Hello! Here is my Harry Potter/Twilight crossover! I'm so excited! In this story, Bella was born the same year as Harry Potter. It just makes things easier. Sorry if you're angry that I'm breaking canon! Also, it's still a ExB story. Don't worry.
Rochester, New York
1932
Edward Masen-Cullen stared at the dancers, twirling and spinning somewhat gracefully. For humans, they were not too shabby in the moves department. The fast movements had their hearts beating in wild tempos, their faces flush with hot blood. He swallowed uncomfortably and tried not to breathe.
One girl caught his eye. She was way too beautiful to be a human, that was for sure, yet not as stunningly flawless as a vampire. Her eyes, a glimmering ice color flecked with gold and green, were almost supernatural. Her skin held the slightest tan – like milky tea. She definitely wasn't pale enough to be a vampire. She looked like she spent all day in the sun. Her hair was blonde with brown streaked through it, swept messily behind her head. Her nose was small and round, her mouth in a cute pout.
Edward was enthralled – who was the mystery girl? She smelled like warm sun and sand, and forests bathed in golden light. Her "voice" was missing. No matter how hard Edward tried, the voice in her mind was simply not there. He stared at her, trying to gain entry for several minutes before she turned her face towards him. The corners of her lips turned up in a secret cheeky smile. She lifted a single finger and shook it slightly, as if scolding a small child. And then she left.
He followed her, naturally, and tried to find her. The lovely scent led him to a dark alley. His mind kicked into overdrive – it was dangerous for women on the streets of New York at night, not to mention in dark, dirty alleys! A few paces into the shadows, the scent disappeared. She hadn't climbed, there was no evidence of a vehicle. She had simply vanished into thin air.
Edward ran outside of the city, into the country, to their little house. Esme was in the living room, reading, and Carlisle was up in the bedroom, fetching another book from the bedside table where he'd left it.
"Carlisle, you will want to hear this," Edward called.
"What is it, son?" the older vampire said, flashing to his wife's side in less than a second.
"I came across the most peculiar thing – a beautiful girl. Too beautiful for any human, although her eyes weren't red or gold, and she had a heartbeat. I could not read her mind, and she seemed to know I was trying. She smiled at me and ran off. When I gave chase, her scent vanished in an alley like she was never there!" Edward ranted, pacing the room with his arms folded behind his back. Esme and Carlisle exchanged worried glances.
"She doesn't sound dangerous… maybe there's more than just vampires roaming the Earth…" Carlisle said.
"I hope she's alright," Esme fretted. Edward gave his adoptive mother a dry look.
"If she can fool a vampire, I am sure she can take care of herself," he mumbled. Carlisle gave a small chuckle at his son's expense.
"Well, whatever she is, if not human, there's likely more. If wehave forever, then we're likely to run into another one someday," Carlisle said wisely. His two companions nodded and they contemplated this thought for a while.
"How was the party, Edward?" Esme asked.
"Boring. A vain girl named Rosalie stared at me all night," Edward rolled his eyes. "I attract blondes, it seems."
West Country, England
October 31st 1981
Edward wandered through the streets, hands in his pockets. He was idly walking, thinking about life. A familiar scent washed over him, one he hadn't smelled in years.
Impossible! His mind screamed. She'd be an old woman now!
He followed the beachy scent, determined to see her. She stood against a tree, seemingly waiting for him. The mysterious girl didn't look a day older than the last time he saw her.
"Who are you?" Edward demanded. Her mind was as silent as ever.
"It's a beautiful night," she gestured to the moon. "Beautiful, but filled with tragedy. Yes, a tragedy occurred here."
"What are you?" he tried again. The girl sighed wistfully and a single tear rolled down her cheek.
"My best friend died tonight. Her little son, an orphan. Her husband, taken with her. Oh, this is a tragedy that will change the world. Mayn't seem it to you, or to Muggles, but it will change this Earth. It happened, and we cannot reverse Death's grasp, but my heart… Well, I shall have a few words for Death when I see him. That nasty man! Suppose it's not his fault, though. S'only his job," she continued, finally turning to look at him. Her gorgeous eyes were filled with glittering tears.
"I'm sorry," Edward said, a little awkwardly.
"Not your fault, but thank you," she finally responded to him. "Knew they'd go one day. Wish they… wishing won't help much tonight. The war's over for now. He'll be back. When he does… When that bastard returns… I'll have words!"
Edward didn't bother asking any questions. Her cryptic messages would only continue. Instead, he introduced himself.
"My name is Edward Cullen," he said carefully. "I am pleased to meet you again."
"The pleasure is mine, Edward," she smiled.
"Will I ever know your name?" he asked her desperately.
"Ember," she smiled sadly. With a slight crack, she was gone. Her scent lingered slightly, but went nowhere. Edward swallowed a lump in his throat. Would he ever meet the strange creature again? His heart told him yes… but when?
Little Whinging, England
1992
Edward wandered England time and time again, looking for Ember. Finally, one rainy morning, he caught her scent in a place called Little Whinging. He chased the scent for a mile until he wound up in a café, sitting at a table across from her. As usual, she looked the same.
"You look no different," Edward commented. She shot him a playful smile.
"You don't either, Cullen," Ember grinned. An hour later, they strolled through a park. He thanked his lucky stars for the cloud cover. They talked like humans – about music, memories, favorites, dislikes. He was charmed by her easygoing, carefree attitude.
"Why don't you drink humans?" she asked suddenly. He stopped in his tracks and gaped at her.
