Chapter 12
Surprise!
Leilani and Fenrir helped Hermione with the twins as they were escorted out of the hospital. The small family spent four days in a recovery suite. Hermione’s regular doctor took over the rest of Hermione’s care. Meredith was amazed by how fast Hermione was healing from an emergency C-Section. The incision had been wrapped in Murlap soaked in Dittany to speed up the healing process. Meredith had asked for some of what was smeared on the bandages, but Hermione just shook her head and said it was an old family recipe.
Fenrir had finished dressing his son and was buckling him into the muggle baby carrier. Their sister is being taken care of by Leilani while Hermione gets dressed. The precious little princess was dressed and buckled into her own muggle baby carrier. The twins were asleep with a full tummy of Hermione’s breast milk. One of the conditions before discharging the family was making sure the three of them were eating with no issues. The twins had no problems nursing, however, Hermione had issues with how bland the hospital food was but ate it anyway.
Leilani wheeled Hermione out to the carport where a taxi van was waiting. Fenrir buckled the twins in their carriers to the van seats. He may have snuck and used magic since he wasn’t sure how to secure the carriers. Leilani helped Hermione into the van, sitting on either of the twins, while Fenrir sat in the back row with Leilani. Luckily it was a short drive. Hermione kept her eyes on her babies while thinking about the need to buy their own car.
Entering their home, the family was met by two very worried house elves. Leilani had been the only one to return home while Hermione and the twins were in the hospital. Fenrir stayed the whole time, not wanting to leave their side for even a moment. He resorted to cleansing charms instead of leaving the main room to shower in the ensuite. Now that they were home, Fenrir will be taking a nice hot shower and then getting some real sleep on their bed. Hermione felt the same way, she was glad to be home.
But first, introductions, “Winky? Pip? I like you to meet Conri Fenrir Greyback and Althaia Hermione Greyback.” Hermione held their daughter while Fenrir held their son. Fenrir smiled at the bundle in his arms, “Conri is Gaelic for Wolf King.” “Althaia is Greek, meaning “With Healing Power.” Now, it has been an eventful week, and Fenrir and I would like to get some rest while we can,” Hermione yawned before she was done speaking. Winky snapped her fingers to vanish the silly muggle carriers to the nursery, “Lunch will be ready at noon.” They had all settled into a decent routine with the help of the house elves.
The day of Leilani’s birthday was approaching. The small family planned to have dinner and maybe a few gifts. Lei wasn’t big on parties, so dinner with her family and Death suited her just fine. Too bad she forgot that the resident event planner remembered her friend’s birthday. The bubbly blonde was forever grateful for Leilani’s help during her transition. It was also when Katherine made her presence known.
The day after the Gilbert device was used Damon had fed Caroline some of his blood to heal her injuries with the thought that she would be safe from turning into a vampire since she was in the hospital. Not knowing Katherine was lurking in the shadows. Caroline had regained consciousness after the Founder’s Day fiasco to see Elena hovering over her with a pillow. Caroline panicked when “Elena” revealed she was actually Katherine before smothering the blonde with the pillow as a message to the Salvatore brothers, “Game on.”
When Caroline woke up, she felt incredibly thirsty. Her gums ached, she was sensitive to everything, her emotions, sounds, smells, and then sunlight would burn her. Caroline was hiding in a corner of her hospital room away from any rays of sunshine when Leilani checked on her. Lei had heard about Caroline being in the hospital and wanted to make sure she was alright. “Caroline?” Lei walked into Caroline’s hospital room but didn’t see her at first. She walked in further and saw a distraught Caroline cowering in the corner, “Caroline? What happened?” Caroline’s head turned to Leilani, “Don’t come any closer.” Lei watched Caroline’s face shift to her vampire Vistage, “Oh, Caroline.”
Lei spent the rest of the day helping Caroline start to adjust to her new life until Stefan and Elena came to visit and learned what happened. Stefan called Damon, and the brothers offered to help Caroline. Elena had convinced Bonnie to make Caroline a daylight ring. The new vampire was grateful for her friends and their help. Even though Damon threatened to stake Caroline if she got out of control. Leilani sent him a stinging hex to the arm, “You do not threaten Caroline. You help her so that she doesn’t lose control.” Damon glared at the witch while rubbing his arm but agreed to not stake Caroline.
