A/N: This chapter is a T

I was going to make this chapter and the next one into one large chapter, but I thought it'd be more fun this way. For those of you who don't like cliffies, well, sorry.

Thanks again to everyone who reviewed. I'm going to be leaving that part of the plot for a couple chapters. Give dear Victoria time to make her way to Italy.

As always (say it with me now), enjoy, and please review!

As anticipated, Mrs. Weasley had chewed Harry and Ron out thoroughly the moment they walked into the Burrow to officially start their vacation.

"Where in the world could you boys have gone?" she shouted, red-faced before Harry and Ron had a chance to put their bags down.

"We needed to visit an old friend," Harry muttered, not looking at her.

"And it was so important you didn't feel the need to inform anyone of your plans?"

"It was a spur-of-the-moment thing," Ron threw in quietly.

"Who was so important that you felt the need to disappear?" she shouted even louder.

Neither boy answered.

"You had best tell me, Ronald Weasley," she turned towards her son, knowing she had the best chance of cracking him.

"I'm of age, Mum," Ron took a timid stand against her. "I can go where I want without permission."

"Of course you don't need permission, Ronald. But you're expected to tell your family where you're at so we don't get worried."

Harry swallowed hard. Guilt. Ron would crack soon. "The fact is we didn't get hurt," he cut across Ron to avoid his friend spilling the beans. "We're fine, we're back, and we're sorry we didn't contact you sooner. The truth is we hadn't really had a way to contact you. We've only been gone four days, and we were kind of out of owl range."

"So, where were you, Harry James Potter?" she asked dangerously.

"At an old friend's house. We were asked to, by their family, to convince them to come for Christmas. You don't want a good family to go without a member on Christmas, do you?"

It was a low blow, and he knew it. The pain flashed across Molly's eyes as she realized that this would be the first Christmas without her full family since Ginny was born. Fred's absence was still hanging over her, and Harry played to the fact that she wouldn't want any other family to feel the pain of a member's absence. He hated to do it, but it was effective. Molly's face went from enraged to understanding in a moment.

"Well," she said, visibly calming. "As long as the two of you are safe..." She turned back towards her cooking. "Can I ask who you were meeting?"

Harry and Ron exchanged looks. They had talked to Hermione about this, and she felt that it would be best to tell the Weasleys in advance that she was coming, as to not give anyone a heart attack. But the three had greatly disagreed on whether or not to inform them about Hermione being a vampire. She was all for total disclosure, the boys thought she might not be welcome before she showed up if they knew.

"Erm, Mum, you might want to sit down," Ron looked at her.

She turned with a look of confusion on her face, but dropped into the nearest chair. She stared up at Ron and Harry in anticipation.

"We," Ron started, looking to Harry for support. "We were in America. Visiting Hermione."

There was a thud from behind them. Arthur had overheard, and he had dropped his briefcase on the floor, staring at the boys in shock.

"Ron, Harry, dears," Molly looked sympathetic. "Hermione is dead. We went to her funeral."

"She's not dead," Harry corrected. "We thought she was. She was taken in the middle of the battle. Everyone assumed she was, we buried an empty casket."

"But if she's not dead, where has she been?" Molly was still unconvinced.

"She's been through... a major life change. She's been with someone who can help her cope."

Molly looked from Harry and Ron as if she were waiting for them to inform them it was a prank of sorts.

"She's coming for Christmas," Ron informed her.

"I'm sure she is," Molly smiled almost sadly.

Harry and Ron rolled their eyes simultaneously, knowing they weren't believed. They gathered their bags and made for the staircase.

"Boys," Arthur's voice sounded behind them. "Were you really in America?"

"Yes, Dad," Ron muttered.

"How were you so sure the person you were visiting was Hermione?" he sounded concerned.

"We know Hermione, Dad. This was Hermione."

"You need to be careful. We haven't rounded up all the Death Eaters and Snatchers. You shouldn't be visiting anyone without coming to one of the Order to make sure that you're not being lead into a trap."

"I'm pretty sure that it was Hermione," Harry said defiantly.

"How can you be so sure?"

