Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer and JKR own every person, place, and thing within this story.
HGPOV
I spent the morning with Harry and Ron since they had the day off from auror training. Despite the fact I turned into a vampire we never lost our trio dynamic. They are my boys and I couldn't imagine my life without them. I suppose at one point I will have to. Ugh… Cedric is right. I really need to stop thinking along those lines. Harry and Ron are like my brothers. I actually stayed with the both of them at Grimmauld place after my transformation. They are the only family I have after my failed obliviation of my parents.
When I first woke up after the transformation it was to their worried but hopeful faces. Cedric had woken three days before me so they knew it was possible and they held on to every last bit of hope they could. If I am being honest, I probably held on just to make sure they made it.
"So Hermione, did Dumbledore tell you when the Cullen's will arrive?" Ron brought me out of my musing by asking me that question with a mouth full of food. Disgusting prat. I don't know what I ever saw in him. He wanted to keep dating after my transformation but I knew I could never give him the life he deserved, not now at least.
"Ron, mate. Swallow your food before you speak." Ahh.. Harry. At least he has manners but Ronald is a lost cause. I don't know why he still bothers.
"To answer your question Ron he was unsure himself. We figured it would be either today or tomorrow. We have Hagrid positioned at the train station just in case."
"I can't believe there are going to be seven of them! I am hoping they stay for good. I mean, before they had to move a lot to avoid suspicion, but here they can stay forever if they wanted to. Who wouldn't want to stay, at least for a while?" Harry doesn't know how much his hope favors mine.
"Besides maybe they have a male vampire for Hermione, I don't what you to close yourself off just because you are a vampire. I know we ended things but you deserve to happy and in love." Those few moments of tenderness are probably why we keep Ron around in the first place. He really is a great guy. A great guy with deplorable eating habits.
"I don't think I am ready for anything like that right now. I am still trying to get the hang of being a vampire. I also don't know what I want to do with my life and you know how much I hate not having a plan. I should figure that out before I insert a lover."
"Do you have any idea of what you want to do?" Harry asked.
"I am thinking a healer in memory of parents. I know they would be proud. For now though I am working for Dumbledore for a year in the library." I smile at the thought.
"You will be brilliant!"
"Thanks Ron, well boys it is time for me to get back to the school. I am going to reorganize the library." I say as I am putting my stuff up. I ended up dropping a few things and bend over to pick them up.
"You know, since you are off today maybe you want to…" That was all I got out before I look over the table at them running away. Cowards.
I start heading towards Hogwarts. I am getting used to the stares of people. I hate the ogling but it is just a side effect of being one of the survivors. I will admit that it is quite a stunning change from the bookish bushy haired teen that I used to be. I felt like my human body had just filled out by the time we went into battle. Controlling fiendfyre was not only mentally taxing but physically as well. We had to work out every day leading up to the battle to get in shape. My appearance now still shows how I was curvy yet still had muscled undertones. My hair had changed drastically. It now consists of silky brown tresses that flow to the middle of my back. It looks like something right out a shampoo commercial no matter what.
I finally reach the school and figure I should get a bottle of synthetic blood before heading to the library. I open up the doors and I see Cedric along with seven other vampires. One of which looks like Cedric's twin! These must be the Cullen's. I wonder if the one is related to Cedric.
"Hermione, come meet the Cullen's and my twin Edward" Cedric says so fast I almost didn't catch it. I figured he would introduce me to his twin first but he started opposite of him.
"This is Carlisle and his wife Esme." They look like the picture perfect couple. They must be the "mother" and "father" of the group since they are the oldest.
"It is wonderful to meet you. You are so lovely. If any of our children give you any trouble be sure to come to us." Esme states as she extends her hand for a handshake. I noticed she gestured to a large teen with a dimpled smile when she said trouble. Merlin I hope he never meets the Weasley twins. Cedric is bad enough around them.
"Next up we have Rosalie and Emmett."
"It is wonderful to meet you." I told them. The blonde gives me a small calculated smile as if she is trying to make up her mind about me. She holds her hand out for a shake so she must have found something redeemable. I go to shake Emmett's hand when he tugs it and pulls me into a hug. It felt like my "hug" with Grwap, I decided to take the same sense of action I did that day.
"Emmett, Put me down now" I tell him sternly. He lets me go but looks heartbroken. I reach into my bag and give him a bloodpop. It is part of the candy line created in my honor. It looks like all is right with his world as he takes the treat. Rosalie gives me a solid smile now, apparently she approves of anyone who can keep him in line.
"This is Jasper and Alice. Alice just found out today she is really Dumbledore's sister Arianna."
I can't help but gasp at that. I knew how the loss of his sister effected the Headmaster. "I am so glad to meet you." I tell them both sincerely as they shake my hand. I can't help but notice that even though Jasper is scarred all over he gives off a calming presence. I will have to ask him about that later. I wonder if he will let me heal him…
"And last but not least we have my new twin, Edward Cullen. We don't know if we are actually related or not but you can help me research if you want?"
