Hermione and Remus had been in Bon Temps for a week now, the former working every day while Remus would spend his days with Adele and Tara. Remus had been amazed when Tara had first asked if he had any magical literature that she could read, but soon they were spending hours on end in the lounge talking about the things that the Muggle had read. When Hermione had watched them, she was pleased to see that her dear friend was finally gaining some more life in his eyes. They had gone through their stages of grief together, it had been surprisingly easy but still painful, being in a new environment was helping them both a lot.
Right now though, the brunette was tending the bar at Merlotte's while Arlene talked to her babysitter. Finishing off the pint glass with a good looking head, she slid it across the bar to the customer, "Here you go Detective Bellefleur."
Andy Bellefleur smiled kindly at the teen, "Thank you Hermione."
After seeing how badly the man looked whenever Sookie or anyone else really called him Andy, Hermione had made it her job to always call him by his title. 2 more drinks later and the redheaded waitress came rushing back over, "Oh thank you darlin', I just had to make sure those kids of mine were getting to bed."
"No problem Arlene, if you need my help again just call," the witch then went back into her section, thanking her cousin for looking after it for her.
It was a usual evening rush, the regulars coming in for a feed, drink and chat, Hermione finding it very easy to smile as many of the people were nice. Just as she was returning from dropping in an order with Lafayette, the door opened and her eyes simply looked to see who it was. The fact that the new customer was a vampire didn't bother her in the least, or lessen her grin.
"Evening sir, what Tru Blood type can I get you, I believe that Sam has some O- and AB+ in stock," the witch asked, her pen at the ready.
The dark haired vampire looked surprised, "I would kindly like an AB+, warm please. Before you go, may I ask how you knew?"
Leaning very close, Hermione whispered, "I've met so many vampires on my journeys that I'd be ashamed if I couldn't spot one in 100 feet of me. I'll have your drink right to you."
Deciding to get the drink herself, Hermione reached into the small bar fridge that she knew held the Tru Bloods, removed the correct blood type, and popped it in the microwave for 30 seconds. As soon as it was in, Arlene was looking on in shock, "What are you doing that for sugar?"
"That nice gentleman would like a drink, it would be rude to deny him service," the witch knew of Arlene's feelings towards vampires but didn't care. When the drink was done, Hermione grabbed it and took it back over, "Here you are sir."
"Thank you kindly. I'm William Compton," William held out his hand.
Hermione easily took it and shook his colder than normal hand, "Hermione Potter. So do people call you William or Bill usually?"
"I have not been called Bill in many decades, but perhaps I should return to it. So Bill will be fine," Bill motioned to the seat across from him, "Please sit with me for a moment."
Seeing that she had no customers in need at the time, the witch took a seat, "Thank you Bill."
"If it would not be impolite, may I enquire as to when you have met vampires before and in what sense?"
"Oh I learnt all about your kind in school from when I was 12, much sooner than your kinds' coming out. As for when, during my summer holidays before I was 14, my parents and I went to France. There I had the fortune of meeting a nice vampire who had, unfortunately, been attacked. I allowed him to feed from me, and we spoke for hours, when I returned my parents were so worried as I had been gone so long," Hermione gave a wet laugh, "After that I've met a few but none since your existence became public knowledge to all people."
Bill looked on in disbelief, "You have known for that long? How?"
Leaning over once again, not wanting it to be known to everyone, Hermione whispered, "I'm a witch and we were taught all about vampires, werewolves and the such at school."
"A witch? I have not met a witch since I was in London in the 1980's. She had hair like fire and the most amazing green eyes…" Bill was pulled from his memory by Hermione's gasp.
"No, it can't be," looking deep into the man's eyes, Hermione delved into his memories in search of that one. When she found it, she gasped once more, "Lily."
"Yes, Lily Evans, she was at her bachelorette party though I doubt she could remember it at all with the number of drinks she had demolished. You know her?"
The witch nodded and called out in her mind, *Sookie, I'm heading outside for a little. I need some air.*
Sookie turned to her cousin, locked eyes and nodded, before going back to taking the order. Knowing that her section was taken care of, Hermione rose, "You are welcome to join me outside, I need air."
