Disclaimer: don't own anything, don't sue me.
Author's note: So the first chapter has been very well received by readers, and I'd like to thank those who have reviewed and favorited for their responses. I imagine some of you have probably been scratching your heads as to why Hermione's body shape changed to match those of Carmilla's. The motivation was that while Hermione believes in her own abilities as a witch, she doesn't hold herself much in the same way that the other female students at Hogwarts would, which includes that she may have some issues as far as her physical appearance. Combine that with the way things were between her and Ron during their sixth year, well, just imagine feeling like the person who caught your eye basically went around to everyone but you. But that will change in this story. Anyway, here's the next chapter, and enjoy.
A man similar in appearance to Gabriel, but with a green coat, traversed through the castle that Carmilla's other self had dwelt in. The interior of the castle had been majorly redesigned as various works of machinery and even electricity worked its way through out the castle. As the man on green finally worked his way to the room Gabriel fought Carmilla in, he waited as a black mist surrounded the room.
"Show yourself! Come out and face me!" the man yelled. The mist finally coalesced and came together, only to reveal the enemy as Gabriel himself.
"I was planning to pay a visit to the brotherhood, they did not need to send someone special to meet me," Gabriel said with snark in his voice.
"This day I claim vengeance, for my mother's murder!" the man growled to Gabriel.
"Revenge is a powerful emotion my friend. It has been my closest companion for many years. I have interest in getting to know my victims. I don't know your mother, boy" Gabriel said with conviction.
"You did know her. You knew her very well! I'll tell you her name, right before I cut it into your heart!" the man said before engaging Gabriel in combat. The former warrior of light had summoned a sword, which appeared that the blade was made from a blue energy, along with fiery gauntlets. Gabriel's new weapons were countered by the mystery man's powers, with the blue energy countering the gauntlets, while the sword was counter by the man's red energy. Gabriel had found the warrior stronger than he anticipated. He transformed into mist once more before he lifted the man into the air. The two continued battling with Trevor gaining the upper hand as he drew closer to Gabriel. The warrior attempted to shove the crucifix, similar to Gabriel's, only for it to be impaled in the man's chest.
As the warrior in green laid on the floor with his life fading, he glanced into the sole mirror of the room and saw Gabriel's life. He now understood that he had been set up for failure. Gabriel stood and looked at the fallen warrior.
"I see now the truth. I have tried to fight against my fate. You accepted yours. Even as you were betrayed at every turn, you accepted you fate, even when that betrayal included your own wife. In the end, Fate is cruel, and I pity you...Father," the man declared.
"Father?!" Gabriel replied in shock. His now-revealed son pointed tot he mirror as it glowed. Gabriel stepped to the mirror and peered in, seeing his wife before he saw holding a baby. He now understood the ramifications of the battle he just had.
"Dan you! WHY! NO!" Gabriel said as he was by his son's side in an instant, yanking the cross out of his son's chest and feeding him his blood.
"Live! LIVE! My son!" the warrior said as the first tears of blood streamed down his face. He had thought that the vestiges of his humanity had been gone, but now he realized that he had only buried them.
After some preparation, Gabriel had placed a coffin with the title Alucard in the room containing the mirror. As he held his son in his arms, he looked at the empty space within the coffin that would hold his son. He knew that his attempts to bring back his son were currently taking affect, but he had made some additions to his son's eventual resurrection. He placed his son in the coffin and closed it, with the cross in hand. He walked away and disappeared into a study that now held his son's possessions. After laying the cross on an altar, he looked up and clenched his teeth. He vowed the brotherhood would pay.
Back inside the room containing the mirror, the coffin's lid began to shift open. Around the room, the floor had become degraded and cracked. After the coffin was open, a body rose from the inside, revealing a white haired man in a dark coat with pieces of armor, such as gauntlets and metal greaves. He noted the appearance of a black cloaked figure with an odd helmet, with the face apparently made of glass.
"I've been here before. And so have you. Who am I?" the man asked the figure who pointed tot eh glowing mirror. The man recoiled in horror.
