Disclaimer: I do not own anything and make no monies writing this.

EN-HG-G

Chapter 3

Hermione jumped to her feet and took a simple battle stance with her wand trained in their direction to show whoever was coming in that she could take care of herself if the need arose. What she saw took her breath away. There were two of them and they were beyond gorgeous! She couldn't believe her eyes. How could two beings be so different yet seem so perfect together? Using a bit of wandless magic, Hermione cast an aura reading spell. This, she knew, would tell her all she needed to know about the two strangers.

The results stole her breath. The colors of their auras showed her several things within an instant. One, they were both quite old, probably considered ancient. The smaller of the two was easily twice the age of the taller one. Two, they were definitely connected to each other in some way. Three, the most important, they were honorable beings. Another thing the spell told her, which she already knew; was that these two magnificent beings were VERY powerful and could be VERY dangerous. However, she already knew that they would do no harm to her unless provoked, so she relaxed her stance just a bit and did a Scourgify to right her appearance. It would do no good to look like a ragamuffin in the presence of such perfection. Once the spell had done its magic, she went into her relaxed battle stance once again.

Since the only movement the two of them had made was to step enough inside the room to shut the door, Hermione figured they truly did not mean her any harm. She was sure they would have already made their move otherwise. So she took a moment to check them out. Who could blame her with such specimens of maleness so close to her. She started with the shorter one first. He had brown hair cut on the short side but not too short. His eyes were such a dark shade of brown to seem almost black from this distance. Then there was his mouth… it looked as though it could give a woman so many pleasures! As her eyes travelled down his body she took note that he was quite lean and toned nicely. From the form fitting clothes he wore she could also appreciate the strength hidden just under the surface, not to mention the bulge starting to appear. Oh my, he definitely was gifted there as well. Merlin!

Hermione's eyes then moved to check out the taller of the two when she noticed they had taken a more casual stance by leaning against the walls. When this clicked in her mind she also realized both of them were checking her out which gave her the time needed to continue her perusal. The taller male was a blond haired, blue eyed hunk of perfection. His shoulders were broad and his waist narrow. His arms were nicely muscular as well as his long legs. The total package screamed masculinity and strength. When she looked back up to their faces they were both wearing smirks, so she smiled back.

Then the taller of the two spoke and she just barely kept herself from swooning from the sound of his voice. It was a silky, melodious sound. She could listen to him read the phone book and never tire of hearing that voice.

"I also mean no harm to either of you. Now, before we get into twenty questions, would you allow me to ward this room? I may tentatively trust the two of you but no one else. In my experience, especially the last few years, one can never be too cautious." Hermione requested. At Eric's slight nod she warded the room against any eavesdroppers as well as any uninvited guests. She lowered her wand when she finished and continued answering their questions and to ask a few of her own.

"My name is Hermione Granger. As for how I came to be here, in your office? I'm not totally sure. I was running through the Forbidden Forest and literally stumbled into the portal. I had heard such pockets of alternate realms existed but had yet to come across one…until now." she answered.

"You said you were the vampire sheriff of this area? Please explain to me what that meant. It does not surprise me the two of you are vampires, the glow you have as well as your paleness of complexion proved as much, but the vampires I am accustomed to hold no such occupations."

Eric regarded Hermione silently for a moment, happy to hear vampires were not a new thing for her, then answered her question. "Each state or province has its own monarch. Each monarch breaks the state or province up into areas then hires sheriffs to oversee each area. Louisiana has five areas and I am the sheriff of Area 5. Does this sufficiently answer your question?" At her nod Eric continued. "I am pleased to hear vampires are not a new thing for you and from what you said we are a bit different than those you are accustomed to. How are the vampires where you are from? I would like to know, as well, what you are. I know what I think but I would very much like to hear you confirm it." Eric finished with a curious look in his eyes.

"Well, let me start with what I am. I am human and a witch which was most likely what you thought." Hermione paused to allow Eric to answer and both vampires nodded their heads. "Alright, next, I am aware of many different species of beings besides vampires. Where I was, the Forbidden Forest, was where many magical creatures lived: centaurs, arachnids, and trolls to name a few. A few others would be hippogriffs, Threstrals, dragons, plus many more. So the question would be whether or not such beings exist here in this realm?

