Chapter Twelve
Silence had descended on the occupants of the dome room as they all took in the severity of Hermione's words. For the Volturi leaders, it came as no surprise that the Romanian coven would want to start a War again, to try and win back the leadership they had lost. They hated everything that the Volturi stood for and despised them for conquering them all those thousands of years ago. But what was surprising however was the fact that not only were they trying to regain power but that they also wanted Hermione as well. News of the vampire witch in the Volturi wasn't common knowledge in the vampire world, so the question was who wrote that letter to the Romanian coven regarding Hermione being there.
"Tell us what you know." Marcus said while the others remained silent and in thought.
Hermione began to pace as she tried to put the information she had gathered into words. She wasn't sure where to begin because she could not answer all of that question, so instead she began by stating the obvious.
"Well in the vision I had there was a clock with the time and date on it. From that piece of information, it shows that the Romanians are planning their attack on the 20th February at nightfall."
"That gives us only six months to prepare." Caius said with a grim expression on his face. "It will take everything we have to gather our forces and ask our friends to join us. We do not have a lot of time to spare." He was the General of the Volturi guard and knew that they would not be nearly ready enough with only six months of preparation. "Did you see what the Romanian Covens army looks like?" He asked Hermione while rubbing his chin in thought.
Hermione nodded her head slowly then said,
"Yes, they have been preparing for War ever since that failed battle between yourselves and the Cullen's. They have been building up a newborn army and have been training them in combat. From the vision that I saw, I would say they had at least five hundred bodies willing to fight. Possibly even more."
Caius cursed as he thumped his closed fist hard against the arm of his throne.
"Damn it." He growled out in frustration before turning his gaze towards his brothers. "We have thirty-two members in the guard and another fifty members around the world. How are we supposed to fight against five hundred newborn and skilled vampires?" Caius said. He enjoyed nothing more than a challenge but even this seemed like the impossible to him.
Before anyone could answer however Hermione quickly said,
"Actually you have thirty-three members of the guard." She held her head up high as all three leaders turned to look at her. She didn't see Felix and Demetri glance at each other, with small excited smiles on their faces. Nor did she see Severus shut his eyes and sigh with defeat and fear.
Somehow he had known from the beginning of this conversation where her mind would go. She was a warrior and a fighter and she wasn't the type of person who turned her back and walked away from a situation like this. The moment she had spoken those words, his heart plummeted and he knew there was no changing her mind once it was made up.
"You wish to join the guard." Caius said with some disbelief.
"Yes. I may not agree with all the things you do but I respect the way in which you try to maintain the law of your world. The Romanian Coven seek to destroy your secrecy." She said honestly. "If I've to stay here also, then I may as well be productive and since they want me and everything, I should help. And if they think for one moment I'm going to make it easy on them then they have another thing coming."
Caius laughed and slowly clapped his hands with excitement. He enjoyed hearing her stubborn determination and hearing her fighting talk when it wasn't directed at them.
"That is all very good in theory but reality is a different matter entirely. You are not ready to be a guard member yet." He said.
Hermione's body stiffened at his words, as she did not take lightly to being told that she couldn't do something or wasn't good enough to do something. And so she would do everything in her power to prove him wrong.
"True but I can practice my spell work and I already have basic fighting skills, they're just a little rusty. You and Felix can teach me how to fight." She turned her head to Felix who grinned from ear to ear and nodded his head.
"She is indeed a skilled fighter although she can use some work. We saw her fighting skills earlier and I must say she makes quite the formidable opponent."
Aro frowned not liking this little piece of news.
"What happened earlier?" He asked trying to hide his concern for her.
"Four vampires were tracking Remus down, they wanted to get through me in order to reach him and I was having none of it. Three came from the front and one from behind." She smiled wickedly and said, "He was fairly easy to pick off but his mate wasn't very happy about that. She attacked and I destroyed her too. The other two vampires were not a threat, so we sent them away."
Aro frowned as she spoke. He didn't like the thought of Hermione in danger although he knew she could handle herself perfectly well. But still the thought of something happening to her left an ache in his chest, something he had never felt before.
