CHAPTER TWENTY-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: 6
Sunday 17th May 1998
"May I have the next dance?"
They slowly drew back from each other to see Aro stood at their side.
"Of course," Hermione responded, putting her hand in Aro's and Alec bowed his head in respect before he disappeared from view, and Aro took the lead as they stepped back into the dance.
"Have you given thought to what you require now that you are here?" Aro asked.
"I have and what I require isn't materialistic, I have everything I need for a couple of months or so. What I need is space."
"Space?" He arched an eyebrow.
"Yes, I need a room which I can remodel into a library for my magical books. Dumbledore left me his personal book collection for reasons I'm sure you understand." He nodded. "I have been informed that it is almost the size of Hogwarts' library and if that is the case, there are tens of thousands of books. I also have my own book collection which admittedly is nowhere near Dumbledore's accumulation, but it's more books added to the total amount."
"There are more than enough rooms within the castle that are suitable for such a purpose. Anything else?"
"Yes, I need a room that I can remodel into a potions lab. I've always had an interest in becoming a Potions Mistress which is a highly valued field of work in the Wizarding World due to the difficulty levels of the independent study and exams, most drop out within three months of beginning their masters. If I am to pursue this, then I need a secure lab. And once the laws are changed, you can set up an apothecary within the Wizarding World in which I can provide the potions for selling."
"Excellent idea," he chimed, "I will ensure a suitable room is found for you. Anything else?"
"And I require a training room." He arched a questioning eyebrow. "I must exercise my magic daily to prevent a build-up of magic within my system as this will lead to magical outbursts. I need to train my magic, make it stronger and allow it to grow, and I can only do that by using it regularly, but I don't wish for anyone to get injured accidentally, so I need a room in which no one will have any reason to be near, as my magic can be and is volatile."
"To clarify, a library, a potions lab and a training room?" He checked and she nodded. "Would you like them to be adjacent to each other?"
"Only if it's possible, but they all need to be secure and the potions lab is going to need plenty of natural light and ventilation, as well as access to running water."
"I'll see to it that you have your rooms within the next couple of days."
"Thank you," she replied. "And I feel as though I must warn you of something."
"And that is?"
"I asked for Alec's and Demetri's opinion on my safety in the castle and they believe that whilst the Coven will obey orders, those that are serving their punishments here may not be so faithful." Aro tipped his head slightly. "I don't know why but Alec and Demetri seem to be adamant they keep me safe whilst I'm here, but it's not possible for them to protect me twenty-four-seven and I wish to avoid another incident of someone breaking into my rooms, so I have implemented some security measures."
"Intriguing, and what are these security measures?"
"I have placed a series of invisible barriers around my rooms, covering the doors and windows. These barriers will prevent anyone I don't wish to from entering my rooms. Those that do not have access (which can only be given by me) will find themselves propelled backwards by a force of magic. It won't kill but it may do some structural damage to the castle and if that's the case, then I will repair the damage."
"No one may enter your rooms?"
"No," she clarified, "The barriers are specific to vampires only so humans may enter. Those that don't have access are available to enter momentarily if I escort them through the barriers, but once you leave my rooms, you can't re-enter. I have given both Alec and Demetri permanent access to my rooms, in which they are immune to the barriers."
"Do you trust them, Miss. Granger?"
"Implicitly," she said without hesitation and his lip twitched. "I don't give out my trust freely, it has to be earned and they have more than earned it. I am informing you of the security measure as you may wish to let the others know."
"I'm sure they already do," he replied, referring to the fact everyone but her had advanced senses and would be able to hear their conversation.
"No, I've placed a magical bubble around us which keeps others from hearing our conversation, despite the super hearing you all may have."
He looked surprised by the revelation.
"We will keep your security measures to ourselves; it will be interesting to see if anyone wishes to harm you. Will the barrier prevent others from approaching?"
"No, just from entering my rooms without my permission, you are able to approach the room and knock on the door, but you can't open it."
