Chapter 28
The day Hermione both anticipated and feared had finally arrived. Today she would be saying goodbye to Albus, Charlie, Phil and the rest of the staff at the Dragon Sanctuary. Not only that but she would also be saying goodbye to Nafeesa, something she really didn't want to do but had no choice in the matter.
Things with Morvin had improved slightly. When Hermione had first helped Dumbledore cast the memory charm she held the little girl tightly in her arms, hoping and praying to every known deity that it worked.
She held on to what little patience she had as she waited for Morvin to wake up. Nafeesa sat reassuringly behind them, and wrapped her tail protectively around her non-human and the child. She gave the Headmaster a knowing look, and saw his baby blue eyes twinkle madly in return. They both knew what Hermione did not. That everything, in time, would be all right.
When Morvin began to stir groggily in Hermione's arms, she simply held on tighter and began to feel dread fill her for the first time since the charm had been cast. She couldn't lose the little girl now, not since she had begun to care for her.
Morvin slowly opened her eyes and looked straight up at Hermione, who graced her with a warm smile.
"Hello sweetie how do you feel?" Hermione asked brushing a strand of hair out of the small girl's eyes.
Morvin looked behind Hermione to Nafeesa and gave her a wide grin before turning her attention back to Hermione.
"I feel alright. But what happened?"
If Hermione felt disappointment at hearing Morvin still speak via the mind, she didn't show it. For some reason she had thought, or rather hoped, that once the memory charm was cast she would be able to speak out loud. But apparently that was not the case. She tried to reassure herself that, that didn't mean the spell hadn't worked, reminding herself to remain positive.
Hermione gave her a small smile not knowing what to say. If she told her the truth then it could trigger memories for Morvin, if the spell had worked in the first place. So with a small sigh she simply said,
"Me and my friend Albus here were practicing our magic and he accidentally cast a spell that was supposed to be for me, but unfortunately caught you instead." It was a half-truth that Hermione hoped wouldn't cause the small girl to be too upset.
At her words Morvin's head swiveled so that her gaze was now trained on Albus. Seeing him sitting there, his blue twinkling eyes resting on her, caused Morvin to tense up momentarily. She suddenly got the feeling that she had forgotten something, but couldn't remember what. If it was something important then it would come back to her no doubt, so for now she didn't want to spend too much time dwelling on it.
She looked at Albus again and remembered him giving her the hat, and making the flowers float around her. Feeling at ease in his presence she smiled at him and crawled off Hermione's lap towards the old wizard.
"I do apologize for my wayward spell Morvin." Albus whispered, as he watched the small girl put on her replica hat, grinning at him.
"It's alright Albus no damage was done." She picked up a flower before pushing it behind Albus's ear and giggled softly. He rewarded her with a beaming smile before the two of them got into what appeared to be a one-sided conversation.
Meanwhile Hermione sat back on her haunches as she watched the small girl interact with Dumbledore, seemingly without a care in the world. There had been moments when she had just caught a small glimpse of the child Morvin was, but seeing her like this, looking so young and open, was so much different. She didn't want to dare let herself hope that things had changed though.
Morvin had been nervous but accepting of Dumbledore's presence before they cast the memory charm, but her biggest test would be seeing Charlie, Felix and Demetri, people whose presence had caused her to be the most agitated and upset. Only when she saw them, would they find out if the memory charm had worked or not. But for now Hermione wanted to spend what remainder of the evening was left seeing her girl looking so young, carefree and most importantly happy.
She knew however, that they could not stay out here much longer, the hour was getting late and darkness was fast approaching. Also Dumbledore had come a long way to see them and unlike her and Morvin, he was still a mortal who needed food, water and rest. Looking at him now, despite his smiling face and twinkling eyes, she could tell that he was too polite to say that he was hungry and tired.
So with that the three of them left Nafeesa to head back to the main building and face Morvin's biggest test yet.
Hermione grew more nervous the closer they got to the sanctuaries main building, sending occasional wary glances down at Morvin. A couple of times she caught Dumbledore's gaze, who simply gave her an assured smile. He took her hand at one point and squeezed it reassuringly, trying to ease her obvious tension. But it didn't work and only grew worse when they entered the building.
