How much studying can one person take? The question that seemed to enter Dahlia's mind more than once that day. Dahlia returned to camp just as her sister and the tutor from Niflheim returned, the teacher was an old light elf called Professor Almar. He seemed like a strict teacher instantly and Dahlia recognised the smile on her sister's face as she left and knew that her sister was also taught by him when she came to Niflheim and instantly, she knew the lessons were going to be a nightmare. It wasn't that he was a bad teacher, gods no, and he didn't drone on about a certain subject for hours like Professor Binns did about the goblin rebellions and giant wars, it was just that what he taught was boring. The three of them needed to know what many other people their age, or Dahlia's in appearance, knew so if they travelled it wouldn't feel like they'd be left behind. This meant learning all the boring things like treaties and which realms are allied with whom, etc. Professor Almar did make it clear that they would be studying the most unenjoyable tasks first so they can get them out of the way but that only meant they would be spending quite a lot of time on boring tasks considering how much they missed. Especially Dahlia as she never had the six hundred years on Asgard and their stories like her siblings had before they were split up.

The lessons consisted of sitting at their desks in a tent set up for the education for the rest of the time, they were there with quills, paper, ink, books and chalk board all surrounding them. It consisted of Fenrir having his arms folded on the desk with his head resting on them, barely managing to keep his eyes open as he listened to the professor bang on about a certain subject. Dahlia had to nudge him every so often when it seemed like he would fall asleep. She listened to what the professor said but took little notes as admittedly it did bore her and she had her head rested on her hand most of the lesson. Jörmungandr, however, the ever-smart sibling, was taking notes all throughout the lesson and was asking the questions that he thought needed to be asked. Thankfully, after four hours, they had a lunch break and had one hour before going back into the lessons. Dahlia could tell that her father was keeping a close eye on them, in case they decided to skip. Altogether, they spent seven hours with Professor Almar and were all too thrilled to be leaving when the time was up, the boys going off to have fighting lessons with Akio while Dahlia would spend time with her father and sister on how to control her magic. That's just how her friends found her.

"Breathe, Dahlia, focus on your energy, your power, your very essence. Use your sisters Aesir power to help you focus," Loki said as he walked around his daughters, watching their every move. Both Hela and Dahlia were sat on the floor, crossed legged, facing each other as they held each others palms, the great fire next to them had not yet been lit. While Hela had her eyes open, examining her sister, Dahlia had hers closed as she continued to focus.

"Feel our energy connecting," Hela said softly, "your energy and mine, recognising one another". Their hands began to emit a silvery blue and purple light, their magic, and it entwined together, showing Dahlia was doing just as she was told.

"That's excellent, girls," Loki praised and saw that to the pathway leading to the entrance of the camp Dahlia's group of friends were approaching, being escorted by a group of four soldiers surrounding them. When they came within talking distance, a soldier nodded to Lord Loki and gestured to them, not wanting to interrupt what was going on but needed to know what to do. Loki nodded and mouthed, "they're fine." He nodded and the soldiers left, knowing all the others around would keep a close eye on the newcomers. "Now, Dahlia, try and remove your energy from Hela's. Separate it but not too quickly, not too violently, just let it flow away. Let it fly and light the fire but keep it controlled".

Slowly, the silver blue and purple lights separated from one another and Hela smiled as she saw her sister's magic hit the logs at the bottom of the fire. She became concerned when nothing happened but then the fire lit, bigger than they thought it would, and it made everyone close stand back, even Loki and Hela. Dahlia being the only one left sat where she was, still in a trance-like state.

"Control it, sweetheart," Loki said, "keep it controlled" and slowly the fire calmed down, not being as fierce but being what they wanted, a large fire but not a catastrophe that would burn down the camp, forest and school. Loki then held out his hand and helped Hela stand before he reached down and placed Dahlia's palms on his, helping her to stand with her eyes still closed. He turned her towards the fire and whispered, "open".

She opened her eyes and let off a small laugh as Hela said, "your control is returning to you, congrats, sister".

