Chapter Text
Hermione stands outside of the stunning mansion trying to gather her courage. She’s dressed in a golden off the shoulder gown with a sweetheart neckline. It shimmers with her every move. Her curls are charmed into perfect ringlets and she applied a little make up. Honestly, the witch is extremely pleased with her appearance.
If only she wasn’t gate crashing the most extravagant event in Mystic Falls’ history. It would take very little effort to confound the doorman but all of this felt wildly out of character for her. She couldn’t even blame this on Harry’s shenanigans.
The witch moved to Virginia over a week ago. Unfortunately in that small timeframe, she hasn’t made any progress on her research. For all the rumors of magic and the supernatural beginning here there’s very little to show for it.
To her knowledge she hasn’t met anyone from the magical world. The large amount of deaths by animal attack gives her hope that she’s missing something. Hermione Granger is not one to give up so she will keep looking.
The random appearance of this wealthy family and overnight event feels important. It’s why she wants to attend so badly. As pathetic as it is to admit, she hasn’t made any friends since moving. Which is not unusual, she’s always had a difficulty making friends. The only two names she knows are Mary, her landlady, and Evelyn, the librarian. Neither of whom were invited tonight.
Just as Hermione decides she needs to stop standing around, movement from the center of the parking lot catches her eye. It’s the blonde boy from The Grill who bags her order and a tall blonde girl. But it’s the dark haired man hiding behind a nearby truck that causes the hair on the back of her neck to stand. His presence alone feels predatory.
The brunette almost groans aloud at her luck. However, she really doesn’t want the pair of teenagers to get hurt so she whispers a charm that silences her steps and cautiously begins to close the distance between herself and the possible threat.
Hermione makes it a mere seven steps before the man vanishes in the blink of an eye. Alarm floods her system and she draws her wand from her glove as she searches her surroundings.
A gust of air hits her back and she spins quickly, pointing her wand at the man’s abdomen.
The stranger is dressed meticulously in a black suit. Dark, walnut hair hangs just above his brow in a perfectly styled mess. His face has angles she could previously only dream of. If Hermione didn’t think she’d die she would run her fingers over his jaw to see if it’s as sharp as it looks. He’s not built as large as Ron but even through his layers she can see he takes care of himself. The brunette has to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. His chocolate eyes stare with an intensity she’s never experienced before.
It’s unfair how handsome he looks while his whole aura screams danger.
Hermione’s heart beats wildly in her chest as her brain processes who - what - must be standing right in front of her. Of course she meets the one magical being who could kill her in seconds if he wanted to.
“I don’t want any trouble.” Hermione confesses. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your meal. I just wanted to protect the kids.”
The man looks down her form and up again before stepping closer to examine her wand. He’s less than an arms length away. The proximity has her nearly trembling. To her mortification - she doesn’t think it’s from fear.
“Forgive me, darling. I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I’m Kol Mikaelson.” The vampire says as he holds out his hand.
Lowering her wand, but still keeping it pointed in his direction, she holds out her free hand.
“Hermione Granger.”
Kol’s fingers delicately wrap around her own. He raises them to his mouth to brush a kiss against her gloved knuckles. The action causes her breath to hitch.
Since the Final Battle many men have attempted to lay claim to the ‘Golden Girl’. Many have gifted her jewels, performed chivalrous acts in front of photographers, and gave every compliment they think she wants to hear. None of their efforts have ever caused such a reaction from her.
Like werewolves, most of the documented information on vampires is prejudiced. Therefore she isn’t sure how much of the information she knows is true. It’s a reasonable assumption that vampires possess an allure that draws in their prey. Hermione clears her throat in an attempt to bring herself back in control. He grins at her wickedly, causing her grip to tighten on her wand.
Kol holds his hands up in a placating surrender, “You don’t need to be afraid of me. I have the deepest respect for witches.”
His arrogant smirk drops and his chocolate eyes flicker between hers as she contemplates. His words are definitely a surprise but the vampire seems genuine. She knows from Remus that not every magical being or creature is monstrous. Hermione won’t drop her guard but she also doesn’t need to be on the offensive. In a show of trust she returns her wand to its holster.
“No one has mentioned a wand-wielding witch residing in town.” Kol states curiously.
The witch’s brows furrow in confusion at his wording. “I’m new. I just moved here about a week ago for a research project and I haven’t met many people yet, or anyone from the magical world. What do you mean wand-wielding witch? Don’t we all use wands?”
“You haven’t met many people but you care about the quarterback?” Kol groans annoyed.
Hermione doesn’t miss that he didn’t answer her questions. Still she asks, “Quarterback?”
Kol’s head tilts at her question but after a moment he looks over his shoulder to point towards the blonde boy walking towards the mansion. Glancing back over the parking lot, Hermione notices the blonde woman staring at them from several vehicles down. Now that the witch holds her attention she struggles to avoid fidgeting from her fight or flight instinct.
