Disclaimer: I own them. Yes, I do. Along with a huge spaceship that I will use to bring pink and green aliens to Earth. Mwahaha.
A/N: I finished this at 4 o'clock in the morning ::grins over a mug of hot, steaming and extremely strong coffee:: Go me.
Dum-dum-duuum. The meeting! You all know things will go just peach-ly according to plan, right?
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Harry briefly wondered if the vampires would be offended that everyone had their wands out and on them, but from what he'd heard, they probably wouldn't even perceive it as a threat. Dumbledore paused in the doorway, and stepped back gesturing with a purple-clad arm for the visitors to enter the room first. He seemed to not even notice the extremely tense atmosphere.
The seven vampires didn't even seem to walk in; their motions were fluid and perfectly controlled. The way they seemed to glide across the floor reminded Harry of something that sent a chill running down his spine.
Dementors, he thought. Both creatures of the night who feed on people. This is such a bad idea…
The first one through the door seemed to be the oldest, though old wasn't really a word to be attributed to him. He appeared to be in his early thirties, with straight blond hair, honey-colored eyes, and a slight smile on his face. As the rest of the vampires walked in, the first thing that came to Harry's mind was that they were breathtakingly beautiful.
I reckon they'd have to be to attract prey and all that. Harry swallowed thickly and felt Hermione's hand wrap around his arm with spasming fingers.
Their faces were inhumanely pale, even more so than Snape's, which is really saying something. They all had the same sweet, honey-colored eyes, that seemed to lull into a false sense of security, and dark shades under their eyes that gave them a haunted look.
The vampire right behind the leader had a very motherly look about her. She reminded Harry a bit of Mrs. Weasley, albeit a very gorgeous and ethereal-looking Mrs. Weasley. She was followed by a pixie-like girl with short, dark, spiky hair who seemed to bounce on the balls of her feet as she walked. She seemed to be looking out into space, not really paying attention to what was going on. Next to her, a tall vampire had a hand placed on the small of her back and was leading her. His hair was also blond and pristinely arranged, but despite the lightness of his features, he seemed to be dark and brooding. In fact, he seemed just as tense as every wizard in the room. His eyes scanned the crowd of wizards with a coolly calculating gaze. They flashed over Harry and the Boy-Who-Lived felt his heart rate pick up.
A blonde woman entered next, an equally dark look on her gorgeous face. Her full, red lips contrasted violently with the paleness of her face accentuating her beauty. A man with close-cropped dark hair and an absolutely wicked grin on his face followed her. He glanced over his shoulder at the vampire behind him, with a look on his face like he was sharing a really good joke with someone.
The last vampire through the door was of a different color-pallet. His hair was copper-colored and as wildly untidy as Harry's own. He also seemed to be the youngest, although that may have been because of his hair-style. His eyes flickered from wizard to wizard, and Harry felt something heavy fall in his stomach as those cool golden eyes fell on him. He felt like he was being x-rayed; flipped around and examined on all sides, and he quickly averted his gaze, but not before seeing a tiny smirk grace those perfect features.
As Dumbledore invited the vampires to sit down, Harry let out a shuddering breath, hearing Ron and Hermione do the same on either side of him. Dumbledore sat at the head of the table with the one that looked like their leader on the other end. On his right sat the motherly-looking one. The proud-looking blond woman slid gracefully next to her, followed by the one with the wicked smile. On the leader's other side and directly opposite Harry, sat the copper haired vampire, the one with the calculating gaze and the pixie-like vampire, who finally seemed to come to her senses and was looking around with a bright smile.
They all seem so young, Harry marveled. All of them except the first two seem to be around our age. Just as he thought that, there was a soft snort of amusement.
Harry's eyes flashed to the one with untidy hair. Their eyes met, and Harry felt his face flush as a teasing smile was thrown his way. He leaned over to the blond vampire next to him and whispered something in his ear. The expression on that perfect face did not change, but there seemed to be a brief flicker of amusement in his eyes. Harry tried to read the red-head's lips, but they moved to fast for him to catch anything.
