AN: So Since I wasn't able to post anything over the weekend, here is an extra-long chapter. I hope you enjoy it, I think it turned out super sweet. But maybe that's just because of how I imagine it and doesn't carry over to you guys….i hope it does though. Let me know
Also I think about instead of one super long story, making 3 shorter ones out of it. What would you prefer?

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Chapter 9: Time for visions

Until today Hermione grew more and more frustrated, feeling as if the whole conversation she had with the headmaster and her head of house was forgotten. But today she got informed that she was supposed to send documents of her school grades, her wand, since she needed a special license for it, and medical records from both the hospital wing and St. Mungo's over to Ilvermorny. Even though it was just paperwork, it excited her, because it meant that things are moving forward. It's been 3 weeks since her talk with the teachers. She never considered herself impatient but she needed to see something to happen.

However she needed someone to accompany her to the ministry of magic and St- Mungo's to get the documents she needed. She wasn't of age yet, so an adult had to be with her and she wasn't allowed to leave school grounds without a teacher anyway. Since Professor McGonagall was busy with some pranksters in her house (Hermione didn't need to guess who was responsible for that) she recommended Professor Snape to take here there. Much to her approval he had no time either, so she ended up traveling with Professor Flitwick, who happened to have some free time.

Not sure how to feel about that, Hermione ended up liking her company. Professor Flitwick had a lot of interesting facts to share about all kinds of places while they were on their way to the ministry. Once there he also knew a lot of people they met there, former Ravenclaws, and introduced her to some of them. Now Hermione wondered, if Ravenclaw wouldn't have been a better choice for her. Thanks to the many connections the professor held in the ministry and his friendly personality in general, getting her Wand-License was done in no time.

Hermione came to an interesting observation and wondered if it was coincidence or showed an actual pattern. While they met an unusual high amount of former Ravenclaws at the ministry, there were not many of them at St. Mungo's. Instead an awful lot of Slytherins were around, working for the hospital. But she had a slight feeling that this was part of their current unlucky situation. They already waited for nearly an hour when finally prof. Flitwick got hold of one of the nurses being able to tell them why they were here. The employee, that was supposed to sit at the entrance just was nowhere to be found. Then it took another 20 min for the nurse to find someone, who actually could hand out the documents. Not because the hospital was especially busy, no it seems like the staff just was distracted by something else than work today and rather was chatting than working. Hermione rolled her eyes. She knew that the Slytherins in school liked to gossip and always find an easy way to avoid working themselves, but she hoped this would change during adulthood. Their bad luck continued when one of the healers finally got time for them to hand out her files, but discovered that hemiones last checkup was overdue. Not only did it annoy both of them, it also reminded Hermione in a painful way that she was supposed to be here a few days after her parents accident. Her mom already had the appointment in her calendar…..she just never made it here.

The young witch shook her head, to get rid of these thoughts. The professor tried to convince the healer, it was a chubby woman in maybe her 40s, with a friendly face but a strict attitude, that this checkup wouldn't be necessary and could be done at Hermione's new home. He even played the 'dead family – card'. But there was no way around in her eyes. "We can either try to fit you in now and then you have everything ready and can take the file with you or we make an appointment for another day and then u can take the papers. It's up to you" .

With an annoyed huff the girl rolled her eyes and looked at her smaller professor for help. He checked his pocket-watch. "I do have another…..90 minutes." He shot a questioning stare at the healer who frowned "I think that should work, but I can't promise, since we have to squeeze her in." Another worried look at his pocket-watch then to his student "I am going to wait if it takes longer, I have to go back to Hogwarts and will send someone else to pick you up." He said and with an encouraging smile added "But I am sure we will be through until then." Hermione wasn't sure if he tried to convince himself or her.

"Professor, I already used the floo-network before I can just floo back on my own." Hermione offered. She felt bad being such a burden and taking away his whole free time. The nurse nodded in agreement "We can send her back, Professor. That would be no problem. I never heard of a child going missing here." Flitwick looked from the girl to the healer and back, thinking and then nodded as well. "Okay I guess you two are right, but I will wait anyway as long as I have some time,"

Even though she felt somewhat guilty, she was very glad that the wizard stayed with her. If she was alone she would have thought about how this visit should have been months ago….with her mom. The woman send them to the waiting room, that Hermione already knew from previous visits. Her Parents always were so amazed when they used to be here with her. She and Professor Flitwick sat in a windowed corner and chatted a little. He asking questions about her latest work ahead in his class and she asking questions about other magical schools.

