CHAPTER SEVEN
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: 8
Friday 24th April 1998
Hermione had long since returned to her rooms and she knew she'd been followed, likely by a guard for her protection and she heard chatter occasionally coming from outside of her room, knowing there was a guard standing watch.
She removed some parchment from her bag before going over the notes in her notebook and beginning to write the terms of the contract, spending two hours sitting on the floor and resting against the coffee table before Selena made an appearance with her lunch. She thanked the stuttering woman and ate her meal before continuing with writing the terms of the contact. When finished, she sat back and read it over, spelling away mistakes and correcting them, reading over the contract once more until she was happy and she smiled to herself, standing with the contract in hand and approaching the door.
The guard positioned by the door turned to face her. Her head barely came up to his chest and she slowly tilted her head, taking in his height. Bloody hell he was huge! A tall, hulking figure. Six-foot-seven at least with jet black hair cut short and the expected blood-red irises, but he had olive-pale skin and she could see the muscles bulging from under the light grey robes he wore, identifying him as a member of the Volturi Guard.
"Hello," she greeted. "And you are?"
"Felix," he smirked down at her.
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Felix, I'm Hermione Granger." She held her hand out and rather than shaking it, he kissed the back of it. She blinked in surprise. "Well, you're the first to do that," she cleared her throat and his eyes twinkled in amusement. "I don't suppose Aro is still in the chamber, is he?"
"I believe he is, yes."
"Well, that was good timing," she said lightly, closing the door behind her and making her way down the corridor, having memorised the way to the chamber by this point. She heard footsteps behind her and stopped in her steps until he fell into step. She looked up at him amused. "I see you've been tasked with babysitting duty," she commented.
"I don't mind, I've been told you are rather amusing."
"And who told you that?" She arched an eyebrow and he smirked down at her. "It's either Alec or Demetri, and Alec's not much of a talker, so it must've been Demetri," she deduced.
"It was," he confirmed with a tip of his head. "He also said you've got fire," he looked down at her with a questioningly raised eyebrow.
Hermione snorted. "That's his polite way of saying I have anger issues," she said lightly and he snorted.
"Ah, Miss. Granger, you work quickly," Aro greeted as they entered the chamber.
She bowed her head in respect. "I would've been here sooner but I took some time away for lunch. I have the completed contract, if you would like to review and ensure everything is to your liking, if there is anything you believe I have missed or there is something you wish to add, I will do so before the signing."
He gestured for her to approach and she did so, ascending the steps and handing him the contract. She'd barely blinked before he was handing it back to her.
"I believe everything has been covered and I agree to the terms specified."
"Oh, okay," she blinked again before a quill appeared before her and she signed her name in the appropriate place, the document glowing gold. "It will require the signature of all three of you," she informed them.
Aro took the contract and signed, as did Caius and Marcus and when they were done, the contract glowed gold, too.
"The contract is now magically binding; if broken by any party the consequence is death," she said, clicking her fingers and the contract disappeared from view.
"I can't help but notice, Miss. Granger, that you are capable of performing magic both wordlessly and wandlessly," said Aro, leaning back into his throne. "It is my understanding that it is a very rare skill amongst your people."
She tipped her head to the side and clasped her hands before her. "It's only a rare skill as magical folk are traditionalists. They don't like change and so they don't encourage it. Wandless and non-verbal magic is difficult to master but it can be done. A wand is used as a conductor, it controls the flow of magic when casting spells, but magic is and always will be inside of us, flowing through our blood and nerve endings. Blood sustains you, magic sustains us. It is a part of us. Millennia ago, wands did not exist and magical folk used their magic freely but since then, magical folk have been taught to accept the limitations we are told of, but I don't agree with their methods or teachings. After all, children have magical outbursts up to the age of eleven, which is when they get their wands and the wand stops the outbursts from occurring. I don't like being told something is impossible, or that I can't do something. When I hear those words, I do everything in my power to prove them wrong. They said I was a Muggleborn and therefore I could never understand and perform magic as well as Purebloods, yet I was four years ahead of my peers with my Charms, Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts, and three years ahead in Potions. I work hard and I exercise and train my magic as often as possible so I may strengthen it. If I'm to lose my wand, I am defenceless and I don't like being unprepared. Don't try to limit my potential as I won't stand for it."
