Complicated 12
By: Banana Flavored Eskimo
Hermione paced the small room, a tiny dozing ball of dark feathers nesting in her unruly curls. She had given up trying to dissuade the thing from settling in her thick tresses, but the little owl was incredibly stubborn and she had other concerns. She must have looked a sight. Hair in a large disarray with an owl using her curly mop as a nest. An unintelligible series of words escaped her lips in a mix of English and Latin and she was nervously wringing the hem of her shirt.
This is the sight that met Joy and she frowned in concern.
Her son, father-in-law, Julia and Paul were currently situated in her living room trying to make sense of everything and the focus of their conversation as currently muttering to herself and...
...
...
...
... was that an owl in her hair?
As if sensing he was being observed, the tiny ball of feather let out an imperious hoot and fluffed up in indignation.
Hermione frowned and looked up at the small bird before noticing Joy in the doorway, staring at her in absolute bewilderment.
"I honestly have no explanation for him. He seems to have claimed me." The brunette witch was at a loss of words for once. She was still processing everything that had happened in the span of a day and was continuing to this moment.
Joy let out a soft sigh and stepped inside the room before closing the door behind her. "How are you doing? How are you really doing?"
"Honestly, I don't know."
"Hermione, Paul is downstairs with his mother, but if you are not ready, you do not have to meet them right now."
Hermione turned a brilliant shade of red as she recalled the last time Paul and she were together and how Joy interrupted their amorous attack on one another. "Merlin, take me now. I am so sorry. I have never lost myself like that!"
Joy approached her slowly, her arms out placatingly. "Oh honey, don't be embarrassed. I do admit that I hope you two not be so enthusiastic in my home, but I hope that you will be using protection and taking all of the precautions when you take that step together."
It should not be possible, but Hermione's blush turned an even deeper shade of red as she tried to sink in on herself. "Someone Avada me," she muttered in utter mortification.
Joy, not hearing her mutterings, continued on. "I understand, you know. I was a young woman and Quil's father and I could barely keep our hands to ourselves. I cannot understand how intense that connection must be with an imprint as my late husband was not a shifter, but just know that if you need anything I will be here."
Hermione nodded her head, her curls bouncing as she tried to hide herself in her voluminous hair in order to mask her furious blush.
"Hermione honey, an imprint is a gift and I do hope you eventually come down to meet Paul and Julia to talk everything out."
The witch sighed and finally looked up, her face still a deep shade of red. She was utterly embarrassed, but her need to know was far greater. "Is it normal for imprints to be so connected to one another? I have never felt a physical attraction so strong."
"Well, honestly no. I do admit that couples tend to be a bit enamored with one another, but none of the past imprints have been so demonstrative in their attraction," she said not sure how best to describe what the two had been doing earlier without it being too graphic.
Hermione mulled over that new information. Was it due to her being a witch? Despite what Wizarding kind thought, they were not above other magical creatures and were more closely related to other magical beings rather than humans.
Due to this, there have been cases of witches and wizards finding their soul mates and feeling a pull in their magical core that could not be denied. It was rare, but happened every now and again. However, such connections were ever documented due to the intimacy of it all. Hermione knew of only one couple in recent history that had been publicly announced as soulmates and that was the Flamel's.
Could it be possible that due to her being a witch and Paul being a shifter, the connection between the two was amplified? She recalled both Fleur and Bill Weasley. Molly had been absolutely mortified how fast the two were married, thinking Fleur had gotten pregnant out of wedlock, but what if that were not the case at all? What if the two felt an undeniable pull that needed to be satisfied? Even now, Hermione felt her magic drawing her downstairs towards where she knew Paul currently was.
She really wished she had access to a magical library right now, but perhaps writing a letter to Fleur and Bill would be the best course of action for the time being. She also had the entire ordeal with MACUSA to deal with and thinking of that just put her in a mood.
Frowning some, she looked up at the nesting owl in her hair that looked incredibly comfortable. "Don't you have an owner to return to?"
The owl hooted in protest, nestling further into her thick curls and making a soft peep of contentment.
"Well then, I suppose you can stay until you are needed."
Joy's eyes widened slightly at seeing Hermione talk to the owl that seemed to actually understand her. Considering that her son transformed into a giant wolf, this was quite tame in comparison. If Hermione was some sort of Dr. Doolittle, that would certainly be interesting. She wondered if she could persuade the groundhog out back to stop burrowing in her tulips.
"Joy, I really need to talk with everyone."
