- - - Sanctuary - - -
Before most anyone even registers they've left the castle, let alone arrived in the middle of Hogwarts's expansive lawn (curiously, amidst some kind of flaming barrier ominously rising out of a bramble-like network of long sharp spikes… which spikes are oddly only visible to one of the vampires, as seen through the humans' eyes), Edward has yanked himself away from temptation and disappeared off into the forest for a desperately needed breath of fresh air (turning into a careful hunt and indefinite run around the grounds' perimeter). Meanwhile, knowing the two of them can't safely leave Hogwarts' grounds without getting back on Aro's radar – his friendlier, albeit still black-eyed, tiny sister sticks around to help them figure out a solution.
Far too dazed yet to register any of these trivial details, Bella remains only keenly aware of the quietly audible growl right next to her ear and ghost-like feel of cold breath against her neck, just prior to Edward's sudden disappearance… and she is under no illusion as to what full contact would have meant for her. At the same time, absolutely stunned at the glaring absence of the anticipated pain of his teeth slicing into her skin, and veritably shivering with shock and disbelief at the icy tingle in her fingers that is all that remains of the overpowering reality of his proximity, neither can she deny that she's still alive. How? Why? It doesn't make any sense, now that he's away from Volterra; there's nothing holding him back anymore. What does it mean? Certainly the severity of his struggle has been unmistakable.
Not until every other recently transported human has immediately fled as far as they can from her – and from the remaining vampire in their midst – within an apparently small space, does she finally realize where they all ended up. Her companions might have looked funny huddling close to the far edge of a faint glowing circle in the middle of a wide open lawn, if she hadn't known the terror was real. The magical signature surrounding them seems to be that of a defensive shield charm, reflecting back in upon its occupants. A containment field then… not that it kept him confined in the least. Thus it probably also has no power over her. As usual, Bella doesn't have any sense of the visual.
But how did they arrive here, of all places? Hogwarts' grounds?! She certainly wouldn't have tried bringing everyone to this place, even if she had managed to get so far as performing the apparation spell; it would have just been a foolish and futile effort. Let alone frighteningly unsafe. Yet, somehow they'd already been disappearing out of Volterra before she had the chance. Coming here anyway. Could… he have somehow done that? she speculates disbelievingly. Who else…? she wonders. But, even if he had… how would he have thought to bring us here? Or known enough – and yet not enough – about Hogwarts to even try? Surely he's never been here before… just the thought makes her uneasy… and vampires aren't supposed to be magical. So, what's going on? We shouldn't have been able to do this. Amidst her confusion, the fact that there are now lethal (not to mention thirsty!) vampires at Hogwarts – where too many friends are now also entirely vulnerable – is not a comfortable truth.
All this while, Alice has been standing calmly nearby, silently and concernedly looking beyond the spiked magical fire, into the forest. Bella can guess that she is relatively safe from this vampire, as Edward's friend or family (coven member perhaps? Not mate; the leader Aro specifically observed that she had a mate, but he wasn't the one that came with) would never steal away the treasure that Bella could be for him. And if, by their earlier conversation, she could tell anything at all: it was that Alice cared for Edward. Therefore, already planning how at least staying away from the others could help them keep from becoming collateral damage, she alone tentatively approaches.
Briefly looking out into the forest as well, though not seeing anything to keep her focus on, finally Bella ventures to speak up nervously beside the formidable predator, her tone resigned. "Is he… going to come… back… for me?"
At this, Alice's gaze turns to meet hers, the hopeful beginnings of a smile reaching into her black eyes. In a manner every bit as friendly as it has been all along, her reply is unexpectedly gentle. "He's trying not to."
In response to Bella's clear shock and even greater confusion at her answer, Alice patiently explains further as she turns to face back out into the forest. "Usually, he exhibits much more control of himself than this; better control than I have. But in this case – to have left you alone – his control has to rival the very best I know." Her voice trails off in an awed tone.