"Thanks, Hela, Dad," Dahlia turned and hugged her father and it was a few moments before she pulled away and saw her friends. "Hey, guys, what are you doing here?"

Glancing around nervously, Hermione answered, "classes are over for today, so we thought we'd come see you".

Dahlia smiled and said, "let me introduce you. Hela, you already know Neville, this is Hermione Granger and Fred and George Weasley".

They bowed and Hermione curtsied nervously, knowing she was a Queen, and Hela bowed her head and let off a small laugh and asked, "I have to ask, did you two really bow and plead your loyalty to my father?"

Both twins nodded, "he's the God of Mischief, our god".

Hela shook her head and said, "he's also a man, a man who has a very big ego".

"Cheek," Loki said and nudged his eldest daughter who laughed, "I'll go check on the boys. Good work, Dahlia".

He then walked away while the four young wizards stood nervously in front of the Queen of Death and thankfully, Hela broke that silence and asked, "how would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Really?" Dahlia asked excitedly.

"Yes. They'll be preparing dinner soon and you can show them how we celebrate," Hela then looked to the wizards and said, "that's only if you want to. You can eat the food, it's not poison or anything, just not the wine or mead. Your bodies won't be able to handle that".

The four Gryffindors looked between one another and Fred took the honour as he said, "that'll be great, thanks, your majesty".

"Call me Hela," Hela then looked to Hermione who she could tell was uncomfortable in her school uniform and it was clear why as everyone else in the camp, all the women and girls at least, were wearing long dresses.

It seemed Dahlia also noticed Hermione tugging at her skirt to try and make it longer and said, "Hermione, what if we find you something else to wear? The majority of the people here aren't used to girls wearing a skirt so short".

Hermione nodded, "Great. Erm..." Dahlia began to look around and found the perfect person to watch the boys, "Grandpa". All the Gryffindors turned and saw a man approaching who smiled and waved.

"Hello, there. You must be Dahlia's friends" Jonathan said.

They nodded as Dahlia said, "Neville, Fred, George and Hermione meet my grandfather, Jonathan Evans. Grandpa, I was hoping you could look after the boys while I find something for Hermione to wear. They're staying for dinner".

"Of course," Jonathan said as he walked to the boys, "I'll introduce you to everyone, come on". The three boys glanced quickly at Hermione and Dahlia before leaving with Jonathan.

"Come on, 'Mione," Dahlia said as she linked her arm with Hermione's.

"I have the perfect dress in mind, come with me," Hela said and gestured to the girls to follow her.

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

The celebrations continued into the night, until the night sky was covered with stars that shined down on the camp. Hermione was now in a cream coloured long dress that had a tight bodice and a high neckline with crystals scattered around the bodice. With the help of a little magic, they changed Hermione's bushy hair into curls that they pinned up and allowed a few strands to fall and they topped it all off with a diamond Niflheim teardrop necklace. Hermione refused the necklace but Hela was giving it to her as a gift for all the years and friendship and protection that she provided her sister. To say the boys were surprised at how beautiful Hermione looked would be an understatement, but surprising the sisters, the boys had also changed into similar clothes everyone from Niflheim was wearing, Jonathan saying it was to help them blend in.

Everyone danced around the fire like the night before but this time, Dahlia wasn't in as much pain from her injury and joined in and she had her friends there. They ate and had fun and Dahlia was surprised when she saw that even the twins followed the rules of staying away from the wine and mead, clearly not willing to risk their health. Her brothers, however, were worn out from their lesson with Akio.

Dahlia was bringing them mead, both brothers sat on the floor leaning against a log as Dahlia handed them their drinks and said, "come on, you haven't faced the worst yet".

"This gets worse?" Fenrir groaned as the muscles in his arms hurt.

"Just wait until you get to the training room in the palace, the assault course changes to what challenges you most. I was thrown in water, thrown against walls, almost decapitated by spikes on a wall, sliced in half by swinging axes. It played with my mind so I couldn't see straight, I almost burned my hands on rings of fire and I even had to fall down a 30ft drop without knowing if there was something at the bottom to catch me. You're lucky, I had to do all that before learning to fight from Akio".

