Chapter 24

AN: I know, I know! Another chapter and you didn't have to wait a year! LOL I had so much fun writing this one! I knew at some point I would mess with the True Blood timeline thoroughly and this is the chapter for that. I mean, I totally threw the timeline out the window! LOL I know Lala gets thrown into the Fangtasia dungeon in Season 2 but that got moved up. I also know Marnie-Antonia doesn't happen until Season 4 but I'm moving it up a bit as an excuse for our favorite vampires to step down from being sheriffs. :) Not to mention, I really don't want Eric to have to deal with any more of Sookie, Bill or Sophie-Ann's BS! LOL From here on out, True Blood canon is nonexistent just as Harry Potter canon hasn't really existed. :D Probably only another two chapters or so left. :)

Now I know quite a few of you are waiting patiently for some serious action to happen between Hermione, Eric and Godric but it didn't feel right in this chapter but never fear, next chapter will have some sexy time in it. :) I hope you all enjoyed this and thanks for stopping by! Love you all! Stay safe and sane…well, as sane as any of can be. :D

Disclaimer: I make no monies with this.

It had been a month since the bar had been warded by Eric's new friends and he was pleased with the success of it. Miss Stackhouse had returned to scan the bar for the next week, each time with nothing to report to Eric except her disgust at the thoughts being broadcast by the patrons and to bitch about his lack of banter with her even though she would often complain about his bantering; apparently it was a no win situation. It was then that he had terminated his contract with one Miss Sookie Stackhouse. Eric's ears had rung for a good few days afterwards due to her throwing a hissy fit and yelling that he couldn't do it. When presented with proof otherwise, she had yelled even louder and stomped out of his office in quite a tizzy. It was then when Eric realized just how much trouble Sookie Stackhouse would be and he was thankful to be done with her.

After leaving the bar that night, he had stopped by on his witch and had kissed her senseless as soon as he stepped through her door. When she had asked why he had done that with a lovely blush, he started to tell her of his meeting with Sookie as he pulled her onto his lap when he sat and held her close, appreciating her warmth, her undivided attention and her wonderful skills as a witch. Eric couldn't imagine how much trouble Miss Stackhouse would have caused him if he had not met Hermione; it made him shudder. After that night, he started really putting thought into who would replace him as sheriff, the sooner the better.

As Eric took in the company he was keeping, he couldn't help but smile. They were a motley crew but he wouldn't change a thing. The four of them melded well into his family with ease and Eric was proud to call them his. Yes, Harry and Draco were together but they were like brothers to Hermione, making them his family. Also, Severus was technically Pam's but she was his child so that made Severus akin to a son of sorts and, again, Eric saw the Potions Master as his family. They all meshed so well, it was hard some days to remember they had only known the magicals for months not years or longer.

It was a night like so many others at the bar when the vampire he never wanted to see walked into his bar, André Paul. Curious to what the immature, sadistic brat wanted, Eric escorted the queen's child into his office.

"André" Eric greeted as he sat at his desk.

"Northman" Andre said with disdain dripping from his voice as he sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Eric inquired, hoping whatever André had to say or do wouldn't take long.

"Our queen wants you to take care of a coven of witches that settled here in Shreveport." André sneered.

"I'll have Pam look into it." Eric said in a bored tone.

"Sophie-Ann wants you to see to it personally." André commanded.

Eric only gave the small but vicious vampire a blank look.

"They are necromancers, Northman! They brought a bird back to life!" André hissed, causing Eric's eyes to snap to his. "Do I have your attention now? Has this become worthy of your time, Sheriff?"

"I will see to it." Eric answered.

"See that you do." André demanded as he rose to storm out of Eric's office.

"Does the AVL know of this?" Eric asked.

André spun around and glared at him, "Your queen does not need the permission of anyone to handle a situation in her state. You would do well to remember that!" André sneered as he flung open the office door and stormed out of the bar.