Harry took a moment to word what he was going to say carefully. "Because there's something about her that would be difficult, if not impossible to imitate."

"Polyjuice potion..."

"Wouldn't work in her case," Harry muttered. He knew it was true. Hermione was no longer 'human', and therefore someone drinking Polyjuice wouldn't get the transformation they needed to successfully pass as Hermione. He and Ron left Arthur pondering his words as they climbed the stairs to begin the nerve-wrecking wait for Christmas.

Hermione wasn't used to being able to open her presents so early on Christmas. The moment the clock struck midnight the vampire family had all their presents laid out under the lavishly decorated tree, and were sitting around it in quiet anticipation. Esme carefully sorted presents, and they took turns opening each one. Hermione was given enough clothes to last her a month from Alice, a book about the battle tactics of vampires from Jasper, and a set of solid-gold potions tools from Emmett and Rosalie. When it was her turn again she picked up the present from Esme and opened it gently. Inside was a hand-woven, delicately beaded bracelet.

"Oh, it's beautiful," she murmured as Edward gently placed it around her wrist.

"I've made them for my daughters, and I'm hoping you'll start considering yourself among that number soon," Esme smiled at her.

Hermione examined the bracelet more closely. "Red and gold," she muttered.

"I don't want you to forget where you came from," Esme nodded.

Hermione couldn't help herself. She rushed forward to give Esme a crushing hug. "Thank you so much," she whispered.

"It's nothing, dear," Esme had the same look Hermione had when it looked like she would be blushing.

"Your turn," Emmett announced, turning to Jasper and Alice. They picked up identical packages from Hermione and Edward and ripped them open in unison.

"It's a new chess set," Jasper said, showing the hand-carved pieces to the family.

"It's a wizard chess set," Hermione informed them. "When we're done opening presents I'll show you the difference."

She and Edward had given a set of healing potions of Carlisle "for emergencies", a set of cleaning tools that worked themselves to Esme, a set of enchanted hair clips that sparked even without light to Rosalie, and a self-repairing self-defense teaching mannequin to Emmett.

Finally there were three gifts below the tree, two for Hermione and one for Edward. The first was from Carlisle. She opened the light package, and found an ancient-looking singed cross.

"My father placed this on the neck of a woman convicted of witchcraft before he burned her at the stake. I'm sure it was the only actual witch he found, she escaped, dropping this at my feet as she disappeared into thin air. I don't know why I kept it, maybe because it was proof that there were people with magic out there. I think it would mean much to you," he smiled at her kindly.

"Thank you so much," Hermione whispered, covering the cross back up.

"My gift next," Edward muttered, handing her a small wrapped box. She took it and tore through it. Inside was a necklace with a large heart diamond pendant.

"Oh, Edward," she muttered, holding the delicate necklace.

"For my love," he muttered into her hair as he placed it around her neck. She turned to give him a light kiss before handing the final present to him. He ripped off the paper like it wasn't there and found himself holding a carved wooden lion, mouth open in a menacing roar.

"I ordered this from a wood-carver in Africa," she muttered. "For the man with the heart of a Gryffindor."

"How can a Muggle have the heart of a Gryffindor?" he asked her with a smirk.

"First, a true Gryffindor has chivalry, courage, and loyalty that you've shown. Second, you have this Gryffindor's heart," she murmured.

"How cheesy," he smirked at her, but pulled her in for a kiss. "I love it," he smiled at her.

Moments later Jasper and Alice insisted on setting up their wizards chess set. Alice was given the white set, and moved her hand to move her piece.

"Just tell it where you want it to go," Hermione told her.

Alice did as she was told, and the family was delighted to see the little pawn move forward. It took seven turns, but Jasper finally managed to capture one of Alice's pieces. Most of the family found the fact that Jasper's pawn was beating Alice's to be hilarious, Esme wasn't a huge fan and said she'd stick to regular chess.

The pieces seemed to much prefer when Alice and Edward played, giving no protest when Alice placed her king down after four moves. They protested loudly when Jasper and Emmett sat down to play, as each wouldn't listen to their suggestions that mainly involved saving themselves.

