Chapter Thirty-Four
The silence would have been deafening if it hadn't been for the crackling of the roaring fire surrounding them, as everyone sat enraptured, having just listened to what Marcus had to say.
Some of the group wore looks of understanding, while others looked on in fear and disbelief. One man however looked on with complete contempt, as he stood with his famous scowl on his pale face, with his arms folded across his chest. He didn't like Marcus's plan at all and wasn't afraid to voice his displeasure at it.
"You cannot be serious. Surely there must be a better way than that." He hissed out.
Caius looked at the surely dark wizard and frowned at him.
"Oh and do you think you can come up with a better idea then?" He challenged.
Severus raised his eyebrow and glared at the blonde vampire, unable to hide his disdain at not only him but at the whole situation. It had only been minutes since the explosion but even that was too long. Hermione needed help and she needed it now.
"I could fly over and get her." He suggested, but Charlie put a stop to that idea almost as quickly as it was said.
"You wouldn't be able to see her Professor, the smoke is too thick and mixed in with the ash, all you would see is blackness." He turned to address the whole group and said, "Hermione needs our help now, and us talking about it isn't helping her. Dragon fire is different to normal fire, it's stronger, more powerful. It can't be handled or manipulated so will be too difficult to extinguish. It's a bit like fiendfyre in that sense, eventually it will go out itself, but we don't have time for that. We need to act now. If Marcus says that's the only way, then I trust him. And I will help in any way that I can to save my friend."
"I agree." Remus said, earning a betrayed scowl from Severus. "This isn't about any of us." Remus said, mostly to Severus and his wounded pride. "This is about Hermione. And if this is the only way then so be it."
"And what if it fails? What then?" Severus argued.
"It won't." Marcus replied, knowing what the dark wizard was going through.
"And how can you be so sure."
Marcus sighed, not wanting to repeat what he had just said, but knowing he had no other choice if he wanted to help Hermione, sooner rather than later.
"Because the bond they share is powerful and if anyone can do it then he can."
Severus turned his death glare towards the vampire he so detested, the vampire who seemed to always get in his way.
"I will not be a part of this fiasco any longer and if Hermione dies because of you, then I will not be responsible for my actions." He snarled before walking away from the group, thinking that there must be a better way. Anything, other than what Marcus was proposing.
It was probably a good thing that Severus Snape, the most feared Professor at Hogwarts, had left the group and was no longer in earshot, for Ron Weasley, who was incredibly confused about the whole situation turned to the group of people around him and asked,
"Wait a minute, bonded and mated to him." He indicated to Aro. "But I thought, you know, she was…." While speaking he created a circle with his thumb and pointer finger of his left hand, while using his pointer finger from his right hand to poke in and out of the circle. "With the greasy git?"
Although it was not the most appropriate time, some of those in the circle began to snigger at what Ron was indicating. Arthur, who was one of those people, cleared his throat before slapping the back of Ron's head.
Putting his hand to the injured spot, Ron turned a red face to his father and asked,
"Ouch what was that for?"
Arthur tried to contain his laughter and managed to compose himself as best as he could, before saying,
"For being suggestive. Now is not the time." He warned.
"Yeah we will discuss…." Fred piped up.
"The birds and bees with you…." George continued.
"When we get home." The twins said together.
Turning a deeper shade of red, Ron rubbed the back of his head through his messy hair, and mumbled,
"I know all about that."
Causing Harry to snigger by his side.
"Yeah sure you do mate." Harry murmured behind his hand, earning a frown and an elbow to the ribs from his embarrassed friend.
"Prat." Ron hissed out.
Marcus didn't want to waste any more time listening to the ramblings of inexperienced adolescent boys, so turning towards Aro, he placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Can you still feel her brother?" He asked, his expression and voice conveying the seriousness of the situation.
Aro turned blazing red eyes onto Marcus and nodded.
"Yes, I can still feel her. She is weak and frightened, and the fire is moving closer to her. We do not have much time brother until it reaches her completely." Now that the battle was over and everyone knew about him and Hermione, he was not afraid to show them how he truly felt about her anymore. The truth was, even he wasn't too convinced that Marcus's plan would work, and he didn't want to be the reason for Hermione, his mate and his future, dying. He couldn't bear the pain of that happening.