Aro smiled knowingly.
"I've spent years learning wandless and non-verbal magic, and I admit, it's not an easy challenge. I'm able to do simple forms of magic wandlessly and non-verbally, more difficult forms of magic require more training."
"You have magical outbursts that are tied into your emotions, correct?"
"Yes, that's how I learned that I don't require a wand to practice magic. My outbursts were supposed to be contained once I received my wand, and yet, they still happen."
"You're powerful, are you not?"
"I suppose so," she shuffled on her feet, not liking the way he was looking at her. "I am more powerful than the average witch, likely due to my unpolluted line of magic as well as my learning and training at any opportunity I get. Dumbledore would lend me books from his private library on occasion and when I turned fifteen, Professor McGonagall worked with me on becoming an Animagus."
"And what is that?"
"It's a form of magic in which a witch or wizard is able to shape-shift into an animal, it's not a common skill as it's a difficult form of magic which requires magical ability to complete and it's a long process which requires dedication to the training of the mind and body. There are many things that may go wrong during the process and that along with the legal restrictions and lawful requirements, dissuades most from attempting the process. Less than eight percent of the wizarding population are Animagi."
"And did you complete your training?" Marcus asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I did, yes, not long after my sixteenth birthday. Not many know of my ability to shift as I, admittedly, haven't registered myself with the Ministry as they are able to track Animagi, and as you are aware, I need to remain off the radar. If I am discovered to be an Animagus, I will be sentenced to prison for breaking the law and magical prison is not pleasant.
"And what is your animal form?" Aro asked intrigued.
"Every witch or wizard has a spirit animal but most don't discover what it is. That requires the ability to cast the Patronus Charm, which is one of the most difficult forms of magic to exist. Dark magical folk are unable to cast a Patronus and if they attempt to, they will be devoured by maggots. Less than five percent of the wizarding population is able to cast successful Patronus and most don't even attempt it. It is the living embodiment of our soul, magic and life force. They are used to defend against dark magical creatures, they are used for communication purposes and they are used for companionship. There are several of us in the Order that can cast a Patronus, and we use them to communicate as they can't be destroyed or intercepted; only the intended person is able to hear the message it carries."
"And how old were you when you successfully cast this charm?"
"Harry taught me, I was sixteen when I produced a corporeal Patronus successfully, and it requires not only the magical ability but a true memory of happiness. Harry's form is that of a stag, which happened to be his father's Animagus form before he was murdered during the First War. Ronald's a Jack Russell Terrier, Dumbledore was that of a phoenix, and Kingsley's a lynx."
"And what is your animal?"
She sighed in defeat and her wand appeared in her hand before she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and a peaceful expression filled her face, a smile pulling at her mouth.
"Expecto Patronum," she said softly.
The room was silent as a blue-silver tigress suddenly shot from the tip of her wand, running in a loop above her head before it lowered to the ground, circling Hermione and rubbing itself up against her. She laughed lightly and scratched the large cat behind the ears as it let out a purr.
"Magnificent," Aro muttered, sounding awed.
She lifted her gaze, seeing that Demetri and Felix were stood beside each other and staring wide-eyed, Alec looked equally as amazed as did Caius and the usually stoic Marcus, and the blonde beside Alec simply blinked in surprise.
"My spirit animal is a tigress, meaning my personality traits are somewhat similar to that of one. They symbolise courage, determination, personal strength and unpredictability with actions and emotions. It can also mean aggressiveness, overcoming fears and raw emotions and primal instincts. I am unpredictable, particularly when forced into a situation I don't want to be in. I am vindictive when someone I care for is wronged, and my instincts are always on point and they have never let me down. When I feel an emotion too strongly, it affects the magical flow in my body, causing magical outbursts which I can't control."
Her wand disappeared from her hand and her tigress disappeared from her side.
"I'm curious," Marcus started, "As to what your shifter form looks like."
She rolled her eyes before slowly bending at the waist, her hands moving to the floor and suddenly, an adult tigress stood where Hermione once did.
