Notes: Here's the next chapter for you lovely readers! Sorry I didn't update on Monday but my children decided that mom needed to clean out the toys they no longer play with so they could be given to a charity. Their hope that some other child(ren) might have a better Christmas. They are such good kids! Anyway, I also had to clean off a desk so one of my daughters could setup her laptop and then figure out what to do with what I moved! Gah! I collect waaaayyyy too much stuff! LOL Anyway, hope you all are doing well and staying safe and since it's only two days away…Happy Halloween! Thanks for checking out my story, enjoy…

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

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Chapter 4

Hermione appeared in Eric's office and was thankful that she was alone, as she hadn't thought to bring either vampire with her. After casting various wards she quickly stepped through the portal and called for Daisy, figuring she would probably be close by looking for her.

"Daisy! Daisy, are you here?" yelled Hermione.

"I's here Mistress. Where you been? Daisy was gettin' worried for the Mistress." Daisy replied as she suddenly appeared before Hermione.

"I'm sorry for worrying you Daisy. I fell through this portal behind me and then I met a couple of vampires but I will tell you all about it later. Right now I would like to know if you want to come with me to this other world?" Hermione asked.

"Mistress would take Daisy with her? Oh yes! I will follow Mistress Hermione anywhere!" was Daisy's excited reply.

"Well then, let's see if you CAN follow me. It's a different world than here and I'm not sure if you will be alright there. Their magic isn't exactly like ours so let's see if you will be alright. Shall we?" Hermione said while stepping back through the portal, Daisy following behind her.

As Daisy stepped through, Hermione held her breath. She really didn't want to go back but she would not abandon Daisy either. Both were relieved when Daisy seemed unaffected being in the new world. She even snapped her fingers and got Hermione a Mountain Dew and a sandwich. Hermione smiled at her and said thank you while accepting the drink and food.

"Now Daisy, I want you to go back through and go collect your things from our flat and come back here. Please hurry as I do not know just how long this will stay open." Hermione said. Daisy nodded her head, stepped back through the portal and popped away, leaving a nervous Hermione behind.

A few minutes later Daisy reappeared with a few bags and a box and stepped back through the portal. At Hermione's inquisitive look, Daisy answered, "I got Mistress' few things too." In response, Hermione smiled widely at Daisy and knelt down to give her a hug.

"Thanks Daisy. I forgot I had a few things there. Are you sure about this? I'm not sure how this portal works and whether or not we will ever be able to go back once it truly closes. This world does have magic but not like mine or yours. Also, there are no other house elves here, at least none that are known about. If you choose to stay with me then you will need to disguise yourself except around me or the two vampires I met. You will need to make sure you will not mind these things. I want you with me but I will understand if you choose to stay in the Wizarding World. Please consider your decision carefully." Hermione said to Daisy, she wanted to make sure her house elf was certain and happy with being here.

"I follow Mistress Hermione anywhere, she be my only family." Was Daisy's reply, stated with a smile and confidence in her choice.

"Alright then, I have the tent set up already, shall we head home?" Hermione asked.

Before Daisy popped them back to the tent Hermione took a moment to tell Daisy about Godric and Eric. She wanted to make sure Daisy wasn't surprised or went on the defensive when she saw them in the tent. Daisy listened intently and nodded her head. "I understands Mistress. Daisy will not harm them if they are Mistress' friends."

Daisy popped them both back to the tent with ease after Hermione took the wards down, making sure to add wards and charms around the portal's opening. She knew then that she would be just fine. The nice thing about carrying your home around with you was that apparating to it was no problem, the signature always the same.

When they popped back into the tent they saw the two vampires were sitting on the couch reading. Godric and Eric looked up when they heard a loud pop to see Hermione standing in front of them with a strange looking creature and several bags and a box. Then, with a snap of the little creature's fingers, the box and bags disappeared.

"Thank you Daisy." Hermione praised her and gave Daisy a warm smile. Then she knelt down next to her and started with the introductions.

"Daisy, I would like to introduce the two vampires I told you about. This is Eric Northman, Vampire Sheriff of this Area, Area Five of Louisiana" Hermione said while pointing to Eric who nodded his head towards Daisy. "And that one is Godric Nevii. He is Eric's Maker." Hermione then pointed towards Godric who also nodded his head towards the elf. Then to her surprise she found herself saying, "Both are friends and are welcome here any time. If they should call upon you, I want you to answer them and treat them as you would me, understand?" At Daisy's nod Hermione stood and continued, "Eric, Godric, I'd like you to meet Daisy. She is my house elf, my friend and the last of my family." Hermione realized she meant every word she said. She had never made such an offer to anyone before but knew instinctually that Godric and Eric would not abuse the precious gift she had given them.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Daisy." was Eric and Godric's replies.

"Daisy is pleased to meets yous too. Yous are friends to my Mistress so Daisy help yous whenever yous needs Daisy." The little house elf stated with pride and pleasure then gave a low bow towards the two vampires.

"Does Mistress needs Daisy or may Daisy retire?" the elf asked Hermione, who replied that she could go and if she needed anything she would call.

Hermione looked towards Eric and Godric and smiled. It would seem that they didn't quite know how to take Daisy.

"Interesting little creature Daisy is." Eric commented. "Her appearance, I believe, is on the deceptive side. She appears to be small and harmless however, I think if anyone were to threaten you within her presence she would then become quite deadly. She has powerful magic flowing around her."

"I agree Eric. She seemed to have quite a bit of magical power at her fingertips. She is certainly a queer little thing. Would she keep herself here? I am afraid she would stand out quite noticeably if she ventured elsewhere. I was also curious what she meant when she said she would help us if we needed her." Godric noted looking at Hermione, curious of her answer.