"No. No! NOOOOOOOOOO!" Alucard shouted as his memories began to resurface.
"No. Not this. It wasn't supposed to be like this!" Alucard shouted. The cloaked figure handed Alucard a similar looking weapon to his former crucifx.
"It's time we end this, Father!" Alucard declared.
The son of Gabriel battled his way through the castle and came across numerous monsters, including a large monstrous creature made of different decomposed bodies and a demon with mechanical transplants. As he defeated his enemies, he had gained numerous abilities including a silver wolf form, transforming his body into mist, as well as sharpened claws and wings. He finally made his way to a set of red double doors with an ornate carving of a dragon. As the doors opened, Alucard entered and found a muscular red-headed ma confronting Gabriel until their attention was drawn to him.
"Good of you to join us, Alucard," Gabriel said.
"Father," the son replied to the patriarch. The redhead looked between the two vampires feeling as though he had missed something important.
"It's been a long time," Gabriel lamented, in what Alucard could guess was a melancholic tone.
"Yes. It seems Fate has given me a second chance. I have come to finish what I've started," Alucard said.
"I know why you're here. I had hoped that...you would stand with me son. That you would understand why I must destroy the brotherhood. We can remake this world, if you join me," Gabriel said.
"Join you?! Look at me! You've made me a monster Father! A creature filled with hatred just like you! You should have let me stay dead that night!"Alucard said.
"No matter. It ends now!" Gabriel said.
"Leave Simon out of this! This is between me and you!" Alucard spat.
"He's a Belmont! I will not suffer that bloodline to live any longer!" Gabriel roared as he lunged at his son and grandson. The two descendants rolled away and began attack with their respective weapons. However, Gabriel's powers were proving too much for the duo. At one point, Simon became bewitched by Gabriel's power, until Alucard freed him by absorbing his powers. The fight came to a head as Alucard chased his father around the throne room until he subdued him.
"Now Simon! It must be you!" Alucard shouted. The red-headed warrior took his cross and leapt at his enemy and impaled him with the cross. Gabriel fell to his knees as red energy engulfed him until he disappeared. Alucard and Simon looked at the spot where Gabriel vanished.
"This is not how a vampire is supposed to die," Alucard mused.
"What do you mean?" Simon replied, only to jump as the cloaked figure appeared behind him. Simon was ready to attack before Alucard stopped him.
"He wants the amulet that you're wearing," the vampire said feeling useless.
"No chance! This is a gift from my father! It's the last thing I have left of him!" Simon replied.
"Your father gave you that without knowing it's true power! As long you wear it, you won't be able to decide or act entirely for yourself! Your actions will be guided, manipulated. Do you think you're here entirely of your own free will? Let it go. It doesn't belong to you, as it did not belong to your father," Alucard said, lamenting his failure in his past life. Simon handed the pendant over to the cloaked figure before it disappeared. He turned to the white-haired creature, thinking.
"Now will you tell me who you are?" Simon asked. Alucard approached Simon and placed a hand on the red-head's cheek before he departed, as Simon watched on.
Hermione shot up awake, this time in a deep cavern lit up by torches. As she looked around, she noticed a number of statues of what appeared to be knights in armor. As she got a closer look, she realized that the 'statues' were too detailed.
"It's a startling thought, isn't it?" Carmilla asked, suddenly appearing next to the now buxom teenaged girl.
"We're back inside the castle? But how?" the girl asked.
"My spirit has joined you. But not completely. So I can still do things when I feel necessary for your benefit. And yes, we're back in my former home. There is something else here you need to acquire," the older woman replied.
"What in the world happened here? And who was that man? And why did Gabriel change?" Hermione asked her guide.
