The God of Valor

The damp, icy darkness of Azkaban was suffocating. Sirius Black sat huddled in the farthest corner of his cell, his unkempt hair falling over gaunt features. His gray eyes, once bright with mischief, were now clouded with despair. Memories haunted him—James laughing, Lily scolding him good-naturedly, and Harry reaching out with tiny hands, calling him "Padfoot."

"It's my fault," Sirius muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the whisper of the sea beyond the prison walls. "I trusted him. I—" His voice broke, and he buried his head in his hands. The weight of betrayal—the belief that he had failed to protect his best friends—crushed him anew every day.

Then, as if mocking his misery, came the sound of laughter. Not his own, not the Dementors' rasping breath, but something entirely different—a low, rich chuckle that rolled through the cell like a storm on the horizon.

Sirius looked up sharply, his heart pounding. A sudden explosion rocked the foundations of Azkaban, sending shards of stone and metal scattering into the corridor. Light flooded into his cell, blinding him momentarily.

When his vision cleared, a figure stood in the rubble, framed by the pale moonlight. Tall, lean, and cloaked in emerald green, the man exuded an aura of theatrical grandeur. His raven-black hair was slicked back, and his sharp features bore an expression of amused superiority.

"Well, well," the man drawled, his voice silky and laced with mischief. "I must say, this is not the most hospitable of places, even for someone as... infamous as Sirius Black."

Sirius blinked, his mind struggling to catch up with reality. "Who the bloody hell are you?" he demanded, his voice hoarse.

The man stepped forward, smirking. "I am Loki," he announced grandly, spreading his arms wide. "God of Mischief, Prince of Asgard, rightful heir to the throne—oh, and occasional liberator of falsely accused prisoners."

Sirius stared, then laughed—a raw, unhinged sound that echoed through the ruins of his cell. "A god? Brilliant. I've gone completely mad. Next, you'll tell me you're here to take me to tea with Merlin."

Loki tilted his head, clearly unamused by the outburst. "Oh, do be quiet," he snapped, stepping closer. "If you were truly mad, you wouldn't find my entrance so remarkable. Now, if you're finished wallowing in self-pity, we have work to do."

Sirius's laughter subsided, replaced by a wary curiosity. "Work? What kind of work?"

Loki's expression softened, his tone taking on a rare sincerity. "Lily and Harry are alive."

The world seemed to stop. Sirius froze, his eyes wide. "What did you say?" he whispered, his voice trembling.

"They're alive," Loki repeated, his voice calm but firm. "And they need you."

Sirius stumbled to his feet, gripping the bars of what remained of his cell door. "You're lying," he said, though there was a desperate hope in his eyes. "This is some cruel trick."

Loki stepped even closer, his piercing green eyes meeting Sirius's gray ones. "Do I look like a man who wastes time on cruel tricks?" he asked dryly, though his lips twitched with amusement. "Well, often, yes—but not today. Today, Sirius Black, I am your salvation."

For a moment, Sirius was silent, his chest rising and falling as he processed the words. Then, his resolve hardened. "If there's even a chance you're telling the truth, I'm coming with you."

"Good," Loki said with a smirk, waving a hand and conjuring a swirling green portal behind him. "But first, we make a detour. The Longbottoms are under attack, and my dear older brother Thor is already on the scene."

Sirius frowned. "Thor? Who's Thor?"

Loki sighed dramatically. "Oh, you'll meet him. Blonde, large hammer, loves to shout about honor and victory. He's exhausting, really."

Sirius raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Fine. Let's go."

"Ah, ah, ah," Loki said, raising a finger. "First, a disguise. You're a wanted man, remember?"

With a flick of his wrist, a shimmering veil of magic enveloped Sirius, replacing his gaunt appearance with that of a nondescript, brown-haired stranger. Sirius glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers. "This is... unsettling."

"You'll get used to it," Loki replied breezily, already stepping through the portal. "Now, do keep up. I detest tardiness."

As they vanished into the swirling green light, Sirius couldn't help but mutter, "What the hell have I gotten myself into?"

Loki glanced back, smirking. "The adventure of a lifetime, my dear Padfoot. Now, try to look heroic. We've a family to save."

