Finding Freedom

Chapter 7: Are These Capable People?

Bella jerked awake and rolled over to see the clock. It read 4:35 A.M. She just couldn't stay asleep. She felt terrible for snapping at the new people in her fiancée's life. She couldn't help being upset. It had taken so long to get Edward to agree to turn her and she knew it wasn't Hermione's fault that he changed his mind. Bella rolled onto her side and felt tears coming to her eyes. She didn't know what to do anymore. Hermione was right, he was jerking her around. She heard a creak in her room and looked to the corner of her room and saw Edward standing there.

"Go away, Edward, I don't want to talk to you right now." Bella sniffled.

Edward sighed, "Bella, I am just worried about changing you with all of the prejudiced people out there."

"So it is either the Volturi get me or the Wizards get me!" Bella whispered angrily, "You don't seem to get there is really no choice anymore, Aro isn't going to wait long before coming to check up on your promise to change me."

Edward sighed, "I know, but I don't want to save you from them only to have you be hurt by another group."

Bella looked down at the floor boards of her room, "Edward, you need to make up your mind and when you have made it stick with it. I will give you a week to decide… If you can't… Well, we will let your family vote again on it and we will decide if we should still marry. I love you Edward, but you can't jerk me around like this. It was so set in stone before you knew about the wizards."

"Bella…"

"No Edward, you have to decide. I hope you decide to turn me but you have to choose." Bella sighed and lay back in bed, "I need to sleep… we have school tomorrow… Good night Edward."

"Sleep well, Bella"

Hermione was sleeping peacefully when she began to hear voices.

"Give it here, Potter."

"Shove off, Malfoy, it is mine."

"Come on, Potter, let me play with it."

"Get your own."

"Didn't your parents ever teach you it is nice to share? Oh wait your parents are dead!"

Hermione growled as she heard the boys begin to pummel each other. She sat up and immobilized them both.

Harry and Draco stared at Hermione frozen as she began to speak, "We are in a house full of vampires and you two decide to FIST FIGHT! What is WRONG with you!" She lifted the spell with a wave of her wand and waited for their answer.

Harry looked at her, "Alright I guess that was kind of dumb…"

Draco looked at her, "If it is any consolation, most of them are at school or work… Esme is the only one here right now."

Hermione rubbed her temple and sighed, "What time is it?"

Luna glanced up from her Quibbler stating serenely, "Almost ten o'clock…"

Hermione stretched in her bed and got up to get ready. "I finally had a chance to sleep in, I am so happy right now."

Draco scoffed, "I'd rather be sleeping in my own bed… It is so much softer."

"Your bed is probably made out of illegal substances like hippogriff feathers…" Harry shot back.

"Dreaming about my bed eh Potter? I always thought you had a thing for men…" Draco snarked back.

Hermione groaned, "Stop for five bloody minutes will you?"

Draco and Harry fell silent as Luna smiled, "They are acting out because of the Narshlops in the room. They cause aggressive behaviors in males and make females more fertile."

Hermione glanced at Luna mouth agape before grabbing her clothes for the day and walking to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

Planning on what she was going to say to Sam and how to explain everything to him took her about an hour to decide. She wanted to make sure that she wouldn't offend him at all. She looked at the clock and saw it was 11:30. She ran upstairs to see Draco and Harry still bickering. She sighed loudly and looked at Harry, "Hey Harry, would you mind finding out when Bill and Fleur are getting here? We need to set up a tent outside for them if they are arriving here today."

Harry looked up at her, "Don't forget Lavender is coming too… She is going to get here when Ron is done with the trial."

Hermione nodded and scowled slightly at the mention of Lavender. "Yeah Yeah just find out okay?"

"Hermione, I don't think you should go alone…" Harry stated

Draco rolled his eyes, "Give it up Potter, she is going to go no matter what you say Golden Boy."

Luna shrugged, "Hermione is perfectly capable of taking care of herself and you should give her more credit Harry."

"See they support me! You and especially Ron never trust I can take care of myself." With that said, Hermione left to meet up with the pack.

Draco looked at the space Hermione vacated, "Well then… She seems still torn up about something. Why did she dump him if she liked him so much?"

Luna looked over saying, "They were too different and neither of them is very good at compromising."