She heard mutters of surprise as she bowed her back, her tail swishing in the air as she stretched out her body. From the corner of her eye she saw Demetri shift as if he wanted to move closer to her, but didn't dare and so she approached him, sitting down in front of him. His red iris watched her wondrously as his hand reached out and she lowered her head as permission, his cold fingers running through her short, thick fur. When he pulled his hand back, she returned to the centre of the room, pushing up onto her hind legs until Hermione stood where the tigress once had.
The room was silent.
"Such a prize," Aro muttered.
"I believe that's everything," Hermione spoke, clasping her hands behind her back.
Aro nodded, smiling widely. "Yes, I believe we are now allies. We will be sending two of our Guards with you to aid in your war." Hermione nodded. "You do not wish to ask for more?" He asked curiously.
"No, if you're sending only two of your Guards, it's for a reason and I trust your judgement. I've heard that each member of your Guard has a valuable ability. Besides, the less you send to help, the easier it is for me to get us back to England, a large group will stand out like a sore thumb and I need to remain off the radar. Just out of curiosity, who are you sending?"
"Demetri and Alec," Caius replied, a smirk on his face and an amused twinkle in his eyes. She was pleasantly surprised actually, and when she looked at them, they both smirked in her direction.
"Alright, I'd like to leave at dawn."
"That's acceptable," Aro nodded in agreement. "Demetri and Alec will remain with you until you return to Volterra. You have two weeks to handle your affairs."
"Thank you," she replied. "I better head back to my rooms so I can prepare for the coming days of travel."
"Indeed, Miss. Granger, we will be waiting for you upon your return."
~000~000~000~
It had long since grown dark and Hermione had spent the remainder of the day preparing to leave Volterra. Selena had brought along her dinner and after eating, she went for a short walk around the castle with Felix following her and engaging her in conversation. When she returned, she lit the fireplace and repeated the process of readying for bed by finding nightclothes and placing them in front of the fire, placing a Warming Charm on the bed and then having a relaxing bath.
Once she'd washed and felt sleepy, she emptied the water from the tub, dried off her body, leaving her hair damp and wrapping a towel around herself, she left the bathroom and headed to the fireplace. She halted as she reached for her nightclothes, believing to have heard a sound and her eyes searched her rooms carefully. Seeing and hearing nothing, she put it down to her imagination and her being paranoid and she returned her focus to readying for bed.
Before she could blink, she found herself pressed against the cold stone wall, blood-red eyes staring down at her, a body pressing into hers and pinning her to the wall and a cold hand wrapped around her throat, holding her in place and squeezing until she could barely breathe.
Her eyes widened in panic and her hands came up to try and claw at the one around her throat, her eyes blurring with tears as she stared at the vampire she didn't recognise.
He smirked down at her and lowered his head, his nose running the length of her neck.
"You've been teasing me for days," he whispered, "I doubt the Masters would mind if I sample your delectable blood."
His fangs scraped along her neck tauntingly and he placed a kiss to her neck and then drew back before lunging forward to sink his fangs into her flesh.
Hermione panicked, her magic swirled congregated and swirled in her stomach and she opened her mouth to let out a scream. She found herself collapsing to the floor, her hand rubbing at her throat as she coughed and spluttered, oxygen suddenly flowing to her lungs again and her body shook on the ground in fear and panic.
She heard a scream of agony, a door slamming against the wall and a scream tore from her throat when she felt an ice-cold hand against her shoulder. She tried to move, to break free but the hand on her shoulder held strong. The calm muttering of her name broke through her haze and she lifted her gaze, her screams halting as soon as Demetri came into view, a panicked and concerned covering his face.
She turned her eyes towards the screams and she saw the vampire that had tried to bite her flailing around in the centre of the room, fiery flames devouring him alive. Felix stood in the room looking both horrified and awed, Alec stood beside him, his expression filled with murderous fury and Aro, Caius and Marcus were present, too, appearing to be surprised and awed by what they were witnessing.
