CHAPTER SIX
Summary: Sent to Volterra in order to negotiate terms of an alliance to end the war, Hermione's life is turned upside down as she is brought into the world of the Volturi, better known as the Vampire Kings. There she is made a part of a new kind of family and a most trusted member of the guard, whether she likes it or not, and surprisingly, she does. Rated M for language, violence and sexual content.
Disclaimer: I do not own canon events and characters, they belong to J.K Rowling and Stepenie Myers. I am not making a profit from writing and posting this fanfic. As for the descriptions of appearances for the Twilight characters, all my research is based on the books and not the movies, but I may have changed a few things regarding Alec's height and age.
Page count: 10
Friday 24th April 1998
There was a knock on the door as Hermione was currently eating her breakfast of toast and scrambled eggs along with a glass of orange juice.
"Come in," she called.
The door opened and Alec stepped in.
"Miss. Granger," he greeted politely.
"Good morning, Alec," she said with a friendly smile. "And how has your night been?" She asked kindly.
"Rather uneventful," he lied. "I have been asked to retrieve you and bring you to the Masters; they have come to a decision."
"Of course, just bear with me a moment and whilst I get changed."
She moved the tray to the bedside cabinet and shuffled out of bed. She was still wearing her nightclothes and Alec's eyes widened as her bare legs were revealed to him but she didn't pay any mind to him as she retrieved her small bag and disappeared into the bathroom.
He waited exactly four minutes and twenty-eight seconds before she emerged from the bathroom after brushing her teeth, pulling her hair back into a ponytail and dressing in clean clothing consisting of simple jeans, a t-shirt and trainers on her feet.
"Lead the way," she spoke, lifting her hand and gesturing to the door.
"Of course, Miss. Granger," he replied, taking her hand in his and placing it in the crook of his elbow, leaving out of the door and she closed it behind her.
"You know, Alec, you may call me Hermione," she said amusedly.
He looked down at her, a look of pleasant surprise settling on his face. "I may?" He questioned.
"If you would like to," she nodded. A breathtaking smile lit his face. Her breath hitched momentarily before she was able to shake off the effects.
"Hello, Hermione."
She twisted to look over her shoulder to see Demetri behind them and he quickly fell in step.
"Good morning, Demetri," she replied, smiling up at him. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you today?"
Demetri threw Alec a smug glance over her head before his gaze darted down to her. The action had been so quick she hadn't noticed.
"I have been asked to attend the meeting; I was, unfortunately, unable to attend yesterday."
"Nothing too serious I hope," her brow furrowed slightly.
"No, just a rogue newborn that had to be dealt with," he answered. She nodded as if she understood and it was a regular occurrence.
He eyed her hand being covered by Alec's gloved one before offering his own. She looked at it curiously before taking it and his skin heated under hers, but she didn't complain of the coldness of it. He tucked it into his elbow and covered it with his own gloveless hand.
"Ah, Miss. Granger, Alec, Demetri," Aro greeted with a frighteningly wide smile as they entered the chamber.
"My Lords," she bowed her head in respect and from the corner of her eyes she saw Alec and Demetri do the same.
They both left her in the centre of the room, Alec leaving to stand beside his sister, who gave him an odd look, and Demetri moved to stand by the left wall.
"I trust your accommodations were to your liking."
"Yes, they were wonderful, thank you. You've been a very gracious host, far more than I deserve," she replied.
"We have a modest one amongst us."
"Well someone has to be," Marcus drawled and she bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing when he looked to Aro pointedly.
"Onto other matters," Aro started, deliberately ignoring his co-ruler. "We have reached a decision regarding your request for help but before we reveal the outcome, we would like to discuss terms."
"Of course," she nodded. She clicked her fingers and a notebook and quill appeared, floating in front of her before she reached out and took them.
Aro laughed. "Excellent," he said delightedly. "Our terms are but two and they are simple."
"The first term?" Hermione prompted.
"We wish to be able to do business within your world. Due to our status as vampires, we are forbidden from owning any businesses or purchasing products from within your world. We are a coven, but we also have a business to run and there is far more money and opportunities available in your world."
She bit her lip with a focused frown on her face as she looked down at the notebook and her hand flew across the page.
"That is understandable and perfectly acceptable. Should we win the war with your aid, I will see to it that these terms are met, when a new Minister of Magic is selected. And as a good gesture of faith, I will do my best to see that the barbaric and archaic laws surrounding your kind are abolished and new and fairer legislations are put into place. It may take a few years, but with the war won, many members of the Wizengamont will likely be arrested for being sympathizers of the Dark Lord, so their seats will be free and taken up by their heirs. Younger members are more impressionable and with the right incentive, we should be able to accomplish this, at least in Britain. Other Ministries within Europe will take more convincing and Britain will have to lead by example."
