Chapter Text
Aro leaned back in his expensive leather swivel chair and contemplated the painting dominating the opposite wall, a piece he had ordered out of storage. It was a family portrait of Melinda Darcy and her consort Erik of Drakon Coven. It was unfortunate all of their children were sons, all lost in the quest for vengeance. But Hermione… she was the hope for a new future. And even before she gave birth she had caused so much change! And in the most constructive of ways!
He wrinkled his nose as he remembered another female who had caused chaos, change for the worse! Now that he really thought about it Isabella Swan had not been worth the cost. True she was a shield but could he have ever truly trusted her to guard his back when attacked? There was no way Chelsea could have bonded Isabella to the Volturi with her shield. No, Isabella Swan would have taken the first opportunity to flee back to her beloved Edward and Aro had known for a long time the possibility of Edward and Alice joining the Volturi were slim to none. And now that Aro had Hermione he was willing to admit to himself he did not want the Cullens.
Hermione had made great progress in just a few weeks and he was certain she would succeed in duplicating or blocking most known vampire gifts. And best of all Hermione was not afraid; she was loyal of her own free will and had stated publicly she would not betray the Volturi unless she was betrayed first. Unbreakable Vows. Aro had been shocked to witness them. Then pleased. Then greedy. Because he wanted that loyalty – all of her – just for himself.
Hermione Granger was a witch willing to ally herself to vampires, to conceive and a vampire’s offspring. When Aro was younger – and there was more contact with the magical enclaves – he had toyed with the idea of fatherhood. At the time he had been more interested in cementing his power base. And then magical society turned against vampires. Now those long considered possibilities were coming to his forethoughts. There was a willing witch allied to his coven, a witch without a Chosen. But he hesitated.
Aro hesitated because he knew Hermione held most of the power. If she refused he would have to abide by it or risk losing her. And even so she still might leave if she felt uncomfortable. And if she agreed and took him as her Consort it would be an equal relationship because she was too strong to stand back and submit like Sulpicia had, like Athenadora. Aro knew he was old fashioned and would never be comfortable with a modern relationship; his psyche was geared to always hold dominance in a relationship. She would eventually become unhappy and leave. So Aro decided to hold back and let her make the choice. Besides it was the best way to trick the Seer, to not make a decision.
A faint furrow creased his brow as he thought on that. By not making a decision he was evading the Seer but this state of affairs could not go on forever. Hermione would deliver soon and then there would be a Presentation. Once word got out she did not have a Consort there would be restrained and unrestrained fights to win her. The Volturi Guard had some of the best fighters in their ranks but Aro was not so sure if Hermione would look upon any of them as potential Consorts. She already saw the better fighters as friends, siblings, not as love interests. Unless…
A small catlike smile curved his lips as he leaned his head back and spoke out loud.
“If Carlisle Cullen is not in Volterra for the birth of his children, if Hermione Granger does not accept him as her consort, I will ask her to accept me as her consort.”
She would not accept it of course. She had indicated as much in all their interactions, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t ask. And since he has decided to do so, Alice Cullen would See his decision.