Hermione's Hounds:
1. Hermione's Hounds
2. Master of Death
3. Soul Marked
4. Abandon All Hope
5. The Devil You Know
6. My Heart Will Go On
7. Ursula
8. Drinking at Bobby's
9. Survival of the Fittest
10. Mistress of Death
11. Queen of Hell
12. Casifer
8. CasiferThe International Federation of Wizards voted to abstain from all muggle warfare, after successfully classifying angels and demons as non-magical creatures. The policy had been created and championed by the English Enclave, despite Kingsley and Hermione's insistence to the contrary. The Wizengamot had tied Kingsley's hands, although he was successful in creating a department within the Ministry to monitor the skirmish. His counterpart in MACUSA secured documents for Hermione to reside in America when she assumed the job.
Currently, she was packing up her flat, since the job she accepted from Kingsley started as soon as possible. She would be a one witch department, working with the Winchesters and Crowley to stop the world from ending. Hermione didn't respond when her floo activated, announcing the arrival of a guest, or when Ron began calling for her.
"Mione? We really need to talk about you disappearing last week, and then fleeing to Vienna with Kingsley. Telling Harry to let me know wasn't ideal," Ron called as he wandered through her flat.
"Did you hear me?" he asked when he reached her bedroom doorway. Hermione made a noncommittal sound.
"Sorry," she said as she continued packing. "What?"
"We need to talk about last week," Ron repeated watching her avidly. "Considering a strange wizard snatched you in the middle of dinner, and then you fled to Vienna without an explanation."
"Ron, it's not a great time," she said. "I'm on a tight schedule, and I have to get all of my belongings packed."
"Why?" Ron interrupted. "What's going on?"
"Kingsley offered me a job following the Federation of Wizards meeting in Vienna."
"That's great!" Ron said, before pausing. "Wait, how is it possible that no one knew they were gathering?"
"The Wizengamot was required to take a vow of secrecy before given the information," Hermione answered. "Of course, they've proven that Voldemort's slaughter taught them nothing, and have decided to abstain from all muggle warfare. They also voted to classify all Daemons and Rasul as nonmagical creatures."
" Wait, Daemons and Rasul? As in Gaia's enemies?" Ron asked laughing. "What crackpot thought that was necessary?"
"I did," Hermione said defensively. "Considering there's a war brewi:ng between the two of them. It's not like we can avoid the effects of it."
"No way," Ron disagreed. "If anything it's just a group of wankers masquerading as mythical creatures to scare us. Trust me, this isn't an issue at all." She forcibly clenched her teeth to prevent her from screaming at Ron. Everyone, aside from Kingsley, had the same attitude about Daemons and Rasul.
"Honestly, it's nothing more than a legend, that prats like Malfoy made up so they could explain their superiority. Now, can we please talk about why you aren't upset a strange wizard disapperated with you from dinner?"
"Cas isn't a wizard," Hermione answered. "He's a Rasul, which is why I went straight to Kingsley after I got back to England.' Ron released a frustrated moan.
"Mione, it's really not funny," he said. "Surely you can create a better cover story than that. I mean, I thought something was going on with you, but I kept telling myself you were above such behavior."
"Wait.." Hermione said puzzled. "You think I'm cheating on you?"
"What am I supposed to think?" Ron bellowed, before softening his tone. "I started talking to my mum about us. The questions she asked, I didn't understand at first, but once she explained….she thought you'd already been bonded to another. Dad and I told her she was out of line, but she wouldn't let it go. So Dad went to the Ministry's Hall of Records, and apparently she's right."
I cannot believe your family violated my privacy," Hermione said glaring at him. "I only found out last week about the bond." Ron promptly snorted, showing his derision.
"Unbelievable," he muttered. "You can't maintain soul bonds with limited contact."
"He's popped in from time to time," Hermione admitted. "Nothing ever happened!"
"Right," Ron scoffed.
"Believe me or not, but it's true. I made a choice during the war, and apparently it resulted in this bond. It was nothing more than an unintended consequence," She insisted.
"You can't initiate a soul bond without consent of both parties," Ron argued. "Everyone knows that, you know that." She opened her mouth to speak only for Ron to storm out of the flat. Collapsing on her bed as she heard her Floo roar to life, she pulled her mobile out.
"Hello?" the gruff voice answered.
"If I asked you to smite someone, would you?"
"Hermione, are you in danger? What's wrong?" Castiel demanded.