"That truly is a good gesture of faith, we thank you, Miss. Granger," said Aro, genuinely sounding surprised.
She lifted her gaze from her notebook, seeing the three leaders wearing the same shocked expression. She saw Demetri smiling proudly, Alec smiling smugly and the blonde girl next to Alec looked both surprised and confused.
"The laws need to change, Lord Aro, for all our sakes. They are cruel, unfair and foolish; they protect no one and they help no one. All creatures and beings deserve to have equal rights, they can't help what race or species they are born into so why should they be punished for it? As I said, it'll be a long process and it won't be easy, but I don't see why it's not possible."
"We have all the time in the world, Miss. Granger, we have waited centuries for the laws to change, a few more years won't make much difference to us."
She nodded and turned her attention back to her notebook, scribbling away at it. "What is the second and final term of the agreement?"
"We want you."
"Excuse me?" Her voice squeaked and her gaze lifted, a look on her face as if she believed herself to have misheard him.
"We want you to return to Volterra."
"But why?" She frowned. "I'm nothing special."
"That is where you are incorrect, Miss. Granger, special is the wrong word; you are priceless, and we wish for you to return to Volterra and stay."
"For how long?"
"Forever."
She dropped her notebook and quill in surprise and it 'clacked' against the floor, echoing in the room.
"Forever," she muttered, her eyes moving side to side rapidly across the floor, doing a perfect imitation of what her body would be doing if she wasn't frozen in shock.
She finally lifted her gaze. "But I can't. I have responsibilities. I have friends, family, friends that are family. I have a cat. I have people that need me. Harry needs me."
"Harry needs you to win this war. The only way you're going to do that is with our help, and you're only getting that if you agree to our terms. If you don't, you will lose and innocent people will die."
She clenched her hands into fists, her eyes filled with fire and her hair started sparking, little gold lightning bolts flying to the ground.
"Magnificent," Aro whispered in awe.
"Don't you dare!" She hissed furiously. "Don't you dare try to guilt-trip me! You have no idea of the things I've had to suffer for the protection of others. For years I have put others before myself.; their safety and protection before mine, their classes and homework before mine. I spent half a year researching the laws of the Wizarding World, so I could help my friend rescue an innocent creature from being executed, whilst also facing off against a fully transformed werewolf, a mass murderer, a traitor, travelling back in time for my classes and to save lives, and I broke the nose of a pompous arsehole, all in the same year. I almost burned myself out and landed in a magically exhausted coma, and when that happens, you don't wake up. I've spent the last seven years keeping Harry alive, which is a miracle in itself. I've dealt with dark creatures, dark magic, discrimination, bullying, prejudice, professors that use corporal punishment on underage students, and reporters that have no sense of morality, they're barely bloody human. I'm a lot of things. I'm vindictive, and I know I am, I've scared myself before. I'm hard-working, I'm as loyal as a bloody Golden Retriever, and I care for those that others don't. But if there is one thing I'm not, it's selfish, and for you to try and guilt trip me into agreeing to your terms, makes me question whether I should accept your offer of help at all."
She took a steadying breath, seeing everyone staring at her in various forms of disbelief whilst the blonde girl next to Alec, looked like she wanted to kill her.
"If you don't mind, I think it's best I take a short break so I can reign in my magic before I unintentionally set you on fire."
He nodded in agreement, and much to her annoyance, he looked amused and far from afraid or offended.
"Demetri," was all he said and the vampire in question nodded in response, walked over to Hermione and took her hand, tucking it into the crook of his elbow and leading her out of the room.
"I really do like her, brother," she heard Caius say as the doors closed behind them.
"How angry are you?" Demetri asked, eyeing her with a look in his eye she couldn't decipher.
"Take me somewhere that can withstand a lot of force," she mumbled.
He smirked but nodded and quickly led her through the castle and when they reached his intended destination, they entered a room that appeared to be some sort of training facility, with different weapons lined up against the walls and on display.
"This'll do, you may want to stand back," she warned as she walked into the middle of the room and he took a step back, observing her curiously.
She took a deep breath before beams of light were suddenly flying in every direction, slamming into the walls, leaving behind scorch marks and leaving holes and craters in the stone walls and floor.
He blinked in surprise before a smile pulled at his mouth.
"Who the bloody hell does he think he is!? Guilt-tripping me!... Arsehole!...Prat!...Arrogant!..."
"You do know they can still hear you, yes?" He said lightly.
The beams of light stopped and she turned and glared at him. God! If she wasn't human he would've taken her against the wall. She was sexy when she was spitting angry, literally spitting; sparks were no longer coming just off her hair, but her skin, too.
