Complicated 13

By: I Should Be Sleeping (AKA: Moar Sleep)

Hermione felt that she really should have thought this through more thoroughly. Honestly! She was considered the brightest witch of her age and one of the youngest members in history ever receive dual masteries and she was acting like...

... well if she was honest with herself, she was acting like a Gryffindor. Oh well, in for a knut and all that nonsense.

Looking over the sea of faces gazing at her in a mix of curiosity and wariness, she took in a deep breath. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I must ask, is this everyone you deem important to the pack?" She addressed this question to both Sam and Billy. As Alpha of the pack and Chief of the tribe, these two would know best.

Sam nodded his head in unison with Billy.

"Right then, I suppose I really cannot sugarcoat this and Merlin forbid I delay the inevitable," she said with a weak smile. "I am a witch."

This silence was deafening until Brady cried out with a wide grin. "Cool!" That earned him a pointed glare from one of the many older women present and it caused the large shifter to slink back a bit, withering under their harsh stares.

Julia frowned from her position beside the young woman, but said nothing. She was still adjusting to the fact that her son shifted into a giant wolf and now she was presented with a future daughter-in-law – despite the fact that she and Paul obviously had not made anything official, it was official in her mind – was now claiming to be a witch.

"Is that why you shift without ruining your clothes?" Asked Quil.

"Still unfair," muttered Leah with a huff.

"Again, I would like to research into that. If I can weave some sort of spell into your clothing, it would save you all so much stress and money whenever you shift."

Leah's head piqued in interest. "Well I say welcome Glinda! So glad you are here!"

Sue rolled her eyes, but she could hardly fault her daughter. Being the only female in a group of male shifters was incredibly taxing and she knew that her daughter hated being so vulnerable in front of them, despite being members of the same pack. The simple fact was she was constantly nude in front of a group of males that were not her mate and her daughter did not like it. Spirits! She did not like it and she knew Seth did his best to avoid any and all contact with his sister when shifting.

"Back up a minute. Wait a second. You're a witch?" Cut in Collin with a frown.

"Yes," said Hermione.

"Prove it," said Brady as he joined his cousin in his skepticism.

"Change Brady into a rabbit," said Collin.

Brady nodded his head. "Yea! Change me into.. wait, the fuck?"

Hermione shook her head with an amused smile. Taking a page from one of her masters, she easily flicked her wrist. The gathered crowd watched as a slender piece of wood slid into her grasp and she swished it easily in the air.

Brady winced before he watched in utter fascination as the coffee table before them, shrank into a soft toffee colored rabbit with floppy ears.

Mary cooed over the fluffy thing before Hemione quickly ended the spell with the correct counter charm, ensuring Joy would not need to replace her coffee table.

"Transfiguration is an incredibly intricate branch of magic that involves turning objects from one thing to another. Of course, there are limitations, but simple spells like the one just demonstrated can be done by any child at the end of their first year of studies."

Hermione easily fell into lecture mode whenever nervous and she was barely holding herself together. Spouting off facts was her default way of dealing with stressful situations and it was something that Harry and Ron had only realized later in their school years. Unfortunately, the two were not present so she had relied on calming herself down.

Julia, sensing her anxiety, gently placed a hand on her back and rubbed soothingly. She recognized the signs and knew what a silent anxiety attack looked like.

The brunette witch felt her muscles relax slightly as she took a deep steadying breath. Shooting the woman a grateful smile, she smiled at the assembled group. "The reason I called you all is because the American Ministry of Magic, otherwise known as MACUSA, sensed I had performed magic in front of what they perceive to be a muggle, or non-magical person. The fact that this was done in front of Paul is what alerted them and what had me incredibly angry."

Paul had been very silent, pensive almost, as he took him everything his imprint was saying. When she had done her crazy teleport thing earlier, he was not really in the right headspace to process that. Now she revealed she was actually a witch and then proceeded to transform a table into a rabbit and he was honestly feeling so many things he was not sure what to do with himself.

However, his fuck awesome mom had offered his imprint comfort and she was staring at him over the top of her head and giving him that significant look that meant he should get his shit together and fast! Shaking himself, he took a deep breath. Fuck him and his problems. He could deal with them later. Right now, that witch needed him and send him to hell and back if he was not going to at least stand by her.