—

As the smoke of battle swirled around them, Sirius and Loki materialized onto the bloodstained battlefield with a sense of calm that contrasted the chaos. The crackle of spells filled the air, curses whizzing past them as they stepped into the fray. Muggles and wizards alike were locked in combat, the air thick with the sounds of explosions, spells, and the occasional war cry.

Thor's booming laughter rang through the battlefield like thunder as Mjölnir swung with deadly force, sending two Death Eaters flying. The Warriors Three were everywhere, Asgardian swords and axes cutting down opponents like hot knives through butter. Sif was a blur of motion, her sword flashing as she weaved through the fight, striking with lethal precision.

But Sirius, despite his surroundings, couldn't take his eyes off Bellatrix.

There she was, at the center of it all, her wild hair flying in every direction as she cackled with manic glee. Her wand slashed through the air with a frenzy that only someone with a mind as broken as hers could manage. Spells streaked past her like deadly lightning, each more vicious than the last, as she grinned madly, her dark eyes gleaming with malevolent delight.

His heart pounded as he recognized the figures at her side: Rodolphus Lestrange, a cruel smile curling at his lips as he dueled fiercely, and Rabastan Lestrange, eyes burning with righteous fury. But the one who made Sirius's blood boil the most was the man beside them—Barty Crouch Jr. His wand was a blur, firing hex after hex with reckless abandon. There was no mistaking the zeal in his eyes.

"Bellatrix," Sirius muttered under his breath, his voice low but venomous. His fingers tightened around his wand, eyes narrowing as he studied her. His face, currently glamoured to look like an unremarkable brown-haired man, betrayed none of the anger coursing through his veins.

Loki, ever the observer, glanced over at him with an arched eyebrow. The corners of his lips twitched in something resembling amusement, but his icy blue eyes were sharp with the understanding of the danger ahead. "Ah, family," he said with a smirk, his voice as smooth and mocking as ever. "A Black family reunion, no less. How quaint. Shall we join in, then? I'm sure they'll be overjoyed to see you."

Sirius's lips curled into a thin, grim smile, though his eyes were filled with burning hatred. "It's been far too long," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see me—especially Bellatrix. That is her, you know. My lovely cousin, the one who thinks the world revolves around her twisted sense of 'family honor.'"

Loki's smirk grew as he assessed the battle, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding combatants. His fingers were already twitching, the air around him crackling with power. "And the others? The Lestranges and Crouch Jr.?" he asked, his voice amused but tinged with an undercurrent of lethal intent. "Which one should I focus on first? I'm quite capable of causing most of them to rethink their life choices."

Sirius chuckled darkly, his eyes flicking to the battle raging ahead. "Rodolphus Lestrange? That's the one who likes to think he's in charge of everything. Rabastan's a bit quieter, but just as dangerous. As for Crouch Jr…" Sirius's face hardened, his jaw clenching. "That little bastard has no conscience, Loki. He's dangerous in ways you don't even want to know."

Loki tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with a cold amusement that suggested he was more than ready for the challenge. "Dangerous, you say? I think I can handle a few misguided souls with too much ambition. It sounds like fun, actually." His voice took on a silky edge. "Perhaps I'll make a game of it. You know, improvise."

Sirius grinned, though it was a smile of sharp teeth. "You'd probably have more fun than I would," he said dryly. "But if I'm being honest, I've been waiting for this moment for far too long. Bellatrix deserves a good kick in the arse."

Loki's lips quirked as he leaned closer to Sirius, lowering his voice with a mischievous edge. "A kick, you say? I was thinking something more… creative. But then again, there's always room for a bit of brawling in the family, isn't there?"

Sirius's grin widened, though his eyes were now filled with a darker intensity. "You're not wrong about that," he said with a slight chuckle. "Let's just make sure we don't leave any of them breathing by the end of this. I've got enough personal scores to settle to last a lifetime."

Loki's eyes flicked from Bellatrix to her comrades and back again. "Sounds like a very productive use of our time," he said, his voice dripping with sarcastic sweetness. "After you, then, Black. I do believe your cousin is waiting."

