WARNING- Contains a fairly graphic scene.

Chapter Five

Hermione really didn't know what to do with herself, as time just seemed to merge slowly together since she no longer had the need to sleep. She wasn't sure what the vampires done at night and made a point to ask when they all met up again the next day.

The truth was she had no idea what time they would be meeting at, because all Aro had said was their usual time, which as a newcomer she wasn't aware of. So she done what she always done and read for a while, actually she sat reading for hours. Hermione always had the ability to pick up any book and immerse herself in the pages quite easily, ever since she was a little girl and first began to read proper books. Back then it was the Penguin Classics that she fell in love with. Dickens, Austen, Bronte, she read them all.

Sitting reading could only satisfy you for so long however and after hours sitting in the same position, she began to feel restless. So Hermione got up and began stretching her legs, how she would love to go for a run at the moment, she thought. Instead she ended up heading to the bathroom for a shower, taking her time in getting washed. Afterwards she took care in getting dressed, making sure she was meticulous in getting ready for the day. Hermione had never been that girl, despite Ginny's numerous attempts to help her, but here in Volterra she felt she had to dress up in order to fit in and impress the guard members. Why she wanted to impress them, she had no idea? But for some reason fitting in seemed important to her. After all she never did truly fit in properly in the muggle world, nor did she in the Wizarding world, so hoped this time would be different, especially if she put the effort in.

Once she was ready she cancelled the silencing charms and wards, almost forgetting about them. If someone had come to her room to fetch her she wouldn't have had any idea about it. In a way she was grateful as she needed some solitude and time on her own to process her thoughts and feelings, and wouldn't have been able to do that if people kept coming to her quarters. She also remembered the reason why she put them up in the first place, to avoid hearing Aro and his wife in the throes of passion.

She felt like a hypocrite when she thought of the pain she felt when thinking of Severus in the arms of another woman, even after she told him to move on. And here she was thinking of another man herself, despite feeling confused about what exactly it was she felt. But hearing Aro and his wife making love, would have pushed her too far.

Once she was ready she sat at the large oak desk and began to read some more but found that she never had the concentration for it. She was going to be so bored if this was all they done day in day out. She couldn't even go for a run, or practice her fighting or her spells. And there was only so much reading one person could do, even if that person was a known bookworm like Hermione Granger.

She could always sneak outside, but the truth was even if she tried to apparate she wouldn't be able to as she didn't know what outside looked like. Or she could disillusion herself and sneak out that way. But she knew by doing that she would probably be breaking a massive rule going out alone in the daylight, risking exposure. It was probably best that she avoided that idea for now and wait and see if someone would come for her. Looking at her watch it read 10.20am. What on earth did they do all day and all night, surely this wasn't it.

She began to pace up and down in boredom, feeling agitated at being left on her own. A visit from Chelsea or even Demetri would have been nice, but she got nothing.

Feeling frustrated she was about to apparate back into the dome room and demand something to do, when a loud firm knock landed on her door.

"Finally." She said out loud, walking to the door and opening it wide to see Demetri standing there leaning against the door frame, a sly grin on his face.

"Good morning I hope your night wasn't too tedious." He grinned knowingly.

She rolled her eyes at him and welcomed him into her quarters, but he declined.

"Next time perhaps, but right now we need to go and meet the rest of the Volturi. The leaders have set up a surprise in your honour. So we mustn't be late." He grinned again. "Shall we?" He held out his arm to her and unable to resist she smiled before taking it.

"Let's." She said closing the door, before warding and locking it all up. She knew this was probably a little extreme considering where she was, but she done it mostly out of habit. That and she didn't want to risk taking any chances that someone, like Jane, would break in and snoop around.

Before they took a single step, Hermione stood looking at Demetri an excited glint sparkling in her eyes.

"How would you like me to apparate us to the dome room." She asked watching his reaction intently.

His eyes widened at her words causing him to look first worried and unsure, then contemplative.

"Can you really do that?" He asked curiously.

"Of course I can. So how about it? Are you brave enough to try?" She coaxed teasingly.

He thought for a moment then asked,

"What exactly happens when, you know you disappear like that?"