"May I see the memory?" He asked standing up slowly and walking towards her. His eyes drank in the sight of her and it was only then that he saw the small crack on her cheek. It was beginning to heal but it would still take some time. "You are hurt." He whispered. Reaching out his hand he caressed her cracked cheek gently, forgetting momentarily where he was.
"Yes but it's nothing." Hermione said, feeling the connection they had make her body tingle at his intimate touch.
He pulled his hand away abruptly like he had just been burned, his eyes flickering around the room when he realised that there was an audience watching them curiously. He did not want his behaviour to be the focus of idle gossip, as he knew how quickly rumours passed amongst the coven members.
His gaze lingered on the dark wizard and the look on his face was furious. If looks could kill then Aro would be shot down dead right there on the spot, if he wasn't dead already of course.
"Good, now may I?" He held out his hands to her unsure if she would take them to show him the memories, or if she would do it her way.
Hermione briefly looked down at his open hands; normally she would show him the memories using legilimency, but for some unknown reason she wanted to feel his skin against her own again. Slowly she placed her hands in his and the connection she felt was imminent. It rushed through her body like an electric current.
He closed his eyes as he focused on the memory he wanted to see, ignoring all the other memories, despite the urge he felt to look through them all. He didn't think she would appreciate that very well and the last thing they needed just now was another scene, despite how much he enjoyed seeing her so worked up.
Hermione gazed at him in wonder as she felt him gently caress his way through the images until he had found the one he wanted to see. It wasn't at all like what she had expected it to feel like, for some reason she thought he would have been aggressive, tearing through her mind like it was nothing. He was not a patient man she suspected, and so seeing him now taking his time and being so gentle with her, caught her off guard.
After a few moments he opened his eyes and looked at her with undisguised awe.
"Caius brother Hermione is a little on the rusty side but she has so much potential." He moved away from Hermione and smiled at his brothers. "She just destroyed Margery Bergan the nomad and her mate."
Caius grinned almost viciously and turned his attention to Hermione. She really did have potential after all then.
"Really, now that is interesting. I must confess Hermione I am rather impressed. One afternoon away from here and you destroy her, that is quite a victory for you."
Hermione looked puzzled, as she gazed between the leaders expecting them to elaborate further, but when they didn't she sighed and asked,
"Alright then I'll bite, who is Margery Bergan?"
Caius chuckled slightly then said,
"She is a nomad who didn't take very kindly to our laws shall we say and decided to take things into her own hands, causing a few problems along the way. We have been looking for her and her friends for a while now. She was a shield so Demetri there couldn't track her down."
"What is a shield?" She asked curiously.
"Someone who is a shield can protect themselves and others from certain powers. Bella Cullen for example is one of the most powerful shields we have ever met. She can protect a number of people around her from Jane and Alec's powers, Aro could not see her thoughts and even her own husband could not read her mind using his gift. She blocked them all and was immune to their powers."
Hermione listened to his words carefully then began to pace as a million thoughts ran through her mind. The others watched her with amusement at the serious concentrated expression that she wore on her face.
Suddenly she stopped pacing and looked to the others.
"After seeing that letter in my vision what if there is a traitor in the Volturi, and what if that person was or knew someone who was a shield. Maybe that is why I didn't see the person who wrote it." She wasn't sure exactly how someone who was a shields power worked, but it could explain why she could not see the person who sent the letter.
"It is a possibility." Marcus said. "But we only have one person who is a shield in the Volturi and she is loyal to Aro."
Hermione frowned at this then asked a slightly obvious question,
"How do you know that if her shield makes her immune to other people's powers?"
Marcus quirked his lips up at her in slight amusement.
"Good question. The simple answer is that her power isn't like Bella's it does not block all powers. That means I can see the bond that she has with Aro and it's strong. She is loyal to him and to the Volturi."
For some reason Hermione felt a pang of jealousy at his words. Why should she care if someone had a strong bond with Aro or not? He was already married so had a bond with his wife anyway.
"How do you even know what you saw means a traitor in the Volturi?" Dumbledore who had been observing silently suddenly asked.
Hermione turned to the three wizards, having forgotten that they were still there. Feeling guilty she looked towards Severus who wore a serious expression on his pale face.