"Gabriel's change was something that could only be done because as a human, he could not thrive in the Underworld. However, what wasn't known was that even as a human, he could survive for a number of hours before his physical body succumbed to the harsh environment of that realm. But becoming a creature of the night allowed him to thrive longer than necessary. When he returned, he was filled with so much hate and anger, that he turned on everything he had fought for, believing it to be his fate. What he didn't know was that the brotherhood he fought for had hidden away the birth of his son, for fearing that he would kill them. But they were even more foolish than me and my comrades. Once his son, Trevor, became old enough, he went to the castle to confront his father. But Fate wasn't on his side, and it's never on anyone's side but it's own. The red-headed man is Trevor's son. After Gabriel learned the truth about Trevor, he sent his servants to the village that the brotherhood resided in to destroy them. What he didn't know was that Trevor had a wife and son. Simon managed to escape, but Trevor's wife, Sypha, was not so fortunate. When Simon and Trevor met again years after his 'death', Gabriel learned what happened, and became even more furious. It's not just the brotherhood that he blames, but also himself," Carmilla explained.
"So Fate used the brotherhood, and the brotherhood used Gabriel. And now they're get rid of him. They've lied and misled the people they were supposed to protect," Hermione mused, as the story sounded awfully familiar.
"Yes. Just like that fool Fudge did to you and your friends," Carmilla added, making Hermione turn around.
"Of course I would know about that. Just as I know this so-called wizarding world separates themselves from the modern era, and lives in a time worse than my own. If there's one thing I've learned since my...transcendence, it's that your principles and morals don't have to change, even if the times do. But as humanity changes, so must the way we treat each other. That's why your society's government is failing. They're interested in keeping things the same," Carmilla said.
"And you need me to do something about it? That's why we have Harry. He's the on who can stop H...Voldemort!" Hermione declared fervently.
"And when he's gone, what will happen?! Do you think evil just goes away simply because you get rid of one of it's servants?! There are greater things in this world that you're finding out than what is simply staring you in the face! You've seen the visions of what Gabriel had to do and the feats that he braves just to save the world! Do you really believe it would be that simple once Tom Riddle is dead for good?" Carmilla asked. Hermione glared harshly at the older woman for being spoken to in such a manner.
"So the being he fought? He's real?" the teenager asked.
"As real as you and I. And it's why my comrades and I fought, to make sure this world would keep turning. We'll talk more later. You should see what lies in this chamber," Carmilla replied. The girl acquiesced to the request and made her way to what appeared to be a pedestal. As she approached, she noticed a dimly lit fire burning away and yet nothing was lit. As she finally came close to the altar, the fire flared and towered over her, before it shrank and reformed. What appeared before the girl was now the figure of a woman, as if she was made and clothed in fire. What was most interesting was the serpent tail that made up her lower body. The entity opened it's eyes and stared directly at the girl.
"You are not my lord," the female creature said, her voice echoing through the chamber.
"No she isn't. But she has every right to be here. And you will not stand in her way, gorgon," Carmilla demanded. The creature stared at the older woman, and then at the girl. The gorgon looked back at Carmilla, seeing her for what she really was. She opened her palms and produced a ball of flame before it went out. The flame was replaced with a red gem stone similar to the blue from the hall above. Hermione grabbed the gem and felt power course through her. Her eyes became alight with fire before they died back down.
"Chaos. The power of Chaos. Void and Chaos. I don't understand. What is this all about?" Hermione asked the gorgon, only for the creature to disappear as her flames were stoked.
"What the bloody hell just happened?!" Hermione shouted, losing a bit of her self-control. Carmilla only smirked.
"That creature you saw granted you the power of Chaos. It's master was responsible for the statues you see here," the woman began explaining.
"Chaos caused these statues?" Hermione asked confused.
"Another word for Chaos is entropy. It means the break down of things. This universe, while still on-going has been breaking down for millennium. It's what happens to all living things. Chaos is responsible for these statues because by freezing these knights, their life force is broken down. But Medusa kept the bodies as monuments of her 'art'," Carmilla said.
"So the Void is where creation starts. And Chaos breaks it down. A cycle of the living, correct?" the teen asked.
"Yes. And in case you're wondering, your form of magic won't be affected. If anything, the powers you now have are augmented. Try a spell you know," Carmilla dared her.