Sirius let out a sharp breath, his fingers tightening around his wand as he turned to face the chaos ahead. "I wouldn't want to keep her waiting," he said with a grin that promised nothing good. "Let's make this fun."

With that, they launched themselves into the fray, Sirius leading the charge, his glamour hiding his true identity, but his determination and fury undeniable. Loki followed closely behind, his own magic crackling in the air, ready to make this family reunion one the Black family would never forget.

—

The battlefield was a chaotic symphony of spells and steel, the Death Eaters clearly unprepared for the sheer might and audacity of Asgard's finest warriors.

Thor stood at the center of the fray, Mjölnir crackling with lightning in his hand. His laughter boomed like a thunderclap as he hurled the hammer, sending three Death Eaters flying into the nearest wall with a deafening crash. "Come now!" he bellowed, his voice carrying over the din of battle. "Is this the best Midgard's so-called dark sorcerers can muster? My grandmother wielded more power than this, and she only used a wooden spoon!"

Rodolphus Lestrange snarled in fury, his wand slashing through the air to send a sickly green curse straight at Thor. "Die, you insufferable Muggle!" he spat.

Thor caught the curse with Mjölnir mid-air, the magic shattering harmlessly against the enchanted uru metal. He grinned, twirling the hammer as if it weighed no more than a feather. "Muggle? Nay, little wizard, I am Thor, son of Odin, and I find your insults as lacking as your aim!"

He launched himself into the air, spinning Mjölnir at blinding speed before slamming it into the ground. The shockwave sent Death Eaters tumbling like leaves in a storm. "Come, wretches! Face the wrath of Asgard's mightiest warrior!"

Hogun, ever the stoic one, dispatched a Death Eater with a swift, calculated strike of his mace. The man crumpled without a sound, and Hogun turned to Thor with an exasperated glare. "Thor," he growled, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Focus. We're here to end this fight, not to entertain your ego."

"Ah, Hogun," Thor replied, landing heavily beside him, his grin wide and unrepentant. "What is battle without a little joy? Surely you feel it—the blood pounding, the thrill of combat! It is glorious!"

"Glorious?" Hogun muttered under his breath as he parried a hex with his mace, his expression unchanging. "This is chaos."

Meanwhile, Volstagg barreled through the fray like a juggernaut, his massive bulk knocking Death Eaters aside as if they were made of paper. His axe gleamed as it cleaved through a conjured shield spell, and he laughed heartily as two wizards dove out of his path. "Scrawny little wretches!" he bellowed, his voice full of mirth. "Do you not eat in this land? Come now, show me some fight, or I'll think you're afraid of a good meal as much as a good battle!"

One of the Death Eaters foolishly sent a Stinging Hex at him, which ricocheted off his armor. Volstagg grinned, hefting his axe. "Ah, a brave one! Let us see if your spells can match my steel!"

Fandral danced through the skirmish with the grace of a seasoned duelist, his rapier flashing like quicksilver. "Volstagg, my friend," he called, disarming a Death Eater with a flourish before tripping him with a well-placed kick, "you really should be kinder to our opponents. After all, they're trying so hard to hit us."

"Trying?" Volstagg boomed with a grin, gesturing to a stunned Death Eater crumpled at his feet. "Aye, and failing spectacularly!"

"Indeed," Fandral replied, his voice smooth and teasing. "But perhaps if you didn't present such an enormous target, they might actually have a chance."

Volstagg scowled at the jab, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. "Careful, Fandral. That wit of yours might be sharper than your blade, but it won't protect you when you finally meet someone faster."

Fandral chuckled, sidestepping a curse and flicking his blade to send the Death Eater's wand flying. "And yet, here I am, unscathed as ever. Perhaps I'm just lucky."

Nearby, a particularly daring Death Eater attempted to strike at Thor from behind, but the God of Thunder spun around with the speed of a tempest, Mjölnir crackling with energy. "Cowardice will not save you!" Thor roared, hurling the hammer directly into the wizard's chest. The Death Eater flew backward with a satisfying thud, landing in an unconscious heap.

"Thor!" Fandral called, gesturing to a group of Death Eaters gathering to fire a volley of curses. "Perhaps you'd like to handle that before they overwhelm us?"