"I think it's time for you to go," Carlisle said to Edward and Hermione. They borrowed Emmett's Land Rover to help them get through the snow, and started on their cross-country trek. Even though the roads were treacherous at times Edward drove fast, though it helped that he knew if someone was coming around the bend.

The closer they got to Ottery St. Catchpole the more nervous Hermione got. By the time they were ten minutes out Edward was truly shocked she hadn't torn the handle off the door as hard as she was pulling on it.

"It'll be fine, Hermione. They're your friends, though and through," he reassured her.

"This is a big through," she replied, placing her head between her knees.

"You do know that won't help," he smiled sympathetically at her.

"Says you. The power of the psyche is amazing. Plus now I can't see where we are," she replied.

He laughed. "You need to tell me where to go. I can drive around forever and I won't be able to see it."

She straightened back up. "We should go home."

"No," he said firmly. "This will be good for you. You need this."

"I can't do this," she muttered.

"You'll do fine," he wrapped his hand around hers and brought it to his mouth for a quick kiss. "I'll be there the whole time."

She nodded, took a deep breath, and pointed to a driveway he didn't see.

Mrs. Weasley hadn't been as happy in a long while. Harry had proposed to Ginny, and while she was a little weary that they were so young, the prospect that Harry would be her son had sent her over the moon. Then Bill and Fleur announced that they were expecting, and she had gotten even happier. The day was perfect as the family was sitting down for an early dinner.

"Harry, honey, I asked how school was going?" she said as Harry was staring out the window for the umpteenth time.

"Oh, yeah, it's good," he muttered, tearing his gaze from the driveway. Ron's immediately replaced it.

She sighed. The boys had been acting like that for about half an hour. There was no distracting both of them at the same time. She didn't know how to make them realize that the person they were waiting for was never going to show up.

She turned to start sending some food towards the table when Harry suddenly gasped. Her head lifted, and she saw what Harry had. A car was making its way down her driveway. But it couldn't be her. She was a witch. How many witches and wizards drove rather than Apparate, especially on snowy days.

She watched as the car parked. A man hopped out of the driver's side, and in the blink of an eye he was holding open the passenger door. She shook her head. No one could move that fast.

A pair of legs appeared below the door. It was a female, whoever it was. She couldn't see as the man blocked her view. The duo started towards the house, the man still blocking the woman. Molly couldn't move, could barely breathe, as the pair came to the door to the kitchen and there was a firm knock.

Ron was to the door before George, who had been much closer. The man stepped in first, Molly, Ginny, and Fleur all drew in simultaneous breaths. His bronze hair was perfect despite the driving wind, he wasn't wearing a coat, and he flashed an awkward and perfect smile around the room before turning to take a trifle from the woman, who was following him.

Two things happened at once then. First Teddy Lupin hid behind his grandmother, and Bill stood, nose wrinkled, looking protective and angry.

"Why are you letting them in?" Bill growled at Ron. "Don't you know what they are?"

"Don't be a prat," Ron shot back. "It's Hermione."

That's when the eyes of all the Weasleys slid to the woman. She was smiling awkwardly, brown hair pooling gently around her shoulders before cascading down her back. Her eyes were a rich amber, her lips had a tint of red to them, her skin a perfect white porcelain. But there was no doubt, this was Hermione.

"Oh, Hermione," Molly whispered, before launching herself at the young girl to wrap her in a tight hug. Despite the plump woman leaning against her Hermione had no problems holding her up.

"Mum, back away," Bill was still protectively gazing at the two newcomers.

"She's fine," Harry informed him. "They eat animals."

"I've dealt with them before. They're cunning. You can't believe them."

"This is Hermione," Harry sighed.

"That doesn't matter. She's not really Hermione anymore. She's one of them. I want her away from my family."

"Bill, what's gotten into you?" Molly looked in shock at her son.

"It's obvious, Mum. I can't believe you don't see it, and I can't believe you two," he pointed at Harry and Ron. "This is reckless and stupid in the highest degree, and you've put our entire family in danger."

"What are you talking about?" Molly cried, still clinging onto Hermione.

"They're vampires," he growled.