Author's Note: I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you to the overwhelmingly lovely feedback.Your words have been so incredibly encouraging and thoughtful, I couldn't help but finish this chapter earlier then my typical Sunday night routine.

Chapter 7

The figure stumbled forward. Hermione recognized the vampire at once and gasped as she saw his face marred with blood. She put her wand away instantly and grabbed his shoulder to h

elp him keep his balance. Draco followed her lead, taking the vampire's other side.

"Sanguini, what has happened to you?" She asked in concern and horror.

With Draco's help, she lead him into her bungalow and eased him onto the couch. His clothes were charred and from cuts into his shirt there were deep lesions in his stomach.

The vampire forced a faint smile of gratitude, baring his fangs; Draco stepped slightly back but was instantly embarrassed by the reaction. Hermione pretended not to notice—his fearfulness of her client and friend wasn't the most important detail of the moment.

"I am terribly sorry to bother you my dear," he said weakly. "But this was the only place I could think of that might be safe."

"Safe from what?" Draco asked.

Sanguini's ancient eyes met the blond wizard as he briefly considered whether to answer him. Sensing the tension, Hermione interjected: "It's okay Sanguini, he is a friend. You are safe but Draco is right, from what? Please tell me what happened."

"My home was attacked," he said flatly. Hermione grabbed a first aid kit she kept in her closet by the door. "About four wizards, they came for me while I was still asleep. Whether they had intended to kill me I am not sure. But they had goblin daggers. I was able to hold them off but had to flee when they set my house on fire."

As she applied dittany to his wounds, Hermione frowned. "We need to contact the Aurors. And I think we need to get you to the hospital"

Sanguini shook his head. "This isn't the first time it has happened, Miss Granger. My wounds will heal after a few days rest. You will excuse me if I don't invest too much faith in the system of justice. As you recall, I only earned my personhood a few short weeks ago."

"This is a hate crime," she said with near tears in her eyes. "We can't let them get away with this."

"They already have. It doesn't reach wizaring news papers but among our kind these sort of attacks have been happening more and more. Some vampires have even gone missing," Sanguini's voice was tired. "And I am afraid we are heading into some very turbulent times. I have heard…whispers of a war coming. Retaliation"

Draco's expression darkened as he recalled the last war; there were legions of creatures, mostly werewolves but some vampires as well, that had joined Lord Voldemort. He wasn't sure then what they stood to gain from siding with the Dark Lord, perhaps it was simply that anything seemed better than the life the current government had afforded them.

"But you know me, child; I have no desire to be apart of such things," Sanguini said wistfully as he took Hermione's hand gently in his own. Draco wasn't sure of what to make of the tenderness he saw in the vampire's face. "You have done so much and I am not sure how I could ever repay you in a thousand lifetimes. However, I do believe this will be the last time I see you for awhile."

"I am so sorry the pain you have had to endure," Hermione said as she sat beside him. The vampire's wounds had already begun to disappear thanks to both his natural healing factor and the help of the potion. "Where are you going to go?"

"Abroad; Siberia perhaps or Alaska I hear has long nights this time of year."

"Let me help you apply for amnesty," Hermione offered. "The international portkeys—"

"-are challenging for my kind to qualify for," he finished and added with a mirthless laugh, "This country doesn't want us here but they won't let us leave too easily either."

"Let me see what I can do," Hermione pleaded, "There might be a way. I might have some connections with the ministry that could get you proper papers."

"She's right," Draco said softly, "Living illegally in another country is not any way to exist. Especially if you are caught. You know as well as I do that Hermione's bright; if she says there might be a way then I'd say it's worth a shot."

Hermione wasn't expecting Draco's vote of confidence in her but she appreciated the compliment nonetheless. The witch nodded and turned to Sanguni. "Please let me help. And you can stay here in the meantime. I have a small basement; it isn't much but it's the only space where there are no windows for the sunlight to bother you."

Draco held his tongue, concerned about her offering up her home to a vampire. Despite her conviction that they were normal beings just like any other, Draco had seen the newspapers. He had seen their savagery while fighting for Lord Voldemort.

But Draco also knew it was not his business.

The vampire hesitated before smiling, "If you think there is a way, I would be most grateful for your hospitality."

And the look of tenderness Draco had noted earlier found itself in the face of the old vampire again. And that was when the former Slytherin realized something. When he had shirked from the sight of his fangs earlier, Hermione had not. She had knelt beside him, bandaged his wounds and looked the vampire in the eyes. The kindness in her gaze wasn't forced; her hospitality was sincere.

Draco stayed a little bit longer to help set up a place for the wounded vampire in the basement. He remained mostly quiet, mulling thoughts over in his head as he helped shuffle boxes of books out of the way.

"Is something the matter?" Hermione asked as she flicked her wand. Suddenly a dusty chair wiggled and creaked as it elongated and manipulated into the form of a twin size bed. "You have been awfully quiet."

The wizard paused, trying to choose his words with care. "The way you reacted up there. Most witches would be nervous around a wounded vampire. I know you work with them regularly but I was surprised."

"Surprised by what exactly?" She asked with a mild expression of exasperation. "That they weren't all gruesome savage creatures?"

