Wolfram and Hart's New Guest

By jessebelle

A/N: I totally didn't mean to keep you hanging guys, but life, and school got in the way. I've been writing this on paper, though, during school. I would have posted it sooner, but I got a nasty little cold. But, I'm posting now, so, Yay!!!Anyway, sorry it took so long, it shouldn't in the future, and I'll try to make extra special, and longer chapters if I can.

Huggles and Snuggles,

jessebelle

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It was a few hours later when Hermione had forced Xander and Spike to go back to get her things so she could be properly moved in. Xander was in awe as they entered Wolfram and Hart. Spike wasn't at all impressed, having been living there and used to extravagant sights. And Hermione reflected on what the bloody hell she was doing. She, responsible Hermione Granger, was moving in with two strange guys that she'd known for less then a day, and only because they treated her better then the person Dumbledore had seen fit to send her to. It must be the jetlag that was making her so crazy. While her thoughts wandered, she got a better look at the place that should have been her new home.

"Pet, you okay?" Hermione looked up and saw that Spike and Xander were already in the elevator, waiting for her, and looking concerned.

"Oh, I'm fine, just thinking." She made her way into the elevator and stood in between the two men. Their ride passed in a nervous and awkward silence until a 'ding' announced their arrival to the thirteenth floor of the LA branch of Wolfram and Hart.

When the door opened, both Spike and Xander gestured her to exit the elevator first in a false display of chivalry. Hermione knew the real reason was they didn't want to be the first one to be thrown to the lions, or in this case, lawyers. She wasn't sure which was worse. (Author has nothing against lawyers)

She hesitated briefly before entering the lobby. She could tell right away that something was up. The office she'd stormed out of was now completely dark with the door closed. She could tell it had to be locked. She noticed her cousin, Harmony, at her desk filing her nails and sending frequent, curious glanced to the dark office. It was also dead quiet.

In the middle of everything sat Gunn and Wesley on a blue couch that reminded her of a Mexican sombrero, being circular, with the head and back rest standing up in the middle. It looked old and worn, and she could spot quite a few dark stains. She wondered why it was even allowed in such a classy place such as Wolfram in Hart; not that it mattered to her, it looked really comfy.

Gunn and Wesley were facing the office and from behind they looked bored and tired. She could feel the presences of Xander and Spike behind her as she walked further into the lobby. Not breaking the silence, she walked over to the couch and sat down next to Wesley.

"What's happened?" Her voice broke the silence.

Wesley spoke without looking at her. "Angel's locked himself in his office again. He's upset with how he acted and instead of finding Miss Granger, he's reflecting on-"

"He's brooding." Gunn cut Wesley off.

From behind them, Xander snickered. "Well, what did you expect? It's Angel, Man of Brood."

Spike gave a quick laugh before it died abruptly when he realized what he'd been laughing at. Gunn also smiled a bit and Wesley tried to conceal his amusement. "Yes, that does seem to describe Angel." Hermione smiled at all of them and waited for Wesley and Gunn to realize who they were. The ex-watcher sighed a bit and continued his staring match with the wall before his brow furrowed and he slowly turned around. "Hermione?!"

She grinned. "Yes, Wesley?"

Over from where she'd been listening, Harmony perked up. "Hermione? As in, my cousin Hermione?"

"Yes." Hermione stood up and looked toward her cousin.

Harmony had rushed over and now she stopped and took in her family. Slowly her enthusiasm died down and the smile she'd had disappeared. "Hermione? Wow, you look so, so-"

"Cute?"

"British?"

"Mature?"

"Gorgeous?"

Harmony gave the guys a look of disgust. "I was going to say homely, but, whatever. So, how's England? Still a bookworm? Had any boyfriends? Is

Boarding school as lame as it sounds?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head. She was embarrassed and couldn't believe her cousin hadn't gained one ounce of tact in the past decade or so. "Well, you haven't changed one bit."

Harmony made a face. "Well, at least I'm still beautiful. It's clear who got the good stuff of the family."

Hermione cocked an eyebrow. "You mean genes?"

Harmony scoffed. "No, why would we be passing on jeans in the family, they're probably like, way ancient and out of style."

The guys all snickered as they watched the family reunion. Hermione felt exasperated. "Are we done here, with the whole it's nice to see you thing, cause, I've got better things to do then stand her and be insulted."

"Fine, I have to get back to work anyway. Loser." The blonde spun around and stomped to her office.

"Moron Barbie." Hermione muttered.

"I heard that!!"

Hermione was too embarrassed to notice her cousin was all the way across the room and no normal human could have heard her comment. Xander put a hand on her shoulder. "Ignore her, she's always been like that. It's how she is. It's clear you got the better genes in the family, cuz, Harmony, well, I think Cordelia phrased it best. Harmony is a sheep, and with a slutty taste in clothing might I add."

"Harris, I heard that!!"

"You were meant to!"

"Loser Freak!"

"Skanky Sheep!"

"I thought you said to ignore here?"