Thor's grin widened as he retrieved Mjölnir with a flick of his wrist. "Overwhelm us? Ha! Watch and learn, my friends!"

With a roar, Thor spun Mjölnir, summoning a storm above their heads. Lightning crackled through the air before slamming into the ground, scattering the Death Eaters like rag dolls. The remaining wizards scrambled to retreat, their confidence shattered.

As the dust settled, Volstagg leaned on his axe, surveying the field with satisfaction. "Well, that was invigorating! Though I must say, I've fought better foes in taverns."

Hogun sheathed his mace, his expression as stoic as ever. "And quieter ones."

Thor clapped a hand on Volstagg's shoulder, his grin as bright as the lightning that had just decimated their enemies. "A fine battle, my friends! Though I fear these Death Eaters were no match for Asgard's might."

Fandral twirled his rapier, smirking. "Perhaps next time, they'll bring reinforcements. Or at least someone with a sense of flair."

Thor laughed heartily, his booming voice echoing across the battlefield. "Let them come! For we are Asgardians, and no foe can stand against us!"

The Warriors Three exchanged knowing looks, their camaraderie unshaken as they prepared for whatever came next. After all, with Thor leading the charge, there was never a dull moment.

–

The duel was fierce and unrelenting, sparks of magic lighting up the darkened hall like a violent storm. Sirius Black, currently glamoured into an unremarkable, brown-haired man, faced Bellatrix Lestrange with a defiant smirk. His wand was raised, his movements fluid and confident, but his eyes burned with a fire that no disguise could hide.

Bellatrix tilted her head, her jet-black curls cascading like a dark halo around her face. Her lips curled into a cruel smile, her pale green eyes alight with a twisted glee. "Well, well," she purred, her voice rich and mocking, "what do we have here? A Muggle playing wizard? Oh, how deliciously pathetic." She twirled her wand lazily between her fingers, her movements as graceful as they were menacing. "Shall we see how quickly you break, darling?"

"Let's not," Sirius quipped, his tone sharp with disdain. Without hesitation, he fired off a barrage of curses, the air crackling with his precision and speed.

Bellatrix laughed, her voice high and wild, dodging his spells with an almost theatrical grace. She pirouetted out of harm's way, as though she were dancing instead of fighting. "Oh, you've got spirit!" she taunted, her wand flashing as she retaliated with a vicious Avada Kedavra.

Sirius rolled to the side, the jet of green light narrowly missing him and striking the stone wall with a deafening crack. He came up on one knee, firing a Stunning Spell that she deflected with an almost lazy flick of her wand.

"Family trait," Sirius muttered under his breath, his wand spinning in his hand as he blocked another hex.

Before Bellatrix could press her advantage, a figure stepped from the shadows beside Sirius. Loki's arrival was as understated as it was commanding, his black and green Asgardian armor gleaming faintly in the dim light. His dagger flashed as he deflected a curse meant for Sirius, the blade moving faster than the eye could track.

"She's insane," Loki remarked casually, his tone calm and measured despite the chaos around them. His pale blue eyes flicked to Sirius with an almost amused glint. "Charming, in a feral sort of way, but undeniably insane."

"You're telling me," Sirius muttered, his lips curling into a sardonic grin. "That's my cousin, by the way. Bellatrix. Bit of a black sheep, even for our lot."

Bellatrix's manic laughter cut through their exchange. "Cousin?" she repeated, her voice dripping with mockery. "You mean this sad little thing is you, Sirius? Oh, how the mighty have fallen. And you've brought a friend!" Her eyes raked over Loki, her smile growing sharper, more unhinged. "And who might you be, little snake?"

Loki's grin was as cold and cutting as a winter wind. He inclined his head slightly, his voice silky and dangerous. "Me? Just a humble traveler passing through. But you may call me Loki."

Bellatrix's eyes narrowed, her predatory curiosity piqued. "Loki," she repeated, tasting the name like wine on her tongue. "You're not a wizard. No, there's something... other about you."

Loki's grin widened, his dagger spinning deftly in his hand. "Perceptive," he said smoothly. "For someone whose mind seems held together by frayed threads."