Hermione smiled, glad that he didn't just toss her idea to the side. That he did actually seem to contemplate it first, before he undoubtedly said no. It was a start at least.

"Well I won't lie it's like being sucked by your naval and squeezed through this small tube. It will leave you slightly disorientated. But it's an experience. I promise you won't regret it." She teased him playfully, trying to convince him to at least try it. "I will be honest and say that you need to keep still because I could splinch you if you don't?"

"Splinch?" He asked with a furrowed brow, clearly confused by what she meant.

"Erm yeah it's when a part of you is left behind. I've known people to leave fingers and toes behind, also eyebrows, strangely enough. I'm not saying this to put you off or scare you out of it. I just thought you should know all the facts before deciding."

He gazed at her for a moment, the different emotions playing across his face, before tilting his head up in confidence.

"Alright then go ahead, do your worst." He grinned.

"Oh I will." She moved to stand in front of him and placed his hands firmly on her waist. Before he had the chance to say anything to her or change his mind, she apparated them away to the dome room.

The moment they landed Demetri swayed before falling onto his backside. Hermione quickly knelt beside him, concern written all over her face as others stood and watched on.

"Demetri are you alright?" She asked nervously.

He shook his head but not in the negative way, it was like he was trying to stop his head from spinning. He finally, after a moment or two, turned his head to look at Hermione, a huge big grin spreading across his face as he helped them both up to their feet.

"That was amazing." He exclaimed, his voice full of excitement and wonder. "Honestly I've never felt anything like it. I mean yes it left me feeling queasy but what a rush. Can we do it again?"

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm.

"Wow there tiger I think once was enough for now, but maybe another time. I'm glad you liked it though. It's something you can tell your friends about later." She smiled nudging his arm slightly, as if they were old friends.

Through the whole exchange a pair of blazing red eyes was watching them interacting with each other. His eyes narrowed, as that familiar feeling of jealousy surged through his body. He hated the fact he felt this way and couldn't do anything about it. Having his mate in such a close proximity and watching her with other males left him reeling. He was a jealous and possessive man and didn't share what was his. Knowing he couldn't do anything about it made the feeling worse.

"It looks like our guest has made her first step at bonding." Marcus said coming up behind him.

Aro turned a pointed glare at him and hissed,

"What do you mean by that?"

Marcus chuckled at seeing his brother look so riled up, it wasn't often Aro lost the excited boy façade.

"I mean by Demetri accepting her there, she has felt comfortable enough to see him as a possible friend. She isn't quite there yet, but I see them being close. I thought you would be glad that she appears to be settling in already?" Marcus asked noticing the frown on Aro's face deepen.

"Of course I want her to settle here, but I want her to settle here with me not some other male." He said angrily.

"Do not fear brother, they do not see each other as lovers merely friends?" He looked at Aro seriously then said, "Are you sure you want to go through with this Aro? Maybe it's too soon. You don't want to put Hermione off and scare her away."

"She wanted to see what we are truly like, so she's getting to see us at our best."

Marcus sighed at Aro's response.

"Please think about this. Remember what I told you, if you want to win her heart then don't push her, don't force this upon her please."

Before Aro had the chance to say anything more about the subject, Chelsea burst through the door, a black raven flying above her. She looked annoyed as her eyes lingered on the foul vermin.

"Chelsea what on earth are you doing with that?" Caius asked pointing up at the bird.

"There was an insistent tapping on the window and when I went to check, this horrible thing came flying through. I couldn't stop it honestly. The damn thing pecked at me." She huffed to a room full of sniggers.

Hermione looked at the raven and smiled as it came towards her. Holding out her arm it flew down and settled on her contentedly. She ran two fingers over its head and wings inspecting it.

"I see you found me then." She smiled as she took in Dante's appearance. The long journey here didn't seem to have ruffled his feathers too badly. He pecked at her fingers fondly, before nuzzling his head against her cheek. "You must be tired and hungry. Unfortunately you need to wait a little longer as I don't have anything for you at the moment."

"You know this bird?" Caius asked, walking towards her curiously.

She smiled and petted Dante's head once more, as he lapped up the attention he had sorely missed.

"Yes this is Dante my familiar. He was a gift for me before I left Hogwarts."

Caius looked at her and smiled slightly.