"The Volturi crest was broken and was falling to the ground. I gathered it could mean one of two things, that either the person who sent the letter is from inside the Volturi and wants to break away from the coven, or it's someone from the outside."
"Isn't the Romanians wanting War the answer to that." Severus asked.
Hermione shook her head in the negative.
"I don't think so. I mean the Romanians want vengeance, they want to destroy the Volturi not break it. No the crest being broken was something personal an act of defiance, someone who has lost faith in what the Volturi stands for." She sighed then looked at the room. "Someone who more than likely doesn't like me. When you look at the evidence the only people who know that I'm here are the people in the guard, the leaders, the Cullen's and my friends back in the Wizarding world. The people back at Hogwarts wouldn't know who to write too. The Cullen's I trust wholeheartedly and the leaders," She turned to face them and smiled wryly. "I may not trust all three of you but I don't think any of you would contact the Romanians."
"Absolutely not." Caius said with a look of utter disgust etched on his face.
"Then that can only lead to the guard members." She said sadly.
"Then we shall find the traitor and put them on trial." Caius said with determination. He did not stand for law breakers, but to him traitors were by far the worst.
"No I wouldn't look for the traitor openly if I were you." Hermione said. "You should hold a meeting with the guard members, tell them that you have some information regarding the Romanians and wait to see if they have any further contact with them. Feed the Romanians false information and lure them into a false sense of security. Only then will you truly know if there is a traitor here or not."
Caius smiled at her and whispered,
"Quite the little deviant aren't we."
"You have no idea." Severus said thinking back to her days at Hogwarts.
Remus who was standing beside him laughed then said,
"Our little Mione here isn't quite as innocent as she makes herself out to be. Believe me I know."
"Setting fire to a Professor in first year, taking on a dangerous snake in second year, standing up to a werewolf in third. And that isn't even half of it." Severus said throwing her a fond look.
Hermione laughed then said,
"Severus I told you about me setting fire to your robes in confidence. Now you've gone and told the Headmaster on me."
Dumbledore chuckled at her then said,
"I did not realise that was you. I am shocked Miss Granger."
Aro who had been listening to the group bantering, felt envious at the ease in which they could converse with each other. Not to mention how he hated the way Hermione and the dark wizard were talking to each other, flirty and fondly. It left him with the feeling of bitterness.
"May I ask a question and please do not be offended with me Hermione." He emphasized her name for he didn't like the way the werewolf had shortened it, it was beautiful just the way it was.
Hermione turned to look at him, the smile fading from her lips as she said,
"Go ahead."
He slowly stood up again, turning his back on her before saying,
"You spoke about out crest being broken and there being only two possible options behind its meaning. However, you are forgetting a third possible option. Perhaps the broken necklace doesn't mean a traitor at all." He turned to look at her, the pause giving what he was saying more drama. "Perhaps the broken necklace is you?"
Hermione frowned at what he just said, how could the necklace possibly be her.
"Me, how can it mean me?"
Aro sighed then said,
"Think back to a little over six weeks ago. Did you not rip our crest from your very own neck breaking it?"
Her hand once again went up to her throat to where the necklace had been. It was true she had ripped it off in anger, but how could what she saw in the vision be her. Her eyes widened suddenly as she said,
"You think I plan on breaking the Volturi, on ripping it apart."
Aro simply spread his hands out and shrugged.
"It is merely a suggestion. You were so quick to think traitor that you were slow to see other possibilities."
Hermione suddenly felt like she had been slapped by him. Did he really think that? That she would break up the Volturi. Thinking about her time here in Volterra she had to give him credit, despite how much it pained her. She knew that some members weren't happy that she was here, so could she be the one to divide and split them. She hoped not.
"I-I didn't think of that." She said dejectedly. "When I pulled the necklace off though, it broke at the chain not down the middle of the crest. Which makes me think it's a metaphor and not actually what I did." Hermione's weak argument was possible and she was just trying to think of ways for her not to be the problem.
Severus came and stood by her side, noticing the change in her mood.
"If that is the case you can always come home with us, today." He cupped her elbow and gently stroked her skin with his thumb.
Aro had to push down a growl. Although he had been the one to suggest it, it was merely another possibility. He only said it to stop the flirting going on between his rival and his mate. But instead his plan had backfired and he had only succeeded in pushing them closer together and upsetting her.