"I don't have my wand," Hermione replied.
"You won't need it," Carmilla said smugly.
Hermione looked at a giant statue of a serpentine creature and focused her power into her right hand. She lifted it and shouted.
"REDUCTO!"
The energy burst forth from her palm and completely destroyed the statue, barely leaving a trace of it.
"Wow," Hermione uttered, as her palmed smoked from the residual traces of the energy.
"Imagine what you can do when you heal someone. And that's not all. But at the moment, you'll have to hold off on any other abilities to learn. It'll be time for you to wake up soon," Carmilla said.
"Very well then," Hermione decided, knowing that Carmilla could easily transport her.
Hermione woke up in an unfamiliar bed until she remembered where she had fallen asleep. She looked across the room and noted Ginny Weasley asleep in her own bed. Since meeting this family, every trip to Hogwarts always started with her parents leaving them in her care, which was normally more enjoyable as she was with her friends. She smirked as she remembered the expressions on Harry and the males of the family when they saw her. She remembered that her body had changed to be similar to Carmilla's, leaving her with a similar shape and bust to the older woman. Ron's reaction was particularly enjoyable as he had a hard time not keeping his eyes off her. But thankfully she ignored it for the most part, as she had no reason for manipulating anyone through her looks, let alone magic.
"Girls! Time to wake up! Breakfast will be ready soon!" Mrs. Weasley's voice sounded off.
"Yes ma'am!" Hermione replied.
"Hermione dear, would you wake the boys? I'd prefer they not sleep in," the Weasley mother requested.
"Yes ma'am," Hermione said as Ginny was coming around. The only daughter of the immediate Weasley family looked at Hermione, still not believing what she was seeing. It was only a year ago when Hermione was just a slim thing who, while beautiful, used her brains to get by. And yet now she stood with an appearance that most girls at Hogwarts would kill for, even if most of the attention would turn to Harry, including her's. Hermione simply ignored the looks that Jenny sent her way and made her way to Ron and Harry. As she shook both boys, she noticed Ron instantly go silent and try to cover himself while his face turned red. Harry simply looked up and slightly smiled at his friend.
"Good morning Hermione," the bespectacled teen said.
"Good morning to you, Harry, Hermione replied while returning the smile.
Later, at the table, everyone ate breakfast in silence as they weren't sure how to approach the subject of Hermione's new appearance. However, Hermione figured that at the very least there was something that needed to be said.
"Is there any news on the deatheaters and Voldemort?" she asked as she looked directly at Arthur. Before he could answer, Molly jumped in.
"Hermione, dear, that really isn't the thing for children to talk about with adults," the older woman said, trying to placate her.
"I think it''s something that very well needs to be discussed, especially since your husband will receive information that pertains to the survival of what Voldemort considers as second-class citizens. Do you keep us uninformed because you think the less we know, the more likely we're to avoid him?" Hermione threw back as she gave the adult a stern look.
"Hermione, you should mind your elders," Molly shot back.
"It would be easier if they didn't feel the need to coddle us when we need to be prepared for what is after any and all of us. We are long past the age where children are only seen and not heard. My dearest friend has been threatened and attacked by the same dark wizard repeated since he returned to the wizarding world. And he still doesn't know his entire history because everyone thinks he doesn't need to know. If he had known what he was up against, he wouldn't have to come close to death every year. You keep telling us that we're too young to know these things. But if we don't know about these kinds of things, then we won't make it to see adult age. Have you ever actually thought about that or do you insist that you know best even when the others are too cowardly to actually want to face the threats?" Hermione seethed. Everyone at the table looked shocked by the outburst and couldn't find the words to counter hers.
"We haven't heard anything new recently. Whatever he's doing, it's being kept highly secretive," Arthur said, even as Molly glared at him.
