Hermione and Carlisle got home and while Hermione rested up, Carlisle and the children discussed the meeting.
"Hermione said they are humans. So if they are "magical creatures" like us, then why do they feel threatened?" Emmet asked.
"Well, it goes back to the basic hatred and unknown of vampires. It isn't all Dracula but people tend to think it is because of folklore. The same reasons witches are "scary" and are burned." Edward explained.
Carlisle merely nodded in agreement. His thoughts focused on the safety of his family.
"We just have to wait till midnight tomorrow to sort this all out," Rosaline said with a small frown almost ruining her perfect features.
Outside they could hear howls almost taunting them even if they were miles away.
The next morning came way too quickly for any of the Cullens. The children went off to school like normal and Carlisle went to the hospital. Hermione went and dumped out her books from the magical world trips she had taken, a.k.a research. She frowned as she realized that there weren't enough materials and resources for her to get an extensive search on their new neighbors.
Popping over to the wizarding world of the States she went to the more seedy area. Wearing a disguise to alter how she appeared, she went into a shop.
"I need a portkey, and a return portkey to Diagonal Alley please." Hermione half-whispered to the storekeeper.
"Hmm...we don't sell those here." The shady man replied leering at Hermione.
Forcing herself not to shiver at his beady eyes, she boldly said: "I need a portkey and a return portkey to Diagonal Alley."
His eyes never leaving her, he nodded ever so slightly. "60 gallons."
"Will it get me back in time for tonight?" Hermione inquired forcefully.
"80 gallons and it will." The shopkeeper sneered.
"Fine. Give it to me." Hermione said tossing 80 gallons onto the counter.
The keeper put a Baseball and a tin can on the counter.
"Baseball is, for now, it leaves in a minute and tin cans are for tonight, it will leave at 9:30 am British time. The time difference is 8 o'clock now so at 9:00 it will give you a total of 13 hours. But because of the time change, it will be 4 there." He growled.
Hermione nodded and grabbed them both. She put the tin can in the purse and held onto the portkey as it suddenly sucked her in. She found herself floating down in Diagonal Alley.
Hermione felt back at home. She quickly made her way to Flourish and Blotts. Now she truly felt back at home. Looking through the shelves she reached the section on "dark creatures" and "magical creatures". Browsing the books Hermione went looking specifically for werewolves and vampires and treaties made by any magical creatures with the wizarding world or themselves.
She bumped into someone as she was looking. Gasping a little as she expected to fall down. But instead, she was caught, by warm arms catching her and steadying her. Hermione looked up and saw a familiar face looking back at her.
Albus Dumbledore without the eccentric robes and long beard looked back at her. His eyes twinkled as he bid her sorry for bumping her. Hermione only managed to say "Hello..." She caught herself before she said "Headmaster" as he was still a professor during this time. He smiled a wide grin and said "Hello, I don't believe we have met before. Albus Dumbledore." She smiled back. "No, I don't believe we have yet. Lovely meeting you. Thank you for catching me."
"Not a problem. I noticed you were searching in the dark creatures section. Anything specific I can help you find?" Albus inquired.
Hermione might have felt like this was an out of body experience, seeing a younger Dumbledore, so she blurted out "well yes, anything with vampires or werewolves/shapeshifters." He said "Ah. Interesting topics. Can I ask why?"
Hermione quickly came up with an excuse, "It is a research project that I am doing." She explained that it was something she was into and was looking for more resources about it.
Dumbledore nodded intently as if it was the most fascinating thing he had heard all day. He recommended quite a few books that would help her and bid her a good day.
Hermione picked up the books and traveled up to Hogsmeade through apparition, thankful she didn't have to take a thestral carriage.
She stopped at Honeydukes for some Blood-Flavored Lollipops for the kids and a few butterbeer for herself. By the time she had finished paying she looked at the clock and realized she had only a few more minutes before the portkey started up. Hermione popped everything in the purse and got ready to leave. Holding the tin can she landed outside the dark alley and popped home.
The family was all home. She had mentioned going to the Wizarding World so no one was worried about her. But they were a bit antsy because of the time constraint. Hermione reassured them that she wouldn't miss midnight for anything. She quickly grabbed her books out and told everyone to grab one and start researching shapeshifters and vampires and any treaty possible. Everyone snapped to it with help, with a few helpful comments here and there. She brought out the blood pops for everyone aside from her to snack on. She smiled at her family sitting around the dining room table licking lollipops and reading. If it hadn't been such a rushed situation this would have been a perfect evening for them. The clock struck 11:30 and the group looked up from their books. With a swish of Hermione's wand, the books cleared and everyone was ready to go.
They were to meet in the woods so they all went off into the woods with the multiple treaties in hand. Hermione being carried by Carlisle. Again, Hermione thought "If it wasn't for this situation this would have been a lovely evening."
The pack was waiting already with the Elders behind them. Hermione was placed behind the family as they all shielded her away from the pack. Hermione assumed they were the Elders at least, and as almost always she was right. One of the humans behind the pack started to speak. "You are a danger to the pack, the community and the life here. You must leave these woods and never return." The Elder said gravely.
"I do not think you understand my family. We do not drink human blood, we are not as dangerous to humans as other vampires might be." Carlisle said defending his family, stepping forward.
The Pack growled in response. "No you are a danger you must go." The Elder once again responded.
Hermione was sick of this so-called "discussion." She hadn't been researching forever and making plans for this all to fall apart. So she stepped forward. "Hem hem." Her Dolores impression was spot on and she almost felt proud until she realized Dolores was a piece of garbage who should be treated with disdain if she wasn't already dead.
She could inwardly feel the vampires groan internally.
"I do not believe this is how democracy works, and I happen to live where they have a monarchy. In fact, I do believe you need to listen before you can demand things." Hermione said almost snippety.
"You brought a human!? To what, feed off of her, or is she some kind of slave to you." The Elder sneered and the other pack members scoffed.
Now Hermione was offended as well as the rest of her family. "You listen here, I don't care if you are the queen herself at this moment. We have treated you with respect and we deserve to be treated with respect. I drew up treaties for you to read so that we can coexist peacefully. We will not be leaving any time soon! Not for anyone, especially not for you or your pack. I understand you are scared because you are "natural" enemies. But you really need to get over it. I am not a slave or some sort of blood bag. My family drinks animals because we believe life is important. I happen to be living with my soulmate and our children. I would hope you would understand that as a pack. Family is everything. So read the contracts and figure out which one you want to sign." Hermione did not disclose that she enhanced the contract with a bit of magic to ensure her family was not hurt in the contract and that their pack would adhere to the guidelines.
The rest of the family and even the pack were pretty surprised at the ferocity of such a small human. The Elders grumbled but nodded and looked over the contract. He decided to sign the one with a distinct landline that would benefit the pack the best. Both sides signed the contract and it was sealed. The pack was given a copy and the Cullens were given a copy. Hermione nodded triumphantly.
The pack had a newfound respect for the human the vampires had but still hated the vampires. The Cullens had even more respect for the Momma bear that Hermione released onto the pack. And Carlisle fell more in love with the woman he called his soulmate with her feisty love for their family.
Everyone gathered themselves back up and went home. When the morning came, Hermione managed to squeak out a "Good-bye" before she disappeared.