Disclaimer: Since I probably won't remember to put this on future chapters, I don't own Harry Potter, Twilight, or any other pop culture reference in this fanfiction. I hope everyone enjoys what I do with the caracters I borrowed though! Happy reading...

Prologue: Two Can Keep a Secret if One of Them is Dead

They don't know me; just as they thought I didn't know them. Their secret stirred the air. Everyone was aware of their presence. Only, they weren't conscious of it. No, the people of Forks knew they were different, but they didn't have to see the changing color of their eyes or the way their skin was ice. They didn't have to notice that the family only when the sun went out, or that food was never eaten from their trays. They were too afraid, albeit unconsciously, to look past the surface of the seemingly perfect family.

The good looks worked for the Cullens in some ways. Allure was a useful tool to explain away any oddities. After all, it's a common stereotype that those that are of high genetic stock are aware and cocky of their luck in life. Some call it snobbish. I call it a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you treat someone a certain way because of certain superficial notions, then the person would fill that role no matter their intent of character.

I saw past the monsters, and the money, and the endless talent they all seemed to possess. I had no fear clouding my mind when I first met them, and I had learned long ago that listening to gossip borne of idle minds was nothing to put stock in. Because I was able to see past the stigma of the rich and powerful, and more importantly, the stigma of their species, I was able to gain something so transcendent and wonderfully ideal. These beautiful creatures were fighting the same war as me. They did not know it, but my whole life I had fought for the protection of love. Peace, the same peace that the Cullens fought their very natures to achieve, was threatening my world.

So, here I stand in the forest with Edward. I can see the love burning with the intensity of his soul, but also the fear and uncertainty, as he prepares to tell me his secret. I know he fears rejection. He fears I will look into his eyes and not see the boy I love, but the killer lurking within him. I never would. All my life I had learned that the ones who possess the remorse and self-reflection to be able to see their vile side are the ones that can move past it. Everyone has that monster within them; human, vampire, and magic folk alike. So how could any fight it if they refuse to acknowledge its presence. Edward was good because he had the knowledge and strength to know that he could be bad.

Sometimes I wondered if I was the bad one. I had never seen my magic as evil. The power from my wand was never used to gain power, and certainly never to kill. But, right now I felt that, if I didn't tell him of the danger I was putting him in, if I let him open his mouth and give me his soul, I would be setting this beautiful man up for devastation. I opened my mouth, to say what I don't know, but Edward spoke first. If he was human, I know his voice would have shaken.

"Bella, I'm a vampire."

I looked at him, waiting for his eyes to meet mine, and when they did I smiled. "I know."

My heart soared and dived at the same time as a breathtaking smile split Edward's face. There fear from earlier was gone, and now only love shone through. He stepped forward and rested his forehead against mine. His eyes drifted shut as he breathed in my scent, and his smile never wavered. As his thumb caressed my cheek, I know I should be feeling elation, but all I knew was quilt. I had my chance to tell him, and I chickened out. I felt like I had already doomed us before we even started.

"I love you," Edward breathed into the embrace.

"I love you, too," I whispered back. He would never know my voice was clogged not from the happiness, but the new weight pressing on my chest.

A/N: Who wants more? Let me know with a review pretty please! Thank you for taking the time to read :)