And then Loki disappeared, slipping through the spectral plane without another word. Hermione stood there, eyes burning with tears yet unshed and her chest aching something fierce. On one hand she felt the true devastation from casting Loki aside, but on the other... She felt almost liberated at the severance. For the first time in her life, Hermione had been the one to end things. Not the loss of a baby, a betrothal contract, or unrequited love. This time she'd ended things on her own terms.