out its nice place. “I’m just talking to her. She’s half Russian. Two years older. Has connections with the Quidditch Internationale Competition next year.”
“So?” Hermione asked him confused as she ducked her head away from his reach.
“So I can get tickets if I can find out how to get them without paying too much.” Harry whispered back to her as they both eyed the woman on her way back to them with two drinks in her hands. “Come on, go now. I’ll see you in thirty minutes.”
“You’ve got so many galleons still left by your parents, Harry.” Hermione mumbled back at him. “Let’s not count your earnings and what was given aside from your Order of Merlin and you’re trying to be cheap by-“
“I get your point. You can go now, she’s coming. Bye.” Harry said as he literally gently pushed her away with a wink over his eyes.
Hermione opened her mouth to argue when she heard Harry tell the woman that she was her school bestfriend that he was telling her about that was like his sister.
Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head, smiling anyway as Harry faded back with the woman into the crowd around the room.
She turned to get herself another drink and settle back to their table for the rest of the night until Harry is done with his little business when her eyes caught something.
Or rather someone.

There from where she stood at plain sight across the room was Loki Laufeyson talking to a couple of Ministry Officials.
Her eyes slightly widened and she had to blink several times to ensure it was him.

She discreetly made her way to a waiter with a tray of drinks just to get closer to where he was to ensure it was him.
As she grabbed a small cocktail from the tray and got herself near enough to see them and enough not to be seen, she had been sure it was him.
She even heard his name being called by one of the officials.
“France had been a good trip.” Loki’s voice said. “It was only a mere three days but it was good enough.”
“Well, if you’ve got yourself a good take home we’re quite sure Mr. Laufeyson that it had been a very, very good three days and three nights.”
“Two days and three nights.” Loki corrected with a wink as the other gentlemen laughed and toasted his glass.
“Oh, here she is.” one of them had said and Hermione’s eyes automatically zoomed around the room.
There in front of her, a tall woman with fine dark chocolate hair, refined gaze and eyes and fair skin walked to them and kissed Loki over his left cheek.
“Good evening.” the woman clearly greeted in what Hermione was sure to be a French accent.
She wasn’t sure why but her throat suddenly felt like something had been stuck with something.
Trying to hidden yet close to them, Hermione craned her neck and tried to see and hear who the woman was.
Her brown eyes narrowed as she saw Loki place his arm around the woman’s thin and nicely shaped hips before gently placing her before her and resting his head next to her face.
Hermione’s eyes widened as he continued to smile to the crowd while the woman answered a couple of the inquiries from the gentlemen around her.

Three years older.
Half English-Half French.
Studied at Beauxbatons.
Very, very beautiful and god-given legs and curves.

Hermione tried so hard to not look again and just listen out to the conversation the others were having but it was so hard not to look – not when Loki’s arm was around her waistline that was barely with any clothes from the very stylish and barely clothed cocktail dress she was wearing.
The dress didn’t just embrace her curves well, but only outline them with curves and the rest of her body was just bare skin.
And despite that Loki’s eyes and conversation attention were with the men talking to him, his body language around the woman told Hermione that he had long moved on from the hang up she was still having on him.

How stupid could she get; she had pan him out with a hot blazing fire of rejection and he was a man.
He has needs.
No, he was a man.
It was plain and simple and he had moved on from her.
Suddenly, a pang not only of guilt but of disappointment hang around her neck.
How more she wanted to go home right at that moment.
Ignore the words and exchanges about the woman in his arms as her eyes felt hurt by the way his hands moved protectively around the woman and his face moved close to her while the other reciprocated it by laughing her French words and whispers out to him and her hand touching him all over like she was a prize she had recently won.
Well didn’t she just?
Hermione’s eyes welled up with tears as she knew now that a very little part of her felt that he had been sure, he had been sincere and well, that the kiss had meant something.
But seeing this just a week later after all of that made her feel not just betrayed but totally made a fool out of.

