"LET GO OF ME," Dahlia kicked and screamed, the box full of photos dropping to the floor as she fought, not wanting to be taken again, not wanting to lose her family again, but the person holding her was holding tight and it hurt the healing stab wound.

Her magic tingling inside of her was about to burst like it did minutes before in the common room but the person holding her put her down and said quietly in her ear, "it's me, it's okay".

She was put down and turned quickly, wanting to believe the voice but knew it was possible for it to be a trick. This time, however, it was no illusion and her father stood in front of her and she quickly threw her arms around his waist and buried her head into his chest, allowing her tears to fall. Loki quickly wrapped his arm around his daughter while his other hand went to her head, stroking her hair trying to offer comfort.

"It's okay, I'm here now. What's happened?"

He was furious when he found he couldn't find Dahlia in camp and it took only minutes before he figured out what his other children had planned along with his youngest and he couldn't believe it. She was in a place where she could be taken and hurt and that already happened and yet, his eldest children thought it was a smart idea to let their little sister leave the safety of the camp. He quickly ran from the camp to find his daughter and was determined to drag her back if necessary, after a good talking too, but instead, he found her crying and running from the castle, back in the direction of the camp. He held her close and tight and offered quiet comforting words with kisses to the side of her head as she clung to him, but his blood boiled. He wanted to hunt down the person who made her cry and destroy them in all of mind, body and soul. Hela may be his little girl, he may disapprove of the goings on between Hela and Falcon but he could reason with her as she was old enough to understand a father's reasoning for when he was going to kill her suitor and the true cruelties the universe had to offer. Dahlia, however, she was his youngest, only fifteen, a baby in his eyes and not yet accustomed to how the universe really works and just how cruel it could be. His baby girl, always has been, always will be.

He pulled away slightly, not wanting to pull away fully, just to indicate he wanted to look at her. Fortunately, she got the message as she kept her arms wrapped around his waist but turned her head to look up, her chin resting on his chest as he kept both arms around her. "What happened?" he asked softly, lifting one hand to wipe her tears away.

"It doesn't matter".

"It matters to me...your friends are angry, afraid, aren't they?" Loki asked already knowing the answer.

Dahlia glanced away for a moment, not wanting to answer but knew she couldn't escape the inevitable truth, "not all of them. Hermione, the twins, they're supportive, the twins are actually excited about meeting you," she laughed tearfully and he gave her a small smile.

"So, then its Ron," Loki said, "I'm sorry".

"For what?"

Loki sighed and kissed her forehead, "if I didn't try to take over New York, if I wasn't evil, they wouldn't judge you for my actions. If I could've provided you and your sister and your brothers with the safe life you deserved, you never would have had to lie to your friends-"

"Dad, no," she almost snapped, "everything that has happened has led us to this moment. We're all together now and I wouldn't change that for anything. I get to know my brothers, my sister...you" she smiled a tearful smile. "The friends and people that stand beside me now are my true friends, people like Ron who turn their back on me because of the lies I've had to tell to protect us, they're nothing to me anymore".

"Shh," he said, seeing her getting upset and cupped her face between his hands as she gripped his sides tightly. "I know you're putting on a brave face for me but I know your friends are everything to you, so much so, you managed to rope your brothers and sister into helping you get out of the camp when we all know what could happen".

Dahlia laughed as a stray tear fell and she said, "you weren't too happy when you found out I left then".

"Of course not," Loki said sternly, "I'm furious. If any of you pull anything like that again, I'll place restriction spells on you so you can't go beyond twenty feet of me".

Her eyes went wide as she wiped the remaining tears away and exclaimed, "you can't do that!"

"Yes, I can. The mortals here think I'm immortal but the thought of losing you or your siblings again...I know it will destroy me. We're here until Saturday before you can travel through the portal and I know in those days you'll try to sneak out again. I won't have that".

"Let me say goodbye," Dahlia said urgently, "let me at least say goodbye to the friends that have stood beside you".