"A gift from your wizard?" Caius asked curiously.

Hermione's gaze looked down at Dante as a small sad sigh escaped.

"No not from Severus. It was a gift from the most powerful wizard in the world." She smiled fondly as she thought of Albus Dumbledore and his twinkling blue eyes.

"He is very beautiful. May I?" He asked cautiously. Caius knew things hadn't started off well with him and Hermione. But after she showed him those scenes things had changed. She had changed in his estimation. So he thought he would make the effort now. And one thing he always loved was birds. Seeing the raven had simply peaked his interest in her further. She wasn't at all what he had expected and was glad of that. Things might be a little more exciting around here from now on.

"If Dante will let you." She replied moving her arm closer to Caius.

He moved closer and reached his hand out slowly, as the bird watched him intently. Moving too fast and he was sure the bird would peck him too. Dante nudged his hand, testing him before moving down Hermione's arm to Caius's. He smiled as the bird settled contently on him, as he began to gently stroke his feathers.

"He truly is magnificent. You are very lucky indeed." He seemed mesmerised by the bird on his arm as he stroked his feathers careful not to hurt him, with his strength.

"He is beautiful." She smiled, pleased that she finally seemed to be getting on with Caius of all people.

He turned a teasing grin on her and said,

"I thought witches had black cats as familiars not beautiful black ravens."

Hermione laughed shaking her head no.

"That's only in fairy tales. Anyway I always thought vampires burned in the sunlight, not sparkle."

He chuckled quietly before quirking an eyebrow at her.

"Touché." He replied, pleasantly surprised with the ease in which they were able to banter. He would not have thought this possible yesterday, but here they were. "Why the name Dante?" He asked suddenly curious.

Hermione giggled before replying,

"That was Albus who named him that, but I rather like it after all Dante is one of my favourite poets."

Caius grinned at her then said,

"Mine too."

From the back of the room the other two leaders of the Volturi were watching the exchange between Caius and Hermione. Neither one expected to see the normally formidable Caius change his opinions and views so quickly, but somehow Hermione had managed to work her magic on him, to their surprise and amusement.

"It looks like a second bond may have been formed." Marcus whispered quietly in Aro's ear, who was stunned that his brother was gaining her affections quicker than what he was.

"All of that because of a bird?" He asked the surprise evident in his voice.

"That's not the reason Aro and you should know that by now. It's because he has made the effort to get to know the witch side of her. That's what you should be doing. Not this." He said gesturing the room with his hand.

"Don't tell me what to do Marcus." Aro hissed.

"I am not telling you what to do brother; I am merely trying to guide you in the right direction."

Aro glanced around the room, noticing everyone was there bar one. Just the way it should be, he grinned.

"I think it's time we began." He said without turning to look at Marcus before he walked to his throne. He sighed contentedly as he watched his coven, his family, interacting and chatting away with one another. They were a strong group and he took immense pride in being their leader. He chose only the best to become Volturi members, those with powers who satisfied his need. After scanning the room he let his eyes drift briefly on her, she was beautiful to behold, but she was much more than just her looks. He was a greedy man and he wanted it all and he wanted it all with her.

"I would like your attention please." Aro said his silky voice flowing around the room, stopping the murmurs and causing the room to fall into a respectful quiet. "Brothers." He simply said neither giving a command or an order, for he didn't have too, as they both moved to his side where they belonged. The raven that had been on Caius's arm flew high into the dome, perching on a window sill. "You all know why you are here today." He said a wide smile on his face. "But our new member does not. So I dedicate this celebration in her honour." He glanced at Hermione, his eyes wide and shining with anticipation and glee.

Hermione felt a cold chill run throughout her body. Whatever was happening now did not sit right with her, something felt odd, it felt wrong somehow. The strange look on Aro's face, the sly grin on Caius's and the worry etched on Marcus's, made her stomach sink with dread.

She looked at some of the guard members faces, some were looking at her and others were looking at the three leaders. Jane stared openly at Hermione, watching her every reaction. Her eyes were filled with smug amusement and for the first time since Hermione laid eyes on her, she had an actual smile on her face. The smile was not pleasant however; it was full of knowing, she was gloating at Hermione.