The first person to greet them was Charlie, who smiled and gave them a wave as he walked over to chat. She could see the worry glisten in his eyes however, as he glanced at Morvin, waiting for her to kick off like she normally did. Both were surprised when that didn't happen however.
Instead Morvin instantly tensed up beside Hermione and moved in closer to her, wrapping her arms around her waist. She knew she was being a baby and didn't understand why she was acting like this. All she knew was, that she wasn't sure of the man and just wanted to be near Hermione, whose presence was comforting and reassuring to her.
Feeling the little girl cling to her like a lifeline, Hermione wrapped her arm around Morvin's shoulders and smiled warmly down at her.
"Morvin sweetie this is Charlie. He is a very good friend of mine and he is the one who looks after Nafeesa. He's also the reason why I came here in the first place."
Glancing between the two of them, Charlie couldn't believe the change in the small girl. Even though she was still scared and nervous, she wasn't screaming or lashing out like she had done before. She was acting like a completely different child. Not wanting to scare her further, Charlie sank down onto his knees and smiled.
"Hey Morvin it's really nice to see you again. If it's all right with Hermione, I would like to give you a special gift."
Morvin stared warily at the young man as she took in everything about him. He had a warm smile and kind eyes, kneeling on the floor made him seem small and less scary looking. She could hear his heart beating in his chest and knew he wasn't like her or Hermione. He was more like Dumbledore. Suddenly a thought came to her.
Looking straight into his clear blue eyes she asked,
"Are you a wizard like Albus?"
Charlie gasped in surprise as he heard the small voice whisper in his mind. Never had he ever experienced her talking to him before. Hermione had told him all about it, but this was the first time he had heard her for himself.
"What theā¦." He suddenly said, but seeing Hermione vigorously shake her head no, he reeled in his words of shock and coughed subtly. "Sorry tickly throat." He said trying to recover from his faux pas. Turning his attention back to the small girl he smiled again before pulling out his wand and his handkerchief. "Yes I'm a wizard just like Dumbledore, see." Waving his wand, he transfigured the handkerchief into a beautiful yellow rose and held it out to her. "This Morvin isn't just a rose. This is a special rose because the color means friendship. And I would love it if you would consider becoming my friend." He gave her that charming Weasley smile and said, "You don't need to decide right now, you can think about it for a while. But for now I would like you to have this. A beautiful flower for a beautiful flower." He held it out to her again and waited patiently to see if she would accept it from him or not.
Morvin wanted to take the flower but felt unsure. She didn't really know the wizard and didn't think it was right taking things from a stranger. But then again Hermione trusted him and he did look after Nafeesa, so maybe she too could trust him as well.
Tilting her head, she looked up at Hermione who stood with a funny smile on her face. She tugged on Hermione's sleeve to get her attention and when she did she asked,
"Am I allowed to take the flower from him?"
Hermione beamed down at her and nodded her head.
"It's a gift for you sweetie and Charlie is a friend, so yes it's alright." She answered, trying to keep her emotions at bay. It was only now that she finally dared let herself hope that the impossible was now possible. That Morvin was in a better mind frame than she had been before.
Slowly and cautiously Morvin moved away from Hermione and began to walk towards Charlie. Every now and then she gazed up at Hermione who simply smiled encouragingly back. Stopping at a safe distance away, Morvin reached a timid hand out and took the rose from Charlie's hand. She brought the rose to her nose and inhaled its surprisingly sweet scent.
"Thank you so much Charlie it's beautiful."
He gave her a proud smile at hearing her words and grinned.
"I'm glad you like it but that wasn't the present I was going to give you."
Morvin's eyes widened in surprise not believing that someone wanted to give her gifts. It was surreal. And if she was honest she felt giddy excitement at the thought.
"Come with me and I'll show you." Charlie said offering her his hand.
Hermione went to stop him but Dumbledore pulled her back, and gave her a slight shake of his head. She knew he was right and that she couldn't wrap Morvin up in cotton wool, however much she wanted too. She also knew she would be safe with her friends, but still after everything the small girl had been through, Hermione was still wary for her.
She sighed and took a step backwards watching as Morvin took Charlie's hand cautiously, not quite trusting him yet.
"Ok." She said shyly.
