Summary: Tracey finds herself settling very well in Volterra. A conversation between her and Hermione.

AN: Takes place several months after the previous installment of Tracey Davis


~ooO Interludes III, Life with Stregas - Tracey & Hermione Ooo~

Tracey was not surprised when she received the e-mail from Hermione. She used the little pen to tap the icon and delete it. She loved her tablet PC. It could store and organize so much information! And it didn't short out when she used magic! Caius had gone into a great deal of technical explanation of shielding and buffering runic arrays that completely went over Tracey's head but the unlimited marketing possibilities of the development had not escaped her. She insisted on moving it to the top of the potential product list. With that she had been nominated to be part of the business and marketing committees. On top of her Healing Apprenticeship!

"Tracey! Come in. Do you want anything to drink?"

"Sherbet please."

The Slytherin witch sat and watched Hermione pour two cups and sit down after passing one to Tracey. Tracey sipped the sweet fragrant liquid and sighed. So many calories and sugar but she'd definitely more than burn it with the enchanting she was scheduled to do after dinner.

Hermione did not look as tired as Tracey felt but the Slytherin was not deceived. Hermione was under just as much stress trying to fill in too many roles. But she was never too busy to stop and talk because she genuinely cared.

"How are you doing?"

"Great!" Tracey blurted out wanting to share the good news. "I got a letter from St Bianca's. I've tested out of half of this years theoretical coursework. I'll still need to complete the practical hours of course, but this means I have more free time to help."

Hermione smiled. "That's great!" And Tracey wasn't surprised by the follow up question. "How are you adjusting to coven life?"

Tracey made a face before answering in an unSlytherin-like blunt manner. "Pretty good actually. All the vampires are very nice. And those masking charms help prevent any bloodlust slip-ups."

Hermione nodded clearly pleased. "I use them myself; when I first moved in every time whenever I was not in my room. When you get comfortable you'll stop using them all the time. Only when there are visitors, guests from other covens."

Tracey shrugged. She wasn't sure she'd ever reach that point. But then again she had never ever thought she'd be living with a coven of vampires! And here she was doing just that.

"Have you met Felix?"

Tracey softened. "He's so sweet! I wouldn't have expected it from a vampire with his appearance and gifts but he's so genuinely nice! And he really loves Hannah."

"Yes he does." A comfortable pause before Hermione continued. "What about the other Volturi?"

Tracey scrunched up her nose. "So so. I get along with all of them, some more than others. My tolerance for Caius is minimal though."

Hermione snorted. "Caius doesn't get along well with most people."

"He gets along with you!"

"Because we have common intellectual interests. And he's been starved intellectually for centuries. He was a wizard before he was turned and he kept up-to-date with all the developments in the Magical Arts."

"I'm a more practical girl." Tracey confessed. "I don't need to know how something works, only that it does the job."

"Hmmm." Tracey wondered what was going through the Gryffindor witch's head. "And what do you think of the other Kings?"

"Marcus is quiet. A philosopher and artist. I don't have much in common with him either. But I feel comfortable talking with him. We've had many conversations about vampire society and history. I think our notes are going to end up as a book."

"That's nice. I'm sure someone in the Volturi will have a contact who can arrange a limited publishing run." Hermione leaned forward in her chair. "And what about Aro?"

Tracey stiffened like someone touched her spine with a red-hot poker. "Aro?" she squeaked. "What about him?"

"What do you think about him?"

"He's okay," she said with studied casualness and from Hermione's look she was not buying it. Tracey flung herself back in her chair, the back of her head hitting the padding hard. "Okay! He's way too attractive! And honestly a vampire his age should be more dignified and calm!" Hermione stared. Tracey gave in. "I like him. I don't want to but I like him."

Hermione grinned, clearly pleased with herself. "Like him in what way?"

Tracey glared. "He makes me hot and bothered. I want to stab him with an enchanted dagger. I want to scream at him. I want to run away."

"You want to snog him," Hermione said knowingly.

"And I want to snog him," Tracey admitted running her fingers through her hair and tugging at the ends. "I want to push him down and climb on top of him to see how he reacts."

"He'd probably laugh and encourage you to ride him before turning the tables and taking control," Hermione murmured.

"Does he have a girlfriend?"

"He has been celibate since his wife was killed, to avoid showing favouritism and muddying the political waters."

"He reminds me of Lucius Malfoy."

Hermione wrinkled her nose. "I wouldn't go that far. Lucius Malfoy is a prejudiced arse. Aro is very pragmatic and shrewd. He may favour those with special talents but only if they are capable of doing the job."

"He's ruthless."

"Yes. And when he gives his loyalty he holds nothing back. He will give all to defend his allies, to win."

"He's an information junkie with obsessive compulsive tendencies." Tracey argued.

Hermione raised a brow. "And you aren't?"

Tracey growled. She was infamous for her Hogwarts information network when she and Hermione were students. If there was anything happening sooner or later Tracey Davis would hear about it. Most of the time she simply recorded the information in her files
without acting upon it. Her tendency to accumulate such tidbits served her in the aftermath of the war. Her files gave her leverage to move into a better position than other less influential Slytherins and orphans. It was only after she had exhausted her files that her finances became tighter, her situation unstable.

"Oh all right! I'm an information junkie!"

Hermione clapped her hand. "Great! You have tons in common with Aro then."

"Hermione!"

"Well, you're the one who likes him," she pointed out reasonably.

Tracey tugged her hair out in frustration. "He's a vampire!"

"He's single. And you like him."

"He'll get bored."

Hermione snorted. "You're pulling at straws Tracey."

"I don't want this Hermione."

"Why?"

"What if it goes wrong?"

"And what if it goes right?" Hermione retorted. Tracey inhaled sharply. Hermione softened. "You must try Tracey. Otherwise you will always wonder and regret."

"Is that why… you and Carlisle?"

"Yes. I met him when I was a child. When I met him again I was not willing to walk away and pretend. I never thought we would end up together. I would have been satisfied with just one night and memories."

"Carlisle is kind and gentle."

"And he can be fierce and ruthless when he wishes to be. He doesn't hesitate to impose his will when he feels it is necessary. Sometimes he seduces me into agreeing with him, with his voice, logic, and touch. I find myself agreeing to whatever he's saying without realizing the full details until much later."

"Would Aro do that?"

"Oh yes. I think most vampires are very protective and possessive of their mates."

"What happened to your inner-feminist?" Tracey teased.

"She met her vampire mate and submitted to him," Hermione replied dead pan and Tracey laughed. "I'm not joking Tracey. I know Aro is interested in you but I don't know whether he will ever act upon his interest."

Tracey stiffened. "Why? Is it because I'm an ordinary witch? Not famous like you?"

"Don't be silly! He may not act for the same reason as Felix."

Tracey went still remembering what Hannah had told Tracey of her courtship. Hannah had been the one to make the first move.

"Should I ask him out then?" Tracey asked hesitantly.

"Only if you want to. But I would strongly advise you to do so as soon as possible. Aro is a catch and sooner or later he will be approached by one of the other witches."

Tracey nodded slowly, thoughtfully. It was the truth.

"I understand."

"Good. Now do you have any ideas about your target markets?"

Tracey grinned and pulled out her tablet PC tapping at the screen. "Lots. I've done some analysis using Muggle techniques and census data from the Ministries and I think we have an untapped market segment in…"

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

The End


AN: Does she catch Aro? That will be in a separate interlude. Much later on.

AN: I think I can safely say this entire series is going to be over 100K words when it's done. I keep adding new material since some reviews catch my interest and don't let go. We still have a long way to go! Many more new characters (original and from Britain) and many intriguing couples/triads to come.