On a Hot Summer Night

[AN]There. Longer chapter. With hunting. *cowers from reviewers* No, I love you all, because you review! Thankies![/AN]


Never had Hermione seen such an expression on Severus' face. His jaw dropped as far as it could and his eyes widened in what anyone would think was horror. However it was quite the opposite. He was just so in shock, he didn't know what to do. Her voice was bringing him back to reality, as she asked a very obvious question. Blinking a few times as the world spun around him, he swallowed hard, and simply raised his hand for her to take.

Not afraid, but just worried a little, Hermione took his hand, not sure if it was a good sign or not. She felt herself being compressed with side-along apparation. When they reached their destination, she knew where they were. She was like a native New Yorker, just without the accent. Looking up to Severus for an answer as to why he chose this place, he remained silent. It unnerved her. After all, they were only hunting.

His breathing slowed as they apparated to the seaport. His mind was still racing over what Hermione was wearing. Why would she even wear something like that besides to draw his attention? She wasn't doing it to woo the homeless or wicked on the streets of the city. She wanted him. This was no subtle hint though. This was bold; unlike Hermione in so many ways. He looked down on the shorter vampire and decided that she needed to sharpen her mind gifts. Her vampiric mind gifts that is.

"Now. I'm sure that you haven't been using those talents I've given you, so I'm going to have to teach you. Find a victim. Anyone. Don't yet try and figure out if they are worthy of your kiss of death yet. Just pick them out for me."

Still looking up into his eyes, she nodded and looked towards the masses of people crowding the port. Going on first impressions, she chose a man walking in a trench coat. After all, that article of clothing was never a good sign. Perhaps he was dealing drugs. Or waiting for a drop off of money. Either way, he didn't look too trustworthy. With her hand over Severus', she guided her finger along with his to the man, pointing at him.

He sighed. She was a novice. At least she had listened and didn't try to read his mind. With a quick mind scan he saw that the man was harmless. Figures Hermione would choose someone solely based on looks. The feeling of her hand on his distracted him for a moment. It reminded him that this wasn't just another vampire. It was a woman determined and stubborn; almost as much as he was. Shaking those thoughts from his head, he dislodged his hand from hers and stated a bit monotone.

"Interesting choice. However one quick look into his mind reveals his true purpose. I suppose you don't know how to do that do you. I can't go into your mind, only because you are my blood daughter. It would help things. All right. Think of his mind as a book. We both know how much you like reading. Just open the book. Stare at him, but not obviously, until you feel his thoughts. Let your own thoughts go. Focus on finding out what his story is. If he is a good meal."

Taking a deep breath, she felt her mind slip away and a new one replace it. The man's thoughts were inside of hers, and she saw a life of strife and hardship. Someone that deserved to see another day. In fact, someone who deserved a better life. Her own thoughts came rushing back to her so fast she felt faint. Which was a strange feeling for an invincible vampire. She swooned a bit, and fell into Severus' arms. With a smile she looked up at him, but he remained with a stoic expression.

"I'm assuming you saw his mind. And I'm assuming you can't control this gift yet. Hence the dizzy feeling. It happens to all beginners, so don't fret. You aren’t alone. Back on your feet. I'm going into the crowd for a moment to find a kill. Don't follow me. I'll lure them back here and then allow you to find out why I've chosen them. In the mean time try and sharpen your skills. But beware, I won't be there to catch you."

Severus walked away with a quick step. Hermione almost envisioned his black robes billowing behind him. But with clothes so much closer to his skin, his gait seemed to lose its magic. He vanished into the bodies, leaving Hermione utterly alone. They were hidden in such a place that no one would care about her. Perfect for surveying people. Determined not to lose herself, she chose a small child to read. This task proved simpler than an adult, since the life was shorter and the thoughts more simplistic. She handled it perfectly, but leaned on the wall next to her for support. Trying to increase her victims in age order, she found a teenager, but was so overcome by hormones that she pulled away quickly. Afraid to read an adult, she moved onto an elderly woman. The woman seemed so frail, but her mind was racing of previous experiences. Hermione felt for her, but only because she herself was trapped in this body, when this old lady would die soon. Getting a better grip on mind reading, she felt confident, and tried a college student. With thoughts of school work and personal life swarming the student's mind, it was hard for Hermione at first. She got the hang of it, and was able to separate different thoughts, and not be caught with a barrage of chaos.

Sometimes muggle clothes could be a pain. He would give anything to wear his robes again, to feel safe in them. He felt almost naked in front of all these people. He liked to hide within layers of clothes. Of course he was dressed like this so he wouldn't stick out in the crowd. But the main purpose was the little vixen he left behind. It was his intent from the start. Becoming impatient he chose someone randomly, and found out that they had murdered someone for money. It would work. He went up to the man and implanted thoughts that he wanted to follow him, and of course, it worked. The mind gift was damn handy.

Walking back to Hermione, he could see that her brow was furrowed in concentration. She was trying her hardest to get mind reading down. Wait until he got to tell her that this man was going to be her toy. She looked like she was working on a mother of three when he reached her with the man.

"This is Brian. Find out Brian's secret. I'm sure you can."

He raised his eyebrow to tempt her to get on with it. It was also a cocky action. Something that he was used to doing in the classroom towards know-it-all students when he challenged them to do something he knew they couldn't do. This time, he knew that she could do it. Brian stood with a deadened stare, due to Severus' work. Hermione locked eye contact with him, just for a moment, then looked away, to look at his thoughts swimming through her synapses. She saw the murder, in cold blood. Brian was no kind soul. In her first words since they left her apartment, Hermione looked at Severus with blood lust.

"Can I do it now? Please."

Her voice weakened Severus. She was putting on a bit of seduction in it just to tempt Severus. She wanted the first kill of the night. And their position right by the East River made for a perfect place to dispose of the body. Her eyes were almost of glee at the anticipation of devouring such a criminal. Severus sighed. He didn't expect Hermione to be so into the hunt. Or so willing and ready to kill. With a wave of his hand motioning to carry on, he let Hermione take the man. He would have a victim later. He wouldn't leave her side now though. He wanted to see this kill.

With the mind influence still locked on Brian from Severus, Hermione approached the murderer without caution. Even if he had control, he couldn't do much to harm her. She circled him once, licking her lips slightly in hunger. Gripping Brian's shoulders from behind, she let her lips caress the skin on the back of his neck. Opening her mouth to devour, her teeth grazed the skin gently. Without delay, she sank her fangs into the soft skin, hearing a small moan from Brian. Not caring, she began to drain his body of blood, allowing it to fill her body, warming her from the inside out. It felt like heaven. His blood was tainted metaphorically, but was pure physically. As each gulp went down her throat, she thanked Severus mentally for allowing her to enjoy this privilege. Brian became limp in her arms, a sign he was dieing. Before his heart could stop, she pulled away, licking the small blood drops that escaped her mouth. After cleaning herself, she bit her tongue and allowed the small blood drops to heal the puncture wounds on Brian's neck. With one look to Severus, she threw the body into the East River, without a care in the world.