A/N Hi everyone I've been trying to avoid putting up author's notes but there's a couple of things I want to say. Firstly, I've had a couple of emails and just to reassure you all TVWOH is complete, it was up once before as a single story and I accidentally deleted it. So I've been putting it up again as three separate parts because of the sheer size. I've been editing it as I go along and that comes to my second point. My updates are a bit erratic lol and I apologise for that. It's because I'm trying to get it back up as quickly as I can, and trying to find time between work and my girls is hard lol. So please bear with me. I hope for all the new readers that you are enjoying my story, thank you for taking time out to read it. And also a big thank you to the lovely followers who read it the first time and still came back for a second. It really does mean a lot to me. Anyway…. hopefully no more author's notes lol. But if you have any questions feel free to send me a private message. Xx
Chapter Twenty-One
The day before the trio of vampires left for Romania was interesting to say the least. Their journey was now planned with the approval of Caius. They knew what their mission was and that the aim of it was to gather all the information that they could on the enemy. And to try and find out what the 'secret weapon' was, if there was one of course. Also if they happened to come across any vampires who were unwilling to fight alongside the Romanians, they were to see if they could be persuaded to fight alongside the Volturi instead. It was a longshot they knew, but at least they would try.
The most interesting part of the day however, was when Heidi came up to the trio with their new walkie talkies. To make sure that things would go to plan, as Hermione hoped. She disillusioned the three of them and practiced using the walkie talkies, to see if they could handle being invisible to each other. Everything seemed to go well except for one small problem, and that was when they were walking about using the walkie talkies they could be heard but not seen. Therefore, breaking their cover, which wouldn't work if they wanted to stay inconspicuous.
So their only option was for Hermione to both silence and disillusion the three of them. This seemed to work inside of the Palazzo, but they would need to make sure it also worked outside as well, considering that this was a part of their mission. With the three leaders' permission, as they too were curious to see it for themselves, the trio were given half an hour to test things, outside in the city of Volterra to make sure everything worked as planned. Luckily for them it did.
All three of them were glad to get out of the confines of the Palazzo, but for Felix and Demetri it was so much more. They felt a freedom they never thought they would have again, because the only time they got to leave the Palazzo was to track someone on the Volturi's hit list. That afternoon the two of them had fun and laughed like young boys again. It was invigorating.
By the time they got back to the Palazzo and after Hermione had cancelled the spells, they both embraced her in a large hug and spun her around on the spot, while their eyes shone brightly with happiness. The display went noticed by almost everyone in the Volturi, with some being envious about what the three vampires had just experienced.
After they had practiced with the walkie talkies, Hermione packed her little black beaded bag with everything that they would need for the journey, maps, spare batteries, a couple of changes of clothing for all three of them and some other items. This didn't take her very long, so once she was done the trio then fed to build up their energy before the long journey ahead of them.
It was the first week of November and Caius reckoned it would take perhaps a week or two to get to Arefu, if everything went smoothly and they didn't meet any trouble along the way. That was including the fact they would need to stop frequently to feed. They were traveling by foot and even though they had vampire speed and didn't sleep they would still need to keep their energy levels up. Not just for the journey itself but also in case they came across any trouble and had to fight.
Once everything was done that could be done, Hermione went back to her quarters and decided to relax by going in a bubble bath. It was times like this when she wished she could simply lie back, close her eyes and fall asleep. That was one thing she really missed about being a vampire. The fact that each day blended into the next, and that she could no longer dream like she once did. Despite that, Hermione had now come to accept the fact she was a vampire, and that things were so much different now than to what they were when she was simply a witch.
Ridding herself of these thoughts she washed her hair and body before pulling the plug. She wrapped her long wet curls into a towel, and dried off her body with the spare, before dressing in a pair of black leggings and a red vest top. Since she had the rest of the evening to herself she decided to get some practice in with her magic, wanting to be as prepared as she possibly could be.