Bellatrix's laughter rang out again, sharp and jagged like broken glass. "Oh, I like you," she said, her wand snapping up to fire a volley of curses. "Shall we dance, little snake?"

Loki sidestepped the onslaught with an almost lazy elegance, his dagger flashing as he redirected one curse back toward Bellatrix. She deflected it with a flick of her wand, her smile never wavering.

Sirius seized the moment, firing a Disarming Charm that Bellatrix barely avoided. "A bit busy, aren't you, Bella?" he taunted, his voice a mix of charm and venom.

Bellatrix's gaze snapped to him, her smile faltering for the first time. "Don't call me that," she hissed, her tone venomous.

"Why not?" Sirius replied, his smirk widening as he fired another spell. "Don't like pet names from family?"

Bellatrix snarled, her composure fracturing as she hurled a vicious Cruciatus Curse at him. Sirius dove to the side, his movements quick and agile, and retaliated with a silent Stunning Spell that clipped her shoulder.

Loki used her distraction to his advantage, closing the distance between them in an instant. His dagger slashed through the air, forcing Bellatrix to leap back, her wand spinning in a desperate counter.

"You're good," she admitted, her voice breathless but still mocking. "But I've danced this dance before, little snake. And I always win."

Loki's smile turned razor-sharp. "You've never danced with a god."

With a flick of his wrist, Loki summoned a burst of green energy, the magical force slamming into Bellatrix and sending her sprawling. She rolled to her feet with a snarl, her hair wild and her eyes blazing.

Sirius stepped forward, his wand raised, his gaze locked on hers. "Time to end this, Bella," he said, his voice hard.

Bellatrix's laughter returned, broken and unhinged. "Oh, Sirius," she whispered, her smile twisting into something dark and deranged. "It's never the end with us."

Loki and Sirius exchanged a glance, their unspoken agreement clear. Together, they surged forward, their combined strength and cunning pressing Bellatrix back. Her laughter echoed through the hall, but for the first time, there was a hint of desperation beneath it.

—

The room was thick with the acrid scent of smoke and the faint hum of dissipating magic. Amid the wreckage of shattered furniture and fallen Death Eaters, Lady Sif strode with purpose, her silver armor glinting in the dim light. Her dark hair framed a face set with determination, though her eyes softened as she approached the source of the strangled cries—a battered wooden closet.

She knelt gracefully, her hand reaching for the handle with deliberate care. As she pulled the door open, her expression shifted from warrior's resolve to something almost maternal. Inside, a tiny boy with chubby cheeks and tear-streaked eyes cowered, clutching a small stuffed dragon as if it were a shield against the world.

"It's all right, little one," Sif said, her voice low and soothing, a stark contrast to the chaos around them. Her hand extended slowly, palm up. "No one will harm you. You're safe."

Neville Longbottom stared up at her with wide, terrified eyes. His tiny body trembled, and for a moment, he didn't move. But something in her voice—steady and sure—seemed to cut through his fear. Slowly, tentatively, his small hand reached for hers.

Sif scooped him up with a surprising gentleness that belied her warrior's strength. She held him close, her arm steady beneath his slight weight, her other hand brushing his curls in a soothing gesture. "You're safe now, little one," she murmured, her voice soft. The toddler clung to her, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

As she turned, she spotted Frank and Alice Longbottom slumped on the floor, their bodies barely conscious but alive. Loki knelt beside them, his elegant fingers glowing with faint green light as he channeled his magic. His face, usually so composed, was marked with an unusual tenderness as he murmured softly, his voice barely audible over the quiet hum of his spellwork.

"This pain will not last," Loki said, his tone calm but resolute. "You have endured much, but I will see to it you find safety and healing."

Frank groaned faintly, his eyes fluttering open for a brief moment, only to close again as exhaustion overtook him. Alice's hand twitched weakly, her lips moving as if to speak, but no sound came out. Loki's magic continued to flow, steady and sure.

Sif knelt beside them, carefully placing Neville next to his mother. The boy immediately reached for Alice's hand, his tiny fingers gripping hers tightly, though she barely had the strength to respond. Sif removed her cloak, wrapping it gently around the boy to shield him from the cold and the fear still lingering in the air.