“Move along, Bekah. We’ll talk later.” Kol speaks without moving his gaze from Hermione or raising his voice. The blonde nods before returning to the house.
Turning back to Kol, Hermione responds, “I hadn’t known he was a quarterback. I don’t even know his name. But he’s always been kind when I pick up my food from The Grill. If I had known what you were I would’ve…”
Hermione trails off uncertainly. His brows raise expectantly as the corner of his mouth lifts in amusement. His hands link behind his back. “Oh? What would you have done?”
“Well truthfully, I likely would’ve done the same thing.” Hermione admits as she wrinkles her nose. “I know you need to eat and I’d be horrible to suggest you skip a meal as I never like to when I’m hungry.” A surprised laugh escapes his mouth before he muffles it by gripping his chin with his hand. “I can’t condone killing children.”
“He’s seventeen. Hardly a child.” Kol responds seemingly more to gauge her reaction than to argue.
“All he’s done at seventeen is live at the whim of others and attend school. Adults have the whole world at their fingertips, most just choose not to acknowledge it.” Hermione clicks her tongue in discomfort, “If you need a meal perhaps I could help you find someone?”
He grins wolfishly, “You’ll find me someone to eat?”
“People are your food source. I’d feel bad about my part in it if you killed someone but it’s your nature and you shouldn’t feel condemned because of it. Especially because I doubt you became a vampire of your own volition.”
Kol’s smile falters and he is again staring at her with that intensity. She can’t tell if he wants to snack on her or if he’s fascinated by her.
“As intriguing as you finding me a meal would be, my mother will be expecting me inside for a toast shortly. Would you do me the honor of joining me?”
Hermione’s whole face burns crimson. “This is your home?”
“Yes, my family is hosting this ball.” Kol answers perplexed and enthralled by her sudden embarrassment.
The witch is worrying her bottom lip when she barely steps forward, putting her head inches from his collarbone. “Can I tell you a secret? Or maybe more a confession?”
“I love secrets.”
“I wasn’t invited. I was going to use magic on someone to sneak in.” Hermione admits sheepishly.
Another, much louder, surprised laugh bursts from Kol. “Hermione, you are making this night entirely worthwhile.” He boldly takes her hand to place in the crook of his arm and begins to lead them towards the home. “Now what does my family hold that piqued your interest enough to attend uninvited?”
The witch looks at him confused. “You hold nothing. Like I said before, I’m researching and haven’t had much progress. When your family’s arrival and the ball got announced I hoped I’d meet someone who could point me in the right direction or at least help me realize I am in the right place after all. Which you have done, so thank you.”
“What are you researching?” Kol asks removing her hand from his arm as he moves to open the door.
“Oh, you wouldn’t want to hear about it.” Hermione chuckles self-depreciating.
He quickly closes the door with a thud before she could enter at the sound.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t curious.” The vampire growls. “What are you researching?”
“Magic.” Hermione answers uneasily.
“Lovely. What kind of magic?”
The witch crosses her arms and huffs. “Look, you don’t know me but I’m an academic. I like research and I’m bookish and a bit of a know-it-all. You ask me these questions to be polite and I’ll answer because I’m genuinely excited and never get to talk about it but you’ll grow bored and I’ll only be wasting my breath. None of that is necessary so why don’t we just skip it?”
A weary creak echoes in the following silence from Kol’s tightening grip on the door knob. They stare at each other, both with a fire in their eyes. A challenge.
“Darling, I don’t know who you’ve been spending time with but they sound like they could use a proper beating to learn some manners.” Hermione inhales sharply. “You don’t know me.” Kol stands to his full height to loom over her. “I’m not one to do something for politeness. I do something because I alone want to. I actually enjoy hearing about magic. So I’m going to make myself perfectly clear, I’m going to ask you once more and I expect a proper answer. What are you researching?”
Hermione swallows thickly. “Ummm. Mystic Falls is rumored to be the beginning of magic and the supernatural. Obviously, the magic part is untrue. Hogwarts has been open for as long as magic has been suspected here. Therefore other witches and wizards existed prior to those who practiced magic here. However, very little legitimate documentation has been done on werewolves and vampires. If they began here I’m curious as to how and everything that’s happened since. What else would magic be capable of?”
“Truly fascinating stuff. I have many thoughts but if I don’t appear for the toast within the next minute my brother will put my head on a pike.”
The witch startles not completely sure if he’s joking. In her panic, he guides her inside by placing a hand on her lower back. “Don’t leave before speaking with me again. I might have exactly what you’re looking for. And if anyone gives you any trouble about being here you tell them to find me or Klaus.”
Before Hermione can respond or even react to the intimate gesture the man is gone. A waiter approaches with champagne that she accepts. All the while considering if she might be a little insane for thinking she was lucky she ran into Kol Mikaelson.