Towel drying her hair, as using magic still made her curls frizz slightly, she stepped out of the bathroom and into her quarters only to stop suddenly when she felt her whole body tingle and go on fire. Snapping her head up, she looked across the room to the adjourning door where Aro was now standing, a small smile on his lips. He took in the sight of her as he stood leaning against the door frame, as if him being there wasn't unusual.
Her whole body stiffened as she too took in the sight of him. He looked relaxed wearing a pair of black trousers and a white shirt that had several buttons opened, revealing a trail of dark chest hair underneath. Despite his lean figure and charming boyish features, seeing him now made her incredibly aware that he was very much a man.
"What-what are you doing in my quarters?" She asked removing the towel from her hair. She really needed to remember to put her wards up, as this was not the first time he had come into her rooms without her permission. Before she would have been pleased, but after the last time her feelings for him were all jumbled up and confusing, to the point that she didn't know what to think anymore. That and it was the night before she left to go on her first mission. The last thing she needed was him distracting her or confusing her any more than she already was.
He took a step further into the room, closing the door as he did and looked at her. The smile suddenly gone from his beautiful face.
"I apologise for coming in like this Hermione but I wanted to-" He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment before opening them to reveal his anxiety. "Don't go to Romania, reconsider and stay here with me. I can send Jane and Alec in your place."
Whatever she had expected Aro to say it certainly wasn't that. He always seemed so in control of himself, so fearless and yet as she looked at him now, she saw the vulnerability in him, she could hear it in his voice.
"I can't pull out now, everything is planned and we are all ready to go." She sighed then said, "Aro, Felix and Demetri need me."
He frowned at her words then said,
"I need you. I never wanted you to go on this mission in the first place. Then when I heard about the dragons." He sighed and shook his head. "Hermione it is too dangerous, what if something goes wrong?"
He knew that he shouldn't be baring his soul to her like this, knew that he probably seemed weak, but he couldn't stop himself. The thought of something happening to her, his mate, when he wasn't there to do anything pained him greatly.
"Aro nothing will go wrong everything will be fine. You can't always hide me away from danger, we both know that."
He smiled, although it was resigned to the fact that she was right.
"I know." With that he took another step towards her, feeling the need to be closer to her. "I also came to the realisation that the night of the ball you danced with everyone except me. I would like to rectify that immediately."
She laughed at his words then said,
"What here, now?"
"Come." He said holding out his hand to her.
She simply stood looking at his outstretched hand for a moment, wondering if dancing with him and being so close was a good idea. He beckoned to her and she felt herself moving towards him before she even had time to process the action.
Taking his hand in hers, he guided her into his room and headed towards an old CD player before slipping in a disc and pressing play, then he turned towards her. He wore a small smile on his face and had both his hands out to her.
"May I have this dance Hermione?" He asked politely, always the gentleman no matter what.
She wanted to shy away from the intense heat that she saw burning in his eyes, but for some reason couldn't. Together they moved towards each other and embraced as they began to move and sway as one to the music.
Whatever song Hermione thought he would play; this certainly wasn't it. The moment the singer began she instantly recognised it.
She pulled away to look up at him, her eyes wide with shock and surprise.
"I had no idea you liked this kind of music." She exclaimed.
He chuckled at her reaction and pulled her back in close to him, while nuzzling the top of her damp curls with his nose. She smelled fresh and pure with only the smell of her shampoo blended in with her own unique scent. The whole thing was intoxicating to him.
"Oh and what kind of music did you think I listened to hmm?" He teased, enjoying the way that she felt in his arms.
"Honestly I thought classical and opera were more your style." She admitted.
He chuckled again and she could feel him gently shake his head no.
"Mio caro you cannot live as long as I have and simply restrict yourself from what the world and modern times has to offer. I admit, that my preference of music is classical, as for me it is timeless. But I also enjoy all the delights that music has to offer. As you can hear I am very open minded."
With that he pushed her away and spun her slowly around on the spot until her back was pressed against his chest. He let his hands slide down her bare arms until they were wrapped around her slender waist. Moving her hair away from her shoulder to reveal her pale slender neck, he peppered her smooth skin with featherlight kisses. She moaned and tilted her head to the side, giving him better access, as she squeezed her eyes shut and basked in the sensations that he was causing. She knew it was wrong, that they shouldn't be doing this, but somehow she felt too powerless to resist him.