Sirius approached, his glamoured appearance making him unrecognizable to most, but the intensity in his eyes was unmistakable. He crouched beside Sif, his gaze flicking between the Longbottoms and Neville. "Are they…?"

"They'll live," Loki interjected, not looking up from his work. His voice was quiet but carried an edge of authority. "Their minds and bodies are damaged, but not beyond repair."

Sirius exhaled a shaky breath, relief mingling with anger as his eyes fell on Bellatrix. She was bound in magical restraints conjured by Loki, her body immobilized but her sharp tongue still free. Her dark curls framed a face twisted with fury and something close to fear.

"You think this changes anything?" Bellatrix spat, her voice venomous. "You've won nothing! My master will—"

"Silence," Loki said coldly, cutting her off with a flick of his hand. His eyes, piercing and calculating, fixed on her. "You talk too much for someone who is about to be dissected."

Bellatrix flinched, the bravado in her expression faltering. "You don't know what you're meddling with!" she hissed, though her voice quivered.

Loki's grin was sharp and cold, a predator's smile. He leaned closer, his fingers brushing against her temple despite her weak attempt to recoil. "Oh, but I do," he murmured, his voice like silk laced with steel.

Sirius frowned, stepping closer. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his tone sharp with both curiosity and unease.

Loki didn't look at him, his focus entirely on Bellatrix. "She is under a Geass," he said, his words precise and deliberate. "A magical compulsion of the highest order, far more insidious than any ordinary spell. It warps the mind, erases choice, and leaves scars—scars I can trace."

Sirius froze, his breath catching in his throat. "A Geass?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. His mind raced, his thoughts tumbling over one another. "That—my family—Bellatrix, Narcissa, even Andromeda… Could they have been—?"

"Perhaps," Loki said, finally turning to look at him. His expression was inscrutable, his pale eyes cool and unreadable. "This magic is ancient and vile, and it leaves its mark. If it was used on them, I will find it."

Bellatrix snarled, her composure cracking. "Stay out of my mind!" she screamed, her voice raw with panic. "You have no idea what you're doing!"

"Oh, I know exactly what I'm doing," Loki replied, his voice soft but deadly. His fingers pressed lightly against her temple, his magic weaving into her mind like a whisper. Bellatrix's defiance melted into a look of sheer terror as Loki delved deeper, his expression never wavering.

Sirius stood frozen, his heart pounding as he watched. If what Loki said was true, then everything he thought he knew about his family, about Bellatrix, could be a lie. The realization was a weight in his chest, heavy and suffocating.

Loki pulled back abruptly, his magic dissipating as he stepped away from Bellatrix. She slumped in her bonds, her head hanging low, her breathing ragged.

"It's there," Loki said, his voice quiet but firm. "The compulsion is buried deep, but it's not unbreakable. With time, I could—"

"Free her?" Sirius interrupted, his voice sharp and disbelieving. "After everything she's done?"

Loki's gaze met his, unflinching. "No one is beyond redemption, Sirius. Not even her."

---

Sirius paced the room, his boots clicking against the stone floor as he processed the chaos of the past few hours. Asgard. Lily. Harry. Fate. His thoughts were a tangled mess, and he couldn't help but feel like the universe was laughing at him.

Finally, he stopped, turning to Loki with an arched brow that practically screamed disbelief. "Alright, I've got to ask, Loki—what in Merlin's name is Asgard's vested interest in this? And don't give me some vague nonsense about fate and justice. What does any of this have to do with us—Lily, Harry… me?"

Loki, leaning casually against a pillar with the air of someone who knew far more than they were willing to share, offered Sirius a sly smile. His black hair gleamed in the torchlight, his green eyes glittering with mischief and something more profound.

"Ah, Sirius," Loki began, his voice as smooth as honeyed wine. "You mortals always assume your struggles are but ripples in a pond. But what if I told you they are threads in a tapestry far grander than you could imagine? Your Lily, dear Sirius, was not just any witch. She was once... of Asgard."

Sirius blinked, his face blank for a moment before he barked a laugh. "Oh, come on! Pull the other one, mate. Lily? Asgard? Next, you'll tell me James was secretly an animagus who turned into a—wait…" His expression turned mock-thoughtful. "Oh, wait. He was."