She was jealous and hard down to her core.

“Miss Granger!”
A voice called her out of her misery and Hermione had been too surprised to move out of the way.
She looked up and ahead and saw one of the Wizengamot members Loki and the woman had been speaking with stare back at her with the rest of the people talking to Loki.
She swallowed hard and forced a smile as she knew she had to make her way to them now.
“I’ve been looking for you.” the old wizard had said. “Where’s Mr. Potter?”
“Around.” Hermione said passing her gazes at everyone except for Loki and the girl who had now consumed themselves into some private whispers and joke.
She took a hard sip over her drink and looked away from them as the two broke off their little whispering with the woman gently nodding before eyeing Hermione in a scrutinizing way.
She could almost swear that they were making fun of her.
“Miss Granger, Mr. Laufeyson had just gone back in town after his business trip at France.”
“I can tell.” Hermione said without meaning to sound so very mean or snappy so she quickly added up a little, “I mean, so I’ve heard.”
“Yes, well he has come with a guest or rather date tonight.” the wizard went on completely oblivious from Hermione’s hot-head. “She’s supposedly around the same age with your family friend Miss Fleur Delacour, yes?”
“Oui.” the woman answered staring back at Hermione and extending her hand at her. “I’ve heard of her name from TriWizard history.”
The woman stared back at Hermione and Hermione tried her best to look and stand tall despite that she was obviously already taller than she was.
“Elaiza Raines.” the woman said extending her soft and fair-skinned hand at her. “ Very pleased to ze finally meet ze you.. Hermione Greyn-Gra-Gr-“
“Granger.” Hermione answered with a bite to her tone as she extended her hand back to her and firmly grasped it. “Hermione Granger.”
She gasped and Hermione quickly let go from her very firm grasp and gave her a hard smile.
Even if she wasn’t looking at Loki she knew that he was staring quietly and closely at her.
“Beauxbatons alumni.” the wizard went on with his introduction. “Miss Fleur Delacour is a family friend, yes? They might have known one another.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Hermione muttered with an obvious look over her face that she doesn’t give a damn whether Fleur knew this woman or not.
Hermione sighed heavily, trying to remain composed while the Ministry official tattle-tailed about the woman who was snaking herself around Loki with a slightly drunken demeanor.
“Been busy at the Ministry, Miss Granger?” Loki finally spoke looking deeply at her and uncaring that the woman named Elaiza had been playing with the elegant tie around his neck that matched his nicely cut and fit black suit.
“Yes.” Hermione snapped looking only once at him again. “Obviously. Just like you’ve been.”
Her eyes turned to him and a sharp gaze ran from the woman’s hand that had been resting over his chest and was now playing at the side of his neckline and ears.

And the worse of it all?

He doesn’t even seem to mind at all the attention he was being given.
He obviously wanted his women at his feet and Hermione felt she now understood why he had been very quick to get over her.
One mere kiss was all he got from her and she paid him back with a very hard slap.
It was an painful slap at his ego as well.
He was obviously a very physical man and one who likes his women falling head over heels over him.
And she repaid and served him with a hot pot of pure rejection.
Now, he has clearly moved on from her.
“If you would excuse me, I need to find Harry.” Hermione said unable to stay any longer and watch the two who were already at the verge of lip-locking right then and there as if there were no other people in front of them as they tangle their bodies together.
“Harry?” Elaiza repeated turning to her with a curious smile. “Harry Potter?”
“Yes.” Hermione answered fighting herself not to snap at the woman who obviously knew that she was referring to no one else but Harry Potter.
“Harry Potter is your boyfriend?” she asked with an incredible look over her eyes.
“No.” Loki answered with a smile as well as Hermione opened her mouth to answer her. “More like.. a friend, a brother. She told me the other day.”
Hermione’s head turned sharply back at him and he only nodded and raised his glass slightly at her direction.
“Did you not tell me so?” he asked her with a precarious look over his face. “Or did I mishear you?”
“I have to go.” Hermione snapped unable to control herself any longer. “It was good to see you all.”
She nodded at the Ministry officials and excuse herself and nodded at the woman and completely turned away from Loki without another word with nothing but her fuming dignity still intact.