The present Charlie had for her was a gold necklace with a little dragon pendant that held a small ruby in it. It was similar in style to the circlet Hermione wore on her head.
Things had changed after that. Morvin met everyone and although at times she was still scared and nervous, and although she often clung to Hermione, she was opening up around everyone. Including Demetri and Felix.
She was shy yet inquisitive and wanted to know all about everyone and their relationship to Hermione. And even though she liked everyone immensely, not including Hermione, Albus was her other favorite person in the group. She loved the way he dressed and seemed completely enthralled by him.
Just as they all seemed to relax and get on, it was quickly time to say goodbye. Hermione had to sit down with Morvin and explain to her that they were leaving Romania and going back to her home in Volterra. At hearing that Morvin kicked off for the first time since the memory charm had been cast on her. She took a tantrum because she didn't want to leave everyone. It was beginning to feel like home to her and she didn't want to leave to go somewhere that she didn't know.
Hermione hated seeing Morvin like that so it made her wonder about her own selfish motives for wanting to keep her. And as she listened to Morvin's words she wondered if it would be best to leave her here. It would be safer, she knew, than what it would be back at Volterra. Plus Charlie and Phil were here to look after her, as well as Nafeesa, who Hermione knew could be trusted. The only people who wouldn't be here full time, would be herself and Dumbledore.
So with that thought in mind Hermione calmed Morvin down, before sitting next to the girl and proposing that option to her. She would miss the little girl but it wasn't about what she wanted, it was about Morvin herself and what she needed.
"Sweetie I know how much you want to stay here, believe me I would stay here too if I could, but I can't. I have to go back to Volterra, my home, and help my friends with something important." She sighed softly and smiled at Morvin, feeling her heart clench in her chest. "But you don't have to come with me. You can stay here with Uncle Phil and Uncle Charlie, they've already agreed and would love to look after you. Nafeesa will be here as well and I'm sure Albus would come and see you." Her gaze flickered up to Dumbledore who quickly nodded his head in agreement. "And I-" Her voice faltered slightly at her words, not knowing if the promise she was about to make would be broken or not. "I could come and visit as well." She stroked Morvin's cheek lovingly and smiled. "You my sweet girl have friends and a family, your safe and you're loved. But more importantly you're happy and that's all I ever wanted for you. I can't take that away from you now. So if you want to stay here then you can."
The occupants in the room sat in silence as they waited for Morvin to speak. They each had different opinions on what they thought was best for her, but only she could decide. Although she got on well with Felix and Demetri, they knew how the Volturi were going to react to her arrival, and it wasn't going to be good. Although they had become taken with her too, they wanted her to stay here, where they knew she would be safe. It wasn't only for her sake but for Hermione's as well. If Morvin came back to Volterra with them and the reaction was as bad as they feared it would be, seeing Morvin killed would crush Hermione and they couldn't bear to see that happening. Not after everything.
Morvin sat in silence as she thought over her options. It was true she didn't want to leave the safety of the Dragon Sanctuary. She had come to like it here and she trusted her two uncles and the old wizard who she secretly called Grandpa. They felt like family to her. She also loved Nafeesa as well and couldn't stand the thought of not seeing her every day. But no matter how she felt about all of them, the thought of being separated from Hermione was unimaginable to her. Although she wouldn't say this out loud in case of ruining the relationship they shared, Hermione was like the mum she always wanted but never had. Her own mother had other children to look after so she was often overlooked. But with Hermione it was different. She could see how much she cared about her. The way she spoke, the gentle soothing touches she often bestowed upon her. Whenever she was with Hermione she felt happy and safe, and she trusted her completely. Hermione would never hurt her. She didn't know how she knew, she just did. Hermione to her was home.
"I want to stay with you, I don't want to leave you." Morvin's quiet voice said, as she hugged Hermione, placing her head against her chest so she could hear the soothing sound of her heart beating.
Hermione held her tightly and buried her nose in her hair, trying to once again hold back her emotions.
"Are you sure that's what you want sweetie?" Hermione whispered almost hesitantly, afraid that Morvin would change her mind.
"I'm sure. I just want to be with you."
The sound of Morvin's words filled Hermione with so much warmth, and she knew that she would do anything for that little girl. Her little girl. Smiling she kissed Morvin's head and rubbed her cheek against her soft curly hair.