"You are full of surprises," he commented before he pulled back from her and bowed, and she curtseyed in returned.
Aro led her back over to Alec and Demetri before leaving them to their devices. Hermione took Teddy from Demetri and he snuggled into her. The temperature in the castle had dropped drastically in the last couple of hours and Hermione placed a Warming Charm over herself and Teddy, but seeing as Teddy was much smaller than her, the charm didn't have as much to cover so it was effective on Teddy but not for her and she shivered.
Before she could blink, there was a weight on her shoulders and she could already feel the heat beginning to surround her. She looked up to see Demetri missing his cloak and when she looked down at herself, it was covering her shoulders.
"Thank you," she said.
He smiled at her, somewhat apologetically. "We do not feel the cold as you do."
"Are you hungry?" Alec asked her.
"Peckish," she replied, "And Teddy's due his bottle soon."
"We will make sure there is food waiting for you in your rooms," he replied.
"I should ask Aro for a room which I can turn into a kitchen, so this can be avoided again," she shrugged and they chuckled at her.
"Will you be alright for a moment?"
She nodded with a smile and they reluctantly left her alone. Hermione turned her attention to Teddy before she felt a presence beside her and she turned her head and almost jumped out of her skin when she saw Jane stood beside her.
"Good evening, Jane," Hermione greeted politely. Jane stared at her blankly. "Are you alright?"
"Perfectly fine," Jane replied. "My brother has asked that I introduce myself."
Well, he had actually asked that she start spending time with her, as he swore she would like the witch once she had gotten to know her.
"Well, it's nice to officially meet you, and I'm sorry about the kitten, he's the mischievous one in the litter."
"Not a problem," Jane replied and then her eyes turned downcast to Teddy asleep in her arms and she stared at him intensely.
Hermione instincts had yet to fail her and she didn't feel as though Jane wanted to harm Teddy, it was more of a feeling that she was curious.
"Would you like to hold him?" Hermione offered.
Jane's eyes snapped up to her in surprise.
"No, thank you."
"Are you sure? He's asleep so he won't be much bother." Jane looked hesitant. "Put your arms just as mine are," Hermione instructed and Jane hesitantly followed her instructions. "Just support the head and you'll be fine," she assured her as she placed Teddy into Jane's arms, and Jane's red irises were locked on Teddy's sleeping face.
"It's a strange feeling," Jane spoke quietly. "It is strange having something so fragile and trusting placed in your care."
"Yes, and terrifying," Hermione replied.
Jane looked to Hermione.
"I am sorry for those you lost."
Hermione blinked in surprise, having not expected such words from the blonde.
"Thank you, they were good people and their sacrifice is the reason I am able to stand beside you this evening," Hermione replied, forcing back her tears. "How long have you been with the Volturi?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Alec and I have been with the Volturi since before its founding."
Hermione's eyes widened. "A very long time then," she nodded and her eyes caught Demetri approaching. He looked at Jane strangely before turning a smile in Hermione's direction.
"Dinner is being sent to your rooms as we speak, would you like to retire for the evening?"
Hermione nodded before turning to Jane.
"Well, I suppose I better get back to my rooms so I may feed Teddy his bottle." Hermione took him back from Jane and she took a step back under Demetri's gaze. "I have no doubt I'll be seeing you again, Jane."
"You will," Jane responded before Demetri took Hermione's hand and led her from the ballroom.
"She didn't say anything to upset you, did she?"
"No, why?" She asked puzzled.
"Jane is not known for her kindness," he confessed. "She is feared by many in the Coven."
Hermione frowned. "She was perfectly polite towards me," she assured Demetri.
When they reached her rooms, he escorted her inside.
"Hermione, if you insist on using a Silencing Charm as to not disturb the others, place them on the corridor and not your room." She frowned. "I or Alec will be here momentarily should you need us."
Not giving Hermione the chance to respond, he left the room and closed the door behind him, leaving Hermione and Teddy alone and with his cloak still around Hermione's shoulders.