In the face of his weakness, she's clearly proud of him… which is no insignificant commendation to Bella! Truly, she had all but surrendered herself to the unwanted likelihood of becoming his prey once they were free of Volterra… as surely all of her peers had also believed… because his apparent motivation of avoiding a destiny with the Volturi would no longer be in effect. It's hard to imagine, now, that this may not be the case.
If this… Lady… Cullen… can truly be this proud of him, for not coming back after me… while at the same time, no one else has been harmed… it similarly suggests that she has chosen not to be a threat to anyone, either. Underneath Bella's stunned response and tentative mind-bogglingly bewildered relief, Bella feels oh so pleased and infinitely grateful. Could her inviting friendliness not be a farce, then? The sudden hopefulness rising up within her, is profound.
"H-how…? Why…?" Bella whispers silently to herself, frozen with incomprehension.
At last, she rallies her faculties into a question she can verbalize. "W-why do you… do it?" There's nothing that can explain why she remains alive, still the irresistible focus of a thirsty vampire… alongside everyone else who sits untouched… except, that they have willed it so. Not even the abrupt removal of his person from her touch had hurt her in any way, unlike the damaging grasps of so many others in Volterra that – at best – had left bruises all over. It's not as if she hasn't seen more than enough by now, to know how easily they could… regardless of how big or small they are, and sometimes when they're not even touching! It's the very nature of their species, to prey upon us… which consequently begs the inconceivable question: How? How can they not?
"It all comes down to the reflection in the mirror," Alice offers perceptively; "whether or not you like what you see."
Clearly not talking about outer beauty, then, Bella observes mentally, unexpectedly impressed. There's a depth there that's really striking. Then, surprised to be smiling internally, just a little, she returns: "You… have a reflection, then?"
Alice laughs, her bell-like soprano briefly tinkling across the grounds. "Of course we do!" Then, slowly her smile becomes solemn as she gazes back out into the forest with a sigh. "And then there are those… who can see themselves all too easily – without a mirror."
Quite obviously said in reference to her missing vampire companion, unwillingly cast as her own ultimate unexpected nemesis, nevertheless Bella can't help but share the petite seer's concern as she likewise gazes out toward the forest he disappeared into. "Will he be alright?" she whispers quietly. There's no way this has been easy on him.
Alice turns to regard her keenly for a moment, before gently replying with a profound wisdom. "If all you saw when you looked in the mirror, was a monster – you wouldn't be feeling too happy about it, either."
Nearly crying out at the unfairness of the thought, Bella can't help but worriedly sorrow after his welfare, remorseful of the painful effect she has on him.
Entirely silently and abruptly, the shield charm dissolves in front of them… as apparently the well-aged headmaster (sporting both long robes, half-moon spectacles, and a lengthy beard) cautiously walks into their vicinity, carefully approaching Alice. In the same moment, Alice turns on her heel into a defensive position facing him, her tiny back to Bella who hasn't moved. He stops; wand in hand, though non-threateningly pointed toward the ground at his side. While Bella watches him assess the newcomer vigilantly, as she must also be doing to him – all of the huddled humans are quick to disperse, no doubt thankful for the distraction.
Curiously, the little seer relaxes again almost at once – promptly returning to full height as the shortest of them all – and her expression must not have been hostile (maybe it was even friendly?), because his advance resumes a little more freely. A small twitch of the lips makes the professor look somewhat curious and hopeful in his wariness… until finally he stands at a comfortable greeting distance.
By the nature of his introduction, Bella surmises that he doesn't actually know what Alice is yet (or where they came from, which would give it away); only that she must have been who triggered the magical defense… along with the naturally concerning observation that every other human within it was afraid of her. Being that humans can actually be threatened by a lot of things, Bella supposes that his reading of the shield charm's interpretation of their weaknesses… must not have been very helpful in singling the vampires' out. Though, no doubt it made for an interesting combination. Regardless, his well-wished welcome for her safety and comfort on these grounds, alongside everyone else, is genuine and hopeful.
Just as intriguing to watch, is her response… promptly including the unanticipated request of temporary asylum for herself and her brother at Hogwarts, until they can be reunited with their family under another magical ward that will keep them all safe from Volterra's imminent retaliation.