"Nothing," Hermione said. "Everything's fine. Just please, answer the question."
"We're really discouraged from smiting, unnecessarily," Castiel said. "Life is considered precious, and we're supposed to protect it. However, if you were to be in danger, I would not hesitate to protect you."
She couldn't help the smile that popped onto her face.
"You aren't in danger, are you?"
"No," she answered. "Thanks Cas." She sat on her bed, after hanging up the phone, wondering what she was supposed to do.
"Should I be jealous that you're first call regarding a request to smite is to angel-boy?" Crowley asked, stepping out of the shadows.
"It's safer to ask Castiel," Hermione said after shrugging. "He won't actually do it."
"Now, love," Crowley said as he sat next to her, and put his arm around her waist. "That's just your humanity getting in the way." After she elbowed him, he continued, " Unfortunately, this isn't exactly a social call. Squirrel and Moose have decided to confront Lucifer. Normally, I'd insist you abstain, if not forcibly restrain you, to keep you safe. However, we all need those to neanderthals to survive. You've got quite a habit of proving resourceful, annoyingly so at times.".
"Do they even know I'm joining?" Hermione asked as Crowley held up a bottle of whiskey.
"I brought an entry fee."
Stepping up onto the front porch, she could hear voices inside of the house. Despite her conviction, Hermione still felt uncertain about Crowley's plan, but still knocked on the front door. Crowley had wisely chosen not to accompany her at this time.
"Who the hell are you?" A grumpy old man in a wheelchair greeted her. The shotgun in his hand made fro an even warmer welcome.
"I'm here to see Sam and Dean," she answered watching the gun carefully. The man yelled for the boys without taking his eyes off of her.
"How'd you know they were here?" He asked. Before she could answer Sam and Dean showed up behind him.
"Hermione?" Sam asked., stepping around Bobby to hug her. "What are you doing here?"
"Hello boys," she greeted, grinning when Dean rolled his eyes. "I brought pie." All at once, Dean had dragged her inside the house, and bragged about her cooking.
"Now just wait a minute," Bobby bellowed. "We're about to go hunt down the fallen angel of hell, only for a complete stranger shows up, and not only are you unconcerned, you're talking about pie?"
"You're dad's right," Hermione said. "No such thing as a coincidence." She didn't miss the proud look the old man suddenly had when the boys looked at him. "Any chance you'll put down the firearm?"
"Someone better start talking first," Ellen ordered, despite Bobby complying with Hermione's request.
"THis is Hermione Granger," Castiel said from behind Jo and Ellen. "Sam and Dean met her after I mistakenly kidnapped her. She's a seasoned warrior, adept at avoiding capture, withstanding torture, and protecting the vulnerable. It would be valuable to bring her along tomorrow." He glanced at her as she stared incredulously at him. "My apologies, my curiosity got the better of me."
"It's fine Cas," she said slightly flushed.
"So...we're supposed to just trust her?" Jo asked skeptically.
"Yes," Dean, Sam, and Castiel answered.
"Right," Bobby said. "Are you aware of what you'll be going up against?"
"Sure do," Hermione said as she retrieved the bottle Crowley had sent with her. "In fact, I brought a treat for the occasion, in addition to the pie." It had gold lettering, and a matching label. Hermione suppressed a grin as Bobby's eyes widened.
"How'd you get your hands on Balverie?" he demanded as Ellen promptly grabbed shot glasses.
"Is it any good?" Dean asked through a mouthful of pie.
"Boy," Bobby and Ellen swore.
"Dean, that's a fifty thousand dollar bottle of single malt scotch whiskey," Sam told him.
"Produced using traditional hand crafting methods, and only eighty-eight were ever made," Ellen added. "So yeah...it's good."
"I attended a boarding school in Scotland," Hermione explained. "Been saving it for a special occasion. Figured tonight would be perfect."
The group started drinking together, and watched as Ellen lined up four shot in front of Castiel. The angel proceeded to drink them consecutively as they all stared.
"I think I'm starting to feel something," Cas said after drinking the last shot. Jo laughed, and Ellen simply stared. The last activity they participated in was a group photo.
Carthrage, Missouri was downright gloomy. Dean and Sam fretted over a lack of phone signal, while Ellen and Jo both noted the lack of people. The angel was the first to become distracted, before he looked over at Hermione.
"I see them too," the witch confirmed.
"What is it?" Ellen asked.