"You know what I am?" he stammered. She gave him a dry look.
"Duh, Cullen. What do you drink, Dracula?" she asked, hands on her hips.
"Animals. You know what I am, why don't I get to know what you are?" He snapped. She gave him a 'don't-use-that-tone-of-voice-with-me-young-man' look and tossed her ponytail over her shoulder.
"You wouldn't understand," she claimed.
"Try me."
They stared each other down, gold boring into blue, before she relented.
"Phoenix-born," she said simply, resuming the leisurely walk.
"What-born?" Edward hissed, chasing her. She giggled and ran, inviting him to give chase. He growled playfully and complied. The two ran through the lonely park, into a little forest. He caught her arms and pushed her against a tree.
"What-born?" he asked again. She grinned and kept her mouth closed. They stared at each other for several moments.
"I have all day," Edward told her.
"I do, too," she countered. The silence continued for a while before she stretched up, on her tip-toes, and kissed his lips, very gently. He was amazed – her scent, her taste, didn't drive him to drink. She smelled good, like perfume instead of food. She was definitely not human.
She leaned back to the tree.
"Phoenix-born. I'm a phoenix wrapped up in a cute human package," she grinned.
"And what is that?" he asked. She gave him a knowing look, and it was his turn to lean in and press his lips to hers.
"I have special powers. Real phoenixes are immortal – they age and die and are reborn. I am immortal, although more badass."
"What are your powers?" Kiss.
"I can manipulate age, my own and others. I can make them young, or old. Vamps are a little different. My tears can save anyone from death, and heal them. I'm also a witch," she smiled coyly.
"A what now?" Kiss.
"Come now, Edward. Obviously there isn't just vampires. Witches and wizards have magic blood. They can perform spells and charms. They have whole societies. My best friend Lily… the one who died long ago, she was a witch," Ember sighed wistfully at the mention of her friend.
"Whole societies? How?" Kiss.
"Wizarding Britain is where I'm from. Whole villages and schools, hidden from non-magical people, where all sorts of creatures can be themselves. Goblins, elves, Veela, vampires. Surprised you had no idea, Edward," Ember snickered. Edward's mind whirred, and butterflies fluttered into his throat. A place where they could be themselves?
"Are vampires shunned there?" Kiss.
"Used to be. There's potions, though. Potions that can essentially stop the thirst. There's only one vampire attending the wizard school, Hogwarts, right now. She takes special meals with the potion that sate her. Good friend, she is," Ember smiled fondly.
"How do you always know where I'll be?" Kiss.
"I just know things sometimes. Gut feelings, basically. Phoenixes and phoenix-borns get them," Ember shrugged.
"Are there more of you?" Kiss.
"A few, somewhere in the world. We're very rare specimens, see. A lot of us hide because our tears are so valuable and our powers, people would kill for."
"How were you… created? Born?" Kiss.
"There was a great fire. Fire is the base of everything. Fire, in the earth's crust, traveled far. A spark flew right through the ground, swirling into Rowena Ravenclaw's office. It broke in two! One, turned into a phoenix named Fawkes. The other was a beautiful baby girl who Rowena raised into a beautiful child, teen, young woman. I just maintain this age, but sometimes I become a child again and go to Hogwarts!"
"Who is Rowena Ravenclaw?" Kiss.
"One of the four Founders of Hogwarts. Long dead, of course, she was only a witch. Her other daughter's ghost roams the school. Not very friendly – she only likes me. 'Cause I'm her sister, and she loves me," Ember smiled sadly. "Our little family – well, we had issues. I don't want to talk about them, please."
Edward nodded understandingly.
"Would you like to meet my family, and not disappear this time?" Kiss.
"Why, Mr. Cullen! Run away with you?" Ember giggled. "Of course!"
"Come with me," Edward grabbed her hand. They ran together through the streets of Little Whinging to a house on Privet Drive. The number on the front of the house said ten.
Ember and Edward entered the living room. Rosalie was sitting on the floor with Emmett's head in her lap. Jasper was on the couch with Alice tucked into his side, flipping through a magazine. Esme was humming and putting framed photos up on the mantle. Carlisle was nowhere to be seen.
"Everyone, this is Ember. The one I've been looking for!" Edward grinned like a maniac. Alice jumped up and threw herself into Ember's warm embrace.
"I have been just dy-ing to meet you!" she screeched, jumping up and down. "Edward's just bonkers for you!"
"I know," Ember winked at him. She greeted the rest of the family, and when Carlisle came back, Ember told her story. With less kissing. She was also introduced to the Cullen's special powers.
"I'd really like to see Wizarding Britain," Carlisle mused. "These potions you speak of are just… riveting."
"You should all go to Hogwarts first," Ember mused. She was sitting on the floor with Rosalie and Alice, legs crossed.
"How can we?" Rosalie said. "I'm not a witch. I act like one, sometimes."
Everyone snorted.
"But you're a magical creature!" Ember gaped. "Your venom – that's made of the same magic that runs through the blood of every witch and wizard. It's just very venemous. Honestly! You'd have no trouble – of course, there's the issue of administration… unless… OH!"
"OH!" Alice screamed back. The two of them jumped up and held hands, dancing together. "OH! OH!"
"What?!" Everyone else chorused. Alice fell into giggles.
"I can manipulate age," Ember snorted, taking a deep breath. "H-How would you like to be-"
Ember had to stop because she was laughing so hard.
"Eleven!" Alice finished.