Gift Or Torture

Chapter 26

visiting

GPOV

I grew up in a wizarding home. I went to Hogwarts. I knew what normal vampires looked like, with their red eyes. I have also seen pictures. But I was completely unprepared for Peter… he was tall with silvery blond hair and the pale skin all vampires have. He looked to me like Lucius Malfoy had in the bad dreams I had following my first year. Yes, I had nightmares of Lucius not Tom!

"Peter, Charlotte, this is Ginevra Weasley. Ginny, this is Peter and Charlotte," Jasper introduced us.

Charlotte nodded. "I'm happy Jasper has found someone. Pleased to meet you." She smiled.

I was thankful that Jasper had given me a chance to change out of my night wear. Peter's stare made me feel very uncomfortable.

"You're making her uncomfortable," Jasper growled.

"Forgive me, little one. I'm simply amazed that the Major doesn't find you tempting. Your looks alone are mouth watering," Peter gushed.

Jasper growled at him again, but Edward spoke, "Peter, stop. I wouldn't push either of them."

No one, other than Edward I'm guessing, knew I had grabbed my wand. I may be in a house full of vampires, but I wasn't going to leave myself defenceless!

"A wise move, Ginny," Edward said.

"I know what Jasper could do, but what could this mortal possibly do?" Peter teased as he cocked his head to one side, sizing me up.

I could tell from Jasper's reaction that Peter was only stating the facts; what could a normal human do? Jasper was at my side with his arm placed protectively around me. I wanted to draw my wand and show him what I could do! Edward made eye contact with me and then nodded. I slowly moved my hand to my back pocket and pulled my wand out. I was thankful that I could do wordless magic because I did most of the spell behind my back. I pointed it in his direction, sending him flying across Esme's room and breaking through her wall.

The others all moved into a protective stance in front of me, but not blocking my view. Peter hissed, actually hissed at me, then jumped up. "What the hell?"

Jasper kissed my temple. "Good job!" He then turned his attention back to Peter. "My Ginny here is not just a human; she is a witch! Not just any witch, either; she took part in the wizard wars, including fighting in the final battle."

With a look of realization settled on his face, Peter smiled at me. "Then we really do have a match for the Major! My apologies," he said. "Charlotte and I were asked to assist in that. However, we have seen enough fighting to last us a lifetime."

I wasn't surprised that vampires had been asked to help. There were a few at the final battle, but even the Death Eaters seemed to realize the risk and tried not to spill blood! The Avada Kedavra was nice, neat, and quick.

I knew that these people meant a lot to Jasper, so I would try to accept them for him. I would try to look past my own discomfort. We sat talking, but I was tired. Once Jasper wrapped his arm around me, it was not long before I was asleep. He must have carried me up to bed.

When I woke the next morning, Jasper had left with his old friends. I made my way down to the kitchen to make myself some breakfast. Oatmeal sounded good this morning. Edward entered the kitchen and smiled at me. "Bella used to insist on eating the grossest combinations of chemicals that called itself food that I have ever seen."

I smiled. "I know. When I first arrived here, I went into a grocery store and, I swear, 90% of the stuff I picked up and read I couldn't pronounce many of the ingredients in it! I prefer real food."

He smiled again at me. "I wanted to talk to you. I know you're not really comfortable with Peter and Charlotte, but you're trying for Jasper. He, by the way, appreciated your trying, but he does feel your discomfort. I wanted to talk to you about Esme. She is very worried about Elizabeth, but doesn't want to leave and have everyone thinking she is an over-protective mother. I was hoping you could talk to her and give her the excuse of you being worried about Elizabeth so she can leave until they're gone. They will only be here for a couple of days."

"Where is she?" I asked.

"That's why Jasper left; he took Peter and Charlotte out so that Esme would feel better about leaving to go hunting. She'll be back soon."

"Oh, sure. I'll talk to her."

"Good. I'll explain it to Jasper. He will understand."

Esme returned and took off up to the nursery to check on Elizabeth. I followed her. "Esme, can I talk to you?"

She smiled warmly, looking up at me. "Of course, Ginny."

Time to do a little acting here, I thought to myself. "Esme, I feel like a horrible person here. I know how much Peter and Charlotte mean to Jasper, but I really don't feel comfortable with them around Elizabeth. She is just so little and helpless. I was thinking about heading over to Severus' apartment. Is there any chance that you would be willing to come with me, or let me take Elizabeth with me, just until they're gone?"

She looked down at her daughter. I didn't need Jasper's or Edward's gifts to know how she felt about Elizabeth. "We could stay in a hotel," she suggested quietly.

"Really, Esme? A hotel? With a baby? At Severus', there's a kitchen for heating bottles, and it's more relaxed. And you had wanted to get to know Severus."

"I don't think he would be too happy with a vampire moving in, even for a couple of days!" Esme exclaimed.

I sighed. "I won't lie; Severus is harsh and condescending at the best of times. But Elizabeth is the offspring of his godson and he wants to know her. I know he will be fine with it." I laughed, "Cook him a meal and he'll be yours! As long as you don't try to eat him, he'll be fine with it."

Hours later, Esme and I were in the kitchen at the apartment cooking dinner for Severus. I had called to tell him I wanted to stay there for a few days. He was fine with it, saying I would always have a place to stay with him.

Severus finally returned from wherever he had been. I had told Esme earlier to let me deal with him. I caught a quick glimpse of a smile from him when he saw me.

"It took you long enough to come visit," he stated.

