AN: I'm sorry it is taking me a while to update. Between real life, creating a new career as photographer and a crashing laptop it has been madness.

Anyway, please let me know what you think! Reviews do get me to work faster.


Caius listened to the story of Hermione Granger with many different feelings running through his body. After just ten minutes into her story he was ready to brutally murder this wizard named Voldemort. In fact, he was already plotting the death of the human while listening to her incredible story. Twenty minutes later he found all his plans unnecessary and made new plans to extensively thank Hermione's best friend Harry Potter for keeping his mate safe. The man would be honoured beyond all measures if it were up to Caius.

During her story, he had been angry, murderous, shocked, scared and most of all in awe. It had taken all his control not to growl loudly and draw unwanted attention to them whenever Hermione told him about her near-death experiences and attacks on her. It dawned on him how miraculous it was that his mate was still alive. It was all thanks to her brainpower and Harry's magical prowess.

Just a minute after she finished her story the waiter came with the food. Hermione had asked the waiter in surprisingly good Italian for the specialty of the chef. Caius couldn't stop himself from shaking his head after he had heard her talk Italian. It was in nowhere near good enough to hold a in depth conversation but more than enough for a tourist to manage. She was a woman of many surprises.

"This is the first course, it is ravioli filled with cheese, ham and spinach."

Hermione smiled and thanked the waiter. Caius waited patiently as she ate a few bites before talking to her further. He took the time to sort through his emotions and thoughts. It really hadn't been easy to listen to her tales. As a creature of instinct, he had felt himself being pulled to all sides and he realized that he needed a moment to stabilize his emotions. It wouldn't do him any good to react impulsive and angered… or worse, afraid.

Once Caius knew he could talk without growling or shaking he continued with the questions he still had.

"So, you became famous in your world, could have had any job you wanted but you decided to return to school?" He asked. He was curious to see why a young woman like her had chosen to lock herself away in a boarding school instead of embracing the high life. That wasn't the view he had from young women these days.

"Yes, I wanted to finish my education before taking on a job. In the human muggle world it is very rare that somebody gets a high ranking job before they turn thirty, I had just turned twenty and wasn't ready for a full time job. Nor did I want to use my fame, which I gained through something I hated, to get into a position others worked hard for all their life." Hermione explained patiently and Caius nodded. He was impressed by the maturity she had shown at such a young age. She could have easily decided to throw away everything and party her life away.

"The boys didn't like that I was abandoning them, especially Ron. He just couldn't understand my love for studying and my need to get my graduation." Hermione continued. "We had many arguments about it but we worked through them and after I finished my education Ron asked me to marry him."

This had Caius growl a little. Luckily due to the noise of the other humans Hermione didn't notice. The idea of his mate with another male was infuriating. He wanted to rip the male apart but he quickly reigned in his anger. It wouldn't do him any good if Hermione saw him loose his temper over something like this. After all she had told him it was very clear that she cared about this Ron guy quite a lot.

"You never told us you were married." He said as casually as he could manage.

"I'm not." Hermione stated. Her voice indicated some old hurt. "Ron and I were engaged for a while. His mother was already planning the complete wedding. However after five months I started to realize that our relationship was more of that of siblings than of lovers. We were barely intimate and when it happened Ron was a very selfish and old-fashioned lover. On a night out I got drunk and Ron and I got into an argument. By the end of it I was yelling at him about how unsatisfied he left me. Bloody Rita, happened to be in the same nightclub. She reported the whole story the next day and the whole wizarding world knew about my non-existing love life."

Caius carefully looked at the woman next to him. Hermione seemed to be very comfortable sitting next to him. The way she talked about something so embarrassing without blushing or hesitation made him believe that she was either too trusting or she didn't care about what other thought about her anymore. He guessed it was the later as while she had been friendly and open to them she always seemed a little hesitant with her words. She did seem to think before saying something.

"Must have been difficult to have your life so publically displayed." He commented.

Hermione shrugged casually and looked at him with a smile.

"When you live in the magical world and you are the best friend of Harry Potter you get quickly used to being under a magnifying glass. This was nothing new and nothing I couldn't handle." Hermione explained. "Though, thanks to Harry, it ensured that libel laws were instated and that Rita got a hefty fine for some nasty things she did. It makes a nice nest egg for me."

