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In the Dark and Light |
Love's sacrifice trumps all |
When it finished, Hermione nearly dropped the blasted thing in her effort to return it to the shelf. Stumbling backward, she ran right into Theo, who grabbed hold of both of her arms to keep her steady. The silence was deafening, but nothing compared to the roaring in her ears. |
"What does it mean?" Came his strangled reply before she could say anything further. He carefully turned her in his arms so that he could stare into her frightened eyes. "And why do I feel like it's connected to the other prophecy? The one meant for Blaise?" |
"Because I think that you're right about that. When darkness falls, she will come..." She quoted from a prophecy that they'd gone back to stop from coming to pass. Then she racked her brain for the words this one had seared there. "Darkness will fall when snow arrives." |
"What does that mean?" Theo released his hold on Hermione now, no longer fearful of her losing her balance. Running a hand through his dark hair, he tried to discern what it could all mean. As an Unspeakable, he'd deciphered a number of enchantments, riddles, and untold prophecies over the years, especially those he sp... |
"Gwyneira," Hermione said simply, her body going cold at the revelation. Her eyes closed and she held one hand over her heart. "It's reference to her name. Gwyneira means white snow... Her nickname, Eira, literally means snow." |
"So when Eira arrives, darkness will fall. That's already happened. Well, sort of." Scratching at his chin, Theo walked back and forth once, and then again as he contemplated this. |
"It did, but it's that next line that worries me. Empires will rise and fall. Which will rise and which will fall?" Hermione watched Theo pace, her own body full of residual energy but unable to move. "Asgard?" |
"Earth?" Theo stopped suddenly, turning to face her with his hands spread wide. "What if she comes back for us? What if she comes here and destroys everything so that she can create her own empire?" |
"I don't know..." She bit her lip, thinking on the last line. As if knowing where her thoughts had wandered off to, Theo came back to her and grabbed her shoulders again. |
"Love's sacrifice trumps all... Someone else is going to sacrifice himself." The impact of the line crashed over her slowly, and Theo was thankful to have hold of her as her knees did buckle this time. He brought them to the floor, both kneeling before each other in their terror. |
They said nothing for a spell, both lost in their own thoughts of what ifs and maybes. Hermione never felt such fear as she did now, not even when she'd faced Fenrir or thought she was going to die while giving birth to her daughter. Searching Theo's eyes, she desperately wished for answers though she knew she'd find n... |
"The three stars. Do you think that they are the past/dark, present/light, and future/hope?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She already had a feeling her theory was right, but she needed to hear it from someone else before accepting it. |
"That's possible," Theo mumbled, licking his lips and glancing away. "Or they represent each of the three involved in the prophecy." |
"Who is meant to be which then?" |
"I don't know, but if I had to take a guess, I'd say the descriptor gives indicators." Holding up his fist he held up a finger for each person. "Hela as the past and dark, because she's evil basically. You as the present and the light, and then there's Gwyneira. She's our future, our hope." |
"But she's only a baby!" Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes at the implications of that statement because if that was true then that meant the unthinkable. |
Sensing her rising panic, Theo took Hermione's hands in his and squeezed tightly. "Stop. Don't go there. We have no fact to base any of this on. It's mere guesswork. Until we know more, until something comes to pass, then there is no reason to panic. This prophecy could happen tomorrow or thirty years from now when Eir... |
"The thought of my daughter fighting at all is most disturbing." Shivering, Hermione pushed aside such thoughts, the sudden desire to return home to her daughter so strong she dropped Theo's hold on her and movedto her feet. |
"I can only imagine," Theo agreed, standing as well and bushing dust from his robes. Crossing his arms he added, "Look, I don't want you to worry, okay? You risked everything to bring Blaise back from the dead for me. Your life, your daughter, your soulmate... I want to do something for you." |
"You don't have to do anything, Theo," she said softly, glancing at where Blaise's prophecy should still sit. She knew he'd broken it after hearing it, not wanting anyone else to know what the fates had in store for him. None of that mattered now, it seemed. Only her prophecy remained. "I've caused you enough trouble o... |
