Complicated 07

By: I Should Be Sleeping (AKA: Moar Sleep)

The Cullen home was immaculate. It looked more like a showroom than actual home. Each piece of furniture looked to be chosen for aesthetic purposes and considering that the inhabitants had no need for actual rest, that was most likely the case.

Hermione found the entire environment a bit disconcerting. She much preferred the mismatched couches of her own space. She could envision two cozy chairs picked up from a secondhand shop that offered optimum comfort and perfect for reading a good book. She missed the patchwork quilt at the Burrow that had uneven stitching and was made from fabrics of old baby robes. She wanted to return to that beautiful wrap around porch at the Ateara home and watch the sunset from the rocking chair she had lazed about on with Elder Quil the previous evening.

This sterile beautiful was cold much like the granite skin of the beings that inhabited it. People may find it picturesque, and it was, but it lacked life and character and brought reminders of another home that was also more for show than actual living. A home that housed priceless works of art and elegant Persian rugs. A place where she writhed upon the floor of their Drawing Room, screaming for mercy that would never be offered.

Esme, seeing her hesitancy, paused in her steps. Her senses picked up the elevated heart-rate and stilted breathing. She recognized the beginnings of a panic attack and knew she needed to center her.

Magical beings could be dangerous when feelings of fear and anxiety took over. Their natural fight or flight response also triggered their innate magical core to protect themselves – especially in a non-magical environment where there were no natural ley lines to drain off the excess. There was the possibility of her lashing out unknowingly at anyone perceived as a threat and considering the amount of power Hermione had, it could prove deadly for everyone, including herself.

"Hermione," she said softly, slowly. "Focus on my voice. Feel the air filling your lungs and the breath moving through your body."

The brunette witch tensed, her body trembling slightly as she fought to tamp down the crackling energy shooting down her arms and to her fingertips like bolts of static. Her wild curls frizzed further as she clenched her jaw and looked unseeingly ahead of her.

Esme's voice pierced through her mind, the melody of her tone walking her through her breathing and she forced herself to listen to that voice.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

A pattern was established and that building power zinging through her body was drawn back and she felt herself calm slightly. Tremors still raced through her limbs as she let out one final breath.

"I'm sorry."

Esme frowned. It was more serious than she had thought. When she had first read her file, she knew that it would be difficult to overcome her inner demons, but this was far more. From what the British Minster had mentioned, Hermione was a very powerful witch and one that was incredibly disciplined.

Power was something she was used to wielding and controlling. Losing it was something she probably abhorred and feared greatly. Esme knew she had her work cut out for her and she so wanted Hermione to succeed. She was so very young and had so much life left to live.

"Please do not apologize," said Esme gently. "I understand that new environments can be unsettling and there must have been something about my home that triggered that response. Would you prefer we do this in the garden? My roses are blooming this time of year and we have a lovely bench situated under a tree."

Hermione looked intrigued and quite thankful. "That sounds perfect."

Esme's garden was lovely. She took great care of the area herself and spent countless hours tending to her plants. Bountiful colors bled in perfect harmony as flowers bloomed all over the space. Hermione found it enchanting.

"Tell me a little about yourself Hermione. This is our first meeting and it is proper to at least do some form of introduction," said the vampire with a small smile.

Hermione sighed. "I am sure you read my file, but you are right. My name is Hermione Granger. I am twenty years old and I will be turning twenty one in September. I was born to two dentists, Henry and Helen and my best friends are Harry and Ron. I love reading, my favorite color is purple and I have a cat named Crookshanks."

"My name is Esme Cullen. I am married to my mate Carlisle. He is a doctor," Esme shook her head wryly at that irony as she caught Hermione's interested glance. "I know," she said and then paused momentarily before continuing on. "I have six adopted children. Edward and Bella. Rosalie and Emmett and finally Jasper and Alice. You met Emmett earlier. Forgive him. He is easily excited."

Hermione nodded her head, inhaling the fresh floral scents deeply. "Why did you become a therapist if I may ask?"

"Honestly, it was something I fell into. There are only so many times I can redecorate the house before even I find that boring. I have always been told I am a fair listener and I enjoy helping people. I know you do as well Hermione. Your efforts for being rights have been greatly admired by all of us."

At this, the brunette witch blushed. "It was only right. I have been looked down upon ever since entering the magical world for being less simply because I was not born into a magical family. Muggleborns like myself were accused of stealing our magic and then hunted and branded like cattle. I fought the war to ensure equality and I absolutely hate the politics and bigoted bureaucracy that seeps into the Wizarding World. They are so entrenched in their blind traditions of pureblood supremacy that even now, I still struggle for the most basic of change. I understand it is not down overnight, but you would think that after fighting in a war that they would be more open-minded. It honestly just frustrates me!"

Esme nodded her head. "Battles like the one you fought were hard earned and seeing no change from it would anger anyone. May I ask, why did you stay in the Ministry for so long?"

A hallow laugh escaped her lips. "I have always been told I am too stubborn and it's quite true. I thought that if I kept trying and trying, that they would give in. But I underestimated their obstinance and I only became more of a nuisance. However, with my standing and past deeds, they cannot just outright deny me. No, they just make me jump through hoops and revise constantly. It is all just a roundabout way of rejecting my proposals. It ensures that they never see the light of day."

"They are scared," said Esme.

Hermione snorted. "Of what? A 5'2"witch that weighs around 100lbs soaking wet?"

Esme shook her head. "You, Hermione, are everything they fear. You are a witch, a female. You are powerful, smart and also Muggleborn. Everything they have learned about Muggleborns cannot stand with you being so powerful and intelligent. Add to that, you are young and vivacious. Ready to seek change to their neat and orderly world of repetition that serves to fuel the patriarchal viewpoints of Wizaring Britain. You have them quaking."