Eric sat back in his chair as he thought of the situation at hand. He remembered the Inquisition in the sixteen hundreds had started the witch hunts and destroyed many. A particular necromancer had been burned at the stake after the humans found out what she was. However, it was said that she had promised, in a curse while burning, to return and take her revenge until her last breath. Eric remembered hearing about her shortly after it had happened and then again after he had first come to America. Any vampire worth their salt knew the name of Antonia Gavilán, as well as a few others. However, Antonia had been on a mission to eradicate all vampires and was making good on her promise when she was found out by the humans.

Unfortunately, if this coven was dabbling or fully immersed in necromancy, then Antonia might have found a way to come back to cause more harm and follow through on her threat so many centuries ago and Eric couldn't have that. As he thought over what action or actions to take, he knew he needed to speak with his new family about it first. He knew enough to not barge in without some sort of protection. Even if one of the members wasn't possessed by the necromancer, they had brought a bird back to life; it was only a matter of time before they realized they could control vampires as well. The thought unsettled Eric more than he wanted to admit.

After calling Pam into his office to explain things, they both left the bar and headed to Hermione's. It was one of the rare times Pam allowed her Maker to fly her somewhere. Normally she ran or drove but tonight was too important and they needed a plan quickly. Once inside the tent, Eric promptly shared what had happened and asked if Hermione would apparate Godric to them so he could help as well. A moment later, Hermione returned with a concerned Godric. The four magicals and three vampires then put their heads together to come up with a plan to deal with the coven, or at least, the leader of said coven.

Hermione walked to her bedroom and came back out a few minutes later. "I've been working on these since shortly after meeting you." She said as she handed a bracelet to each vampire.

"What is this, min älskling?" Godric inquired as he put his on and noticed the clasp disappeared.

"Other than the obvious, they are laden with as many protection spells as they could handle. They've also been dipped into various potions to help the binding and layering of each spell." Hermione explained. "Also, no one but you will be able to remove them."

"Thank you, Hermione." Pam told her with heartfelt thanks as she marveled at the feel of the bracelet and gasped when the clasp disappeared. She moved her wrist to Severus and he proved what Hermione had just said by not being able to remove it from her until her fingers searched then found the clasp. She smiled brightly at the young witch.

"Yes, älskare, thank you." Eric stated warmly, truly amazed at how thoughtful and generous their witch could be.

"A very thoughtful gift indeed." Godric smiled at their witch.

"How long did those take you to make?" Draco pondered.

"Well, I started researching the spells and potions in my first few days here and then spent the last six months creating them." Hermione shared.

"Wow, 'Mione! You really outdid yourself." Harry marveled at this sister. "Wait, are those the reasons you've been so tired the last few months?" He raised an accusing brow at her.

"Um, well..." Hermione stalled.

"That would be a 'yes'." Draco filled in.

"It couldn't be helped." Hermione defended. "Each and every spell was needed to make them as complete as I could."

When the vampires eyed her, she huffed, "I didn't overtax myself...just...pushed my abilities a few times."

"Hn, which translates to you definitely using too much magic at one time." Severus said knowingly.

"Well, the bracelets won't protect them from everything but most stuff should just bounce off them." Hermione pouted.

Godric and Eric wrapped their arms around her and cocooned her in their embrace.

"We appreciate what you have done, min älskling, but do make sure not to harm yourself with any future endeavors." Godric gently admonished her.

Hermione gave her vampires a sheepish look before nodding her head.

"Also, these are for you." Severus said as he handed each vampire a vial.

"What's this Severus?" Pam's curiosity shining through.

"It's called the Sunlight Potion." Severus explained. "If you drink it, you will be able to be in the sun without harm coming to you. How long will depend on the vampire."

"Do you know the longest one has managed to stay in the sun before damage occurs?" Godric asked in awe as he gently held the precious vial.

"Before the Final Battle was to happen, the dark bastard had me brewing that potion so he could give it to the vampires on his side. From the few tests he had done, it seems the older the vampire the longer they can last but all had to feed more frequently." Severus shared.

"This is the secret project you have been working on?" Eric smirked.

Severus returned the smirk, "Yes."

"You sneaky little..." Pam started only to be cut off by Severus kissing her.

"You're forgiven." she said after they separated making the others chuckle.

