DarkIsRising (For Jackie or else…)
All recognizable Harry Potter characters belong to J.K. Rowling and all Twilight characters are Stephenie Meyer's. No infringement is intended, but chaos is expected.
Edward was bombarded with his family members' thoughts as the strangers' claim washed over them. Each had a varied reaction. Rosalie was by far the most irate, her marble face etched with fury. Who the hell are these people? What makes them think they have the right to come into our home and disrupt our life this way? I'm going to rip that little girl's throat out… Emmett was entirely too busy trying to unruffle his wife and keeping a keen eye on the intruders.
Carlisle gave him a swift glance. Edward, anything new from them? Esme's expression mirrored his own concern and curiosity. Edward simply gave a slight shake of no. Bella looked outright confused at the exchange, looking up at him with wide, questioning eyes. The smell of her anxiety was heavy around her.
He smoothed back her hair and started to reassure her when Alice's voice screamed in his head. Edward! His head snapped up to look at her black eyes and then moved over to Jasper's ocher ones. I told you so. She finished her sentiment from earlier. Something new. Something powerful. But I've seen no malevolence from them. I'm still searching. Her eyes fluttered closed briefly; forehead wrinkled in concentration.
Jasper held his gaze. They feel familiar. As though I've met them before… His thoughts trailed off to a farther recess of his memories where Edward could not follow anymore.
Suddenly, the rage coming from Rose was bubbling over and with Jasper distracted, it was not calmed. She snapped out, "I want to know who the hell you people are. How dare you break in and then make demands of us!" She pointed an immaculate finger at her family. "You have shown no reason for us to trust you and to grant your request." A sneer marred her features. "'To save the world.' You expect us to believe that. For all we know you are from the Volturi."
Esme gave her a disapproving look as if to say 'I've taught you better than that.' Foul language was not tolerated under any circumstances. "Rosalie," she harshly chided.
Emmett gave the man and women a hard look. "She makes a good point, Esme." He absentmindedly rubbed his wife's shoulders. "Although they are not in much of a position," he motioned to the silent and grave figures before them, "seven vampires against their pathetic little sticks."
Carlisle's thoughts mostly very controlled sprang out and Edward heard it just before the human female responded. I would not count those out.
"Pathetic little sticks?" she seethed back in her English accent, clearly getting fed up with the entire situation. "You are one ignorant vampire if you've never seen a wand or a witch for that matter. I'll show you what this puny piece of wood can do!"
With that she raised the wand higher in a more threatening position and prepared to say more. The older man with her raised his empty hand and pushed hers back down to her side. Forcing her angered gaze upon him, he said quietly, but not lost on the vampires, "Hermione, refrain and do try to stay focused."
She conceded, grasping the wooden handle so tight her knuckles went white. Muttering, she replied, "Hurry up or I'm stunning them all and finding the cup myself. I didn't come this far to stand around and get threatened."
Emmett outright laughed at the revelation, even as Carlisle's lips tightened into a line. "A witch?" he chortled, then considered the man. "What are you? Well," he amended, his nose scrunching in disgust, "apart from the obvious. A warlock?"
"Wizard, actually," he replied calmly.
Edward could not help his eyes from narrowing and from pulling Bella closer as he spoke up quickly, "Do you know the man you are with is a werewolf?" He held the woman's gaze as she turned to the man in question. All the vampires heard him mention 'a scent.' She rolled her eyes and muttered about 'things not smelling right.'
The entire Cullen clan flared their nostrils in distaste at the stench permeating around the room. As if an intrusion was not enough, one done so by a reeking dog was much, much worse. Each eyed him suspiciously as if any small move could set him off into a giant, furry wolf.
"But if he's a werewolf," began Bella quietly to Edward, "how is he so calm? He hasn't shaken at all. His control is greater than even Sam's."
The woman, who had already shown her feistiness, flashed a quick sarcastic grin. "Why yes, I've known that for quite a long time." Her smile widened. "He's only scary around the full moon, nothing to worry your little undead selves about."
"This is utterly ridiculous," groused Rosalie. "Have you ever heard of such? Werewolves who actually turn during a full moon, witches, and magic. Where are you hiding the broom you rode in on?"
