After two weeks in the States, the goblins had finally gotten the paperwork and payment negotiated for the large house Hermione was buying just down the road from her Gran's, and only a couple hundred yards from the Compton home. Today Sam had closed the bar, still paying Arlene and Terry their full pay had they worked, so that he could help Hermione, Remus and Teddy move.

At the very second though Hermione was having a heated discussion with her dear friend, "Tara, I don't give a fucking shit, you are moving in with us!"

"No Mia, I can't pay you rent so no," the older woman was being adamant.

"ARGH!" The witch was close to ripping her friend a new one, "Tara Mae Thornton, you cannot keep living on Gran's couch, you need a room of your own and God knows you won't get one at your mother's place. If you want to feel as though you are paying a rent then you can simply keep doing what you have been the last two weeks. Keep Remus company, watch over Teddy, cook and clean, how do you think about that?"

Tara knew that when Hermione used her full name she was pissed off and ready to crack, so relented, "Fine but you had let me do all the cooking and cleaning, I won't let you use any magic to do it before I get there."

"Fine, no magic to help you in household duties, I swear," Hermione finally relaxed, "Now please go with Remus and Jason into Shreveport to buy everything we need."

"On it," the girl hugged her friend before loping over to the minivan.

Hermione called out after her, "And get yourself things!"

Watching on as the vehicles left were Lafayette, Sam, and Sookie, Adele was inside of her home with Teddy. All three were laughing their arses off, "You told her Mia."

"Don't start with me Lafayette or I will find your favourite purple hat and burn it," seeing her gay friend's shocked look, the teen laughed herself, "And don't think I won't."

"Oh I don't think so ho, you touch my favourite hat and I'll bitch slap you, girlfriend or not."

Apparating directly behind the sitting man, Hermione bent over his head and grinned, "I wouldn't hurt you like that, and you know it. How about we begin our trek to the new place?"

Hermione took a few leaping steps before changing into Rajah, her tiger name. She waited for Sam, who was studying her intently before he turned into a slightly larger male white Bengal. Sookie and Lafayette just shook their heads and followed the two large cats, "Could have at least become fucking horses so we could get there faster."

The tigers simply flipped their tails and continued forward. Soon enough a large white Contemporary style house came into view, so both tigers changed back, "This is pretty cool Hermione. Why exactly are you working?"

"Keeps my mind off of things. Come on in and I'll tell you about the place," the witch went to the front door, unlocking it and stepping onto the wood floor, "Okay 4 storeys, one beneath us. Below us are 2 bedrooms, a recreation room, and the library. On this floor we have the kitchen and dining room, and the garage, next up is 3 bedrooms, and on the top floor are just 4 more bedrooms. I'm going to be putting a greenhouse out the back, and the basement is lit with only lights, no natural light can get in. So what do you think?"

"Shit load better than my crap shack," the flamboyant man said after whistling.

"You intent on having vampires around then?" Sam asked as he looked around.

Hermione shrugged, "At first the no light was because I get terrible migraines that no potion is able to get rid of but now, who knows."

The blonde wrapped an arm around her cousin, "I think it's great that you are still going to be walking distance from me and Gran. It's so good to have you back sweetie."

2 hours later, and with the suggestions of her friends, Hermione had changed the colours in most of the rooms to suit better. As they were all relaxing on the front porch, Jason's truck came racing up the dirt road, sending a spray of stones and dirt towards them. Only the witch's fast wand work saved the 4 of them from being covered.

When the dust settled everyone could see some boxes in the back and moved to go unpack them, "Where are Remus and Tara?"

"They're coming, just stopped to go grocery shopping," Jason stacked 4 boxes on top of the other and walked inside.

Hermione soon found that Remus had shrunk and charmed the furniture, fitting it all in the 20 boxes in the rear of her cousin's truck. As she unpacked everything, she then directed which room the item was to go and let the others deal with it. In all the boxes was every piece of furniture, making Hermione deduce that the only thing in the minivan would be food, incidentals and clothes.

An hour after Jason had returned Sam called out that the others were back. Leaving her unpacking for now, the witch joined everyone else on the porch. When Remus got out, she ran over and slapped upside the head, softly, "Didn't think to call me to say where you were going?"

The werewolf laughed lightly at his adopted daughter's worry, "I was fine Mia, Tara was with me so the poor Brit didn't get lost or attacked on the streets."

"Remus John Lupin"

"I'm sorry and promise to call from now on, that better?" Remus put on his expertly perfected puppy pout, knowing it would soften her anger.

Shaking her head, Hermione embraced the man, "So what did you get?"