Hermione felt his heat, tendrils of energy tracing up and down her spine. Her body acted on her own accord, moving back slightly to step into his welcoming embrace and felt her magic settle. A soft sigh of contentment escaped her lips as his strong arms wrapped around her in a soothing hold, his chest rumbling with a low growl.

Paul felt his muscles relax as his tiny mate easily settled against him. She definitely needed to put on some weight. His fingertips gently traced her waist, his large hands easily encompassing the bony protrusions of her hips bones. His wolf whined at the feel of her, but also settled in knowing she was close.

Hermione was oblivious to the surprise of the pack and other members present. They were all quite surprised by how right the two looked. Paul's large frame practically dwarfed her own as he stood behind her like some giant guardian. Her pale porcelain skin contrasting with his deep russet. They were a study of opposites, but somehow looked right.

Exhaling slowly, Hermione continued on. "A representative from MASUSA will be present tomorrow. At what time, I can only imagine something inconvenient. I have been assured that a member of my own Ministry will be present as I am foreign and have a bit of diplomatic immunity. It is a difficult position for MACUSA as they cannot outright punish me without repercussions. The only reason I have not been approached already is due to my status."

"What is your status," asked Mary boldly.

The others present were a bit startled by such a question from their youngest, but the young lady had a point.

"I am a war heroine and a receiver of an Order of Merlin: First Class. I suppose you could liken it to a Medal of Honor here in the United States," responded Hermione with a blasé air.

Aaron Cameron, a former member of the US Marines, sputtered incoherently. "Excuse me!?"

Jared's jaw dropped at his father's exclamation, absolute shock painting his face as he stared at the tiny witch. "Are you serious?"

Old Quil sat up a bit straighter in his recliner, his dark eyes gleaming with interest and a hint of pride as his daughter-in-law drew in a sharp breath.

Paul tightened his hold in his petite mate. He was not familiar with the exact details, but he knew a Medal of Honor was incredibly prestigious. He recalled vaguely from a government class back in Jr. High about a kid bragging that his grandfather was invited to the inauguration of President Nixon back in the day. Not really something to brag about, but the kid was a fucking douchebag!

Hermione blushed a little under the sudden revelation and pressed herself closer to the large male behind her. "I would rather talk about it later."

Paul, sensing her discomfort, growled lowly. The vibrations calmed his little mate and warned his pack mates. Back the fuck off.

Jared received the message loud and clear, but he was still curious. His father had served and had talked of a superior of his receiving the Medal of Honor. It was not something to be taken lightly. He was not sure what Hermione had done to be a recipient, but she had his respect.

"I asked Joy to call you all here to inform you of your place within the magical community," said Hermione as she focused on getting everyone back on topic. "As shifters and blessed through a hereditary bloodline, you are naturally members of the magical community – my community."

Billy Black's dark brows furrowed. "What exactly does that mean?"

"It means that you have been slighted and held back from rights that should have been yours for decades!" Said Hermione hotly.

Quil stepped back. He had been living with her for a few days now. He had no desire to be on the receiving end of her ire. Hermione was fucking scary!

Paul brushed his fingers along her curls, soothing her like an irritated kitten.

Hermione settled under his ministrations, the magic that had been causing her large curls to frizz around her and crackle slightly receding. "I am sorry, but it is not fair. By law, you should have been receiving a sum from the government. Under Article 7, Section 3, all magical creatures are awarded a grant in order to help support and maintain their community, culture and safety. As shifters, you are entitled to at least $5000 a month for general support of the tribe with each member receiving an additional $1000 a month for living expenses and etc. However, I think, given your growth and the amount of food you take in, I can argue to increase that to $2000 per member."

The entire group stilled upon hearing that.

It was no secret that Native American Reservations were severely underfunded. Their community was no stranger to hardship, and they struggled to maintain their homes and way of life. Their land had been shrinking as large corporations had come in over the years to buy up property and they've had lines be redrawn without consent. Billy himself had tried to appeal to the Washington government, but to little avail. Having this money would greatly help their tribe. It would allow them build better infrastructure and improve their medical and educational facilities for their people. This money could allow their children to attend prestigious universities and pursue careers. They could promote eco-tourism and help maintain their ancestral lands and protect it from illegal logging. The possibilities were endless.