"Then it's settled. We leave at dawn." With those final words Felix and Demetri nodded in understanding.
For the journey back to Volterra, Hermione changed back into her normal clothes, packing away the outfit that Charlie had made for her. She didn't think it would be wise to waltz into the Palazzo dei Priori dressed as a dragonrider. She didn't think they would understand nor did she think Aro would appreciate it.
Since she had arrived at the Dragon Sanctuary she had given no real thought to Aro, but now that she was going back home all she could do was think of him. She wondered how he would react to seeing her, and Morvin for that matter. She wondered if he had missed her, if he had been worried and thinking of her while she had been gone. For some reason she hoped he did.
If she was honest with herself, she was nervous but excited to see him again. The thought of being in his presence once more thrilled and excited her. With the way her thoughts were, she was beginning to think that perhaps she could give him, or rather them a chance.
Before they left, Hermione had a private conversation with Dumbledore.
"I need to thank you for everything that you've done for me and for Morvin. I can't express how much it means to me. You saved her life Albus and for that I am eternally grateful to you." Her voice broke as she spoke, and Dumbledore wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"My dear girl you do not have to thank me. Morvin is a wonderful child and it's clear to anyone who looks at you how much you need each other. It has been a pleasure, believe me."
Hermione laughed then said,
"It certainly has. By the way I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but do you know that she calls you Grandpa in secret. She accidentally let it slip during a conversation one time."
Hermione watched with some amusement as Dumbledore's cheeks turned pink, and his eyes sparkled with glee. He had no family of his own so felt incredibly honored at the endearment that was bequeathed to him.
"I feel privileged at being given such a title and I promise I will do my best to live up to it." He swiped away a stray tear not wanting his emotions to overcome him. "Now my dear girl before you depart from here I just want to remind you that you still have friends back at Hogwarts, and should you need us for anything we are there for you. We miss you and love you, and will always think of you as one of our own. And should you need it, Hogwarts will always be your home."
He seemed to look at her with knowing eyes, and once more that day Hermione found herself holding back her emotions. Dumbledore's words meant so much to her, and she knew that they were both true and sincere.
With a shuddering sigh she hugged Dumbledore close to her, suddenly afraid that it could be the last time she would see him.
"I know Albus, thank you so much for that, I will keep your words in mind. I want you to promise me something though." Hermione suddenly said seriously, as she pulled back from his embrace.
"Of course my dear girl. As long as it's in my power to do so."
"Please don't tell anyone about Morvin. I'm not sure how the Volturi will react to her and I don't want news of her existence spreading. It is far too dangerous for anyone to know. So please don't tell anyone about her." She had asked the same thing of Charlie and Phil as well, and they had both promised not to tell anyone of Morvin.
Dumbledore smiled at her and knew he would keep her promise.
"I won't tell anyone; you have my word Hermione."
"Thank you Albus I really do appreciate it." She smiled.
"Come let us rejoin the group. You will be leaving shortly and I'm sure the others will want some time with you before you depart."
"Yes you're right." Hermione agreed as they went to join the rest of their friends.
The plan was that Hermione would apparate back the way they had come starting with only one stop in Romania and that was Arad. Then she would apparate them to Ptuj in Hungary, where Hermione would feed in order to keep her strength up. She would then apparate them to Kranj in Slovenia before stopping to feed in Bologna in Italy one last time. Then last but not least she would apparate them to the Palazzo dei Priori, straight into her rooms where she would get Morvin settled before going to face the three Volturi leaders. Overall if everything went to plan then the journey should only take a few hours, rather than the days it took the first time. They had gotten all the information they would get and hoped that it would be enough to satisfy the three Volturi leaders.
Having said goodbye to everyone there was one last person who Hermione needed to say her farewells to and that of course was Nafeesa. Morvin had already said her goodbye's to her new friend, leaving Hermione and Nafeesa to have a tender moment alone with each other.
So it was with a heavy heart that Hermione and Nafeesa took to the skies one last time, as dragon and rider before she had to leave. Not knowing if that ride would be their last one together. Once she was safely back on the ground, Hermione wrapped her arms around Nafeesa and stroked her hands over her familiar black scaly skin.
