This chapter comes with a slight warning. You will understand when you read it lol. Xx

Chapter Nineteen

The remainder of the ball went well for Hermione. She shared several dances with Demetri and Felix, who were never far away from her side. Felix could sense something had happened but Demetri promised to fill him in later, when they were alone. She danced with Carlisle and Jasper, and of course Marcus and even Caius. The only person who she didn't dance with that night, was regrettably Aro. But after the heated conversation they had just had, it was probably best that they stayed away from one another. Hermione feared that one more touch from him would have caused her to lose all sense of control, and that was something that couldn't happen. Not here in front of all the guard members and the guests. So she avoided him for the rest of the evening, but that didn't stop her from feeling his eyes burning into her the whole night.

They ended up playing a game of cat and mouse, forbidden lovers, trying to keep their feelings a secret. As they shared coy glances and timid smiles across the room. After their earlier conversation the connection between them sizzled and wanted nothing more than to draw them together as one. But somehow they both managed to refrain from giving into temptation.

She found that some of the vampires who were visiting were curious about her, and those who were brave enough actually came over to speak, which of course pleased her immensely. She was happy to answer any questions that they may have had, and she even demonstrated some of her magic to them.

Of course not all of them were friendly to her. Some looked at her with distrust, which she could understand, but instead of coming to discuss any matters with her, they simply glared at her from across the room, and spent the night avoiding her. Normally she would have been offended by such rude behaviour, but she didn't let anyone get to her. Not when she had so many friends and loved ones around and was making some new acquaintances.

There was a moment where Hermione felt incredibly awkward and that was when Sulpicia and Athenodora came over to speak to her. She knew that she couldn't avoid Aro's wife for long, but she hadn't counted on seeing the other woman so soon after their tryst together.

She had been standing talking with Marcus, when the other two women came over to congratulate her on such a successful evening.

"Honestly Hermione you done so well, and after talking with my beloved I know that several of the covens have agreed to join us. And that was all down to you." Sulpicia said with a bright smile as she focused her piercing red eyes on Hermione.

"Yes Hermione dear you should be very proud of yourself. I mean the way you handled this evening couldn't have been easy." Athenodora said, a warm friendly smile gracing her full red lips.

Hermione tried so hard to not shy away from eye contact with Sulpicia, as that would seem suspicious. But at the same time how could she look the other woman in the eyes knowing what she had just done, or almost done with her husband.

She tried to smile politely and not let the guilt that was suddenly gnawing at her show.

"Truthfully ladies that was nothing. I was more terrified the day I had to stand in front of the whole Volturi guard. This wasn't really anything compared to that." She admitted truthfully.

Both women giggled before Sulpicia said,

"Oh stop being so modest Hermione, you done well." She suddenly looked Hermione up and down before smiling at her, although the smile didn't seem real or genuine. "I love your costume but who are you supposed to be."

Hermione looked down at her white dress and smiled as she smoothed down a piece of the fabric.

"Athena the Goddess of Wisdom and War." She whispered, looking up to the other woman.

Sulpicia giggled and nodded her head.

"Yes that seems very fitting for you indeed, considering that we will soon be going to War ourselves." She frowned slightly, her eyes never leaving Hermione as she said, "I wonder why the Romanians decided to act now and not later, or even before. It seems to have coincided with you coming here to Volterra." She said with a small curve of her lips.

Hermione was rather taken aback by the abrupt way in which Sulpicia spoke. Although she appeared friendly towards Hermione, she couldn't hide the slight snide tone of her voice either.

"Sulpicia this War was a long time coming and I'm sure it has nothing to do with Hermione's arrival here. Besides-" Marcus said, irritated by the woman who dared attack his newly found daughter. "How would the Romanians know Hermione was here since we kept it a secret? With only the Volturi knowing. Are you trying to suggest that there is a traitor in our midst?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Sulpicia gasped before shaking her head.