Whatever was happening Hermione decided to face it head on. It couldn't be that bad. Right? She stood taller; her head tilted in that defiant way that spoke of confidence. She had never run away from a challenge yet and wasn't about to start now.

"I believe that it is almost time so places everyone, if you please." Aro commanded.

Hermione watched as the three leaders sat down on their thrones simultaneously and the guard members stepped back against the wall, so that they were almost hidden in shadows. Demetri, who was standing beside Hermione, pulled her back alongside him.

"What is going on?" She whispered to him, the nervous dread filling her.

"Shh you'll see just wait a few minutes." He smiled at her, although he too appeared to be anxious like Marcus.

From outside the hall, Hermione began to hear the shuffling of feet and excited whispers. But that was not all. She heard the thrumming beat of hearts, fast approaching. Humans. She thought pressing her back further against the wall.

Why were humans in a place full of vampires? She wondered. Then the thought suddenly hit her, a solid cold punch to the stomach. She let her gaze travel across the Volturi, noting the hunger and eagerness etched on their faces. They were going to feed.

Hermione suddenly thought back to the journey to Volterra, to everything that Aro had said to her. All the little hints and quirky remarks he made. All the sniggers and chuckles she had seen and heard from Felix and Demetri. It all made sense to her now. Aro had dedicated this celebration to her; he wanted her to see this. He wanted her to see them feed, to see what they were truly like. He wanted her to join in with them. He wanted her to become one of them. The thoughts ran rampant through her mind, unable to stop them once they had started.

She turned her horror filled gaze to Jane who was watching Hermione with such gloating satisfaction. Her words yesterday struck Hermione then. She knew that Hermione would not take part in such a thing, and believed Hermione would run away from it. She was taunting her with truths. Hermione wanted no part in this. But she could not do anything, as the doors suddenly opened and in walked a group of about 30 humans, innocent and unaware of the horrors that was about to unfold.

Heidi was ushering them all into the room, her words bringing calmness to the humans.

"Here in this room it was said that a great coven of vampires lived before St Marcus purged them from the city."

The crowd of tourists 'oohed' and 'ahhed' taking pictures of the three Volturi leaders, thinking it was some kind of amazing re-enactment.

Aro rose to his feet just as the doors closed shut behind them, trapping them inside the room. The focus of the tourists was solely on him and not their surroundings, so they did not see the hidden vampires.

"Welcome to Volterra I am so glad you could join us on this very special day." He let his gaze wander to Hermione, who shrank further back into the wall. "Breakfast is served." He said as a menacing grin spread across his face as he lowered himself back into the throne to watch. Dread and fear engulfed Hermione at the way his tone of voice lowered. Gone was the excited boyish lilt. In its place was the deadly leader that he was.

What happened next happened so fast that all Hermione could see were blurs in the flurry of movements. The vampire's descended on their prey so fast, that the humans didn't have a chance to blink before they were set upon.

Horrified screams of fear and panic tore from the centre of the room, as the vampires feasted on the group of tourists. The three leaders sat on their thrones watching the scene before them, never flinching or showing any kind of emotion whatsoever. They were cold and distant and couldn't care less about the humans being killed.

Aro watched Hermione intently, as she shrunk back against the wall, a look of sheer horror and anguish written clearly across her face. As soon as the screams had started she quickly covered her ears, but nothing could block out the noise. He watched and waited patiently as a myriad of emotions crossed her features. From horror to fear, from fear to anguish, from anguish to disgust, from disgust to anger. She was mesmerising and he was enraptured.

As the screams began to lower, he heard her breathy whisper of 'stop', causing him to chuckle inwardly. Nothing could stop what was now in progress. He heard her say it for the second time, a little louder now with a hint of conviction. But still no-one heard her plea.

He watched with interest and excitement, as the air suddenly changed around them, crackling and full of raw magic. Hermione's hands moved away from her ears as she stepped away from the wall, anger blazing from her eyes causing them to glow. She glared at the ruckus in the middle of the room and in a loud commanding voice she yelled,

"I said stop!" While at the same time she slammed her foot hard against the tiled floor. This action caused the very foundations of the Palazzo dei Priori to tremble and shake with Hermione's fury. The aftereffects caused what felt like a small explosion to knock every vampire off their feet and across the floor, leaving Hermione the only one still standing, amongst a floor strewn with bodies.