"Good. Then use the mating bond you share with her and find her. Only you can save Hermione, Aro."
Aro sighed and shook his head in the negative.
"I can't brother; I don't know how." He whispered. Never did Aro ever think he would find his true mate, but now that he had, he didn't know how the mating bond worked. He had heard about it of course, but he had never experienced it for himself, until now. It was both terrifying and exciting all at once, and he was afraid, for perhaps the first time in his life, of failing someone.
"Yes you do. Concentrate on Hermione, feel her. Then go to her. It's the only way." Marcus said, praying that his brother would listen.
Aro closed his eyes and focused on Hermione, he could feel her emotions coursing through his mind as if they were his own, but it wasn't enough.
"I can't." He said in frustration, opening his eyes to look at Marcus.
"You can and you must. Do you want to live all of eternity with Hermione gone? Is that what you want brother?" Marcus asked through gritted teeth.
"Of course it isn't." Aro replied.
"Then concentrate, feel her, sense her and locate her."
Just then Charlie stepped towards them, holding out his own hooded cloak to the vampire, whose hands held Hermione's future.
"Here take this, it will protect you against dragon fire. I think you need it more than I do right now. Please go and get our Mione." Charlie begged.
Aro looked at the cloak, then around at all the expectant faces, and suddenly determination set in. He had to save Hermione, he just had too.
Shrugging off his own cloak, he also took off his Volturi crest and handed them to Jane. Before putting on the wizard's cloak. He was ready for whatever was to come.
"Before you seek her out, answer me one question brother. Do you love her?" Marcus asked, a serious but warm expression on his pale face.
Even though he knew his brother had just asked him the question, another vision entered his mind of when he was asked that very same thing. In this vision he saw Hermione standing there in the dress she wore at the ball, looking beautiful and Goddesslike.
"Do you love me?" She had asked him. And at the time he could not answer her, for he didn't know how he felt. He had been attracted to her, he had wanted her, and he had known that they were destined to be with each other. But when she had asked him that, he honestly didn't know if he loved her or not?
Back then he could not give her the answer she sought so instead he had said that 'love is nothing in comparison' to what they shared.
How wrong he had been? As he saw Hermione in his mind's eye, he saw her beautiful face, and the way she smiled at him. He could see the way her sleek curls bounced whenever she moved and remembered how silky they felt at his touch. He could hear her soft voice and sweet laughter, echoing through his mind. He could feel her passion every time they kissed and could still feel the heat course through his body, from every touch they had ever shared. He remembered feeling fear and worry when she had left to go to Romania, and remembered how it felt when she had shared the vision of her death with him. Fear and pain unlike anything he had ever felt before.
Did he love her? The answer was now glaringly obvious to him. What they had was much more than just the mating bond. He didn't just want her body or her passion, he wanted it all with her, and for the first time in his whole existence he, Aro Volturi, wanted to give her it all back in return. He wanted to share everything with her as equals, and not as something less.
Looking at his brother, who was already smiling knowingly at him, Aro answered Marcus with a resounding,
"Yes."
With that one word, Marcus's smile turned into a grin as he said,
"Good. Now concentrate on her, feel her and then go and get our Hermione."
Once again Aro closed his eyes and concentrated on her, not just on her feelings but on her as a whole. Everything that made up Hermione, everything that he loved about her, he focused on. Until finally in his mind he saw her, lying there amongst the dead and ash, the fire growing ever closer, with a serene accepting smile on her face, that hid the fear and panic of her impending death.
"Hermione." He whispered, without opening his eyes.
She however, opened hers, and turned to look at him, as if he was standing right there before her.
"Aro." She replied in a small voice, before squeezing her eyes shut. "I'm sorry." She whispered, realizing that it was just her imagination playing a trick on her. She was alone, Aro wasn't there at all.
Unable to hide his curiosity, Severus walked silently over to Albus, watching the farce going on. When Aro whispered Hermione' name, Severus scoffed and went to speak, but was stopped suddenly by Dumbledore's hand gripping his arm. When he looked into his friend and mentors face, he saw that Albus wore a serious expression as he shook his head no, then pointed back towards the two vampires.
Aro opened his eyes then gasped at what he saw before him. Reaching out his hand he tried to touch the light that led a path towards the fire.
