Hermione

It's been a week since Hermione discovered Snape was gone. She was interrogated by the Ministry for hours afterward until Harry stepped in claiming she obviously didn't know anything. The Ministry decided to claim Severus Snape as deceased and move on. Today a lawyer was supposed to come by, she was quite surprised to learn that Snape had included her in his will.

"Hermione," She looked up to see her brother watching her with concern in his emerald eyes. "That lawyer is here."

She nodded stiffly, "Please show him in and if it's not too much trouble, prepare some tea for our guest."

"Of course, Hermione." She watched as Harry almost bowed, gave her a goofy grin and walked out of the room. Moments later he returned with a tall, pale man following behind him. "Hermione, this is Mr. Richard Dung."

She forced herself to stand and smile at Mr. Dung, she noticed he held himself with high regard, his nose lifted in disdain as if it was beneath him to loiter in such an awful place. "Welcome Mr. Dung, please have a seat."

"Thank you, Miss. Potter." He sat in the chair across from her and placed a large black briefcase on to the table. The click of the briefcase latches the only sound in the room, Harry decided to excuse himself and to prepare some tea. "Mr. Snape hired me a few months ago, I am what you would classify as a squib, so I know all about the magical word." He explained, his nose lifting slightly in disgust at the word magical.

"Did he tell you why he required a new lawyer?"

"He did not, and it was none of my business to ask him, Miss. Potter." He skewered Hermione with his dark brown eyes. He kind of reminded Hermione of a snake right before they struck.

"Hermione, please." Hermione corrected, "Miss. Potter feels a little too formal."

"As you wish," He conceded, pulling out a stack of papers. "From what I gathered, Snape has only named you as his sole heir, so to speak."

Hermione gasped in surprise, "He put no one else in his will?"

"No." Mr. Dung confirmed, "He added no other to his will. Before he hired me, he did have Albus Dumbledore as the sole heir to his property and belongings."

"I see," She replied through gritted teeth.

Harry returned once again with a tray full of biscuits and tea for us. He put the tray on the table and then sat next to Hermione. He interlaced their fingers together but said nothing. "Shall we get on with it then?" Mr. Dung asked.

"Please do." Hermione conceded.

"I, Severus Snape, leave all my valuables, my accounts at Gringotts, the property of Spinner's End, and all that I am to Hermione Jean Granger." Mr. Dung read out and grabbed a few more pieces of paper. "I need you to sign these," He pointed to the first one, "This one is to confirm that you have learned of the will and its contents." He pulled out another piece of paper, "This one is the deed to Spinner's End." He pulled that last sheet out, "And this one is for Gringotts. I will make a copy of this one for you to present to the Goblins, of course, they are already aware of the situation. This is just proof."

Hermione signed all the papers, and he made a copy of the deed and the Gringotts formed. He kept the copy of the deed and handed the original to her, then gave her the copy of the bank. "Thank you." She replied.

He nodded his head, "I have known Severus since he was a little boy, he was a fine man. I am glad he wasn't completely alone." Mr. Dung admitted, smiling warmly at Hermione.

Harry stood up, "I will show you out, Mr. Dung."

"Thank you." Mr. Dung answered, standing up and closing his briefcase with a loud snap. "Miss. Potter, have a great day." Then he followed Harry out of the room.

"Are you alright, Hermione?" Harry asked, sitting back on the couch beside her.

"Not even a little bit." She confessed, "Unfortunately, there are things I must see to."

"You don't have to go to the bank right away."

Hermione smiled at him, after everything he has witnessed, how could he still be so innocent? "It is summer, Voldemort will call me eventually; besides, you still need to keep searching for Horcruxes." Harry's eyes widened in surprise and Hermione chuckled. "Yes, I know about the Horcruxes. Dumbledore should have told you about them sooner."

"I have watched all of the memories that Dumbledore provided me, and I cannot seem to find any answers in them."

Hermione looked at the portrait of Harry and Sirius that hung over the fireplace in thought. "Perhaps you should watch for the tiny details in the memories. I don't think Voldemort would make it completely obvious as to where he hid parts of his soul."

Harry nodded in understanding, "You are seriously brilliant, Hermione. Do you want me to go to Diagon Alley with you?"

"No, thank you. I will be completely fine on my own." Hermione replied, giving him a sly grin. "No one will think to bother Harry Potter's cousin."

Harry laughed, "I imagine you are right." He walked towards the door but stopped halfway, turning around to look at her. "Are you going to Bill and Fleur's wedding tomorrow?"

Hermione shrugged, "I don't really know them, Harry. It would be awkward."

"You can come with me as my date, I promise I won't leave your side."