"I know, but I'm going to do this for you all the same." He reached forward and clasped her right hand in his own, holding fast. Ignoring Hermione's look of concern, he withdrew his wand and tapped their wrists. A silver glow emanated their bound hands causing Hermione to look to him in alarm. "Relax, I know what you a... |
"What is it then?" Hermione whispered, unable to tear her eyes away from their glowing hands. |
"It's a Covenant charm. We use them here in the Department of Mysteries as a means of keeping secrets, well, a secret." The corner of his mouth tipped up in a smirk, his eyes alight with mischief. "As an Unspeakable, I could probably get in a ton of trouble for sharing this information, but I figure you're Minister now... |
"So what secret are we keeping? The prophecy?" Hermione quirked an eyebrow in response to his smirk, no humor found on her face. She was more fearful of these sorts of secrets, still having to deal with the after effects of her and Blaise's deception. She also recalled Draco and Loki having a similar agreement about hi... |
"That, yes, but also this..." He trailed off and cleared his throat, his free hand coming up to hold her chin so she was staring him directly in the eye. "Hermione, you have brought my beloved back from the dead and so I owe you protection. You and your daughter. I am proclaiming with this covenant that I will do every... |
As Theo finished speaking, their hands glowed ever the brighter before fading away. Her hand felt tingly, but there was no fear to garner from the reaction. A few stray tears did find their way down her cheeks then as she met his unwavering gaze. "Thank you, Theo. I'm eternally grateful." |
Letting her hand fall free, Theo backed away, his heart full of love for his friend for the first time in years. It was a different love than he'd felt for her once upon a time, but it was love all the same. "It's nothing, honestly. I know people have made vows to you plenty of times, but I want you to know that I'm he... |
Hermione threw herself into Theo's chest, her arms wrapping around him in an easy embrace. For so many years, her heart had ached knowing that she'd done Theo wrong in the past. Blaise had forgiven her somewhere along the way, but Theo was always that wildcard, the first heart she'd torn asunder after losing Draco. Now... |
Until then, it was good to know that there were so many people willing to put their lives on the line to ensure their future was filled with hope and love. Even if Loki never returned to her and Gwyneira, she would live happily knowing she had her friends. Hela would have hell to pay when and if she returned, that much... |
"I feel like I haven't seen you in ages, Hermione," Darcy teased as she settled herself on the sofa. She tucked her legs underneath her and gave her friend a playful glare. "You've been spending far too much time working. You know what they say?" |
"All work and no play makes Darcy Lewis miss me?" Hermione was already sitting comfortably, a cup of her favorite tea in hand and a smile on her face. It had been a long three weeks of learning the ropes at the Ministry, so much so that she'd not had opportunity to hang out with her friends at all. |
"Yes. Exactly!" Darcy opened a bag of crisps, popping a handful in her mouth and delighting in the fact that they were doing nothing but relaxing. "How's work anyway? Do you like it?" |
"Erg!" Jane exclaimed, making a face at Darcy. "Do you have to talk with your mouth full of chips?" Jane was seated on the floor, a bunch of files and charts spread out on the coffee table before her. She was trying to find a way to put Mjolnir back together again. |
Swallowing, Darcy stuck her tongue out at her friend instead of answering. When Jane rolled her eyes, Darcy returned her attention to Hermione, eagerly awaiting an answer. She was always so interested in the ways of witches and wizards. It was a shame that she did not hold magic herself really. |
"Work is fine. It's certainly a lot more involved than I expected, but I'm enjoying it." Hermione took a sip of her tea, thinking on her first few weeks as Minister. There were definitely ups and downs along the way, an adjustment she was still trying to make. "It is rather interesting to see how things operate from th... |
"Has anyone hit you up for special favors?" Darcy wagged her eyebrows suggestively which caused Hermione to balk and Jane to throw a pen at her. It hit her in the arm and she turned to Jane with a pained expression. "Owwww!" |
"Darcy! Why are you so crude?" She scolded, covering her face in exasperation and embarrassment. "You just don't ask those types of things." |
"I was just curious..." |