"As far as what the vampires of my realm are like? Well, I really cannot say much about them. I know they kept mostly to themselves in various sized nests. I also remember learning that in order to leave one nest for another the vampire leaving would then have to fight the nest's leader. If the vampire survived they would be able to leave with the leader's blessings. From what I was able to learn, this fight could become quite brutal and the vampire wanting to leave did not always survive, or they could be barely injured. I'm sure it all depended on the leaving vampire's standing within the nest. I do know the only political leaders in my realm are wizards with a few witches; we are a pretty male dominant society at the moment.

"You need to know that my realm is split into two worlds, the wizarding world and the muggle world. Not to be insulting, just clarifying, the muggle world is made up of non-magical humans. Oh, they had their own type of magic...muggle magic…but it is nothing compared to what I and others like me can do." At this point Hermione paused to check on her audience and make sure they were still following her. She looked to Godric and gave a slight nod to him showing that she knew he wanted to ask something and for him to do so.

Godric gave her a small smile in acknowledgement, glad she was pausing so he could question before she got too far from the topic, then spoke. "So, vampires of your world sequestered themselves away and merely survived?" At Hermione's hesitant nod Godric continued. "Sounds a bit like here up until four years ago. Here, vampires had the Great Reveal and now walk openly amongst the world. However, before coming out we would still interact with humans, we just had to hide what we truly were, except for a select few. As for human magic, from those you called muggles, were you talking of their magic as Celtic, druidic, Wiccan and so on?" Seeing Hermione nod again Godric continued.

"We have the same here except we also have witches who can do more. I do not believe it is the same level as your type of magic but it is more than the average human magic. I am curious as to the spell you did just as we opened the door? Would you mind telling us what it was?" Godric finished with his own curiosity shining in his eyes.

Hermione had been smiling through his questions and information until the last one. With a heavy sigh she nodded and started back up with her explanations. "The vampires of my world do interact with other magical beings, but rarely muggles, um, humans. They own businesses and such but they do not have the hierarchy in which this world does. None of them hold any political power. Tell me please, in this world, does a vampire need an invitation in order to enter a dwelling? Are sunlight, silver and wood just as harmful and are garlic, crucifixes, holy water and no reflections just a myth?" At both of their nods Hermione continued.

"Well, I suppose some things are standard." She said with a chuckle. "As for muggle magic, yes to what you said except for druidic magic. Druids still prosper in my world, though most keep to themselves. I am quite interested in learning what types of magic you have in this realm. I felt my magic surge when I landed here. As for the spell I cast when you first came upon me…" Hermione paused for a moment and then continued. "It was one of the three Unforgivable Curses, the killing curse. It takes a great deal of intent to perform correctly. Unfortunately, I became pretty proficient with all three of the Unforgivables during the war." As she finished both vampires could tell this war she had been in had left its mark on her soul, much like war was prone to do, especially if you had any sort of an active part.

Godric and Eric watched her silently then Eric asked if she needed a moment. Hermione shook her head while taking a deep breath.

"How recent was this war you spoke of? Also, who were the two beings chasing you, they seemed human as well? I take it you killed them?" Eric asked, careful no judgment of any kind was in his voice.

Hermione sighed and looked past both vampires to a spot on the wall, her eyes going distant as she prepared to tell them of the Second Wizarding War.

"It was officially over about a year ago. It was called the Second Wizarding War. The first one took place about twenty years before, a few years before I was born. A powerful half-blood wizard named Tom Marvolo Riddle proclaimed himself the Dark Lord Voldemort and spewed hatred of all things muggle. This included sympathetic pure bloods, half-bloods, muggle-borns and muggles. For some reason no one took into account that he himself was a half-blood. Amazing what one can ignore with the promise of power. Anyway, he managed to pull many wizards and witches to his side, all believing in his propaganda of blood superiority and purity. Sadly, he was stopped before but not defeated unfortunately. It was rumored he survived by drinking the blood of unicorns in and around the Forbidden Forest, a cardinal sin against nature, which I am apt to believe. He managed to regain a human'ish form due to his followers performing a ritual.

