Hermione inhaled the scent of damp earth and exhaled the anxiety she was determined not to let get in the way of her assignment. She lifted a hand and knocked quietly on the door in front of her; she made no particular effort to be heard, as the next being on her list would certainly hear her regardless.
After a moment of waiting she called out, "I know you can hear me." Still nothing. "Please answer. I mean you no harm."
Instantly, the door in front of her opened. A creature with perfect posture and perfectly coiffed blond hair opened the door. "Good morning." His voice was like silk and she beat back the butterflies threatening to escape her chest. Damned vampires. "Can I help you?"
"Good morning." Hermione raised her badge and the man's eyes flicked to it just briefly enough to take in the words at superhuman speed. "Hermione Granger, British Ministry of Magic, Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures." The department name was like acid on her tongue; she was still arguing for a change in terminology. "I'm here for the census. May I speak with Dr. Cullen?"
"You're speaking with him." He extended a hand and she shook it firmly. His skin was, unsurprisingly, like cold marble beneath her touch. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Granger. Please, come in."
The house was full of light bouncing off clean white walls and she knew that on sunny days its inhabitants must shine beautifully. "You have a lovely home."
He smiled graciously as he led her further in. "Thank you. It's all the work of our Esme."
The most beautiful woman Hermione had ever seen stood waiting for them in a large dining room. "That would be me." She tossed gentle waves over her shoulder. "Is it census time already? The children will be upset they missed it, they've been so excited." Children? The alarm Hermione was feeling must have shown on her face and the woman clarified, "The rest of our family were turned during adolescence. They attend the local high school; it's habit to call them the children."
Hermione had a feeling this was going to be one of her more interesting census visits. "Thank you for explaining. Immortal children would have been a concern."
"Of course." Esme smiled graciously, everything about her looking impossibly soft for what she was. "Can I get you a cup of tea?"
"Yes, please," Hermione said. "Three spoons of sugar, please." She'd learned never to ask for cream or milk at an immortal being's home; it tended to be spoiled.
"Please sit," said Dr. Cullen, reminding Hermione he was there. He took the chair across from hers and steepled his hands. "So, it's regulation and control these days, is it?"
She grimaced, although he looked more amused than offended. "My apologies for the language. I assure you, any information you provide beyond the fact of your continued existence is entirely voluntary."
"I assure you," he echoed her words, "I'm happy to hear what questions the Ministry has come up with for this century." She granted him a small smile as she reached into her bag for the appropriate folder. "I must say, it's a pleasure to hear the Queen's English again."
Hermione raised her brows. "Wouldn't it be the King's English for you?"
"I'm a modern man, Ms. Granger." The warm smile gracing his pale peach lips sent a small shiver through her. He (politely, in Hermione's opinion) pretended not to notice.
"Of course." Pulling the quill from behind her ear with one hand, she gestured towards the first sheet of paperwork with the other. "Shall we get started?"
"Of course."
She ran a finger down to the first question. "Do you still identify as a British national?"
"Yes, and I consent to a follow-up in one hundred years."
She ticked two boxes. "Thank you. Now, how many magical beings live in this home including yourself?" If she changed the wording of the question from magical creatures, who was going to tell the Ministry?
Dr. Cullen seemed to approve of the change in phrasing. "Seven beings, all vampires."
A short scribble. "Diet?"
"We drink from animals." She could tell from their eyes, but if it was on the list, it had to be asked.
How long they'd been in the area, their previous residence and time there, when and where and how he'd picked up so many coven members, as he'd been alone last the Ministry had checked in.
"You've grown quite the family, Dr. Cullen," Hermione commented.
He bowed his head, eyes closed. "I'm very fortunate."
Esme re-entered the room with a cup of tea that smelled delicious even from this distance – Hermione hoped it wasn't oversteeped. Those who couldn't drink tea really were terrible about that kind of thing. "For you," she said unnecessarily, setting the delicate bone china in front of Hermione.
"Thank you." Hermione sipped it and was pleased to note that it tasted perfect. "It's wonderful."
Esme preened under her praise. "I try." The woman settled into the chair beside Dr. Cullen and something in Hermione coiled uncomfortably at the image. Esme looked amused. "Has Carlisle mentioned the children's powers yet?"
Hermione raised her brows. "Powers?" She turned to Dr. Cullen. "No, Dr. Cullen hasn't brought those up yet."
He only smiled. Hermione was determined not to be flustered. "You hadn't asked yet." He leaned forward. "But yes, three of the children do have powers. We have a mind reader, an empath, and a seer."
"A seer?" Hermione's interest was piqued, as it always was when faced with legitimate divination.
She scribbled notes as he explained. "She sees the results of decisions."
"And she's here!" rang a tinkling voice. A young – well, young-looking, one could never tell with vampires – with a pixie cut and sparkling eyes burst into the room. "Carlisle!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "She's the one I saw!"
Dr. Cullen's eyes widened, a look of surprise crossing his face. "Alice!" At his side, Esme smiled serenely.
"You saw me?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Can I tell her?" Alice begged Dr. Cullen. "Please?"
The man glanced at Hermione, a flicker of something hopeful in his eyes. Whatever Alice had seen must have been good and for once, she wanted to believe in the future. She held Dr. Cullen's gaze and, for a moment, the others in the room seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them and some unspoken feeling hanging in the air.
"Alice, Esme," Dr. Cullen said gently without looking away from her, "please give us a moment."
Esme stood more quickly than humanly possible and Alice smiled broadly. "Don't take too long. I can't wait to get to know you, Hermione!" With that, she disappeared as quickly as she had arrived, Esme following behind.
A silence settled between Hermione and Carlisle for a moment. Then he cleared his throat, his expression vulnerable.
"Ms. Granger," he began, "I know this must be strange to hear, but Alice has seen you growing close to our family." He swallowed, though she knew as a vampire he didn't need to. He'd clearly spent so much time around humans. "Close to me."
Hermione's heart pounded in her chest. "Go on."
"I do find myself drawn to you," the man admitted, "and the thought of a future where we could be – friends –" he looked uncertain– "or perhaps more than friends… it intrigues me."
She had felt it, too, some pull towards this extraordinary man. "Dr. Cullen–"
"Please," he interrupted, "call me Carlisle."
"Carlisle," she acquiesced, her voice soft but steady. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in the possibility of getting to know your family better. Getting to know you better," she added.
A small smile bloomed on Carlisle's face, transforming his features from beautiful to truly radiant. He reached across the table and took her hand in his, his cool touch sending a shiver down her spine that she didn't bother to hide.
"I understand you must be a busy woman," he said, "but perhaps when you have a chance you could return to Forks?"
"The census will take another three months," Hermione said slowly, mulling the idea over but already knowing she was happy to accept the invitation, "but I could take some holiday time when it's done."
"As long as you come back before the new year!" Alice called from the next room over.
Carlisle's eyes slid shut in exasperation. "I apologize for the lack of privacy."
Alice only cried back, "Edward is going to need all the help he can get in January!"