"It's beautiful." He whispered, his voice full of wonder and disbelief.
Marcus smiled warmly at him then asked,
"What do you see brother?"
Aro wasn't sure how to describe the beautiful sight before him, he wasn't sure how to do it justice, so all he said in reply was,
"I see a beautiful golden light. It's shimmering towards the fire."
Marcus let out a sigh of relief and grinned, knowing that his plan had worked. Aro and Hermione had a connection of the most powerful kind. Not only was it out of a mating bond, but it was also a bond made out of love.
"Then go, go and get her."
Without another word or thought, Aro wrapped the cloak around him tightly and ran, no longer afraid of what he had to do. His mate, his love was waiting for him. She needed him and he would not let her down. Not again.
As everyone turned to watch Aro leave, Dumbledore turned to look at Severus instead, seeing the young man's heart break all over again. The devastation in his eyes was clear for all to see. A rarity for the normally private man, the same man who had managed to hide his true loyalty from the Dark Lord for years.
"Are you alright my boy?" He asked quietly, not wanting to draw attention on the young man's private moment.
"My feelings were never enough were they?" Severus whispered. "If I had gone in there to save her, I would have gotten her killed. Wouldn't I Albus?" He asked, without looking at the old wizard beside him.
"I'm afraid so." Albus replied sadly, knowing where the conversation was heading.
"Only the golden light can save her, before the dark one can reach her." Severus said, quoting Trelawney's prophecy. "I am the dark one that was mentioned and the golden light is them." He stated.
With nothing left to say or do, Severus Snape apparated away, a broken man once more. But little did he know however, that hope for him had not completely died. Destiny still had a large part to play in his life. For Severus Snape, all was not lost.
Meanwhile Aro could feel the flames surrounding him and held the wizards cloak tighter around himself. Although the situation was dangerous for him, it was far more dangerous for Hermione, and it was her who he felt more concerned about at the moment. He knew that he had to find her and soon.
He could feel fear radiate throughout her and knew that time was running out. So as quickly as he could, he followed the golden light through the fire, despite the fact that the light from the flames made it harder to distinguish the light from their bond.
He concentrated on her and let the pull of the bond guide him, until eventually he came to a clearing in the middle of the circle of flames that looked vaguely familiar.
Looking around he saw bodies of the enemy and of those who were on the side of the Volturi, covered in dirt and ash. In death however, there were no sides, just those who were victims of War.
Out of respect for those who had fallen Aro stepped through the dead carefully, glancing around him until finally he saw it. The golden light from his and Hermione's bond shining bigger and brighter than he had seen it do so far, over a body cloaked in black and red. A body that he would recognize anywhere.
The fire, he noticed, was moving closer to her and soon it would be able to reach her feet and body, engulfing her completely, if he didn't move soon.
Quickly and cautiously Aro made his way towards her, just in time, as the hungry flames long fingers grabbed for her. He scooped her up into his arms and using his vampire speed moved to a safer distance, away from the scorching heat of the flames.
Holding her small body against him tightly, relief washed through him, at having her safely in his arms. Although they were not out of danger yet, he was just happy to be able to see and feel her once more, after thinking he had lost her for good.
Pushing the hood of her cloak down, he gazed adoringly at her dirty face, and brushed a stray curl back behind her ear.
Slowly her eyes flickered open and tilting her head up towards him, a small tired smile graced her perfect lips.
"I knew…you would…come for…me." She said, in an exhausted hoarse voice, as the remainder of her energy began to fade away to nothing.
Aro couldn't resist the pull and bent his head to lay a gentle, loving kiss upon her soft pink lips.
"Ssh do not speak mio caro. Of course I came for you." He looked all around him and smiled faintly, before turning his gaze back down to her. "Vorrei camminare attraverso i nove cerchi dell'inferno per voi."
Hermione smiled faintly and raised her hand to gently caress Aro's cheek as she said only one word to him and that was, "Dante." This simple action used up her last piece of energy, as Hermione's hand fell limply from Aro's face, and her eyes closed as unconsciousness took her fully.
"Hermione, please don't go where I cannot follow you." Aro murmured into her hair, as he kissed her soft curls, and inhaled the scent that was purely her.
He lay his head gently against her chest and once again felt a sense of relief, as he heard the faint sound of her peculiar heartbeat. Aro knew that apart from taking her away from the danger that the fire posed, there was nothing else he could do for her now.