Bloody hell. It's like he can read my mind.
The smoldering golden eyes met his again, and a crooked smile replaced the teasing one. It was more knowing than anything else; a smile that seemed to say bingo!
Dumbledore leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, linking his fingers together. His chin settled on top of those long, withered fingers. Addressing the blond vampire on the other side of the table, he spoke calmly.
"Dr. Cullen, I'd like to start off by saying once again how grateful we all are you could step out of your way and assist us in our quest. As I'm sure you know, we are not accustomed to dealing with an enemy as dangerous as yourselves."
The now revealed Dr. Cullen smiled slightly, and took no offense at his words. "Please, Albus, call me Carlisle. And it's no trouble at all. We have always tried to live in peace with our human counterparts, and we'll gladly assist any who face the danger of our kind."
The blond female snorted and muttered something that sounded like a sarcastic oh yes, very gladly, and Carlisle threw her a warning look, before smiling serenely at Dumbledore again. "May I introduce my family?"
"Please do."
"Though we are a family, none of us are tied by blood," he explained. "Through… special… circumstances, we were all united by our wish to coexist with humans, without resorting to killing them."
Gesturing to the motherly-looking vampire, he said "This is my wife, Esme. Next to her are my daughter Rosalie and my son Emmett." Emmett raised a hand in cheerful hello, while Rosalie only rolled her eyes. Carlisle grinned over at the copper-haired vampire and continued. "This is Edward, and next to him are Jasper and Alice." Alice smiled sweetly when she was presented, while Jasper remained immobile and Edward frowned at the table, looking like he was listening to something.
Despite the situation, Harry couldn't keep his mouth from twitching slightly when he heard the name of the tense-looking vampire. Leaning toward Hermione and keeping his voice as low as he possibly could, he whispered hurriedly. "Hey, 'Mione, isn't that the name of that muggle show? You know, the one with the friendly ghost?"
There was an exhalation before Hermione breathed something back, never taking her wide eyes off the assembled vampires. "That's Casper the friendly ghost, Harry. And really, this is no time to –"
Her words were cut off as the eyes of every vampire in the room turned to her. Hermione eeped in surprise and flushed to her ears, subtly stepping farther behind Snape. Several people tightened their grips on their wands, but the expressions on the visitors' faces were best described as amused, not dangerous. Harry saw the one named Alice dig her elbow into Jasper's side with a large, shit-eating grin that seemed to say 'I'm so going to tease you with that later on', and then realization dawned on the Boy-Who-Lived.
They can hear what we're saying!
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Edward glared at the members of his family, wishing for once that they could read his mind. Harry wasn't the only one who seemed to have figured out that they had "super-hearing" as the gangly-looking redhead to the left of the two who were talking about Casper had so eloquently put it. They'd all agreed to keep their abilities to themselves for as long as they deemed necessary but if everyone was going to pointedly stare at the two chatting wizards, of course they would figure it out quickly. Edward caught Esme's apologetic smile, and was glad that at least one person seemed to have noticed their mistake.
Relax, Edward, came Carlisle's calm thoughts. Perhaps it's better if they know from the beginning what we're capable of. It may help them trust us more, and then we can get more information about what's going on.
Edward huffed silently and returned to his studying of the wizards' thoughts. Alice had been monitoring their future conversation, and it seemed like nothing bad was going to happen. But you never know what someone might say or do that provoked them into attack.
I don't like the look of that blonde one at all. He's all drawn up – it looks like he might attack any moment now. That was the stumpy one with the revolving eye.
Edward glanced quickly at his brother next to him. He was sitting ramrod straight and he seemed incredibly uncomfortable. Edward felt a brief stab of pity that Jasper had to feel on his own skin the fear and anxiety of the wizards. Being empathic could often be a curse.