"When Daisy has to or wanted to go out she would either use a glamor to hide her true identity or she would disillusion herself, ah, make herself invisible so to speak. Either way, we would be the only ones to see her true form. Also, you were correct that Daisy is quite powerful magically, most house elves are. As far as her helping you if either of you ever needed it? Well, it was as it sounded. She would help you both to the best of her abilities, even if it cost her her life. If either of you ever found yourselves in a no win situation or became hurt and needed assistance just call out her name and she would appear where you were, she has your magical signatures now. Then with a snap of her fingers she would apparate either one or both of you here. She would also assist you if, say, either child was in trouble and you needed to get to them quickly then Daisy would make sure you got there and out as quickly as possible. Of course I would do the same but you both may call upon Daisy should I not be available." Hermione informed them and was pleased to see their surprise and acceptance of Daisy's offer. It would mean a lot to Daisy to have their acceptance and approval.

"That is quite the generous offer you have made us, Hermione, thank you. We will do our best to not abuse such trust shown to us." Godric told her as he locked eyes with her. Hermione nodded her head in acceptance.

"Now if you both do not mind, I would like to go to bed and pass the hell out. It's been quite the eventful night and I have been up since eight this morning and it seems that time is a bit different here as well. I look forward to getting to know and spending time with both of you but I'm about all funned out at the moment." Hermione said with a tired chuckle.

Eric and Godric understood and were honestly surprised she had lasted this long. "We as well look forward to getting to know you and would enjoy spending more time with you. We realize it has been a long and eventful evening for you and we appreciate you allowing us the time you have. I cannot speak for Eric but may I call upon you tomorrow after sunset?" Godric asked.

"That would be lovely Godric. Thank you for your time and company this evening. Little did I know when I awoke yesterday morning that I would be ending my day on a new world with two new friends. Please remember what I said about both of you always being welcomed here and know, while you are in my home, you will be protected. The wards I have set into place have been adjusted to recognize your signatures and will keep all harm from coming to you." Hermione responded.

"Thank you Hermione, that is also quite generous of you and on that note, I shall take my leave. Sleep well witch." Godric bade while nodding in Hermione's direction with a smile and walked out the door.

"I too would like to visit with you tomorrow except it would be after I tended to my sheriff duties and put my time in at my bar. You are such an intriguing woman, Hermione Granger, and I most certainly look forward to getting to know you better as well." Eric said with a wink and smirked at Hermione's blush and shy smile, then he continued, "There are many things I wish to learn more about where you are concerned. As my Maker asked, may I call upon you tomorrow as well?"

"I would enjoy your calling upon me, Eric. Whenever you have finished up with your duties will be fine. There is still much I must learn about my new home world and I am fairly certain you and Godric would be able to help me with that." Hermione replied.

"We will do our best, until tomorrow; sleep well Hermione." Eric said as he leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead then turned on his heel and left the tent.

Hermione stood there for a few minutes before walking to her bed and falling into it. Her mind whirled around all that had happened in less than twenty four hours. It was crazy! Merlin's hairy balls how had her day ended up like this?! She never would have thought such a surprise was possible after fighting in the Second Wizarding War; to feel this sense of happiness and peace after so many years of fighting and running. Life was truly amazing and just when you start to figure out what you're doing, where you're at and how to move on then "BAM!" it throws one hell of a curve ball at you! Well, at least here she has a way for a fresh start. The two ancient vampires, strangely, already felt like friends to her and she knew it would only get better from here.

Hermione sat up on her elbows and chuckled at the way the night ended, definitely on a good note. She was amazed how well Godric and Eric had rolled with her and the portal's appearance. It seemed they just took it in stride, like it was not all that strange, maybe it wasn't for them. She supposed in her old world this would have been seen about the same way but possibly with more caution. She appreciated very much their discretion and acceptance. Also, Godric's offer of a shoulder and ear should she need it was a surprise but a welcomed one. She hadn't expected such an offer, they barely knew her. Yet, she knew the offer was genuine which was why she had had such a hard time not breaking down on the spot.

She had friends, good friends, before the war started but due to her constant moving around she had lost track of them. She knew in her heart that not all of them survived but had no clue as to who had. There were still many unaccounted for and no one may ever know what came of them all. It was sad to think about so she switched topics in her mind, back to the two ancient vampires she was sure she could call her friends. It was weird how comfortable she felt around them from the beginning. It was only the fact that she had just been in a war that had her show a battle stance when first meeting them. She really never felt in any danger from Godric or Eric at any time. They seemed genuinely curious about her and seemed to be a bit worried when she initially refused lodging. It had warmed her heart; something she didn't think would happen this soon after the war.

As these thoughts ran through her mind Hermione unconsciously rubbed her arm. The 'punishment' Bellatrix had given her was still tender to the touch. It could not be seen due to the constant glamour charm she kept on it but it could still be felt. She would carry the scar around for the rest of her life. Bellatrix's blades were always cursed to inflict the maximum amount of pain and to take as long as possible to fully heal. They also could not be healed by magic like most wounds. If magic was attempted on such wounds then it would take even longer for the healing and would cause the victim even more pain as well.

So she would forever have 'mudblood' engraved on her arm and hoped that if or when she found someone to share her life with they wouldn't mind. It's not that it took a lot to cast the charm but, when at home alone or with a significant other, she didn't want to always cover it. It was part of who she was and Hermione didn't feel the need to hide it in her home. When she looked at the scars, she only saw what she had lived through. Not many survived Bellatrix and her psychotic fun. As that thought flowed through her mind, Hermione relaxed back into her bed and fell into a deep slumber, the likes she hadn't felt in far too long.

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