"It's alright, honestly." Laughing, Hermione set aside her tea and simply enjoyed her friend's antics. "Actually, I've had a few departments come to me with ideas to make things run better so I decided to put together a new committee where they can discuss the possibilities. My new assistant is heading it so I basicall... |
"Who is replacing you at the MLE?" Jane inquired, idly flipping through a file while she listened. |
"I'm going to promote the assistant head, and then let her pick who she wants as her new second in command. The MLE has gone through the most changes this past year with losing Draco... and now me taking up as Minister." |
"Yeah, I did wonder how that was working out." Sighing, Jane flipped the file closed and tossed it aside. "This is hopeless. There's absolutely no possible way to put this hammer back together!" |
"Have you talked to Stark?" Darcy asked, still munching on her snack. |
"Yes and he has no idea; although, he did say he was going to try and get in contact with someone new... A doctor by the name Stephen Strange, I believe. Apparently, the guy has some sort of mystic powers or whatever." |
"Isn't he that American doctor who was in the horrible car accident some time ago?" Hermione asked, the name ringing a bell. |
"Possibly, but I've been knee deep in all this nonsense so I've not kept up with the papers over there." Jane gestured at her files and charts, a frown on her face. |
"Well, maybe if we're lucky he'll be able to shed some light on the subject." Rubbing her hands together, she decided to change the subject, but Jane beat her to it. |
"Some days I wonder if all this is even worth it." Sighing, Jane folded her arms on the coffee table and laid her head down on them. |
Darcy and Hermione shared a confused glance before Hermione prodded for further information. "Fixing Mjolnir or something else?" |
"Yes. No. Both?" Jane laughed at herself, but there was a sadness there that wasn't before. Sitting up again, she looked to her hand where her engagement ring sat. Just over a year ago she'd been in this very room when Thor asked her to be his queen and she'd been beyond thrilled, but now... Now she wasn't so sure. Wit... |
"Talk to him," Hermione advised, voice soft. "If you don't voice your concerns, he'll never change." |
"Maybe you two have the right idea... Break things off before something drastic happens and I regret everything." Playing with the ring now, Jane couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes. She loved Thor, but there was so much distance between them all the time. Figuratively and literally. |
"I'm not really the best of examples," Hermione started, picking at the skin around her fingernails. She'd really hoped to avoid talking of Loki, but her friend needed advice so that meant scratching open old wounds. "I fell for someone clearly not good for me and then got knocked up! Now, I'm on my own, raising the ch... |
"But that was your choice, to let him go I mean." Jane gave Hermione a piercing stare filled with accusations left unsaid. She probably knew more thans she was letting on. |
"It was, and I don't necessarily regret it. The side effects from the Rime Diamonds are less than pleasant, but I'm holding it together." She didn't see Darcy flinch at her words, and carried on. "I think the hardest part is knowing that Gwyneira may grow up not knowing her father, but I'd much rather have her grow up ... |
Deciding not to push about Loki, Jane turned instead to Darcy. "What about you and Hogun? What happened there?" |
Darcy giggled, setting aside the bag of crisps and reaching for her glass of soda. "It was fun while it lasted." |
"It's over then?" This came from Hermione, both eyebrows raised in inquiry. |
"I guess. He hasn't come back to Earth since the whole Fenrir gig and the few messages passed on from Thor have been short and lacking anything heartfelt." She shrugged, obviously not torn up about the whole thing. "I wouldn't say no if he came to see me and wanted to rekindle what we had, but I know he has his own lif... |
"I was under the impression that he loved you," Jane pointed out, a smile playing on her lips. "That's what he told Thor, anyway." |
"Hah!" Darcy laughed, throwing her head back so her wavy hair cascaded over the back of the sofa. Ignoring the way her heart ached just the tiniest bit, she collected herself and tried to keep a serious face. "I don't know if I would call it love. An intense infatuation maybe? No idea. Whatever it was, the sex was hot ... |
"See this is why I am so torn," Jane implored, running her hand across the now clear surface of the coffee table. "On one hand, I want to spend the rest of my life with Thor... Here, on Asgard, or wherever adventure takes us. Then on the other hand, I'd much rather prefer to stay here on Earth, researching astrophysics... |
