"So, this is the city of New York." Hel, the Norse goddess of death, commented as the group appeared high above the city atop Stark Tower.

"It's also known as the city that never sleeps," Haraldur, once known as Harry Potter the 'Boy Who Lived,' replied.

"Really?" Hel's bright blue eyes lit up as she looked around. "Seems the mortals have done well for themselves."

"For the most part," Harry agreed.

She then gave him a warm smile, "We should return one day for a proper visit."

Hel then turned to her father, Loki, the god of mischief. "You should thank the Norns that my betrothed decided to stop whatever foolishness you were up to. "

Loki began to speak, "Well, you see, it's…."

"Not really my place to stop him, luv, as you well know," Harry said. "However, using those little trinkets caused a bit of a disturbance. Something that, let's say, put him on my radar."

"Plus, those eighty mortals were not destined to die anytime soon." Hel gave her father another unhappy frown.

Harry nodded. "Although the two of us were starting to look into what happened, we were still surprised when Skuld tracked us down in Niflheim."

"Oh, yes." Hel agreed. "The dear was quite wroth with you, father, complaining that you were putting holes in the weave of destiny."

"You don't understand…."

"Those stones are an absolute menace," Harry sighed, then laughed. "Though you have to admit, luv, her comments on where she planned on putting her sheers were amusing. Although perhaps anatomically impossible,"

Loki almost stumbled but found a hand on his shoulder. Then quickly jumped away upon realizing whose hand steadied him and finally said, "It's not my fault."

Harry stopped and gave his soon-to-be father-in-law a dry look. "Yes, it seems I need to have a word with that child of Titan and his obsessions with Lady Death."

Hel winced. She was well aware of the troubles her former boss was giving her betrothed. If Death's master hadn't appeared in this universe, who knows what other mischief the now-demoted cosmic entity would have gotten into. Still, although it was nice that even Eternity came by to thank him, everyone needed to stop interrupting her precious Haraldur time.

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"That woman and her games. I'm tempted to grab the two, toss them into a pocket universe, and throw away the key." The Master of Death began to rub his forehead.

Loki turned a little green at that remark.

"It would just give you more work, my love," Hel laughed, then reached for Harry's arm before the three continued their walk. "At least grandmother was relieved to hear that father was alive."

"You spoke to Frija." For the first time, Loki looked contrite.

Hel sighed. "I understand your issues with grandfather; I really do, but not telling grandmother that you survived."

"I'm sure he will apologize, luv." Harry patted her arm and turned to Loki. "Won't you mate?"

"Yes, of course. That was my plan all along," the god of mischief agreed.

Then moved quickly away, ignoring the look the two gave him, and pointed to a man working at the end of the highest point of Stark Tower. "It appears we have found what we came for."

Doctor Erik Selvig immediately stood up as the three approached. "My lord, the tasks you have given me are almost complete."

Looking a bit constipated, Loki replied, "Good work, Doctor."

"That mortal's blood sings with the songs of the old sagas, my love," Hel murmured. " The mind stone has not broken this one's spirit."

Harry nodded, then reached into that infinity stone and released all held in its sway.

Doctor Selvig, whose eyes had once glowed with an eerie blue light, turned towards the god of mischief and growled, "You!"

"It's all right, Doctor," Harry sighed and stepped forward. "There's no concern for alarm. I'm here to take possession of the Tesseract."

"Do I know you? You seem familiar?" Erik Selvig stared at the shadowy figure in confusion.

"Personally, no, and hopefully not for a long time," the Master of Death said, then the glowing cube broke free from its housing and flew into his hand.

"You should be careful with that. It's dangerous."

Hel smiled assuredly. "You have nothing to be concerned about, mortal. My betrothed has it all well in hand."

"I'm sorry, you are?"

"I guess we have not been formally introduced. I am Hel, Queen of Niflheim. Standing next to me is my betrothed Haraldur, and of course, you already know my father," the Goddess of Death regally replied.

"You, but…" Erik stepped back, not quite believing what he was just told. "Do you happen to have a brother named Fenrir?"

"I do, and four more, Jormungandr, Narfi, and Váli, although my father is the mother of Sleipnir."

The astrophysics looked at Loki, "So you had sex with a …."

"Yes, it's all very fascinating and complicated." Loki coughed, then looked at Harry pleadingly.

"Alright," the Master of Death said with a grin. "Thank you, Doctor, for your time. Let's get you back to your friends."

"Oh, didn't we promise mother that we'd bring Fenrir along?" Hel said as the astrophysics disappeared.

"Wait, you freed my son from that island? How?" Loki asked, then shook his head, remembering who he was talking to. "Right, never mind."

Hel ignored her father and looked warmly at her betrothed, thoughts of future children dancing in her head. "My brother's quite fond of you."

Harry laughed. "He enjoys using me as a chew toy."

With memories of his godson, he quickly agreed to free the young god after learning of his imprisonment. Afterward, leaning on his Animagus knowledge, Harry helped Fenrir shapeshift into his human form.

"So, lunch?"

Coming up – Thor's regret