The three leaders were sitting on their thrones and if it wasn't for that they would have flown across the room as well. Instead they were pushed back against their thrones.

Aro watched with concealed excitement as magic radiated from every part of Hermione, he could feel it pulsating in waves around the room bringing the air to life. This is what he wanted, to see and feel that power once more. She was truly remarkable when she was angry and worked up.

"How dare you?" She said her voice filled with unconcealed anger and conviction. "You are nothing but barbaric animals, killing innocent human beings in such a cowardly way." Her beautiful face was now distorted with anger and disgust. "There were children amongst that group, innocent young children." She hissed out, trying not to think of the bile that was rising in her throat.

"The younger they are the more potent they are." Jane grinned at Hermione, standing to her feet.

"Silence." Hermione yelled causing the room to tremble again with her anger, making Jane fall back to the floor once more. She looked up at Hermione a look of pure hatred crossing her face.

"Pain." Jane whispered but Hermione was too fast. She immediately cast a protective shield and repelled Jane's power, using it against the foolish young vampire for the second time. She watched with satisfaction as Jane writhed about in pain on the floor. Her tortured screams sounding like music to Hermione's ears. Slowly Hermione advanced on Jane cancelling the spell as she went. Bending over she looked down onto the vampire, a malicious smile forming on her own face.

"Not so little party tricks now are they?" She sneered, her face full of contempt.

"Enough." Aro said reluctant to stop the floor show he was thus far enjoying. But sadly he knew he had to intervene before things escalated any further. "Hermione dear you wanted to know how we fed, so now you know." He smiled.

Anger blazed through Hermione once more, he could feel it radiating off her.

"You could have told me instead of showing me." She said her voice cold and hard.

"Where is the fun in that?" Aro smiled, provoking her wrath once more.

"Fun." Hermione hissed, the magic crackling further, slight vibrations rippling across the floor. "You call that fun. You are nothing but cowards, treating human beings as though they are lambs for the slaughter. You used to be like them, have you no shred of human decency left in you?"

Aro laughed wholeheartedly at her.

"My dear sweet naive Hermione. Some of us have been vampires for thousands of years. Any human decency we had has long gone now. This is what and who we are. This is what and who you are too."

Aro realised the mistake he made, as her anger came rippling towards him in surge of power unlike anything he had felt before. It pushed him forcibly back down onto his throne.

"That is not who I am. That will never be who I am." She yelled. "I came from a world where I fought against evil and darkness. To stop them killing innocents, to stop them killing people like me. I will not stand back and watch you do the same." She glared at Aro her eyes blazing with fury. "I am not so naïve. I accept that some vampires out there feed off of humans that is their right to do so. But what I just saw was nothing but cowardice. I will not be a part of that. As for human decency it is not gone for me. My heart beats still, reminding me of who I am and where I come from. I shall never forget that. Not in a hundred years or even a thousand."

Aro smiled at her, standing to his feet once more.

"Oh but my dear you will forget eventually, we all do. And here in Volterra you will be one of us."

Hermione looked down at the Volturi crest that hung around her neck, suddenly feeling the full weight of it. It felt heavy and tight, almost like a noose. With a feral growl she tore it off and flung it down at Aro's feet.

"I will never be one of you. I can go back home whenever I choose." She declared. The smug smile on Jane's face caught her eyes. Looking at the vampire, Hermione realised that Jane had just won. She had gotten what she wanted and that was Hermione to leave. Well Hermione was equally determined. Turning her gaze back to Aro, she felt her shoulders stiffen as she knew what she must do. "I will not leave Volterra. But I will not be one of you and I will never, ever, be a part of what I just saw."

Aro smiled at seeing Hermione look so determined. Clasping his hands together he took a small step towards her and tilted his head to the side.

"Ahh but if you wish to stay here mio caro then you must eat with us or not at all." He said giving her the ultimate ultimatum. One she could not refuse.

He watched as her mind began to work, as she thought of the ramifications of his words. But as she locked gazes with him, her whole posture changed to that of someone who was determined.