Fenrir was in the backyard near the Lockwood property line where the landscape needed to be tended to. He knew Pip usually took care of it but he wanted some fresh air. Fenrir had just finished shearing the top of some hedges when he caught sight of someone hiking through the overgrown brush on the Lockwood side of the property line. The man was carrying a small box, some rope, and chains. Fenrir shook his head and didn’t think too much about it since it was none of his business. However, he did watch the guy head over to the abandoned well and pried open the heavy iron grate with ease. Too easy for a human. But again, Fenrir left it alone since it was none of his business.
Inside the home, Hermione was getting ready to go pick up Leilani’s gift from one of the shops in town. Winky was looking after the twins, Leilani was in her art room trying to distract herself from the fact it was her birthday, and Fenrir had returned to take a shower. Hermione had picked up the gift and was leaving the shop when Caroline stopped her, “Oh, hey Hermione.” Hermione gave her best smile, she liked Caroline but she wanted to get home to the twins and get everything ready for dinner later that night. “Hey, Caroline. How are you?” Caroline gave Hermione a brief hug, “I’m doing better. What are you doing tonight? Isn’t it somebody’s birthday today?”
Hermione could see Caroline wasn’t going to let her escape without an answer. Caroline can be so determined when she sets out to do something. “Um, yes it is. How did you know?” Caroline playfully rolled her eyes, “Lei told us on her first day of teaching. So…What are the plans?” “Just a small dinner with a few gifts. Nothing too big. Leilani isn’t really fond of parties,” Hermione scrunched her nose at the thought. “Aww, well. I bet I could change her mind,” Caroline had put together a party at the Grill for Leilani’s birthday as a way to say thank you for being there for her. “Um, you could try but I don’t think she will go for it,” Hermione didn’t want to tell Caroline that Death will also be attending dinner.
Caroline had driven Hermione home in hopes of talking Lei into coming to the Grill later. Hermione and Caroline found the birthday girl in her art studio lost in thought. Leilani had been staring at her godfather’s portrait for the past 30 minutes trying to gather the courage to wake him. The door opening brought her attention back to her surroundings. She gave a small smile at the two entering the room, “Hullo, Hermione, Caroline. What are you doing here?” “Well, I wanted to invite you to the Grill tonight,” The bubbly blonde bounced on her feet waiting for a response.
Lei raised an eyebrow, “Is there a special occasion?” Caroline playfully rolled her eyes, “Oh, just some friends hanging out.” Hermione stood behind Caroline subtly nodding her head, thinking it may be good for Leilani to celebrate with some friends. Lei sighed, knowing she was not going to get out of it, “Sure, why not?” Caroline jumped in excitement, “Yay! I’ll see you guys at the Grill at 8.” Caroline left the two alone to finish setting up for Lei’s birthday party.
Hermione dragged both Lei and Fenrir to the Grill later that night. The twins were left at home with Winky so the adults didn’t have to worry about them. Entering the Grill, they could see it was packed with the townspeople. Lei stayed behind Hermione as they searched the place for Caroline. Lei turned towards the pool table at the sound of someone calling her name.
Lei, Hermione, and Fenrir maneuvered through the crowd to follow the voice. They could see the whole group is there and had pushed a couple of tables together for the large group. Caroline, Stefan, Damon, Elena, her aunt Jenna, Ric, Jeremy, a reluctant Bonnie, and a couple of vampires they haven’t met yet. The tables had a few gifts, drinks, and several plates of food across them. Caroline had Leilani sit at the head of the table so she could see everyone who is attending, “Happy Birthday, Leilani!”
Everyone was enjoying themselves, even Fenrir, when the temperature seemed to drop a few degrees as the door opened. A very handsome man entered the Grill and made his way over to Leilani, giving the patrons a deep feeling of dread as he passes. Lei perked up a little as Death approached the group. Leilani stood up to greet him as an old friend, “You made it.” Death gave Lei a side hug, “Wouldn’t miss it.” He looked over the food on the table, “What? No chili cheese fries?” Hermione went to go order some, “Not yet.” Lei wasn’t sure if she should introduce Death or not, it seems Caroline made that decision for her.
