CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT
Summary: Nine years after the war, Hermione's the Head of the Auror Department that specialises in dealing with Magical Creatures and fugitive Death Eaters that are loose in the Muggle World. With the fugitive Death Eaters no longer hiding in Britain, she's tracking rogue Death Eaters in the United States, which leads her to The Winchester brothers. The Witch and The Hunters are a dynamic trio that no creature, being or beast wishes to mess with, Magical or Supernatural. Hermione/Dean pairing. Rated M for a reason.
Disclaimer: I don't own original canon characters or events, just those that I create myself. Everything belongs to J.K Rowling and the creators of Supernatural. I am not making a profit posting this fanfic.
Page count: 12
One month later...
"Honestly, Dean, I'm fine," Hermione said, her eyes gliding across the selection of cakes in the window display of the bakery she stood in front of. "There's nothing for you to worry about, you and Sam deal with the vampires and I'll meet you back at the motel."
"I don't like leaving you alone," he replied.
"But I'm not alone, I have Xander with me," she responded, resting her hand against her large stomach, and she hummed to herself when her eyes landed on the cake of her choice. "I'm just about to head into the bakery, I'll make sure to pick something up for you and Sam, and afterward I'll do a bit of shopping. I was hoping to see some of the sights but I honestly can't be bothered. My feet are starting to ache so I won't be out for much longer."
"You let me know when you get back safe."
"No, I don't want to distract you in case you're busy. I'll call for Mimsy and she'll take me back to the motel, so you know I'll get there safe. You can call me after you're through with the vampires, you need to be focused."
"Fine, I'll see you soon."
"You will," she said, before they shared goodbyes and she snapped the phone shut, slipped it into the pocket of her jacket and stepped inside the bakery.
After purchasing her chosen cake, as well as a few for later and the brothers, she left the bakery a happy witch and slowly made her way down the street, window shopping as she ate.
It'd been a month since they'd officially moved into the house, and it was everything she could've dreamed of. They all settled in nicely, even Bobby had stopped complaining of being 'abducted and held against his will' after only a week. He spent most of the time in the library, enjoying his access to Hermione's magical texts and running Hunter's Information Central.
The Winchesters had spent the first week at the house, exploring their new home and enjoying the peace and quiet, knowing that there was no place safer on earth and that they had no reason to worry about being found or followed by either Crowley or other supernatural beings.
After the first couple of days of being at the house, they had a house warming party in which The entire Weasley horde, The Malfoys and The Potters had floo'd over to see their new family home for the first time. The festivities had lasted for three days, after which Hermione had grown tired of having more than thirty people being in her house at one time and she'd sent them home, most of the men being drunk, the women not caring for their complaints, and the children sad to leave and returning to their own homes. Even with magic it had taken a full day to get her lovely new house back to rights and properly cleaned up.
Once the brothers had sobered up –since Hermione refused to supply them with any form of pain relief or Hangover Potion, as it served them right- Bobby presented them with a case of a suspected werewolf. They'd headed out the next day and once Hermione had confirmed it was a supernatural werewolf, the brothers took care of it. They were away from the house for two weeks before returning for a few days of respite, and then they'd set out once again, wanting to get as many cases closed as possible as once Hermione went into labour, they would be out of commission for a while.
Hermione was now eight months pregnant and her stomach larger than ever, and once she reached the nine month mark, they all agreed that it would mark the beginning of their hiatus. Hermione was getting more uncomfortable and more tired by the day and in a month's time she knew she wouldn't be able to handle travelling for cases, and with her and Dean not being able to be separated for long periods of time, they'd all agreed as a family, that it was best to stop at that point.
They were currently in Manhattan, New York, and while the brothers were searching for a nest of vampires, she was walking down the street, enjoying the sunshine and the slight breeze as it helped to keep her cool, but given that it was early September, she knew the weather was slowly transitioning into autumn and it would be colder, so she was enjoying the sunshine whilst she could.
She'd already been walking for a few hours and feeling herself tiring and her feet, back and shoulders aching, she made the decision to head back to the motel. She was walking down the street, searching for somewhere she would be able to hide so she could call for Mimsy to collect her.