Caius poured her a new glass of wine while the waiter removed her empty plate. They sat in silence for a few minutes but it wasn't uncomfortable. Caius watched her closely during this time and wondered what she was thinking. It looked to him that she was worrying or wondering about something. She nibbled on her bottom lip and had a little frown.

"You can ask any question, you know." He prodded when he became too impatient. Hermione once again smiled at him and nodded.

"Alright but please don't get angry or upset with me. I'm asking this based on my own experiences and knowledge."

"Very well." He said with a nod.

"Before I travelled to Voltera I studied many aspects of the Volturi. Not that there was much information but I never go into something like this unprepared. As you already found out, my study material was very lacking in correct information. However, all the stories about the Volturi Kings seemed consistent. Aro is always described as a strict, eccentric ruler, Marcus is always described as a depressed, silent and uninterested third wheel, and you are always described as cruel, ruthless and impatient." Hermione said carefully. Caius nodded and smiled a little at her. He knew where she was going with this.

"And this all doesn't match with what you are experiencing now." He finished.

"Indeed." She said with a nodded. "I was prepared for a lot of difficult conversations and politics. I was even prepared to have to be ruthless as well. Yet, I find myself having a very pleasant dinner with you after having already two really nice days with you and your brothers. Even Jane, a vampire who is one of the most feared vampires has been friendly."

"It makes you wonder if you are missing something." He said with a chuckle.

"Well… yes." Hermione said with a nod.

After the main course was served Caius decided to explain to her why her experiences were different than she had expected. Though, he wasn't ready yet to inform the young woman about their mate-bond. He was sure that Hermione wouldn't take it very well at that point in time. He would figure out a way to make her see it herself. It might be the better way to get her to understand, apparently going by her words she did distrust them at some level.

"There is a difference between what we want to show to the vampire world and how we really are." Caius said slowly. "Within the walls of Voltera we are family. We live and care for each other like family. Take Jane for example, she is known as the most cruel and evil female in the vampire world. Yet, within the castle, most see her as a younger sister to dote on and have fun with. She loves to take care of everybody, play board games, paint and read books like Jane Austin novels."

"Vampires are volatile creatures, driven by instinct and thirst. If we were to rule like the bunch of fun loving family members we are in Voltera than our world would quickly descent in chaos. Vampires must be ruled strictly, harsh and without exceptions. That is why when you ask any vampire outside our inner-guard about the Volturi they will shake with fear." Caius continued with quite the smug grin on his face. "However, we are not a bunch of mindless dictators, who rule by cruelty and terror. After we received your letter we decided to show you that we are more than that. After all it is in our best interest to show the magical world that we are trustworthy, smart and capable to do business with. We are representing the vampire world to you and with the exception of a few, most older vampires just want to be left in peace. After some discussion, we decided to show you just that."

He noticed Hermione's eyes harden a little and that she immediately wanted to argue with him on this but he held up his hand in order for her to let him finish.

"However, we never expected to truthfully like you. Our experiences with magicals have been less than pleasant and while your letter was friendly and your name was known by Aro in a good way, we still were prepared to face a stuck-up pure-blood witch who would see us as lesser beings, monsters even. We were prepared, like you, to deal with the politics and the insults but in a kind and professional way. We were all happily surprised to find that they send a witch who is both capable to hold up an interesting conversation with a vampire and one able to not be judgemental. You are so honest, open and smart that it isn't a surprise that Aro and Marcus like you. They really enjoy having a conversation with you, that much was clear this afternoon."

"And you?" she softly asked. Caius noticed that her tone was uncertain and that her cheek flushed a little when she asked. He found himself enthralled by her shyness. This was a side he hadn't seen from her and he liked it. He liked the contrast between the powerful and self-assured witch and the shyness and soft-spoken young woman.

He took her hand without even noticing that he was doing so. He softly smiled at her and leaned in a little. Her beautiful scent washed over him and he couldn't help but shiver a little as it took hold of him even more.

"I'm sitting here with you in a human restaurant, am I not?" Caius said softly. "Even Jane or Aro will tell you that I have never taken a woman out for dinner before. Not even when I was human. I can be and I am one of the most cruel and aggressive vampires, my past and experiences as a vampire has made me like that. I can be a ruthless killer. However, I'm not a player, a man who only takes or even somebody only driven by desires. In all my years I have perhaps once joined a meal with a human."