"Of course I'm not dear brother. I was merely suggesting that it seemed to coincide that's all. I don't think anyone would dare betray the Volturi or my beloved husband, knowing what the consequences would be." She gave a small laugh but again it did not reach her eyes.

"Yes and you heard what Aro said, the Romanians appear to have been building up an army for a while now, in order to get those kind of numbers." Athenodora replied giving Hermione a warm encouraging smile.

Hermione couldn't help feel grateful for them both for standing up for her and for defending her honour. She wondered if this slight personal attack was because Sulpicia didn't like or trust her, or whether it was because she knew that there was something between her and Aro. Either way she didn't want to stay here too long and find out. This was neither the time nor the place for such a conversation.

"Thank you." She simply said, smiling at both Marcus and Athenodora. "But I must go and find the Cullen's, we have a lot to catch up on, so I may as well make use of them while they are here." She said, glad that she had a reason to walk away from the small group, especially from Sulpicia.

"Very well mio angelo. Go and enjoy yourself, you deserve it and I'm sure the Cullen's wouldn't thank us for keeping you all to ourselves." He gave her a small smile, before kissing her cheek fondly.

She gave him a large smile in return.

"Thanks. I will speak to you ladies later." She said looking to both Athenodora and Sulpicia. The former just smiled and squeezed Hermione's shoulder gently while the latter suddenly said,

"Oh Hermione just one small question before you leave." Sulpicia said with that same smile on her face.

"Of course ask away."

Sulpicia took a small step forward and in a hushed voice said,

"I have to ask; did you go away with my husband? Only he left for a meeting shortly after the first dance you see. And I happened to notice you had left as well."

Hermione almost balked at her words, feeling like Sulpicia knew exactly what she and her husband had been doing. If she was suspicious however, she gave no outward sign of it and this made Hermione feel even more uneasy in the other woman's presence.

"Actually yes I did, along with Alice and Carlisle Cullen." Hermione said, admitting to half of the truth.

"Oh and what was this meeting about, if I may be so nosey?" Sulpicia asked, as she stared into Hermione's eyes. If she didn't know any better Hermione would have sworn that the other woman was trying to see into her mind.

"My family and I were telling Aro that we would fight alongside the Volturi." Carlisle's voice suddenly said from behind.

Relief flooded Hermione then as she turned to see all four of the Cullen's walking towards her. Alice wrapped her arm around her friend's waist and grinned knowingly.

"We also told Aro that we would speak to our friends and try to persuade them to join us as well. We figured the more the merrier, considering how big this battle will be." Jasper said, a small smirk curving his lips.

Sulpicia looked at all of the Cullen's and for the briefest of moments a flicker of annoyance passed through her eyes.

"Well that's reassuring to know, that you will be fight alongside us. We are all truly grateful for everyone joining and helping during this horrible time." She smiled, fulfilling her duty as Aro's wife.

"Oh we're not doing it for you, the Volturi." Alice chirped in squeezing Hermione's shoulder and giving her a big bright smile. "We're doing it for her because we love her and she's like family to us."

"That's right, if it wasn't for Hermione here we would have told the Volturi to look elsewhere for help." Jasper said smirking. Those were not the words he wanted to use however, but since he was in company, he thought it wouldn't be appropriate.

"Yup and I bet most of the people who have agreed to fight today are also doing it because of Hermione." Alice replied.

Marcus grinned at them, knowing well what most of the vampires thought of the Volturi, so it didn't bother him to hear such things being said. Also if he was honest he knew it was true as well.

"Hermione is a wonderful influence isn't she." He said nudging her shoulder playfully.

Hermione rolled her eyes and grinned at them all.

"Honestly you guys enough now."

"Yes aren't we all glad for Hermione here." Sulpicia replied tersely. "Anyway please excuse me but I must go and find my husband." With that she abruptly turned on her heel and left the small group watching her from behind. She had never had a problem with Hermione before, in fact she rather liked the girl until tonight that was.