"So, with the bracelets and this potion, we should be fairly protected from anything the coven could do." Eric stated confidently.

"Probably but I want to go with you when you confront them." Hermione stated in a no nonsense voice.

"You mean we will go with them." Harry interjected.

"We'll disillusion ourselves so we can shield you from any spells they might cast." Draco added.

"I will admit to feeling better with the three of you there." Eric told them.

"Four." Severus commented.

Eric gave Severus a head nod, "Four."

"Pam and I will be right outside should you need us." Godric added. He wished to support his child but not to undermine his authority.

"Where is this coven meeting?" Hermione asked.

"Take a look." Eric offered as he leaned down for Hermione to touch his temple and enter his mind. He showed her the building and surrounding area. When she pulled out she then turned to each wizard and shared her knowledge. Once they felt comfortable enough, the four magicals apparated the vampires to the site. Draco, Harry, Severus and Hermione all disillusioned themselves and followed Eric into the shop.

Eric threw open the doors as he heard someone ask where they would get a dead body.

"Excuse me." he asked as he stood in the doorway taking in how many were there and allowing the magicals a moment to surround him. Although he couldn't see them, he felt their presence. He knew Hermione was to his right with Harry next to her and Severus to his left with Draco next to him. Before he could take a step he felt magic wash over him, a warmth he would never get used to, then he heard Hermione say one word, shielded too low for anyone else to hear. Then he walked to the front of the circle, feeling his family follow him, hands clasped in front of him.

"Ya'll lookin' for a dead body?" he asked as he leaned forward and lowered his fangs, which made the coven members cringe and lean back.

"Oh shit" Lafayette said as he stumbled backwards.

"Oh, Lafayette, I didn't know you were a witch." Eric commented with a small smile as he enjoyed the black man's fearful reaction. Eric was truly surprised to see him there. It would seem his twenty-four hour warning had done what it was supposed to, to have Lafayette stop dealing V. It hadn't really been a hardship on Eric to allow Miss Stackhouse to have her way where her friend was concerned. Sookie or not, Eric had planned to only put the fear of god into the man for dealing vampire blood.

However, he had planned to let him go after a few days in his dungeon rather than the single day Sookie has insisted was long enough. He had listened as Lafayette pleaded his case, that he had consent from a vampire and he took care of said vampire properly. He never took much, just enough to almost meet the demands of his customers and not a drop more. Eric had had a conversation with the vampire who was supplying while holding Lafayette and found the flamboyant gay man to be telling the truth. However, Eric couldn't let such an infraction go without some form of punishment. He and Pam had fed on the man and tormented him a bit before Sookie had demanded Eric let him go. Also, Eric had had to punish the vampire as well. Even though he knew many younger vampires didn't see the blood as sacred, he and his line did.

As Eric waited for someone to answer his question or comment in any way, he used the toe of his boot to douse the nearest candle's flame.

"I'm told your leader's name is Marnie." Eric stated as he took a few more steps.

"Really? Who told you that?" a blond asked.

"Let's just say, a, a little bird did." Eric answered with a smile. "So, which one of you, ah, lovely ladies is Marnie?" he asked as he turned fully to face the circle again.

"I am." An older, brown haired woman answered, standing in off center of the circle. "I, I am Marnie." she said as she took a step to be more central.

"Excellent. Thank you for coming forward." Eric said pleasantly as he took her in.

Marnie nodded her head.

"Now here's the deal Marnie, this is the last time your coven convenes and before you think about agreeing and then meeting behind my back, know this; there is no behind my back. I. Am. Everywhere." Eric told her and her coven.

"What's in it for me?" Marnie asked with confusion upon her face and in her voice as her coven gave her surprised looks of being so bold with a vampire.

"I said it was a deal, not a negotiation. Lafayette, DO. I. NEGOTIATE?" Eric asked.

"I'd listen to him Marnie, he tends to get his way." Lafayette answered as he gave Eric a wary look.

It was at this point that Tara chose to walk back in from being outside, "What the fuck now?"

Marnie turned back to face Eric, raised her chin and said, "Join hands." as Eric moved to her and grabbed her by the throat.

