Chapter 10
Hermione glanced at the window for the tenth time in as many minutes. "Honey, everything alright?"
She opened her mouth to say that it was, but the words remain stuck in her throat. It was past ten in the morning; Minerva having met Valik at some point in the middle of the night…meaning that with each passing minute, the chances of her survival dwindled exponentially. "No," she finally managed, "it's not."
He moved forward, "Minerva will be fine." He stated assuredly, "She's one of the best witches in Europe. If there is anyone who can take care of themselves, and mount an offensive, she can."
"But from what she said," Hermione tried not to let the love she felt for Minerva pass across her face, but on some level she knew she didn't fully succeed, "it'll be difficult."
Ron stepped closer voice softening, "I know you care for her a great deal 'Mione, but trust in her, she'll be fine." His eyes searching hers, "She will be fine."
And despite his reassurance, Hermione felt hot tears burning down her cheeks as she asked a question that plagued her soul, "What if she's not?"
Tenderly Ron brushed his hand across her cheek before pulling her into his chest, "I'll be here, love…" he kissed her hair, "always…"
Oxox
It was late when Hermione heard the knock at the door, Ron having already moved to open it – expecting to see the Headmistress, and almost stumbling over himself that the head of his department was standing before him. "Ahhhh….Gawain." He took a half step back, "Is everything alright?"
"It will be." Gawain answered, eyes sweeping past Ron and to the interior of the house. "Is Hermione home?"
"She's…uhhh, not feeling up to company."
Gawain's gaze snapped back to Ron, "Good, as I have no intention of staying, please," he stepped forward, forcing Ron to move to the side, "ask her to come to your den," he cast a wandless charm on the candles within the room, "I've but a few minutes before I'm needed elsewhere."
Ron's ears turned pink, back bristling, "I said, she wasn't up to seeing anyone."
Gawain didn't answer, merely turned and summoned a chair to wait in.
Ron yanked his wand from his belt, "Leave."
"I've had an exceptionally long day, Ron. Now if you'd be kind enough to ask Hermione for but a moment of her time, I have something that she's been expecting."
Ron began lowering his wand, "Did the Headmistress send you?"
"She did." He said with little fanfare, before leaning back into the seat and closing his eyes – relishing the moment of respite. And while he heard Ron leave, their hushed conversation, and Hermione's clipped gait immediately approaching – Gawain didn't want to move. He was exhausted. And sore.
But unlike so many others, alive.
He heard the way her steps slowed and upon entering the doorway, practically faltered, and before he managed to peel his own gaze open, he heard the tremble lacing her voice, "Is she alive?"
He forced his eyes open as he lifted his head once more, "She is."
"Oh thank Merlin." Hermione breathed out.
"And asked that I deliver this to you." He reached within his robe and withdrew a sealed parchment.
Hermione reached out as she asked, "Why did it take so long?"
"Valik brought far more vampires than we realized existed in Western Europe."
"As in?" She brought the letter to her, finger slitting the wax seal.
Gawain carefully replied, "Far more, but we prevailed and all the ones who came, died."
Hermione unconsciously opened the letter while remaining focused upon Gawain, vaguely noticing that there was more than one page. "Including Valik?"
He nodded to the letter, "I believe it's all in there, but…" he pushed himself from the chair, "if you don't mind, I shall take your leave." He stepped beside her, hand resting upon her shoulder, "Though, let me know if you need anything."
"Of course." She murmured as he stepped from the den and her eyes immediately fell to the familiar script.
Hermione,
You are safe and Valik is dead. My apologies for not sending word sooner, but I required some medical assistance following the skirmish. Know that I shall be fine, but weak for a few days.
Regarding the Diamond Vampires, we killed twelve but suffered egregious losses to do so. Only Helena, Harold, Gawain, Adam and myself survived. We lost several good witches and wizards last night and this past morning, three who have been assisting our world for over two millennia. And they are gone. I fear the repercussions from their loss will be far reaching, and for a short time – I will be joining them.
My life became irrevocably altered the day my father decided to intercede and stop the diamond vampires and I opted to join he and my brother. I was abducted and almost killed; only to survive, and practically become what I had hunted. I awoke, disoriented, senses overloaded, and with a craving that initially was almost consuming. While I didn't thirst for blood, it didn't mean a part of me didn't covet it. However, that was not my craving – rather the need to be immersed in the heat of another.
Slowly, painstakingly, I began to accept what had happened – even embracing the attributes and learning to stymie both my thirst and my craving. As time passed, the thirst for blood having vanished to the point that the mere notion turned my stomach; and until I bit you, I only tasted blood thrice before.
And it seems that life has a strange sense of irony.
Hermione moved to the second piece of parchment,
I've lived fourteen lifetimes.
I've been married seventeen times, and have had an additional twenty-eight lovers. It seems now in retrospect, that each of those prior relationships was merely a temporary satiation to my craving.
I never intended to tell you that I had developed feelings for you the night I drew Valik's poison from your wound. Feelings that initially had surprised me, not because of your gender – though to be honest, it was a first for me – but because I had taught you and watched you grow and mature into a beautiful woman who managed to somehow find a platform that enabled me to not view you as a former student, but an engaging person who stimulated my mind while befriending me over of all things – tea and the occasional ginger newt.
When I withdrew the poison, it initiated a craving I had not felt since I was bitten – and found myself in the throes of passion filled dreams that I desired to become real. However, I know that the impetus of the craving is that I have tasted your blood – and that is also the reason for your desirous impulses toward me; your body has tasted my blood.
Know that it will decrease with time.
I know what you are thinking at this moment, that she is wrong – I love her and have long before I was bitten or she poured blood into my veins; while that may be true, the depth of those feelings have become exasperated due to the situation. A situation that while I mutually crave; cannot be.
You have a daughter. And whether you know it or not, another child will be joining your family soon. And you have a loving husband, who knows of your love for me; but accepts the love you have for him and is both content and happy with your marriage. A marriage I implore you to maintain; as I cannot marry you.
Shaking hands moved to the third and final page -
Nor can I satiate my craving – as I fear it will cause you to become something less than what you are, human. Helena tested your blood, there were not enough antigens to turn you fully into a vampire; but during a mating such as this, I fear I would bite you and you me and the antigen balance would tip and you'd become a vampire, at least in part.
Know that your life shall not be impacted, more so than it already has from the past few months of events. Gawain will remain in touch and available if ever you have need.
As for me, I have sent my resignation to the Board and shall not be returning to Hogwarts. By the time you'll have received this letter, I shall also have left Britain's borders and remain unavailable for an indeterminate matter of time. Easing our mutual temptation with thousands of pain staking kilometers of distance and enable you to devote what remains of your heart to your family and those you cherish.
I look forward to the day when I shall be free to love you as you deserve; but until then, know that you have managed to capture what remains of my heart; it has been and always shall remain, yours.
Katherine
xoxo
a/n: ...tbc...?