"Yes, thank you for that useless bit of information," she glared murderously and he chuckled at her. "I hope he can hear me, if he pulls a stunt like that again, it'll be his bloody throne that's on fire and not this wall."
He bit the inside of his cheek; he couldn't let the Masters hear him laughing at that particular comment, no matter how much he wanted to.
She turned her focus elsewhere and beams of light were once more flying across the room, in fact, he had to avoid several as they ricocheted in his direction and he wasn't particularly fond of finding out what they would do to him if they hit him.
It was ten minutes later, when the beams of light stopped and she stood in the middle of the room, silent and breathing heavily.
"I think that should do it," she commented, her wand disappearing from her hand and she crossed over to him.
Scorch marks littered the floor and walls, rubble littered the floor from where her spells had slammed into the walls, breaking pieces off, glass covered the floor from where she'd shattered the windows and the chandelier that had once been hanging above, now lay on the ground. The room looked to have been hit with a natural disaster.
He laughed in disbelief and turned back to her, arching an eyebrow as if to say 'was all that really necessary?' She shrugged in response, placing her hand in his outstretched one.
"You've got some fire in you," he commented, sounding pleased and his red eyes gleamed.
"That's a polite way of saying I have anger issues," she replied lightly and he laughed at her. "Ronald would've just called me a moody bitch and I would've hexed him."
He snorted. "Well, I now know not to anger you; you can be frightening when you want to be."
"You're not the first person to tell me that," she shrugged one shoulder before they entered the chamber once more.
"Demetri, how is the training room fairing?" Caius asked intrigued.
"We are going to need another room, My Lord," he replied.
"Damage?"
"Scorch marks to the floor and walls, rubble covering the ground from the craters formed in the walls, all of the windows have been shattered and glass covers the ground. The chandelier has found purchase on the ground and a few of the weapon are no more." Caius arched a questioning eyebrow. "They either exploded or they turned into rats and scurried away."
"Wonderful," he laughed in delight, looking at Hermione in newfound appreciation.
Demetri left her side, moving to stand by the left wall once more.
"Trying to guilt trip me was a stupid thing to do, in doing so you only angered me. I would've agreed to your terms after I had been given time to process it. You are asking me to give up all I have known, the people that I grew up with and those that raised me. I have always put the needs of others before myself, and I will continue to do so for as long as I shall live. For that reason, I agree to your terms."
"Marvellous," Aro replied with a wide smile and she noticed Demetri and Alec appear to hide their own.
"However," she continued and he turned his focus back to her. "I have a few terms of my own."
"Such as?"
"I need time to sort my affairs back home."
"Agreed," he nodded.
"I need time to grieve with my family, as many are certain to die."
"Acceptable," he nodded again.
"I need time to gather any resources I may require."
"We can do that here," he argued.
"No, I'm not talking about clothing or jewellery. I'm talking about the things that are precious to me, books. Books are my escape from the word, if I don't have my books, then you're going to have one slightly insane witch on your hands."
His mouth twitched. "We have books here."
"But you do not have magical books, and I intend to continue with my magical education, even if it's independent study. There is far too much knowledge in the world to ignore."
"Very well, and we will pay for your resources."
Her eyes widened. "You don't have to do that. I'll need to purchase potion ingredients for my healing potions and creams, as well anything else that is of use to me."
"We will pay for those purchases, too," he said, ending the argument and she scowled.
"The negotiated terms of our agreement are to be kept secret until I unveil them myself. If the Order discovers that I'm a part of the deal, they won't allow it. I'm not only valuable to them due to my knowledge, fighting abilities and my friendship with Harry, but we're a family, just as your coven is." He nodded in agreement. "If I am to remain here, I will miss my family and I still have obligations, no matter where I am in the world. A good friend of mine has recently become a father and I've been made the Godmother of his three-week-old son. Teddy is going to need me in his life, as are the future generations to come and I can't and won't miss out on the lives of my nieces and nephews. I have seven non-biological brothers and one non-biological sister. For that reason, I ask that I be allowed to visit my family, once every two months."
"Four," he offered.
"Three."
"Once every three months for a duration of four days, not including travel time," he compromised and she nodded in agreement.
"And the final and most important of my terms..."
"Yes?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm allowed to bring my cat."
He laughed at her. "Of course, you may bring your cat, but I am unsure of how long it may live."
"My Crookshanks is half-kneazle, a magical breed of cat. Due to this, he has a longer life span, he is far more intelligent than a regular cat and he is an excellent judge of character. If my Crookshanks doesn't like you, then we're not going to get along, he's very protective of me, as are all familiars."
"He sounds like an interesting character," he commented.