….

There was a big window in one of the walls. Behind it was supposed to sit a nurse, taking registrations, but the seat was still empty. If the light in the waiting area would have been less bright, they could have seen an open door in the little room behind the window, that led into a small but cozy pause-area for the staff. There was a small kitchen table a basic kitchen and a few nurses chatting.

Carlisle could tell that Healer Adams ( he still considered it weird that they called themselves healers instead of doctor, but he liked the sound of it) was annoyed and grew more and more impatient all day. Not because the work wasn't going well, quite the opposite. They made great progress with the Serum….or rather potion they were working on. If they actually got it to work, there would be a temporary anti-dote to vampire poison. If taken within the first 24 hours after a bite, it could revert the changing-process. Though until now they only managed to let it work within the first few seconds. They had to get it up to at least 24 hours to actually consider it successful.

No the reason Healer Adams was annoyed anyway, was because his staff just avoided work like the plague these days. The Nurses always tried to find a reason to pass by the research lab instead of caring for their patients and most oft the healers did either the same or wandered around the hospital trying to find a nurse to help them. If they weren't spying at their new vampire colleague, they were gathered somewhere gossiping like schoolgirls.

Carlisle felt sorry and already apologized several times to his temporary boss. Morris Adams was no one who threw fits, so he didn't want to hear any of that, he knew it wasn't Carlisle's fault and expected his staff to be more professional. "You know we had vampires here before…..as patients, that is. So I should have known this will happen with you as well. First they act all scared and freaked out by the thought of having one of your kind around and then they ogle you like they never saw a man before….excuse the comparison." Carlisle laughed a warm laugh. He liked the man, because he never filtered what he said. He was straight forward and named things as they were. Morris let out a sound of annoyance and jumped off his stool. "Let's take a break so I can shush them back to work and you can do your vampire thing, maybe it scares them off and back to their jobs if you drink in the community kitchen!

The hospital was so friendly to actual keep animal blood for him, even though he would have preferred hunting for many reasons, he didn't want to refuse their hospitality and went with those packs. It didn't taste well, being feezed and not as fresh as he was used to but he would never tell that. But he would never actual drink in front of his co-workers. He only needed to every other day anyway. "Sorry Adams, I think I can't do you that favor" Carlisle held his hands up as he declined the great plan "But I wouldn't mind a little break."

They went to the little kitchen behind the registration and Morris frowned again as he noticed the seat there was empty. The kitchen was crowded by mainly female employees…..chatting and shutting up immediately when the two men entered. Now they just stared. It reminded both of them of a bunch of fish staring. Now Adams exploded, he threw the papers he held in his hands on a kitchen counter, producing a loud bang and put his hands on his hips, the lab-coat already had it's sleeves rolled up which made him look especially intimidating. "You lazy pack, stop the chatting and start the working or I have each of you clean the toilettes with toothbrushes! There are god damn sick people waiting for your attention so stop your little girly hearts from jumping out your chest every time you see our new handsome addition, get your panties dry again and get the hell out of here. Go go go go!" He shushed them out and chased them a good part of the way to make sure they actually get to work. Carlisle could here him yell a while longer down the hall and smiled amused. Sure it was a little harsh, but not undeserved.