"I'll think about it," She answered.

He shrugged but didn't say anything, just left the room. Hermione sighed and decided to get all this stuff out of the way. She walked to the front door, grabbed her bag and jacket and walked out the front door. Grimmauld still had anti-apparition wards, so she couldn't apparate from inside, no matter how inconvenient it was. She crossed the street and made her way into the park, finding a nice secluded area, Hermione twisted her body slightly and disappeared with a pop!

Hermione landed roughly on her feet in front of Gringotts, cringing as she felt a wave of nausea go through her. She wondered briefly if the nausea was caused by the fact that she was still underage. Entering the bank, she ignored the stares and glances thrown her way by witch, wizard, and goblin. She stopped in front of a large pedestal and waited impatiently for the goblin to acknowledge her.

"Good afternoon Miss. Potter." The goblin finally greeted here, "What can I help you with today?"

"I am not sure about what the protocol is or who I am supposed to talk to, but Severus Snape passed on recently and he left everything to me."

"So, you are here to claim your inheritance?" The goblin asked, sneering.

She nodded curtly, she honestly disliked goblins. "Correct."

"Please hand me your wand so I can verify it is you." She handed her wand over to him, wondering if he would keep it from her. A moment later, he handed her wand back and nodded. "I have confirmed it is Miss. Potter's wand. There is just one more thing." Another goblin walked over to her with a vial in his hand. "I require you to drink this potion, to prove that you are not under any curse or Polyjuice Potion. You understand?"

She nodded again, "I do." She grabbed the vial from the goblin and downed the vile potion before she could smell it. It was as bitter and disgusting as she thought it would be. She handed the vial back to the goblin and in return, he handed her a goblet of water.

"I concur you are of your own body and mind, you may follow me now."

"How gracious of you." She muttered under her breath but followed him anyway.

He led her to an ordinary white door, opened it and gestured for her to enter. "Please wait here, Jangy will be here shortly to assist you."

"Jangy?" She asked, "Is he like a lawyer?" Her lips twitched slightly at the thought of a lawyer named Jangy.

"Indeed, Miss. Potter." The goblin glared at her one final time and shut the door behind him.

"Cheery fellow," Hermione muttered and sat down to wait for Jangy.

When Jangy finally arrived, her mouth fell open in shock. Jangy was no goblin, he was as tall as her, maybe a few inches taller had dark hair that fell shaggily across his eyes, that she noticed was a vivid blue. He wore a sharp suit that showed his slight muscular build. "You are not a goblin." She blurted.

He smiled at her and she could feel herself swoon like a school girl. "Thank you for noticing. You are Miss. Potter, I assume?"

"You assume correctly." She stuttered out. "Is your name really Jangy?"

He grimaced as he sat down, "No, it is just what the goblins call me."

"So, what is your real name then?" He looked relieved she didn't ask him for the whole story.

"Jake." He responded quickly, "So what can I do for you, Miss. Potter?"

Hermione gave him a flirty smile, "Just call me Hermione. Severus Snape passed away recently, and he had left me everything in his will."

"Snape?" Jake shuddered slightly in… fear? "I didn't like that man when I was at school. He terrified everybody."

Hermione giggled, "Just the kind of man he was. Guarded."

Jake looked up at Hermione and gave a small smile, and Hermione noticed a dimple when he did. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest. "It sounds like you two were close. I am sorry for your loss."

"Thank you. Anyway, I am here to put everything in order."

Jake cleared his throat nervously, "Of course. Did you bring the necessary documents?" Hermione handed over the two papers she received this morning from Mr. Dung. "Wow, he really did leave you everything. You are not some long-lost daughter of his, are you?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Of course not. Can we just get this over with please, no offense, but this place kind of gives me the creeps."

Jake nodded in understanding, "It is spelled that way."

"Great." Hermione shuddered. "So, what do I have to do?"

"Well, everything seems to be in order so not much. Just need you to sign some papers." He waved his wand and a tiny stack of papers appeared before her. "Before you sign, did you want to keep Mr. Snape's accounts open here at Gringotts, or would you prefer to put all of his assets into your vault?"

"Would everything fit into my vault?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Of course."

"Then transfer them into my personal vault, please." Then she started the tedious task of signing her name repeatedly.

After she was done signing, she felt her hand cramping from signing her name so many times, Jake looked them over quickly and made them disappear with a flick of his wand when he was satisfied. "Once the head goblin puts his stamp on the documents, all of Snape's assets will be transferred to you."

"Thank you, Jake." Hermione smiled at him, "I am glad it was you I had to deal with and not those aggressive goblins."