"Never did I think I would meet you when I first came here. But I am so glad that I did. For some reason that I can't explain, you have filled a part of me that I didn't even know was missing. You are beautiful and magnificent, and the best friend a girl could have, and I love you." At her words Nafeesa's forked tongue licked Hermione's face, and instead of hearing her familiar giggle, she felt Hermione shudder with pent up emotion. "I'm going to miss you my friend." She whispered as Nafeesa nuzzled into her then huffed out in response.
Albus, Charlie, Felix and Demetri along with Morvin and some other staff came walking over to the wards of the enclosure, as Hermione said her last goodbye.
"Are you ready my little witchling?" Demetri asked, his voice sounding a lot softer than normal.
She quickly wiped the moisture away from her eyes, before turning around to meet the gaze of her friends and offering them a small smile.
"Yes I'm ready." She stretched her arms out to Morvin and picked her up, holding her tightly against her as the little girl wrapped her legs around her waist.
Demetri wrapped one arm tightly around Hermione's back, as Felix wrapped his arm around the other side of her, with Morvin safely tucked between all three of them. With one last glance at Albus, Charlie, and Nafeesa, Hermione quickly apparated them away to Arad, before she could change her mind.
Albus and Charlie simply gazed at the spot where Hermione and the others had been, a mixture of sadness and sorrow filling them. It was true to say that over the course of them being here, they had grown even closer to Hermione and little Morvin and felt a sudden emptiness at their departure. Both wizards knew that war was approaching, and both knew of the possible outcome for Hermione, but neither one wanted to believe it.
Nafeesa's soft whimper broke their spell and Dumbledore was the first to reach her.
"Don't worry my friend we will see her again soon." He reached out his hand and gently stroked her cool skin. She huffed in response and made another pitiful noise before taking off into the sky to settle back into her lonely cave.
The humans were not the only ones to feel the empty void of Hermione and Morvin. For Nafeesa it was so much worse. Her family were gone leaving her all alone, and although she knew it must happen, she had not quite prepared herself for feeling like this. Like a part of herself, her soul was missing. So she turned her back on the wizards and wallowed in the privacy of her cave. Willing the day that she would be reunited with her non-human to come.
Charlie turned his gaze to Dumbledore and smiled knowingly at him.
"Do you think she knows?" He asked.
Dumbledore let out a sad chuckle and shook his head in the negative.
"No I do not think she does my boy."
"Good." Charlie replied before the three wizards headed back to the main building for some food and wine to toast the newly departed group of vampires. Although Dumbledore had his portkey ready, he wouldn't be heading back to Hogwarts until later in the day after a couple of hours sleep. He wanted to see Hermione off safely first before going back to the school to be interrogated. No doubt Remus and Severus would be waiting anxiously for his arrival.
Apparating with three people was much more exhausting than Hermione thought, and she was glad to have the stops in between to feed. She needed to keep up her energy and also wanted to make sure that Morvin was well fed before they reached the Palazzo, as she didn't know when they would be allowed to feed again.
Travelling didn't take long this time around and before they knew it they were back in the safety of Hermione's quarters.
"I can't believe we're home." Felix said, looking somewhat relieved to be back in the Palazzo.
"Me neither. You done well my little witchling." Demetri said giving her a hug.
Hermione sat down on the couch as she tried to compose herself and stop her head from swimming. Apparating had been more taxing on her than she thought and she just needed a moment to regroup.
Small hands came up to cup her cheeks gently, and as she looked up she saw the worried gaze of Morvin.
"Are you alright Hermione?" She asked, concern lacing her small voice.
Hermione smiled and took Morvin's small hands in her own, kissing the back of both of them affectionately before nodding her head.
"Yes sweetie I'm fine, I just felt a little dizzy with the apparating. I'm fine now though. But more importantly how are you."
Before they had left the Dragon Sanctuary Hermione had apparated several times with Morvin just to let her get used to the feel of it. It had been nothing like this journey, and Hermione knew that if she was feeling the effects of it then so would Morvin be.
"I'm alright Hermione, honestly. That was fun but don't ask me to do it again anytime soon." She gave a small reassuring smile and sat down next to Hermione, who sighed.