The wizened wizard that was sitting across form Carlisle began speaking again. Edward barely listened to him as he started the introductions. He already knew the names of everyone in the room, having picked them out of their thoughts. Instead, Edward concentrated on the thoughts around him.
Don't think about the redhead. Don't think about how cute he looks or how hot that smoldering look is. Don't think about it, concentrate on the threat at hand. This is a war, I will not look after cute blokes obviously younger than me. Especially not vampires. Nope nope nope – And that was the one with horrendously pink hair. Tonks. Edward passed her thoughts quickly, but not without a smirk. Sorry miss. I'm taken.
"This is Kingsley Sacklebolt, who also works in the Ministry of Magic…" Dumbledore continued in the background.
This is ridiculous. Jasper was glaring at the one with the revolving eye. Mad-Eye Moody. Considering his thoughts, Edward imagined that the feelings thrown Jasper's way were tenser than the rest, possibly hateful as well. I could calm them all down if Carlisle would let me.
Edward hid a smile behind a hand running casually across his mouth. He knew, just as well as Jasper did, that suddenly feeling calm in this situation might tip the wizards off that they were being manipulated. Edward leaned into his brother slightly offering his silent support. Jasper's eyes flashed to his in annoyance.
"Professor Severus Snape is the Potions Master at Hogwarts and he is also our spy within Voldemort's ranks…"
Edward and Jasper both winced as sudden panicked thoughts and stabs of fear followed Voldemort's name. That one looks like the Grim Reaper after a bad nose job, Emmett snickered.
"…Her classmate, Harry Potter, is Voldemort's main target…" Who wouldn't be after him if he goes around calling people things like Casper…" Jasper thought mutinously.
"Fred and George Weasley are twins…" Really old man? What a relief, here I was thinking I was seeing double! Rosalie's sarcastic comment proved that she was really quite cross with this whole situation. Edward felt a stab of vindictive satisfaction at her bad mood.
Dumbledore finished the introductions and returned bright blue eyes on Carlisle. The twinkle that was present before seemed to have disappeared.
"I have explained the situation to you as best I can. I hope we can figure out a way to proceed from now on tonight."
Carlisle nodded affirmatively. "The sooner we get started, the better. I think it would be best if we kept our presence a secret, although I doubt it will remain that way for long. The instant an attack is made, we shall fight back and then Voldemort will know we are assisting you. I have discussed this at length with my family, and I believe the best way to approach this situation is to try to figure out more about the vampires working with him and then plan an attack strategy. The best way to find out about his plans is, of course, from the inside. Perhaps one of us could attempt to infiltrate his ranks? Now, Dumbledore, I understand you already have a spy on the inside? Mr. Snape?"
"Professor Snape," Dumbledore corrected with a nod toward him. "Perhaps you should discuss tactics with him? Not everyone needs to know what goes on within Voldemort's circle."
"Very well."
"Now, I'm also rather concerned about the safety of Hogwarts. It is the safest place in the world, with the possible exception of Gringotts bank, but we have never had to face off such enemies…"
Carlisle nodded. "In that case I think it would be best if we split up. Some of us can discuss infiltrating Voldemort's ranks while the others can accompany the students to Hogwarts and test its safely. If they find security lacking, we can work on protecting the school as well."
Test the security? Does that mean we get to try to attack the school? Emmett grinned from ear to ear. That's got to be fun!
Though Emmett could not hear his thoughts, Edward agreed completely. Jasper and Alice's thoughts were in complete tandem with theirs.
Dumbledore's eye twinkle returned full-blown. Rosalie's gaze was the exact opposite of his', getting darker and more annoyed as his smile extended.
I hate overly happy people. This old geezer's a mad old codger.
To his horror, Edward found he agreed with her. Geez. Rose would never forgive me for agreeing with her. Thank God she can't hear my thoughts.