She was obviously weakened and drained from the sheer force of power she had just used, and neither he nor the other vampires who cared for her knew what to do for someone as unique as she was. So there was only thing for it, he would have to hand her over to the wizards instead.
Looking down at the face of the woman he loved, Aro kissed her lips again, and held her body tightly to his once more, savoring the way she felt in his arms.
"I love you mio caro, never forget that."
Pulling the hood of her cloak up once more, to protect her face and hair, he lifted her up higher in his arms, and gazed around him. The fire looked more ferocious and out of control than before, as it began to burn the bodies of the broken and the dead. They could not be saved or fixed now.
With one last glance down at Hermione, Aro wrapped her securely in the cloak he wore, then took off in a run, battling against the flames, as he made his way out of the circle of fire.
Time seemed to come to a standstill as he faced the flames head on, grateful that he had the wizard's fireproof cloak on to protect them both. Shielding his face with his free arm, he saw Marcus and Caius waiting for him in the distance, as he pushed ahead, until finally he had reached the end of the wall of flames.
Falling to the ground, still holding Hermione tightly against him, he gave out a sigh of relief, as he checked her over once more.
"You done it brother. I knew you could." Marcus said proudly, coming to help Aro to his feet.
He too looked down at Hermione, just as all her friends came rushing towards her.
Aro backed away from the group, as they all crowded around her still form, knowing that she needed them more than she did him.
"What's wrong with her?" Harry asked, pushing his glasses up his face as he turned to look at Charlie and Remus.
"Hermione is magically drained, she is no longer conscious and may not survive, if we don't do something to help soon." Charlie said, turning a concerned glance to the rest of the group.
"What can we do? I thought she is immortal?" Remus asked looking confused.
"She is, but remember she is also magical as well. If her heart gives out, we don't know what will happen to her. There has never been anyone like Hermione before."
Remus growled and ran his hand through his hair in sheer frustration.
"Then what can we do then? There must be something."
Charlie looked around him, then smiled more to himself than anyone else, as an idea came to mind.
"Actually there is something. I don't know how a vampire will react to it, but I know it could help someone magical." Charlie turned his attention to Dumbledore then nodded to what he was talking about. "What do you think Headmaster?"
Dumbledore ran his fingers thoughtfully through his beard, in quiet contemplation as he thought about what Charlie was talking about.
"It could work, but I don't think here is the best place to try it."
Charlie nodded his head in agreement, before standing up with Hermione in his arms.
"I agree. Phil and I will take Hermione and Nafeesa back to the Dragon Sanctuary, we will get everything organized there. You can all apparate back." Charlie said looking towards the wizards in the group. "While Felix and Demetri can guide you all back." He said turning to the group of vampires.
Before either Felix or Demetri could say anything, Aro quickly cut in.
"That is not necessary, we must get back to Volterra and see what damage has been done."
Marcus stepped towards Aro, his gaze never wavering from his face, as he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"But Aro what about Hermione. You can't just leave her, not after…"
"Enough brother." Aro said with conviction. "I know what must be done and I will not discuss it here with you now." With one last longing look towards Hermione, Aro turned and began to walk away. "Come along, all of you now. Our War is over."
The Cullen's, Marcus, Caius, Demetri and Felix, all looked at Hermione and hesitated before leaving. None of them wanted to leave her like that, but Aro had spoken.
"Please look after her and let us know what happens." Marcus begged, glancing down at his adopted daughter one last time.
"Of course we will let you know." Dumbledore said sadly, as he saw the group nod in acceptance, before disappearing into the distance, using their vampire speed.
Remus came to stand next to Dumbledore, confusion written all over his face.
"Why would he leave like that? Why not stay?"
Dumbledore sighed and looked at his friend.
"It's simple really, Aro does not know how to proceed from here and feels like he is putting her needs before his own. Did you not do the same thing with Dora?" Dumbledore asked with a hint of amusement, at the annoyed expression crossing his friends face.
"That was different. I saw sense." Remus said in defense of his previous actions towards his wife.
"Yes, and in time so too will he. Now let's go."
The two wizards turned and apparated away with the others, while Charlie cradled Hermione in his lap as his dragon took off. Both he and Phil levitated an injured Nafeesa between them, before he disillusioned them all.