"Now that we're back we should go and see the leaders. They'll be wondering where we've gotten too." Hermione turned and looked at Morvin, feeling dread settle down on her. This was the moment of truth. She couldn't hide Morvin from the leaders and she knew that they may not take too kindly to her existence. But Hermione also knew she would not give the small girl up without a fight. "Morvin sweetie Demetri, Felix and I have to go and report back to our Masters. I want you to stay here and not to leave the room. I will put up wards so I'll know if you try and open that door. Do you understand?" Hearing the worry and the warning in Hermione's voice Morvin simply nodded her head, not knowing why she was to stay here and feeling nervous at being left on her own. "I will try and not be too long sweetie, but you need to trust me." She pulled Morvin's small frame into her arms and hugged her before kissing her head. "You can look around my quarters but be careful alright."
"Alright." Her small voice answered in Hermione's mind.
"Let's go." She whispered rising to her feet, while looking to the two male vampires. They nodded their head in understanding and headed out of the door, with Hermione falling closely behind.
She took one more look at the small girl inside before closing the door and making sure it was locked and warded heavily. She was taking no chances of anyone getting inside while she was away.
"Are you ready?" Demetri asked in a small voice, knowing how nervous Hermione was.
She gave him a timid smile in reply and shook her head.
"I'm not really but I have no choice do I?" She whispered, as she gazed back at the closed door longingly. She wanted nothing more than to go back in and apparate Morvin back to the safety of the Dragon Sanctuary. But she couldn't, knowing that Morvin's existence wouldn't stay a secret for long anyway.
"Whatever happens, you have us? Don't forget that my little witchling." Demetri said, knowing that he would be there for her no matter what.
"He's right little witchling. You have us and so does Morvin." Felix agreed.
Feeling grateful for their words, Hermione hugged each of the men in thanks before the three of them took off towards the dome room, not knowing if anyone was there or not. The closer they got however, the more they could hear voices coming from inside.
"It's now or never." Demetri said, putting a reassuring hand on Hermione's shoulder.
With that the two men opened the large doors to the dome room and as one, the three of them stepped through interrupting what looked like a meeting. Volturi members were sitting on chairs with a small aisle going down the middle. Hermione looked forward to see the three leaders sitting on their thrones, Marcus on the left, Caius and Athenodora on the right, with Aro and Sulpicia sitting in the middle.
Her heart clenched at the sight of seeing Aro sitting next to his wife, their hands intertwined like lovers. She had not been expecting to see them looking so close, especially after everything that had happened between her and Aro before she left for Romania.
She turned her attention to Marcus instead, who seemed to be both happy and relieved to see her, as the three of them made their way to the front of the room. He slowly got to his feet and strode towards them before embracing Hermione in a warm fatherly hug.
"Mio angelo you have returned to us at last." He said with a broad smile as he looked over her with a critical eye. Something had changed about her, he could feel it radiating from every part of her. But now was not the time to ask those kind of questions, not in front of an audience anyway. "We were beginning to fear that you wouldn't come back."
She smiled up at the man who she considered to be a father, glad to be back in his calming presence once more.
"There was never a fear of that happening father dear." She answered him truthfully.
Aro watched as Hermione and Marcus reunited once more, but didn't make any attempts to greet her himself. Instead he held on to Sulpicia's hand tightly and tilted his head in annoyance.
"The three of you have finally returned I see. I must confess at how disappointed I am in you. That said, I do hope you have brought us some relevant information otherwise the journey could be classed as a waste of our time." Aro said.
Hermione's eyes narrowed at how cold and unfeeling Aro seemed to be. This was not the same passionate man she remembered before leaving. What could have possibly happened to change him so much?
"I apologise Master Aro." Demetri said bowing his head in respect. "We came across several obstacles while we were there delaying our journey and stay, but we have some information for you as you requested."
"Only some. Then I am disappointed in the three of you." Aro said with a small sigh, almost as if he was bored. "Everyone leave us now; I wish to talk to the three of them alone." He rose to his feet helping Sulpicia stand before kissing her goodbye, directly on the lips.