Hermione instantly felt comforted by Severus's touch and words. She looked into his dark eyes and smiled sadly.
"Thank youSeverus that means so much to me. But for now Volterra is my home. If I am the cause of this, then I will be here to fix it. If the Romanians want to attack the Volturi because of me, then I will be here to fight beside them. And if that coven want me, then they can damn well come for me because I will not hide." She lay her hand across his heart feeling the steady rhythm underneath her palm, savouring the feeling. "Plus as always I will not lead trouble to Hogwarts."
Severus placed his hand on top of hers and gently removed it from his person, before letting it go.
"Then I guess there is nothing else left to say." He could not hide the hurt he felt at once again being rejected by her. She had chosen the Volturi over him again.
"I guess not." Stepping back from him she turned to face the leaders, trying so hard not to let the pain show. "So will you help train me become a member of the guard?"
Caius smiled at her then said,
"Since your little speech there was spoken like a true member of the Volturi, I will say that nothing will give me greater pleasure than to teach you Hermione." He turned his full attention to his brothers and using a more serious tone of voice said, "I suggest that Felix and Demetri should go after those two vampires from earlier. They are nomads so have done much traveling around, perhaps they may have some information regarding movement within the Romanian coven."
Aro nodded his head in agreement.
"Excellent idea brother. While they are away we can hold a meeting with the guard and prepare them for War. Marcus you can teach Hermione about the history we share with the Romanians. Caius you can start teaching her combat skills with the other guard members until Felix returns, and I will teach her the ways of the Volturi guard and perhaps if she wanted, I can also teach her how to speak Italian. I'm sure together we can help her to become a member quickly."
There wasn't really much to teach Hermione about their ways, he just wanted an excuse to spend some time with her. Alone. He wanted to get to know Hermione better, and he also wanted her to get to know him. If he was to try and win her over, then he needed more than just the mating pull. He also wanted to share with her what she seemed to have with the dark wizard and he knew that she would never trust him unless he made an effort to prove himself to her. It was only now that he finally understood Marcus's previous words.
Hermione seemed to beam with joy at his suggestion. She loved nothing more than learning and what Aro had just proposed excited her.
"Thank you and yes I would love that. I always wanted to learn how to speak Italian." She said wistfully.
Aro grinned at the expression she had on her face. She seemed to glow and radiate with happiness and excitement. He would have chuckled at her reaction if it wasn't for the fact that they weren't alone, and he rather liked seeing her like that. Also knowing that it was his idea that caused such a reaction from her, made him fill with male pride. Perhaps he needed to shower her with more learning experiences if he wanted to continue winning her favour. For it seemed to be the way to get to her heart.
Yes, he mused, he knew the perfect thing to do for her. But that would be for later when he was giving her, her first lesson.
"Good now that's settled." He smiled sweetly at her, causing Severus to roll his eyes at the sickly sweet display. Turning to Caius and Marcus, Aro said "Brothers I think we should start making preparations for the upcoming ball. We need to get all the invitations out as soon as possible. How about we make it a Halloween fancy dress ball. It would be less suspicious and would give us plenty of time to prepare."
Hermione looked at them with bewilderment, although she had to confess she was excited about attending a Volturi ball, she couldn't understand why they would decide to throw one now; of all times.
"Sorry if I sound rude but while the Romanians are out there preparing for War, why on earth are you planning a ball? Shouldn't you be recruiting people to join us in fighting? Isn't there something more productive that we could do in the meantime?" She asked.
Caius laughed at her then said,
"That's a valid point Hermione, but that is precisely the reason why we are throwing a ball."
She frowned at him, pursing her lips.
"How so?" She asked.
It was Marcus's turn to speak up and in his bored raspy voice he said,
"We know the leaders of most of the biggest covens out there. By inviting them to the ball we can explain to them what is happening and see if they will join us in the fight. After all this is not just our War, if the Romanians gained power they would crush the bigger covens, so that no-one would be as powerful as they were. It is what they did the last time."
Now that Marcus had explained it to her it made sense. A ball was inconspicuous and from what she knew they often threw them. They could use that as a reason to meet other coven leaders and build up their forces. It was a rather clever idea. Then another thought occurred to her.