"Sure" I tell Cedric as I reach out to shake Edward's hand. He looks as if he is having a nervous breakdown. I suppose finding out you have a twin can do that for you. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Edward." I am still waiting for him to take my hand.
"I WANKED TO THE THOUGHT OF YOU THIRTY MINUTES AGO!" he yelled at me. Some greeting. I can't help but hide my shocked face.
"Aww man, I owe Jasper a car!" Emmett exclaims!
Now I am completely at a loss. I look over to Cedric and I notice that he has a bit of a guilty look on his shocked expression.
"Cedric Amos Diggory! What did you do to the poor boy?" I ask. I know he did something.
CDPOV
Cedric listen to me. Play it off like you used some sort of spell on me. I swear to you I will make it up to you. Edward is practically screaming this into my head. I decided to help my twin out. I also like having him in my debt. I can hear Edward scoff a bit at that last thought. I twist my face so that it looks like I am carrying a guilty expression.
"Cedric Amos Diggory! What did you do to the poor boy?" That's it Hermione, come into my little trap.
"I cursed him." Oh really? She thought. I nodded.
"What curse did you use? You must have cast silently?"
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit…. She is onto something Edward. The only curse that would have done that is the imperious which is illegal. She caught us.
Edward looked at me. Say you used it. She won't turn you in, you are friends. I mean it Cedric!
"IMPERIOUS!" I….. uhhh…. Used the imperious." She looks at me like I am an idiot. She knows I am lying, Edward.
"Really, a silent imperious? You expect me to believe that?" I nod at her. "Okay" she continues "silently imperio me. Make me do a cartwheel"
Edward, I can't do that spell silently, or at all, because it is ILLEGAL. ABANDON SHIP MATE!
Hermione smirks in my direction, "Cedric, did you know when you lie your left eyebrow twitches? Seems your human trait carried over to your vampire form."
I did the only thing that would leave me with any bit of dignity I had left.
"Sorry twin!" I looked at Edward before running for my life.
EPOV
She watched Cedric leave and then turns her fierce glare in my direction. I gulp and I look to my family for any signs of help. They are looking anywhere but in my direction. Can I run? Is that even an option?
She marches right up to me puts her hand out and says "Okay Edward, let us try this again without you verbally sexually harassing me. I am Hermione and it is a pleasure to meet you."
I take a deep breath and make a grab for her hand, before I can even reach it I say "I am Edw-ard." All goes silent. I can't move. I don't even have the chance to touch her because her hand falls to her sides. The reason being I, a 17 year old vampire, voice just broke. That doesn't happen after puberty. It was silent for all of a second before she let out a small giggle. It seems that giggle broke the dam because she was soon clutching her sides and her eyes would be tearing if they could. My family's howls sounded a second after hers. Can the ground please swallow me up?
The doors once again open to the great hall and it appears that the Headmaster is back. I am eternally grateful for the old man for providing a distraction from my unsightly vocal error.
"Hermione, I am pleased to see you here with the Cullen family. It appears you are all getting on well."
"Yes it appears we are" she snickers back at the Headmaster.
"Shall we all go to my office to discuss some of what we want to happen while you are here?" The headmaster stands and we start up the steps. I am on the last step of the third floor when I trip.
"Here it is a trick step." Hermione says as she offers me a hand up.
At least I get to touch her. I reach out for her hand and as soon as they touch we are surrounded by a golden light. I feel strange almost like I was only half of myself before but now I am whole. The glowing stops and everyone looks at us. Hermione is staring back at me in absolute horror. Why does she look so scared?
"Headmaster, please tell me that didn't just happen?" Hermione desperately pleads to the headmaster.
What happened? That was on everyone's minds
"Let's continue this in my office" the Headmaster told everyone. I wish Hermione would come and walk back beside me. I don't like her being that far ahead of me. She keeps glancing back at me like she feels the same but she still has the abject look of horror on her face.
We get to the office and she purposely tries to stand as far from me as possible.
"What happened back there on the steps Headmaster? I feel different" I ask him hoping to have him answer. He looks over to Hermione and she nods.
"What Hermione and Edward just experienced was a soul bond. That means they are soulmates. Technically it means they are married in the wizarding world. Soul bonds are highly regarded and are a true rarity. The last soul bond took place over 600 years ago."
"I am married? To you? We are married?" I look toward Hermione and she nods. I try to read her mind to see what she thinks about this. Nothing.
"Let me in" I tell her and tap my temple. She lets her shields down, I can't believe this. I don't even know him! For Merlin's sake he said he wanked to the thought of me! I flinch at her thoughts. Of course I came across as a pervert during her first meeting. Cedric mentioned she was amazingly bright and I come across as an idiot. It would be nice to have a family again. Hope. She was looking in my direction and I try to convey to her that I am not a stupid pervert through my eyes. She closes her mind off again.