“I want to go home.” Hermione urgently whispered to Harry after twenty minutes of doing nothing but mope back at their table and watch the other guests enjoy the rest of the party.
The lights had slightly dimmed as the music toned down into a smooth and slow pace for which guests started to take their dates at the middle of the dance floor.
Harry’s head spun to her right then as he had just taken a girl’s hand to dance with him.
“I’m sorry, just one minute.” Hermione muttered to the girl who knew them both very well from a Ministry charity event and had nodded coherently at Hermione in obvious fear of her skills at hexing people.
Harry gave the girl a gesture that he’d be back to dance with her as Hermione pulled him out onto the side and pressed his wrist.
“I’m going.” Hermione muttered trying to avoid looking at Loki who was dancing or rather sexually tangling bodies with his date for the night at a dark corner of the dance floor.
“What’s wrong?” Harry asked her, slightly alarmed. “Are we-“
“No, it’s fine. You can stay if you want.” Hermione said obviously just wanting to leave and not very fond of ruining Harry’s time just when he was enjoying something himself.
“What’s happening?” Harry concernedly asked this time as he pulled her closer and placed his hands on either side of her arms. “’Mione?”
“I’m not feeling very well.” Hermione simply said avoiding his gaze. “I just want to go home. I’ll just get some fresh air down the balcony and I’ll head off. Stay if you want to, it’s really alright.”
“Is it Laufeyson?” Harry asked her with narrowed gaze. “I’ve seen him earlier and-“
“I’m just really not feeling well. I want to go home, Harry.” Hermione said with a tone of impatience in her voice.
Harry stared at her and knew that the conversation was over and whether it was about Laufeyson or not, he knew that if she wanted to go home, this wasn’t permission she was asking but rather telling him that she was going home.
“Alright.” Harry said. “We’ll go home in a bit. I’ll just dance with the girl and you get your fresh air. Meet me by the end of the staircase in fifteen?”
“Yes.” Hermione said. “But you don’t really have to-“
“I’ll take you home.” Harry said kissing her forehead. “Fifteen minutes by the staircase.”
Hermione nodded at him and he led her back to the room as he searched the room back to the girl he was about to dance with.
Hermione felt stupid standing at the middle of the room with no dance partner at all and knowing that she didn’t want to be asked anyway, she quickly turned on her heel and moved to the area that led to the small balcony of the hall of the event place.