Turning her eyes back to Demetri's concerned gaze, she forgot about those present and didn't care for her image as she threw herself at it him, her arms folding around his neck tightly. His arms lifted to wrap around her, pulling her into him and her body shook in fear and relief. He gently shifted her into his arms before rising to his feet, Hermione burying her face in his neck, and if she was naked but for the towel wrapped around her, she didn't care.
The agonised screams slowly died down before they stopped entirely, the room falling into silence.
"Miss. Granger, what happened here?" She heard Aro ask. If she had been paying attention, she would've noticed that his voice had softened a little more than usual.
She pulled back from Demetri's neck, realising that he'd moved them over to the couch by the fireplace and she was draped over his lap and he held her against him gently.
"I came out of the bathroom and he attacked me. He tried to..." She removed an arm from Demetri and touched her hand to her neck, pulling it back to see her fingers coated in blood.
Panic filled her, her eyes widening and her breath hitching.
"He didn't bite you," Demetri muttered softly. "He only grazed the skin, you took care of him before he could."
Her entire body slumped in relief, her body slowly calming as she relaxed into Demetri without realising she had done so.
"He had me pinned to the wall by my throat, he tried to bite me and I panicked, my magic acted out of instinct to protect me," she continued calmly.
"I would agree," Aro spoke, sounding amused as he looked down at the now pile of ash on the ground.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," her voice lowered and she shook her head gently, hoping they wouldn't dissolve the contract between them; he had every right to do so.
Her eyes snapped up when she heard several snorts, mainly coming from Aro and Caius.
"Why?" Caius arched an eyebrow. "You have every right to defend yourself."
"I would like to know how he came to be in Miss. Granger's rooms," said Aro, his eyes turning to Felix, anger hidden behind his words.
Felix's gaze submissively lowered to the ground, avoiding his gaze.
"It's my fault," Hermione injected, every pair of eyes in the room darting to her. "I asked Felix to accompany me on a walk through the castle after dinner. My rooms were empty and unprotected, that is when he likely slipped in undetected and he waited until I was distracted and vulnerable."
"It is a shame he could not be punished for disobeying orders before he died, but your way works just as well," Caius commented lightly and she found a smile pulling at her mouth.
"Well, it seems everything here has been taken care of, we shall leave you to rest," Aro tipped his head before taking his leave, taking Felix and his co-leaders with him.
Alec and Demetri shared a glance before Alec stepped out of the room, taking up post as guard. Hermione silently climbed off his Demetri's lap, holding her towel secure with her hand and moving over to the fireplace to collect her nightclothes.
"Will you stay, Demetri?" She asked softly, stopping at the bathroom door but not looking back at him.
"If you would like me to," he replied.
She nodded her head and disappeared into the bathroom, reappearing wearing similar nightclothes from the night before, only this time the back of her shirt read 'Weasley, 6'. She crossed over to the bed and climbed in, snuggling under the magically heated covers and her eyes caught his. She held her hand out and seeming to understand what it was she wanted without having to ask for clarification, he stood from the couch and walked over to the bed, perching himself of the edge and taking her hand in his, the heat of her skin radiating over his own.
"You know, I was pleasantly surprised when Aro told me you and Alec would be coming with me," she said tiredly, her eyes closed.
"You were?" He questioned, quietly pleased by her words.
She hummed. "You're different. I don't know why but I trust you, I feel safe around you. And if I have to return here, it doesn't seem as bad knowing that you'll both be here, too," she said softly, her voice trailing off as sleep claimed her.
He lifted his free hand and pushed a curl back from her face, his fingertips gently trailing down her cheek, over her jaw and neck, running over the scrape on her neck which was already beginning to heal.
Gregory was lucky Hermione had killed him before he had gotten a chance to get his hands on him.
The door opened and Alec stepped in.
"Do you think she knows?" He asked, his facial expression softening as he moved closer to watch her sleep.
"I'm not sure, she may not know but she may know something is different. It's not natural for her to trust us so quickly, and she said herself, her instincts are impeccable."
Alec's brow furrowed slightly before he nodded, his face softening once more.
"Gregory's lucky she killed him," Alec spoke.
Demetri nodded in agreement.
Yes. He had been incredibly lucky indeed.