Everything was going well, and she was glad for Hermione's assistance in recruiting people to join them in the War against the Romanians. She was indeed a very influential person who would do well in the Volturi. But things had quickly soured for Sulpicia when she went to speak to Hermione, and caught her husband's scent all over the other woman.

From what she could gather, they had still not reached the physical stage of intimacy yet, but they had shared something for his smell to be all over her. She had also caught the look between them earlier, a look that she had never, not once, seen her husband direct at her before.

The feeling of hurt, anger and resentment had coursed through her and she found that she was unable to hide the bitterness. What Hermione and Aro shared, was obviously more than any other dalliance he had ever had, and this left Sulpicia fearful about her own future and role here.

Everyone thought her to be the timid loyal wife, but the moment she had saw Hermione and Aro interact that very first time outside on the ground of Hermione's old school, she had felt something pass between them.

Then when Hermione came to live here, again she felt that same something except now it was much stronger. She always hoped that the love Hermione felt towards her dark wizard would be enough to stop her from pursuing Aro, but alas she had been mistaken. She had watched them when they thought they were being discreet, she had overheard the three leaders talking about Hermione, discussing openly that she was his mate. At those words Sulpicia had felt pain and hurt engulf her, her fears finally confirmed. She hoped that what they were saying was wrong, that it was Aro simply being infatuated by her powers, but it was Sulpicia who was wrong. She saw them sneak out of the Palazzo, she saw the look of longing in each of their gazes. And she knew that she had lost her husband. She tried to keep her dignity and pride in front of the other guard members, knowing that if she knew, then so too could they.

Sulpicia knew that even as Aro's wife, she could not stand in the way of mates. But that didn't mean she was going to simply stand down and let Hermione get her husband. No. She would make it hard for them to be together. If she was going to hurt, then so too would they.

For the rest of the evening Hermione got the chance to speak to Alice and Esme, apologising profusely for everything she had put them through, by not telling them about the War and by not explaining the vision she and Alice had shared. Now that they knew everything however, Hermione found that they were more forgiving than she deserved. Especially Alice who had felt things the hardest.

She was also grateful to them for what they had said to Sulpicia, but at the same time could not help feeling guilty at the fact that once again, they were putting their own lives at stake for her. She begged them not to fight with the Volturi, in fear of what could possibly happen, but they simply brushed her pleas off saying that they were more concerned for her welfare than what she should be for theirs.

"I don't think Rosalie will be very pleased." Hermione said, remembering the other woman's words back at Hogwarts. It would be worse now that instead of fighting against the Volturi, their enemy, they were now joining with them.

Carlisle put his hands on her shoulder and said,

"Don't worry about Rosalie, Hermione. I will deal with her. And if I fail I'm sure Emmett will succeed, I'm sure he will not hesitate in joining us."

Hermione sighed and gave him a sad smile.

"I'm sorry for all this Carlisle I really am. I mean, ever since you've met me I've brought nothing but trouble to your family."

Carlisle shook his head and sighed.

"I'm afraid trouble comes with the territory. Before I forget I just want to give you one small piece of advice. Be careful here in the Palazzo Hermione, I don't think everyone here wants to be your friend." He said letting his gaze wander around the room.

"Yeah I know. And don't worry I will be."

He sighed and guided her to an empty space, away from people prying.

"Also one last thing I promise. I'm not sure what's going on with you and Aro exactly, and believe me when I say it's none of my business. But be wary of his intentions. I've known him for a long time now and he is selfish and ruthless and will do anything he can to get what he wants, no matter who he has to trample on in the process. I just, I don't want to see you hurt by him Hermione. Alice was right with what she said earlier, you are like family to us and you know where we are should you need us. For anything." He quickly added.

Hermione hugged him fiercely, relieved to have so many good people on her side.