"This is abuse," Jörmungandr mumbled, "it has to be".

Dahlia shrugged, "you could say that but he's only trying to train us as quickly as possible and train us to be the best. He takes it very personally when someone he's supposed to protect gets hurt. Besides, dad and Hela are worried about us, they'd worry a lot less if we learned how to fight. Anyway, don't you love fighting, especially you, Fen? Akio taught Hela and I'm willing to bet if either of you fought her, you'd lose".

Fenrir laughed and said, "like to see her try. My little sister can't beat me, I'm supposed to protect her".

"Well then, you better get used to training as hard as Akio trains you or else it'll be us protecting you. Now, come dance with your darling little sister," she then pulled Fenrir up and her eldest brother only had a single moment to pass his goblet to his brother as the King of Serpents laughed.

As he was pulled up and passed his goblet, he quickly picked his sister up by her waist and held her tightly with one arm and linked their hands together with the other as she shrieked, he said, "you said dance".

"Put me down, you big oaf," she laughed as he swayed side to side and spun around while those around them laughed.

Dahlia danced with her brother for ten minutes, making him forget about his muscles hurting from training and it seemed like Hela had the same idea as she was dancing with Jörmungandr, but Dahlia could hear her teasing their brother endlessly that she'd protect him. Of course, even her more lenient brother's male ego couldn't take that and he swore that the protection would be the other way around.

When Dahlia finally stopped dancing with her brother, she saw the perfect people her friends needed to meet but they all seemed to be spread out. Neville was talking to healer Saide, probably about plants and herbs that had healing properties, ones he knew of and ones he didn't. The twins were talking to a group of soldiers while Hermione ended up talking to Professor Almar of all people. Even when celebrating, Hermione was still learning, probably asking the professor if what they learned at Hogwarts was true or false in regards to the other realms. Dahlia made it her mission to get them together so she quickly ran by everyone, throwing a quick apology to the people they were talking to before dragging each friend away. Neville first, then the twins, then Hermione who complained, "I was asking him about Niflheim!".

"You can ask another time, or ask me, I want you four to meet some people," Dahlia said as she pulled Hermione's arm while the boys just followed.

They approached a group of five but it was three of them that Dahlia was interested in. The group instantly bowed or curtsied and Dahlia bowed her head as half of them were council members. The other two people present bowed then left, seeing the smile on the Princess's face and knew just what was about to happen with her friends, but the four Gryffindor's were confused as they smiled and walked away. "Milady, how are you today?"

"I am well, Lord Gryffindor," Dahlia replied.

"Did you say Gryffindor?" Hermione whispered quickly while the boys looked in shock.

Rowena looked behind the Princess and said, "so these are your friends. The camp has been talking about them".

Helga added, "well when mortals enter a camp of the dead, it does become a topic of discussion very quickly.

"Yes, they are," Dahlia said and stepped to the side so both groups got a better look at one another, "this is Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and Fred and George Weasley. Guys, this is Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and our house founder, Godric Gryffindor".

The founders bowed their heads while the group of Gryffindor students didn't move. For a moment, Dahlia questioned if they were even breathing because of how still they were and swiped her hand in front of their faces and it was Neville who mumbled "they...they..."

Godric laughed and said, "I think we paralyzed them".

Rowena rolled her eyes and said, "don't be ridiculous, Godric. They're simply in shock".

"Thank the gods we didn't bring Merlin and Morgan, imagine that," Helga said with a smile.

"Founders...you're the founders," Hermione said, still frozen, but then she unfroze as she turned to Dahlia and said, "they're the founders".

"Yeeeessssss," Dahlia drawled out, "good, the founders, you're finally catching on".

"You're the founders," Hermione said looking back to the founders.

"And you're Hermione Granger, a Gryffindor," Godric said proudly but Rowena added,

"With a raven's brain," Rowena glared not liking the fact she was the so-called brightest witch of her age and Godric had her.

Helga rolled her eyes and said, "can you not start fighting over who has who in their houses?"