Hermione had barely inhaled the fresh, cold and consuming night air by the balcony when she heard footsteps come closer breaking the solace she had been having all to herself in the area.
“Quite a party, don’t you think?” asked the familiar deep accent and voice from the curtained door.
“All parties are all the same.” Hermione answered rolling her eyes and sighing heavily as she turned to face Loki Laufeyson standing next to her and appreciating the view by the balcony.
“I love the night sky.” Loki had said his eyes direct at the skies above them. “I love the view of the stars. Makes me feel closer.. to my home. Makes me feel not very alone, you know?”
“I’m sure.” Hermione said with a bite to her tone as she made a step away from him and gave him a nod. “You aren’t exactly alone tonight. You’ve had that French woman all over you. You can hardly call that being alone.”
Loki smiled and slowly turned to her with a charming smile over his face.
“Ah yes, Elaiza is quite.. a woman.” Loki said as he slowly turned to face her, his other hand resting by the balcony as he stared back at her, his eyes running up and down at her curves. “Lovely dress.”
“Not as lovely as the French girl’s.” Hermione pointed out aware that his eyes were running along her body. “It was very beautiful that it was barely even there.”
Loki threw his head back in laughter as he edged closer to her, close enough to reach her.
Hermione stood her guard even if half of her wanted to run along already.
The man had an obvious effect on her that could be considered neither good nor bad.
It was driving her mad.
“That’s what makes your dress quite interesting.” Loki whispered moving closer to her as he reached for her. “Tangles and outlines the right places.. leaving nothing revealed and yet.. leaving things for the works of imagination.”
Hermione stood before him, unmoving as he inched closer and with two long fingers, he touched the side of her arm to straighten out and pull back the lace in place that had been hanging down at the side of her arm.
Loki took another step closer to her, closing in their gap and Hermione felt her heart thumping very fast, wildly and out of its place.
The man had an extreme effect on her whole being.
“You can keep your imagination to yourself, Mr. Laufeyson.” Hermione said with a smile at him as she made an attempt to move back from him. “It was a nice evening.”
If Loki was amused, he didn’t have reservations to hide and keep it.
He laughed at her, a consuming handsome smile over his face making his godly features even more prominent.
His big smile slowly faded and he gave her one that was intimate and consoling in a way.
“For all it’s worth, Miss Granger, you do look very lovely and beautiful tonight.” Loki whispered at her his eyes deep into hers.
“Perhaps you should go back to your date. She wouldn’t want to miss a second entangling all her tentacles all over you.” Hermione spitefully told him crossing her arms and keeping them in place as if to protect herself from him.
“Why do you keep talking about her when I am talking about you?” Loki asked her with a curious look over his face. “Would you like us to talk about her?”
“Oh please.” Hermione said smirking at him. “I’m sure with all the press in this place, the both of you will be the talk of town in the morning in all the newsstands.”
“I’m unlike my brother. I’m quite a private person.” Loki reasoned to her. “Besides, isn’t this gathering one that requires us to bring a date?”
“I’m quite sure you know what this gathering required.” Hermione snapped back at him as she began to turn red in the face.
“I’m a private person, Miss Granger. But by all means we can talk about our dates for the night.” Loki offered her with a genuine look over his face that seemed to anger Hermione further.
“I was quite sure that there was nothing private in what you two had been doing all night long, Laufeyson.”
“This is a social gathering.” Loki said as he stood tall before her his eyes seemingly reading through her. “Besides, tell me exactly what it is that you think we’ve been doing all night long?”
“Are you serious?” Hermione mocked him back. “You really want me to – to describe how you two have been- you actually have the nerve to go around and about with that woman as if-“
“I beg your pardon?” Loki interrupted her in a clear voice and a little louder tone. “Why are we arguing about who I’ve brought with me tonight and whatever it is perhaps we have been doing all night long for the world to see-“
“You, that woman and - and your fantastic ego –“
“Did you not just reject me?” Loki asked her bluntly as he moved closer to her to make sure that she reads his facial expression. “Did you just not reject me a week ago? We shouldn’t even be having this conversation but it interests me to know that you’ve had your hot head all night long against a woman you barely-“
“Excuse moi.” Hermione argued back at him in an imitation of a French accent as she said those words. “I have not been prying and or spying to the two of-“
“Tell me exactly what you’ve been doing all night long then, Miss Granger.” Loki told her. “Tell me exactly what you’ve been doing all night long that you seem to bestow all of your energy into-“
“I have not been spying on either of you!” Hermione angrily argued back at him. “I have no business whatsoever to –“
“Hermione?” Harry’s voice came in and abruptly cut their conversation.
The both of them looked up and Harry was standing a few feet from them and ready to leave.
“Uh..” he began seeing the heightened look over their face as he stared from Hermione and then to Loki and then back at his bestfriend. “I thought I’ll check you here cause I was ready to leave. I’ll wait for you by the stairs.”
“Oh, I’m going too.” Hermione said quickly excusing herself and pushing her way away from Loki.
“Miss Granger-
“We’ve got nothing to talk about.” Hermione angrily called back at him without turning her head. “I haven’t got any more words for your kind.”
Harry opened his mouth to say something to Loki but Hermione had painfully pulled his arm and pulled him with her and disappeared back into the ballroom and into the crowd.

