Summary: There is an unexpected visitor asking to see Hermione and her presence, what she has to share, her past, it changes everything.
AN: Sorry for the delay in posting RL has been really really busy. You may want to re-read Chapter 31 "Interludes II - Luna Lovegood". It is the lead in for this. The end of that chapter will be picked up in the middle of this. Everyone waiting for Luna to make an appearance... you're going to love this!
The Volturi and the Cullens were relaxing in the private wing. The Presentation had gone off without a hitch, no big fights, just minor scuffles and some seduction attempts. Now all the guests were either settled in the guest wing or outside the Fortress walls and the family was relaxing from the stresses of the day.
Hermione listened to the men joke around, boast and make plans for a tag race and scavenger hunt. She listened to the females make plans for a shopping excursion and day trips. She was more interested in lazing in Carlisle's arms with her babies. She had just finished nursing both her daughters when Heidi appeared with a bemused expression.
"Hermione, you have a human visitor."
Hermione passed Rina to Carlisle and sat up, tugging her bra cup and blouse into place before sliding the blanket off. "So late?"
Heidi shrugged. "I tried to persuade her to come back tomorrow morning but she was most insistent. In fact she's waiting outside the door with Afton."
That surprised everyone. For a human to hold her ground against a vampire…
"Did she give her name?"
"Luna Lovegood."
Hermione laughed and sat up straighter. "Bring her in!" she urged. When Heidi left she spoke out loud, to explain to the others. "Luna is the sweetest and kindest witch I know. She is a bit odd but she has a unique perspective and can see to the core of any issue." Her expression turned wistful. "She helped me a great deal after the War, when I was alone and trying to figure out what to do. She was one of the few to support my choices."
"Did you contact her before you left?" Bella asked.
Hermione shook her head. "No. She is a Naturalist and was in Argentina. I didn't dare to wait or send a message to her."
"And you were correct to act without waiting," a sweet Fey-like voice interjected.
The vampires turned to the door, intrigued wary and confused by the odd human entering the room behind Heidi. She was slightly below average in height, rather slender and wispy looking with pale blonde hair and almost colourless wide blue-grey eyes. She was dressed in an old-fashioned pale blue empire-waist dress that reached her ankles, feet shod in gladiator-style lace-up sandals. She was completely and utterly focused on Hermione who was up and moving towards her.
"Luna."
And she was hugging the shorter woman, pressing her cheek against hers and crying soundlessly. Luna responded wrapping her arm around Hermione humming wordlessly, a soothing yet cheery tune. Then they pulled apart and looked each other in the eye.
"Motherhood suits you," Luna stated gravely.
Hermione frowned. "You've Seen?"
Luna shrugged slightly. "A great deal." She slid her hand along Hermione's arm towards her wrist gently tugging the older witch towards the other occupants of the room. Luna deliberately looked each one in the face before finally settling on Carlisle. "You took ages to take the first step," she scolded.
Carlisle looked torn between uncertainty and laughter. "I'm sorry?" He wasn't really; he just didn't know how to respond.
Hermione had no qualms. She laughed. "Carlisle, meet Luna Lovegood, a witch I consider as my first true confidant. Luna, meet Carlisle Cullen, my husband and mate."
"He is very attractive," Luna said agreeably. "But then again most vampires are." She grinned impishly. "I never expected your mate to be the Stregoni Benefici."
Hermione's eyes sharpened. "You knew?"
"I Saw you were going to conceive, the father was going to be a vampire, but who I did not See." Luna responded calmly. "And would you have believed me if I told you?" Luna snorted and continued in mocking sing-song tones, "Practical, sensible Hermione would never find herself in such a situation."
Hermione opened her mouth then shut it. Luna was right.
"Well, let me first introduce you to everyone." And after that was done Hermione continued, "Please sit down and tell me what you are willing to share."
Luna obeyed, producing her wand to reheat the teapot and levitate to pour for herself and Hermione. She added lemon for Hermione, cream and sugar for herself. After passing the prepared brew to Hermione, Luna took a sip from her own cup before speaking.
"Everyone knows you left of your own freewill and few of the more genuine ones feel bad because they never noticed what was going on in your life, something big enough to drive you to leave. Harry hasn't stopped looking for you."
Hermione snorted. "I'm not interested in how guilty Harry feels. I want to know what's happening!"
"Nothing," Luna responded with brutal candour. "You know how it is. Nothing ever changes. Anyone who tries to is shut down. And when you left a lot of the energy vanished. No one has the will and cunning to out-manoeuvre the Ministry like you."
Hermione frowned. "A Slytherin could."
