This is the third and final multi-chapter story in the storyline that began with "Keeping the Stars Apart". Previous stories have been published as Thor/Harry Potter crossovers. There is a lot in this story that will make little sense if you haven't read the previous stories, so go ahead - check them out, this story won't be going anywhere - a full listing of all the stories in this verse is on my profile. As always this story is basically complete already, it just needs a little tweaking.

I do not have any rights to either the Avengers or HP characters and do this solely for the fun of it. Remember - reviews make a very happy author, and may get you an exclusive on forthcoming chapters. MM x

Prologue:

If anyone had told Tony Stark a week ago that he'd be stuck on a distant – and frankly unpleasant planet – trying to prevent the end of the universe with Thor, Thor's Ex-Psycho brother and two powerful wizards he would have asked for some of whatever it was they were taking. The creature he was fighting, a bizarre and monstrous being that seemed to be primarily composed of molten lava lunged angrily for Thor, who flew swiftly out of the way just in time - with the help of Mjolnir. Seeing it momentarily distracted, Stark took a chance, trying to steal a gravity grenade from the back of the creature's belt, but he was seconds too late. A huge smoking hand was flying towards his face plate far too quickly for him to avoid.. It was like the last time he had pissed off the Other Guy – seconds later he was careening back out of control, only to hit a rocky outcrop with a bone crushing impact before everything momentarily went black.

The dust and lurid light of Svartalfheim was starting to give Hermione a headache. Either that or it might be the strain of trying to control an insane Dark Elf with the universe's ultimate power boost coursing through his veins. The Aether was swirling around them in a cloud of blood red energy and she could feel the Convergence coming closer, the boundaries between worlds stretching and thinning. They were running out of time. Harry was on her left, the Elder wand in hand, his face intent and focussed, she did not need to see Loki to know that he was on her right, behind her she could hear Tony and Thor battling the Kursed – from the sound of things they were having more fun than she was, but there was no time to dwell on that at the moment, when all hell was breaking loose.

She could feel rather than see the moment that they finally succeeded, feel the twitch that came through her wand as the elf's body finally gave way under the tremendous strain, ripping apart in a shower that Hermione really didn't want to think about too closely.

Behind her she heard a crash and flinched as the Iron Man was hurled past her, staggering dazedly to his feet.

"Loki. We have this – go help Thor with that thing..."

"Hermione, the Casket!" Seeing the red cloud swirling menacingly in his direction, Harry's voice held more than a little panic.

She flicked the large ornate box with her wand, sending the lid flying open. Loki's lure worked like a charm, and the sinister red liquid poured in in a matter of moments. A second flick of her wrist closed and sealed the box. She permitted herself a sigh of relief – for once their plan had worked.

She felt it even before she heard Thor's howl of rage and anguish.

Felt the pain slice through her, turning her knees to water and driving the breath from her body.

Felt the blade shattering breastbone, ribs and spine. She looked down, expecting to see it protruding from her chest.

There was nothing.

Only a dreadful keening sensation of emptiness, of a terrible loss too horrific to contemplate.