"Shh," he said quietening her, "I will make you a deal. You can leave the camp to see your friends while we remain here but there are conditions. One, if you decide to leave camp, you tell me first. Two, you do not leave Hogwarts, even if Hermione herself comes to you to tell you Death Eaters are attacking, you come back to the camp. Three, you check in every two hours, no exceptions. Finally, you have two soldiers with you at all times-".

"DAD!" she exclaimed.

"-and I am willing to allow some freedom, they have to be within sight of you but don't have to be stood next to you. You also can't try to flee them".

She laughed as she shook her head, "Hela was right".

"Right about what?"

"I once called Hela 'Queen Overprotective' and she said wait until I meet you in person, then I'll understand the phrase. Hela and the boys even let me leave camp but I had to promise to be back with two hours. I guess I understand overprotective now".

Loki laughed as he removed his hands from her and she dropped hers as he bent down to pick up Dahlia's box. He wiped off the dirt that was on it before he placed an arm around Dahlia's shoulders, her arm going around his waist as they made their way to the camp. Loki looked at the inscribing on the box and said, "I had one just like this on Asgard, I gave one to Hela too. I see she gave you this".

Dahlia nodded, "yep. When I went to Niflheim, she threw a birthday ball for me and I got lots of presents. Many of them are still on Niflheim but a few are in a hidden room in the box and it has a library so I could study my magic".

"Ah, I wondered these past months how you were progressing so much with your magic in the dream world".

"She's a good teacher..." she then glanced down at the box before looking back to her father, "she also gave me pictures of mum, of us, I needed them back. Dad, please don't be angry with them". He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment to think. "Please," she pleaded, "they just wanted to help me and they tried to make sure I was as safe as possible. Wand, dagger, cloak, locket, making sure I came back quickly".

Loki didn't say anything about how much trouble they were in as they went back to the camp. He had every intention of yelling at Dahlia when he found her then bringing her back to camp to yell at all four of his children together but seeing her tears changed his plan. Of course, he couldn't admit that, he didn't want his children to figure out if they cried he would submit to their commands. When they entered camp, Dahlia immediately ran forward until she got to the centre where she saw many people gathered, laughing, talking, drinking, but mostly she saw her siblings sat on the ground with their backs leaned against a log with goblets of wine and mead.

"Sister," Hela greeted her with a smile as Dahlia ran to her and sat down immediately, handing the cloak back to her sister and snuggled into her side as Hela put an arm around her.

"You're lucky you're our sister, we've got grounded ten years for helping you escape," Fenrir teased.

"WHAT?" Dahlia exclaimed and looked to their father, "dad, you can't. Please".

Loki sighed as he walked closer and handed Dahlia her box before he said, "you're not grounded, any of you. But if you do anything like that again, ten years will seem like nothing in comparison to what happens to you".

"WHAT PART OF NOT LEAVING CAMP DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?" A furious voice of a woman shouted and Dahlia snuggled closer to Hela while the older sister froze. Her brothers slid further down onto their backs as if they wanted the ground to swallow them whole and quickly glanced around, as if they wanted to make a run for it. Dahlia knew from their reaction that her grandmother had already got to them.

Violet know stood before them with her arms crossed and looking very stern while Jonathan trailed behind her, clearly trying to calm her down. "Grandma-" Dahlia started but got interrupted.

"Do you have any idea how worried we were?"

"Grandma-"

"No, you don't because if you did, you wouldn't have done it. That goes for all of you," Violet said glancing to all four children, "no matter how old you are, you're all still children and the fear of losing a child or grandchild-"

Jonathan interrupted as he wrapped an arm around Violet's waist, "I think the main thing is that everyone is safe and unharmed. You okay, Dahlia? No one hurt you or anything?"

Dahlia shook her head, not knowing what to say as she could see tears in her grandmother's eyes, she honestly didn't think she had worried her so much by disappearing.

"We should talk," Loki said to his in-laws and they nodded and left the area, walking towards their tent which was not too far away from the royal one the family of five stayed in.

The boys sat up immediately and Jörmungandr said, "why does it feel like since we came back, we didn't only just get a sister".