"What have you done to me mio caro?" He whispered against her throat where the pale scar of her bite was still evident.
She shivered at his words and before she could answer, he moved one hand across her chest and spun her away from him, before pulling her back into his arms and bending her backwards.
Her eyes opened in surprise at this movement, before she felt the hand that wasn't holding her gently ghost over her face, down her neck, and across her breasts. He bent his head and gently sucked on the hollow of her throat, letting out a frustrated groan of need before standing her upright.
In that moment his mind was made up, when she came back from Romania, he was going to mark and claim her as his own. He could no longer wait for her decide anymore. She was his and that was the end of it.
Unable to do anything more they simply stood looking at each other, the passion of the moment clearly shining brightly in both of their eyes, as Hermione's hand slowly and involuntary touched her throat where he had been suckling.
The feeling of his soft lips still tingled and haunted her skin there. She wanted to say something, anything, but the words would not form. Her hand went to reach for him, to pull him back to her, but he moved away heading back to the CD player and switched the song off.
"You should go back to your quarters and relax. You have a busy time ahead of you and have to be prepared." He stood still, his back turned to her, and his head bent low as he dismissed her.
She stood for a moment, not knowing what to do or what had just happened, before heading angrily out his rooms and into her own. Slamming the door of their adjourning rooms as she went. She cast all the wards and silencing spells that she could think of making sure that she would never forget them again. This would be the last time he would ever step foot in her quarters uninvited. She would make sure of that.
She was sick of him acting hot one moment then cold the next. She was already so confused about the way she felt about him that she didn't need him toying with her anymore.
Feeling anger and frustration at the vampire, she set to work on practicing her magic on the poor unfortunate target doll that she had transfigured, and took out all of her pent up feelings on that. It helped somewhat but she found that she would rather hex the real live vampire from next door than this poor substitute, but for now it would do.
Night slowly turned into morning and Hermione quickly got ready to leave the Palazzo as soon as the morning sun had risen. She dressed in black trousers, hiking boots, a leather jacket and a white top, with her thick curls tied back into a high ponytail. She checked her small beaded bag several times making sure she had everything that they would need for the journey, wanting to make sure she hadn't forgotten something important.
Once everything was ready, she unwarded her quarters and cancelled the silencing spell, before pacing back and forth in front of the marble fireplace. She was nervous and excited but most of all she was anxious to get away from here, and to get away from him.
No matter how much she tried to practice her magic or read, she couldn't get her thoughts away from the leader of the Volturi. He was like a drug to her, the more he touched and caressed her, and the more his lips found her body. And the thing she hated the most was that she wanted more, so much more with him. This left her feeling angry at herself. Never did she think that she, Hermione Granger, would ever be so distracted by a man. She was a bookworm, she was an academic not a man daft harlot, like some people she knew.
When Felix and Demetri finally knocked on her door, relief flooded through her and when she flung it open, she immediately accosted them with a large hug.
"Wow my little witchling what has gotten you in such a tizzy this morning?" Demetri asked, an amused glint sparkling in his eyes.
"I'm just really looking forward to get going that's all." She replied, not exactly telling them a lie for it was the truth. Or rather part of it anyway.
"Good I'm glad to see you're so enthusiastic about it. But before we go we need to head into the dome room first. Aro wishes to speak to us." Felix said, noting the look of agitation in his friend's' eyes.
"Alright then, let's get going." She said stepping out her room and locking the door before casting strong wards on it. Even in her absence she didn't want Aro to be able to snoop around her quarters. If he tried she would know, for she had set the wards to alert her. But for now she just wanted to get the meeting over with, as quickly as possible and get away from there.
"Have you got everything we need my little witchling?" Demetri asked, with a raised eyebrow.
She smiled at him before dangling the little beaded bag in front of his face.
"Of course, everything's in here."
Demetri looked at it and grinned broadly before saying,
"Oh how I love magic."