Two people stayed in the kitchen. A female Healer, he knew as Corinna Bardson and a male nurse, whose name he forgot, but he didn't want to ask again. Bardson was preparing some tea for herself, while the other man was smoking and reading the newspaper. Carlisle sat across, pretending to enjoy the needed rest and stared at the moving pictures at the back of the newspaper for a while. Then he stared out of the door and the window to the waiting room. It was pretty full. "Is anyone going to take this registration seat any time soon?" he asked trying very hard not to sound accusing. The man answered him " If Niki doesn't show up, I will do it…..after my break. I deserve 10 minutes, the girls had me do their load of work all day since they were…busy" With the last word he looked over his newspaper at Carlisle with a demeaning stare. The vampire flinched a bit, it actually hurt his feelings. He stared out of the window again and then recognized a familiar face. "Oh" he let out surprised. Bardson turned around "What is it?" she asked with her remarkable melodic voice. Carlisle considered her less gossipy and more friendly than most female healers he met so far. "The girl there in the waiting room I already met her a few times." Corinna scanned the waiting room to see who he was referring to. "Oh Hermione Granger" She said matter of factly and Carlisle stared at her wondering if she was aware that she wasn't supposed to share personal information but let it drop. Maybe she knew the girl personally "So that's her name. I only knew Hermione." He said. Corinna nodded "Yeah, She's from Hogwarts. Lives there since her Parents died a few months ago. Poor thing. Poppy….Hogwarts' healer", she explained remembering that Carlisle wouldn't know the name "always told me what a gifted and smart witch the girl was, hoped she would become a healer later, but I don't think she keeps that performance up in her current situation." Again Carlisle's stomach turned a little, witnessing the woman giving away such personal information so freely, but he was too curious to actually complain. "I didn't know that. That is sad to hear. So I assume one of the teachers serves as guardian, if she lives at school?" He was confused, didn't the headmaster mention that she was about to visit another school. The woman next to him shook her head and popping her lips while she thought. "No I think poppy said, they took her in until they found a foster family, but with the whole rumors about Hogwarts not being safe anymore and the hire of Slytherin having returned, they had no luck finding a place for her, since she is muggleborn….really sad that so many good situated families are still that frightened by such rumors." She explained while she sipped her tea. Carlisle had to correct his opinion on her, she was a gossip-mouth after all. But right now he had nothing against it. He didn't understand half of what the woman just said but was sure he picked up the most important information. "Why is she here?" he asked knowing that in a normal hospital no one would tell him unless she was his patient….but they didn't seem to take it that strict with confidentiality. "I took her registration earlier. She was here to pick up her files, since she seems to be moving…I have to ask poppy about this one" she took a mental note to herself "But I saw that her last checkup was supposed to get done months ago, so I required to get that done before I give away the files. Though I couldn't find Healer Millan so far to tell him to get that done real quick. He should be free but….nowhere to be found."

"I can do that if you want." Carlisle offered, trying not to show his personal interest on the case. "I mean it's just a basic checkup I doubt you do that any different than we do….I can't see magic being involved in taking blood pressure ." He pulled his eyebrows up wondering how that would work. Bardson laughed "No…no magic there, you indeed could do that for us. You can use my examination room it's number 028. I have a break for another 20 minutes." Again Carlisle couldn't help but notice how different things worke here. No one had a personal room back in his hospital, but he would have liked that sometimes. He hated when he got a room where nothing was left, where it was supposed to be. He nodded as if getting ready to work, hiding his excitement to be able to ask the girl some question. He wasn't really sure where the sudden interest came from. The girl wasn't that interesting to him when they met before, but he knew something was off with her and now that she was around without the boy it was even more obvious. Surely there wasn't something right with the boy too and it somehow distracted him before and now he was so close to lifting one of those secrets, he just had to go for it. "Thank you Corinna." He got up. She smiled a friendly smile "No thank you, I already feared I have to send her home again." She pointed to the left "That direction" she corrected the vampire as he started walking the wrong way. "I will tell her to come and see you" she offered and he nodded his thanks.

…..

Hermione started to fight sleep. Just sitting and waiting got boring fast and her Professor now was consumed by an interesting article in one of the magazines. She jolted up in alarm as her head actually nodded off. Now she felt dizzy from her sleepiness and the uncontrolled movement her head just performed. But she got forced to focus when the healer from earlier walked over to them. "Someone got time for you now, dear. I will show you the way." Flitwick grinned glad to finally get things done and assured her to be waiting here for her." Hermione felt somewhat embarrassed, partly for her sleepiness partly for the whole situation, but thanked him as she got up to follow the woman. Once they reached the right room she opened a door for her, throwing it open with her whole body weight and letting her in. She gave her a wink and an encouraging smile and left the room, closing the door behind her again." Hermione wondered how someone can have so much energy…..she was far from that right now. She couldn't help a yawn as she scanned the room for another person and blinked blank as she saw the familiar blond man.

"Hello Hermione, nice to see you again" He smiled and walked slowly over to her.

She looked at him skeptical. Evaluating how to react, considering the newest information she gathered about him. Her logic won the battel so she didn't resist when the man put a hand on her upper back leading her to the examination table. "Hello Doctor Cullen" she greeted in a neutral tone. "I am a little surprised to see you here to be honest." She confessed. She caught herself being more reserved than she used to be around the man but couldn't really help it.

Doctor Cullen put on a warm smile. "Yes I am not supposed to be here for this kind of work, but they were short on a healer, so I filled in." He explained. The friendly sound of his voice was supposed to calm Hermione down, but now that she knew what he was it send shivers down her spine and she felt the urge to run for her life. The doctor continued "So if you don't mind me doing your checkup…." He left the sentence unfinished as he noticed Hermione going all tense. "Are you alright?"