She walked past an alley way and when she heard a little crying sound, one you would hear from an animal, she stopped in her steps and turned to face the alley, seeing the ground being covered with dirt and rubbish and the large over flowing bins. She grimaced and placed both hands against her stomach. Ideally she didn't want to go down the alley, not wanting to catch an illness that would harm her or the baby, but when she heard the whimpering noise once more, she knew she had no choice.
She slowly looked around her, before walking forward, a disgusted look pulling at her face at the awful smells that assaulted her nose, bile rose in the back of her throat but she pushed it down. She followed the sounds until she came to the very end of the alley way, but she looked around, not being able to see anything.
Hearing a sudden noise of an empty can hitting the floor and rattling as it rolled to a stop, Hermione jumped in surprise and had her wand in her hand before she'd even realised she'd done it. Taking a breath and forcing herself to calm down, she slowly approached the large bin, scrunching up her nose at the smell and she peeked to look behind it.
Her eyes widening at the sight of a small black heap curled up in ball between the bin and the wall, its little form shaking and whines and cries coming from it.
"Hey, little guy," Hermione said, drawing the attention of the little heap and the head turning to look at her, show casing the black eyes and they looked so sad, Hermione almost started to cry. "What are you doing here?" She asked, despite knowing she wouldn't get an answer.
She spent several minutes trying to coax the little puppy out into the open but it wouldn't budge, and judging by the lack of a collar and the dirt covering its black fur, she guessed it to be a stray.
Making a decision, she quickly made her way back down the alley way and to a few shops down the street where she knew there was a butchers. After purchasing some chicken and a bone, she returned to the alley way and conjured herself a chair to sit on, knowing she was going to be waiting a while.
With the can on the floor, she transfigured it into a dog bowl and cast Cleaning Charms over it, before placing the shredded chicken into one bowl and with her wand, she filled the other with water.
Several minutes later the little puppy came out from behind the bin and Hermione remained quiet and still as he approached the bowls, sniffing at the food curiously before digging in and eating everything in front of him. When the bowls were empty of both food and water, the little pup sat down and watched her. Now that Hermione could see it, it looked more like a black Labrador than anything else and given its size, she'd say no more than three months old, and he was absolutely adorable.
She remained still and quiet and the little pup slowly approached her, sniffing at her ankles and feet curiously and much to her surprise, a sudden cry tore from the little pup and he collapsed onto her feet, the warm wet tongue of the pup licking at her leg affectionately.
She blinked, unable to understand what'd just happened and she grimaced at the attention the puppy was paying to her leg. Cautiously, she reached down with her hand and petted the dog on the head, and he lifted his head and rubbed it against her hand. The puppy stood up before jumping up at her knees, resting his paws on her and his tail wagging back and forth.
Unable to stop herself, she lifted the pup until he was on her lap, and the moment his eyes locked with hers, Hermione knew she was done for. His eyes held happiness and sadness both at the same time, and she knew she couldn't allow him to remain on the streets, and she also knew that she was going to take the little pup home with her and keep him. The moment his gaze locked on hers, the little pup had stolen her heart. He licked her hand and rubbed himself against her, before curling up in a ball on her lap, his nose pressed against her stomach and sniffing curiously, and that's how he fell asleep.
~000~000~000~
"You here, Sweetheart?" She heard Dean call out.
"In the bathroom," she called back, hearing the door shut and footsteps cross the floor and the bed creak as weight was added to it.
Hermione smiled as Dean entered the room, and then she turned her eyes back to the bath where she was currently sat on a chair and bathing the little pup that she'd decided she'd be keeping. The dirt and grime had all been washed away and as Hermione washed off the rest of the soap suds, it left behind soft, shiny fur. She giggled when Lucky –that was his name, because they were both Lucky to have found each other- licked her arm as she reached over to turn off the shower.
"Glinda, what are you doing?" Dean asked.
"Baking a pie," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, Dean, what does it look like I'm doing?"
She reached over and snagged the towel that she'd left on the toilet seat and she began to pat down Lucky.
"I honestly have no idea," he said and when she looked up at him, he had a confused frown on his face and he was looking at her as if she'd lost her mind.
"I'm bathing our new addition to the family," she said, laughing and shielding herself with the towel when Lucky shook his fur and water went everywhere.