It was half past three in the morning when Loki had reached back into his penthouse with his date still around his arms.
The elevators to the penthouse opened up and Loki turned to her and stopped her from excitedly stepping into the penthouse.
“You did very, very well tonight.” Loki said as he opened up the inner jacket pocket of his suit and pulled out a thin folded parchment and handed it over to her.
Elaiza stared smirked and smiled and turned her head closer to him, flinging one arm around his neck and edging her face closer to him as her fingers ran along the side of his face.

“You know that you’re paying me for twenty four hours and that hasn’t expired yet.” she had said in complete English accent and no trace of French in it.
Loki smirked and smiled at her and slowly removed her hand around his neck pushing the paper back at her.
“This is good for three twenty four hours’ worth of your service.” Loki clearly said in a purely business tone. “An additional is added for the perfection of your French accent. You did very well into faking it.”
“It wasn’t fake.” Elaiza snapped at him as she attempted to put her arm again around his neck but he avoided and placed a space between the two of them. “I spent a year studying in France, Mr. Laufeyson and my great grandma is French.”
“I’m sure.” Loki said as he shoved the paper over her hand and straightened his suit up. “Go now. I’ll call you once more when I need your service.”
She stared back at him, mouth half open at his attitude.
“Is that it?” she asked disbelievingly. “You’ve paid me and now I’m just off to go?”
“Well what were you expecting exactly?” Loki asked her with a mocking smile over his handsome face. “I have paid and overpaid your service tonight and I assure you that you did very well. Client very much satisfied here.”
“You’ve spent a lot of money tonight for a mere few hours of displaying nothing beyond whispering, a dance and several –“
“What do you want exactly?” Loki asked and this time his tone was impatient and sharp.
Elaiza stared back at her, fear slightly consuming her.
“Well, nothing..” she attempted to be sweet again to place her arms around him as she edged her face to his. “How about a goodnight kiss? You’ve barely.. touched me tonight..” she whispered.
Loki stood there as her face moved closer to his lips, her hand reaching for his to bring about to her body.
Loki smiled at her and then he leaned his lips closer to hers.

She smiled coyly back at him.
“How about a goodnight kiss or a goodnight snog, pretty boy?” she whispered sweetly against his lips. “A little kiss perhaps? A little gain for what you paid for my service tonight?”
“First of all, I’ve already gained what I wanted.” Loki said with a smile over his face as he reached for her wrist. “Secondly, get your filthy hands off me-“
“Oh come on!” the girl wailed at him obviously in the heat to get something from him. “You’ve paid me tonight and I can’t even get as far as seriously and really kissing you-“
“I’ve paid you and paid you more than enough to be a mere display of a trophy tonight. Nothing more, nothing less. Now if you want to be paid and taken for your services again next time, you might want to leave before I lose my patience with you.”
He pushed her from him, a real threat and angered look over his face as she stood breathless away from him.
She gave him one last look before straightening out her dress and pocketing the cheque he had given her.
“I’m keeping this dress.” Elaiza lashed at him her eyes wild and angry.
“You can keep it with the rest of your body to yourself.” Loki said gesturing for her to leave. “You know the way out, Miss Raines.”
Elaiza stood there, shaking in anger with the money she had been paid for the night and swearing that despite of all the glamour, the generous amount of money she was paid for and the people she had met tonight at this service, Loki Laufeyson was one client she was not entirely sure she was willing to service one more time.
And before she could say anything else, Loki turned back to his door and slammed it shut right at her face as the lift opened up for her to take her leave.
And at the other side of the door, Loki stared at the beautiful solace, the privacy and silence of his penthouse with nothing else but a triumphant gleam of a smile in his bright blue eyes as he inhaled and recalled the rose and vanilla scent that had been consumed from the very little time he had been with Hermione Granger tonight.
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Across the Universe