Again Instinct and logic battled inside of Hermione's head. How should she react. She knew, that she wasn't good at faking carefreeness but it seemed rude to not explain anything. She decided to just tackle to topic.

She took a deep breath and turned around to face the Vampire. "You know if Harry were here instead of me he would try to run for his life….I'm sure of that." She started. "We heard Dumbledore and you talking back in school." She looked to the floor ashamed for admitting that they were indeed eavesdropping, although it wasn't intentionally It felt wrong. Also she felt fear creeping up her thoughts.

Carlisle pulled a stool to him and sat down on it to be on eye level with the little witch. "Ah I see and now you are scared because you know that I am a Vampire" he said fatherly. Confused Hermione looked up into his face and instantly down again, blushing at being caught. "Yet I don't see you running out screaming" He said in a questioning tone.

Hermione swallowed before speaking "I just try to see things with some reasoning". She explained with an unusual thin voice.

Carlisle lifted his eyebrows "So why don't you see the need to run?" He asked curiously.

Hermione looked up a little without lifting her head. "Well first you didn't hurt Harry when he was hurt, you helped him." Her chin rose up a little "And everyone seems to know what you are, yet you are here and working….in a hospital!" her head went even higher "And you just never gave me a reason to actually be scared" Now she was looking him into the eyes "It's just my nerves going a little crazy because of what I red of vampires so far." She let a breath out she was holding, finishing her explanation.

Carlisle chuckled silently and then took the girls small hands in his. "look Hermione, there is no reason to be scared of me. I promise you that much." He looked into her surprised face. "I tell you what. You can ask me anything you want, that helps you be less scared of me, if I get to ask some questions as well."

Hermione was thinking a few seconds, then agreed. That sounded fair to her. "alright. But I don't think I have much interesting to tell you." She said sheepishly.

"Oh I think there are plenty of interesting things to know about you, young lady." He laughed. "Hop up and sit on the table" he said but already lifted her up as he did so. A startled squeak escaped her mouth and again she couldn't stop her cheeks burning red when the doctor laughed.

He sat back down in front of her. "Okay you start" he offered.

Hermione thought for a moment and then settled for a rather smart questions, that would solve a few mysteries at once. "Why is no one bothered by your presence here?" She asked curiously.

Carlisle formed a delightful but silent 'Oh' with his lips. The little witch asks smart questions he thought. "Because I mean no harm to humans…..or human-similar creatures I should add here." He thought of all the …..Persons….he met at this place. "I raised my family to live vegetarian, as we call it" He laughed again.

Hermione got that she missed the joke there. Confused she stared at the man "So you drink only orange juice?" She asked sarcastically.

"Ah! My turn." Carlisle interrupted. Hermione frowned at that but gave in.

"The headmaster told me you want to visit another school." Carlisle tried to let it sound like a 'by-the-way'-information "Why? If you don't mind me asking. You seem to like Hogwarts." He didn't want to come off to intruding so he walked over to the desk, looking for things he would need while he gave her time to answer.

Hermione wondered for brief moment why this would interest him, but then decided that he probably just would ask random questions to keep the conversation going. So she answered "A few months ago, something terrible happened." She stopped to think how much she should tell him but decided that digging around was neither clever nor fair "I lost my parents in an accident." She said that rather cold and was surprised herself, how distant it sounded. "Ever since everyone acts different at Hogwarts and I don't feel good there anymore. And besides that thy can't find a family for me here, so we agreed to try in America. I like the school settled there for a new start and the wizarding world over there is more tolerant when it comes to wizarding heritage." She turned a little excited talking about it.

Carlisle followed her speech with interest, but didn't fail to notice that her fear of him appeared to be forgotten so he put the medical bag he found at the table next to her and started his checkup while she spoke. This plan went pretty well she didn't protest and was so focused on talking that she just did as told, when he asked her to free her arm for him.

While Carlisle put the cuff around her upper arm in a swift movement she debated what question to ask next. "So what about the vegetarian thing?" She asked impatiently.

"Mhhhh" Carlisle tried to focus on two things at once now "We only drink Animal-Blood. The Vegetarian-Phrase is our little inside joke." He could see that the little witch expected more "Do you want to know how you can tell if a vampire feeds from human blood or not?" he asked her, hoping to keep her fearless curiosity up. She nodded eager and he tapped right under his eye. "Eye color" he exclaimed. "Red eyes, show that they drank human blood. Ours are typically golden and a hungry vampire will have black eyes."

