A warm welcome to everyone that has been faithfully following this story ever since the beginning of "Keeping the Stars Apart". If you haven't read this, and it's sequel, "Till Death Us do Part" this won't make an awful lot of sense to you. So go on - indulge yourself, this story will still be here when you get back...

This is not the third installment of the planned trilogy. The as yet untitled third part is still in progress on my laptop, and is causing me more than a few grey hairs. I had an ever increasing list of two and one shots that I wanted to cover, culminating in the long awaited wedding of the year, and this seemed the best way to deal with them.

Inevitably the course of true love will not run entirely smoothly, and there is an interesting little story arc that I want to introduce later on ...

Obligatory disclaimer - I do not own any characters from the Thor or the Harry Potter universe.

I'm going to stop being subtle now and and just beg for reviews - please... there is occasionally a small exclusive on the next chapter for those that review...

Breaking News - Part One:

The summer term at Hogwarts was drawing to a close. The end of Hermione final year at the school where she had been both pupil and teacher. In two weeks time the term would end, and she and Loki would be making the final move to Asgard. Two weeks later, they would be married in the walled rose garden at the Palace, and she would no longer be Professor Granger, of Hogwarts, or even Hermione Granger, war hero, friend of Harry Potter and member of the Golden Trio. She would be Princess Hermione, wife of the Lord Chancellor of Asgard, and sister in law to its King. While she had no doubts that she was making the right decision, this was one change she was still trying to get her head around.

That sunny Saturday morning in June started peacefully enough. Hermione stood in the rooms she shared with Loki, the signs of the forthcoming move all around her, sipping her first cup of tea of the day, and thinking about all that had happened since the weekend, almost exactly two years previously when he had arrived suddenly and unceremoniously into her life, seriously injured both mentally and physically. They had both come a long way since then she thought, wandering aimlessly into their bedroom, curling up in the small window seat, which offered a spectacular view across the castle roof to the Black Lake. From here, if she craned her neck a little, she could just about see the oak tree which was Loki's favourite thinking spot.

Thinking of her husband to be, Hermione's eyes went to the bed, where he was still fast asleep. As usual he was dressed only in a pair of light cotton trousers, the bed sheet tangled around his hips. Even with the horrific scarring that still covered his back, evidence of the injuries that had first brought them together, he still took her breath away. She watched him fondly, wondering how someone that was over a thousand years old, and who had seen all that he had seen, could possibly still look so very young, and innocent when he was asleep.

Her reverie was interrupted by a tap behind her. Turning, she opened the window to admit a rather nervous looking owl, that she was surprised to recognise as belonging to the Weasleys. She was even more surprised to see that the envelope in its beak was bright red, and smoking slightly from one corner.

A howler? Surely there had been a mistake. This should probably be going to Draco's quarters, for Charlie.

But no, the name on the envelope was definitely hers.

The owl, evidently having a sophisticated sense of self preservation, dropped the smoking envelope onto the window seat and left, presumably for the owlery. Hermione eyed the Howler dubiously, jumping backwards when, seconds later, it burst open, the noise propelling Loki out of bed, to land - with an uncharacteristic lack of grace - in a heap on the floor...

Even had she not recognised the owl, the angry shriek was completely unmistakable...

"HERMIONE GRANGER! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING BEING SEEN IN PUBLIC WITH THAT DREADFUL MAN. HAVE YOU ANY IDEA WHAT YOU ARE DOING YOU STUPID GIRL. HE IS A WAR CRIMINAL. IS THIS WHAT MY DEAR FRED, AND REMUS AND TONKS DIED FOR, SO THAT YOU CAN CONSORT WITH SCUM LIKE HIM? I AM DISGUSTED BY YOUR BEHAVIOUR."

The envelope exploded in a shower of confetti...

Loki's sleep tousled head emerged from the other side of the bed.

"What the FUCK was that?"

"Oh dear" said Hermione. "It appears that Molly Weasley has found out that we're getting married. Do you think we could just jump ship and move to Asgard today? I wonder how she found out"

oo0oo

When they went down for breakfast, it was immediately evident that Molly Weasley was not the only one to hear the news. In fact the atmosphere in the Great Hall was distinctly peculiar with Loki receiving sidelong glances from a number of members of staff. Professor McGonagall kindly allowed them a cup of coffee before she dropped her bombshell.

"I think we need to have a chat after breakfast Professors... I understand that you received a howler from Molly Weasley this morning. I do apologise. The house elves managed to intercept and contain the other 167 that arrived... "

Hermione winced as her least favourite gutter press - The Daily Prophet – landed on her place like a brick.