"Because you didn't," Hela said softly, as if she was affected by Violet's words, "they're not kidding when they say we're family. They're very protective, Violet more so as she reacts to the smallest of things while Jonathan assesses if someone is alright first, but if you put yourself in serious danger, the tables will flip. You'll see Violet trying to calm Jonathan down. It's very rare he shouts but when he does, you know it's serious".

A silence fell between the four siblings, not knowing that not too far away, a discussion was being held over the very reaction they had just witnessed. Walking into the tent, Violet immediately started to cry and placed a hand on her stomach, comforting herself while the other hand went to her mouth to cover her sobs.

"Sweetheart, it's okay," Jonathan reassured her, bringing her into his arms while Loki stood to the side, "she's back, she's fine".

"I lost Lily, I can't lose anyone else," Violet said and breathed a few deep breaths trying to control her tears. She then turned to Loki and Loki put his head down, expecting her to start yelling at him, blaming him for everything that happened, but she approached him and used her fingertips to lift his head and said, "you understand, Loki. No one else. That means Dahlia, Hela, the boys, you, no more wars or genocides or anything of the sort that can bring harm to this family. Deal with Voldemort and any threat that comes to the family but don't go looking for trouble. Dahlia is my granddaughter and the day you and Lily fell in love, those children also became my granddaughter and grandsons, and you my son. They cause any trouble, you tell me. You have a soft spot for them after being away from each other for so long but I'll put them in their place. You understand?"

Loki nodded as she gathered him in her arms, knowing he did have a soft spot and wondered just how obvious it was. He glanced to Jonathan who gave a small smile and nod and it then dawned on Loki how they would take the news that he would allow Dahlia to leave the camp. He coughed and said nervously, "I'm allowing Dahlia to leave the camp".

"WHAT?" Violet shrieked as she pulled away and Loki glanced quickly to Jonathan for help but he closed his eyes and sighed deeply as he placed a hand to his forehead, as if he was getting a headache from his wife's shouting. It then became a battle of Violet's worries and Loki showing the same worry but knowing Dahlia would just escape again and that this was the safest option.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everyone was surprised when Dahlia made another appearance the following day, this time wearing a long, dark violet dress with silver linings on the bottom of the dress, the long sleeves and the neckline, with a brown belt at her waist which held her wand and dagger. She didn't enter the Great Hall but stood outside the Great Hall doors, leaning against the doors to the entrance courtyard. She faced the entrance to the staircase and watched as everyone came down, many trying to avoid eye contact and whispering, some smirking at her and others just looking at her in pure fear. Dahlia didn't know if it was her that caused that amount of fear or the fact she had Akio and Morek stood not too far away from her and they would glance and assess the threat of anyone who came within sight, knowing the witches and wizards in the castle didn't need to be within reach to hurt their princess.

Dahlia glanced down to her wrist and began to play with her charm bracelet her grandparents gave her, specifically the charm of the angel, and she smiled, remembering the memories she saw of her mother. She was brought out of said memories when someone said her name and she looked up to see Neville approaching her with a small smile on his face. "Neville," she said smiling and noticed in the corner of her eye, Akio nod to Morek, the head commander already knowing Neville's place in Dahlia's life, and so he was safe.

They hugged and when they pulled away, Neville said, "I heard what happened yesterday, Hermione told me. I was in the greenhouse, sorry I wasn't there. Ron shouldn't have insulted you or your family".

"He's right though," she shrugged, "not about me being the next Dark Lord or my family, but I did lie to him".

"You did it to protect your family," Neville said then glanced down for a moment, "I wish I could have done the same".

"Neville," she reached for his right hand and held it between hers, "your parents are proud of you, I know they can't show it, but I know they're proud. Your grandmother seemed proud of you when we told her about the D.A.".

"Maybe," Neville mumbled.

"Besides," Dahlia said smiling, "you have me. That's if after all this you still want to be my godbrother".

"Of course," Neville said quickly and turned his hand to squeeze her hand.

"Good". She then dropped his hand and asked, "so tell me, what's the Gryffindors' reaction to what happened?"

