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Chapter 8
Two days later, Asta and Hermione were awoken in the early afternoon by urgent knocking on their door. They shared a tired look and Asta got up and answered the door, peering out into the corridor. Brutus was there. "The wizards tried to get through the wards and then had the audacity to walk up to the front gate. They are in the outer courtyard, surrounded by warriors, your mentors and mates. If you wish to speak with them, now would be your chance."
"Give us a minute to get dressed," she replied.
Brutus did not look happy, but he nodded. Since the reveal that she and Hermione were the daughters of Nyx, the warriors had become more protective of them than other fledglings. They were now of the opinion that it was their duty to protect their goddess' daughter's, since fate had brought them to their house of night. Asta closed the door and she and Hermione headed for their respective wardrobes to look for something which would emphasise they were part of the House of Night. Asta chose a black v neck drape dress with a thin gold belt which held the third former symbol over her heart. Hermione chose a black v neck 1950's short sleeved casual dress, which also held the third former symbol over her heart. Black heels and elegant silver and gold jewellery completed their outfits. Looking at each other, they both had to admit that, even in the day, they looked very much like Vampyre's, even when they were still just fledglings.
Brutus was waiting for them when they left the room. He led the way down to the outer courtyard, where they saw he had not exaggerated when he said the three were surrounded. Each Warrior looked ready to attack. Molly and Ron looked nervous, but Dumbledore looked as calm and grandfatherly as ever. Thor and Loki looked ready to kill the three slowly.
"You are harbouring two members of our society, it really is best if you hand them over to us," Dumbledore said calmly.
"Except we're not a part of it," Asta said.
Reluctantly, the warriors parted to let them through, to face the three humans. Morgana and Athena moved to stand by the two fledglings and Thor and Loki took protective positions behind them. "We aren't exactly human anymore, Professor," Hermione said.
The three looked gobsmacked. Dumbledore was the first to recover. "Be that as it may, Miss Granger, you left your job without the compulsory notice, and Miss Potter stole the Potter fortune away."
"Firstly, I changed my name to Asta Emrys when I was marked, secondly, when I got rid of my wizarding fortune, I was still Lady Potter and had received no notification of any future change in that situation, so I had every right to do as I wished with that money. As to Hermione, the obligatory one month notice would have seen her dead, she had no choice but to leave to a House of Night immediately."
"Therefore, Albus Dumbledore, you have no grounds to be here," Morgana said. "Both Asta and Hermione have very valid reasons. They are Vampyre fledglings now, apart from humans."
"But she stole my money!" Ron shouted.
Loki started forward angrily, moving between the two sisters and the wizards, magic dancing around his fingers. "Your money? You deserve nothing from Asta, mortal. Come near her, or Hermione, and I will kill you. My brother will be more than happy to join in as well. We know of your plans, you are lucky to still be alive."
Molly, obviously believing everyone to be distracted, watching Ron and Loki, drew her wand and pointed it in the direction of Hermione and Asta. She was about to curse when Loki moved. He was practically a blur as he drew a knife, swinging it down and easily cutting through Molly's wrist. For a moment, all was silent as the hand and wand hit the ground. Then, the pain hit her and she began wailing.
Thor stepped forward, ready to attack as well, lightning filling the sky. The warriors readied their weapons and some pulled Asta and Hermione back, so there were several blocking them from view.
"I suggest you leave now, before anyone else comes to harm, Albus Dumbledore. And know this, for your attempts against Hermione Granger and Asta Emrys, no human wizard is allowed contact with any fledgling here, or allowed to be present on these grounds any longer. Should they be found here, I will use the Old Ways to try them. I will also be speaking to both Vampyre High Council's to see to it that the same rules apply to all Houses of Night. You have proved that your people are not to be trusted around our own. Should a wizard child be marked, their parents will no longer be able to see them until they complete the change, thanks to your impertinence. Now leave, before you start a war!" Morgana declared.
Dumbledore grabbed both Molly and Ron and dragged them out, several warriors following to ensure they went where they were meant to. Asta grabbed Hermione's hand and let out a slight sigh. They were gone, for now at least. And Dumbledore now knew the situation was a lot more complicated for him than he had likely anticipated. Hopefully that would be a deterrent somewhat. The girls were ushered back inside and Thor and Loki walked with them back to their room.
