This is a short piece of Crossover Fanfiction I wrote combining Twilight and Harry Potter. It replaces a small bit of Chapter 15 in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. As soon as I read that vampires were at the party, I had to see what it would be like if some of our Twilight vampires were the guests instead. I may write an extended version of this scene in the future. Enjoy!
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The Slughorn Christmas Party
When we arrived in the entrance hall a few minutes before eight o'clock, we observed a translucent figure, carrying heavy looking chains, which floated in our direction upon seeing us. I quickly took in the rest of the great room as the ghost introduced himself to my father Carlisle.
A flock of girls were gathered together muttering cruel remarks about the blonde girl standing just outside of the group, though their thoughts contained more disappointment and less self-confidence than what they spoke out loud. The lone girl was dressed a bit oddly in a glittery silver gown, but she appeared unmoved by the scowls of her onlookers. Her mind was a distance away.
I wonder if anyone will have dyed their eyebrows for tonight. She pressed her hand to her head for a moment. Maybe there's a spell for it. Harry probably knows one. I wonder if I'll get to announce a Quidditch match this season. I hope that Nargles don't steal the brooms before the gameā¦
Edward.
Jasper who nudged my elbow as he thought my name, caused me to turn back toward the ghost, who had announced himself as The Bloody Baron. With a quick turn, the three of us followed the ominous body up the marble staircase, toward the sounds of laughter, music, and loud conversation.
As we drew close to the door of Professor Slughorn's office, I heard the curious girl from the entrance hall discussing with a boy the rumor of vampires being at the party and whether the Minister of Magic was one. The boy's thoughts seemed in contrast with the girl's, but he politely kept them to himself.
I placed a smile on my face and turned my head slightly to nod to Jasper before entering. Jasper knew what I meant without sharing my mind reading gift. This was his first time visiting the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the combination of magical sights and a room full of humans was not an easy encounter for him. The unique emotions of each guest were a lot for Jasper to handle, not to mention the temptation of their blood. I promised him earlier, that even though his partner Alice believed he would be fine, I would monitor his thoughts and protect him as necessary.
As I stepped through the doors behind my father and brother, I observed that the office was much larger than expected. Likely magic was used to create the space, filled with emerald, crimson, and gold hangings, constructing the illusion of being inside of an immense tent. Guests crowded in the space, immersed in an odd red light. I glanced at Jasper who was reminded of his greatest temptation by the shade.
"Jasper, focus, it'll be fine." I whispered under my breath, but my slight anxiety gave me away. Jasper raised his eyebrow slightly, sensing my heightened emotion. So I tried another angle, "Carlisle has faith in you."
"I know." He whispered back, slightly annoyed, but composing his expression quickly.
As much as he appreciated my help, Jasper didn't like appearing weak in any way. However, he did agree to Carlisle's suggestion to hunt just before entering the castle. It turned into the most interesting hunting trip we'd ever experienced. The gamekeeper granted our entrance into the Forbidden Forest if we agreed to stick to the Bugbears, a nasty bear that had attacked and killed many roosters the gamekeeper had once watched over. My brother Emmett, who remained in the States, would have enjoyed hunting these large animals. They were almost violent enough to produce a challenge to us. The scents in the air, created by the mix of exceptional creatures in the woods, were not particularly pleasant, but still unlike anything we had ever smelled before.
Our muted exchange was interrupted by the approach of a rounded, cheerful man, whose enormous silvery moustache reminded me of a walrus. He smiled widely beneath the massive moustache as he reached out for my father.
"Carlisle! It's been too long, too long!" He exclaimed while shaking my father's hand. His gooseberry eyes met mine and he let go of Carlisle's hand to reach out to me. "And Edward, how good to see you again. Not since the early 50s, right?"
"Yes sir." I smiled politely while smoothly releasing his grip. Gesturing to my left, I introduced Professor Slughorn to Jasper.
"A pleasure, I'm sure." Slughorn said while his thoughts mused over what he'd heard of Jasper and the benefits my brother's capabilities might offer him.
Jasper quickly shook the professor's hand.
Slughorn turned back to Carlisle excitedly, "He's going to be here tonight. The boy I told you about. Harry Potter."
"I'm sure it'll be a pleasure to meet the students you've invited here tonight." Carlisle responded courteously.
Before Professor Slughorn could continue his praise of the student we had heard so much about, the boy himself walked into the party behind us. The Professor saw him almost immediately.
"Harry, m'boy!" boomed Slughorn. "Come in, come in, so many people I'd like you to meet."
I turned my head to observe the silver dressed girl at the door along with a slightly embarrassed dark haired, young man in glasses. The way Slughorn gripped Harry's arm, Harry's thoughts considered the difficulty of escaping the party without Slughorn still attached. The girl was pulled along as the Professor led Harry straight toward us.
This is The Chosen One we've been hearing so much about? He looks pretty ordinary to me. Jasper thought observing the boy's untidy black hair and thin frame.
We glanced at each other for a fleeting moment after taking in the striking lightening bolt scar upon Harry's forehead. Both of our eyes widened slightly and then returned quickly to our formal expressions.
Carlisle kept his exterior perfectly composed as Professor Slughorn introduced him to the special guest, though I could hear him taking in the boy's appearance as well, just more optimistically.
"Harry, I'd like you to meet Dr. Carlisle Cullen, an occasional guest lecturer in Muggle Studies, and author of Blood Brothers: Understanding the Muggle Beneath the Surface. Of course, these are his friends, Edward and Jasper."
"A pleasure, Harry Potter." Carlisle smiled at the young man. "I have heard nothing but good things of you from the Professor."
Professor Slughorn beamed as he stood between the two. His thoughts were beaming as well; kindly, but almost foolishly enjoying being in the presence of two men he deemed as successful and powerful.
I was distracted however by Jasper who looked rather bored to the untrained eye, but his eyes and mind showed me he was trying badly to keep his attention away from the gaggle of girls that were standing close to him, looking curious and excited. Quickly I moved myself between them, having noticed that Jasper's figure was unconsciously leaning in their direction, a hint of hunger in his eyes.
Sorry. Jasper lowered his eyes and adjusted himself between Carlisle and me before adding, And thanks.
"No problem." I whispered almost incoherently.
We both refocused on the rest of our party discussing the contributions of Muggles over the centuries; just in time to hear the blonde girl observe that one of the most important inventions in history was fashioned by a muggle.
"What's that dear?" Carlisle smiled gently at her.
"The toilet." She grinned widely back at him.
Harry stifled a laugh before saying, "Why yes, Luna, that is a bit important, I must say." Harry looked across the room as he spoke and smiled as he caught sight of someone he was looking for. "It was good to meet you sir." Harry said, shaking Carlisle's hand. "Maybe we will meet again soon, but if you'll excuse me I've just seen a friend of mine, sorry."
"Certainly, but Harry," Carlisle said compassionately, "know that, though we are on the other side of the world, we are with you."
"Thank you, Dr. Cullen." Harry's expression and thoughts were appreciative. Through Jasper's gift I could sense hope radiate slightly off the boy as well.
Professor Slughorn nodded proudly in the direction of Harry and Luna as they disappeared into the crowd.
"A fine boy indeed." He remarked.
"Yes, well, how about an introduction to some of your other students." Carlisle said, though in his mind he was saying a prayer for the young wizard we had just met.