As they flew into the air, Charlie glanced down below and took in the sight of the destruction the battle had caused and the large circle of fire. All the evidence would be destroyed by the raging fire, so hopefully no muggles would know of the real event that had just taken place.
It didn't take them long to reach the Dragon Sanctuary, and instead of going straight to Nafeesa's enclosure, they instead headed towards the quiet enclosure where injured dragons went to recover. Only Dumbledore, Remus and Severus, who had just been told what was about to happen, were there waiting for them. The rest of the group were being looked after elsewhere in order to give Hermione some privacy.
Landing, the two wizards levitated Nafeesa to safety, before Phil transfigured a bed for Charlie to lay Hermione on.
He checked her over once again, then turned to Dumbledore.
"Are we still in agreement about how to proceed?" He asked.
It was not Dumbledore who spoke but instead Severus, the reviled Potions Master.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous this could be, if it fails to work? It has never been done on someone like Her- Miss Granger before." Severus said, in an eerily calm voice.
"Which is why I think it will work Professor? Hermione may be a vampire, but she is still half witch. The blood will bind to her magic and should therefore heal her, restoring her strength and power. If it works she will never be drained like this again." Charlie said.
"And what about the reaction she may have to it, because she is also half vampire?" Severus asked.
Charlie sighed and said,
"I can't guarantee it won't cause her some pain, but in the long run I think it could work." He stated.
Severus scowled at the young wizard and sneered,
"I think and I could does not endear me to your little experiment Weasley."
Dumbledore stepped in between the two arguing wizards and frowned.
"Please Severus let us just try."
Severus crossed his arms over his chest and simply said,
"Fine." Before taking a step backwards so that he could watch what was going to happen.
Charlie walked over to Nafeesa, with a small glass vial in his hand. Kneeling down in front of her, he stroked her head carefully then said,
"Nafeesa may I take a vial of your blood. It's to help Hermione."
Although she was gravely injured, Nafeesa heard everything that the young wizard said, and turned her tired face towards him. Licking his face, she gave him her blessing knowing already, exactly what would happen. She held out an injured leg to him that had a deep gouge where flesh had been torn from her body, and watched as he took a vial of her blood.
"Thank you Nafeesa, I promise that we'll save her and heal you." With one last lick across his face, Nafeesa's head fell onto the ground, as Charlie turned back to Hermione.
Holding the glass vial of dragon's blood, Charlie waited and watched as Phil carefully lifted up Hermione's head and gently opened her mouth.
"We all know that dragon's blood has healing properties in it, and I daresay no-one knows that better than Albus Dumbledore who first made that discovery. So I'm hoping that it will bind itself to Hermione's magic and make her heal quickly and fully." Slowly Charlie emptied the vial of blood into Hermione's mouth, as Phil gently massaged her throat, allowing the liquid to run down.
Stepping back, they watched as Hermione's body began to slowly convulse, before eventually a loud scream was torn from her mouth. The scream lasted minutes, before her body gave one last violent convulsion, until eventually there was no movement or sound coming from her at all.
"What happens now?" Dumbledore asked with some concern.
"Now we wait and see." Charlie said, casting a cleansing charm on her before transfiguring Hermione's torn dirty clothes into a white nightie. Carefully he took the circlet from her head and brushed her hair free from all the tugs and tangles.
Once he was done they could do nothing more but hope and pray to Merlin that he was right.
Hermione lay relaxing on the beautiful river embankment, with her arms resting underneath her head like a pillow. Her feet were bare, as she curled her toes into the silky grass and wiggled them, enjoying the tickling sensation against her skin. The day was perfect and calm as she enjoyed nothing more than feeling the rays of the midday sun, warm and soothing against her skin.
She sighed contently feeling more relaxed and at ease than she had done in such a long time, but somewhere at the back of her mind she couldn't help feel that she was forgetting something, something that was important to her. Something that seemed to cause her heart to speed up whenever she focused on what she could possibly be forgetting.
Sighing again she slowly opened her eyes, ignoring the feeling of forgetting something, and gazed up into the brilliant blue sky. She smiled warmly as a bird flew above her, singing with happiness as it landed on the branch of a tall oak tree.
