#ironwizard

Jotun. He was Jotun.

Even though he'd suspected as much these past few weeks, to hear his suspicions confirmed shocked Loki to the very core. He'd been clinging onto the faint hope that maybe, just maybe he'd been imagining things - maybe he was just a regular animagus. Not one who's stories are told throughout the land; stories that parents tell their children about at night.

Son of Laufey.

His whole life was a lie. He would never gain the respect he so desperately craved from his peers, from Odin, because he was never one of them in the first place. His real father was a monster, locked up in Askaban and left to rot for his crimes. He wasn't Asgardian, and never would be.

That thought was what propelled Loki through the corridors of the palace, fleeing further and further away from his broth- Thor, who's shouts had followed him long after Loki had run from the room. He knew that Thor wouldn't leave Odin's side until he had received help - this Odinsleep was entirely unexpected - so that gave him enough time to put his plan into action.

Taking the back passages that few in the castle knew about, Loki soon reached his room where Fenrir was waiting, and quickly grabbed a small leather bag, before throwing clothes haphazardly into it. His heart thundered in his chest, and he was certain he was going to hear footsteps pounding down the corridor outside his room any second. But none came.

Securing the bag and throwing it over his shoulder, Loki motioned for Fenrir to follow him and slipped out of the door, closing it softly behind him. It took him no time at all to reach the observatory where the Bifrost sat, humming with power; Heimdall didn't notice as Loki snuck past, cloaking himself and Fenrir with a quick illusion that, despite the Asgardian's all-seeing powers, never failed to work.

Stepping into the observatory, Loki stopped and stared at the swirling mass of crystals that floated in a column in front of him. Lights flickered incandescently from within, sending colours dancing around the large domed room. He had always been fascinated by the Bifrost ever since he had learnt of its existence - a magical artifact of this kind was both extremely rare, and extremely powerful. As far as he knew, the Asgardians were the only people in posession of one.

The Bifrost allowed for travel between the realms surrounding Asgard with perfect accuracy - the combination of science and magic meant it was a lot more precise than apparation on its own. Only few were allowed access to the technology - it was the privilage of the royal household and those of high status. But it was also restricted to highly competent magic users - like apparation there were risks; the least being you were stranded in one place, with no way of getting back to Asgard - the worst being lost somewhere in the void between places.

Approaching the Bifrost, Loki reached out a hand and hovered it over the crystals, fingers inches away from the glistening surface. Closing his eyes, he took a deep, steadying breath. By the Nines, he was scared. Scared that this wasn't going to work, scared about where he could end up, and what could happen if things went wrong. But the prospect of staying here where he didn't belong, in a house he was never going to fit in, scared him the most.

A soft lick to his hand broke Loki out of his thoughts, and he opened his eyes to see Fenrir looking up at him. Smiling sadly, he crouched down so he was eye level with the large dog, withdrawing his hand so he could bury his face into the fur on Fenrir's neck. "I'm sorry," he whispered, voice muffled, "But I cannot stay here... And wherever I end up, I wish you to be there with me."

Another lick to the exposed skin on his neck settled the matter, and Loki withdrew, casting a fond look towards Fenrir before standing. Darting a look towards Heimdall, he checked that the Asgardian hadn't noticed their presence, before closing his eyes once more. The urgency he had felt as he was fleeing the palace returned, and Loki urged himself to relax, immersing himself in the currents of magic swimming in the air around him.

Loki had always wanted to try using the Bifrost but he hadn't ever summoned up the courage - the stories of apparation gone wrong, and the threat of using magic outside of Hogwarts was enough to put him off. But now, with his whole world crumbling around him, he found it was his best option.

So, with a deep breath and a clenching of one fist around Fenrir's collar, Loki extended his hand once more and closed his fingers around the nearest crystal; visualising motion and willing himself to travel to a place far from Asgard. A sudden tugging in his gut was the only warning Loki had before he disappeared, leaving behind no evidence of his actions.

-

With a flash of green light, Loki materialised, Fenrir's collar clutched tightly in one hand. The draining of energy was so abrupt that he didn't have time to catch himself before he pitched forwards, onto remarkably soft grass. Wherever he had landed, it was day - he watched the rays of sunlight flickering over Fenrir, who was standing over him, nudging his side in an effort to get him to move. Yet he couldn't feel the sun's warmth - for the first time in his life he felt cold.

Checking the clock face that was shrouded in shadow on the mantlepiece above the fireplace, Loki sighed, before uncrossing his legs and putting the book he was reading to one side on the seat beside him. Standing smoothly, he checked his wand was still in his robe pocket before sweeping out of the common room, leaving silence in his wake.

Arriving in the Entrance Hall minutes later, the Slytherin looked around, before sighing again and leaning against the nearest pillar. He should have guessed Filch would be late - probably too busy chasing around students who were out of bed. Loki was quite suspicious as to the nature of the detention, as normally he was sent off to do some mundane task such as clean the third floor boy's bathroom without magic. However the note he had received a few days ago informing him of the detention had specifically stated 9PM - which was far too late for such a task.

Taking one last look at the place he'd called home for the past 6 years, Ash smiled. It wasn't his usual carefree smile; this one was tinged with sadness, longing, and a little regret. But when Ellen told you to do something, Ash had learnt long ago that you didn't argue.

He was needed back at the Roadhouse. There were rumours of something big heading their way in the hunting world, and all hands were needed on deck. Including his. McGonagall wasn't happy about the decision, in fact it had taken more than a few angry letters, one howler and a visit from Ellen in person before she agreed.

"So this is goodbye..." he murmered to himself, shifting his trunk from one hand to the other and huffing a small laugh. He was gunna miss this place. Glancing up, Ash couldn't help his eyes being drawn to the towers, one of which he's spent the past 6 years of his life.

'Don't behave yourself too much, Stark' he'd told his dormmate earlier as he was packing up his posessions, before handing him a box with no visible opening. He knew how much Tony liked a challenge, and this was sure to keep him busy for all of 5 minutes.

On his way out of the tower he'd bumped into Mordred, and he'd taken the opportunity to ruffle the kid's hair one last time, before shooting him a grin and moving off. Harriet was next. This one, in all honesty, had been the hardest. He'd told her to keep in contact, and leave some drink for him for when he came back. The unspoken truth that he probably wouldn't be doing so was left lingering between them, and if he hugged her tighter than usual, they didn't mention it.

Sam and Dean had been waiting in the Entrance Hall when he arrived, and he took one look at their faces before quipping, 'Awh, c'mon, no tears. You know you can visit in the summer.' They'd both laughed at that, and the three boys had spent the next few minutes making idle conversation, before Ash announced that he really had to go, or Ellen would crucify him. With one last hug for them both, and a wave, he walked out of the looming oak doors leading out into the courtyard, stopping brieftly to look back at the castle, before moving on.

ironwizard replied to your photo: Ash’s suit/makeover a la Tony Stark~

Proof that there is hope yet for all of humanity shown clearly here in the lack of mullet. You’re welcome, Hogwarts.