Jasper glanced at him, perhaps feeling how aghast he was. Edward quickly looked away from Rosalie so Jasper wouldn't know why he felt so horrified, but Jasper caught the quick glance and turned his attentions to his sister. Tilting his head to one side in confusion, he reached out to her and felt her annoyed distaste. Adding two and two, Jasper looked back at Edward with a grin plastered across his face.
My, my, what's this? Something in common between the opposite siblings? Edward, I'm so proud of you! Bonding with your little sister. I'll have to inform her of your fondness immediately.
Never before had he wished his brother's death so passionately. Well, except perhaps for the time that Jasper had almost killed Bella…
Dumbledore clasped his hands together with a slight 'bang', disrupting the mental conversation. "Well, in that case, we should conclude this meeting so you may discuss tactics with Professor Snape, and perhaps refine them at the next Order meeting. The term starts in a month, so that should be plenty of time for you to get used to the Wizarding World. Then we can arrange for a proper time for you to test the stability of the wards around the school."
Of course, everything's that easy, Rosalie scoffed. But she said nothing as Dumbledore and Carlisle rose, followed by the rest of the vampires.
"Perhaps as Carlisle speaks to Professor Snape, you would like to get to know everyone a bit?" Dumbledore offered the vampires with a smile. "I'm sure they're very curious about you."
Carlisle immediately made his way to Snape with a serene smile on his face that said don't worry, I'm harmless. No anxiety showed on Snape's face or in his movements as he casually made his way into the next room with him. His wand was now out of sight.
Meanwhile, Edward stared at Dumbledore in bewilderment. The thoughts emanating from the wizards were not ones of casual curiosity. In fact, there was little to no curiosity among them, only fear and an occasional bout of disgust.
Ah, Edward thought grimly, finally – normal people who see us as monsters. I was just getting used to Bella's idea that I wasn't a monster, but I always knew she was different.
No one along the wall moved. They seemed ready for an attack, eyeing them warily with various degrees of mistrust. Surely that human isn't so oblivious. I mean, sure he can't read minds, but he has to see they mistrust us. How are se supposed to 'get to know them'?
Edward glanced around at his brothers and sisters, seeking help. Emmett had gravitated to on old tapestry covered with worn rags and was staring at it in curiosity. Jasper seemed nervous, and his thoughts were revolving around whether he should use his powers now or not, because this was getting ridiculous. Rosalie glared at everything within range, studying her nails every once in a while. Esme looked around nervously and met Edward's eyes with a light shrug. Edward sighed. Well they're no help.
As an idea strikes an unsuspecting person, so an image suddenly assaulted Edward. In his mind, he saw Alice bounce over to the bushy-haired girl with a smile. Edward's eyes snapped onto his sister, whose own honey-colored eyes just snapped open after seeing the vision. With a smile that would melt any warm-blooded creature, she followed in the footsteps of her future self and made her way to Hermione.
Oh no, why is she coming toward me, why me why me why me? Hermione's thoughts were panicked and she seemed to be wrestling with a desire to bolt out of the room. Just stay calm. They're our allies now, there's nothing she can do to you. Besides, you're a Gryffindor, act like it.
Before Edward had a chance to dwell long on what a Gryffindor was (wizards – they so liked their eccentricities), Alice stopped in front of Hermione and every other wizard had their wands on her.
"Hey, you, girl. Step back slowly!" Moody seemed on the verge becoming trigger-happy. Despite themselves, all of the other vampires made sudden concerned motions toward Alice, but gave her the benefit of the doubt.
"Hello," she said softly, and Edward heard the startled thoughts that came with hearing her sweet, melodious voice. "My name is Alice, though I know you remembered it. Besides my vampire abilities, I can also see the future, and so I know we will become friends. Maybe not as quickly as I would like but we'll get there."
"Oh," Hermione gasped and swallowed nervously. She seemed unsure of what to say next, but the curious side of her brain supplied a response immediately. "So, if you can see the future, then you already saw this conversation, and you know what I'm going to say next?"