"Will the Cullen's be coming then?" She asked hopefully.
"Of course but only Carlisle and his wife will be here." Marcus replied.
She was disappointed that Alice, Emmett and Jasper wouldn't be here as well, she really did miss them, but at least she would get to see Carlisle and Esme. That reminded her about what Dumbledore had said, the Cullen's had sent her a package.
"Felix and Demetri." Aro said, breaking her train of thoughts. "You have been given the task of going in search of those two nomads. They do not have the shield with them any longer so hopefully this time you will have no problems in finding them. When you leave the Palazzo do not tell anyone about what we have spoken of. If you do, then I'm afraid there will be consequences."
Both Felix and Demetri bowed their head in respect at Aro's words.
"We will not fail Master." Demetri said confidently.
Hermione went over to him and gave him a hug before planting a chaste kiss onto his lips, much to the shock of everyone in the room including Demetri himself.
"Hermione what are you doing?" He asked while his face was buried in her curls.
"If we're going to start our charade we may as well start now. I'm acting like the worried lover part." She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. "Stay safe." Looking over Demetri's shoulder, she winked at Felix who was trying hard not to laugh. "You take care as well."
"Oh we plan to." Felix replied.
Hermione unwarded the door letting them leave the dome room, and as soon as the door was shut she put the wards back up and walked over to the group of people, a more serious expression on her face.
"Marcus about that task you asked me to do. I'm sorry but I just can't do it."
Marcus's shoulders sagged at her words and his face suddenly looked older and more tired. He knew that she would probably say no, but still it was disheartening for him to actually hear her say that one single word. A small two letter word that could have made so much of a big difference to the rest of his existence.
"Not to worry Hermione I understand." He said wearily.
She walked over to Severus, whose whole body had tensed. He did not look at her not after her little public display of affection with that vampire. First Aro then this vampire. He was beginning to think that maybe he had lost her completely.
"Wait, I said no to me doing it. I didn't say no to it not happening." She quickly added realising her error.
Marcus lifted his head up to look at her, his eyes widening with shock.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
Hermione turned to look at Severus, a small smile on her face.
"I can't do it but Severus here said he would."
He had agreed to help Hermione obliviate Marcus's memories of his lost love, he also used that reason as an excuse to spend some more time with Hermione, in the hopes of making her realise that they belonged to each other. Instead the complete opposite had happened. He had spent more time with her but he had also realised that she'd changed, and that maybe she was right in the fact that they never had a future together.
He was a man who had his pride, but he was also a man who could be spiteful when his feelings had been hurt or he had been offended. At this moment in time he had the biggest urge to stomp his foot like a petulant child and say no he wasn't doing it. That's what he would have done before she had come along and knocked all of that out of the window. Looking at her now, despite everything, he knew in his heart that he could never deny her anything. Not even this. She had captured him wholeheartedly and even though she may not want him, he could not let her go so easily.
He hated how weak this made him feel, he hated the fact that he felt worse now than he did with Lily. He hated the fact that he wanted something he knew he couldn't have. He hated the fact that he loved someone who was too scared to love him in return, not in the way he wanted anyway.
With a heavy heart he succumbed to her wishes and nodded his head in agreement. From the corner of his eyes he saw the wide smile on her face, and despite himself he couldn't help but feel pleased that he had caused it.
"Yes, I told Hermione that I could do it. You see although she has extraordinary magic, I fear that she could lose control by the strength of it and combining that with not having a wand, it would be uncontrollable and dangerous. I wouldn't like her to risk it. For both your sakes."
Marcus smiled, the first genuine smile Hermione had seen from him, since the moment they had met. His whole body seemed to relax and a heavy weight seemed to fall from his shoulders.
"Thank you Severus. I cannot tell you how much this means to me. To know that I may have a fresh start, I cannot fathom how it will feel."
Aro, who had been listening to the conversation with keen interest, suddenly felt worried when Marcus mentioned a 'fresh start.' What was he planning on doing, he wondered?
"Do you care to enlighten the rest of us what you are talking about brother?" Caius asked curiously, wondering why Aro had not asked himself.