Hermione continued on, still heated on their behalf. "If my calculations are correct, with your people shifting as far back as three generations, you are entitled to a hefty backpay upwards of millions, give or take a few and since this money is not subject to tax, well you can see that you are owed quite a lump sum."

"Holy fucking shit!" Said Seth.

Sue, too shocked, could not even scold her son as she was speechless like everyone else in attendance.

"I do not know why you have been deprived of this funding as it is your right as members of the magical community and I will get to the bottom of this. I loathe corruption in any shape or form."

Old Quil was the first to overcome his shock. "Child come here and kneel please."

Hermione looked the elderly male and approached slowly before kneeling before him.

"Imprinting is a gift that is an award for both spirit warrior and bonder. It allows the two to come together and reach their full potential as a unit," began Old Quil. "You, my child, are more that we could ever hope for, and we are honored to have you as a member of our tribe. We welcome you home."

Hermione stunned, gazed at the tribal elder in absolute astonishment. Her bottom lip quivered for a moment, before tears began rolling down her cheeks.

Old Quil reached forwards, cradled her face gently in his hands and pressed a reverent kiss upon his brow. "You are home now."

How long as it been since she had a place to truly call home? It had been ages since she felt the soothing tones of her mother and quiet comfort of her father. She missed them terribly and yearned for them with her entire heart. It was too much for her. Sobbing openly, Hermione threw herself into his arms and breathed in his scent of pipe tobacco and sage.

A flurry of furious peeps erupted from the top of her curls as the tiny owl that had been hidden by the voluminous mass, made his presence known. He fluttered indignantly and flew to one of the high beams located on the ceiling and clacked his beak at the brunette witch.

Hermione looked up and said a soft sorry, before burrowing in Old Quil's warmth once again.

Paul held his mother's hand, his emotions all over the place as he drew strength from her. His tiny mate was crying in the arms of his elder and although is wolf wanted to comfort her, the man knew she needed this.

The rest of the pack looked on in various states of emotion, but everyone felt the absolute warmth and love for this young woman that had been welcomed into their fold. They protected their own and Hermione was now one of them.

Old Quil whispered softly in Quilete, his low tone a soothing thrum as he allowed the tiny woman to sleep in his arms. She was exhausted and he did not have the heart to wake her. If anyone deserved a rest, it was her.

"Slumber party?" Asked Quil.

Jacob snorted before seeing his dad nod his head. "Wait, really?"

"Well, I would not call it that, but I would rather us all stay here for the evening. Joy's home is a B&B and more than accommodating to fit all of us comfortably if we double up. Of course we will pay for the evening," added Billy graciously.

Joy waved him off. "I will not accept it Chief Black. You are all family and famly does not pay. Besides, I will have the boys earn your keep by cleaning out the gutters and reshingling the roof tomorrow morning."

The pack knew better than to disagree and nodded their head obediently.

Sam clapped his hands and looked to the younger shifters. "Brady, Embry, Seth. First patrol. Jacob, Collin and I will pick up in the early morning. I am not sure what time those magical people from the government will arrive, but if they do while we are out, shift and alert us."

"What about Paul?!" Complained Collin.

"What about my son?" Asked Julia with a stern look.

"He is lovely Mrs. Lahote. I just wanted to check in on his overall health," he immediately amended, withering under her fierce glare.

Sam shook his head. "Paul will be with Hermione tonight. Give your brother time with his imprint. You know how wolves are when newly imprinted."

Collin nodded his head, chastised, and smiled softly. "I think she will be a good fit for him."

Paul chuckled. "You and me both pup."

"Besides, if he pisses her off, she can turn him into a poodle or something," he added cheekily.

It must be a testament to the effect an imprint could have on a wolf because instead of lashing out at him, Paul chuckled softly, mindful of his sleeping imprint. "My mate is amazing!"

Collin's eyes widened with surprise. Imprinting really did do wonders. He was right. Hermione would most definitely be good for him.

AN:

Sorry. I was sick and uninspired/blocked. I want to write, but i have no clue what to do next. I have ideas, but getting them down is hard, but i am not going to stop trying!

Teddy and Andy are coming (not soon) but I have an idea for them and am excited for Paul to react to Hermione basically being a mother. That is something.

Anyways, thank you for the kind words and reviews everyone!

- Me