"This ritual required the blood of the 'boy-who-lived', Harry Potter…long story short, they managed to get Harry's blood and complete the ritual which brought Riddle back completely, although he hadn't gone by that name since he started his crusade. The name he chose was Lord Voldemort. Anyway, once he regained his corporeal form he immediately started his campaign back up to "cleanse the impurities from the wizarding world". No one will ever truly know just how many innocents, magical and muggle, fell victim to him and his followers, called DeathEaters, over the last six years but I can only imagine it being quite high.

"From what I learned, the despot was just as cruel to his followers as he was to his enemies. Threatening, torturing and killing the loved ones of those who he perceived had failed him, but not always the one who failed him. Why any sane being would willingly want to follow such a maniacal psychopath is beyond me but he actually managed to get a large following. I heard a few things about the revels they would hold and just hearing about such things still gives me nightmares. They would do some very sick and twisted things all in his name and blood purity.

"As for the two who were chasing me and I successfully sent to their deaths? They were the Carrows, Amycus and Alecto, brother and sister who were two of the worst and yes they were "human" which I use the term very loosely. Their cruelty and hatred all things "impure" was well known. They loved to torment and torture all who had the misfortune to cross their paths, believers and nonbelievers alike. They had been hiding in the Forbidden Forest probably because few people would venture very far into it due to the many types of beings and creatures who reside there. I had gone to the edge of the Forest and just inside it to collect a few plants and herbs for potion brewing when I unfortunately stumbled upon them. My misfortune was having my hands full of ingredients rather than my wand." Hermione finished with a chagrinned look. Her old professor and mentor, Severus Snape, would verbally, and probably physically, kick her ass if he ever found out just how much she had let her guard down. She could hear his voice in her head, chastising her. Ms. Granger, I would expect a fifth year or younger to pull such a dunderheaded move but not you. You have been taught better and therefore I expect better. Do Not make such a mistake again for it could very well be your last. She still couldn't believe she had been caught so unaware, only her quick reflexes and their surprise had saved her life.

Eric and Godric had listened to her tale with rapt attention. They couldn't fathom being in a war with magic the likes she had wielded. This realm's witches and war were bad enough but to throw in powerful magic such as hers as well, it was not something they ever hoped to have to deal with. Giving Hermione a bit of time to gather herself, the vampires thought over the information she had given. It amazed them that the vampires of her world would be so uninvolved with the governing of their part of the world. As dangerous and cutthroat their world could be and generally was; neither Eric nor Godric could fathom not having a hierarchy to look after and govern their own.

Then there was the information she shared about the various other beings and creatures of her world. It's not to say none of those beings or creatures had ever inhabited this world but it was a long time ago for most, before Godric was even born as a human. Many left due to the nature of humans. Godric did remember when the last dragon took flight to leave this realm to go to the new one founded for them, it was a sad day. They were magnificent beasts with a natural intelligence and lifespan to rival any ancient vampire and if you were lucky enough to befriend one, you then had a friend and ally for life.

After giving Hermione a bit of time to collect herself, Godric said, "You have shared much with us tonight and we thank you, but I am sure you are quite tired after your ordeal and the new situation you have found yourself in. I am sure my child can arrange for you accommodations for however long you need them."

Eric nodded his head and started to pick up the phone to do just that when Hermione stopped him.

"Oh that's alright. No need if you have a backyard I can use. You have my word I will make no trouble for you. I still carry around my bag which has all I need in it." At their concerned and confused looks she continued. "As I said before, I was doing whatever I could to help the Light win the war. After spending a year on the run, I still can't shake the need to have what I need to survive wherever I was and that it was well stocked and warded."

"Why would you need a backyard? I can set you up in one of my homes for however long you need it, free of charge." Eric replied, still a bit confused and concerned for Hermione; noting to ask about the 'year on the run' at a later time.