“Hello, I’m Caroline. Are you a friend of Lei’s?” Caroline brought her hand out for Death to shake. He grasp her hand, brought it up to his lips, and kissed her knuckles, “You could say that. Name’s Thanatos.” Caroline blushed at the action and the rough, deep voice of Death. The name sent chills down the spines of the supernaturals within hearing range. Caroline cleared her throat, “I hope you enjoy the party.” Death didn’t bother introducing himself to anyone else as he stood next to the birthday girl. Lei gave an apologetic look to Death. He just brushed her off and shrugged. The party continued with a chocolate cake, an embarrassingly and loudly sung “Happy Birthday”, and gifts.
Death surprised Leilani, “I brought you a gift as well but it’s back at your home.” He said between bites of his second serving of chili cheese fries. At the end of the party, Lei smiled and thanked everyone for coming to celebrate her birthday. She took a bit of time to thank Caroline for the party and was happy with the turnout. Death left a little bit before the group to make sure her presents were ready.
When they got home, Death was waiting inside the foyer for Leilani. He smiled at his mistress, “Your gift is in the backyard.” He led her out the back door and into the trees behind her home. Death gestured ahead of him and Lei’s jaw dropped to the ground. There stood tall, dark, and winged were four Thestrals. “Oh, Death. They’re beautiful,” Lei had tears in her eyes remembering the last time she saw the winged skeletal horses. As she stepped closer she realized she knew these Thestrals, she recognized them, “This is the Hogwarts herd. The ones we flew when we broke into the Ministry in my fifth year. What are they doing here? What’s going on back home?”
Death sighed, “I brought them here because I knew you would care for them. There are very few left. I came to celebrate your birthday but to also be the bearer of bad news.” Death waved his hand in the air and several pages from the Daily Prophet announcing deaths appeared and floated in the air. Lei read through the names. She recognized every single one of them. Each name had been associated with her one way or another, either from the DA, or Death Eaters that had been cleared of charges.
Lei’s voice cracked, “How bad is it?” “Someone has been targeting everyone you have been in contact with over the years. They would leave messages with the corpses, hoping to draw you out. When you didn’t show, they killed without thought. I had noticed it when my reapers kept bringing souls that should not have died to be judged from your old dimension,” Death felt bad for his mistress. She has already been through so much and now this, “Who’s left? Who hasn’t been killed?”
Death did not want to answer her but knew he couldn’t lie to her, “The twins escaped and are in hiding, Bill, Charlie, and Luna have also gone into hiding. Bill’s wife died during an attack, Bill was severely injured. Charlie is scouring the world for you guys because he found out Molly lied about the dragons. Luna and her husband are being hidden by some natives in South Africa until the attacks stop. Molly, Ron, and Ginny haven’t been attacked and they haven’t changed a bit.”
Leilani felt her blood boiling in anger at the suspicion those three are behind what was going on. What Death said next pretty much confirms it, “Arthur and Percy both died at Molly’s hand but no evidence suggests foul play. The twins’ shop and loft were attacked while they were helping Bill move into a safe house.” Lei was so angry she now felt numb, not even feeling the hot, salty tears streaming down her face.
Lei wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings as the largest male Thestral trotted over to her. He nudged her with his nose to get Lei’s attention. She subconsciously started to pet the Thestral, “Is it possible for Bill, Charlie, and the twins to come here? Only if they agree.” Death thought for a moment before giving a slight nod, “I can have one of my reapers find and talk to them. If they agree, I will bring them here.” He already planned to retrieve those few people. Death knew about what was to come in the near future and thought the wand-wielders would flourish in this dimension.
A new voice disrupted Lei and Death, “Oh wow. What…Huh?” Jeremy slowly stepped further into the trees. He was feeling upset and irritated with his sister. Elena had argued with him about dating Anna and it got heated. So Jeremy wanted to visit one of the few people who didn’t judge him or treated him like a child. He was not expecting to see a strange-looking skeletal-like horse with wings. Jeremy rubbed his eyes to make sure they weren’t playing tricks on him because of the darkness.