Loki's smile widened, though there was a glint of exasperation in his eyes. "You deflect with humor, Sirius, but this is no jest. Lily was exiled from Asgard long before she became the Lily you knew. And Harry, as her son, carries that legacy in his veins. Asgard does not abandon its own."

Sirius froze, his usual smirk slipping into something far more serious. "You're telling me Lily was… what? An Asgardian princess? A warrior? A—what does that even mean?"

Loki straightened, his tone softening. "She was both more and less than that. Her exile was... complicated. But James knew the truth. She told him when he proposed. He accepted her, knowing full well the weight of her past and the danger it might bring."

For a long moment, Sirius just stared, his gray eyes (currently glamoured brown) narrowing as he processed this. Then, to Loki's surprise, Sirius burst out laughing. It wasn't a polite chuckle, either—it was a full-throated, bent-over, can't-catch-his-breath kind of laugh.

"James, you absolute git!" Sirius wheezed, clutching his sides. "You pulled off one last prank on me from beyond the bloody grave! Oh, that's just… that's bloody brilliant!"

Loki tilted his head, his lips quirking in a bemused smile. "You find this amusing?"

"Amusing?" Sirius straightened, wiping at his eyes, still chuckling. "It's hilarious. All this time, I thought I knew everything about him—his secrets, his plans. Turns out, he kept the biggest one tucked away like a spare sock!" He grinned at Loki, his expression a mix of exasperation and admiration. "Leave it to James to marry a literal goddess and not breathe a word to me. I'll bet he lived for the day I found out."

Loki's chuckle joined Sirius's, low and melodic. "Your friend James certainly had a trickster's spirit. Perhaps that's why Lily loved him. He had the courage to face the impossible with a smile—and a plan he probably concocted five minutes prior."

"That," Sirius agreed, still grinning, "and he made a mean shepherd's pie." He paused, his grin softening into something more reflective. "You know, it's funny. For all the pranks and trouble we got into, James never felt larger than life to me. He was just… James. Turns out, he really was a hero, wasn't he?"

Loki stepped closer, his voice low and full of gravitas. "A hero does not need to wear armor or wield a sword, Sirius. Sometimes, they are the ones who love without fear and protect what matters most—no matter the cost."

For once, Sirius had no quip, no witty retort. He just nodded, his glamoured face unreadable but his eyes—his real, storm-gray eyes—bright with emotion.

After a moment, he smirked, the moment of sincerity giving way to his usual bravado. "Still, you've got to admit, this is absolutely insane. Next, you'll be telling me I've got some divine bloodline I don't know about."

Loki raised a brow, his lips twitching. "Ah, no, Sirius Black. You are as mortal as they come. Though your flair for dramatics might suggest otherwise."

"Cheers for that," Sirius said dryly, though the corners of his mouth twitched in amusement. "So, what now? We ride off into the sunset to raise Harry and stick it to the bad guys? Or do you have some grand, Loki-esque plan up your sleeve?"

Loki's grin turned sharp, his eyes gleaming. "Oh, Sirius. When I make a plan, it's never 'grand.' It's glorious."

Sirius rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "Glorious or not, just make sure I don't end up looking like a fool. I've got a reputation to uphold."

"Ah, but Sirius," Loki said, clapping him on the shoulder, "you make an excellent fool. A charming one, at least."

Sirius swatted his hand away, muttering something about "bloody gods and their bloody egos," but his laughter betrayed him. Together, they stepped out into the corridor, an unlikely pair bound by mischief, camaraderie, and the weight of a shared mission.

If nothing else, Sirius thought with a smirk, this was shaping up to be one hell of a story.

---

Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!

I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!

If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!

Click the link below to join the conversation:

https://discord.com/invite/HHHwRsB6wd

Can't wait to see you there!

If you appreciate my work and want to support me, consider buying me a cup of coffee. Your support helps me keep writing and bringing more stories to you. You can do so via PayPal here:

https://www.paypal.me/VikrantUtekar007

Or through my Buy Me a Coffee page:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vikired001s

Thank you for your support!