Hermione watched the scene before her, anger coursing through her veins. She had only been gone a matter of weeks, and now that she was back everything had changed. Had Aro just been using her for his own needs? Had everything he said to her since she arrived at Volterra been a lie. Turning away from them, she tried to control her emotions, as she began to feel the same tingling sensation in the tips of her fingers, at his betrayal. The last thing she wanted to do was lose control of her magic, even if she did think the lying git deserved it.
"I will see you back in our quarters beloved."
Hermione heard the soft sultry tones of Sulpicia say, as she tried hard not to roll her eyes at the sudden show of affection between the two. As she turned her head, she caught the confused expression on Demetri's face, and saw the question in his eyes. She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, feeling her own confusion stir.
"Mio angelo I will see you in a little while. I feel we may have a lot to discuss." Marcus said, leaning in to whisper knowingly in her ear.
"Yes we do." She said in agreement, watching as he left the room with Caius and Athenodora, leaving just Aro and the three travellers alone.
The occupants of the room stayed quiet until the last of the guard members had left, as Aro took his seat once more and looked at the three of them.
"First of all welcome back home but for now I wish only to speak to Hermione. Felix and Demetri go back to your quarters; I want to speak to you both individually."
"Yes Master Aro." Both Felix and Demetri said before leaving Hermione standing alone in front of the Volturi leader.
"Now Hermione let's start with you shall we. Give me your hands." He did not stand up, he simply sat there looking at her expectantly with a steely hard stare. There was none of the searing heat or passion in his eyes that he had held for her before. It was gone and she couldn't understand why.
Slowly she moved towards him and took his hands in hers.
He closed his eyes expecting the normal wave of her thoughts to hit him but received nothing. His powers didn't seem to work on her.
Opening his eyes, he glared at her.
"What is this? Why can't I see your thoughts?" He asked, almost angrily.
She tilted her head and gave him a small smirk.
"That's because I've always been able to control what you see. It wouldn't do well for you to see all my thoughts now would it." She replied tartly, amused to see anger flash in his vibrant red eyes.
"So are you keeping something back from me then Hermione?"
She looked at him and held her head up defiantly. If he wanted to act like they were strangers, then so be it.
"I am keeping lots of things from you Aro, as I'm sure you are keeping things back from me." She saw that same flash of anger in his eyes, as well as an emotion she couldn't put her finger on.
"Very well then. Show me the trip to Romania." This was not a question but a command, one he expected her to follow.
Taking his hands in hers once more she started showing him the beginning of their trip and worked her way to the end, leaving out a few minor details, such as Nafeesa and Morvin. She did include seeing Dumbledore in the memories, but she was able to manipulate them so that they didn't include important information. She didn't want him to learn about Morvin through memories, she wanted to discuss her with him face to face.
He opened his eyes and pulled his hands away, a look of sheer frustration on his face.
"Apart from those who worked at the sanctuary and the old wizard, was that all the magical people you saw while you were there?" He asked.
Her eyes narrowed at him, as she wondered if it was Severus he was asking about. She looked over his face once more, seeing him look void of all emotions and sighed in confusion.
"Yes that was all the magical people I saw, why?" She asked feeling brave.
It was his turn to narrow his eyes at her.
"Then why do I feel like you are hiding something important from me." This was not a question but a statement.
She could lie to him and tell him she wasn't hiding anything, knowing that he would end up finding out the truth when he saw Felix and Demetri's memories. Or she could tell him the truth about Morvin and Nafeesa. With another sigh she made up her mind.
"I am hiding something but I didn't know how to broach the subject with you." She admitted, her eyes downcast as she thought about where to start. "While we were staying at the sanctuary we traced a group of Romanian vampires to a small village, not far from where we were. When we got there they were changing villagers, which we ended up destroying." She paused speaking for a moment, before she began to pace back and forwards in front of him. "While fighting with the leader of the group I performed legilimency on him to see what information he knew and what I saw disgusted me. Look." She whispered holding out her hands for him to take.
Slowly and cautiously he took her small hands in his and closed his eyes, watching in shock and disgust as she replayed her memories of that fight to him. Including the male vampires sickening memories.
He tore his hands out of hers and gasped, trying not to retch at what he had just seen. The Volturi were many things but never would they do such horrible and barbaric things to children. One of their laws was to prevent children being turned, partly because of their safety and risk of exposure and also partly because no child should go through such a painful experience.