Harry stared at his hands, "I don't even know anymore… Hermione broke it off but she is the one that can't move on…"

Draco picked at his fingernails, "I don't like seeing Granger like that… She deserved better than the Weasel anyways. She wants to be an ambassador for magical creatures and create world peace… he wants a quidditch world cup"

Harry glanced over, "I know what you mean. I love Ron and all but they are different levels, and don't call him Weasel."

"Always knew you had a thing for Ron!" Draco laughed.

"Not like that Ferret!"

"Boys stop it."

Hermione changed into her animagus form and ran to the meeting point. She was a bit early but she wanted to look at the forest anyways. Hermione sat under a tree and stared up into the canopy of the forest smiling. There wasn't much sun here but the light here was still pretty when it filtered through the tree tops. She rested her back against the tree and thought about the choices she had made. She couldn't help but care for Ron but she really needed to get over it. They would never be a couple and she knew it, but that didn't make it hurt any less. She heard the pounding of large paws approaching and stood up quickly dusting dead leaves off of her jeans. Quil and Embry bounded into view and she smiled and nodded her head at them.

Embry phased and smiled to her, "If you would follow us and try not to be seen we would appreciate it."

Hermione smiled, "No problem, I'll be right behind you but you won't be able to see me." She casted a disillusionment spell on herself and apparated across the river touching Embry's shoulder making him jump. "Right here, let's get going."

Embry nodded and phased hearing Hermione phased behind him and began to run towards Sam and Emily's place.

When they arrived Embry phased and told Quil to continue patrolling. Quil ran off and Embry opened the door for himself and held it open behind him so Hermione could come in behind him even though he couldn't see her.

Hermione appeared next to him and thanked him.

"Hey Sam! She is here!" Embry yelled before turning to Hermione, "It's nothing! I gotta get back to patrolling though. See you Hermione…" Embry ran out the door and phased as soon as he got to the tree line.

Hermione looked around the cabin and saw a woman in the kitchen cooking something that smelled delicious. She walked forward and saw Sam come out of one of the back rooms. She nodded her head to him, "Sam Uley."

Sam returned the nod with one of his own, "Hermione Granger, if that book is even halfway true I should be thanking you and your friends."

Hermione smiled and nodded, "Did you have any questions?"

Sam nodded, "Yes, but first I'd like to introduce you to my imprint Emily."

At the sound of her name Emily turned around to reveal a tray of scones with a smile on her marred face. "Hello Hermione, I am Emily."

Hermione was initially startled at the large scar but shook it off quickly before walking over and smiling at the other girl. "Hello, Emily, I am sorry to intrude on your house."

Emily laughed lightly, "I decided to give a try at scones since an English person was coming by today."

Hermione smile and looked at the scones, "That was very thoughtful of you. Thank you."

Emily gestured to the den, "Why don't we go in here, I am sure you and Sam have much to talk about."

Hermione smiled and followed Emily to the couch and sat down across from Sam.

Emily smiled, "I'll leave you two to your important business. I need to go to the store anyways… You boys are eating everything I get. And clean up the kitchen for me please."

Sam nodded and smiled at his imprint watching her walk out the front door.

"She is very nice…." Hermione shifted slightly seeing the book she gave Sam on the coffee table, "Did you read it all?"

Sam nodded, "It is hard to believe but the fact that the cover moves makes me mostly a believer… Can you show me some more?"

Hermione nodded, "Want me to clean the kitchen?"

Sam smiled, "As long as you don't ruin it."

Hermione pointed her wand to the kitchen and casted a few quick cleaning spells making the dishes do themselves and the counter spotless. Hermione turned back to Sam and smiled, "Anything else?"

Sam shook his head, "That's enough for me. Now, what would you need the pack to do?"

Hermione straightened up, "Well, all I really wanted was permission to fight on your land without your interference."

Sam frowned, "I won't let my people be harmed by your magic."

"Oh no, you would be allowed to protect your families and friends… I just mean leave the fighting to us. From what I understand you fellows aren't very good at keeping beings alive if you attack them. We want these criminals to go to trial, so we'd prefer them alive."

Sam nodded, "We have never attacked humans but I think that we would only be able to destroy humans. We may be able to help with transformed werewolves but other than that I am not sure how we can help."

Hermione smiled, "The plan for now is that we will set up protections all around the area we decide to fight and lure Fenrir out by using you as bait. After he appears we will have already set up a warded area for you to oversee the fight with your pack. I'd recommend having your fastest and your most aggressive pack mates patrolling to make sure no one comes near the area."