Hermione smiled and answered, "I only need a backyard because I have my tent with me in my bag. It may not look like much but my knapsack holds more than meets the eye. I have an undetectable extension spell on it so it can hold whatever I need it to. At the moment, it still holds all I own. After being in so many dangerous situations through the years and a year on the run, I had yet to take the time to unload it."

"A tent? Why do I have a feeling that this tent of yours will be nothing like the sort we have here?" Godric asked with a smile.

"Because you're smart?" was Hermione's reply with a chuckle. "You would be correct in that my tent is not like any you have here, I'm sure. Mine is a magical tent and once I set it up I will invite you both in so you can see for yourselves. I could describe it to you but it would not do a magical tent any justice. There are somethings to be seen and experienced only." she said with a smile on her face that finally reached her eyes.

If either vampire had had the need to breathe then their breaths would have been stolen from them. Her smile would rival the sun in its brilliance and warmth.

"Well then milady, I have the perfect backyard for this tent of yours to be set up. Tell me Hermione, can you fly as well?" Eric asked.

"Ah, yes, yes I can…on my broom." Hermione replied and then chuckled at their reactions. "Yes, in my world, we actually use brooms to fly. It's one of the few things muggles got right in their fantasies of witches. So may I safely assume the two of you can fly as well?"

Godric chuckled at her response and answered her. "Yes, both of us can fly. It is one of our vampiric gifts."

Both vampires couldn't help but chuckle as Hermione's eyes went wide, not really expecting an answer in the affirmative. "Merlin! That's just cool as hell! Something tells me I may not be able to fly as quickly as the two of you but I can go a pretty quick pace."

"You could show us your flying skills or you could allow one of us to carry you while we fly. The choice is yours to make." Eric stated with a smile.

"Hmm. Well, since I don't know where we are going, I'm thinking I should let one of you carry me this time. I would love to go flying with the two of you at a later date though. That is, if neither one of you mind." Hermione said, her eyes flicked back and forth between the two beings.

"Then would you allow me the honor of carrying you?" Godric asked then chuckled at the slight blush forming on Hermione's cheeks.

"The honor would be mine. Thank you Godric." Hermione finally managed to reply.

Eric smiled and nodded his acknowledgment while letting Godric know they would be going to his cabin just outside of city limits. He told them he needed to let Pam know he was leaving and then they could be on their way. While they waited, Godric made an offer to Hermione.

"I would like you to know, should you need someone to converse with about what you had to do or see during this Wizarding War you spoke of, Eric and I would be more than happy to lend you a shoulder and ear. We have both lived for a very long time. Eric is over one thousand years a vampire and I am over two thousand years a vampire. During our time we have fought in many battles and wars, as humans and vampires. We are both fully aware the ugliness which comes from being involved in any type of warfare, as well as the scars it can leave behind; seen and unseen."

When he finished it took all of Hermione's willpower to keep the tears at bay and to not hug the vampire, being unsure of the etiquette of this world. No one had ever made such an offer to her before. Most in her world were too busy dealing with their own problems to care about hers. With a shaky intake of breath and slight nod of her head, Hermione thanked Godric for the offer. "I appreciate the offer and may take you up on it one day. Thank you."

Godric took in her slightly trembling voice and body and decided to guide her out the back door to give her a moment to gather herself. When Eric joined them moments later, he gave a questioning look to his Maker. He could feel the change in the atmosphere and Hermione's body language. Godric gave him the barest of a head shake and turned to Hermione.

"Ready?" he simply asked and when she nodded Godric pulled her into his embrace and shot up into the night.

Hermione let out a squeal at the sudden movement and squeezed Godric tighter before loosening her grip a bit and laughing when she saw the mirth in his eyes and smirk of his lips.

"You know, a little warning would have been nice. I may not be afraid to fly but I am NOT accustomed to such sudden movements!" she chastised Godric, barely getting it said through her laughter; which, of course, caused the chastisement to not have any sting.