"By your conviction. Your sincerity, to be honest." He answered bluntly. "I have met a great many people through the years desperate to convince the world of who or what they are; more often than not their actions and words don't add up to the truth. But you? It's obvious you really do care about these individuals."

When Hermione did not immediately say anything, Draco was not sure if he had misspoken and in embarrassment he turned back to charming the boxes to organize themselves. As the heat rose on his neck Draco muttered in quiet annoyance. "Bloody hell, it's refreshing is simply what I wanted to say."

"Thank you, Draco," Hermione said thoughtfully with a faint smile as she went back to cleaning.

It was Saturday morning, a day she normally spent catching up on any remaining work left over from the previous week. Unfortunately these days there was never any possibility of catching up; the flood of obligations continued to pour in after her boss's death. But even as the meticulous workaholic that she was, Hermione knew the tasks were going to have to wait as she could not miss her monthly brunch with Ginny and Harry. It was less to do with the pancakes and company of her friends as it did with the favor she needed to ask.

Remembering the slumbering vampire in her basement, Hermione was going to talk with Harry and see what he thought could be done to help Sanguini.

Hermione got dressed, donning a pair of comfortable jeans and a short sleeve blouse. The faint remains of the word mudblood still scarred her forearm. She often forwent short sleeves because of it. Hermione could hide it with a blurring charm but it needed to be continuously reapplied and often wasn't worth the trouble. Debating her choices Hermione eventually grabbed a jacket, the scar disappearing beneath the sleeve.

It was thankfully a cool autumn day when she stepped outside. Enjoying the crunch of leaves under her boots, Hermione opted to walk to her destination. Her mind drifted back to last night's exchange with Draco, his assistance with Sanguini and their walk through the park; she was trying to reorganize the mental compartments she had built over the years.

Friend, foe, acquaintance. Where did this person fall into now? Perhaps…a new category altogether?

Hermione blushed at the direction of her thoughts and waved off the absurdity. Whatever box it was that Draco Malfoy now occupied in her world, evidently, remained to be seen.

Just as she came up to the little Parisian inspired café she saw the familiar figures of Harry and Ginny already waiting at an outdoor table. They had not noticed her yet and Hermione smiled at the way Harry's face lit up when he spoke to his wife. After all the anguish he had endured in his life, she was happy her friend finally had that peace he had deserved all along.

"Look who's decided to join us!" Ginny greeted. As Hermione pulled up a seat, the redhead added in her best impersonation of Fleur, "I took ze liberty of ordering your café du lait."

"Merci," Hermione retorted with a smile.

"How have things been? It feels like it has been awhile," Harry asked but there was no judgment in his tone. Between their hectic schedules the friends were mutually aware that their Saturday brunch was a rare treat.

"Terribly busy. Every since Mr. Frankford's death I have been juggling quite a few hats," Hermione said in between sips of her coffee.

"Well I hope you're not too busy to visit my mum soon; at least pop in for a visit when you can. She is driving me mad with demands that we all have a big family dinner soon," Ginny said waving her hands in front of her in exasperation, Hermione nodded.

If there was one eternal truth that Hermione was certain of it was that Molly, the matriarch of the Weasley family, was not one to trifle with and she made a mental note to send her an owl soon. Despite the fact that Hermione was no longer dating her son never seemed to change their familial dynamics.

"So what was the news you were going to tell me about, Ginny?" Hermione eventually asked after they had placed their orders.

Harry and Ginny briefly looked at one another before beaming in nervous excitement. Ginny could not help but squeal, "We're going to have a baby!"

"What? That's fantastic!" Hermione embraced both of them in a hug and felt as though her heart would burst from shared joy. "Absolutely wonderful, congratulations! You two are going to make amazing parents."

"Thanks Hermione, there's one more thing," Harry said. There was a mix of emotions in his emerald eyes. "We'd like for you to be our child's godmother—if that's alright?"

Hermione didn't hesitate, "Yes, I would be incredibly honored!"

She reached out and grabbed both of their hands in a tight squeeze. And as the late morning soon slipped into a wonderful afternoon as the three friends celebrated the good news.

As the meal was winding down, Ginny excused herself to the bathroom. Harry leaned back in his chair, tousling his jet black hair as he often did when they were younger whenever he was anxious.

"I can't believe I'm going to be a dad, Hermione." Harry eventually said in amazement, as if the words didn't seem real just yet.

"And you are going to be such a good one," Hermione reminded him as she smiled.

"You think so?" He asked and she saw him hesitate. But Hermione already had a feeling about her friend's doubts. "I never had a family growing up. I didn't know my father. What if I am not-"

"Stop right there Harry Potter," Hermione commanded. "That's rubbish. You are going to be fantastic. You and Ginny both are going to raise this child with so much love. Don't doubt that for a moment, okay?"

Harry nodded, thankful for the witch's reassuring words.

"And besides, they are going to have me for a godmother so they are going to be the top student at Hogwarts come time for school. You better believe they will be getting Hogwarts A History for their first birthday."

They both laughed and by the time Ginny returned the traces of concern in Harry's face had disappeared. When it was time to part, Hermione had been so caught up in the joy of the news that she had not gotten to ask for Harry's help. They agreed to meet up the following evening at his house.

However, Hermione could not have guessed how those plans would change by nightfall.