Sam nodded, "Fastest would be Leah… Most aggressive would be Paul…"

"I also think we should place some wizards in your area just in case Fenrir comes sooner than expected. These people fight dirty and I am not saying you can't defend yourselves but I'd be more comfortable with more eyes down in this area. We can't do much if we need your permission to cross borders every time." Hermione stated thoughtfully.

Sam nodded, "How many would you send down?"

Hermione counted on her fingers, "Well Draco can't stay with the vampires, due to conflict within our group. Luna is his assigned partner so they travel together, so that is two. I think Fleur and Bill should stay here as well, just because I want at least four wizards down here just in case."

"Are these capable people?" Sam asked

Hermione nodded, "I think they are the best people to defend you if you need it. Draco is a bit of a prat but he is extremely capable of magic and is very skilled. Luna is able to keep Draco at least kind of tame and she can cast some very powerful wards. Bill is a curse-breaker so no worry on him and Fleur is amazing with charms. We can supply tents and they are magical tents so they won't need anything from you guys."

Sam chuckled, "Knowing Emily she will want to feed them all."

Hermione laughed, "She will have to compete with Fleur then."

Sam nodded, "It is decided they can come down and pitch their tents right near the house. May I explain the situation to the pack?"

"I researched and I found that you are considered magical beings according to the English Minister of Magic so you guys can witness magic with no repercussions." Hermione smiled and said, "That includes imprints as the pack as well."

"So you know what imprints are?"

Hermione let out a noncommittal noise, "Ehhhh… From a vampire's point of view…"

Sam laughed, "So the barbaric version?"

Hermione smiled and nodded laughing quietly, "Rosalie explained it so it was filled with racial slurs."

Sam rolled his eyes, "Let me explain it better then…"

Ron walked through the halls of Azkaban with Augustus Rookwood in front of him.

"Weasley, I can't help but wonder why you personally escort me to my cell every day after the hearings." Rookwood rasped out as he gazed at the shackles cutting into his wrists.

Ron glared at his prisoner and opened door leading to Rookwood's cell block, "I am required as the bounty hunter to confirm you have been locked in your cell properly."

Rookwood smiled as he sauntered slowly down the halls, "Weasley? What do you know of ancient magic?" He looked into Ron's eyes and licked at the blood dripping from his wrist.

Ron grimaced and looked at his prisoner, "Shut up."

Rookwood chuckled, "I was an Unspeakable. I know of many types of magic: Blood magic, Dark Magic… I will let you in on the most powerful secrets if you let me go."

Ron pushed the criminal against the stone wall, "Don't you dare try to bribe me, you snake." Ron released Rookwood and pushed him down the hallway. "Keep walking, we are almost to your cell."

"It's a shame," Rookwood crooned, "Your blood is so pure but your mind is so muddied."

Ron opened the door to the cell and glanced at the floor, it seemed that Rookwood split open his mattress and covered the floor with a thin layer of straw. Ron frowned, "Of course you destroy the one thing in the room! Get in."

He stepped into his cell and smiled. "You could have been one of us, but now you face the consequences…" With that said Rookwood slammed his hands onto the floor and a blood seal sprung up from under the straw and threw Ron back into the wall. The surge of power caused the entire wall of the high security cell block to explode.

Ron blinked off the dizziness and saw the most notorious criminals apparating out of their cells. "NO!" Ron sent up the alarm flare and the sirens began as aurors appeared out of nowhere to try and catch the fugitives.

"SHIT!" Ron cursed as he felt the back of his head to feel an open gash. He felt his vision blurring and tried to hold onto consciousness. The last thing he saw was the laughing faces of Lucius Malfoy and the Lestrange Brothers before blacking out.

Uh oh! Sorry about such a cliffie! I just felt it was the best place to end this chapter! Please don't beat me!

I have to thank Traceybuie, waterflower20, lunarwing, LifeStruckManiac, IAmTheStars, Wolfwifey0611, Desi-Pari Always, skydancer2ooo, Aslan'sWhiteWitch, Gemini-rose16, and Megan Consoer for their wonderful reviews.

Recently I have been flooded with requests to put Harry into the running for Hermione's potential pairing. I feel bad for not giving him a chance in the first place so I am leaving it to you guys. I am putting up a poll asking if Harry should be in the running. It is a yes or no poll and it is on my profile page. Please vote so I know what to do for you guys! Hope to hear from you soon! Please Review and I will see you guys next week!

~Mousie

P.S. I am so happy that you guys are enjoying this!