"Thanks Carlisle I really appreciate it. All of it." She whispered. "And you don't need to worry about Aro he's…." She trailed off with a small smile curving her lips. "Different with me."

Carlisle sighed seeing the distant look coming across her face, knowing well what that meant.

"If you say so Hermione then I believe you, but you know I meant every word of what I just said. You are one of us." He said looking straight into her eyes.

She smiled at him and nodded.

"I know." She replied, with no doubt or hesitation in her voice.

"Before we get back to the dancing I just have one more question for you. Does Albus know about the vision you had?" His gaze was serious as he spoke, he believed that her friends in the magical world should know. But it was not his place to say anything otherwise. It was Hermione's.

She sighed and shook her head in the negative.

"No they don't and I don't want them too either. I don't want to bring them into something that doesn't concern them." She said honestly.

Carlisle sighed in understanding before saying,

"They should know Hermione. They are your loved ones too."

She looked away from him then, unable to stand his piercing gaze any longer, before crossing her arms protectively over her chest,

"I know but I don't want to worry them, not when they finally have their own lives back." She admitted.

"Very well then Hermione, I won't push the subject anymore. Just be careful and if you need us we're here. And so are they, don't forget that."

She smiled and rolled her eyes playfully at him.

"How can I forget?"

With that the two vampires re-joined their small group and danced and talked the night away before it was time for all of the guests to depart. The Cullen's being one of the last to leave since they would be travelling far.

What neither Hermione nor Carlisle knew, was that their conversation together had been overheard by someone in the Volturi. And at Carlisle's words a plan had quickly formed in their mind, but the only question left unanswered was how to go about fulfilling it, without anyone finding out.


Aro had arranged for a full guard meeting the next again day after the ball. He had some things to discuss with them and now that matters were progressing with all the other covens, he found that they had to make their next move.

He had told Hermione the previous evening that he would keep her latest vision between them and the Cullen's and he was going to keep his word. He thought about telling Marcus and Caius, but felt that they may worry too much, especially Marcus because of the relationship he had formed with her. And now that he himself was gaining her trust, he found that he didn't want to break it. For it was just as important to him, as she was.

Before the meeting Aro and Marcus met in their shared quarters alone, while Caius was busy seeing off the rest of their guests. It didn't take long for their discussion to move from the ball to Hermione.

"She looked simply beautiful last night and I think her choice in costume was appropriate." Marcus said, looking straight at Aro to see what his reaction would be.

Aro simply smiled and nodded his head in agreement, knowing that his brother was toying with him after his little jealous outburst last night.

"Yes she was remarkable. But then again I expect nothing less from her." Aro admitted.

"Hmm." Marcus said with a slight chuckle. "I did warn her that I wouldn't hesitate to beat any male off her with my stick. Luckily for your sake it wasn't needed."

Aro glared at him, although there was no real malice in it.

"So you were going to explain your newly found relationship with her." Aro said, steering the conversation away from other males lusting after her. The thought of that made his anger rise.

"Ahh yes I wondered how long it would take for you to inquire about that." Marcus replied, chuckling again at how predictable Aro could be. "When I went to Hermione's quarters last night, we had an interesting conversation and we both seemed to come to the same conclusion. She sees me as a father figure and I see her as the daughter I never thought I would have." A small proud smile curved his lips as he spoke.

"And that's all." Aro asked curiously.

Marcus laughed this time, at how ridiculous Aro was being.

"Brother I understand that she is your mate, I would never do anything to undermine that or you. And believe me I feel honoured that she even looks upon me as a father. Honestly that girl is the best thing to happen to all of us. Which brings me to my next point." He said looking serious all of a sudden. "What happened between you and Hermione last night Aro?"

Aro rose an eyebrow at this question and asked,

"What do you mean?"

Marcus sighed, knowing that Aro would not make things easy.