"Sweetheart, I know you like to joke around, but this isn't funny, you're really starting to worry me."
She turned her eyes back to him and saw that he really did have a worried look on his face.
"What's not funny? I haven't made a joke," she frowned.
"Sammy!" Dean called, a slight hysterical tone to his voice.
Rapid footsteps were heard before Sam came barrelling into the bathroom, almost slipping on the wet floor and he gripped onto the door frame to keep himself from falling and the door slammed against the wall loudly.
"What is it? What's wrong? Is it the baby? Have her waters broke? It can't have, she's got another two months to go," Sam said, a panicked tone to his voice and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"No, I'm fine and so is the baby. There's nothing wrong, Dean's just being paranoid," Hermione responded, going back to drying off Lucky, and missing the worried glance he and Dean shared.
"What are you doing, Hermione?" Sam asked.
"Oh for Heaven's Sake. What the bloody hell does it look like I'm doing?" She said in annoyance.
"You tell me,"
"The same thing I told Dean, I've just finished bathing the new addition to our family and now I'm drying him. I don't want the bedding getting wet and smelling of wet dog."
She dropped the wet towel to the ground before picking up another dry one and then she reached over, wrapped Lucky in it and lifted him from the bath and into her arms. She stood from the chair and pointedly ignored the brothers as she barged past them and into the room, taking a seat on the end of her bed, sitting Lucky in her lap and continuing to dry him off.
The brothers followed her out of the bathroom and stood in front of her, staring down at her with matching looks of worry.
"Have you banged your head today?" Sam asked her.
"Of course I haven't," she replied, giggling when Lucky licked her face.
"Hermione, you really are scaring me," Dean said, and when she looked up at him a variety of emotions were flittering through his eyes and he had a pained look on his face.
"Why am I scaring you? I've only bathed and dried our new family member."
"There's nothing there!" Dean snapped, his fear and worry coming through in his voice.
Hermione blinked slowly, before looking down at the puppy in her lap and then back to her husband and brother-in-law.
"Of course there is, I think you're the ones that have banged your heads. I never asked, did you find the nest of vampires?"
"Screw the case," Dean said, taking a step towards her but he stilled instantly when he heard a growl come from out of nowhere, and he and Sam shared a worried look.
"Lucky, he's not going to hurt me," Hermione told her new puppy, scratching him on the head and behind his ears. "Don't you ever growl at a member of the family, especially your daddy."
Dean and Sam both blinked slowly, trying to process what they'd heard and what she'd just said. Their eyes swept over Hermione before landing on her lap, where there was a white towel and despite them not being able to see anything, they could clearly see that it looked as though it was wrapped around something. And then everything clicked into place. She could see something that they couldn't.
"Hermione," Sam said calmly, his hand going to the gun in the waist band of his jeans. "I think you should put it down and step out of the way."
Hermione frowned, hugging her puppy to her tighter and eyeing the gun now held in his hand. "I don't think so, if you think I'm going to let you harm an innocent puppy, then you've got another thing coming, Samuel Winchester!" Her voice rose high and they both winced at the sound, as well as the fact she'd narrowed her eyes on him dangerously.
"Sweetheart, do as he says and put it down," Dean said, his own hand also reaching for his gun.
"No, I will not," she said, lifting her head up and jutting out her chin stubbornly.
"Look, Hermione, you can see something and we can't. What does that remind you of?" Sam said.
Hermione frowned in thought, biting her lip absentmindedly. "Hellhounds," she answered.
"Exactly, now put it down and get out of the way."
"No," she said. "I know what you're thinking, but Lucky isn't a hellhound, he can't be."
"You can see it and we can't, it's a hellhound and it's dangerous."
"Dangerous, my arse," Hermione scoffed, which trailed off into a giggle when Lucky licked her face again, apparently not getting enough attention from her. "He's about as dangerous as a flobber worm."
"It's a hellhound!" Dean snapped.
"It's a he, thank you very much," she sniffed. "And he's not a hellhound, you can't see them and I can, and I know what they look like. I'm telling you, he's not a hellhound. He looks nothing like those demon dogs."
"Then what does he look like?" Sam asked.