"Why couldn't you just take the deal?" he asked close to her ear as she grabbed the arm holding her with both hands.

Just when Eric was about to bite the witch, he felt Godric send him feelings of discouragement. Instead, Eric held her to him and glared at those standing around, fangs down. When he was about to release the witch, he caught sight of Tara as she grabbed a crucifix that was also a stake and started towards him. He flung Marnie away and grabbed Tara instead.

"What have we here?" he asked her as she looked at him with fear.

Lafayette, saw this and said "Oh shit." as he finally joined the circle and started chanting, having avoided it until then.

Eric was about to warn Tara when he heard the chanting begin by the coven members. Marnie was splayed in the middle of the circle and hadn't stirred yet.

"Elements of the night, Elements of the dead, Come this way, We call upon you, We summon ye" someone started before the others joined in, linking hands.

After a full round of chanting, Marnie joined in and Eric picked up on the changes that were occurring.

A strange wind blew through the shop and extinguished all candles not in holders that made the shop darker, more sinister in feel, as Antonia answered the call by taking Marnie up on her previous offer to inhabit her body.

Eric released Tara as he took in the change in atmosphere before he focused on Marnie.

"I am, (speaking in another language)" Marnie's voice grew in volume and strength quickly, her eyes had flames burning in them, her visage became overlaid by Antonia's. Eric took all this in, unable to break eye contact or leave. It was a few seconds before he felt the magic crackle around him as his magical family came to his defense. Marnie had managed to only get a few words spoken before she went silent although she was still trying to cast. As her coven looked at her and then around, the four magicals came into view.

"That wasn't very nice. Let's see what you've been up to." Hermione hissed as she pointed her wand at the witch's head. After entering, Hermione quickly pulled out and turned to Severus.

"I think this one is for you Master." She told him with a bow of her head, a bit shaken that the woman before her wasn't the only one in the body and that the other consciousness was nothing but hatred and malcontent. Hermione saw enough to know that this other person was the one Eric had told them about, the witch burned at the stake centuries ago. However, what hadn't been recorded or handed down orally was that her hatred towards all vampires was due to being spurned by one.

Severus raised his Occlumency walls as he walked up to the silently chanting witch and entered her mind. What he saw was two consciousnesses' inhabiting the woman's mind. He immediately pulled out and turned to Draco.

"Do you still remember the exorcism spell?" Severus asked his godson.

"I do." Draco answered as he walked up to his godfather, pulling his shields up as he did so. Severus looked to Hermione and gave her a slight nod which Hermione reciprocated. She gave them time to start the chant after they had arranged themselves back-to-back, then raised her wand to cast a shield over the three of them as Draco and Severus started the wand movements to accompany the chant.

It took several rounds of chanting before there was a specter standing next to Marnie just before the witch fainted.

"Who do we have here? Antonia Gavilán, I presume?" Eric asked.

"Vampire." Antonia responded with as much malice as she could after Hermione canceled the silencing spell once the witch's chanting had stopped but kept the shield up so no one would interrupt Severus or Draco's chanting.

"This is not your time, you are not wanted here." Eric hissed to the specter.

"I was summoned. They want me here." Antonia said as she moved her hand to encompass the coven members.

"They know not who or what you are." Eric stated.

"She does and she wanted me to come to her, possess her." Antonia smugly shared.

"I bet she did." Hermione stepped towards the specter. "Let me guess, you visited her through dreams and showed her just enough to entice her to welcome you into her."

Hermione continued when Antonia only gave a smug smile. "Did you tell her that you would take over her mind and body within a short period? Did you explain what you were, why you were burned at the stake?"

"She did not need to know nor did she ask." Antonia answered snottily.

"You do realize that possessing someone without full disclosure is against the laws of magic? No? Well, it is and magic will demand payment from you, the deceiver." Hermione informed the shocked specter.

"I do not know of any such laws." Antonia argued angrily.

"It matters not whether you know of them or not." Hermione told her as she took the shield down and raised her wand. "May Magic judge you. May Magic judge your intentions true and your heart pure." She demanded as a white light surrounded Antonia as Severus and Draco stopped chanting and stepped away.