Hermione smiled a proud smile. "I did read about the black eyes before!" she told him. He could see now, that she must be a bookworm.

It was his turn again. "Did you find a family in America? I assume so, since you are here to gather your files." He said taking off the cuff, not entirely happy with the result he got. He took a note on her paper.

Hermione attempted to shake her head but he held her still. "I will check your eyes, try not to move" he explained. Hermione tried not to move her Head while speaking "No! Headmaster Dumbledore is looking for a family to take me in, but wasn't successful yet I think. But the new school requested some documents, since I already got enrolled there. Seems like the Headmaster is positive to find a place for me until then…..I am not so confident anymore." She added a little sad.

He was checking her ears now and she didn't wait long before firing her next question. "You said you have family? How does that work? I never red about vampires having families….maybe clans though." She had to force herself not to turn her head and look at him. He cam back into view and stopped busying around for a moment.

"That is because usually we never can stay on one place for too long. But our diet allows us to have a permanent home, like every other family. I have a wife, Esme, and five children. They all go to the local school like every other teenager….even though they do so not for the first time." He smiled a little sad at her, remembering that she has no such place anymore. "It is a loving family home, no clan." He had to make that difference clear.

Hermione's eyes shone bright with interest as she listened. Their question game went on as they went through the rest of her checkup and came to an end, when Carlisle filled in the last notes on her paper.

He looked over it and his lips formed a thin line, not looking all to happy. Hermione however didn't notice, their conversation made her feel bursting with the energy of curiosity.

"Hermione?" Doctor Cullen started a little frustrated.

"Hmm?" She answered as her feet dangled back and forth.

"Do you do any sports or go outside a lot?" He asked a little distracted

"Not if I can avoid it!" She explained puzzled about his intention. "I prefer the library."

Carlisle tried to focus on the conversation but another thought pulled his attention and he failed trying to sort out both thinking paths. "Your blood pressure is a little low, nothing to worry about, but being out in fresh air wouldn't be a bad idea." He advised somewhat absence.

Hermione's expression turned a little frustrated but she mumbled her okay.

The vampire pulled himself out of thoughts and stood up, leading the little witch to the door. "Well your ready to fly…..or at least leave" he joked. "I hope being in one room with a scary vampire wasn't too bad."

The girls face brightened with a joyful smile. His heart melted at that sight, knowing her a little better now. "No. It absolutely wasn't" She said happily. " I will convince Harry not to run from you when you are around next time."

He led her back to the waiting room and wondered if he should tell her that he won't be here for long anymore, or not. He decided against it. No need to destroy the happiness she just caught.

As they entered the room, she walked straight over to the tiny Professor waiting for her. He followed and greeted the man briefly. He told him that everything was alright and that a nurse will copy the files for them so they can take the copies with them. The professor interrupted him, waved his wand, and a copy of the requested papers just appeared above the originals in his hands. He couldn't help but look absolutely shocked about that. After a few seconds, finding his composure again, he handed them over and they said their goodbyes.

"Thank you…..For the talk and everything…" Hermione said a little shy as they went to leave.

Carlisle smiled until they were out of sight.

It was 5pm by then and he had enough on his mind to leave for today. He went looking for Healer Adams, told him he would quit. He already was there for 12 hours, so no one protested.

While he pulled the portkey, to his room at the three broomsticks out of his locker, he already was deep in thoughts, and as he arrived in his room, the decision was already made.

….

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(Cullen's Home)

Jasper laid on their bed, focused on a book he was reading for the 4th time now, but it never stopped to catch his interest. Alice rested next to him, head on his chest and her feet tapped along to the music she was listening to, silently she hummed along the violin, when Jasper suddenly felt her whole body go tense. Her humming stopped.
He held her and stroke her shoulder, while the vision held her in its claws.

When she snapped out of it she smiled at him. "It seems like Carlisle's trip turns out to be a win for the whole family." She said, riddle-like as usual.

"You are not going to explain that further, aren't you?" he chuckled and kissed the top of her head.
"No" Was all answer he got, but he didn't want to complain, he could feel her happiness and knew it would be nothing bad.

Right in this moment, Alice phone rang. It was Carlisle…..

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AN: I feel bad for letting the Slytherins look so bad in this one, my heart beats silver-green and usually I am always up for defending the good attributes of the snake-house ^^' but it just had to serve the story now. So I apology to all Slytherins out there.