"And they are not interested in changing status quo."
Hermione bit her lip. "Daphne?"
"If she had incentive," Luna allowed. "Right now she doesn't."
Hermione sighed. "Luna, I'm sorry but I can't. I won't."
Luna shook her head. "I don't expect you to." She grinned. "In fact I expect you to stay in Italy for the next few decades."
That surprised everyone. Aro cleared his throat. "Please explain."
"Breaking an egg-shell from the inside is hard and time consuming. Chicks take ages to fully hatch and break free."
Enlightenment dawned. Hermione leaned forward and continued, "But breaking the shell from the outside is easy. You are bigger and have more leverage."
Luna smirked. "Stay in Volterra. Make allies, grow your resources, leverage your assets, choose your battles, work for what matters to you," she stressed.
Hermione's expression turned thoughtful and distant. Then she came to. "I'm so sorry Luna! I'm ignoring you."
"That's okay. You know I do the same."
"Will you stay the night? In fact I wouldn't mind if you moved in." Hermione gave Aro a pointed look.
He blinked then was quick to catch on. "Of course. Any friend of Hermione is more than welcome to stay. And you will not be harmed, my word on it."
Luna laughed and stood up, setting her teacup down. "Thank you. It is most generous of you." Then she smiled slyly and strolled over to Caius and plopped herself down on his lap, her legs over one arm rest. "I'm sure Uncle Caius won't mind, right?"
Jaws dropped and Hermione made a choked sound.
"No way!" Emmett hissed and whispered vampire fast. "She's way too sweet and pretty to be his relative."
Caius's mask-like expression cracked and he glared at Emmett before turning to Luna and speaking in exasperated tones. "No Little Moon, I don't mind. You can stay as long as you want. Remember, I've always asked you to move in but you wanted to stay in the enclaves."
"Father was alive and he would not leave Mother's grave," Luna said simply.
"Luna is one of your descendants? Like the Malfoys?"
Caius nodded and Luna explained. "My maternal great-grandmother was a Malfoy. Cast off of course, when she refused to marry the wizard chosen for her. No one acknowledges the tie."
"Hmmm." Hermione bit her lower lip and considered the information. Then she forcefully brought herself to the present. "Luna, will you please stay? I'd love to have a witch I can talk with. And you don't have to worry! I go to Magi Plaza in Florence to shop. Demetri and Caius have lots of contacts in the enclaves who can find anything else. And the library here is wonderful! More expansive than Hogwarts because Caius did not limit himself to light and grey works and he's been collecting for ages! Aro and Carlisle are very generous. I've been able to research and experiment without restriction and it is very nice, not to worry about money or how dark it may appear."
"You are more than welcome to move in and stay," Aro offered. "Or you can travel and use Volterra as a home base." He gave Caius a sly look. "I'm certain Caius would be more than willing to finance your expeditions."
Luna blinked. "He always has."
Hermione snorted. "Your Snorkack hunting trips?"
"A cover story for when I was visiting Uncle Caius." Luna admitted. "No one wanted to hear about my hols the moment I said I went on a Snorkack hunting trip."
Hermione looked ashamed. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I lied to get exactly those reactions." She turned to look at Caius. "I'm ready to come home now," she told him.
He relaxed minutely. "Thank you Little Moon. It has been… troubling, watching you from afar and not interfering." He turned to Aro. "Luna will not be coerced," he told his brother king firmly. "She is free to choose and stay or leave as she pleases."
Aro nodded gravely. "I understand and accept."
Many of the Cullens shook their heads baffled by the calm acceptance from Aro. None of them could read his thoughts or see his plans for the future. Aro knew he could not force magicals to ally with him; he had to woo them to make the choice of their own free will.
Hermione smiled gently. "That is a bit of welcome news." Then she smiled impishly. "Luna, would you like to meet your namesake?"
"Wha?"
Hermione waved at Rosalie and Chelsea who were holding the babies.
"Severina Jane and Emmaline Luna."
Luna looked gobsmacked. "You named your daughter after Professor Snape?"
"And you." Hermione pointed out.
"Oh yes." And then it sank in and Luna squealed and bounced up from Caius's lap and ran towards Chelsea and Rosalie. "Which one's which?" she demanded to know.
Chelsea laughed and proceeded to introduce Luna to the baby she was carrying; little Emma, Luna's namesake.
It did not take long for the exertions of the day make themselves known in the fussy babies and a dozing Hermione. Carlisle was the first to say goodnight and coax his mate into doing the same. Hermione hesitated but did not fight when Caius reassured her that he would make sure Luna was settled down in the family wing, protected.
~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~
TBC...