"This town's not empty," Castiel answered as he and Hermione stared at hundreds of old white men all dressed in matching black suits Each were gazing in the same direction.
"Reapers," Castiel breathed.
"Reapers?" Ellen repeated. "As in more than one?"
"Dozens," Hermione answered.
"They only gather like this at times of great catastrophe," Castiel said before listing examples,. "The Chicago Fire, San Francisco Quake, Pompeii Excuse me. I need to find out why they're here." He disappeared before they could protest.
"How can you see them?" Ellen asked Hermione suspiciously.
"Side effect of having a stalker," Hermione muttered. "Right now, I'm more concerned about the boys considering they broke rule number 1:don't split the party." It didn't take long to find the Winchesters.
"Police department is empty," Dean called out. "Did you find anyone?"
"No humans," Jo answered. "Only a town full of reapers. Cas went off searching for the reason why."
"Can't be good," Sam muttered. The group of five started exploring on foot, with HErmione the only one without a gun. She still had her wand in it's holster.
"There you are," a cheerful girl with dark wavy hair called. She was standing opposite from the group.
"Meg," Sam said glaring at the demon.
"Shouldn't have come here boys," she said eyeing the group. Dean swore and leveled the Colt at her. "DIdn't come here alone, Deano."
A sudden surge of growling and a splash of water had Sam and Dean cursing while talking about Hell Hounds.
"Yep!" Meg confirmed. "I made sure to bring your favorites." The phrase reverberated around Hermione's mind, pinging her memory. Frantically she searched the hounds in front of them, until she saw the largest, hiding in the back. She was unable to hold back her laughter, which of course captured Meg's attention.
The demon opened her mouth, a scathing condemnation, no doubt on the tip of her tongue. Hermione saw the exact moment the demon recognized the soul sigil.
"Well, well, well," Meg said. "I never expected to find you with the Winchesters. Do you realize how large the bounty on your head is? I can't believe Crowley is so stupid to let you run around with hunters of all people."
"Dean," Ellen said warily.
"Not now," he answered.
"I can't wait to drag you in," Meg said before turning back to the boys. "Sam, Dean, my father would like a word."
"I think we'll pass," Sam answered as Dean nodded.
"It's your choice," the demon said shrugging. "You can make this easy or really, really, hard."
"When have you ever known us to make anything easy?" Dean asked before shooting the hound nearest to Meg. The accuracy of his shot made Hermione momentarily forget Dean couldn't see the hounds.
"Run!" Sam ordered, causing everyone to scatter. Hermione turned as Dean was tackled to the ground by a hound.
"Meg," she called out catching the demon's attention. "Did you know that Hell Hounds only follow their master's commands?" The witch whistled as the hound on Dean savaged Jo. Gabby broke from rank, sprinting towards the hound attacking the female hunter and snapping its neck. Meg stared horrified.
"Not possible," she hissed.
"Crowley didn't send me to hid with Sam and Dean," Hermione told her as she pulled her wand out of it's holster. "He sent me to protect them. Get Jo and Ellen to safety." She promptly sent two Entrail Expelling Curses towards the hounds flanking Gabby.
"Witch!" Meg swore taking a step back. Before she could run, Hermione hit her with a deep purple spell, forcing the demon to stumble.
"Enjoy your meat suit," Hermione sneered. "It'll be your last."
It didn't take long for Gabby to sniff out Sam, Dean, Ellen, and Jo's hiding place. Hermione removed the barricade quickly, allowing them inside.
"Gabby heel," Hermione ordered. The hound promptly layed down and Hermione strode towards Jo and Ellen. "What's her blood type?"
"What?" Ellen asked.
"We don't have time for a transfusion," Sam said.
"Ellen. What is her blood type?" Hermione repeated digging through her bag.
"O negative," The mother answered. Hermione found the correct bottle and dumped it down Jo's throat. "What are you doing?"
"Saving your daughter. Sam, Dean go deal with Lucifer. I'll take care of these two," Hermione said. "Gabby took care of the other hounds." THe boys followed her instructions, and once HErmione was positive she could safely move Jo she shoved a necklace at Ellen.
"Let me do all the talking. You can rage all you want after I save your daughter," Hermione said as Ellen nodded. She promptly apparated them to the nearest American Magical Hospital. After the healers had informed the two women of Jo's condition, Ellen turned to Hermione.
"How many years?" She asked when Hermione looked at her. "What's the price?"
"I don't deal in years," Hermione answered. "I do enjoy tea though."