With that the three of them walked up to the dome room to be greeted by all three of the leaders and some members of the guard who wanted to see them off. Or rather who were curious and wanted to have a nose.
"Ahh there are our three explorers." Aro said, standing up to greet the three of them, all the while avoiding eye contact with Hermione. He could not bear to face that just yet. "Are you already to go?" He asked, masking his feelings.
"We are Master Aro." Felix replied with a small bow of his head.
"Excellent." Aro replied before turning his gaze towards Demetri. "Before you leave I wish to have a quick word with you Demetri, if you please."
"Of course." Demetri agreed before following Aro to a quiet corner of the room.
With his back turned to the rest of the Volturi, Aro looked at Demetri and said,
"Remember your promise to me my friend. With your life."
Demetri knew that his Master was going to mention the talk they shared, and so wasn't surprised to hear his words.
"Of course, I meant what I said." He replied, hoping to reassure the other vampire that he did in fact mean it. He could understand how his Master was feeling in a way, he would feel just as apprehensive if it was him in that position. In fact, he did feel that way whenever Felix was sent on a mission and he was not, hence why they always tried to go together. There was nothing worse than being parted from your mate, especially when they could be in danger. But the difference was he and Felix had been together for many years, whereas his Master had only just found his. That, to Demetri, made things a lot worse.
"Good." Aro said instantly dismissing him.
When they turned back to the others Hermione and Marcus were deep in conversation, before Marcus cupped her cheek and kissed her head fondly. Despite what he had said to Aro, he too was just as worried about her leaving. He knew she was strong and powerful, but she had become like a daughter to him, and the thought of any harm coming to her, was never far from his mind.
"You will be careful mio angelo." Marcus whispered to her.
She wanted to roll her eyes at his words, and wondered if people thought she wasn't strong enough for such a task. She knew that she was being too hard on him and that it was simply fatherly concern but still it irked her nonetheless.
"Honestly I will be fine." She replied taking his hand in hers.
"I know, and I'm sorry." He replied before going into his jacket pocket. "I wanted you to have this, as I know yours is broken." He said opening his hand to reveal his Volturi pendant. It was similar to the guards except the leaders were more decorative looking, with an oval ruby gleaming at the top of the pendent and a diamond shaped ruby at the bottom of the V.
"Marcus thank you but I-I can't accept it." She said, her voice wavering slightly at his kindness.
He smiled down at her before putting the pendant around her neck, and fastening it.
"Of course you can mio angelo. Just remember to come back safely in order to return it to me." He took her hand in his and kissed it before looking up to see the others watching. "She's ready." He said letting go of her hand after giving it one final squeeze.
"Now the three of you be careful and be vigilant. And remember I want you back here no later than the first week of January. Good luck my friends." Aro said feeling his chest tighten at the broad smile on Hermione's face, as she turned to look at Felix and Demetri.
"Do you have your walkie talkies?" She asked double checking to make sure she had hers as well.
"Yes boss." Demetri said with a grin, while Felix just patted his at it his side.
"Good. Then I hope you're both ready." Not giving them the chance to say or do anything, she quickly disillusioned the three of them, before casting a silencing spell.
The members of the Volturi guard simply watched in awe as the three vampires disappeared right in front of their eyes. They quickly looked around the room to see if they could spot any traces of them, but couldn't. It was as if they weren't even there.
"Testing, testing one two three can you hear me, over." Hermione said into her walkie talkie.
"Hear you loud and clear little witchling, over." Felix replied.
"No need to shout you pair, over." Demetri said. "Should we have code names, for the fun of it, over? I can be stud." He said causing Hermione to laugh.
"Stud, right, over." She replied with a giggle.
"After that comment you should be wench, over." Demetri said.
"You pair knock it off, are we going or what, over." Felix said before adding, "And I want to be Hercules, over." Causing the other two to laugh. Out of the three of them Felix was always the more serious one, so it was nice and refreshing to see him act so playful.
"Ok so we have stud, wench and Hercules, over." Demetri said with a small laugh.