"Yes brothers I guess now is the perfect time to let you in on what Hermione and I were talking about." He took a moment's pause, letting his eyes drift off into the distance as he remembered his beloved Didyme for what could quite possibly be the last time. He wished he didn't have to resort to this, but he knew he could not live another day without her. With the pain and the heartbreak that left him feeling like only a shell of the man he used to be. This was his chance to be free of that, to finally get the chance to live again without her memory. "You see the idea came to me when Hermione and I were discussing her parents, and what Severus done to them for her."
Hermione let her head droop as she thought of the parents she knew she would never see again, the parents who didn't even know she existed. She hoped that they were happy wherever they were, and had a good life.
"What did you do to Hermione's parents?" Caius asked cautiously.
Severus looked down to Hermione, this was not his story to tell but hers. It was almost as if she felt his gaze on her as she lifted her eyes to the Volturi leaders, with confidence and no sign of regret.
"I asked him to obliviate the memories they had of me. You see as a muggleborn witch, they were in constant danger, they probably would have been killed by the Dark Lord and his minions. I did not want to take that chance." She sighed deeply then continued on with her story, trying to calm her emotions. "Not only were they in danger from them, but I had just been turned and feared what they would think of me, their vampire daughter. So I asked Severus to remove their memories of me and send them to Australia to have a second chance at life. Away from the dangers of the Wizarding world and away from me." Her voice broke as soon as she spoke the last word. She hid her face not wanting the Volturi leaders to think that she was weak. The only one regret she had about what Severus done was the fact that she wasn't able to say goodbye to them.
"Hermione don't feel remorse for what happened, you saved their lives. They were a target believe me I know, I seen the list the Dark Lord had."
Hermione's head snapped up to look at Severus and she frowned slightly.
"All this time you knew they were a target and you didn't tell me, why? What would have happened if I hadn't asked you to obliviate their memories? The Dark Lord would have killed them wouldn't he?"
"I never told you because I didn't think you needed to know. You already had so much to worry about at the time. I would have tried to protect them, you know that." Severus said trying to get her to see reason.
She stepped back from him and shook her head.
"That's not the point Severus, you should have told me. I don't regret what I did, but it would have eased some of the guilt that I felt." She looked at him with sad eyes then said, "We both know you could have tried to protect them but nothing could have saved them from the Dark Lord. Not even you could."
Severus sighed and tried to take hold of her hand, but she pulled it away from him immediately.
"I'm sorry Hermione, you're right I should have told you about the Dark Lord's plans. I just thought that it was for the best."
Hermione fell silent, knowing that she was probably being too hard on him, after all he was trying to look out for her. Just like he always did.
"Severus no, you done the right thing I'm sorry, I just, I wish-" Before she could finish her sentence an irritated Aro suddenly cut into their conversation.
"Sorry to interrupt this little lovers tiff, but I would like to know how this story affects my brother."
Hermione turned to look at Aro then said,
"Yes sorry. Well Marcus was talking about Didyme and the pain he felt every day at living without the woman he loved. When he heard about what Severus done for my parents he asked if I could obliviate his memories of Didyme."
Aro looked at Marcus who sat in complete silence, wondering what his brother would make of this plan.
"What would happen if you obliviated his memories?" Aro asked curiously.
"Well he would no longer remember her, he would no longer feel the pain at facing her loss every day. He could move forward with his life and be happy. Be free of the grief."
"Interesting." Aro said gently rubbing his chin. After the loss of Didyme, Aro knew that it was a miracle Marcus was still here. He let himself fall into a deep dark depression that he failed to get himself back out off. The only reason he was still here was because of Chelsea's power, keeping him loyal to Aro and the Volturi itself. He knew that his brother was tired of this world, tired of being without his mate. But now here was a chance for all of that to change. If the dark wizard was able to remove his memories then he wouldn't be so indifferent and morose anymore. He would be happy and maybe, just maybe he could be an even bigger asset to them than what he already was.
Aro turned to look at Marcus, trying hard to contain his excitement. Not wanting to appear too eager he said,
"Are you sure you want to go ahead with this brother? Think of all the memories you would be losing, you will never remember Didyme, you would never get that love you shared with her back. Is this really what you wish to do?"