"I mean when you left for your meeting, Hermione was the person you were seeing. Carlisle mentioned that he and Alice were there also but I saw them arrive back at the ball, long before you and Hermione did. So I presume you were alone and that something happened between you both."

Aro frowned then said,

"Yes we had a meeting but that doesn't mean anything happened brother."

Marcus sighed again and shook his head.

"You need to be more careful." He replied, the warning evident in his tone.

"Why?" Aro asked sitting back in his chair, frowning in confusion.

"Because last night Hermione and I were conversing when Sulpicia and Athenodora came over to talk. Sulpicia was asking and saying rather strange things, as though she knew something was going on." He paused a moment before saying, "And truthfully brother it was obvious, your scent was all over Hermione and I'm sure if I could smell it then so too could Sulpicia. So again I ask you to be careful."

Aro clasped his hands in front of him and lay them on his lap, before leaning forward and saying,

"What exactly did Sulpicia say?" The truth was he wasn't at all bothered if the guard found out Hermione was his mate; after all it was going to come out at some point. He would prefer to speak to Sulpicia in private of course, out of respect for their failed marriage. But if he found out that she was attacking his mate, then he would be most displeased. That same surge of protectiveness threatened to consume him then, as Marcus relayed to him the events of last night. And how he, Athenodora and the Cullen's came to support Hermione.

"So I asked Sulpicia if that was the case then did she suspect a traitor amongst us. To which she replied of course not." Marcus said finishing up his tale.

Aro sat stroking his bottom lip absentmindedly, sitting back against the chair, before turning his gaze back to his brother.

"Do you suspect her to be the traitor?" Aro asked.

Marcus frowned and thought over his answer a moment before saying,

"No I don't think so. I mean how would she communicate with the Romanians? It would be almost impossible for her to do so, without us knowing. No I think she was just trying to stir up trouble and perhaps make Hermione feel guilty for starting a War."

"Hmm interesting. I will get Caius to speak to Corin and see if she has noticed anything strange and to keep a close eye on things." Aro did not spend time in Corins presence because of the power she possessed. She had the power to make people feel content with certain situations, which is why she spent most of her time guarding Sulpicia and Athenodora in the tower. With her power they would become unhappy and bored and would probably feel like prisoners.

It was also because of Corin that Chelsea and other members remained loyal to the guard. But the problem that came with her power was that it was addictive. Those who had been exposed to it, and then spent a period away from her, would become physically uncomfortable and have a bad withdrawal reaction, which is why she spent her time with the two wives. Because they were the ones who had the most exposure to her powers.

Caius often sought out Corins contented power, normally when he was feeling bored and restless, which was why Aro would send him to see her instead of going himself.

"Yes that sounds like a good idea." Marcus sighed then said, "I wouldn't like to think there was a traitor in the guard but obviously someone who knew about Hermione, wrote that letter to the Romanians."

"I agree and the part when she saw the Volturi crest being broken could mean anything as well." Aro admitted.

Marcus crossed his leg over the other as he began to drum his fingers nervously on the chair. He didn't think Aro would take very kindly to his next words, but he felt like he had a duty to say them anyway.

"Aro I need to speak to you and I hope that you don't become offended by what I have to say." He said, flicking his gaze to his brother.

Aro tensed at his words before saying,

"Well brother, if you worry that I may be offended then perhaps you should not say them to me." He tried to smile but it was full of tension and looked more like a grimace on his face.

"Perhaps I shouldn't but I feel I must for Hermione's sake." He replied matter of fact. "As you know she has become important to me and I see her as my daughter, born from my own flesh. So please Aro, do not hurt her. She is a remarkable young woman, who has done remarkable things and I wouldn't like to see her upset by anything. Not even by you."

Aro wasn't sure whether to feel grateful that someone had Hermione's best interests at heart, or offended that his brother thought he would hurt her. He would never intentionally do anything to harm her in such a way.

"Thank you for your words but I can assure you they are unnecessary Marcus. Hermione is my mate and I plan on doing everything in my power to make sure no harm will come to her. I promise you of that."