"Everyone meaning...?"
"The entire pack, their soulmates and those that are aware of the pack."
Joy's eyes widened. "Honey, that is a big group. If you and Paul need to discuss imprinting-"
"Oh no, not that," Hermione interrupted, but realized how rude she was being. "Pardon me, but this is about the entire pack and the government. It really requires a lot of explanation, and I would rather not do it more than once. It also needs to be tonight because a representative will be in attendance tomorrow."
Joy nodded her head. She was not quite sure what Hermione was going on about, but could see the urgency in her eyes. "Ok then, I will make the calls and have everyone come over."
"Why are you here?"
Julia smacked her son upside his head and frowned. She taught him better than that! Besides, this was not even their home.
Paul, thoroughly chastised, cleared his throat. "What brings you here?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. Mrs. Ateara called everyone," Sam said as he entered the home followed closely by Emily.
Quil blinked his large brown eyes. "Everyone?"
Jerking his thumb backwards, he motioned to the entire pack, the complete council and family members of shifters now bustling into the only B&B located in either Forks or La Push.
Quil jumped, his body acting on autopilot as he immediately began getting refreshments. His mother did not need to tell him.
Old Quil simply settled into his chair attempting for find a better position for his poor back. He was just thankful this was being hosted at his home because he had no intention of leaving this recliner until the next day.
The number of people crammed into his family home was a bit overwhelming. Quil could not remember the last time they had so many people in his home at one time.
The pack regularly met in order to discuss patrol schedules, responsibilities and possible threats. Imprints usually accompanied their significant other when there was free time. Family members popped up sporadically, usually at an event and all council members together only really were happened during bonfires to impart knowledge on the pack or gatherings with the entire community.
If he was recalling correctly, this was the first time that everyone had been gathered in one group and it was an incredibly big one! Quil smiled at Sue Clearwater as he handed her a bottled water.
"Why are we here? I have a biology paper to write and it's due tomorrow," said Mary Cameron. She was Jared's younger sister by five years.
Her mother, Anita, gave her daughter or sharp glare. "You've known about that paper since last month and you still haven't finished it?"
Mary had the decency to look contrite. "Oh look mom! Jared's here! Hey favorite sibling!" She scurried over to her brother's side as he appeared in the doorway with his imprint Kim.
Jared rolled his eyes at his sister's pathetic attempt to deflect. "I am your only other sibling and that was sad."
"I panicked," she protested.
Kim laughed. "If you need help, I am free. I aced Bio in my last year."
"I take it back. Kim is my favorite sibling," said Mary with a cheeky grin that mirrored Jared's.
Jared smiled and took note of her height. It was something he had been doing for the past few months. Ever since Leah Clearwater had shifted, the tribe had been incredibly vigilant with anyone of the bloodline. They took to making sure to observe any potential shifters carefully in order to prepare them if need be.
Jared let his shoulders relax a bit at seeing her at the same chest height as per usual. Her dark head barely brushed his sternum and he hoped that she did not shoot up in an unnatural way. Although he enjoyed being a shifter, he had no desire to share his mind with his baby sister. Spirits knew he would have to keep his intimate moments with Kim on lockdown and he had no desire to be privy to her boy crazy obsession.
"Come here squirt," he said fondly, his arm snaking out to wrap around her shoulders and bring her to him in a warm hug.
Mary giggled and snuggled into his chest, her arms reaching around him and Kim with a wide grin.
Kim smiled in absolute content. Jared was going to make a wonderful father one day and she was so lucky!
"Hey Mary."
"Back off Littlesea," growled Jared as he gave the younger shifter a harsh glare.
Collin held up his hands, but still had the audacity to grin roguishly at his baby sister.
Little fucker. He would make sure to have Sam assign him morning shifts for the next week.
Collin grinned as if he knew what his elder packmate was thinking. He did not mind. Riling him up was worth it and Mary was fun to flirt with.
Kim nudged her mate and shook her head. "You know he is only doing it because he is amused."
"Let's see how amused he is without the use of his legs," he said in a low tone.
Mary rolled her dark brown eyes. Brothers were such a pain sometimes, but she loved the doofus!
"Why have we been called Elder?"
It was natural to address Old Quil as everyone had been called to his home for an emergency meeting that had never been done before. Never had everyone involved in the intimate nature of the pack had been gathered in one space at the same time.
Old Quil simply observed everyone from his recliner, his aged eyes scanning the crowd. "To be honest, I do not know. My daughter is the one that organized this on behalf of a new member of the tribe."