Sitting up she looked around, seeing only the sparkling water of the river, the vibrant greens of the grass and trees that surrounded her and the brilliant clear blue sky above her. Everything was perfect.
Smiling she picked up a vibrant white flower and twirled it in-between her fingers, feeling the urge to play he loves me, he loves me not with it. Instead she held it up to her nose and inhaled its beautiful sweet scent.
Turning her gaze back to the shimmering water, she wondered how it would feel if she were to dip her feet in. But before she had the chance to ponder this thought further, a small quiet voice gently whispered her name.
Turning her head, she looked all around her but could see nothing, except the perfect tranquil sight of being surrounded by nature at its best.
Shrugging her shoulders and ignoring the voice thinking it was just her imagination, Hermione reached her hand out to touch a beautiful painted lady butterfly, as it flew about her before finally landing on her outstretched hand.
"Aren't you a beautiful creature?" She whispered softly so as not to scare it away.
"Hermione." At the sound of her name being called again, the butterfly quickly took off, as Hermione stood to her feet looking around wondering where the sound was coming from.
"Hello is someone there?" She called out, but got no reply in return.
Frowning, Hermione wandered over to the river's edge, so that she could get a better look around. And listened carefully for the sound again.
When her gaze drifted over to the other side of the river, her breath caught in her throat as she saw a blazing fire destroy the trees and grass all around it, merciless in its destruction. But the worst sight of all was seeing the small girl who looked eerily like her, standing covered in flames amongst the trees, her once curly hair burning and turning to ash.
Hermione covered her mouth to stifle her scream, as the smell of burning flesh hit her senses.
"Hermione, you said you would never leave me. You said you would always look after me. But you lied." The little girl cried out, as the flames travelled down her body, so that only her face could be seen.
Sobbing Hermione said,
"Who are you? What can I do?"
"Please Hermione, help me. Wake up." The little girl cried, as the flames engulfed her small body. "You need to wake up." Were her last words, as she fell to the ground and vanished.
Hermione let out a cry of pain as she clutched at her head. The girl's voice, her looks, were so familiar to her but where had she seen her before? What did she mean when she said wake up?
"Help me." The fading voice whispered again. "Remember, Hermione."
Dropping to her knees Hermione let out a cry of frustration, and dug her nails into the soil. Looking up into the sky, she noticed how it had turned dark grey and feeling something drop onto her face, she touched the place with her fingertips. Pulling her hand away to look and expecting water from rain, the tip of one of her fingers was black and covered in ash.
Glancing around the perfect scenery had gone, and in its place was a sight suited to nightmares instead. Trees were burning fast, as the fire spread all around her, the grass was blackened, covered in ash, while smoke filled the air and the beautiful sparkling river had dried up.
"What's happening?" Hermione cried out, feeling fear as she gazed frantically around for help.
"Wake up Hermione?" A sweet gentle voice said from behind.
When Hermione turned, she screamed at the sight that greeted her and ran. Not knowing where she was running too. But the further she ran the thicker the smoke and flames became until finally she was trapped.
"What's happening?" She screamed again, as the fire began to crawl up her feet and dress.
Pain burned and enflamed her whole body, and a scream erupted from her mouth as Hermione fell to her knees sobbing, just like the little girl had, the little girl who she remembered was called Morvin.
"Morvin." Hermione cried out. "I remember." Just like that, her whole body erupted into flames, but the more she cried out the more the pain began to fade away, until eventually everything just seemed to stop.
There was no more pain. There was no more fire. There was no more sounds. There was just nothing.
Looking up Hermione saw the little girl, this time she wore a bright yellow dress and a matching yellow ribbon in her curly hair.
The little girl held out a hand to Hermione and hesitantly she went to take it, but before she could however, Morvin smiled and said,
"It's time to wake up now."
The moment Hermione's hand touched Morvin's, she seemed to fall through the sky and landed flat on her back with a jolt.
Regaining consciousness, Hermione knew she was lying on a bed and that what she had just experienced was a dream, or rather a nightmare. The one thought running through her mind, the only thing she cared about at that moment was finding Morvin, her daughter. So with that Hermione opened her eyes to face the real world once more.
English to Italian translation
I would walk through the nine circles of hell for you- Vorrei camminare attraverso i nove cerchi dell'inferno per voi.
