01
By: Banana Flavored Eskimo
Disclaimer: I own nothing
This story takes place during Breaking Dawn and about 2 years after the end of the final battle in Deathly Hallows. It is slightly AU so please note that some things will be changed.
Who was she?
She looked more warrior than woman.
Tight leather sort of material encased her slender frame, baring a great deal of flesh. Had she not been so shocked, she might have been embarrassed. It covered everything vital, but still left a great deal of her arms, shoulders, midsection and legs very bare. However, it was not her flesh that drew her eyes. It was what was on it.
Marks.
Numerous marks a shade or two darker than her natural skin tone span across the length of her exposed flesh. They looked tribal in design, but also runic in some way. Had she not looked so feral, she supposed it could be considered quite beautiful in a very primitive way.
She was also scarred. It was difficult to see, but if one looked closely past the intricate designs then you could make out raised flesh and puckered skin.
Her eyes were a very intense shade of brown and her wild curls snarled around her face in a rebellious way.
Her only adornment was a slender stick of wood. It was situated on her arm held secure by a brace. She found it odd that this woman would only carry a stick, but everything about her seemed to be rather eccentric in a wild sort of way.
The longer she stared at this warrior woman, the more she found her captivating.
Who was she?
"This is a surprise."
Gianna was broken from her silent musing over their strange new guest as she watched Felix glide through the door towards the unknown female.
"Felix."
Her voice was like warmed honey, caressing his name in a sultry slur that had a ring of strength. Whoever this woman was, she was dangerous.
"Hermione."
The mysterious woman made no response. She simply stared at the immortal, her gaze unwavering.
"They will see you."
A firm nod was his only response as the woman rose with fluid grace. Had Gianna not seen the slight flush of her skin, she would have thought her vampire.
Felix looked positively entranced as he followed closely behind the woman through the gilded doors that led to the leaders of the vampiric world: The Volturi.
Vampires were very visual creatures. With enhanced senses, they were very aware of their surroundings, but it was their sense of sight that they relied on most heavily.
When she had chosen her clothing for that day, it was with a sense of purpose that she wore something striking. In addition, she wanted to honor her training with Achak – an old medicine man from the Apache tribe. He taught her to walk a new path of strength and gave her courage to hone her magic in ways she never thought possible.
The hide she had been given was blessed and imbued with ancient spells. When woven into a complete outfit, it ended up being incredibly revealing, but to be ashamed of your body was to deny nature. Perhaps in a time before she had seen war she would have stuttered and blushed, but now she was different and saw the world through new eyes.
She knew that some would find it vulgar, but she needed them to see her marks. By displaying her runic tattoos and scars, they would solidify her place as a warrior. They screamed of danger and acted as a warning. When confronted with possible danger, vampires usually acted in two ways:
They would find the visage terrifying and be submissive or they would challenge her claim and since she was female, possibly take her as his own.
It was risky, but she was willing to take that chance.
"Young Hermione. What brings you back to Volterra?"
The woman looked up, her body tense as she regarded the three rulers before her.
"It has come to my attention that you will be starting a war."
The leader of the trio simply raised a dark brow. His milky red eyes stared at the female before him with curious intrigue. She always was able to surprise him.
"Now how did you come by such knowledge?"
Hermione was not intimidated. "I have my sources."
She would not elaborate. Aro knew this, so he decided to change topics. "I must say that I find your new wardrobe to be quite daring. Felix certainly appreciates it."
At this, the guard continued his unabashed stare of the young woman.
Hermione ignored him. He was definitely toying with the idea of claiming her, but knew that she was not a witch to be trifled with. Felix may have lusted after her, but he was not willing to get killed over her. She wasn't that tempting.
She paid him no mind. She never did.
"Felix," Aro said. "Leave."
Bowing low to his master, the guard member silently glided out of the room.
"Dragon hide. Such intriguing material mia bella."
Caius.
A warrior in his own right and quite the strategist. It was said that he had been a warlord during his mortal years, sweeping across what was now called Europe and Asia, claiming land and countless treasures as he went.
He was the one she was most weary about.
Unlike Felix. Caius had no qualms and like a true hunter he, enjoyed a good challenge. Although married, Athenodora was anything but his mate and she heard he had a voracious appetite for female companionship.
As he circled her like the predator he truly was, Hermione was careful to stay absolutely still and keep her eyes trained upon Aro.
"Caius. You are making her uncomfortable."
Marcus was the most puzzling of the three.
He always seemed to be tired more than anything, as if he given up on life. She understood. From what she gathered, he lost his life mate centuries ago. Such a travesty would weigh heavily upon the soul and no doubt leave him craving for a swift death.
However, he was brave and would not end his life so easily. No, he stayed in the realm of the living merely a shadow of his former self. His main duty was to play Caius' conscious, seeing as he lost his voice of reason long ago. Other than that, Marcus truly was a mystery that not even a skilled Legilimens could begin to unravel.