"Tell him that," and, "tell her that," were both said at the same time.

Dahlia looked to her friends and said, "are you four just going to stand staring?"

"Legend," the twins said and pointed to Godric.

"Is it true you once fought a dragon?" Fred asked.

"Is it true you're the greatest duellist of your time?" George asked.

Dahlia held up her hands to silence them, knowing the twins would ask every question possible without waiting for an answer and she said, "Lord Gryffindor, the twins are the kind of Gryffindors you'd be proud of with the number of pranks they pull and are about to ask you every question on rumours about you doing amazing stunts, if you don't mind".

"My boys, ask away," Godric said laughing, "I have many tales to tell, some even more thrilling than what have been made up about me over time".

"Lady Hufflepuff, my dear godbrother Neville is quite talented at Herbology and is very interested in it. Perhaps you could give him some pointers?"

Lady Hufflepuff smiled, "I'd be more than happy".

"Lady Ravenclaw, as you so rightly said, Hermione has the brains of a raven which unfortunately means she's about to ask you every question she can think of," Hermione shot her a glare, "that's if you are happy to share".

"My dear," Rowena said, "there are very few people who have a mind like that in today's time. Knowledge has become monitored since this world built a Ministry to control it, I will happily pass on my knowledge".

"Great," Dahlia happily said, "have fun guys". Dahlia then walked away as she heard Helga and Neville talking about an exotic plant that is currently under observation by Herbologists and he was asking her opinion on the matter, while Godric was telling the twins a story about the time he did fight a dragon and Hermione and Rowena were talking so fast, Dahlia couldn't keep up.

"Hello sweetie," Dahlia heard not too far away and she turned and saw her grandmother and smiled. Violet took her granddaughter into her arms and kissed the side of her head as she pulled away and said, "that was a very nice thing you did for your friends, introducing them".

Dahlia nodded, "I'm not too sure which they found more exciting, meeting dad or the founders".

"Both for different reasons," Violet added, "the founders they knew they could never meet, until now, and have been taught about them at Hogwarts or have grown up with stories of them. Your father...well, we all know what stories were being told about him. It isn't surprising if they have two different reactions".

"Do you...I know my friends accept the truth and know he isn't a danger but do you...do you think there'll ever be a time when people will look at him and not see what he did in New York, or the prophecy?" Dahlia asked as she looked away from her grandmother to see her father stood not too far away laughing with her three siblings who were clearly annoying Hela as she hit both Fenrir and Jörmungandr on the arms as Loki continued to laugh.

Violet saw the look and wrapped an arm around her granddaughter's shoulders and began to walk in the direction of her family, "it matters not what other people think of him, but what you think of him".

"But he's a good man. He's just made some mistakes but doesn't everyone?"

"As long as you believe that, it shouldn't matter what others think of him. Your father doesn't care what others think of him but his children. As long as he has the four of you by his side, your father can face anything, trust me". Her grandmother gave her a comforting smile and Dahlia couldn't help but smile back as the woman held her close and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Dahlia, backup," Hela said as she saw her sister stood not too far away and with a slight nudge from her grandmother, Dahlia went to join her sister, stood between her and their father.

"What?" Dahlia asked.

Hela glared at their brothers and said, "they think I'm crazy, tell them I'm not".

Jörmungandr rolled his eyes while Fenrir said, "you're both crazy".

"Excuse me," Dahlia said as she crossed her arms and glared at her brother while her sister did the same.

Loki laughed then moved to stand between his sons and placed his arms around both their shoulders and said, "sons, I think it's time to tell you a little something about women...Never ever call them crazy, any women for that matter. Your sisters even more so".

"Why?" Jörmungandr asked cautiously.

"Because," Loki said smirking, "when a woman is mad, even the darkest of beings run and hide. There's a saying, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned".

"Revenge is a best dish served cold," Dahlia said sweetly.

Hela then added, "you think we're crazy? Always be cautious of a patient woman".

The boys looked to each other nervously and Jörmungandr defended, "we didn't say crazy, as in crazy crazy-"