Godric laughed heartily at her reaction and attempted scolding. He tightened his arms around her and said, "I just do not see where any fun could be had by doing that. Besides, I quite enjoyed your reaction."

Hermione blushed to her toes at his words and decided to look around instead of in his eyes. They were so beautiful; she didn't think it wise to stare. She could so get lost in those eyes and never complain. He might get the right idea and at the moment anyway, she wasn't quite ready to go down that road just yet.

Eric had laughed at their antics and was enjoying seeing his Maker having some fun. At some point since meeting up with each other, Godric had reopened the bond between them and Eric was enjoying it immensely. He sent Godric love, happiness and laughter and received it back.

A twenty minute flight later had the three beings landing on a well-manicured lawn. Godric reluctantly loosened his hold on Hermione but it took her a few minutes before stepping out of his embrace, much to his enjoyment. She was so busy admiring the landscaping and cabin she missed the smiles both vampires had.

"Oh my, Eric, this is beautiful!" Was the only thing Hermione could manage to say. The yard had flowerbeds, trees and bushes artfully placed to enhance the natural beauty of the area, including the cabin which was made out of logs. The outside of the cabin was simple but beautiful. From the looks of the outside, the cabin didn't look all that big but Hermione knew not to judge a structure from the outside. Most magical buildings looked nothing on the inside what the outside portrayed.

As she looked around the property, Godric and Eric stood back and watched her. Her appreciation of Eric's home and land pleased him very much. It was a bit disconcerting how much her approval meant to him. He just met this woman and yet, her opinion was already mattering to him.

Deciding to take this opportunity to question Godric of the mood shift from earlier Eric asked, "Master, what transpired before we left and after I went to talk to Pam? I could sense Hermione's emotions had shifted."

"I offered her a shoulder and ear, should she need one, to help her with dealing with the aftereffects of fighting in a war. She thanked me and said she may one day take me or us up on the offer, since I included you as well. I believe she has not had anyone to make such an offer in a very long time, if ever." Godric answered quietly.

Eric nodded and replied just as quietly, "She did speak of nightmares but I am unsure if she meant it literally or figuratively. However I do feel it was more on the literal side. War is not something someone as good as her will walk away from without scars. If by listening, when she is ready, will do her some good then I will be honored for the privilege of her trust."

Godric nodded his head and then noticed Hermione take something out of her bag. It looked like a thick square piece of cloth which she laid on the ground. As they watched her wave her wand above the cloth and mutter a few words they couldn't hear, they were amazed at the tent that suddenly appeared fully erect. The tent didn't appear to be all that big, maybe large enough for two people to comfortably stay in but unassuming in every other way.

When Hermione opened the flap to walk in, both Godric and Eric didn't see anything extraordinary about the inside. So they became quite curious to what they would see once she invited them in. As if reading their thoughts Hermione appeared outside the tent and requested their presence.

Complete awe was the only way to describe the looks on their faces. Hermione chuckled at their reactions and gave them a moment to check out her home. She knew the outside of the tent didn't look like much. Just big enough to hold two people and that they wouldn't have seen anything when she opened the flap to walk in due to the wards. However, the inside of the tent held a small kitchen, living area, bedroom and bathroom and a spiral staircase leading up to two more bedrooms with bathrooms of their own. All fully functioning and well stocked (she learned from the first time), Hermione loved magic. The living area had a couch, chair, coffee table and a fire place with a small stack of wood next to it. The kitchen held the usual; sink, stove, cupboards, pantry, and a small table. The bedrooms held a closet, chest of drawers, full sized bed, and two side tables. The bathrooms had a shower and tub enclosure as well as a toilet, sink, linen closet and mirror; on the walls of each room hung various pictures and knickknacks.

Eric and Godric couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was mind blowing to see a complete home within the walls of the tent. Now they understood why Hermione said all she needed was a backyard. She indeed had everything she needed right here. As both vampires walked around a bit, checking out the titles on her bookshelves and pictures…that were moving, Hermione walked into the kitchen to fix herself something to eat. Just as she reached the cooling cabinet she let out a gasp.