Before long, everyone had finished breakfast and were dressed and ready to visit Diagon Alley. One by one, everyone activated the floo and appeared in one of the shops in the alley for the usual shopping before the school year began. The teens had stopped in at the twins' shop, which was booming with customers, who happened to be their classmates. Hermione and many of the other female students stopped at a giant container filled with a dark pink, glowing liquid. Hermione could barely hear either Fred or George in the background telling them that it was a love potion that would make the one who drinks it obsessive over it. Hermione merely scoffed at the idea before she moved on. The twins were helping out a younger student with some item or other when Ron came asking about the same item.
"How much for me?" the younger brother asked.
"Five galleons," the twins replied.
"I'm your brother," Ron replied in annoyance.
"Ten galleons," the twins said, half joking and half serious.
Hermione shook her head and moved on taking in the supplies the shop had to offer. But she didn't feel the need to purchase anything. She passed by a mirror when she saw Carmilla's image for a second. She stopped for a second as she figured that the older woman wanted to talk.
"So what do you want now?" the teen asked in her mind.
"Only to see how you're handling the changes. You seem to be a bit more pessimistic," Carmilla said.
"Not pessimistic. Pragmatic. Ron's mother has been treating us that way since I met her. Quite frankly, it's ridiculous that we're taught how to defend ourselves from dark magic, yet important information is withheld from us. We've known about deatheaters since we were younger. Why should we feel less significant when they'd only kill us along with the adults?" Hermione threw back.
"I suppose that is a very good point. Don't be surprised if you catch hell for this. These people still cling to the Victorian age as if they actually made any progress. Truth be told, human technology is actually very capable of not only enhancing the human condition but also making menial tasks less menial when used correctly. One of the greatest aspects of humanity is the ability to adapt to change. But this portion doesn't seem as if it will be experiencing that any time soon," the older woman replied.
"Perhaps it's time things changed," Hermione mused before she decided to leave the shop.
As the students were en route to Hogwarts, the trio sat and discussed Harry's suspicions about Malfoy as he had spied him from the shop earlier while Hermione conversed with Carmilla.
"So he was messing with some cabinet or other, and he stayed inside for a minutes? While that does seem weird for Malfoy, the same would be said if anyone did it," Hermione surmised.
"Except that he came back with something new. Something he didn't go into the cabinet with. We already know his father is a deatheater. What if he's now involved?" Harry asked the other two. Hermione thought over the information and tried to think if she had heard of anything like Harry described. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind.
"There's something else. I also saw him and his mother with Snape. They clasped hands and there was a light surrounding it," Harry explained further.
"An unbreakable vow," the girl of the trio said.
"So it's a promise you can't break? What happens if you break an unbreakable vow?" Harry asked.
"You die," Ron replied.
"Well, well. Looks like the mudblood seems to have upgraded her looks. Hoping to gain the attention of your superiors?" Malfoy said as he approached the group. Hermione stood as she noticed him leering at her, or more particularly the size of her bust.
"Malfoy, remember the last time I knocked you one good in the face?" she asked rhetorically.
"You're lucky I didn't go to my father you filthy-AHHHH!" Malfoy stopped as Hermione struck him again, this time with more strength behind the punch, leaving his nose broken, and his face bloody as blood came pouring out. He landed on his back, and tried to get up, only for Hermione to stomp on his chest to keep him down.
"Disrespect me again, I'll make sure you can never speak or make kids ever again. So I dare you the next time you think of insulting me," Hermione said with a death glare, made more frightening tot he Slytherin student as he swore her eyes had flashed silver for a second. The surrounding students watched in awe as Hermione returned to her friends before looking back at them.
"Does anyone else have an issue they wish to take up with me?" she said before everyone turned back in their seats. Harry and Ron simply stared at Hermione; Ron out of shock and a bit of fear and Harry out of admiration.
Hermione looked out the window at the passing woods as she thought about how this year would go. The changes she had undergone had seeped into her being. She could only guess at what other changes they would explore.
Author's note: I'm sorry about the ridiculously long update. School has kept me busy for months, especially with taking four English classes, one of which is a creative writing class. Hopefully, the next update won't be so bad.