Jake chuckled and stood up. "They are quite… barbaric, but I believe it is just because they don't like magical folk."

Hermione rose a brow in surprise, "Magical folk? They are goblins, Jake, can't get more magical than that."

Jake cleared his throat uncomfortably, "I just meant wizards and witches."

Hermione nodded, "I thought so. Well, thank you for your help." Hermione held out her hand, he reached out and grabbed her hand. As soon as their hands touched, an electric surge passed through their hands, Hermione pulled her hand away quickly, staring up at Jake with a questioning look but he looked as confused as she did. Hermione cleared her throat, "Have a good day." She bolted from the room, leaving behind a shocked Jake behind.

"Is there a particular reason why you are brooding in your room?" Hermione looked up to see Sirius standing in the entrance, a concerned look on his face. "Harry told me you have been up here since you got back from Diagon Alley."

Hermione shrugged, and then gestured to the books around her, "Just reading."

Sirius looked at the mound of books piled around her and grinned, "Reading, huh? Looks more like research to me."

Hermione shot him a cheeky grin, "You know me: residential bookworm."

"May I ask what you are researching? Maybe I can help."

"It's kind of embarrassing." Hermione admitted, "While I was at Gringotts, I met someone and when we shook hands I felt a surge pass through my whole body."

Sirius looked instantly alert, "Did he feel it too?"

"I think so, he looked as confused as I felt, but I didn't stick around to ask him." Hermione studied Sirius' face, all humor had vanished, and he had a worried look on his face.

"I have heard of something like this happening before, but I always thought it was a myth. I mean it just doesn't happen anymore." Sirius muttered Hermione couldn't tell if he was talking to her or himself.

"What hasn't?"

Sirius flinched as if he forgot she was there, "I believe I still have a book around here that explains it." He stood up and started walking towards the door.

"Sirius!" I yelled, he turned back to look at me. "Will you please tell me what's going on?"

"A thousand years ago or so, there was a witch, she didn't come into her powers until she was 15." Sirius looked at her pointedly. "It was said that she was a half-breed, half-witch and half-vampire." Hermione was about to ask what this had to do with anything, but he just kept talking. "She was a very powerful witch, she was declared Queen of her country because of it. She was feared, respected, and a brilliant ruler, she brought her people to a more civilized time. Because of who she was, what her blood was, there were certain rules she had to follow."

He finally paused to breathe, and Hermione was still confused as to why he was telling her about some old story and why it intrigued her so much. "What kind of rules?"

"A thousand years ago, times were much darker, there were few magical folks left, Muggles almost wiped us off the map. She created the laws that are still upheld to this day, but she wasn't just a witch. She was also a vampire; do you know how vampires find their mate?" She shook her head. "Apparently, they have this tug, almost like intuition, they follow it for however long it takes to find their mate."

"What does this have to do with- "Hermione started.

"Everything! Just listen." Sirius snapped. "If their mate has not been born yet, the vampire gets restless, and a type of bloodlust they can't control takes over them. I am not sure why no one has been able to figure it out. Since the Queen was only half a vampire, the pull wasn't as strong, so she could ignore it if she wanted to. Eventually, she did follow the pull, she wasn't sure what to expect, but when she found the reason for the pull; she was overcome with a powerful feeling to connect in every way possible."

"You mean like body, mind, and soul?" Hermione clarified.

Sirius nodded, "She needed to have him then and there. She was a queen, after all, she didn't think about the consequences. Her mate turned out to be a Muggle prince. Trust me, the irony is not lost on me. She bit him, turning him into a vampire so they could be together." Sirius paused, letting it sink in before continuing. "Being half-mortal, she wasn't destined to be alive forever, so when she passed, a couple centuries longer than any witch or wizard, she finally succumbed to death. Leaving her mate to mourn her."

"That's horrible." I replied, "Does that mean her mate still roams around?"

Sirius shrugged, "Who knows, this is where it gets kind of hazy. The book says he lost his mind, not being able to live without her and took his own life. Other versions say he still walks among us, waiting for his love to be returned to him."

"Is that even possible?"

"Who can say? Our world is full of mysteries and secrets that we have never discovered. Anything is possible."

"So, again I ask, what does this have to do with me?"

Sirius looked sheepish, "That surge you speak of, is how vampires truly know their mate. Every time they touch them it is like an instant high. A physical connection that only gets stronger with time."

Hermione stared at him disbelieving. "What exactly are you trying to say? That I am a vampire?"

Sirius looked into her eyes, she had never seen him so… well, serious. "I am saying that you have experienced something that no magical folk, besides vampires, should be able to do."