"I'm sorry, but it's been crazy. Yes, I should have come sooner, but like I said on the phone, I'm going to spend a couple of days here. The reason is some of Jasper's friends, who have the normal vampire diet, will be staying at the house." He nodded in understanding. "I wasn't comfortable having the baby there, so I asked Esme and Elizabeth to join me here. You said that your home was mine."

"You invited a vampire to stay in my home," he almost growled.

"I invited the woman kind enough to raise the child I gave birth to to stay here. Now come in and meet her," I ordered him. We walked into the living room where Esme was feeding Elizabeth.

To look at them, I could see how she loved Elizabeth, and I knew Severus could see it too. "Severus, this is Esme Cullen. Esme, this is Severus Snape."

With her hands busy, she smiled warmly up at him. "Mr. Snape, Ginny has told me a lot about you. I'm pleased to finally have the chance to get to know you."

He looked over at me, then back at Esme. "Ginny thinks very highly of you and your whole family."

Just then my phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, I saw it was Jasper. "Excuse me." I left the room, knowing Esme would have no real problem with Severus. "Hello!" I smiled into the phone.

"Darlin', you're developing a bad habit of leaving and not letting me say goodbye."

"Did Edward not explain things to you?" I wondered.

"He did, and I understand, but it doesn't change the fact that I missed you," he explained.

"I'm sorry. I miss you too, but I understand how important Peter and Charlotte are to you. It's just that Peter makes me feel very uncomfortable."

"Yes, darlin', I didn't miss that fact."

"It's not that he's a vampire. That's not it at all. Peter reminds me of nightmares I used to have of Lucius Malfoy after my first year."

"I thought it was all his comments about you."

I bit my lip. "A little, I guess. Lucius and Draco both enjoyed poking at the things they knew bothered me. Like father, like son, I guess."

"Wait, you're telling me that the man who caused those horrible things to happen to you is Elizabeth's grandfather?" He looked so shocked at this.

"I thought you realized that," I sheepishly said.

"No! I knew they had the same last name. I'll explain it to Peter. He will understand. How is Esme doing with Severus?"

"I think if he gives her a fair chance, they'll be fine. However, he does have a bit of an issue with creatures that try to bite him. He had a close call with a werewolf once while still in school. I don't think he ever really got over it."

I heard him chuckle. "I don't blame the man. How are you feeling about going to bed tonight?"

"Well, not sleeping next to a stone will be nice for a change," I lovingly teased. "No, it's fine. I know what's happening, so it's not like I'm thinking you're having wild sex with Peter! You aren't, are you?"

"I think I might have to tickle someone when next I see them! No, nothing like that. However, I might spend some time alone with this little redhead I know," he teased in return.

"Oh? Care to tell me about her?" I asked.

"Well... I would, but I think you have an evening of clubbing with Jacob and his pack."

"Man, my life is messed up! I can see the page in the diary I don't write in: 'Dear Diary, My vampire boyfriend is sending me out with some werewolves so I can get plastered!'

"Well, I might do some clubbing of my own kind tonight," Jasper replied.

I groaned. "On that note, I'm going to get ready. 'Night."

"Have fun, darlin'; just not too much without me."

That night, I had a lot of fun with Jacob, Seth, and Leah. She and I took to each other right away. When we were alone in the washroom at one point, she asked me, "So what do you see in a vampire?"

I smirked at her. "Well, we haven't done anything, but, truthfully, a guy who's always rock hard! Who wouldn't want that?"

She looked at me for a second, then started laughing. "Good one!" She then turned serious again. "He should be the head of that coven, you know. He is the deadliest of them."

"War changes people, and I don't think he wants that now."

"Personally, I'm glad he changed his feeding habits. Humans really wouldn't stand a chance against him."

The door opened and a very drunk couple fell in. Both Leah and I couldn't get out fast enough.

I was standing at the bar a little later when a guy came up to me. He slid his hand all the way down my back. "You're the hottest piece of ass in this place, and I have the biggest cock. Let's go have some fun!" he whispered in my ear, as if it was supposed to be the most romantic thing I ever heard.

Before I could even react, Jacob was there bending the guy's hand, the one that had been touching my arse, back almost to the point of breaking it. Jacob smiled his warm, friendly smile and then said, "I'm not her boyfriend, but trust me, he's something that even scares me! Leave her alone or else."

"He can't be much of anything if he sends you to fight his battles," the guy dared to say to Jacob.

Jacob then broke the guy's wrist as he stated, "He's not here tonight, so I'm her protection." He shot me a smile. "Not that she needs it, but why should she break a nail on a piece of shit like you?" The guy took off cradling his hand.

I knew Jasper's past should, by every right, scare the living piss out of me, However, it had the opposite effect; it comforted me. It made me feel like he could understand me and my own past. And I did know it all. Marie, and their relationship, reminded me of Tom and myself. Both Jasper and I were used as pawns with our own feelings being used against us.

I truly believed that Tom cared about me. I believed I meant something to him, and while I would never voice it, I wanted and needed to believe that had the war ended badly, I would have been chosen to be the mother to his heir. Not that I wanted to be with what Tom looked like at the end, but still, being raped by one sounds better than being raped by many. I think some part of me needs to believe I would somehow be safe from the horrors I most feared.

The wars we both lived through were different, but still, to see people we knew killed and the guilt that we still lived, I truly felt that no one but Jasper could ever understand me like he did.

A/N another chapter for you. Hopefully this one will get more reviews!