"Honestly, he actually looks like a three month old black Labrador puppy," she answered.
With her wand she dried Lucky completely and removed the towel from him, revealing soft, clean fur, and he bounded off her lap and onto the bed, rubbing himself against it. While the brothers couldn't see the little pup, they could see the disruption happening to the sheets and pillows.
"And he certainly doesn't act like a hellhound. He's too affectionate; he hasn't stopped licking me for the last hour. He's a stray pup, I found him in an alley way and once I fed him, he licked my feet and fell asleep on my lap with his nose pressed against my stomach."
"It's a hellhound," Dean said, not in the least bit convinced.
She sighed and rolled her eyes, before motioning for Sam to come closer. After sharing a look with Dean, he reluctantly approached the bed and stood beside Hermione, who gained the attention of the little pup and he darted across the bed and back into her lap, Hermione laughing loudly when he licked her face.
"Give me your hand," she instructed and Sam cautiously did, his gun gripped tightly in the other and ready to fire should he have to.
Hermione held his hand to Lucky's nose and Sam flinched when he felt his hand brush against his nose, but before he knew it, he was being licked and he heard a playful bark and Hermione laughed at the surprised look on his face. Carefully, Sam allowed his hand to follow the shape of the pup's body, finding his back and feeling the soft fur beneath his hand, despite not being able to see it.
"Hellhounds have spikes for fur," he said, his voice sounding surprised even to his own ears, before he looked over his shoulder at Dean. "She's right, it has regular fur like any dog. It can't be a hellhound."
"I've got an idea," Hermione said, before she summoned her trusty beaded bag and pulled out her magical camera, where she snapped a quick shot of her new puppy and cast the spell to develop the photo. "The supernatural has no power over magic, so my magical camera should be able to capture his true form," she explained.
Once the photo had finished developing, she smiled to herself when she saw the happy puppy bowing his back and wagging his tail playfully and she handed the photograph to Sam.
"That's not possible," he muttered.
"What's not?" Dean frowned, still not looking pleased about the fact Hermione was willingly cuddling a dog from hell.
"Dean, it looks like a regular dog," he said, stepping back from the bed and handing the photo to his brother.
Dean's eyes scanned the photo in confusion. "This is what you see, Glinda?"
"Yes, like I said, he's not a hellhound. He's adorable and I'm keeping him, I don't care what you say."
Dean frowned before he tucked the photo into his pocket and he made for the door. "I'll be back soon," he said, before disappearing as he closed the door behind him.
She shared a look of confusion with Sam and he shrugged, before moving to sit beside her on the bed, feeling much better about petting the apparent non-hellhound-dog which was invisible to him, as the little pup climbed on his lap and licked at his neck.
By the time Dean returned half an hour later, Hermione had found some costume jewellery in her beaded bag and she transfigured it into a dog collar, which she secured around Lucky's neck. The brother's couldn't see Lucky, but they'd be able to see the collar and know he was there, preventing them from accidentally standing on him. She'd also added a little bell, so they'd be able to hear him, too.
Dean stepped into the room and much to Hermione's and Sam's surprise, he wasn't alone.
"Crowley?" Sam said with narrowed eyes and looking to Dean, who held the demon trap that had been above the door in his hand.
"I summoned him, I need to make sure you're going to be safe," Dean said to Hermione, and not bothering to look or sound apologetic. He would never apologise for protecting her.
"Samuel, She-devil," he greeted with a twitch to the mouth. "Well, where's this rogue hellhound I'm going to die for letting near a pregnant Winchester witch? I don't have all day, Hell doesn't run itself."
Dean glared at him and looked to Hermione.
"Lucky is not a hellhound," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "You saw the photo yourself, and even Sam's taken a liking to him."
Dean sent a look to his traitorous brother and Sam just shrugged in response.
"He doesn't behave like a hellhound," Sam said in defence.
"As funny as it is, I don't have time to watch your little domestic argument," Crowley said and Hermione sent him a withering look. "Where's the little demon dog?"
She huffed before unfolding her arms and setting them down in her lap. "Lucky," she called.
They heard thuds against the floor, a bell ringing and barking as the little pup came barrelling out of the bathroom and he ran straight to her. Hermione laughed when he tried to jump up onto the bed but it was too high so he fell off, and taking pity on the little pup, she lifted him onto the bed and he perched himself on her knee and licked her face.