"What now?" Asta asked.
"We have a while until they try anything else," Loki said. "The Weasley's may even be put off. Dumbledore, him I am unsure about."
"For now, you both need to rest," Thor told them. "Being too tired and stressed could be bad for the both of you."
"Will we see you this evening?" Hermione asked.
"Of course," Thor answered, beaming. "After your classes?"
"What about breakfast?" Asta suggested. "We could get something from the kitchens."
"That sounds wonderful," Loki nodded. We will see you then. Have a good day."
"You too," She smiled. With that, the fledglings went into their room.
"What now? They're too well guarded to get to!" Molly snarled, cradling her stump of an arm. It was healed, but there was something stopping magic from giving her a new hand. Even a construct. "And we are not allowed onto the grounds! The ministry would have our heads if we started a war with the Vampyres!" True to her word, Morgana had been in touch with both High Councils. And they had both agreed that should a human witch or wizard step foot on Vampyre territory it would mean war if the ones in questions were not dealt with. The Vampyres were also adamant that they get to deal with the intruders, without repercussions. They were very protective over Asta and Hermione, but no one quite knew why.
"They are indeed well guarded," Dumbledore agreed. "But how well guarded if we provide other distractions? Someone else to occupy their time and attentions?"
Two weeks later, it was visiting evening. Asta and Hermione were both there. While Asta did not expect anyone to visit her, she knew Hermione was hoping her parents would come. They had said they would. And she had a lot she wanted to tell them.
"Hermione!"
They both turned to the voice and Hermione smiled and headed over to her parents and hugged them.
"I'm so glad you made it!" she pulled back. "I have a lot to tell you! So much has happened!"
"What else could have happened? You're already a Vampire," Edward Granger said, frowning.
Hermione and Asta both frowned. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?" Asta asked, eyes narrowing. If she was a cat, her hackles would have raised.
"Asta, perhaps I should have a few minutes with my parents alone. We should go out to the gardens for a walk," Hermione said to her.
"Alright. I'll be around. Call if you need anything," Asta said, watching the elder Grangers warily, before walking away.
Asta made her way to the buffet table and had just been about to pick up a plate when she heard a voice that sent chills down her spine. "There you bloody are," he growled. She turned and paled. Both Vernon and Petunia Dursley stood in front of her, and both were very angry.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, backing up into the table, shaking it.
"What do you mean? The whole bloody neighbourhood knows you were marked! We've had to deal with the shame since! Our reputation is in tatters because you're even more of a freak than before! We are here to stop you ruining our lives!"
Vernon was advancing on her, until a hand clamped down on his shoulder. The three of them turned to see a young warrior, blonde hair cut short, mark tattooing in the form of various blades. "You will leave her be. And leave these grounds. She will no longer have contact with you, if that is your wish, but you will not bother her again, is that understood?"
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Asta's uncle growled.
"He is a warrior charged with the protection of this House of Night and those who reside here," Morgana said, approaching. "And I am High Priestess here. Think mix of clergy and head teacher. Dorian asked you to leave, and so do I. You are not welcome here."
Silence had fallen. Other warriors were heading for them, while everyone else watched. Every single vampyre and fledgling were glaring at the Dursleys however. Most were unaware of what they had done. But they all noticed the threat the two human adults seemed to pose to Asta. Warriors escorted the angry Dursleys out of the room, and then out of the building.
"I don't understand how they found out about me being Marked. What were they doing here?"
"I have a feeling they were sent by Dumbledore," Morgana replied. "I would suggest you and Hermione remain within the walls of the House of Night for the next few days. They obviously intended to try and draw you out."
Asta nodded. "I need some space. I'm going to go to the temple."
"Of course. Take all the time you need. If you need the rest of the night, you can be excused from your later classes."
"Thank you, Morgana. Will you tell Hermione where I've gone?"
"I will," she nodded, smiling softly.
Asta bid her mentor goodbye and walked away, heading for the temple, feeling shaken. Being confronted with her tormentors had been hell. Now she needed to recover from it.
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