Unexpectedly, Jasper moved forward, causing even Alice to look surprised. He surveyed the faces before speaking. "I met a witch once. It was during the war." He turned to the other two and apologetically elaborated. "The Civil War. She came upon me feeding outside a battlefield and tried to dispose of me." He cast his eyes down ashamedly. "She was young and not very experienced." His silence answered what happened to the unfortunate woman.
Alice immediately brushed past Edward and the rest to wrap an arm around Jasper. Her look was accusing as if the strangers themselves had brought up the memory. She stood next to him, offering solace. Soon Carlisle placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I, too, have come across some of your kind in my time. Much more than Jasper here. But only briefly," the blonde man smiled wearily, "since they do exterminate our kind at every opportunity possible, regardless…"
"Regardless of diet," finished the werewolf. "Now, back to business if you will…"
Carlisle held up a finger to halt the man. "Before we go any farther, I think some introductions are in order. If you would kindly tell us your names."
"As long as you do the same," replied the woman.
"Very well," conceded Carlisle.
"Hermione Granger."
"I'm Remus Lupin."
Edward watched patiently as his father pointed out each person and named them, including Bella. Hermione and Remus seemed satisfied with the exchange. In frustration, he tried again to penetrate their minds, finding barriers once again. Each turned quickly on him. Knowing he was the mind reader of the group, they eyed him apprehensively.
Hermione would not look away from him. "Edward," she asked, "what is it you want to know so badly you can't keep out of our minds?"
He couldn't believe he had been caught again. "The truth," he answered quickly. "I am trying to see if you have an ulterior motive or if you are true to your word. You cannot fault me for watching out for my family."
"No," she grimaced, "but you are about to give me a headache." She rubbed a temple with her free hand.
Embarrassed momentarily, he withdrew from his probing, but kept a metaphorical ear open for any slips they might make. Esme raised an eyebrow at him. Behave. Rosalie was chewing over a thought they kept going through her mind. Truth. Are they telling it? Prove it.
"I'd rather like to see them prove it."
"Prove what?" Hermione spat back. "That we are telling the truth?"
"Of course, well at least the witch part." She smirked at her own challenge.
"The invisibility, the thought blocking," Hermione pointed angrily to herself, "me becoming an owl weren't enough for you."
"No," replied Rose haughtily.
Remus' eyes flicked between the two before pointing his wand at Hermione and saying, "Silencio." Leaving her in a very fuming silence. He turned his wand on Rosalie next, causing her to look taken back, and muttered the same spell. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. If color could have come to her cheeks it would have as she looked to be screaming herself hoarse.
Emmett looked stricken and made a move toward Remus. "Stop it! Whatever you did to her, take it off!" He growled for effect.
However, Edward was shaking with laughter, along with a giggling Alice and grinning Jasper. "I rather like this side of Rose. It will make it much more peaceful around the house."
This statement caused Emmett to turn his anger toward his brother who still had mirth in his eyes. Esme's mouth set into a severe line and turned to Remus. "Please, you have made your point. Release Rosalie. I don't think you have enough spells to break up their brawls."
"As long as the ladies can contain themselves," he muttered. Hermione slapped him and narrowed her eyes, causing him to smirk. He lifted her spell first, leaving her audibly huffing as he freed Rosalie next.
"I do believe that simple spell answers any lingering questions as to our legitimacy. I'd rather not have to do anything more drastic." He pushed his lengthy sandy brown hair out of his eyes, appearing very tired.
"But," spoke up Bella. All seven vampires swiveled toward her in surprise as if they had completely forgotten her presence. She blushed as the attention was directed toward her. Sneaking a peek up at Edward, she continued, "You have never explained the 'saving the world' part. I mean, did you just take it upon yourself to do it? What exactly are you saving it from?" Her earnest, pink-tinged expression peered back from within the stark white figures.
"I understand these are rather unusual circumstances and we do apologize for entering your home in such a manner. But we need you to realize that at the moment, our people are at a war. This won't completely make sense to you all, but we are members of an order fighting against a very evil wizard. Voldemort," none of the vampires moved at the name, except Carlisle, "is trying to take over the wizarding world and is killing everyone in his way. It won't be long before it spills over into the Muggle world – I mean the non-magical world – and he obtains everything." Remus steely gaze held them. "The cup is essential to his downfall."