"What is this? What magic have you cast upon me?" Antonia shrieked.

"I have done nothing. Magic is judging you." Hermione stated as she and the others put up shields to protect the others as Magic weighed Antonia's intentions and heart. After what seemed like forever but was only a few minutes, the specter of Antonia Gavilán was wrapped in swirling pure white light and then no more.

"Who the fuck are you people?" Tara demanded.

"Hooker, don't." Lafayette told his cousin, hoping she would listen to him this once.

"Nuh-uh, Lala, they need to explain what the fuck just happened!" Tara commanded as she took in the group of strangers with her hands on her hips and head cocked.

"Bitch, you gonna cause more trouble for us with that mouth of yours!" Lafayette hissed at her.

"It's alright, all will be explained if you would all just gather together so we only have to say this once." Hermione shared.

As the coven members formed a tight circle, the four magicals raised their wands, "Obliviate!".

The four worked in synchronicity as they replaced the night's events. Instead of remembering Antonia showing up and trying to curse Eric, they had them believe it went terribly wrong and that necromancy wasn't worth the risk. That whatever spell Marnie had started to chant had backfired and left them all with memory gaps. When the coven members came to, they looked to each other with varying degrees of horror.

One of the coven members approached Marnie, "I don't think we should try that again." she said as she eyed Eric who was the only one they could see, the four magicals had disillusioned themselves again.

"You, you're right. I don't know what happened but, yes, we won't be doing any further necromancy." Marnie agreed, a bit dazed. She felt something had happened but couldn't put her finger on what and she had a sinking feeling that it wasn't good in any way.

Seeing the situation was well in hand, Eric bid them good evening and left with his family back to Hermione's tent.

Once back in the tent, everyone gratefully took a seat. Draco pulled Harry into his lap as Severus lifted Pam to his and Godric draped Hermione over his and Eric's laps.

"I swear muggles will never learn." Hermine lamented.

"How so?" Draco asked, truly curious to what she was thinking.

"There's always some muggle or other that think a Ouija board is an innocent toy or that some ritual found in an old grimoire or book won't hurt them any. They never stop to think or read about the repercussions of using such things can have on them." She expounded.

Draco gave a knowing nod.

"I am not sure if Antonia had been honest in her intentions that Marnie wouldn't have still allowed her in but at least she would have been warned." Severus stated.

"I know. I didn't see what led Marnie to do such a ritual but she seemed convinced it was the only way to get whatever it was she wanted." Hermione commented.

"Well, I am happy to only have one more week before I step down." Godric shared and smiled when Hermione's head snapped around.

"You're quitting being sheriff? When did this happen?" she asked in shock and awe.

Godric smiled warmly at his witch, "Shortly after meeting you, actually. I want to spend as much time as I can with you and being in another state as well as being a figure of authority does not give me such time."

"I see. Is this what you really want?" Hermione asked. She loved the idea of being able to spend more time with the ancient vampire but didn't want him to give up a job he enjoyed for her.

"It is, min älskling. Eric and I included clauses in our contracts with our respective monarchs which would allow us to leave a decade sooner so long as we have a suitable replacement." Godric shared.

"Oh, well, that's wonderful news!" Hermione stated cheerfully. "Wait, Eric, does that mean you'll be doing the same?"

"It does." Eric gave her a smile. "Just as soon as I find a replacement, I will be stepping down as well." He placed a finger to her lips when she started to question him further. "After tonight, it would have been something I would have done anyway."

Hermione beamed at him before she leaned forward to give him a gentle kiss and then did the same to Godric. "As long as this is what you both wish, I have no problems with it." she told them.

Translation: älskare means lover

Translation: min älskling means my darling

AN: I am so totally blown away by the reception of this story! At the time of posting this is what the stats are: Reviews: 106

Faves: 190 Alerts: 232 Views (All Chapters): 33,794 WOW! Thank you to all who have checked this story out, left Reviews, and those who have Favorited/Followed it! You guys rock! You help to inspire me to finish this up even when my muse isn't behaving. LOL