When Hermione looked up and met his eyes he didn't see the happiness and confidence he had expected. Instead he found even more uncertainty and hesitance. Apparently he needed to be clearer in his statement.

"I truly like your company, Hermione. I would have never offered to take you out to a human restaurant if I didn't really like to spend time with you. Not even the prospect of a lot of business with the Wizarding world could have made me offer this to anyone else."

Slowly he saw her eyes lightened up and a soft smile form around her face.

"Thank you, Caius." She whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

"You are welcome." Caius said and thought about a question he had wanted to ask. "Tell me a little about your life as it is now? Do you have hobbies besides reading? What is your work like? I'm curious about how life in the magical world is."

Hermione smiled at him and nodded.

"My life isn't all that exciting at the moment. I live in muggle London as I couldn't deal with the paparazzi at my apartment door when I rented an apartment in Diagon Alley. I live in a small two-room apartment about ten minutes walk from Harry's home. We often have dinner together as neither of us wants to cook every day." Hermione told him. "The best thing about the apartment is its proximity to the library and museums. I make long days at the ministry as my department is going through a complete overhaul. The fact that I'm also working for the International Confederation means that I have absolutely no time for anything else. I travel a lot but barely see anything outside my office and hotelroom. I haven't been out on a date or even a girls night out since school and I haven't had a day off since I started this job."

Caius couldn't help but breaking out in laughter. The way she described her life was as comical as it was sad. A young girl like her should have a great and wild life, with nights out, fun hobbies and many man begging for her attention.

"So, no nights out, no wild hobbies or dates?" He asked.

"Nope." Hermione sighed. "In fact, my boss ordered me to take my time here in Italy. He stated quite clearly that I was not to return in two weeks with a full report. As long as I wasn't threatened than I am to stay in Italy and take at least two weeks off after I finish my investigation."

"You must have a great boss."

"Kingsley is a really good friend. We fought back to back in the battle for Hogwarts."

"So, you will stay in Italy after you finish your investigation?" Somehow Caius felt really happy about this idea. It would give him a little bit more time to ensure that this woman would agree to become his mate.

"Yeah, I dreamed about traveling to Italy for a long time. I've been here when I was little with my parents and fell in love with the history of this country, the sun and the landscape. Before I found out I was a witch I would always beg my parents to come back here." Hermione said with a smile. "Once I started at Hogwarts my life was too chaotic to even think about traveling for fun."

"You can stay at Voltera as long as you wish." Caius immediately offered.

"That is very nice of you. I will think about it." Hermione said. "You are really well located for exploring the country."

Caius poured them some extra wine and asked if Hermione wanted to eat desert here or if she wanted to go get an ice-cream. After careful consideration Hermione decided to go for the ice-cream. Italy was after all, famous for its ice.

"This Harry, he means a lot to you." Caius stated. He hoped she would talk more about her life.

"Oh yes!" Hermione said with a smile. Caius could see the love in her eyes. He would have been terribly jealous but he wasn't. Somehow, he felt really grateful for this Harry instead as if a threat. "Harry is my brother in all but blood. Sirius even suggested he would adopt us both to make it official. Harry knows me better than he knows himself. I wouldn't know what to do without him. He suggested that I should buy a house here and have a holiday home here. Something I hadn't even considered but I immediately loved the idea."

"Then you first need to learn how to take a holiday." Caius said as a tease.

"That too." Hermione said dryly. He immediately caught the idea that she was very well used to men teasing her.

"So, you are normally only with other men? I haven't heard you talking about any girls you know." He asked.

"Hmmm, most of the times, yes. However, there are Ginny, Luna and Hannah who I often see. Ginny is engaged to Harry, I'm sure that in a year or so there will be a wedding on a deserted island or something similar. Luna is a weird girl but with a very big heart. She sees things differently. Currently she is traveling in Russia to find some magical creature she believes exists. Hannah is a recent addition to the group, she started dating Neville a few months ago."

Caius noticed that the three-mentioned woman were all in some way related to the group of men Hermione seemed to care about a lot. None of the women seemed to be first and foremost Hermione's friend. He found himself sad at these thoughts. A woman who went through so much must have a female friend she could confide in. Maybe that was why she and Jane seemed to get along.

They left the restaurant and walked through the small town to a hidden ice-cream shop. While they walked back to the castle they talked about little things. Mostly Caius answering Hermione's questions about the town and architecture again. It was clear that she had a passion for history.