She felt every single blood cell in her body turn cold when she looked into his eyes. Something was different about him. He looked much more colder…much more guarded. It was true that Nicklaus had never been a friendly man. But she had never been afraid of him…until now.
He hadn't said a word. A few more seconds passed and still, nothing. She was beginning to get uncomfortable. Well, more uncomfortable.
"Em…this is my friend Harry Potter" she said, pointing at Harry. "I… Listen, can we come in?"
"What are you doing here?" he spat out harshly. Why in the bloody hell is she here? And why the hell does she look so…disgustingly unhealthy?
Hermione felt her heart drop at his tone. This was not the kind of reunion she was hoping for. "I-we needed help. So I thought-"
Klaus' eyes narrowed into slits. "You thought wrong. Leave. And don't come back here."
The door was slammed in her face before she could reply.
"I thought you said you were friends" Harry spoke up for the first time since they had arrived.
Hermione felt her eyes fill with tears "We were. I didn't expect him to…act like that."
Harry placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder "Hey, I'm sure it has nothing to do with you. That guy looked like he had some serious issues." A moment of silence passed between them. "So…should we go back then?"
She nodded sadly, defeat shining in her eyes "Yes. Just let me do something first." She took a deep breath before... "HEY! YOU POUNCE! I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME. MY PARENTS ARE DEAD! THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW. THAT IS IF YOU CARE! YOU BLOODY ARROGANT PRICK!"
Harry didn't have time to feel shocked about her use of language because as soon as the words were out of her mouth, the front door opened wildly and revealed the same vampire that had shut the door in their faces seconds ago. "What?"
Hermione chuckled bitterly at the look on his face "Yup. They're dead. Life is funny like that. One moment you think you have everything and the next…it's all gone.
Klaus sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Dead? They were DEAD? How? Why?
"How?" he asked, trying to keep his voice even and emotionless.
Hermione clenched her jaw. "They were targets…because of me. Our world is in the middle of a war. And…our side is losing."
Klaus turned his head towards Harry sharply, anger burning in his eyes. "This is your fault. I told Hermione not to get involved with you. But you just had to suck her into your pathetic little life didn't you? You're the reason her parents are dead."
Harry dropped his head and looked at the ground sadly. He was right. It was his fault. He never should have befriended anyone when he arrived at Hogwarts. He was the reason his friends were so miserable. Maybe he should just leave Hermione too…
He was snapped out of his thoughts by Hermione's furious voice "Don't you dare say that! It's not Harry's fault. I was going to be targeted anyway because of who my parents were!"
She threw a disgusted glance at Klaus' direction before grabbing Harry's arm "Let's get out of here. I don't know why I even bothered"
Klaus growled "Get inside. Then we'll talk" he hesitated slightly before stepping aside from the doorway. When he saw no one moving he sighed impatiently "I don't have all day luv."
She looked back at him with an expression he had hoped to never see on her face again. Disappointment. "And I don't have time to waste on you. Goodbye Nick"
And then they were gone
Harry sighed. That was their last chance…their last hope. What were they supposed to do now? How were they going to fight Voldemort and an army of death eaters alone? It was official. They were both going to die. It was a fate that had to be accepted. But that didn't mean that they weren't going to fight to their very last breath.
Harry looked down at the girl he once fancied himself in love with and gave her a small smile. No, everything would not be ok. But at least they still had each other.
She returned his small smile with an even smaller one of her own before bringing out her cell phone and dialing a familiar number.
"Hello?"
"Tyler?"
"Yeah, who is this?"
"It's Hermione"
"My cousin Hermione?"
Hermione rolled her eyes "Do you know any other Hermiones?"
"Ha-ha. What's up cous? It's been a long time."
"Yes, it has been" she replied quietly "I'm sorry for your loss by the way. I heard about what happened to your father."
"Em…thanks."
"Look, the truth is I'm back in mystic falls. I arrived a few hours ago and I need a place to stay
"Well, you know you're always welcome at our place. But what the hell are you doing back in mystic falls?"
"Can't a girl just randomly come by to visit her relatives?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?"
"…Ok, your right. That is kind of weird. I'll explain everything later."
"Please tell me you're not planning on doing anything dangerous"
Hermione grinned "Ask me no questions and I'll tell no lies" Silence "Don't worry it's all under control" It really really isn't…
"That's exactly what you said before accidentally turning me into a rabbit a few years ago."
Hermione cringed "I've apologized for that! ...Listen, I've got to go…. So I'll see you tonight?"
"Yeah, I'll see you later"
She hung up the phone and shoved it into the back pocket of her jeans. "Are you hungry?"
Harry looked at her with a slightly raised eyebrow "Em…Hermione? I thought we were leaving…"
"You are. I'm going to stay here for a few more days. I want you to stay with Lupin until I get back. Ok?"
Harry shook his head "No No No. Unacceptable. The plan was that we stick together. Remember?"
"I know. But I'll have a better chance at convincing Klaus to help us if you're not here." She explained "And don't worry. I'll be back before you know it. I'll be here 3 days tops."
Harry frowned "I don't think this is such a good idea Hermione…"
Hermione took his hand in hers and smiled at him softly "Just trust me OK?"
Harry rolled his eyes "I hate it when you play the trust card."
Hermione grinned "I'll see you in a few days Potter"
A/N: What do you think? Do you like it? Please don't forget to leave a review.
Sorry for the late update by the way.
I love you all,
Hermione Salvatore Potter