Hermione shook off her thoughts before putting Teddy in his crib and eating the meal that was waiting on the coffee table for her. Once she finished, she prepared Teddy's bottle and just as it had cooled down, he woke. After tending to Teddy, she dressed him in a sleepsuit and lit the fire in his room before putting him in his crib and he stared up at the stars depicted on the ceiling before falling asleep.
Hermione then lit the fire in her own room before taking a relaxing bath and later climbing into bed, in which Crookshanks and the kittens snuggled against her as she drifted off to sleep.
~000~000~000~
When Hermione next woke, Demetri was on the bed and holding her to him with his arms settled around her gently. She wiped away her tears before she fell silent and she was aware of Alec in Teddy's nursery; she could just make out him feeding Teddy his bottle in the darkness.
"He woke for his bottle and we didn't want to disturb you, we've seen you prepare his bottle plenty of times to know how to do it ourselves," Demetri explained.
"Thank you," she whispered, "And not just for tending to Teddy, but for everything. I wouldn't be on the road to recovery if it weren't for you and Alec. And I don't know what I did to deserve your kindness but I'm grateful for it. You've made my transition much easier than it would've been and I don't think I can ever repay you for all you have done." And with those words, she fell back to sleep, knowing that she and Teddy were safe and protected.
Demetri stared down at her, her head resting against his shoulder and he reached out, pushing her hair back from her face and he gently trailed his fingertips down her cheek as she slept. The trust she was putting in him was unbelievable, even if she was his mate, she wasn't aware of it and she was still human. He was a predator and she was his prey, yet she didn't fear him, she trusted him to protect her.
"If I could, I would give you the world," he muttered. "If I could, I would die for you. And in over a millennia, I have never wished to be human more than I do now. My un-dead life is yours and so is my non-beating heart."
~000~000~000~
"Has Miss. Granger retired for the evening?" Aro asked his co-rulers.
"I believe she left with Demetri some time ago, Alec explained that the child was due to be fed, and Miss. Granger herself had not eaten as she did not receive her meal before the ball," Caius answered. "Why?"
"Nothing to worry about, I just wished to have a word regarding the changes to the legislation. I'll be back momentarily."
Aro quickly made his way from the ballroom and towards the Katerina suite, and as he was walking down the corridor, he knew something wasn't right. He couldn't hear anything; no voices, no breathing and no heartbeats, yet he continued forward.
Just as he reached Alec's rooms, the sounds immediately hit is ears along with the heartbreaking sobs of Miss. Granger and he stopped in his steps to listen.
He could hear Demetri asking Alec to feed the child whilst the sobs slowly died down before it fell silent. He made to make for her rooms once more when there were voices.
"He woke for his bottle and we didn't want to disturb you, we've seen you prepare his bottle plenty of times to know how to do it ourselves," Demetri spoke.
"Thank you," she whispered, "And not just for tending to Teddy, but for everything. I wouldn't be on the road to recovery if it weren't for you and Alec. And I don't know what I did to deserve your kindness but I'm grateful for it. You've made my transition much easier than it would've been and I don't think I can ever repay you for all you have done."
Once she had ceased speaking, his hearing picked up on the steady beat of her heart and deep breathing, indicating she had fallen asleep.
"If I could, I would give you the world," Demetri spoke. "If I could, I would die for you. And in over a millennia, I have never wished to be human more than I do now. My un-dead life is yours and so is my non-beating heart."
Aro's mouth twitched. He knew allowing the child to stay would be the best decision he could have made, and after seeing what the child would soon be capable of, he knew it would bring more power to the Volturi. With a Sorceress and wizard child that was part werewolf and had the ability to change his appearance at will, the Volturi would never again be challenged.
He had seen the thoughts of Demetri regarding the child and he knew he not only cared for the child, but he was already beginning to see him as a son, and he knew he was quickly falling in love for Miss. Granger, as was Alec.
Their bond was coming along nicely, and soon, Miss. Granger would be loyal to the Volturi and only the Volturi.