Marcus sighed feeling slightly disheartened by his brother's words. When would Aro realise the truth.

"Aro you need to stop looking at her as just your mate. There is so much more to Hermione than that. Look closer and see the wonderful person that she is, get to know every part of her. See her for who she truly is."

Aro's eyes widened in surprise as he said,

"I do Marcus, but I would have thought-" He was going to say that he would have thought Marcus would understand the way he felt because of his love for Didyme and the connection they had shared, but managed to stop himself in time. Remembering that Marcus no longer knew who Didyme was, or remembered the relationship that they had. Bringing that up now could cause even more problems.

"Would have thought what?" Marcus asked wondering why Aro had suddenly stopped speaking in mid-sentence.

"I would have thought you would have understood how important finding my mate was." Aro quickly said.

"I do and I'm glad you found your mate in Hermione, but you need to see past all of that to the wonderful woman that she is. That is all I'm suggesting."

Aro recalled part of the conversation he and Hermione shared the previous night when she had asked if he loved her, or if he was just saying those things because of the connection they shared. What Marcus was saying now, was similar and once again it got Aro thinking about the question she had asked.

He did not have time to ponder such a question and the answer just now however, as they had a meeting to attend. So without any more thought to it, he rose out of his chair and looked down at Marcus who simply watched him from where he sat.

"Thank you for the advice I do appreciate it, but at the moment we have a meeting with the guard to go to." Without another word he left their shared quarters and headed to the dome room where the others would be waiting for them. He didn't know if Marcus was even following or not, as he rushed on ahead.

Stepping into the meeting, the whole room had been transformed back to normal, with no sign that a fancy ball had ever taken place just a few hours ago. As he walked down the middle of the aisle he noticed that everyone was there, including Hermione whose gaze he tried to avoid. Taking his position in the front of the room, with Caius already in his throne, he waited for Marcus to sit before quickly addressing the guard.

"Thank you all for joining me at such short notice but now that things have developed nicely it is time we put our next plan into action." He began to pace as he continued speaking. "Several covens have already gotten back to me about joining us in battle, while several others have said that they will speak to the rest of their covens first before giving us an answer. No-one has said no yet, which I am taking to be a good sign." He turned to face the guard members before saying, "Now as I said last night, I want a small group of you to leave Volterra and cross the Romanian borders in order to gather information against them. I want information on their movements, their whereabouts, numbers, and if possible information on the secret weapon that they may or may not possess. I want to know who the leaders are and any plans of attack they may have. Demetri and Felix will lead the small group with Alec and Jane. I want you to prepare and leave in one week's' time." He looked at the four vampires he just mentioned, who all nodded and said 'Yes Master Aro' in return. Jane and Alec looked incredibly pleased by being given such a task, as this was the sort of mission they enjoyed.

"Good. Now that is sorted I would also like to say that as of today, Hermione will be joining the guard as well. She has proven herself throughout her training and I am sure she will make a wonderful new addition." For the first time since arriving Aro let his gaze fall on her, and even in normal clothing he noticed that she was still the most beautiful being he had seen. Unaware that as his gaze fell on her, his eyes instantly softened at the sight of her sitting there amongst the sea of faces.

Every day he was finding it more and more difficult to hide his developing feeling for her, despite the fact he knew he had to. It was now becoming a case of now he didn't want too.

There was a small round of applause for her, with those who enjoyed her company becoming even more enthusiastic. Despite how much time had passed there were still those few who did not like Hermione being there amongst them. Although the majority of the guard had since warmed to her.

"Now since everything has been discussed that is all for the moment, unless anyone would like to contribute anything to what I have just said." Aro said letting his gaze drift across the guard members who all shook their heads in the negative. All except from one that was.

"Yes Hermione." He asked, with a thrill of saying her name tingling throughout his body.