Death gave Lei a hug, patted the Thestral on the crown of his head, and vanished in a puff of black smoke spooking Jeremy even more. Leilani turned her attention to Jeremy’s shocked face. She laughed at his expression, “There called Thestrals, and only those who have seen death can see them.” Jeremy walked cautiously up to Leilani, and raised his hand to stroke the Thestral but hesitated. Lei guided his hand to the Thestrals’ crown, “It’s smooth like velvet.”
Lei noticed Jeremy seemed upset, “You want to talk about it?” Jeremy sighed, “It’s my sister. She keeps trying to tell me how to live my life. Saying I shouldn’t want to be with Anna because she’s a vampire but she’s dating Stefan or was dating him. I don’t know. She can be such a hypocrite sometimes.” “Well, if Anna makes you happy and respects you then that is ultimately your choice, not Elena’s.” Lei saw the way Anna and Jeremy looked at each other during her birthday party like they were the only ones in the room. “Thanks, Lei. That means a lot” Jeremy continued to pet the Thestral. He was curious, “Hey, can these guys really fly?” A devious, almost scary smile covered Leilani’s face.
The next thing Jeremy knew, he and Lei were trotting in the clouds on the back of a Thestral. “This is amazing,” Jeremy felt like he left his problems on the ground. His smile actually reached his eyes for the first time in over a year. “Being in the sky is so freeing. It’s just you and the clouds. No worries, no stress…just freedom,” Lei tilted her head back a little and took a deep breath. They stayed in the air for a few more minutes since it was late and the night was getting colder.
Leilani dropped Jeremy off in his backyard so he could sneak in without having to deal with Elena again. “That was awesome. Thank you, Lei. And Happy Birthday,” Jeremy gave Lei an awkward side hug since she was still mounted on the Thestral. “You welcome, Jeremy. And thank you. Good night Jer,” Lei gripped the Thestrals as he took off. “Goodnight, Leilani,” Jeremy said more to himself as he watched his pseudo sister fly away.
Jeremy walked into a quiet house, almost too quiet. He ventured into the kitchen and noticed it smelt strongly of bleach and other cleansers. The chemical odor practically burnt his nostrils and his eyes were watering. Jeremy pulled out his phone and called aunt Jenna, “Aunt Jenna, where is everybody?” “Oh, Jeremy! Thank god! Where are you?” Jenna asked her nephew. “I just got home and noticed everyone’s gone. What’s going on?” Jeremy was worried when he heard his aunt go from panicked to somewhat relieved. Jenna started to explain, “Uncle John was attacked inside the house. Someone stabbed him after cutting off his fingers.”
The boy found himself joining his family in the hospital to find out what happened. The family plus Stefan, Bonnie, and Caroline learned John will recover but may suffer nerve damage after reattaching his fingers. Jenna, Jeremy, Bonnie, and Caroline left the hospital to go home and get some sleep. Stefan and Elena went to talk to John and find out what really happened.
When Stefan and Elena walked into John’s hospital room, he became scared when he saw Elena. She rolled her eyes at him, “I’m not Katherine. We came to find out what you know. Why did she attack you?” John sat up straighter and was going to speak but no words came out. He came to the realization that Katherine compelled him to not reveal anything. Stefan stepped forward, “Tell us what you do know.” “I had come back to help rid the town of what’s left of the tomb vampires. They were supposed to have been killed in 1864,” John told them what they already knew. He was not going to tell them he was working with Katherine or his ex-lover, Isobelle, who was Elena’s biological mother.
Of course, John didn’t know that Elena figured out that he was her biological father. She had put the pieces together when she met with Isobelle to discuss handing over the Gilbert device. Elena was glad to have met Isobelle. Her disappointment in her bio-mother kept the image of her real mother alive. Miranda will always be her real mother. Then to learn the man who claimed to be her uncle and was barely in her life was really her biological father made her feel broken and sad.
Stefan and Elena didn’t learn anything else from John, so they left but not before Stefan threatened him to get out of town or he’d finish what Katherine started. John snuck down into the mattress wanting to disappear. He replayed the events of the past few weeks in his head and one thing stood out, he needed to remove the threat that is Leilani Evans.