Billy frowned. As Chief, he was the only person that was capable of granting membership and he would have remembered such an occasion. It was not often that a new member was welcomed. It was usually only during births as even marriages into the tribe were only in a legal sense. They were not technically members as it required more than a certificate to be considered Quileute.
Shifting in his chair, Billy wheeled himself closer to the elderly council member. "What do you mean new?"
Old Quil smiled. "Paul imprinted on Hermione earlier today."
Billy's dark brows rose. Well that explained it. The only way an outsider could achieve automatic membership into the tribe was if they were the chosen mate to one of their spirit warriors.
As he mulled it over, he admitted that the pair seemed somewhat poorly matched upon first consideration. Paul was incredibly brash, hot-tempered and very accommodating to anyone of the opposite sex. Hermione, from what he had garnered, was polite, poised and rather conservative. The two seemed to be exact opposites, but when he thought on it further it seemed to work. Maybe their faults would balance one another's strengths? Either way, who was he to question the spirits?
"So Hermione called this?" Clarified Jacob from behind his father.
"I did."
The entire collective group of natives looked to the stairway to see Hermione descending the steps with Joy at her side.
Julia quietly observed the young woman; her son's mate.
Small was the first word to come to mind.
Her Paul was physically one of the largest in the pack, his frame large in height and width. He was on par with Jacob and Sam, with Sam only slightly taller than her boy.
This girl was barely a slip of a thing. She was petite by normal human standards and quite thin. Julia frowned as she observed the sharpness of her collarbones peeking from her demure cream-colored blouse. Dark circles were bruising her incredibly fair skin. It was an obvious tell that she lacked sleep and overall, she looked quite tired.
However, she held herself like a queen observing her subjects. Straight back, chin held high and a soft smile on her full lips. Chapped though they were, they were a pretty pink shade that Julia knew to be all natural.
Her eyes were a lovely shade of honeyed brown with flecks of gold and full lashes framed those large round orbs. The ageless wisdom in her eyes were undeniable and Julia knew that this girl had seen more than appeared.
Like called to like.
Hermione was a survivor and Julia wanted nothing more than to take this small slip of girl into her arms and hold her close.
Not one to hold back her impulses often, Julia stepped forwards and stopped at the base of the stairs before this young woman. A soft smile spread across her lips. "Hello Hermione. I'm Julia. Paul's mother."
Hermione paused, momentarily frozen at being face-to-face with the woman of the man she had been, well she was not sure what she felt for him, but she knew it was incredibly strong. "Hello ma'am."
Hearing the soft British tilt to her accent, Julia let out a soft breath. "Come with me darling. Let's get you comfortable so you can inform us all why you asked us all here."
The brunette witch decided that Julia was a force in herself. The quiet strength in her hazel eyes, the same eyes that mirrored her son's, was undeniable. This was a woman that persevered, and Hermione knew she too had triumphed.
Taking her hand, the two women interlocked their fingers as an entire conversation of understanding passed between the two. "Thank you."
"Always darling," Julia said softly.
After a moment, Julia frowned as she realized exactly what she was looking at. Her curls were so large, it was easily overlooked, but now it could not be ignored. "Is that an owl in your hair?"
Hermione blushed, her pale skin working against her as she turned a brilliant shade of red. "I will explain later."
AN: If you recall from previous chapters, it was briefly mentioned that Julia had a really bad relationship with her ex-husband, Paul's dad. It is heavily inferred that she was a victim of domestic violence and probably a lot of emotional manipulation. Hermione is a war heroine and survivor of torture – both mental and physical. The two women recognize that in one another. Obviously, they do not know the details of what the other has experienced, but it is something that can sense in one another and that immediately has created a bond between the two. I think it will be great for her to hep Hermione heal. I also plan to have Julia heal as she develops her relationship with Hermione.
I also realize that a lot of you think that Hermione and Paul jumped one another so quickly. Yes. I know. A lot of you complained about it. Yes, I know. There is a reason for that and I hope that the above explanation kinda hinted to that. Obviously, their physical attraction and need for one another is not natural and that will be explained further.
I am sorry for the late update. I rewrote this chapter so many times, but I am happy about the outcome. Thanks for your kind words.
Me.
It's Complicated – Original Characters (So Far...)
The Quileute Tribe –
Julia Lahote – Single mother to Paul Lahote
Mary Cameron – Younger sister to Jared by five years
Anita Cameron – Mother to Jared