Hi, I finally updated! I had 2 exams today and now I only have 1 left (whoop!). I am also very jealous of my best friend who has just gone to see Take That, lucky cow. Anyway, here is the next chapter. In this one, the long awaited appearance of the Cullens! Enjoy and remember, It's a fan fiction site, I own nothing but the plot.

Chapter Five

The Cullen Home

That night found Harry and Ginny curled up in front of the fire talking with Hermione about the Defence lesson they had had earlier that day. Ginny was shocked and a little afraid for Hermione.

"But she'll be alright, won't she?" Harry asked as Ginny mentioned something about Hans knowing Hermione was a Vampire. "Maybe. But it's his job to kill Vampires. He'll know all the signs for them." Ginny sighed. "Yeah, but he never mentioned vegetarians in his lecture. Only human eaters. Do you think he doesn't know?" Harry asked. "Possibly. Or maybe he doesn't want to scare me off. We'll have to wait and see." Hermione replied.

The conversation moved onto the latest wacky predictions from Trelawney. Hermione laughed at them as Harry told her that the divination professor had predicted one kid would die from being stampeded by hippos. She quickly glanced at the time. It was midnight. "You guys better go to bed. I'm going to see Edward. See you in the morning. Night." Hermione smiled. The other two nodded and bade her goodnight before heading up to their dorms.

Hermione crept across the school grounds, her heightened hearing telling her if there was anyone around her. Satisfied, she made it to the gates and bounded over then, using her new Vampire abilities. She landed in a crouch on the other side before running at Vampire speed into the town of Hogsmede.

Within a minute she was standing out side the Cullen Cottage. It was a large thatched house with white washed walls. Roses grew in an arch around the front door and each window and flower boxes outside them. It was picture perfect.

Before Hermione even made it to the door, it was flung open and Alice flew out, gripping Hermione into a tight hug. The younger female Vampire laughed and gave Alice a taste of her strength, causing the pixie like Vampire to grin. "That's my girl!" She said, letting go of her friend.

As soon as Alice let go, Hermione was swept into a passionate kiss by Edward. Hermione moaned lightly and threaded her hands through his soft bronze hair, caressing the back of his neck. Edward grinned and pulled away, to see Hermione's eyes barely open and her soft pink lips slightly red.

Emmett's booming laughter at the couple's reunion snapped them out of their daze. Hermione shot a glare at him before walking into the house.

The inside was just as charming as the outside, with polished oak flooring and white wood furniture. Hermione grinned as Esme jumped up from the sofa and drew her into a motherly hug. "Hermione, how has school been? Having fun?" She gushed, fussing over her adopted daughter.

"School's been fine so far. It's great fun being around all my friends and house mates again. A bit lonely at night though. I read a whole book series in one night. I had to force myself to read slowly though." Hermione replied, a twinkle, that had been missing since Ron and her parents died, in her eye.

"Wonderful. What lessons have you had so far?" Carlisle asked, putting in his moneys worth. "I've had Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Charms and Transfiguration today. They were fairly good, mainly focussing on what is coming up in our NEWTs." Hermione replied, sitting down and resting her head on Edward's shoulder. He smiled and kissed her head affectionately.

"Newts?" Emmett asked, confused. "NEWTs. Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. It's the equivalent to GCSEs and are taken during the seventh year. Sixth year we take OWLs, Ordinary Wizarding Levels. They determine what subjects we can take." Hermione explained quickly Emmett shuddered at the mention of tests.

"Apart from that, anything interesting going on?" Alice asked. The Cullens were curious to what Hermione did at school having never attended a Wizarding school. "Yes, actually. There's another new Defence Professor, but he's a Vampire Hunter. He killed a vampire in front of us, a newborn female. It was awful. I think he knows, but I'm not sure." Hermione told her family. If they could have gone pale, they would have done.

"But why would Dumbledore hire a hunter when he knows what you and we are?" Carlisle asked. "He's supposed to be one of the best teachers around and I guess the battle opened Dumbledore's eyes to the creatures we need to fight against now that Voldemort's gone. I mean we fought them in the war, but we mainly trapped them or let the Vampire Hunters take care of them." Hermione replied with a shrug.

After a few more discussions about Hans, Edward took Hermione's hand and they began to walk slowly back up to Hogwarts. "Do I really have to go back?" Hermione whined. Edward chuckled. "Yes, especially if there's a vampire hunter in Hogwarts." He told her gently. Hermione pouted and Edward quickly stole a kiss. "HEY!" Hermione exclaimed. Edward laughed and scooped her up, spinning his love round in a circle, making her laugh.

"Edward, I love you." Hermione sighed as she lent her head on the older Vampire's arm. Edward smiled and kissed her again. "I love you too." He replied his voice sincere and his eyes showing it. Hermione looked up at the sky and took an unnecessary breath of fresh night air. It was perfect.

"The stars are so beautiful, aren't they?" Hermione said, her voice thoughtful. Edward looked up too and nodded in agreement. "Yes, they are." Hermione smiled. "By the time their light reaches us, some of those stars have died. A rather morbid thought, isn't it?" She mused. Edward sighed. "Yeah. I guess it is."

"Edward, I don't want to watch Harry and Ginny die." Hermione whispered, her face hidden by her curls. Edward stopped and gently tuck her hair behind her ear. "I'll be right beside you. Besides, you will always have us. We're your family and will be with you forever." He soothed. Hermione looked back up at him, looking vulnerable. "Promise?" She asked in a meek voice. Edward kissed her. "Promise."

In the dark of an alleyway, a homeless man looked up from where he was sat. A dark shadow stood before him. "Who are you? What do you want?" The man asked. The shadow opened it's eyes and the man gasped. "You're a demon!" He cried. The creature lunged. "Don't worry, it will only hurt for a few days." It hissed, before savagely biting the man's neck. The man cried out as the venom pulsed through him. Red eyes glittered viciously as it watched the man begin his change.

Please Read and Review. I hope you liked this chapter. I hope to have the next chapter up soon. I am also almost finished with the next chapter of The Curse of Eternity.