Hearing her gasp, Eric and Godric sped to her side to see what was wrong.

"Is everything alright?" asked Eric, seeing no signs of danger or harm.

"Oh my Merlin, I can't believe I forgot! Poor Daisy, she'll be beside herself with worry that I have yet to return." was Hermione's distressed cry.

"Who is Daisy and why would she be worried? Is she family?" Godric asked, looking at her with concern.

"Daisy is my house elf. She has been with me since the end of the war and yes, she is very much my family. The only family I have left." was Hermione's reply. "I warded the portal area to alert me when it came open again, if it comes open again, when I warded your office. I took the wards off your office before leaving but left the one on the area of the portal. Now I'm glad I did. If it opens again I'll need to go through to see if Daisy would wish to come with me to here."

"Do you not wish to return to your world should the portal open and what exactly is a house elf?" Eric asked, brimming with curiosity. Why would she not want to return home? Where was the rest of her family? The questions seemed to grow the more time he spent with her.

"No, I do not wish to return to my world. I am enjoying learning of this world too much, not to mention, there are no DeathEaters here. Oh, don't get me wrong, there will be things I will miss about my home world but there's not much there left for me anymore. Both of my parents were murdered by DeathEaters over a year ago and I am an only child. I have no other family who I care to associate with." At their confused looks, Hermione clarified "DeathEaters were the followers of Riddle. Not all of them believed in his ideals but craved the promise of power he gave them. Many were willing to do whatever the sociopath asked or demanded of them to prove their worthiness. The ones who were the worst were the ones to believe only the purebloods had a right to magic. Half-bloods were barely accepted and muggle-borns were abominations to them. The war was about blood purity which was sad since I have known plenty of half-bloods and muggle-borns who were just as powerful or more so as any pureblood. Not to mention that purebloods can have squibs, a bit ironic actually.

"Anyway, a house elf is a highly magical creature that lives to serve others. Some are treated fairly while others are not. They are extremely loyal beings to whomever they serve. I mean, loyal to the point where they will harm themselves as punishment for displeasing their master or mistress. An example of punishment would be ironing their hands or banging their heads on the nearest wall or post. They enjoy all the menial tasks which most do not want to do, like: dishes, cooking, cleaning, laundry…you get the picture. Most house elves work for nothing but the praise of their keepers. If the master or mistress were to give an elf a piece of clothing; a shirt, sock, etc. then from that point on, the elf is a free being. However, most abhor the thought of being set free and will generally question why they were given such a "gift", what had they done wrong? Which took me a few years to understand.

"Daisy owns a dress I made her and when I gave it to her I had to promise her that she could still be my elf. It was the only way she would accept the gift. I know most mug…humans would think of it as slavery, which was what I considered it when I first came to learn about them, but it is not. The elves live to serve and they enjoy it immensely. Think of those who donate their time to R.I.F. or students who tutor their friends at no charge. They do it for the good feelings they get. You'll see what I mean if Daisy decides to follow me to this world." Hermione finished with a worried smile.

Godric caught this and asked her if she thought Daisy would refuse to follow. Hermione quickly shook her head and said, "No, it's not that. I just don't know if she can survive here. Just because my magic works and I feel a stronger magical presence here than in my world doesn't mean it would be the same for her. Her magic is different than mine. I know she will want to come with me for I am the only family she has as well. I just hope she can...for both our sakes. I'm not sure what I would do without Daisy and I truly do not wish to return there."

Just at that moment Hermione's wand began to vibrate and glow, alerting her to the portal opening up.

"Well that's my cue. I'll be right back and hopefully will have Daisy with me as well." with that she apparated away and left two slightly confused and in awe vampires behind in her tent. As they waited for Hermione to return, they decided to check out her home a bit more. As they walked around, they noticed just how homey she had made the tent. After several minutes of scoping out their surroundings and watching the pictures with fascination, both Godric and Eric decided to check out a few of the books she had. Godric chose Hogwarts, A History and Eric chose Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It didn't take long for both vampires to get engrossed with their reading selections.

EN-HG-G