Composing himself he turned back to Hermione and asked,
"And where is the child now?" He of course was referring to Morvin.
Hermione looked defiantly into Aro's eyes, knowing this was it.
"She is here with me and is under my care. I want to keep her as my charge. Morvin, she's not at risk of exposing us. She feeds like I do, she has lived amongst humans, she has good control of herself, and I can look after her. I know I can."
Aro looked at her confidence and her posture and knew instantly that she would not give the little girl up without a fight. But the laws of the Volturi could not be broken, especially this close to war.
Rising to his feet he sighed, tilting his head to the side to look at her, he said
"I am disappointed in you Hermione; after all you know fine well what our laws are regardless of how you may feel. She is an immortal child and therefore must be eliminated. The child will be destroyed. Now if you don't mind I must see to Felix and Demetri now." He turned his back on her and took a couple of steps away before she called out his name in anger. Turning to glare at her, he could feel her magic rippling around them, he could hear and feel it crackling in the air. The sight was both terrifying and mesmerising to behold.
"When did you turn into such a cold hearted bastard?" She asked him angrily.
He simply stood and laughed at her, quirking an eyebrow up in response.
"I have always been a cold hearted bastard my dear, it's just that now you are seeing me for who and what I am?" He said in that boyishly charming voice of his.
"Why are you doing this to me?" She whispered.
"Because I can and because I am the leader of the Volturi. What would my people say if I changed one rule for the likes of you?"
Now it was Hermione's turn to quirk an eyebrow. This was not the man she had left; this was not the man she had begun to fall in love with. Whoever this was, was an imposter and she didn't like him one bit.
"For the likes of me." She said sarcastically. "If that's how you feel then fine, I will leave Volterra, and let you fight this war without my help. Let's see how far you will get when you no longer have the likes of me hanging from your coat tails." The venom poured from her voice as she spoke, unable to rein in her temper.
Aro knew that he had pushed her too far, but that is what he wanted. He wanted to put distance between them and he had achieved that better than he could have thought.
"Very well then how about we make a deal. You may keep the child if you want, but be prepared for the backlash. And in return I want something as well."
He watched as her body stiffened and she glared up at him.
"What do you want in return Aro?" She hissed out.
He gave her that boyish grin then said,
"You. I want you to promise that you will never leave Volterra again, you won't go to Romania to see your friends, you won't go back to your beloved school in England, and you won't see any of those magical people again. You will stay here in Volterra, you will become one of us fully, and you will fight beside us. Once the battle is over, the same rules will still apply. Agree to that and you can keep the girl." He grinned at her, a look full of malice as he watched the emotions play across her face.
She knew that when she first came here she was allowed to leave at any time to go back to Hogwarts, but to lose that choice and be a prisoner here, could she really agree to that? Then there was Nafeesa and all of her friends. Could she really never see them again? And what about Severus? Was Morvin really worth all of that?
Hanging her head in sorrow, as the overwhelming feeling of guilt overtook her, she tried to push back her emotions but failed. Finally, after a moment or two she whispered,
"You have my word that I won't leave Volterra in exchange for Morvin."
He grinned, his smile wide and smug as his red eyes gleamed at her. She suddenly felt like she had just made a deal with the devil and hated herself for it.
"Excellent. Now I really must go." Once again he turned his back on her and strode away, but before he fully disappeared out of sight Hermione heard him say, "Oh and remember I am Master Aro to you."
He left the room followed by his echoing footsteps, leaving Hermione to drop to her knees as the weight of what she had just agreed to crushed her. What had she just done? She never thought she could hate someone as much as she hated Aro right now. How could she go from possibly loving him to suddenly hating him in a single instant?
After a while she finally stood to her feet and pushed all thoughts of Aro Volturi to the back of her mind, determined that she would no longer dwell on him anymore, despite how hard that might be. He had made his choice and in return she had to remind herself of the reason why she had just agreed to his demands. All she wanted to do now was get back to Morvin and introduce her to Marcus, who she hoped would treat the little girl with more kindness than what Aro just did.
With that she left the dome room feeling determined and invigorated, not noticing the figure hidden in the shadows watching her retreating back.