Marcus smiled sadly.
"It is brother. I no longer want to live in a world without her. So instead I could live in a world where she never existed to me. I feel it is for the best."
"Very well then brother you have my permission."
Marcus bowed his head slightly, relieved that he did not need to fight Aro about this.
"I agree brother; this may be best for all of us. The Volturi need you, more importantly we need you." Caius said.
"Thank you both." Marcus turned to Severus. "When do you wish to do this?"
Severus pulled out his wand from his sleeve and smirked.
"Is now a good time?" He replied.
"Go ahead." Marcus answered.
Severus moved towards Marcus and knelt before him, in front of his throne. He pointed his wand at Marcus's head and began to chant the spell while looking deep into his red eyes, as he delved into the vampire's memories. Looking through them all until he had found one with Didyme in it, he said the chant over and over again, before slowly pulling the wand away from Marcus's head, a small white light followed the movement of the wand.
His voice stopped saying the chant and he left Marcus's mind to focus on the light. But when he went to cancel the spell, instead of disappearing the white light flew back into Marcus's head.
"Do you know who Didyme is?" Severus asked, already knowing the Volturi leaders answer.
"Sadly I do, she is my dearly beloved wife who was taken away from me and murdered." Marcus sighed and gazed down at Severus. "I presume the spell you cast did not work."
Severus shook his head no.
"I'm sorry Marcus but it seems my magic isn't strong enough for you. I can't obliviate your memories." Severus went to rise to his feet, when Hermione suddenly lay her hand gently on his shoulder, stopping his movement instantly.
"My magic is." She said.
"We spoke about this before Hermione, it is too dangerous." Severus replied with slight frustration.
"No I don't mean in that way. Think back to when Harry and I destroyed the Dark Lord. Remember what I done when his magic wasn't enough." She smiled as a knowing look crossed Severus's face.
"Of course, why did I not think of that?"
Hermione laughed then playfully said,
"Because I am the smarter one out of the two of us."
Severus rolled his eyes then turned back to Marcus.
"Our ladyship here has just come up with an excellent idea. May we try again?"
Marcus smiled and nodded his head.
"By all means, go ahead."
Just like before Severus repeated the same process, only this time with the added addition of Hermione's hands wrapped around his own. He felt the small trickle of her magic flow into his body, but as he began to chant, she enhanced her magic and pushed it into him. All at once his whole body came to life tingling with the magic from her body, which was also pressed up against his back. He had never felt anything like this before. He had never felt so intimately connected with a person like this before. It was intoxicating and intense.
When he had finished the spell, he had forgotten all about the reason why he had done it and stood to face Hermione. Her eyes had widened in shock, as she had felt it also. He reached out his hand to her and bent his head to brush a kiss against her tempting mouth, but before their lips could touch Aro cleared his throat.
"As touching as this is how is my brother?" Anger and irritation at this dark wizard was building up momentum and he wanted nothing more than to sink his teeth into his throat and drain him of his life force. He was no longer going to stand back and watch his mate and her lover. He wanted him gone by any means necessary.
Hermione stepped away from Severus, her face showing signs of regret. Whether it was because of not being able to finish what they had started or because of what they had almost done, she wasn't sure. She crossed her arms and put up a barrier between her and Severus, after all he would be leaving her soon.
Severus instantly felt the empty void of where she had just been standing. His one regret was not being able to finish what they had started, because already he could see that she felt it was a mistake, for it was written across her face for everyone to see.
Instantly he scolded himself once more for making an utter fool of himself. He needed time and distance away from her, maybe then she would realise what it was they could have together.
Turning his attention back to Marcus, who already appeared years younger, Severus said,
"Do you know who Didyme is Marcus?"
Marcus looked up at Severus and frowned, the look of utter confusion on his face.
"I'm sorry who?" He replied.
"Do you remember the names of your brothers?"
Marcus chuckled, a noise neither Aro nor Caius had heard in such a long time. It was refreshing and filled the two Volturi leaders with hope.
"Of course I remember them Severus why on earth would I not?" Marcus said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What do you know about yourself?" Severus asked.
