* * * Unstable Introductions * * *

As Bella realizes the truth of his observation and her expression turns instead to fretful worry, Edward keeps the conversation moving along as a most helpful and necessary distraction for the both of them. Whenever he's not actively talking, he's inaudibly singing. "As for your questions…" he ventures tentatively, keeping his focus trained upon her with painstaking effort, "Do you believe in magic?"

Bella raises her eyebrows, taken by surprise at the topic – but regards him seriously. "At this point – it wouldn't surprise me." Her tone is wry.

Beneath his inescapably tormented expression, Edward's lips twitch into a small smile, though his eyes tighten with tension as he internally struggles to keep his thought-induced discomfort firmly under control. "No, I suppose it wouldn't."

Meanwhile, finally clued in by the summoning idea from Edward's earlier comment, in combination with the fact that their supernatural visitor looks as pale as an inferi in this light, has displayed some shockingly violent emotions, and immediately was enough to trigger Professor Dumbledore to the defense… Harry is just now realizing, with horror, what kind of creature must be standing before them.

In response, Edward gladly drops all pretense of secretiveness in favor of speaking freely to Bella and hopefully being able to introduce himself as a friend to the wizards by such action. On top of the preexisting knowledge they possess of his species already, this maddening bombardment is quickly going to expose the secret of his talent as well. Too much for them to know… let alone all at once! But at this rate, it cannot be helped. Better to head it off with a complementary understanding, lest they be led to think of him as even more unbalanced than he feels. And for Bella's sake: help them to remain stable. Though inevitably such knowledge is not going to make them any less afraid of him… at least this way, they'll have a sober explanation for it.

Promptly in answer to her queries, Edward goes on to tell her that this is an isolated and darkly magical place that he was summoned to (and she was unlucky enough to accidentally tag along for), by its maker… conceivably – for the express purpose of causing the death of their two companions before they would have a chance to accomplish whatever they came here to do. "Apparently, this Voldemort character believes that their purpose would be his downfall," he painstakingly surmises.

Both wizards are guardedly listening with intent interest to his captivating explanation. How does he know this? Harry wonders with alarm, thoroughly unsure what to really make of it. Indeed, for a predator of the muggle world, he has a surprisingly keen knowledge of their magical one. Contrastingly, Albus suspects that Edward may somehow be hearing all of Tom's pensieve thoughts… if not also their own. Would this be a good or a bad development? he wonders, warily acknowledging the viciously enlightening nature of that possibility. Surprisingly, the maliciously apprehended vampire has still made no threatening motions in their direction… or in any other. Both of them are confounded by the unexpected dynamic that appears to exist between their undead immigrant and his muggle human companion. Unbelievably, she appears to trust him. Does she know what he is? It seems she might.

"As to where exactly we are located…" Edward continues tightly, unable to entirely mask his internal distress, "I believe we're actually somewhere along the shores of England, or thereabouts." Bella gasps in surprise, and he almost smiles at her reaction. "A little far from home," he acknowledges softly, before his smile turns into a frown, "but that's where most of these people were native. Their killer fashioned this place into a personal hideout of sorts… and then made the entire cavern into one gigantic, convoluted death trap."

Bella looks back at the lake with a shudder, finding his explanation all too easy to imagine, and then returns her gaze to Edward – concern and confusion etched deeply within her features. "Where is all this knowledge coming from?" she whispers seemingly to herself, though actually in a concerted effort to keep putting her thoughts into words for Edward's sake. "Is the killer still around here somewhere? I don't understand."

Tenderly brushing his fingers across her cheek and through her hair in a silent gesture of appreciation for her communicative effort, Edward then stiffly turns to indicate with his other hand the pensieve tower standing in the middle of the island. Answering the last of her questions with a significant look toward it, his strained velvet voice now takes on a hard edge. "The bowl of this pedestal houses the many recollections of he who has made this place into what it is. Apparently, there exists a magical method for transforming one's individual thoughts into a tangible form for safekeeping… which is how there can be a whole towns-worth of nefarious memories waiting to ambush the sanity of any unsuspecting mind so unfortunate as to consume them." His teeth are gritted by the end of this.

Bella's eyes widen as she finally realizes, at least in part, the horribly thought-intrusive nature of the situation Edward is having to deal with. "Oh, Edward," Bella laments on his behalf, hugging him tightly. "We have to get you out of here!"

Abruptly, Albus recognizes that: not only is Edward able to actually hear their thoughts as he suspected, but that he must not be capable of turning off the ability! No wonder he's been acting as if he were under invisible magical attack. He is! the headmaster surmises in awe. And it's not hard to believe that Voldemort's stash of thoughts would do that to a person. Clearly, the reality of this powerful mental condition is not new to her, either… though the current intensity of his reaction seems to be. That's got to be some doozy of a pounding headache, then… indicating that the workings of Voldemort's mind must be exorbitantly severe. No surprise there, sadly. Although – I'd have supposed that such an ordeal wouldn't tend to be near so taxing upon someone who was similarly inclined. Hmmm. What might that say about him? These revelations, along with all the potential implications for their situation, are overwhelming.

With a small – even if tense – smile, Edward wraps his arms around her comfortingly and buries his face into her hair, breathing deeply. Both wizards blanch. Fortunately, the increase of focus on Bella's appeal which naturally accompanies this gesture – proves to be unusually helpful as a diversion tactic. "I'll be fine, Bella. Don't worry," he kisses her hair appreciatively, calming them both. "I'm certainly not going anywhere without you. But, we'll have to be careful. Any negligible action in this place could very well be the thing that springs his elaborate trap into motion. And, since I've never met magic before, there may yet be dangers that I wouldn't know about. We can go out with them," he concludes, indicating their magical companions with a tilt of his head. Then, as his afflicted gaze turns up to meet theirs, he entreats: "Let's just not waste any time making it happen."

Albus nods in acknowledgement, respectfully dropping his already-partially-lowered wand as he does so, grateful to have been given a chance to accomplish what they came here to do. Even if the decision to spare their lives (for the moment, at least) could have stemmed purely from the fact that Voldemort hasn't given him a very good first impression, his willingness to cooperate with their efforts against the author of his torment, rather than battling for him, is not insignificant. In truth – though the good headmaster set out on this errand anticipating that he very well might not come out of it alive, it remains vital that Harry be able to. This vampire's unexpectedly agreeable demeanor – if not also inexplicably inspiring attitude in relation to Bella – is very encouraging to this end. There may be hope yet.

Following Professor Dumbledore's example, Harry lowers his wand as well – albeit more warily, and only part of the way. He finds it difficult to lower his defenses completely against a lethal predator that could turn on them at any moment. Even if he does seem nice.

Nevertheless, in a brief but efficient expression of tentative cooperation and hopeful good will, Dumbledore cautiously gestures to himself and Harry in turn, proffering cursory introductions. "Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter…"

Pausing the desperate motion of his lips to reply, Edward completes the overture smoothly, pleased at the grandwizard's effort. "…Edward Cullen, and Bella Swan," he intones, before immediately resuming his private serenade. The two centenarians gratefully conclude with an exchange of respectful nods.

A/N: Sorry for the late update. Thanks for reading and reviewing!