"Volterra?!" All of a sudden, as if Bella could actually see the light bulb turning on over his head – the shocked headmaster glances toward his closest vulnerable student only to find that she is not in any way surprised by this information. Eyes widening at the confirmation, in an instant Dumbledore has undoubtedly recognized what Alice is, realized that there is another one of them already loose on the grounds, and simultaneously observed that there are somehow aspects of their presentation that are not consistent with known vampire nature. That they didn't splinch while apparating onto warded grounds specifically protected against human predators, Bella guesses, is one of them. That no one appears to be under active threat – as my own surprising degree of comfort must attest to in some degree – is another. It's all so incredibly confusing, and amazing… and his expression looks it, she internally giggles. Welcome to the party, professor.
"Yes," the little vampire's smile is apologetic as she continues, "they aren't too happy that we thwarted their plans, so it won't take long for them to send out a party bent on terrorizing our family. It isn't something we'll be able to avoid, either… except by staying under one of your wards. Do you mind?"
Her tone is matter-of-fact – clearly not guessing at her facts – but Bella knows the astute headmaster could benefit from another key piece of information. "Alice is a seer," she helpfully volunteers.
Dumbledore's wise eyes marginally widen again at the news, and he speechlessly glances with thanks in her direction, even as his expression simultaneously appears to say: that explains a lot. However, protective concern is still dominant on his features. Very understandably, considering their species is always lethal. Certainly, as much as he'd like to extend welcome to any friendly presence, it's clear that he can't let himself do it… though neither would it be smart to deny them. He is torn.
Recognizing this, Alice continues without pausing. "We'll need to find sustenance right away, of course; I hope you understand… but don't worry, we're not here to hurt anyone – and we won't be seeking out anything sentient, regardless. We don't actually hunt humans, you see, and so that shouldn't be a problem…" she glances uneasily at Bella, effectively communicating that it's not for lack of a powerful instinctual drive… the very reason she couldn't earlier offer any guarantees. "We do know how to be careful," she carefully assures them both in conclusion. "Would you have any other requests?"
Albus is clearly stunned at this news, but now also most delightfully pleased, his mouth holding open for a short moment before he formulates a reply. "I would ask that you leave the unicorns be, as well… thank you."
"You have unicorns!" Alice's face lights up with innocent excitement. "That'll be fun to see!" Even as the slight furrow in her brow, accompanied with a bit of concerned confusion, suggests she hasn't actually been able to do so yet. In any case, the little vampire has no problem agreeing to this, and passing the message along.
Ultimately, bolstered by his sister's revelations, Bella can't help but be extremely impressed by Edward's steadfast effort (as well as Alice's) – on her own behalf as well as all the others – after watching him struggle through the monumentally irresistible degree of thirst the others in Volterra had been raving about. They honestly only prey on… animals?! How can I even fathom how extraordinary that is? "Would you… tell him… 'Thank you' for me?" is the heartfelt message she leaves with Alice, to both vampires' impressed amazement.
Alice nods back to her with a small smile.
The next time Bella sees him, standing with Alice at the forest edge casually observing the milling students from afar, he has amazingly beautiful golden eyes and stays at a generous distance – not coming anywhere near her, though he watches constantly. She can't keep her eyes off him, either, and it devastates her to be the reason that it is necessary to keep away.
Soon after this final, memorable glimpse, apparently a warding arrangement is set up for his entire family – and the two vampires return home… presumably to never be seen at Hogwarts again. Though no guarantee can be made (because: magically warded deterrents are based on the uniquely defining characteristics a species has, rather than ones they don't… which renders non-traditional members of the undead rather impossible to exclusively ward against [this fact, oddly, Bella can only be happy about]), from their groundbreaking interactions Albus is left with a very strong hope that Edward will be able to leave her alone and not come back to threaten her life.
(A/N) Author's Note: Remember the constitution of Albus' wand in EM? Unbeknownst to him, the Deathstick was made of an all-too-familiar, threatening core… which is what scent alarmed Alice when he dissolved the shield charm. Good thing she's a seer and could observe that no attack was pending!
Thanks for reading and sharing!