It was nearing dusk by the time everything was packed away and in its proper place. Tara had just cooked up a large pot of Jambalaya and they were all eating at the new table. With the next full moon only days away, Remus was shovelling the food in only partly civilised but stopped long enough to praise Tara on her cooking, her resulting blush darkening her skin even more.

Hermione looked over at her cousin who had a faraway look on her face as she ate, and as she was not looking at her, fingered her wand to gain access into the girl's outer most thoughts, "I wonder whether Bill will be at the bar tonight?"

That thought gave the witch a happy smile, Sookie liked Bill and from what she had gleamed from his mind the previous night, Bill definitely liked Sookie. All she had to do now was get them out on a date, without at least Sookie knowing they were even on a date. Locking eyes with Jason for a second, she dove in to find information as to where to take them, not knowing the places around these parts. It took a little digging, the man had too many disturbing memories involving him and numerous naked women, but finally she found a vague one about a vampire bar in Shreveport, Fangtasia.

"Aha, I'll set them up there, it's perfect," the witch thought to herself and went back to her food.

After dinner, while everyone else ruminated, Hermione went outside and dialled Bill's number, having gotten it a few days ago. After a few rings, she was about to hang up when it was answered, "Compton residence."

"Hey Bill, its Hermione. How was your sleep?"

"Pleasant Hermione, how may I help you this fine evening?"

"Well, and don't deny it, I know that you would like to date my dear cousin," Hermione waited for a second so that he could act should he dare then went on, "I would like to set you both up on a blind date."

Bill breathed in the phone for a little before replying, "I would be most appreciative if you were to do so. Sookie, it has been hard to request a date from her and I would like the assistance. Where do you have in mind?"

"As it can't be known to Sook until the last minute, I thought I'd suggest going into Shreveport and check out Fangtasia. I know that she will be safe with you, and at least there I know that there will be something for both of you to drink. As for me, I can easily take care of myself and would very much enjoy a chance to let my hair down."

"Because you put it that way, I believe that it would be an appropriate place for a date. What time would you like me there?"

Looking at her watch quickly, the witch replied, "How about 2 hours? Let's Sookie have enough time to get ready."

"I will see you both there Hermione."

"Yes," Hermione whispered before turning to see Sam standing there, "Oh, hi Sam."

Sam had a quirked smile on his face, "Hello, are you perhaps setting your cousin up?"

"Why yes I am and before you even say it, I know that Bill is a vampire but he is an honest man that cares deeply for Sookie. If nothing else comes of this, at least we will have a chance to let loose for a night," Hermione knew that her boss held a small candle for Sookie, but also knew he would never do anything about it as she was not the one for him.

"Just keep her and yourself safe," the man hugged his friend and employee, "I can't have you not showing up for work. I'll see you tomorrow for the lunch shift."

"Bye"

Racing back inside, the brunette quickly pulled her cousin away from the lounge, where everyone had migrated, and to the kitchen, "What are you doing Mia?"

"I wanted to know if you would accompany me into Shreveport tonight. I need to let loose and there's a brilliant place for it," putting on her puppy dog eyes, Hermione waited for the curiosity to peak.

"Okay, where?"

"Fangtasia, perfect spot and I swear that we will be safe and leave if you get the slightest bit uncomfortable."

Sookie seemed to fight within herself; she did want to go but was also afraid. Breathing out a sigh, "Okay, how long before you want to leave?"

"I'd like to be there in 2 hours, so you should get ready. Oh, and wear something black," the witch laughed as Sookie's eyes went wide at the little amount of time she had.

In a flash, the blonde was dragging her brother and Lafayette off, not answering their questions, and Hermione went into the lounge, collapsing onto a chair. Tara had on her face that plainly said, explain or die, "So?"

"I'm taking Sookie out for the night. I'd invite you but I don't think you would approve of the people."

With her quick thinking brain, the older woman had it, "You're taking her to Fangtasia? Of all the fucking places in this state, you take her to a vampire bar?"

"See? That's why I didn't invite you. There is nothing wrong with vampires, you have no problem with Moony and you know he's a werewolf."

"Yeah but he doesn't drink people's blood," looking over cautiously, "You don't right?"

Remus shook his head, "No but I am friendly with numerous vampires over in England and they really are nice. But like with every race and species, there are those that I wouldn't want to get near with a 10 foot pole. Mia, you make sure that Sookie is looked after."

"I won't let a hair on her head get hurt, promise."

Tara sighed exasperated, "Fine, you can go but neither of you better get hurt or I will whoop your arse."

"Noted. Now I best get ready," placing a kiss on Remus' head and hugging Tara, Hermione ran up to her room, the master bedroom.