"Sorry to impose but I would like to go with them to Romania." She said, with not a hint of fear on her face.

Aro felt every part of his body clench at her words as he realised how serious she was, and how dangerous it could be for her. There was no way he was sending her to Romania, and out of his sight.

"I'm sorry Hermione but you are a new guard member and inexperienced in these matters. No, I have made up my mind. The four I mentioned will be going, but thank you for offering."

Hermione frowned at him and said,

"I'm hardly inexperienced and if anything, I would be more beneficial to send than the others."

Despite his ever growing feelings for her, his own annoyance rose at the fact she would dare contradict him in front of the rest of the guard members.

"Oh and why is that." He asked, anger flashing in his vibrant red eyes.

Hermione stood and walked beside Demetri and Felix before turning her unwavering gaze back to an irate looking Aro.

"Because Master Aro, I have magical powers that could come in useful." She replied challenging him to contradict her.

"Maybe so, but the four I have chosen have exceptional powers of their own. What makes you think yours are any better?" He asked, causing those who disliked Hermione to snigger.

"Well for a start I could cut days off our traveling time and we could get the job done quicker. The four vampires you have picked can't travel during the day in case of exposure. With me there I can-" She waved her hand and in a blink of an eye Demetri, Felix and herself had all disappeared. "Turn us invisible meaning we won't be seen during the day and even in Romania." Just as quickly as they had vanished, they appeared again, as if nothing had happened. "Also, I have a friend who lives in Romania. I'm sure that if I wrote to him he would allow us to build up a base camp there. I could also ask him to keep an eye out on things and report anything unusual to me."

"She does make a fair point brother." Caius chirped in, once again liking Hermione's tenacity. "If Hermione went in place of say Jane and Alec, then that would mean that the Palazzo would still be protected and Hermione and the other two could be done sooner. Meaning we could have more time to plan our battle strategies."

Aro turned to glare at Caius, as did Jane and Alec who did not take kindly to being so easily dismissed. Hermione however, tried not to smirk, glad that Caius agreed with her way of thinking.

"As I said before brother." Aro hissed out unable to hide his irritation. "I have made my decision."

"I agree with Caius, Aro. Let Hermione go with Demetri and Felix; it makes more sense that way. You can call this excursion an initiation into the guard." Marcus cut in.

Aro glared at both of his brothers, feeling as though they had just betrayed him in some way, before sighing in defeat.

"Very well then." He turned his glare to Hermione and said, "Since you offered you may go with Demetri and Felix. But I warn you Hermione it won't be fun and it won't be easy. So be it on your own head." With that he dismissed them before marching off back to his own quarters, seething by what had just happened.

Hermione felt excited as she looked at Demetri and Felix, before they began whispering about their little adventure.

Jane and Alec left the dome room angry and annoyed at being replaced by Hermione, who was low ranking compared to them. While Caius and Marcus left discussing the fact that Aro would not be pleased by the fact that they had gone against his wishes. This time they felt it was for the best. Hermione was the better choice out of them all.

After spending some time talking things over with her friends Hermione walked back to her quarters and the moment she was in, she instantly put up the wards and placed a silencing charm on the room. The last thing she wanted or needed was an angry Aro knocking on the door.

Walking towards Dante she stroked his soft black feathers lovingly and whispered,

"Well my friend I hope you are ready for a long journey."

Dante cawed at her in return, while he nuzzled his beak gently against her hand. Hermione was so pre-occupied with the beautiful black raven, that she did not see the figure walk up behind her, until she was grabbed and pushed up hard against the wall. Her eyes widened in surprise as she gazed up into the angry face of Aro.

"Don't you ever undermine my authority again in front of my coven Hermione? Next time you do; I will not tolerate such an act of insolence." He clutched at her shoulders as her body was pushed back into the wall. His eyes had gone from vibrant red to almost black in an instant. "After everything last night I thought you would have been more careful." He hissed out. "You may not take your safety seriously but I do."