Xander grinned at Hermione. "I know, but it's so much fun to insult her."

"Harris!!!"
"Harmony!"

"Dork!

"Vam-" Spike slammed a hand over Xander's mouth.

"That's enough whelp. I know it's fun but we're here for a reason."

Xander glared at the hand. Spike yelped and snatched it away, cradling it. "You Bit Me!"

Xander rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, what goes around comes around."

"What?" Hermione questioned.

Xander's face took on a look of panic. "Well, um, Spike here had a habit of biting people when he was younger, so I thought I'd…seek vengeance." As he said the last part, his face became on of sadness and grief and he reached up and held his eye patch.

Spike quickly caught on to the meaning and forgot about the biting incident. He rested a hand on Xander's shoulder. "Sorry mate, she was a good person."

"The best." Xander sounded distant.

Picking up on the somber feeling in the room, Wesley broke the tension. "Hermione, you never told us why you're here."

Hermione looked away from the secene with Xander. "Oh, um, I came to get my things."

"Oh."

"Hermione, girl, why're you going with Blondie and, " Gunn looked over to Xander. "Who are you?"

Xander looked over to the tall, bald, dark skinned lawyer. "Xander Harris, you?"

"Charles Gunn, but everyone calls me Gunn."

"Except me," Hermione piped in.

Gunn smiled. "Except Mione."

"Mr. Harris, nice to see you again."

Xander looked over to Wesley in disbelief. "Naw, you cant be- Wesley? Mini Giles?"

Wesley gave Xander a wry smile. "Yes."

Xander grinned. "Well, you've certenly given up the tweed look. How'd you meet up with Angel though?"

Wesley blinked. "Ah, well, it's a long story, one I might tell you later." He quickly glanced at Hermione to put the meaning across.

"Oh, alright."

"You gonna tell me what happened, cause, I came in at the tail end of things."

Hermione realized that Wesley and Gunn were both awaiting her answer. "Oh, well, I came in and ended up bumping into Spike and paint was spilt on my jumper. Since you had my things, Spike let me borrow one of his shirts." She gestured to what she was wearing.

Gunn nodded. "Yeah, but how come Angel kicked you out."

Hermione's lips became pursed. "Because he came to the conclusion that I was some scarlet woman with a brain the size of a pea."

Spike grinned. "In other words, he thought she was related to Harmony."

"HEY!" He grinned even more.

"But she it, related to Harmony I mean." Gunn looked a little confused.

Hermione smiled. "Yes, but we don't exactly seem to be that related, do we?"

Gunn nodded in understanding. "I get it. So the boss-man thought you were Spike's, ah, bedmate?"

Hermione nodded. "Precisely, and he came to this conclusion without even consulting everyone or listening to me. So, when Spike mentioned the idea of me moving in with him, I couldn't resist."

"Oh, then how does, Xander, right?" Xander nodded. "How does he come in?"

"that's what I'd like to know."

Xander grinned in that lovable way of his. "Oh, we met up outside when I was on my way to meet Dead- I mean Angel. We talked, there were fireworks, and now they're going to be rooming with me."

"They weren't fireworks, they were sparks of annoyance."

Xander waved it away. "Same difference."

Wesley cleared his throat to clear up a potential fight between Spike and Xander. "So, Hermione, you're actually going to be moving in with Spike and Xander?"

She nodded. "Yes, I haven't got anywhere else to go, have I?"

"No, I suppose not. Though, you could give Angel another chance."

Hermione's eyebrow raised. "And why would I want to do that? He's made it perfectly clear how he thinks of me."

"But he didn't know it was you."

Hermione gave Wesley a small smile. "But nonetheless, he should have listened first instead of judging me."

Wesley sighed. "You're right, but there wasn't harm in trying, was there."

"No."

"So you mean after I lugged all of your bags to your room, I have to do it again?" Gunn's voice was teasing.

"Sorry, Charles."

"Ah, don't worry about it, I'm a man, I can take it." She laughed.

Spike cut in. "So what are you planning to do about Peaches?" Xander snickered at the nickname.

Wesley opened his mouth. "Well," he sighed, "I've no clue."

The blond turned to Gunn, who shook his head. He sighed. "Have you tried to get security to open the door?"

"No, they pretty much only take orders from Angel."

A look came across Hermione's face, one that Ron and Harry had known all to well. She walked over to the office door. Turning around she asked the assembled group a question. "Have you tried opening the door?"

"No, why would we have done that? Angel's clearly in a, a, brooding mood." Wesley seemed to think the idea was preposterous.

Hermione cocked an eyebrow. She reached out to the door handle. "Don't!" came the yell of warning from the guys, but she paid them no heed and twisted the doorknob. It was opened with force and Hermione was then wrenched inside of office into a dark stranger's arms.

A/N: Yay, longer then normal. Woo hoo. Anyway, figured this would be a good place to stop. Really want to hear your guesses on who the dark stranger is. So, review and let me know. I'd love to hear from you. Will update soon.

Huggles and snuggles,

jessebelle