"To you throwing Ron across the room?" she nodded, "Hermione, Fred, George and I believe he deserves it, so do a few others, but they're scared. They didn't expect you to throw him across the room".

"I really didn't mean it. I have both Aesir and Midgardian magic and sometimes I can't control them both when my emotions get too high. Ron calling my family monsters and talking about destroying everything...my family had to hide and was split up because of a man who believed that. I couldn't hear it from someone who was once my friend".

Unfortunately, that very moment Neville's stomach grumbled, and Dahlia laughed as Neville said, "sorry".

"Go," she gestured to the Great Hall.

"Come with me?" Neville asked but glanced to the soldiers stood behind her, wondering if his godsister could even move from the spot.

Dahlia bit her lip as she looked behind Neville, hoping to see Hermione and the twins to go into the Hall as a united front, to show everyone that not everyone had turned their back on her but they weren't there. She nodded to her godbrother after that and he held out his arm, she gave off a small laugh as she wrapped her arm around his and entered the Great Hall.

Instantly, the almost one hundred people that were already in the Great Hall for breakfast looked their way and instead of sitting of the middle of the Gryffindor table like Dahlia and her friends usually did, they sat towards the end, closest to the exit in case Dahlia needed to make a quick exit. Not just that, but Akio and Morek had also entered the Great Hall and stood next to the wall, watching the passageways between the Gryffindor tables, Akio keeping a close eye on Dahlia's side. Dahlia sat first as Neville took his bag off of his shoulder and placed it on the bench before he sat and began to put food onto his plate. It was only then that everyone around them began to speak again, and Dahlia knew all too well what they were talking about.

"Aren't you eating?" Neville asked as he buttered a piece of toast.

Dahlia shook her head and replied, "I had breakfast at the camp, everyone there has been away for a few hours. So, how's Herbology going for you? Working with more dangerous plants this year, you still interested in it for after Hogwarts?"

Neville nodded as he swallowed a bite of toast but before he could speak, the old red-headed best friend walked in with a group of other Gryffindors and wasn't too happy when he saw her. "What are you doing here?" he snapped as he stood on the other side of the table.

She sighed, not wanting to argue and said, "Ron, I really don't want to fight".

"You threw me across the room!" he exclaimed and everyone looked towards them, clearly many of them not knowing what had happened yesterday.

"I already apologised and I'm not gonna apologise again. You insulted my family, I will not stand for that".

"They're monsters, as bad as You-Know-Who".

"I'd be careful what you speak, boy," Dahlia instantly looked to her side to see Akio stood beside her, clearly no one noticing him walking towards her as they were all shocked at how close he got. Thankfully, the Vanir shared many physical traits with Midgardians and Asgardians, so other than the deathly blue skin, he looked like anyone else in the castle. Morek, however, who thankfully stayed stood by the wall, would make everyone uncomfortable as there were clear differences in his physical being.

"Akio, it's fine," Dahlia said reassuringly, not wanting Akio to murder Ron in anger. "hann hversu einn ósnjallr mögr þeim sjá" she said in Norse. (He's just a foolish boy that doesn't understand)

Ron seemed to understand the danger that he now placed himself in as he glanced to the sword at Akio's waist, took a step back, and gulped. "Neville, are you really gonna stand by her?" Ron asked nervously.

Neville looked between them and knew the threat that Akio was, but by spending time in the Hospital Wing, speaking to Hela and knowing Dahlia for many years, knowing the struggles she was going through, he wouldn't abandon her. Neville stood and said, "get lost, Ron. You can turn your back on her but I won't turn my back on my godsister".

"Godsister," Ron mumbled as he stepped away and moved further down the table, away from the now revealed godsiblings.

As Neville sat back down, he turned to look at Akio and Dahlia and saw the soldier retreat back to the end of the Hall while Dahlia just stared in shock. Her eyes wide and her mouth slightly open at the shock of her godbrother standing up for her and telling someone to get lost. Finally, all the years of people telling Neville to stand up for himself finally paid off but no one ever thought it would be him standing up to one of his own Gryffindors.

"What?" Neville asked.