Hermione nodded in affirmation. "We can't kill him. He managed to split his soul and to hide the pieces in various objects like the cup each with strong magical protection. We must destroy all of his Horcruxes harboring his essence. Even if we do damage to him, he is still connected to life through all his other pieces of soul. So, you can see our problem. You, Mr. Cullen," she pointed at Carlisle, "are in possession of a piece of Voldemort's soul."
Having been silent throughout the speech, Edward was shaken to see Carlisle shiver, actually shiver at the news. "He's back, you say? But Dumbledore assured me that he was gone. Such a massive threat had been thwarted."
"You…you knew Dumbledore?" stuttered Hermione.
"Of course, he was one of those few of your kind I have met. He gave me fair warning about a temptation I might be offered by this Voldemort if I lingered in England too long. He was a very decent man. Later he sent word, remembering our meeting and that I had a sizeable coven to convert, of the peace that then existed."
Esme gaped with everyone else. "When you returned from that trip to London twenty years ago, you never mentioned this to any of us. Or of a return correspondence."
He looked properly guilty. "I did not wish to worry any of you with something so far away. Then when I was told it was over, it seemed quite pointless to drudge an old worry up. But," he looked up at Remus, "I see times have changed."
"Yes, Dumbledore is dead and we are hurting for anything that would give us the upper hand." Carlisle turned even grimmer at the news.
Edward's carefully angled features took upon an air of perplexity before becoming his cultivated mask, a question burning in his eyes. "I have handled this cup many times. It has never shown any signs of being out of the ordinary or of possessing magical properties of any kind. I do not quite see how a soul is residing in it."
Hermione tapped her wand against her leg, shooting tiny multicolored sparks. It could easily be seen she was tired of the talk. "It's made to be inconspicuous. You wouldn't have necessarily seen it act strangely. The cup is merely a vessel holding in the soul. We'll have to extract it from within its hiding spot in order to kill it. A cup isn't much of a conduit for action."
"And this war," continued Edward conversationally.
"This war," Hermione said through gritted teeth, "has been going on long enough. Do you have a question about it? Because I'll be more than happy to give you a blow-by-blow replay."
"Hermione," warned Remus as he felt her Occlumency slipping away. Her eyes held a challenge to Edward as she thought back to the last battle, one of the most devastating to date.
The images that slammed into Edward's head were dark and dim. Hermione was in a very angry state as she flashed through a piece of her past.
She was creeping down an alley way, looking back occasionally. Soon a bright, red light filled the street before her, accompanied with screams soon after. She was running toward the noises, cursing under her breath and saying "They've found out. Oh God, they know." The scene cut rapidly to another. She was now standing on the same wide street lined with urban buildings. Masses of people fought and hurtled curses around her. The lights from their wands swirled about her as if caught in a freak fireworks show. A black-robed, white-masked figure advanced on her just like the multitude of similarly dressed people descending on the Order. Bodies, bodies, bodies. They were everywhere. Ron? RON? RON! She forgot about the battle as she knelt forward at the sight of his familiar red hair. A sharp pain entered her side like a knife. Bella. Edward was startled by the name of his angel uttered with such hatred. Blood was on her just like everyone else. Bellatrix. Forget the pain. The sneering face laughed at her. "I killed him. I killed him." She cackled on and on in a sing-song voice. Ron…no… His blood was still warm on her hand where she had touched him; his eyes were glossy.I HATE YOU! I'LL KILL YOU. IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO! "Avada Kedavra." The green light startled the laughing witch and she fell over soundless finally. She rose, clutching her side. The same green curse from her wand caught another Death Eater by surprise. "I'll kill you all." A white figure appeared among the black. Voldemort. White hot knives all over her body. Make it stop. MAKE IT STOP!
Tears streamed unhindered down Hermione's pale face; it had lost its fierceness and looked crumpled. Remus materialized a handkerchief out of thin air and carefully used it to wipe away the tears that still came out. "Oh Hermione, you needn't have put yourself through that again." He handed the damp white material over to her so she could continue to dab her eyes.
"Now he'll understand." She leveled a stare at the vampires.
Edward would not look up at her. Bella held his face between her hands. "You were shaking," she whispered. "Edward, are you alright? You…you said my name." She seemed hurt by that fact.