Not even waiting, the teen walked quickly from the bar, heading to a group of tree stumps that had been made into seats. With her head in her hands, she could hear Bill following her, and sitting across. After a minute he quietly asked, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes, just some memories invading again. I'll be fine," wiping away her tears, Hermione raised her head, "I didn't really know Lily, I was married to her son and they had the same eyes."
"What happened to Lily?"
"Well she married James Potter, probably a few days after that party, and they had a son 9 months later. When Harry was 15 months old, they were attacked by an evil bastard and killed. Then last month, Harry died after killing the monster that killed his parents, and ending the war we were fighting," Hermione gave a slight sob.
Bill swiped away his own tear, leaving a blood trail across his face and hand, "I was unaware she had passed. She knew instantly what I was, like you did, but simply asked if I was hungry. When I said that I was, she had me follow her to a store where she purchased a decanter of blood, and told me to drink it. We ended up going shot for shot, her; this odd looking whiskey and me; the blood. It was one the only times I was treated like an equal."
The brunette nodded her head, "Yes I believe that the Americans treat your kind between a sex object, a drug source, and a freak. In the UK we allow all vampires the rights that everyone is given, at least in the Muggle, sorry, non-magical world. In the magical community I am sorry to say, we are as far back in the times as the Middle bloody Ages, but my friend is trying to fix that."
Wanting to take the attention away from the rights of vampires, a sore spot for him, Bill asked, "You said you were in a war?"
"Yeah, I was. Officially the war started back up in 2006 and ended last month, but I've been fighting in it since just after my 12th birthday. Harry and our best friend Ron, they saved me from a Mountain Troll that had been let into the castle that was our school, it was the subtle start of war and also the start of my friendship so I can't really hate that part," Hermione placed a hand on her abdomen, "I hated the war but through it I gained a family that I love, a loving husband, and now a child. Unfortunately it took a good portion of my family and my husband, so I moved back here to start over and let my child be raised in a country that has only held good memories for me."
Bill gave a laugh but then apologised at the look he received, "I'm sorry it is just that I knew you were with child. My wife, she had the same glow you have with all three pregnancies. And then I went off to the war, my wife pregnant again. I was turned during the Civil War but I had sworn to her that I would return, and I did but it was ten years after I had left. My oldest son, Thomas, had died of smallpox; my oldest daughter, Sarah, was married the year before when she had been 16; while my twins William Jnr and Isabella were sitting on the front porch playing. I so desperately wanted to go up to them but considering what I now was, just knowing that they were alive was enough. William's great grandson died 2 months ago and as the last Compton, I came home just 2 weeks ago."
Hermione gently covered one of Bill's hands, "I am sorry that you were not a part of your children's lives, no parent should ever have to watch on the outside as their family grows. It would seem we have both lost greatly during wars."
"Yes it does," that brought a small smile of comfort on the vampire's face, but he looked at his watch, "Perhaps you should head back inside, if you are feeling up to it. We have been talking for 30 minutes now."
"Oh damn," the teen swiftly rose, "Are you coming back inside?"
"Of course, I have to try your O- still," Bill joked.
They walked back inside still laughing, drawing looks from the people inside until Hermione called out, "What? You've never seen two people laugh before?"
As the witch went to get the O-, Sookie came over and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just made a new friend who knew someone I did. Any problems while I was out?"
"Only Arlene swearing you would come back with bite marks on you," the blonde rolled her eyes at the older woman, "So who's your new friend?"
"Bill Compton, he's just moved into town a few weeks ago. Used to live here years ago," Hermione looked into her cousin's face, seeing that her eyes were firmly planted on the man, "How about we go introduce you?"
That made Sookie blush and avert her eyes, "Mia."
"What? Come on," grabbing the warm bottle with one hand and her cousin's arm with the other, Hermione dragged the girl over, "Bill, I would like to introduce my cousin Sookie Stackhouse."
"It is a pleasure Miss Stackhouse," the vampire gently placed a kiss on Sookie's hand, "And thank you for the drink Hermione."
"No problem," the glances and feelings that were welling both Bill and Sookie's eyes had Hermione grinning widely, "Sook, I'm going to take your tables. Don't argue, you've taken them for me plenty."
"Thank you Mia," the Telepath replied softly as her cousin left.
"This will be great," Hermione thought to herself before heading towards her next customer.