Hermione swallowed loudly, "I am going to have to go see him again, aren't I?"

Sirius nodded, "Absolutely, and I am coming with you."

Hermione and Sirius stood outside the massive building that is Gringotts. Hermione chewed her bottom lip nervously. She didn't want to do this; she didn't want to learn any more secrets. Sirius grunted and grabbed her elbow, steering her into the building. Hermione grudgingly followed, letting Sirius guide her to the tall pedestal where the head goblin presided.

Sirius cleared his throat, "We are here to see Jangy." Sirius announced loudly.

The goblin stared down at them, sneering. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but we insist on seeing him. It is very urgent." Sirius insisted.

The goblin studied us closely before finally nodding. "Very well. Griphook, please take Mr. Black and Miss. Potter to see Jangy."

Griphook came scuttling over towards us, scowling, he motioned for us to follow him. Sirius went first, and Hermione reluctantly followed behind. She turned to look up at the head goblin, surprised to find the goblin staring at her with an amused expression on his face. Until now, she thought goblins couldn't make any other facial expressions besides sneering and glaring. Putting the thought to the back of her mind, Hermione jogged to catch up with Sirius and Griphook. Once again, Hermione found herself going through many corridors before stopping in front of a sleek, iron door.

"This is Jangy's private office," Griphook explained and then made his way back down the way we came.

"Are you going to knock, or shall I?" Sirius asked.

Hermione just stared nervously at the door without answering him. Sirius sighed and then turned towards the door, banging his fist against the hard metal three times quickly. Jake poked his head out and Hermione gasped quietly. Sirius turned to look at her, questions burning in his dark eyes. "Miss. Potter?" Jake asked surprised.

"Excuse our intrusion, Jangy." Sirius apologized. "I am -."

"I know who you are." Jake answered quickly, still staring at Hermione. "Did you want to come into my office? I imagine the things we have to discuss are better off not being heard from prying ears." He opened the door wider, inviting them inside. Sirius nodded his thanks and walked into the door, Hermione falling closely behind him.

"So, you do know." Sirius didn't phrase it as a question, but Jake nodded his head in answer anyway.

"I do." Jake glanced at Hermione again before turning his attention back to Sirius. "I don't understand everything myself, but I do know a little."

"Care to educate us?" Sirius asked.

Jake shifted nervously in his chair, "I am not sure how to explain this to you with out sounding crazy."

"I had an extended stay in Azkaban, I have had my fair share of crazy," Sirius replied darkly.

"Of course, I meant no offense by it."

"I need to know what is going on." Hermione interrupted. "Why did we get a shock when we touched?"

"Do you believe in reincarnation?"

Hermione furrowed her brows, thinking. "As in a soul being reborn?" Jake nodded. "I have never seen any proof that is truly existed."

Jake nodded again, "Of course not, most people who are reincarnated, don't even realize they are."

"Wait for a second, back up." Hermione held up a hand. "Are you saying you are reincarnated, Jake?"

Jake smiled sadly, and Hermione's stomach clenched in fear about what he was going to say next. "In order to be reincarnated, one must first have a soul. I do not have one, haven't had one for a very long time."

"Vampires are not soulless." Hermione blurted and then covered her mouth quickly. Her eyes wide in shock, why had she said that?

"That is what my love and I used to argue about constantly." His eyes sparkled at the memory.

Hermione looked over at Sirius, who had been unusually quiet through this whole exchange, and back to Jake. "Are you trying to tell me that I am the one who has been reincarnated?"

Jake sighed, "It's more complicated than that. Everybody who possesses a soul has been reincarnated at least once." Jake shot a look Hermione couldn't decipher to Sirius when he didn't say anything, Jake turned back to Hermione. "I believe you are the reincarnation of my love."

"No, you are wrong." Hermione denied, "There is no way I am a reincarnation of anybody you once knew."

"You look like her, a little bit," Jake spoke quietly now, trying not to spook her.

"Sirius, please tell me you don't believe this." Hermione rounded on Sirius, hoping he would defend her and deny Jake's claims, instead she saw a pale Sirius who looked like he was desperately trying not to cry.

"Please, Hermione." Jake pleaded, "I know you are not my lost love, but her soul does reside in you."

Hermione shook her head in denial, "I am Hermione Potter, my parents were James and Lily Potter."

"Yes, that is true, I am not trying to say otherwise." Jake argued, "I am just trying to explain why we got shocked when we touched."

"I can't do this right now," Hermione muttered, and then doubled over in pain.

"Hermione," Sirius screamed, snapping out of his daze. "What's wrong?"