"Oh, he is, believe me," she muttered, crouching down to pick up the quill and notebook and quickly writing down the terms. "Are there any more terms you wish to discuss?"
"That is all, Miss. Granger," he confirmed.
"Alright, I'll draw up a contract, it'll be magically binding and should either of us break it the consequence is death," she informed the room.
"Excellent, I do have a confession to make."
"Yes?" She cocked an eyebrow, lifting her eyes from her notebook but still writing.
"Two months prior to your arrival, we received a visit from a wizard representing Voldemort!"
She glared at him fiercely and he smiled angelically in reply as she dropped her notebook and quill, her wand appeared in her hand and she tapped her wand to her head, camouflaging herself into her environment. They blinked in surprise, and suddenly, there were five cracks.
Hermione observed the men as they looked around in confusion, their wands held tightly in their hands and they looked up at the Vampire Kings.
Two of them were wearing Death Eater robes and skull masks, the other three were snatchers.
"Why have we been summoned?" A voice snarled out, the words sounding a little slurred.
"Ah, you are in Volterra," Aro spoke with a scary smile.
Their bodies stiffened and they gripped their wands tighter and Hermione waited for the perfect opportunity to strike.
"You have an answer for our Lord?" The same voice spoke.
"My answer is the same as the last, I am merely in the need of some entertainment," he smiled, sitting back in his throne.
And before confusion could cross their faces, Hermione pounced, two Stunners immediately hitting their targets and taking down two of the snatchers. The remaining three threw up shields and their eyes searched the room for any tell as to the direction the spells came from.
Hermione crept up behind the final snatcher and he dropped to the ground, leaving only the Death Eaters. They spun and went on the offence, throwing curses and hexes in her direction but she had the upper hand and she lowered her shield before throwing a Reducto and then casting a stronger shield, watching as a robed figure slammed into the wall and fell to the ground, leaving only one.
"Who's there?" The final robed figure spoke and Hermione removed the Disillusionment Charm, coming into view.
"Mudblood!" He spat.
"That's me," she said lightly, blocking what looked to be a Limb Severing Curse.
She dropped her shield, dropped to the ground and threw a jinx at him, it slipped under his shield and the Flipendo hit him in the stomach. He flew back and slammed into the wall, landing beside the other robed figure.
She stood and Aro began clapping and she turned to him and glared.
"Has anyone ever told you you're a pain in the arse?"
"Not to his face," Marcus drawled and she sniggered in amusement, at the affronted look Aro sent to Marcus.
She sighed and then crossed over to the robed figures, hitting them both with Body-binds just in case they were playing dead.
"That was far too easy," she commented. "Which means they're either stupid or they're drunk."
She reached them and nudged them with her foot so they turned onto their backs and then she crouched down and removed their masks, a look of anger crossing her features.
"I take it you know them," Caius arched his eyebrow.
"Yes, Avery and McNair, I know them both very well," she spoke through clenched teeth.
She pointed her wand at Avery first and a neon orange light struck him in the chest before she turned to McNair and repeated her actions. In fact, what she'd done was ruin their twisted sex lives for good, igniting an excruciating burning sensation in their groins whilst also removing their ability to ever have children. It wasn't exactly a dark curse but it was frowned upon, yet it wasn't an Unforgivable either, so she felt justified in using it.
"That was for trying to rape me," she spat, kicking Avery in the side and then McNair for good measure before she crossed to the centre of the room.
"My Lord?" Both Demetri and Alec chorused as they took a step forward, a look of fury held on their faces.
"Just a moment longer," Aro replied softly, nodding at them in understanding.
"I'll leave them for you to snack on, if you don't mind, I need to make a start on the magical contract."
"Of course, I'll have someone show you back to your rooms."
"That's not necessary," she replied, picking up her fallen notebook and quill and muttering, "Point Me."
Her wand floated above her palm, spinning until it came to a stop, pointing towards the double doors. He laughed in delight and she nodded in goodbye before taking her leave.
They waited until she was out of earshot.
"Demetri, Alec, do as you please, but please remember to clean up after yourselves," Aro spoke, sitting back in his throne and watching with interest what the members of the Guard had planned for the men that had tried to defile their mate.
He was certain it was going to be entertaining, their expressions of rage were unmistakable.
"My Lord?"
Aro turned his gaze to the right.
"Yes, My Dear," he acknowledged Jane.
"I do not understand," she spoke with a furrowed brow.
He knew she was referring to the strange behaviour of her brother and Demetri, as to why they were involving themselves in a war and why he was so desperate to get the witch to remain in Volterra.
"All in due time, Jane, be patient," he said softly, his eyes lighting up as Demetri and Alec began their revenge.