"Very well then, I chose not at all." She turned on her heel and whistled. The raven flew to her landing on her shoulder. And in a blink of an eye, both Hermione and the bird were gone, a loud crack sounding behind.

"Well that was something." Caius said a look of shock and bewilderment on his face.

"Wasn't it just." Aro said with giddy excitement. "Guards dispose of the bodies accordingly, make sure they are all dead first." Aro bent down and picked up Hermione's necklace, curling it up tightly in his hand. "Brothers let's adjourn to our quarters, we have much to discuss."

Caius nodded and bolted to the door using his vampire speed. Aro went to follow but was quickly caught by Marcus and pulled into a secluded spot away from the rest of the guard.

"What is wrong with you? I told you that your plan wouldn't work." His own anger at his brother was evident in his voice, a tone that he hadn't used since his beloved Didyme was killed.

Aro looked at his brother and grinned smugly.

"Actually brother my plan worked flawlessly. She was beautiful in there. Everything I thought she would be and more."

Marcus's eyes widened as realisation hit him.

"You wanted to provoke her. You wanted that to happen. But why?"

Aro laughed quietly.

"I have felt her glorious power at full force before and wanted to feel it again. She has so much potential inside but refuses to acknowledge it." He looked at Marcus seriously and said, "I want to help her unlock this potential. I want her to be the best that she is, so that when the time comes she will sit by my side not just simply as my mate but also as my equal." He let his fantasy of them together filter through his mind briefly, before Marcus cut through his thoughts like a knife.

"Brother you are playing a dangerous game. You saw what she did in there, she could have caused the building to come down on us all, think of the danger you are putting us all in. This isn't just about you."

Aro gave a frustrated sigh.

"You underestimate me brother and more importantly you underestimate her. Things will go to plan, I am sure of that."

"And if they don't what then."

Aro gave a feral grin then said,

"Then we lure her with the one weakness she has."

Marcus's eyes widened as he whispered,

"The wizard."

Aro nodded. If he couldn't get Hermione to come to them willingly, then he would use the love she had for the dark wizard to lure her instead.

"Then I hope you know the risks you are taking brother. For all our sakes."

With that both Aro and Marcus left to join Caius in their quarters, unbeknownst to them that someone had overheard their private conversation. Anger was evident on their beautiful face and a hatred for Hermione burned brighter than before. They would not let this parasite hurt the world that they loved and cherished, even if she was Aro's true mate. A plan was needed to rid Volterra of the woman who could destroy their world and perhaps Aro was right, perhaps the dark wizard was the key to do that. Or perhaps others were.


The moment Hermione appeared in her quarters; she silenced and warded her rooms, before falling to her knees with a loud thud, as great big heaving sobs tore painfully through her body. Gone were the days she couldn't cry.

She heaved and spluttered as she thought of the piercing screams fill the silence, as she stood by watching innocent people being killed in front of her very eyes. She could have stopped them sooner but she hadn't. Fear had prevented her. Perhaps it wasn't them who were the cowards perhaps it was her. She had the power to stop it before it started but she didn't, she hadn't even tried. After everything she had gone through and done in the Wizarding World she couldn't save those people, those poor children whose lives she had watched being cut short far too soon. None of the vampires showed regret or compassion. They were cold hearted, uncaring monsters seeing only their next meal. It disgusted and sickened her to the core

The screams were not the most terrifying thing about what had just happened however. No they would haunt her; she knew that much, but something else chilled her to the bone. After all that bloodshed, reluctantly she looked back at what happened, she noticed that not a single drop of crimson liquid had been spilled.

Wiping the tears from her face, she gave a deep shuddering sigh, as she ran her fingers through her hair, pulling it slightly at the ends to feel pain.

What had she done? Because of her stubborn nature and not wanting to see Jane win, she was now stuck here. She would not be able to feed, she had no friends, she had nothing but herself and Dante.

She couldn't imagine Aro giving into her anytime soon, and she wouldn't want him to either. Standing to her feet she wiped viciously at her face and took in a pointless breath. With a renewed determination she vowed to herself that if that was how Aro wanted to be then that was fine by her. She would rather starve herself than give in to his demands, for that was what he wanted. She only hoped that she was strong enough to endure what was to come.