HGPOV
I know I should give him a chance. His eyes are looking back at me with remorse and I have a feeling that it is more about our introduction than anything. I don't know him though. He is very good looking but I couldn't handle living with Cedric Diggory's personality my entire life. Is he like him? DOES HE EVEN READ?! I feel like I am going to have a panic attack. Okay, let's look at this logically.
Pros: He is not ugly, quite handsome actually in his muggle clothing. Okay, next is that he can give you a family. A family that will never age or grow old of you. A husband to love you literally forever. How romantic. Soul bonds are considered coveted in the magical world. This is just one more step for muggleborns and vampires alike.
Cons: He acted like a pervert our first meeting (Maybe nerves). I don't know anything about him. What if he was already married? Or what if he is a playboy? Will he expect sex right away?! Next con is that it will hurt to be away from him. I will miss my independence. The last con is the biggest. Harry and Ron will kill him. He appears to be all wrong from me and they will notice this right off the bat. They wouldn't have minded if I had picked him independently.
Just when things were settling down this has to happen. I decide to take my mind off of this for now and pay attention to the headmaster. I didn't even notice that I slowly gravitated to him and I now stand by his side. Damn.
RPOV
So Edward finally has someone. I like Hermione because I can tell she didn't want this life. She knows what she will be missing out on. She is wise. I have always wanted children. I wonder if she realizes she is slowly getting closer to him?
"Okay, Hermione and Edward, we will get to your soul bond later. I imagine it is something you want done in private." They both nod at him.
"Well Cullens as you have witnessed we need a little bit of help restoring the castle. Our classes resume in two months and we are also in need of a few teachers seeing as many decided to retire since they were safe. I was hoping that Jasper could teach muggle studies. His history with war makes him perfect for the job."
"I would be honored" Jasper looks genuinely excited.
"Arianna, I would-"
"I accept, and call me Alice, Albie. I have been known by that for many years now." She cut off her holder brother. I am genuinely happy she has found her past.
"Carlisle, I was wondering if you would be willing to work by Madam Pomfrey."
"I would love to. I bet we could do great things mixing mundane with magical treatments." Good for Carlisle.
"Edward, we are opening a new music class and I was wondering if you would be interested? I am not sure what all instruments you play?"
"I play piano, guitar, saxophone, trumpet, and drums." At least his voice didn't break. Hehe.
"Excellent, Hermione plays the harp and I am sure she would love to help you." The girl in questions looks like she would rather do anything but.
"Emmett, I can use your help with the restructure of the castle. Once the castle is restored I would like you to act as an assistant for Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid." Emmett looked like he was on cloud nine and was shaking his head in an affirmative. I hope the Headmaster realizes what he just did.
"Esme I was wondering if you would be willing to help assist with our Herbology class. Our teacher wants to go down to working part-time at the castle." Esme shrieks and runs to hug him. I expected that reaction from Alice, not Esme. It seems like Dumbledore has already positioned people with their passion. What does that leave for me?
"Rosalie, I initially had this job for Esme but Alice informed me that it should go to you." He has peaked my interest. He goes to the fireplace and sticks his head in the coals and begins talking. All of us run up to protect the man from burning himself! What the hell was he thinking?!
"Relax, he is not burning. It is a form of communication in the wizarding world." Bloody magical's will give us a heart attack! If that was possible.
"Okay, Madam Marchbanks is on her way here." The Headmaster said. I wanted to point out to him that he had dirt on his nose but I hold my tongue. The fireplace begins to glow green and a lady with a severe face comes through. She passes what appears to be a bundle of blankets to the Headmaster and then leaves.
"Rosalie, your job cannot be done within a few months but over the span of a lifetime. I want you to meet Henry. I am hoping you will be his mother." I don't reach for the bundle because I cannot afford to get my hopes up.
"What happened to his family?" I ask the headmaster.
"The mother was raped by a vampire during the war. The pregnancy lasted a month and the mother didn't make it. She had no other relatives. The baby is half vampire-half magical. There were others like him in South America and they stopped aging at 17 and was pretty split between human and vampire traits. He drinks both formula and synthetic blood. If you want to do this all you have to do is sign here and no one will take him away from you." He addressed all of my concerns.
I step forward and see that the beautiful baby had blonde curly hair and rosey cheeks. He was beautiful. The headmaster gives him to me and I can't help but sob. I am a mom. I look to Emmett and he would be in tears if he could. He is really an overgrown child himself but I always knew he would make a great father if possible.
For the first time since my transformation I feel whole.
"I can't tell you how much this means to me." I say as I look straight into the eyes of the Headmaster.
He looks straight at Alice and says "I know how important family is."