"I think we would be stupid to assume aliens won't come knocking at our door ever again." Darcy rolled her eyes as she said this, but she had a point. "We get rid of one and BOOM there comes another crashing into us. Not to mention all the Inhumans surfacing, as well as the new vigilantes that crop up from time to time... |
"That's a good point," Hermione muttered, eyes drifting away as she trailed off. "There really are a lot of threats these days..." |
"Yes, but I have to decide what to do about Thor." Jane sounded miserable, the weight of her indecision heavy on her mind. |
The three women were lost in their thoughts for a while, not quite knowing how to pick back up the conversation. Finally, Hermione cleared her throat, causing her two friends to glance her way. Giving Jane a sad smile, she shrugged. "You have to do what you feel is best in your heart, Jane. That's the only way you'll e... |
"You have a way with words, Hermione," Jane told her propping her chin on her hand. "I just wish it was as easy as that." |
"Love is never easy. Take it from me," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "I've had the absolute worst luck in love. If I could go back to the very beginning..." She really didn't know what she would do, to be honest. Curling into herself in the corner of the couch, she found no more words would come. |
Darcy reached out and put a comforting hand on her knee. "Do you have anything stronger than tea and soda? I think we all might need it?" Smiling brightly, she tried to get her friends" moods to lift. |
"I think there's some wine in the kitchen," Hermione answered honestly, unable to keep from grinning back at her friend. "Let me go and see." |
"No you two stay here. I got this," Darcy ordered, bounding from the couch and dancing her way into the kitchen. |
Jane and Hermione watched her go, both giggling at her antics. When she was out of sight, their eyes met and they shared a moment of true understanding. Hermione had already made her difficult decision and now it was Jane's turn. No one could make it for her, and Hermione knew that whatever she chose, she would wind up... |
It wasn't unusual for Blaise to find Theo reading in the study at this time of night. It also wasn't odd that there was a fire roaring in the grate and a half empty glass of Odgen's finest settled next to him on the arm of the sofa. What was odd was the fact that he hadn't noticed Blaise standing silently in the doorwa... |
Quietly, Blaise finally wandered into the room and crept up behind Theo. A small smile playing on his lips, he leaned over and wrapped his arms around his husband's neck and placed a kiss to his cheek. Theo sighed happily, his thumb marking the page as his head fell back to rest on Blaise's shoulder. Now this was more ... |
"It's late," Blaise mumbled, his own voice heavy with exhaustion of the day. "Are you planning on staying up all night?" Late nights were becoming the norm with Theo, and it was starting to worry Blaise, if he was honest. Ever since Hela had come and gone, taking any hope of destroying her with her, that Theo had start... |
Sighing, Theo ducked out from underneath Blaise's arms and turned on the sofa so he could see him. "I'm sorry, Blaise. I guess I just got lost in my research." He indicated the book with the sweep of one hand and then watched as Blaise walked around the side of the sofa and sat down opposite him. |
"Research?" He questioned, turning so his back was against the armrest. Already in his bedclothes, he tried to relax, but there was something about the look in Theo's eyes that made him feel uneasy. "You never bring home your work." When Theo said nothing, Blaise found his gaze wandering to the book in question. His ey... |
Feeling more than a bit guilty, Theo shut the book and set it aside. Adjusting himself so he was now mirroring Blaise's position on the couch, he shrugged. "It's not for work which is good since I'd be unable to discuss it with you. I was just interested in the topic, is all." |
"The rules about being an Unspeakable surely don't extend to your spouse anyway," Blaise teased, attempting to lighten the mood, but he knew it wasn't working. |
"You know that I can't disclose work with you, Blaise, even if I wanted to." Running a hand through his hair, Theo tried to figure out how to turn the conversation around. He really didn't need his overly clever husband figuring out why he was actively reading about how time fissures could appear from using a Time-Turn... |
Biting his lip to keep from calling Theo a liar, Blaise tried to keep the conversation from turning into an argument. Theo was so prone to jumping down his throat these days, something that he thought odd. He knew he'd rushed the wedding a bit much, so worried about that damned prophecy, but things had worked out in th... |