If possible, Alice's smile got even wider. "No, I don't. My visions are subject to change, depending on the decisions people make. You haven't yet decided what to say next, but you have decided to give me the benefit of the doubt, which will lead to our friendship."
"I see." Hermione chewed her bottom lip for several seconds and glanced at Harry and Ron. Both of them shrugged. "Um. If you're going to spend some time with us, then maybe I could explain some things about Hogwarts to you. If you'd like."
Alice nodded and hooked her arm around Hermione's. "We're going to the library, so why don't you show me the way? We can talk in there. And you can show me this book you're so fond of – 'Hogwarts a History'?"
Hermione smiled nervously, but seemed quite eager to share her knowledge. Nice save, Alice, Edward thought.
Alice was at the foot of the stairs, chattering inanely with Hermione when her words died in her throat. Her face registered horror, before she whirled around to Emmett who was poking at the ancient draperies. "Emmett, don't!"
But it was too late. The curtains flew open, and an inhuman screech filled the air.
"WHAT IS THIS? YOU DARE BESMIRCH THESE SACRED HALLS WITH SUCH FILTH? VILE, UNNATURAL CREATURES THAT STAIN LIFE WITH THEIR POISON! ANIMALS, FEEDING ON BLOOD AND AROUSED BY PAIN, DISSOLUTE VERMIN THAT EATS BEATING HEARTS, HOW DARE YOU ASSOCIATE WITH THEM, YOU WHO SHAME MY FOREFATHERS' NAMES –"
"Shut the fuck up, you mad old hag!!!"
The sound was amplified for the vampires, because as Ron coarsely but accurately put it before, they had super-hearing. Edward collapsed to the floor in agony, barely hearing Rosalie's angry screech by him. Crazed thoughts that were not his ran through his head, and for once he cursed the fact that vampires could not be taken by unconsciousness. Oblivion would be better than this.
Surprisingly, Edward's one rational thought during this time was that this must be even worse for Jasper, who could feel all of their pain as his own, and who was no doubt being assaulted by panic and hatred right now, courtesy of the wizards.
The next few seconds were utterly confusing even for him. He could hear screams besides those of the insane woman behind the portrait, he knew people were running past him, and then a voice roared to cover the din.
"Get out of the bloody way, Sirius! I swear, if you don't – oh no you don't Vampire! INCENDIO!"
The insulting screeching stopped, but at the same time, Edward felt a cold stone of fear drop in his stomach as Jasper's screams took their place. Looking around desperately, he saw Emmett on the floor behind Jasper, gripping his shoulders tightly and snarling angrily, a shocked look on his face. Jasper was clutching an arm that was aflame, putting the fire out immediately. Rosalie, Esme, and Alice crouched on either side of him in an instant, growling menacingly at Moody, who was still pointing his wand at Jasper with crazed eyes.
Understanding who had attacked his brother, Edward charged straight for Moody with a single thought in mind – make him suffer. He wasn't unaware of the hustle around him; the wizards were trying to make sense of what was happening. Instead, he chose to ignore it, until Carlisle appeared in front of him, pushing him back.
"Edward, calm down, it was an accident. Edward!"
"Fire!" Edward spat out, not taking his eyes off Moody. "They certainly did their research, didn't they? We're here to help them and they look up the only way to kill us."
"You know it takes more than fire to destroy us, Edward. Jasper is fine, when he went over to help Emmett, he moved too fast. People panicked, they aren't used to this sort of stuff, Edward, relax!"
It was more the force of the request that stopped Edward's forward movement. He glared at the gnarled wizard one second longer before turning on his heal and moving to the rest of his family faster than the humans could see, in defiance.