"My mark," Hermione gasped in pain, "It's burning, he's… he's calling me." Hermione looked up at Sirius, tears in her eyes. "I can't face that man without Severus!"

Sirius gathered her into his arms, petting her head softly. "I am sorry, my dear, you are going to have to try. Once you join his service, the only way out is death."

"What is going on?" Jake demanded.

"She is a spy for the Order," Sirius explained, and Hermione gasped. "Oh, quiet Hermione, like it or not he is going to be a part of your life now. She has volunteered to spy on He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

"Are you crazy? She is just a girl." Jake yelled, making Hermione and Sirius both look up at him in surprise. "Take me with you, Hermione. Even if you do not believe you are my true love reincarnated, I vow to protect you with everything that I am."

"Do you even know how to defend against wizards?" Sirius asked.

Jake gave a sarcastic snort, "I have been alive for over 1000 years, I am sure I can handle whatever he throws at me."

Sirius nodded stiffly, "Take him with you, Hermione. He will protect you when I cannot."

"I don't want to go." She sobbed.

"Be brave, Hermione. I know this is too much to ask you, but it has to be done so we can finally be free."

Hermione nodded slowly, she stood up, not remembering when they fell to the floor and turned to look at Jake. "Are you sure you want to do this. I can not protect you from him."

Jake smiled warmly at her, "Knowing that I am keeping you safe is good enough for me."

"I will come see you when I am done," Hermione told Sirius who nodded and then watched the duo walk out the door.

"How are we getting there?" Jake asked as soon as we stepped out of the bank and onto the main street of Diagon Alley.

"We apparate, of course," Hermione smirked, holding her elbow out for him to grab.

"I am a vampire, Hermione," Jake stated the obvious, nervously. "I have never had a need to apparate, nor have I ever done it."

Hermione shrugged and grabbed his sleeve, "First time for everything. After this meeting is over, you and I are going to have a seriously long talk about who you think I am." Jake opened his mouth to argue but Hermione slightly twisted her body and they disappeared with a pop!

They arrived in front of Malfoy Manor, Jake falling over on to his bottom, dry heaving and glaring at Hermione. Irritated the wards didn't let her pass with her passenger, Hermione ignore Jake and walked towards the intercom on the side of the gate. She pushed the button and waited for someone to answer.

"Who is it?" A gruff voice asked, from the speaker.

"Hermione Potter," Hermione turned to look at Jake and then back at the speaker, "And guest."

"One moment."

"They know you are a Potter?" Jake asked, walking up beside her. Hermione noticed he still looked quite pale.

"Yes, but they believe I am a distant cousin," Hermione answered.

"I see, and you believe they will accept me?"

Hermione shrugged, "In the last war, he recruited vampires, I imagine he will want to do the same this time around. He will see you as an asset."

"And what am I to you?" Jake asked her quietly.

Hermione mentally cursed herself, she wasn't exactly sure how to introduce her. She stared at Jake, her wheels turning, trying to come up with a believable cover story that will allow him to stay by her side. "You will be my bodyguard for now."

"Is that something they will believe? I have heard rumors about your power, Hermione."

Hermione sighed, he was correct after all, Voldemort wouldn't believe that she needed a bodyguard. "Fine, we will say you are my boyfriend/bodyguard."

Jake nodded, he seemed satisfied with that answer, but before Hermione could question it, Lucius and Voldemort himself appeared at the gate. "Hermione, what a surprise to see you outside the manor and not in it."

"My Lord, the wards would not let me pass with my extra passenger."

Voldemort glanced over at Jake, his black beady eyes probing him and Jake had to try hard to suppress his shudder as he felt the invasion of his mind. "A vampire. How interesting."

"He is my boyfriend, my Lord," Hermione explained. "It is very serious between us, and I couldn't keep my secret any longer. When I told him, he was adamant about joining to be with me."

Voldemort smiled cruelly, "A vampire for a boyfriend. Can you imagine how your dear cousin must feel about that?"

Hermione shrugged, "I wouldn't know, I haven't told him."

"Interesting. Lucius, open the gate and allow Hermione's guest to enter, I believe this is a most fortuitous opportunity." Voldemort gave a hollow laugh.

Lucius bowed slightly and opened the gates. Hermione grabbed Jake's hand and tried not to jump when the electric current coursed through her body. The four of them walked back to the manor together. Hermione bit her lower lip nervously, she prayed to whatever God was out there that they would get through this without any difficulties. This was turning out to be a very long day.

A/N: Here is chapter twenty, hope you like my little twist. As always please read and review. I will try to update sooner next time, between college, my job and being a single parent, I haven't had much spare time for myself. Until next time….