"Is this because of what happened with Hela?" Blaise flinched, the words spilling out of his mouth before he could stop them. Theo gave him an affronted look as if taken aback by his husband's boldness. "Sorry," he apologized. "I know you don't like to talk about that night." |
"No... I don't, but it's okay." Mostly, Theo didn't like to talk about that night because he was afraid that somehow Blaise would see through him and figure out they'd gone back and changed destiny somehow. The conversation was getting dangerously close to that point right now, actually. Deciding he needed to sway his ... |
Slowly, and with purpose, Theo surged forward and crawled between Blaise's legs until he was staring down into the eyes he adored most in this word. His husband said nothing as he lowered his mouth to his, but he let out an appreciative moan when their lips met in a searing kiss. Sinking down into his willing body, The... |
They kissed languidly for some time, both simply enjoying the comfort the other provided. Theo perhaps more than Blaise, still reeling from having his love back in his arms. He'd lost him... Thought he would never again kiss his lips, hold him in his arms, but here he was. That was why he was doing all this research. T... |
Blaise knew Theo was only trying to distract him from whatever was troubling his mind, but he couldn't complain. Despite his tense personality these past few weeks, this part of their relationship was never better. Breaking the kiss, Blaise helped Theo remove his shirt before taking off his own. Dark hands ran down the... |
Having to get up to properly divest himself of the rest of his clothing, Theo figured they should make use of the lush rug in front of the fireplace. Standing, he removed his clothing and stood before Blaise, enjoying the steady rise and fall of his chest. Reaching out, he took his hand and tugged him to his feet befor... |
Remaining silent, Blaise allowed Theo to do as he pleased to his body. There would be no more discussion tonight, and he couldn't help but wonder if that was good or bad. However, as Theo took him into his mouth, his skilled tongue working over his hardened length, he couldn't quite care. Right now, all that mattered w... |
When he knew he could stand it no longer, Theo moved up his body and kissed him again, tongue sliding into his mouth urgently. As they continued to kiss, Theo gently pushed into Blaise's body and began a steady rhythm. When their breathing became erratic, too difficult to continue kissing, they simply chose to stare in... |
Blaise listened intently as Theo spoke, the warmth of the fire not quite meeting his sapphire eyes as he stared down at him. The uneasy feeling from before came back full force, and he swallowed it back. Instead of focusing on that niggling feeling that something was not quite right, Blaise chose to focus on the feel o... |
"I love you too, Theodore," Blaise panted, his back arching off the carpet as his orgasm crashed upon him in waves. Theo never stopped moving, his hips pounding into him with a desperation while one hand worked over Blaise's cock. When he was able, Blaise grabbed hold of Theo's neck and tugged him in for a kiss. |
That was all Theo needed, his own orgasm taking him by surprise. He groaned into the kiss, his hips losing all sense of rhythm as he emptied himself completely. Blaise helped him ride it out, somehow understanding how much he needed this. Hell, he needed it too. Especially as he'd been having dreams of a future that ha... |
When they were both spent, Blaise pulled Theo down to rest beside him, wrapping them together and letting the warmth of the fire soothe them entirely. When enough time had passed, he placed a kiss to Theo's naked shoulder and broke the silence. "Theo, I can't help but wonder..." |
Somehow knowing where his husband's mind had wandered back to, Theo smoothed a hand down his back and mumbled, "Leave it, Blaise." He sighed, eyes closing as Blaise sent him a confused stare. "Don't trouble yourself with things of the unknown." |
"Please don't shut me out," he replied, the words laced with pain. "You're here but so far away from me right now." |
Theo snorted, eyes opening to stare at his beloved. "I'm not shutting you out, Blaise, but there are some things that just don't need to be talked about." Moving to sit up, Theo slid free of Blaise and then began to collect his clothing. "I'm going to go to bed. Are you joining me?" |
Hand hovering over his sweater, Theo's brow furrowed and he turned to stare at Blaise. His husband was still sitting in front of the fire, but his eyes were dark with suspicion and anger. He crossed his arms and continued to glare at Theo, who suddenly felt like the bottom was falling out from underneath him. Straighte... |
"I'm sorry? No?" His heart gave a hurt little twinge at the implication of Blaise's words. "You're not going to come to bed with me?" |
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