Chapter Text
Hannah was surprised to find herself adjusting to her new situation without difficulty. It helped that these vampires were civilized and very controlled. The only time she was consciously reminded of their nature was when she witnessed their speed and strength. Otherwise they seemed so… normal; apart from the pale granite skin and red eyes.
“How are you adjusting?”
Hannah looked up from the tablet PC she used to keep track of everything and place purchasing orders.
“Very well,” the Hufflepuff admitted. “And it scares me Hermione. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Hermione laughed softly and sat on a window ledge. “I understand. I felt the same way for weeks. I knew the Volturi would prosper in the long run but I wasn’t used to their patience, their willingness to wait months, years, to reap the benefits. In the Wizarding World everyone wanted to get their own way immediately no matter the cost or consequences.”
Hannah grimaced. “I know. I was like that. Until Mum and Dad died. When I had to look after Matt and Sophie my thinking changed pretty quick. They had to come first.”
“How are they adjusting?”
Hannah laughed. “Much better than me. They like the half-day school and weekly excursions outside the walls.”
“Oh?”
“I felt so bad! I know Matt liked playing football with his friends but there aren’t any kids, his age, not yet. Felix was nice enough to notice and offer to take Matt to the local park and play with the local kids.”
“That’s sweet of him.”
“He also takes Sophie so she doesn’t feel left out. They go to the tourist spots while Matt is playing.” Hannah sighed. “There is this little café that makes the best tiramisu I’ve ever tasted. He brings a piece for me when I can’t join them.”
“You sound like you really like him.”
Hannah blinked startled by the observation. “Well… he is very nice.”
Hermione raised a sceptical eyebrow. Hannah glanced around and cast a Muffalito before sitting on the ledge next to Hermione.
“He doesn’t make me feel like a piece of meat.”
“What do you mean?”
“The other vampires courting me, they don’t really want Me, they just want a witch, any witch. It feels like a very bad blind date. But Felix, he’s not pretending to turn me sweet. At least I don’t think so.”
“No he isn’t. He likes Matt and Sophie.” Hermione’s eyes sharpened. “Question is, do you like him as a friend or more?”
Hannah blushed deeply then spoke in a low whisper. “I think, I think he might be It.” She glanced around reassuring herself they were really alone before continuing. “I feel it. Deep inside.”
Hermione was amused and happy. “What? An ache? A twisty feeling? Butterflies?”
Hannah blushed even darker. “Wet.” She huffed. “I have to use scent masking charms as part of my regular routine because I get hot and bothered whenever he’s around. And he’s around a lot!”
“Then why don’t you talk to him? Ask him out on a date!”
Hannah looked uneasy. “I couldn’t! I don’t want to force him into anything… he’s already done so much for us.” Then her expression fell. “Besides, if he was really interested wouldn’t he have asked me out like all the other vampires?”
“Not really. He is a Guard and he has certain responsibilities and commitments. He won’t ask you because he probably doesn’t want you to feel obligated to agree.” Hermione pointed out.
“Oh.” Hannah’s expression brightened.” Oh!” She looked at her tablet and then at the door then at Hermione who laughed.
“Go and find him. Ask him out.”
“What if he doesn’t feel the same way? What if he says no?”
“Then there are lots of other gorgeous vampires just waiting to get to know Hannah Abbott.”
~ooOoo~
Felix liked Matt and Sophie. Most vampires only saw Felix’s size and strength, his role as an enforcer, the muscle of the Volturi Guard. Few knew Felix was not brainless and he had many degrees in different historical eras, that he liked sharing his knowledge, from first hand experience and studying. Matt and Sophie were among them.
It had started when Matt asked for a bedtime story, something gory and bloody. Felix had not known of any such bedtime stories so he substituted with a tale from his own experience. Carefully edited of course. After that first time the younger Abbotts would always pester him for more, short snips and long epics that took several days to narrate. Even if his duties kept him busy he tried to stop by their suite late in the evenings for story time.
“… And that’s it for tonight.” He announced. Both were rubbing their eyes and would fall asleep any second now.
“Aww Felix!”
“That’s enough!” Hannah scolded from her position just inside the door. “Now off to bed! Both of you.” Then she whispered softly so only Felix could hear. “Felix, don’t leave right away. I want to talk to you.”
Felix did not react visibly. He watched Sophie nestle under her cover and Matt hurry to his own room and bed. Hannah moved and tugged the covers up before kissing her sister’s forehead. Then she went to Matt’s room and repeated the actions, only Matt squirmed and protested before submitting.
Uncertain Felix moved into the sitting area to wait as she had asked. He could not hear or smell anything. It was nice except when the extra sensory information would help fill in the blanks. Why had Hannah asked him to stay? Was something wrong?
While he waited he listened. He heard Matt and Sophie drop into true sleep, their breath and heartbeats shifting slightly. He could not hear or smell anything coming from Hannah’s room. She used extra masking charms and wards.
She finally emerged from her bedroom wearing a thin silky looking robe over her nightie. She made a detour towards the charmed stasis cupboard and removed a carafe of red liquid. Then she poured it into a glass and returned the carafe to the cupboard. As she walked towards him Felix was very aware of her slender fragile mortal body, the spicy enticing tingle under her skin, the mixture of her blood scent and power. For a moment he could not think.
“Here.”
She was holding the glass right under his nose. The scent was strong and flavourful. Syntha blood, one of the new potions developed by Hermione. It was based on the enclave blood replenishing potion but tweaked to fit a vampire palate and sate his hunger. He accepted the glass and sipped slowly to savour it. The taste was different. Stronger somehow, almost intoxicating.
“This is different.”
Hannah grinned. “My own variant on Hermione’s standard recipe,” she said as she sat right next to him, the outside of her leg pressed against his.
Felix took a second slower sip and swished it around in his mouth, on his tongue, trying to determine what was distracting him. Then it hit him. Hannah.
“Hannah?” he asked carefully, uncertain of what was happening.
She leaned closer, so close she almost shifted onto his lap.
“Felix, do you like me?”
Felix sputtered. “Of course I like you!”
“I mean as more than just friends.” He froze like a deer in car headlights. “Felix, this isn’t a trap. I honestly want to know.”
He expelled an unneeded breath loudly. “Yes.” And he was stunned by her response.
She kissed him; gently, a chaste press of lips on his. And then he smelled it, the warm musky moisture between her legs. Her scent was so strong it dominated his senses. He just managed to catch himself and grip her wrist, to keep her from moving.
“Hannah, are you certain?” His voice was strained and he desperately wanted to act on his instincts but he needed to hear her say it.
“Yes.”
And she was more than pleased and pleasured by what followed.
~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~
The End