_ Aro_
The vampire looked afraid, and he had every right to do so. He broke the secret, and he had to pay for this.
"Sanguini, normally I do not give the chance to explain but I'm in a good mood today so talk!"
"My Lord, I did not break our secret; the people who know about me knew about us before they met me and they also need their own life to hide from the regular humans."
"Why would they hide?" Marcus asked.
"They only hide their condition; they are wizards and witches and they would never tell about us. I have a contact, a potion master who pays for my venom. He uses it to make potions and sell it to other potioners."
"Magical ones who do not try to kill you?" Caius asked.
"They have a civil world in Britain, and a dark wizard trying to control the magical and non-magical world. He also wants to extend his power over Europe. He wants the vampires to submit to his power."
"Is he mental? We will never submit to him. Are these wizards strong enough to win this war? Can you introduce me to this world?"
"The potioner is organizing a party for next week. He will invite some of the students and the staff of his school. You may talk with some of the wizards planning the battle against this dark one. I think his name is Tom Riddle, but he uses Lord Voldemort as his alias."
"We will go next week to this school and you will introduce me to the potioner; I will see how to act after this. Now, you have a little more time before we'll pass judgment so enjoy as it last. Brothers, we need to talk in my study."
We moved to my study and for the next days, we tried to search for information about the magical world. We found a wizarding community in Italy, and Caius contacted them. they were happy to have a connection with us, so they were useful to our investigation. On of the wizards gave me an idea about how to handle magic, and how to prevent being killed by a magical. we ended signing an accord of cooperation between our communities. We would sell the hair and venom, and they would help us integrate the world better. Their leader told us about the conflicts in the British wizarding world.
"Now let us talk about what we gathered about these wizards. The leader is called Albus Dumbledore. He is old and powerful. He already fought a dark wizard before, an ancient lover. The Order of the Phoenix is the group fighting the dark lord. He could be to approach to understand more about this war." Caius said.
"The second of importance is a boy called Harry Potter, he was targeted because of a prophesy when he was a baby. He is the reason for the first dismissal of this madman. He is actually at school; he has a girlfriend and two best mates. His girlfriend and her brother are loyal to him but not strong enough to help him to a battle. His best friend, Hermione Granger, will be the most important witch in this conflict. She is the brightest of the age. We don't know a lot about her, but it could be a good idea to get to know her," Marcus said.
"Anybody else?"
"Yes, there is a wizard who is not exactly white or dark. He was spying for the order pretending to be a dark follower for the last twenty years. He took a dark mark when he was young. He made a vow with Dumbledore, so he is helping the order, but nobody is sure if he is actually loyal or not. He was the potion master until this year when he took the defense against the dark arts class, a position he wanted from the beginning. His name is Severus Snape and he could be a great asset if we could have his alliance. He is an enormously powerful mage, but he pretends to be just enough for his post. He is more powerful than Dumbledore and an equal to Hermione Granger, maybe a little more powerful."
"So, I need to be careful around those. Any other thing I need to know?"
"You will find some of this lord's followers on the castle. There is a family although that even when it is known to be dark, they are waiting for a way out of this. The Malfoys need to have a public face, but my contact told me they do not support the ideology anymore but they do not know how to get out. They do not know that Snape could help them as they believe him to be a loyal follower. Maybe they could be the perfect entrance to this." Marcus said.
"We need to hear them all before deciding what to do. Now, it could be interesting to have certain control of the magical world. We need to plan this carefully."
I spent the next three days preparing our move. I wanted to find mages who were able to help me finish this war. If this maniac could win, he could destroy our life as we knew it. Sanguini told me the potioner was ecstatic about having another vampire over his party. He invited the most important wizards, and he wanted to meet me. Sanguini told him that I was important, but he did not tell him who I was. It could be interesting to see if somebody could recognize me.
The school was far in the north of Scotland. It was the beginning of October, so the weather was nice, and I took my time walking around the lake before going inside. Sanguini was waiting for me, not daring to speak.
"So, this is the school the magical will go to after they are eleven years old?"
"They will send a letter to each student inviting them to study here. The non-magical families will have a visit from one of the teachers explaining the magic and the need for secrecy. The potioner gave me a key that will allow us to enter and I know how to go to the party as this is not the first time I'm here. We should go as we are already late, My Lord."
"Yes, please lead the way in," I said, and I waved him to start moving.
We moved through the castle that was similar to our own, dark and cold. I followed Sanguini until we arrived at the dungeons. He opened the door and we entered.
"Sanguini, my friend. I was thinking you were not coming." An old man said greeting us.
"Horace, I want to introduce you to Aro; he is from Italy and wanted to visit your school."
"A pleasure; if you'd come with me, I can introduce you to the best of this year. Come this way please."
It was interesting, as Sanguini said. They did not know a lot about us. He led us to a big room where everybody was talking in small groups. After an hour with silly speeches, I was bored, and I decided to walk around. I saw this beautiful girl reading a book and sipping a wine glass. She was perfect and I felt a pull leading me to her.
"I will advise you to let her alone," Somebody said behind me. How this wizard got close to me without me even hearing him? It was a first.
"Care to give me a reason?"
"You will not talk with her as she will be mine. It's not a leech who will steal what belongs to me"
"Do you know who I am stupid mortal?"
"Aro Volturi, I saw you when you were talking with Sanguini by the lake. Do not dare to approach her!"
"You have not right to tell me what to do Mr.… ?"
"Severus Snape, the DADA teacher at this school. She is my soul mate and I will not let you touch her".
"Severus Snape, we have a problem as she is also my mate. How do you think we can deal with this?"
"I know about vampires and mates and probably you know about wizards and soul mates. Let us go to my office to talk about this,"
This was getting interesting, I found my mate, and she was bound to an immensely powerful wizard. Maybe our plan would be easier this way. I needed to talk with my brothers quick.