"BEAUTY AND THE BEAST" the headline screamed. There was a picture of Hermione and Loki holding hands, and sharing a kiss in Diagon Alley the previous weekend. "HARRY POTTER'S GOLDEN GIRL TARNISHED BY ALIEN WAR CRIMINAL"

To Hermione's horror, below the Prophet's usual hysterical rhetoric, claiming that Loki was a psychotic war criminal wanted pretty much everywhere in the galaxy, were two muggle pictures taken in New York. One of Loki, from a distance, wearing full armour and that awful horned helmet, standing on a tower, the scepter in his hand; and the other, presumably taken afterwards in what she suspected was Central Park. This image made her stomach knot painfully. Something that looked like a medieval torture device was strapped over Loki's mouth, his hands were shackled, and he looked as though he had gone a couple of rounds with a cave troll. But his eyes. For the first time, Hermione truly understood what Loki had meant when he said that he was ready to die for what he had done, that he had just wanted it all to be over. His eyes were haunted, beyond exhausted. Utterly defeated and without hope.

Aware of eyes on them all around the hall, she turned to speak to Loki, to gauge his reaction, but the place to her left was empty. Loki was gone.

oo0oo

Without apparition it took Hermione a while but she finally tracked Loki down on the top of the Astronomy Tower. The wind pulled his black hair into a tangle over his face, but couldn't entirely disguise his wet eyes. His hands gripped the railings, knuckles white, shoulders rigid.

"Loki?"

He didn't turn around. "It's alright Hermione. I knew it was too good to last..."

She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his back. "Loki, what are you talking about?"

Loki sighed deeply. "It was a silly dream Hermione. They are right. I am a criminal, a liar and a monster. I am no fit mate for you. Tomorrow I will return to Asgard, and you can resume your life in peace and honour."

"And that's it – at the first sign of trouble, you're off. I took you for many things Loki – but I never thought you were a coward."

That stung. Loki whirled, eyes flashing. "I am NOT a coward. I am trying to protect you."

"I don't need your protection Loki. I don't need you trying to save my reputation, or my honour or any of your other bizarre medieval ideals." She brushed the tangle of black hair off his face "I need you to love me. That's all. I just need YOU. And if you come with baggage, well so be it. Most of us do. What does upset me though, is the fact that you think that I might care what ANYONE that I am unlikely to do more than pass in Diagon Alley occasionally, thinks of me... Particularly someone stupid enough to believe the rubbish that they read in the Prophet." She gripped his arms, her face grim and determined. For the first time since he had known her, he saw the girl that had fought dark wizards far older and more powerful than her out of nothing more than loyalty to a friend. She was an impressive sight

"Loki, in a few weeks time, we will take each other's hands, and promise to stand beside one another in bad times as well as good. Are we truly going to fall at the first fence?" She sighed. "Believe me, this isn't my first run in with the Daily Prophet although hopefully it may be my last. Over the years they called Harry, and occasionally me, everything under the sun."

Loki scowled. "Should I challenge whoever is in charge of this piece of filth to single combat?" The look in his eye showed that he was only half joking. Hermione groaned and hugged him tightly.

"Just don't scare me like that OK. I can deal with most things. But not you threatening to pack up and leave me." Her voice trembled "That I cannot deal with".

Loki wrapped his arms around her, breathing in the comforting scent of her hair, the darkness in his head finally retreating. "I'm sorry sweetheart. Seeing those damn pictures didn't help...brought so much back."

She looked up at him. "They were awful. Especially the second one. It just hurt to see you like that. That terrible thing on your face. You just looked so tired, so defeated. Lost..." her voice wobbled ominously.

For long moments, they stood silent. But Loki's brain wouldn't be still...

"Hermione. There is just one thing..."

"What's that"

"Well now that everyone knows who and what I am, it's only a matter of time before it becomes known that I have been teaching here under an assumed name for two years. What will this mean for Professor McGonagall?"

"Damn. I hadn't thought of that. We must protect her and Hogwarts at all cost."

Loki looked serious. "Indeed. I would not have her or this school suffer for my crimes for all the gold in Asgard. But what can we do?"

As they walked back towards the stairs, a big snowy owl landed on the wall next to them. For one strange, disconnected moment, Hermione thought of Harry's beloved owl, but Hedwig was long dead. "If that's another Howler..." she muttered.

"I thought Howlers were red?"

Hermione shook her head to clear it. "They are" Reluctantly she took the letter from the owl. There was something strangely familiar about the spidery handwriting, in orange ink. Frowning, Hermione opened it.

"Would you like to tell your side of the story - owl me and we'll meet... ? Luna x"