He traced an icy finger over her jaw and then her lips. "It wasn't you, love. Nothing like you." A strangled thought caused him to finally raise his bowed head. Satisfied? He inclined to say 'yes.' "I'm very sorry for your loss. It was never my intention to bring forth something so painful for you, physically and emotionally. But I thank you nonetheless for allowing me to fully understand your circumstances." He hesitated before going on. "That last part. I felt it just as you did. What is that called?"
"The Cruciatus Curse." She grinned without humor. "Clearly used for torture. Why?"
His family bombarded him with their thoughts as they wanted to know about what he had seen. He shook his head as if to say he would explain it later, but not here. "It reminded me of Jane." Bella gasped at the name as the vampires stiffened. Esme looked stricken as she covered her mouth.
That bad?
Oh dear, how can anything be comparable to that
How could a little human girl survive?
"Not a friend of yours, I take it," stated Remus at the reaction.
"Definitely not," snarled Alice at the memory of Italy.
Bella unable to convey herself to Edward via thought took his hand. "Jane? But she's horrible and what she can do is even worse. What could even be close to that?" She shuddered involuntarily. "How bad was it?"
"Worse. Nothing you ever need to see or experience. Not that I ever would let such harm befall you. Let's just say their current war," he spoke to his family, "far exceeds the worst that could have happened with the Volturi. A variable 'Jane' at the end of every wand."
The poor handkerchief had been pulverized by Hermione's constant crumpling of it. Her tearstains had been erased with it and her face held the air of poise once more. But Remus still had a hand on her shoulder giving it an occasional squeeze. "Yes, we've been through quite a lot. If we may see the cup now."
"Jasper," said Carlisle rapidly, "please retrieve the cup."
Without a second thought, he flew up the stairs at vampire speed and had returned before any of the living present had properly blinked. Gleaming in the light, the small golden cup shone innocently in his colorless hand. Ever so carefully, he handed it to Hermione, eyeing Remus. Jasper made certain to hold onto one handle and to offer the other to her, ensuring no contact. As soon as she grasped it, he backed away within the folds of his family. Each gazed upon the object with apprehension.
"Now to unlock your secret," murmured Hermione.
Remus sighed. "I'm sure there is a catch."
Cocking an eyebrow in reply, she shook her head. "There's always a catch where he's concerned."
After the standoff, the vampires took seats on the ample furniture in the main room. They sat like perfect marble statues and as still as rocks. Edward pulled Bella down onto his lap, wrapping his arms securely around her. He placed a soft kiss on the top of her head, but kept his focus on the two people still standing in the room.
"With the locket, Dumbledore had to drink the water, Harry said. The ring had to be worn in order to break it. Ravenclaw's book had to be read out loud…all 1,567 pages. Each instance the wizard was weakened by the act. So what do we have to do to crack this?" Hermione was pacing but abruptly stopped to show the cup, dangling from one finger.
"Whatever it is, it won't be pleasant. I'm sure he engineered something nice and sinister for us to do," added Remus mordantly.
Alice's voice rang out unexpectedly. "It is a cup, is it not? It holds things. Perhaps you are supposed to put something into it."
Hermione peered closer at the diminutive chalice in her grasp. "Of course, we have to fill it. Most likely with a liquid since it is a cup."
"But with what?" Remus rubbed his chin and jaw in concentration. "I guess we could always just start out with water." He raised his wand and produced a steady stream of water until it had reached brim. But before any more could be made of it, the water slowly drained out of the bottom. None leaked out, but the liquid's level declined until the cup was dry once more.
"Definitely not water." Irritably, she tapped it with the side of her wand, causing brilliant green and black sparks to fly. "We have to think like Voldemort. I mean, what would he want us to have to put in it? I rather think this is where the sinister part comes in."
Remus grabbed the cup, swinging Hermione around from her once again pacing. Edward inwardly winced at the lack of vampire grace as each nearly head butted the other. "In order to get to that locket, Dumbledore had to first open the cave. And do you remember what was used to accomplish that?"
"Blood." Hermione stared uneasily at her hand. "He had to use his blood." She closed her eyes in exasperation. "Why does it always involve blood?"
Remembering their whereabouts, they turned to survey the vampires still perched stoically in their expensive sofa and chairs. Rosalie tossed her lustrous gold hair and gave them a withering look. "Don't look at us. I highly doubt you'd like our answer to that."