Jasper was leaning back into Emmett, a surprised look on his face. He met Edward's eyes. I'm fine. It was just unexpected, that's all. Edward took Jasper's arm, but he knew there would be no mark on his porcelain skin. Esme was shaking, and Edward thought it was with fear or relief for her son, but a quick glance at her thought showed that her anger, at least, had not subsided. She was glaring at Moody just as heatedly as he had before. Rosalie was staring anxiously at the arm Edward was holding, while Alice looked into her husband's eyes, her own full of guilt.
"You couldn't have known, Alice," Jasper muttered quietly, "it's not your fault. Or yours, big guy," he added, looking up at Emmett with a grin. Emmett just smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry. I was curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat. Or, rather, burned the vampire."
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Harry shoved Sirius' arm away to see what was going on, and glared at his Godfather for being so overprotective. He saw the vampires exchange grins and figured they're anger had subsided. At least somewhat. Carlisle walked over to the group and muttered something too quietly and quickly for Harry to hear, but Harry guessed he was asking if they were alright. Then, a bit louder, Carlisle said go ahead to Jasper.
Looking around, he noticed that several wizards were glaring at Moody in reproach while others seemed unsure of what to do. The air buzzed with energy, but all of a sudden, Harry felt a warm coat of calm settle over him. He knew he should be nervous or suspicious, but he couldn't help it as his shoulders sagged in relief. He frowned lazily in confusion.
"Perhaps we should have done this before, but we thought it might be suspicious. The calm you are feeling is Jasper projecting feelings onto all of you. It's an ability of his – sensing and controlling others' emotions. Perhaps this way we can understand each other?"
Harry noticed that Jasper was suddenly a lot less tense than he had been all night. He was even smiling – a beautiful smile that seemed too perfect to belong on such a human face. So that's why he seemed so high-strung…
"Carlisle, Jasper, I must apologize to you and you family," Dumbledore said quietly, "I hadn't thought anyone would resort to such an unprovoked attack." His soft words radiated disappointment as he gazed at Moody.
"It's quite alright. I understand the circumstances are less than ideal, and no harm was done. You need not apologize, Albus."
"Quite. Alastor?"
Even in his dazed calm, Harry managed a snort. If Dumbledore was expecting Moody to apologize, he had another thing coming. Indeed, Moody just shrugged drowsily, but no one seemed upset anymore.
"What was that thing?" Emmett asked, glancing back at the closed draperies. "It sounded like a woman, but it certainly looked like a portrait."
"Ah. Yes, in our world, all portraits reflect the attitudes of the person who they represent. That happened to be Sirius' mother, a quite… ah… conservative person. She does not approve our attempts to thwart Lord Voldemort, or of those who fight him. We have tried to remove her portrait, but unfortunately, she seems to have placed a permanent sticking-charm to the back of the frame. Somehow."
Harry glanced at his Godfather, a questioning look in his eyes. Sirius shrugged, to indicate that it was true. Wow, Harry thought. No wonder he ran away from home. I would too if that were my mum.
"It's been a long night and we should all get some shut-eye," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "Molly, would you show our guests to their rooms? The rest of us will see ourselves out."
A bright, almost drunk smile lit up Mrs. Weasley face. "I'd be happy to!" she chirped, and led the way up the stairs.
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I must be perfectly honest. When I first read that Jasper's name was… well… Jasper, I immediately thought "God, that's so ridiculous, it's like that show 'Jasper the Friendly Ghost'". Then after several seconds I go "hey stupid, it's Casper the Friendly Ghost, not Jasper". Oops.
I hope it's clear enough why Jasper didn't work his magic on the wizards in the beginning. If he had waltzed in there and started messing with their emotions they might become even more mistrusting. And they don't want that. Neither do we.
I played around with the idea of having Jasper make Moody feel really, really guilty at the end, until he broke down and started keening like a baby, blabbering 'sorry' over and over again. But manipulating emotions might once again have adverse effects on the trust issues. Ah well.
Feedback appreciated ::smiles::