Crowley was watching her with a titled head and a curious glint in his eyes.
"What I want to know is, how can you see him when no one else can?" Crowley asked.
"I'm a witch," she replied.
"Only Angels and demons can see hellhounds," he said, narrowing his eyes at her.
"I must be a special case then," she shrugged.
"Take your demon pup away from my wife, or I'll kill you," Dean said, his arms crossed and his body tense.
"Well, I'm sorry to say, Darling, that's not one of mine."
"What?" He said dumbly.
Crowley stuck his hands into the pockets of his long over coat and shrugged his shoulders. "You heard, Sunshine, that's not one of mine. He was cast out."
"What for? He's adorable and has a lovely temperament?" Hermione frowned, holding her puppy to her chest.
"You've just answered your own question, Love. Not only does he not have the right temperament, his appearance is undesirable, too. He was the runt of the litter. He's not going to serve me well or frighten anyone, so he was cast out. He's an abomination."
Hermione gasped in outrage. "How dare you call my puppy that!" She fumed. "Sam, hold my puppy."
"What?" He blinked in surprise and amusement.
"Hold my puppy," she repeated, pushing the puppy into his arms and she stood up with her hands on her hips and a terrifying, murderous look on her face. "He is not an abomination. Where's my wand? I'm going to hex the shit out of you!"
Hermione's eyes searched the room looking for her wand but she couldn't find it.
"Screw it, I don't need magic to kick your arse. That's right, a British, heavily pregnant Winchester witch is going to kick your arse!"
She made to lunge for him but Dean was beside her instantly and although he was thoroughly amused by her reaction and Crowley's surprise, he held her back for the sake of the baby.
She fumed at him but he ignored her as he looked to the King of Hell, silently demanding that he give his verdict. Crowley shook his head and his mouth twitched at the colourful language she was using, and Sam was having a hard time keeping it together.
"The hell-pup's not dangerous," he spoke. "The exact reason we cast it out."
Dean turned his head when he heard barking and a bell ringing and he heard paws thud against the ground, and giving that he could see a collar but no animal, he realised the pup had jumped onto the ground and was heading towards Crowley.
It was quiet for a few moments before Crowley lowered his hand to touch the little pup and he quickly brought it back to his body when a loud barking was heard, followed by vicious growling and Crowley rolled his eyes and stepped back.
A slow smirk pulled at Dean's face. "I've changed my mind, you can keep him," he said to Hermione, who elbowed him in the side and broke free of his hold.
As quickly as she could, she stormed forward with a murderous look on her face and her finger pointed threateningly in Crowley's face.
"If I ever hear you call my puppy an abomination again, I will make your death miserable. I'll make Hell look like Heaven," she warned.
Sam was laughing, Dean smirking and Crowley took another step back from her.
"Calm down, Spitfire," he rolled his eyes and Dean knew that it was a mistake, as suddenly Hermione's wand was in her hand and Crowley had disappeared from the room before he could blink.
"Coward!" Hermione called out the door, before shutting it none too gently. She leaned against the door with her wand in her hand, her arms crossed and silently fuming.
"Hermione, have you ever seen a movie called, White Chicks?" Sam asked, his laughter having finally stopped, but it was clear he was nowhere near over his amusement.
She frowned. "No, why?"
A slow smile crept onto Sam's face and Dean wondered where he was going with his next response.
"Hold my poodle! Hold my poodle!"
Laughter bubbled out of Dean until tears fell from his eyes, until his ribs hurt and until he collapsed onto the bed, and all the while, Hermione stood with a stunned, confused look on her face.
~000~000~000~
One week later...
"What do you want, Witch, and why have I been summoned to this Merlin Forsaken place?"
Hermione was reclined on the bed and propped up by pillows in a motel room in Springfield, Missouri. Lucky was laid beside her, curled up in a ball and hadn't moved at the newcomer, and she looked up from her book to see Draco Malfoy looking around the room with a grimace on his face.
"It's good to see you, too, Draco," Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Whatever, can we get this over with, I don't want to be here when you pop," he nodded to her stomach and she scowled at him.