Hermione blinked her large, honeyed eyes at Esme. Her lips parted slightly. "Well, I..."

She honestly did not know how to respond to that. Could it be that simple? Were they afraid of her coming in with her modern views and revising an outdated system that has been operating since the Dark Ages?

Logically she knew that she was a bit intimidating. Ron had often called her 'brilliant, but scary,' but that was Ron! He often blew things out of proportion!

Hermione never really thought of herself as scary, but what Esme was presenting was sound. Change was never easily done, and Hermione was a witch that encouraged it. In addition, compared to others who had tried to instigate it in the past, Hermione had the adoration of most of Wizarding Britain – and quite a lot of others outside their enclaves. She also had the support of many magical communities that fell under the classification of Beings. Fleur had mentioned that the Veela support her, and she knew from Sanguini that the Volturi themselves were more than willing to offer her aid if she so ask.

"Merlin," she breathed out as she realized that she did indeed have quite a lot of backing and the perfect image and credentials to cultivate it.

"You represent progress Hermione and they are shaking in their finely tailored robes," said Esme with a knowing smile.

Hermione shook her head in absolute wonder. "Wow."

"Would you like some tea? My son Edward will bring it out. You saw him briefly before. He reigned in Emmett."

Still reeling from that revelation, Hermione nodded absently.

"Fucking hell Jasmine! Move!"

"Fuck off Emilia!"

"Both of you fuck all the way off and get back from the window."

The two males scowled at one another as Rosalie stared in exasperation. Males, no matter the species, were rather useless. Emmett was lucky he was hot. Otherwise, she was sure she could have been content with her pocket vibe for eternity.

Edward made a face. He really did not need that visual in his head.

Rosalie threw her youngest brother a smirk as she leaned against the countertop. "Focus on the tea Edward."

Scowling, Edward did just that. And not because she told him. He did it because Esme asked.

Bella reached out and placed a cup of milk and a container of honey on the tray artistically with a delicate lace doily beneath each item. She then added a sprig of rosemary at the side and then whipped out her phone. "Shoot from that angle."

Alice followed suit and made a short reel of Bella pouring a cup of tea, zoomed in on her hands that were tipped with a pretty manicure.

Edward blinked at the two. He was not sure why, but Bella had recently become addicted to taking food photography photos and reels for TikTok. She actually had a very big following and considering that it was never of her face, it fit her demeanor perfectly. Alice jumped on the bandwagon and made ones of fashion flat lays. Together, the two worked well and made sure that each had the perfect setup and lighting.

"Can I please take this out to Esme and our guest now?"

Bella shooed him away tilted her head to the side to a completely different tray that had just a simple pot of tea and cups, without any of the décor or fanfare. Her eyes were focused on the screen as she and Alice decided over the perfect filters and music to add to their newest video.

Rosalie shrugged her shoulders as he passed. "Your wife baby brother."

"Why can't I read you?"

Hermione observed the copper haired vampire holding a tea tray and a frown. His brows were furrowed in confusion as he stared at her in bewilderment.

"Read me?"

Esme gave her youngest a chastising look. "Edward, you know I did not ask you out here to pry. Just set down the tea and leave."

"But Esme, it's not-"

"Are you attempting to read my mind?"

"What do you mean attempting?" Edward asked affronted. His skills were amazing with Bella being the only exception.

Hermione shook her head. "Your taps against my mental wall are so obvious. In addition, it is highly rude to enter someone's thoughts without permission! How would you like it?"

At this, Hermione's eyes narrowed as she forcefully stepped into his mindset, stomped around a bit in hopes of giving this entitled vampire a headache and withdrew.

Edward was clutching his head and groaning.

"Do not do that again."

Esme blinked, surprised at the turn of events. The Minister had warned her that Hermione could have a bit of temper when provoked, she just did not think she would see it present itself so soon. She needed to deescalate the situation quickly. "Hermione please. He cannot control it."

At that, the witch turned towards the now recovered male vampire in absolute shock. "What?"

Edward straightened quickly, but the memory of her forcefully pushing into his head remained.

"Are you telling me that your son is a mind reader that cannot control his ability?" Hermione was having a hard time processing that bit of information.

Edward frowned. "I am right here."

Hermione ignored him.

Esme looked a bit started. "We did not think it was possible for Edward to control his ability. Otherwise, he would have. It is very intrusive, and he spends nights meditating in order to center himself."

Turning towards the male vampire, Hermione considered him. He looked a bit young, but knew that said nothing about his true age. Despite this, he had this air about him that seemed adorably pure. "You remind me of a puppy."

"Excuse me?"

Among all things to come out of her mouth, Edward had not anticipated that. He could hear the unbridled laughter from the house far behind him as his siblings and wife laughed at his expense. Even Esme was not immune as she poorly hid her smile behind her tea.

Nodding her head, Hermione smiled. "I will try to help you Edward, but you may not like my methods. Do you accept?"

Edward frowned. On one hand, the idea of control was something he had never thought he could ever have. On the other, this witch made him wary.

"I promise I won't bite. That's your job," the brunette said with a cheeky wink.

Edward snorted. God have mercy on him. Nodding his head sharply, he agreed.

AN: I am sorry for the late update. I have not been feeling so great and I hit a bit of a block with this chapter. I feel it was mostly transition, but again important.

Hermione is building her relationship with the Cullens and I think it is amusing that she is doing so with Edward – who will most likely have problems with Paul and the rest of the pack.

Also let's not forget how sensitive a wolfs sense of smell is. I wonder what will happen when Hermione arrives back at the Ateara's home...

Thanks for your kind reviews. They really make my day.

Me