Marcus frowned then said,
"Well my name is Marcus Volturi, I was first born in Greece and met Aro not long after our transformation. Afterwards we started the Volturi along with Caius and his wife Athenodora. Out of the three of us I am the only unmarried one, although I feel like I'm forgetting something." He frowned, then burst into a huge grin, again making him appear much younger. "It must not be that important if I cannot remember it."
Aro was sitting watching his brother, fascinated and unable to believe it was the same person. He appeared so much different, physically, emotionally and mentally. It was truly astounding. He grudgingly had to accept that perhaps the dark wizard was useful for some things after all.
"Thank you for all that you just did. I can hardly believe what I am both seeing and hearing. It truly is a wonderful gift that you have given us today." Aro said rising elegantly to his feet. "Which is why I will give you pardon for dropping into the Palazzo unannounced like that? Please do not make the same mistake again." He warned them. "Now I believe my brothers and I have a War to plan for." He turned his attention to Hermione and smiled sweetly. "Shall you be joining us?"
Hermione knew that Aro was now dismissing her friends, they were no longer of use to him anymore and he wanted them gone. She looked at them apologetically, not sure if she could part from them so soon. But she had promised the leaders that she wanted a more productive role in helping the Volturi. Not knowing what to say, someone finally spoke up taking the decision away from her.
"I think it best if we left now anyway. Our portkey leaves later today and we have yet to have an efficient amount of sleep." To Hermione's surprise it was Severus who spoke.
"Are you sure? Maybe I could come back to the Chateau with you for a while?" She asked looking from each of the three wizards.
"I think it is for the best that we leave alone Hermione." Dumbledore said moving to stand next to Severus.
Her heart sank at the realisation that they wanted to leave her as quickly as possible.
Remus stepped over to her and lifted up her chin, so that he could gaze into her eyes.
"Do not be a stranger blood sucker, we are all here for you. Write to us more and let us know how you are doing, so that we don't worry about you."
She nodded her head, trying not to let her sorrow show.
"Take care Hermione and remember help will always be there for those who ask for it." Dumbledore said giving her one of his little riddles.
"Thank you." She whispered before turning her attention to Severus. He seemed to be wearing his mask of indifference and she wondered what he was really thinking. But all he said to her were two words, two words that spoke volumes to her.
"Goodbye Hermione." With that he turned on his heel, just like she had done in the Chateau, and one by one they apparated away. Him being the first one.
She stood for a moment looking at the empty space where they had just been, and tried not to let her emotions show. After all he had just done what she wanted hadn't he.
An arm wrapped around her shoulders, and when she looked up she was gazing into the twinkling eyes of her mentor.
"It is for the best mio dolce." He squeezed her shoulders then said, "Come, we have much to plan." And with that she cancelled the wards stopping the vampires from entering or leaving the dome room, before heading back to Marcus's private quarters.
The moment he apparated back into the Chateau, the weight of his body was too much to bear and he fell to his knees hard. Why did he feel like he had just had his heart ripped out and stood on once again? It didn't matter how much he tried to resist her, he kept going back for more and it never ended well, not for him anyway.
"You done the right thing Severus, you and Hermione were never meant to be." Remus said, helping his friend to his feet and steadying him when he almost lost his balance.
"Remus is right Severus. You must let her go." Dumbledore replied. This was what he had feared all along. He had seen the way Severus had pinned away for Lily Potter for all those years. He did not wish to see it happen again or a second time.
Severus did not say anything, because he already knew his friends were right. So without saying a single word, he went outside where the sun was beginning to slowly rise, and made a promise to himself. He would no longer think of Hermione, she was where she belonged. And no matter how hard it would be, he would try and forget her. And if he couldn't then he could always ask Dumbledore to obliviate his memories as well. Why did loving someone have to always be so bloody difficult, he wondered.
He also made the decision that as soon as they arrived back at Hogwarts, he would return Hermione's wand to the Headmaster, after all if she was going to run into battle, like he knew she would, then she was going to need it once again.
Looking up into the sky Severus softly whispered,
"I love you, always." He stood a moment longer, as if watching his words being carried on the breeze, then went back inside. He was more than ready for some sleep, suddenly feeling drained in every way possible.
Translation from Italian-English.
* Mio dolce- my sweet