"Right, now that we've figured that out let's get out of here, over." Hermione said as she began to make her way towards the door. Knowing that she was invisible she stopped at the doors to the dome room before looking back at the three leaders, mainly to Aro. As much as she felt like she needed to get away from here, at the same time she couldn't help but feel like she was leaving a part of herself behind. If she was honest, she would even go so far as to say she would miss him. And of course she would miss Marcus.
"Hey wench where are you, over." Felix said through the walkie talkie, startling her from her thoughts.
"Sorry, just leaving the dome room now, over."
"Ok well we're at the doors to the Palazzo so let us know when you arrive, over." Felix replied.
"Will do." She said, casting one last longing glance at Aro before leaving to follow Felix and Demetri.
After the trio had disappeared the other members of the guard turned and left the dome room leaving only the three leaders standing there. Not knowing if the trio were there or not, Marcus waited a little while before patting Aro's back reassuringly and said,
"She will be fine brother do not fret. Have confidence in her."
Aro sighed, not wanting to think the worst when they had only just left, so smiled weakly at his brother and said,
"I know you're right but I cannot help but worry. I have waited my whole existence for her to come along, I cannot lose her now." He said quietly.
Marcus laughed and shook his head at him.
"Honestly brother no need to be quite so dramatic. Hermione will be fine; you won't lose her. We won't lose her." He said trying to reassure Aro. He of course didn't know what Aro did, about the vision Hermione had. So even though he felt Aro was being dramatic, Aro knew the truth.
Never before had he wanted to confide in anyone more than he did at that moment, but knew he couldn't say anything, not if it meant breaking Hermione's trust. Something he had tried so hard to gain in the first place.
"You're right brother. I'm sorry." He replied.
"Now, what shall we do for the rest of the day then?" Marcus asked innocently.
Now that Hermione wasn't there, Aro felt at a loss as to what he should do. He could feel the emptiness inside of him, knowing that she had left the grounds of the Palazzo. He felt a sudden loneliness descend on him that only she could fill. If this was what it was like a few mere moments after she had left, he hated to think about what it would be like after a few weeks. This thought was unbearable.
"How about a glass of wine brother?" With that the three leaders headed off to their shared quarters, to toast the three brave vampires. They hoped that this trip would not prove futile and that they would come back with some useful information for them. In the meantime, they still had a War to plan.
Back at Hogwarts the new school term was underway and everyone was now settling back into school life, both students and Professors alike.
Albus Dumbledore sat alone in his office, at his large wooden desk studying a piece of paper that was clutched tightly in his hands. He had received it two days ago and had read it that much he could now repeat it word for word. And no matter how much he hoped it would, the words never changed.
He sighed deeply before rubbing his forehead wondering what he should do with the information that was contained in the letter. It didn't say much, and wasn't signed by anyone, but what it did contain worried him to no end. Hermione was in trouble and would need them, for War was coming. He of course knew that, but from what he could understand from this letter, things were a lot worse than he feared.
He sighed again and folded the letter before stuffing it into the back of the desk drawer. Sitting back in his chair he looked around his office before popping a lemon drop in his mouth.
"What to do?" He said to the empty room, except for the people in the portraits who either looked on or slept.
Fawkes, who was sitting watching his Master from his perch, began to trill a sad song, while straightening out his beautiful wings and flapping them, to get his Master's attention.
Albus turned to look at his familiar and smiled at the sight. Leaning over he petted the bird affectionately before smiling sadly at him.
"Yes, I think you're right my friend. We shall call an order meeting and see what the others think. If Hermione needs us, then we shall be there for her."
With that decided Albus suddenly went to work writing letters to the members of the order. Since the War on Voldemort was over and the remaining Death Eaters were caught and locked up in Azkaban, there was no need for frequent order meetings anymore, so over time the order simply disbanded. But just like Fawkes the Order of the Phoenix would soon rise once more from the ashes.
The song Aro and Hermione were dancing to, is one of my favorites and keeping in line with Twilight's soundtrack lol. It's called 'Madness' by Muse lol. Have a listen if you haven't already heard it lol. Xx