A cold breath whispered across the exposed flesh of her shoulder. Her entire reaction was quick as lightening. She twisted her body and swept her leg out in a graceful roundhouse kick that was met with nothing. Still poised, she followed that up a verbal shield and drew her wand into an offensive stance.
Caius was practically thrumming at the display as he watched the female before him. Such deadly grace only made him want her more.
Ready to assert his claim, he was firmly put into place by Aro's firm voice. "Caius. Enough."
The blonde vampire growled lowly, displeased that his hunt be disturbed, but followed his brother's words.
"Picolla," began Aro, "calm yourself. I apologize for Caius' actions, but can you truly blame him. You present yourself in a very tempting way for my brother."
"I am also very capable of turning him to ash so I suggest he curb his cravings and we get back to the matter at hand. Now I ask you once more Aro, the war."
Aro simply smiled in an attempt to sooth her anger. She looked so much like a true lioness and had she been any less than what she was, he would have encouraged Caius' attempt to claim her A witch such as Hermione Granger, however, was not one to challenge.
He did not like the odds with this one and knew that he would lose far more than gain. Besides, having the entire magical community come down on Volterra for harming their warrior princess was not something he wished to deal with. Wizarding kind were so bothersome.
"A great injustice has been made and it is our job to rectify it. It hold no ties to the magical community so I see no need for your concern."
Hermione kept her want firmly clenched in her right hand in case Caius try anything idiotic again.
Shifting her weight, she drew her shoulders back. "That is where you are wrong Aro. Your battle will take place in Forks and my brother has already pledged his allegiance and that of his brothers to fight against you."
"Brother?" Marcus questioned in genuine surprise.
"You lie," stated Caius.
Training her wand at his throat, her teeth were bared in a purely primal way. She looked absolutely livid as her magic sparked around her tense frame, crackling and temping Caius further to throw her down and claim that delicious hellcat as his own.
He roared, the sound reverberating through the high-vaulted room that practically shook the foundation.
Submit!
Hermione was not scared. She strengthened her shield as tendrils of fire licked across her skin. It took a great deal of effort to control the unpredictable element, but she had an affinity for the flame that allowed her to control it more fluidly than others. A great boon considering that fire was one of the few things that could truly destroy a vampire.
Caius was not deterred. If anything, her display presented herself to be more of an equal than anything. He wanted her for his own and he wanted her now.
"ENOUGH!"
Aro's voice was absolute as it drew the two from their current battle of wills.
"Caius. Remove yourself from the room."
"You dare interrupt my claim on her brother!?"
Caius was livid as he crimson eyes blazed with fury. His lips pulled back into a feral snarl as he faced his brother.
"She is not your mate Caius."
Marcus' words were soft, but heard clearly in the tense silence.
His gift was not offensive in any way, but very useful. Able to see the bonds between beings was very beneficial because it allowed the Volturi to see if a vampire was worthy of collecting or destroying.
"If she were your mate, you know I would do anything in my power to help you, but she is a witch brother. We can not afford the wrath of the wizarding world," Aro stated.
Caius simply stared at the magnificent witch before him. Damn the fates for not gifting him with the creature. She was perfection and he would find a way to have her as his own. As of now, he would leave. He did not want to be in their presence any longer.
Caius' dramatic exit allowed Aro to needlessly let out a long breath of relief.
The fire now rolling across Hermione's flesh simply extinguished as she eased her stance slightly. Although the main threat was gone, she would be a fool to completely let her guard down.
"That is a new trick is it not picolla?"
Like a child, Aro was easily distracted.
"I spent the past year studying elemental magic with the Apache tribe of North America. Their shamans were very enlightening."
"The Apache tribe," echoed Marcus.
He read about them.
The Native American tribes of magical descent were an incredibly private community. They rarely mingled with the modern magical community as they had a different way of performing magic that lay with nature itself. Many have tried to learn of their ways, but only a blood relation would allow any affinity with their way of practicing the craft. Their magic was difficult to harness unless there was a spiritual connection through blood.
"You are of Native American descent," stated Marcus.
Aro looked positively excited. He so loved a good twist in the story. "Do tell picolla."
"My father is Native American."
She would not say more and the two knew that.
Aro was practically burning with curiosity, as he wanted to know more about this intriguing little warrior witch.
"My brother is a spirit warrior, a shape-shifter. He has pledged himself and his pack to see to it that the Olympic Coven are safe."
Aro narrowed his brows at the revelation. This certainly changed things.
"To attack them is to fight my brother and I will come to his aide," she stated firmly.
"Hermione," Aro began. "They created an immortal child. I can not let an abomination to walk this Earth."
"Are you sure it is an immortal child Aro? I have learned that she is not as you think, but a dhampir."
"Impossible," he stated as he turned back in a rather childish manner.
"Aro. I came here because I do not want a war to come. I have seen too much bloodshed and I do not want my brother to have to fight again. I was not able to prevent the last battle, but I will do everything I can to prevent this one."
"We seem to have come to an impasse," stated the Voluturi leader as he turned towards the witch.
"It seems we have."
