"Looks like you've got a new case," Shawn told her, flopping a folder down on her desk.
Hermione looked up, a bit frazzled. "Already?" she asked, brushing some stray curls from her face. "I barely closed the other one."
"Mhm. And this one looks to be a bit of a doozy."
Hermione grabbed the folder and started to read the contents inside. "Vampire? Are you serious? A vampire?" Hermione paled considerably. Centaurs she could deal with. Give her a goblin any day. Hell, ever since riding on the back of a dragon she'd never been shy with one again. But a vampire?
"Seems he's been having a bit of trouble since he came to England," Shawn told her. "Killed three muggles in the first week."
Hermione frowned. "Well, I know they have to eat, but that's certainly excessive. And besides, isn't that new product out? The replacement for blood?"
Shawn smiled at her. Hermione was his favorite, all innocent and hopeful, despite being scarred from the War. He patted her hand. "You can ask him all about it when you meet with him."
"I have to meet with him. Of course," she grumbled. She didn't want her boss to know she was afraid, but she couldn't help feeling this way. She'd never admit it, but she'd been scarred ever since reading Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart. The man himself may never have experienced it more than vicariously, but someone had, and Hermione was frightened.
"Later tonight. Seven-fifteen to be exact. We were going to have him meet you here, but we figured a more public place would be better. So you'll be meeting him at The Leaky Cauldron. At least he won't draw too much attention there."
Hermione sighed. "Can't Greenwich come with me? Or you? What are you doing at seven-fifteen tonight?"
"Out of the country remember? Nasty case with the trolls is taking longer than suspected. I'm leaving today too or I'd accompany you. I'm sorry Hermione." At her apprehensive face he assured, "Well, I mean, I heard you were the brightest, most adept witch of our age. I'm sure you can handle one measly vampire."
Hermione blushed slightly at the compliment. "Alright already. But if I end up drained of all my blood they'll know who to blame."
"That's my girl!" Shawn enthused. He glanced at his watch. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go pack. The damn merpeople just won't stop pulling innocent muggles in the ocean," he sighed.
Hermione turned her full attention to the folder then.
Jasper Hale
Age: approx. 139
Height: 6'3"
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Red (varies)
Mr. Hale is being held on account of the muggle killings in the area having caused an alarm in their world. He is showing no remorse for these killings and is being charged with Intentional Excessive Feeding, Intent to Reveal, and Aggravated Assault. When taken in he had to be petrified to avoid any more harm done to the officers (including two broken arms and one broken leg).
If rehabilitation is not achieved he is to be sentenced to one hundred years in prison.
Note: Caution is to be taken when dealing with him.
Great. Not only a vampire, but a belligerent one. Hermione sighed and moved to the picture they had provided. Her breath caught in her throat. In spite of the blood red eyes that stared back at her, Hermione was staring at an incredibly attractive man. His honey hair fell casually in his face and his strong jaw and perfect features surprised her. He definitely didn't look anything like the other vampires she'd seen.
Hermione took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Her nerves were a mess and she was sure she wasn't going to get anything else done at work today. However, she legally couldn't leave until five, so she spent the next hour writing up her final report for her previous case and intermittently thinking of strategies she could use to deal with the vampire. The last twenty minutes was spent looking at different spells that might be useful against Jasper, and the moment the clock struck five, Hermione was out of there.
Hermione Flooed to Harry's flat, arriving seconds before he did. "'Mione," he greeted, brushing the ash off of him. Taking note of the anxious look on her face he asked what was wrong.
Hermione paced nervously, telling Harry about the meeting she had in little over two hours. "And I just, I don't know. I'm a bit frightened," she admitted.
"Well, we could practice some of the spells you mentioned," he tried to soothe. "I think I know most of them now."
Hermione nodded eagerly. "Oh thank you. I'm sorry to barge in on you like this.:
Harry merely shrugged and smiled at her. "You're always welcome here."
The two practiced until seven o clock when Hermione reluctantly said she had to go. "I could join you," Harry suggested.
Hermione smiled lightly. "I'm not supposed to bring workers from different departments," she told him. "But I think they'll make an exception, if they ever find out."
"How about I trail you. You know, stay in view but out of sight."
Hermione squeezed Harry in a hug. "You're the best. Thank you!" Together they Apparated to the alley leading into Diagon Alley. They tapped the bricks and stepped inside. It was still busy, mostly families out shopping in preparation of the new school year to come. The pair walked quickly to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Alright, I'll be over there," Harry told her, pointing to a table in the corner.
Hermione headed towards the bar, unsure where Jasper might be. She ordered a drink from the bar, too nervous to eat, and sat at the stool nearest her. She cast Harry a worried glance over her shoulder. A voice in her ear sent chills down her spine. "I suppose you're here to scold me."
Hermione spun around and sure enough came face to face with Jasper Hale.