Summary: Respect requires listening

~ooO Interludes I, The Volturi - Jane Ooo~

Jane forced herself to walk slowly, to match Hermione's stride around the landscaped garden. It was rather boring in Jane's opinion but Hermione seemed to enjoy exploring the narrow but well-tended paths. Secretly she snuck a peek at the older looking woman, the witch. She still found it difficult to believe, that Hermione Granger was a real witch.

Jane had been burned when she was alive, accused of being a witch. Master Aro changed her and Alec to save their lives. Hermione had apologized for that and explained many victims of witch burnings were never real witches. Real witches could easily escape from any cell by Apparition, teleporting themselves away. It was one of the many reasons why the enclaves were so serious about the Statute of Secrecy. Jane couldn't fault the magicals for that. Vampires had a similar law, all humans who found out were to be killed or turned. Magicals had the option of wiping the humans memories of magic with a spell.

But Hermione was nothing like what she had read or imagined a witch would be. She was kind and genuine and honest, so practical and calm with no fear or hate, only acceptance. Jane rarely liked anyone, even vampires. The only ones she truly cared for were her twin Alec and Master Aro who had saved them. But Hermione was different. It was easy to talk to her, say what she felt and thought. Nothing shocked Hermione.

"I don't understand how you can be so comfortable with us," Jane finally said out loud.

Hermione looked up from the flower she was examining. "What do you mean Jane dear?"

"We are vampires! We kill humans."

"For food and to maintain the Secrecy."

"And you don't want us to change our diet? To drink animal blood like the Cullens and Denalis?" Jane challenged sardonically.

"I would but food is a personal choice. At least you do not make it excessively painful for your victims. It is relatively quick," Hermione allowed.

Jane snorted. "I like causing pain. Ask any of the Guard. It is my gift to cause pain."

"Ah. Demetri explained it to me." Hermione gave her a knowing look. "Do you use your gift to torture your meals? Do you torture random humans for pleasure? Those weaker than you if they did nothing to undermine you?"

Jane was taken aback. "Of course not. Why should I?"

"Then you are better than many magicals. Much better than Death Eaters, Riddle's followers. They always targeted those weaker or not capable of defending themselves." Hermione sighed. "You are honest in your disdain. You dislike those who are not your kind. You try to avoid them. You do not try to impose your ways upon outsiders."

Jane blinked. "We are not supposed to rule the humans," she said softly. "We may influence them but we should never try to rule outright. Secrecy must be maintained. The law is very clear about that."

"And you follow your laws. They may be more brutal but they are simpler. My kind, they have no honour no similar sense of duty and obligation to maintain order. They are rather like selfish spoiled children - want, take, have - with no concern to those around them. I may not like your laws but they are more honest."

Jane fell silent and followed Hermione more thoughtful and curious about magical society. Master Aro looked down on the enclaves and Hermione clearly did not like or trust them either. And they were supposed to be her kind! Jane made a mental note to ask Master Aro for more information about the enclaves. She strongly suspected they would be a threat in the future.

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

The End.