"You know that we will still have to investigate."
"Then know that I will be there."
Aro looked somewhat haunted by her words, but simply nodded his head.
Hermione too looked rather disheartened as she returned the gesture and disappeared with a soft pop.
Marcus looked to his brother. "She will call for help."
"I know brother, but I will not cower before her. Let her bring her warriors and we shall gather ours."
Marcus looked alarmed by the request. "Brother. The odds have turned swiftly against us."
"Perhaps and perhaps not. Magical they may be, but they are still very much human."
Marcus simply inclined his head. His brother knew that to go against Hermione was suicide, but his pride had been wounded and he was much too stubborn to stand down. He would not argue any further. Perhaps he would be destroyed. He was so very tired and death would be a blessing to his weary soul.
Dearest Didyme. I may be joining you soon…
"Does anybody know why Hermione called us?"
Harry Potter had been pacing the expanse of the Black dining room. He was worried for his best female friend and he did not know what to do. Deep green eyes took in the collection of people before him.
His fiancé Ginny looked worried as she fidgeted with the sleeve of her robe, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Ron was drumming his fingers, his leg shaking in nervousness.
Charlie and Percy were tense, their backs straight as they stared straight ahead.
Neville and Luna were huddled together. Luna's usual dreamy expression was gone and replaced by a firm look of concentration as Neville ran a comforting hand across her back.
Molly was busy in the kitchen, attempting to take her mind off of everything by busying herself with Kreacher to bake a ridiculous amount of cakes and pies.
Arthur looked absolutely weary, as he seemed to age right before his eyes as his son George placed a comforting hand upon his shoulder.
A soft pop alerted the assembly to another arrival as they watched Hermione appear.
George balked as Percy actually started to bleed from his nose.
Ron's ears turned a violent shade of red as Charlie simply raised his brow in interest.
Harry – although blushing furiously at seeing so much of Hermione's flesh – came back to himself seeing the stern expression playing across her features.
"Thank you for coming."
Ginny practically raced towards the frazzled brunette as she brought the shorter woman into her slim arms and hugged her close. "It's been too long Hermione. We have missed you."
Hermione felt horrible. For the past year she had been living in the United States learning tribal magic. It was an intense affair and required absolute devotion. She had not been home for thirteen months. Their first meeting in person and she worries them like this. She was a terrible friend.
"Mya?"
Harry brought the trembling girl into his arms as his fiancé let go of her shaking frame.
Ron seemed to overcome his embarrassment for he too hugged the brunette close. The two pressed soft kisses upon her crown as they hushed her now trembling body.
Ron gently tilted her chin upwards with a finger and wiped her tears away with the pad of his thumb. "There now Mya. We got you. Tell us what's wrong."
"Where to begin…"
"The start is always a good place," came George's cheeky reply.
Hermione laughed as she let her two closest friends guide her to the head of the table. "What I am about to tell you will be difficult. You may have to fight again and I would understand if you did not wish to join-"
"You can stop right there Granger," stated Charlie.
"You're stuck with us Hermione. Not even nargles could take us away."
The curly haired brunette laughed at that and simply shook her head.
"So Mya, what is with the outfit? It's very Xena meets Pocahontas," chortled Harry.
"Feel free to continue to wear it on a regular basis, eh luv," said Charlie with a wink.
Arthur leveled his son with a stern glare as Ginny smacked him upside the head. "Ignore him Hermione. He's picked up some rather bad habits at the reserve."
"Hey!"
"So Hermione? What is it that you wanted to say?" Asked Neville.
Taking in a deep breath, Hermione stared at the collection of people before her. She really did have an amazing family and she loved them. They deserved to know everything.
"As you know, I left for the United States to study Native American magic…"
The assembled group of former Order members were silent.
"I know that what I'm asking is-"
"Nothing. It's nothing Hermione and I'm surprised that you think we're going to let you go alone."
Harry's voice was firm as he stared at the witch with that same crooked grin he had since their first meeting.
"You are not going alone young lady! I will not see you fight vampires by yourself," stated Mrs. Weasely as she placed her hands upon her hips in a no nonsense manner.
"I'm afraid you're stuck with us Granger," said George with a wide smile.
Hermione simply smiled as she gave everyone a watery smile. She was so blessed. "Thank you."
"Cor Mya. He's your brother. What's his name anyways?" Asked Ron.
"Sam. Samuel Uley."
AN: Starting another story again?
Yes, yes I am.
I need this to help get my creative juices flowing.
It will be short, only 5 chapters so please do not expect something epic. However, due to the number of chapters, they will be long. This one is about 11 pages. Twice as long as my usual go.
Please note that I have not given up on my other stories. I am just experiencing a horrible writer's block.
This has nothing to do with It's Complicated so no Paul x Hermione story here.
There will be an imprint, but I need someone else that isn't so hot tempered. Hermione is strong, but far too selfless. She needs to sun to help balance herself.
Next: We meet the vampires as they prepare to meet the Volturi.
Review?
Banana Flavored Eskimo