"You are aware that I'm very hormonal right now, yes? And that it's not wise to piss me off?"
"Where's the fun in that?" He smirked, before flicking his wand and the chair at the table moved over to him and he sat down. "So, oh fearless leader, why am I here and can you hurry this up, I promised Luna I'd be home early today?"
"Very well," she replied, reaching over to the bedside table and picking up the envelope from the surface, and he leaned over and took it from her when she held it out to him.
"What is it?"
"Open it and you'll find out," she shrugged.
Curiously he opened the envelope and pulled out the letter inside, his eyes scanning the page and he looked to her with a confused frown on his face.
"I don't understand," he admitted.
She gave him a wide smile. "Congratulations, Draco, you've just been promoted."
"But how? The only other position higher than mine is yours."
Her smile remained in place and she nodded. "It is," she agreed. "And as of tomorrow morning, you're the new Head of the Magical Law Enforcement and Auror Department for Muggles. Well done, Head Auror Draco Malfoy."
He stared at her blankly and speechless, and that had never before happened in her life time.
"But..." He trailed off.
"I'm retiring," she told him and his eyes widened further, having never thought he'd hear those words coming from her mouth. "I'm still young and there's plenty that can still be done with the department, but it's now all down to you to make that happen. It's going to be too difficult to be a mother, a wife, a Hunter, the Head Auror and to travel to England every few weeks to ensure everything is running smoothly. Something's got to give and unfortunately that's my job. It won't make much difference in my life except for the fact I'll no longer have the security clearance and resources available to me that I once did, but I'll manage."
"I can't believe you're retiring, that you're giving it up," he said quietly.
She shrugged and smiled at him, resting her hands against her stomach. "It's time and although it wasn't an easy decision to make, I'm happy with it. I haven't told Dean or Harry yet. The only one that knows is Kingsley and although he tried to convince me to stay, we both know the department's going to be in good hands. You've done brilliantly in my absence, and since I'm on maternity leave, I don't have to work my notice. You start tomorrow. I'm officially retired."
~000~000~000~
Three weeks later...
Hermione now being nine months pregnant, was only a month away from being due to give birth and she and Dean would greet their son into the world, and neither of them could wait.
They'd returned to the house a few days ago and had officially started their hiatus period, and everything was calm and peaceful, which is why everything was disturbed when Harry stepped out of the floo and into their living room unexpectedly.
They'd just eaten dinner and the little family were gathered in the living room. Bobby perched on the arm chair with one of Hermione's magical texts in his hand, and Sam sat on the couch doing the same. Hermione was curled up against Dean on the other couch, the both of them revelling in the peace and quiet and with their hands pressed to her stomach, feeling their baby kicking and communicating with them.
They'd all startled at the sound of the floo, both brothers automatically reaching for their guns but neither of them had them on them, having put them away in the armoury seeing as they had no need for them for the time being.
"Harry," she frowned in confusion. "What are you doing here?" She questioned, moving to stand up from the couch, but Harry held his hands up, gesturing for her to stay put and he went over to her instead.
He leaned down and hugged her before stepping back and sitting beside Sam on the couch opposite them, and after greeting the others, he turned to look at her.
"Is everything okay? Ginny? The children?"
"Everything's fine, Hermione," he assured her. "I'm sorry for popping by unexpectedly, but I've just finished my shift at The Ministry and thought it best I come to you before heading home."
"Why?"
"I received a phone call the other day, and I've been meaning to tell you about it, I just haven't had the time and then I forgot about it until I found the reminder I'd left in my office." He reached into his robes and pulled out a small piece of parchment. "Someone said you'd given them my number." He looked down at the paper and squinted slightly, trying to read his own terrible handwriting and Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Chloe Walker, that's her name."
"Chloe Walker?" Hermione muttered, a thoughtful frown on her face and she pushed herself up so she was sitting up and beside Dean, rather than leaning against him. "Chloe Walker?"
Her eyes darted across the floor distractedly until they landed on Harry, seeing him wearing black trousers, black shoes, but red socks.
Red and black? Those colours were familiar to her, but why?
"Chloe Walker?" She muttered once more, before it suddenly hit her. "Oh My God, it's Chloe!"