When Aro had first pinned her up against the wall and she had seen how angry he was, she had momentarily felt fear. But now as he clutched on to her, she realised that he was angrier about her safety than what she actually did. At that she felt the passion course through her body, realising that this was how she wanted him, angry and passionate. She wanted him to pin her against the wall and ravish her there and then.

"Aro." She said, almost like a plea.

As if sensing her sudden need for him, he crashed his mouth hungrily down on hers and consumed her completely. Somehow she managed to free her hands and slowly dragged her fingers up his back and into his hair, feeling his long silky raven tresses through her fingers. She moaned in satisfaction as he moved his hands from her shoulders down to her waist, as he pushed his body into hers, letting her feel how much he wanted her in return.

"Why?" He asked moving his lips from hers, kissing down her neck to her collarbone. And as he did so he suddenly ripped open her blouse revealing her pale soft skin, as he moved his lips from her collarbone to the tops of her covered breasts. The urge to mark her and make her his permanently was strong, and the way he was now he would not be able to control his urge much longer. "Why did you do that?" He moved his lips to kiss down her flat stomach, tasting the delicious skin as he licked and sucked her navel, causing her to whimper out in need. Her hands in his hair tightened as she pushed herself further into his mouth, needing more than just his lips on her skin.

Every part of her body that his lips touched, felt like she was burning and the feeling was exquisite. Leaving her wanting more.

"Aro." She whimpered again as he made his way back up to her lips, kissing the shell of her ear first, before whispering,

"Answer me."

She licked her lips before saying,

"Because it makes sense."

Her words made the anger in him soar, and this time he shredded her white lacy bra, revealing her perfectly sculpted breasts. He took a moment to take in the sight before him and seeing her so open and bare to him like that, caused a possessive feral growl to escape his mouth.

"Mine." He growled out before lunging at her like a starving man, taking one of her perfect pale pink nipples into his mouth and sucking on it greedily.

She hissed in pleasure at the contact wanting more, needing to feel his skin against hers. Nothing except the need to be taken by him made sense to her at that moment. But as she made a move to take off his suit jacket, she was stopped suddenly as Aro grabbed her wrists, pinning them up above her head.

He looked deep into her eyes and kissed her passionately as the material of his jacket caused a delicious friction against her skin. She moaned wanting nothing more than his lips and hands on her, but he didn't give in. Instead he pulled away and said,

"No Hermione, not like this."

She protested at the sudden loss of his body against hers, but he backed further away, realising he was letting things escalate almost to the point of losing control.

"I want you but not like this. Not yet."

Realising that he was being serious Hermione's passion was suddenly diminished, as she covered her breasts from his view, suddenly feeling shy and embarrassed at acting like such a wanton fool.

"Then I suggest you leave now." She replied unable to look him in the eyes as her voice quivered.

"Hermione I-" He began but was suddenly cut off by Hermione's gentle,

"Go."

She waved her hand to cancel the wards and tried not to watch as he unlocked the door to his adjoining room, before vanishing and closing it firmly behind him.

As soon as he was out of sight, she instantly warded the room and cast a silencing charm, before falling to her knees unable to keep herself up. As her body quivered and shook with unspent passion.

She couldn't keep doing this to herself, she couldn't keep letting him toy with her emotions like this. It was confusing and she felt as though she was going mad. She would be leaving to go to Romania in a week's' time and she found herself glad of this fact. Time and distance apart might do them both some good. It might help to clear her head, and decide what she really wanted. Sitting on the floor, her torn shirt held tightly together in her hands, Hermione couldn't wait for a week to pass. She needed away from here but more importantly she needed away from him.

With that she stood up on shaky legs and headed to the bathroom for a long shower, in the hopes that it would clear her mind. And rid herself of any more thoughts of Aro. She needed to pull herself together and prepare herself for the next adventure that she faced.