Hi, the next chapter is up. I hope this makes you feel guilty about hating Hans, lol. But I hope you enjoy this chapter and it helps you understand Hans' nature. ;)

Chapter Sixteen

The Guild

The next morning, at sunrise, the eight Vampires stood by the Thestral drawn carriages awaiting the arrival of the Vampire Hunter. Sharp footsteps alerted them to his presence. "Shall we?" Hans said, motioning for the carriage.

Edward shot an uneasy look at the skeletal horse, as did the rest of the Cullens. "What are they?" He asked, his eyes raking over its form. "A Thestral. They can only be seen by those who have seen death. I guess that's all of us, huh?" Hermione explained before entering the carriage.

Edward shivered lightly in horror before following his beloved. "Never thought I'd see the day a bloodsucker was scared of the thought of killing." Hans muttered to himself as he followed up the rear. Edward shot him a glare which he ignored.

Hans stared out of the window as the Thestrals flew towards the Guild's hideout. The inside of the carriage had been enlarged and a feather light charm had been placed on it, enabling the gruesome beasts to fly long distances with it.

In one corner, Edward and Jasper were playing chess. Jasper was trying to mask his moves by thinking up war strategies and such. Alice was sat watching them, eagerly trying to predict the outcome. Esme and Carlisle sat in another corner, talking quietly and curled up together. Emmett and Rosalie were sat to one side, Emmett playing with Rosalie.

Hermione however, was sat in the middle watching her family. She smiled, but it soon faded when she caught sight of Hans' sad face. She may have disliked him, but he was still sad and, Hermione being the compassionate being she was, she was worried about him. Sighing, she got up and took a seat opposite him.

Hans shot Hermione a filthy glare as she sat opposite him. "What do you want?" He snarled. Hermione put her hands up in a sign of submission. "Easy. I just wanted to see if you're alright." She replied in a soothing voice. Hans glared. "Why? What's in it for you?" Hermione sighed in annoyance. "Nothing. But I do care if you're alright. It's my nature to care. Always has been, being a Vampire doesn't change that." She retorted, her eyes flashing.

Hans let his guard drop and let all the pain he held inside show. Hermione knew the pain; it was the same had felt before she found Edward. The pain of loss. She reached out and gently touched his arm.

"You can't keep your grief inside forever." She whispered. Hans looked at her. "I don't know how to let it out. It's all I've ever done, keep it inside. I've never had anyone to talk to about it." He replied, feeling very vulnerable. Hermione moved and hugged the older man, compassion running through her useless veins. "It's okay. Now, you have me."

Hans wept freely into Hermione's arms, not caring she was thing he hated most in the world. The others in the carriage dutifully moved as far as they could get away from them, giving them some space to talk and for Hans to breathe.

After a while, Hans stopped crying and pulled himself together. "That's better isn't it? I also found, when I lost my parents and Ron, that talking helps." Hermione smiled. Hans looked at his hands. "I don't know. I haven't told anyone. It's hard." He muttered. Hermione squeezed his hand. "It is at first. But then it feels like a load has been lifted."

Hans nodded. "Okay. My mother was a wonderful woman, remarkable really. My father had been a member of the Guild in his youth but had passed away due to illness. My mother and I still resided in the Guild and they were like my family. During the school years, my Mother would teach at Hogwarts."
"She and Albus were friends. She had graduated not long before he became Headmaster and he gave her a teaching job as Charms Professor. My Mother thrived for years on it and managed to balance teaching and raising me. Life was great. Until when I was ten." Hans paused, his face becoming pained. Hermione gave an encouraging smile and he smiled back weakly.

"It was during the summer and the Guild needed help on one of their attacks. They had been hired to clear out some red eyes from a small town and needed some help. My Mother went to help, telling me to stay home. I, of course, didn't."
"I followed them into the town and kept close one of the elders or My Mother. She looked so beautiful as she fought, so determined and graceful. As if she had done it a million times. But a Red Eye crept up behind her. I wanted to call out to warn her, but I was terrified and frozen in my place."

"I did nothing to help her. I just watched as the Vampire killed her. Watched as the life ebbed away from her, the light felt her eyes. I DID NOTHING!" Hans roared, punching the wall in anguish. If Hermione could cry, she would have been. "She was so beautiful, but she left me. If I had just warned her…"

Hermione stopped him. "No, If you had warned her then the Vampire would have known you were there and would have most likely turned on you. Then your mother would probably defended you and the same would happen then, but you too would have been killed. It was not your fault." She told him firmly, her golden eyes boring into Hans' own blue eyes.

Hans smiled weakly at her. "Thank you." He replied. Hermione smiled brilliantly. "It's nothing. You need that." Edward approached them. "We're landing." He told the two. Hermione stood up and kissed him quickly before smiling at Hans.

The carriage landed with a bump on the lush grass. The Vampires and Hans exited the carriage and overlooked their surroundings. An old castle towered above them and the view stretched on for miles. They were on top of a hill, the Castle hidden by a few various wards and enchantments.

Hans strode into the Castle's halls, the Cullens and Hermione following nervously. Edward leaned over. "Talk about walking into a pit of snakes." He whispered. Hermione shook her head. "They won't harm us. Hans gave me his word." She assured him. Edward's eyebrows rose at the use of Hans' name.

"What? Here he isn't my Professor and after that, he is my ally, if not friend." Hermione huffed. Edward chuckled and wrapped his arm around her waist in a protective and endearing manner. Hermione rolled her eyes. "I can defend myself if need be." She hissed. "But I feel happier if I know you're beside me." Edward replied. Before Hermione could retort, Hans threw open two massive Oak doors. "My friends, welcome to The Guild of Lamia Venator."

Please Read and Review. Hope you liked this chapter. I just had to back into the swing of writing, lol. Anyway, after that sleep over last night, I'm beat. I'll try to get the next one up soon. Next Chapter: The Guild is introduced to the Vampires and they begin to plan thier attack. Only 3 chapters and an epilogue to go!