The only people who know of Edward and Harry as mates are— Edward, Remus, and Carlisle. That is all. No, Alice does not know— no one does. Although, Jasper may have a bit of a hunch… after all, if Remus could smell Edward's lust toward Harry, then Jasper most certainly could feel it.

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Chapter Six

Harry slung an arm around the rough tree bark, his eyes intent as he watched the vampire across the forest floor. The bronzed-haired boy was currently hunched over a deer, feeding.

While it had bothered Harry seeing a deer get killed the first time around, his pain had numbed with Edward's third kill. He no longer thought of the deer as a resemblance to his father's Animagus form. How could he when the Muggle animal was no way as mystical as a white stag?

Edward looked up at Harry, a light smirk playing his bloodied lips. Harry raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit lighter tonight. It was possibly because Edward agreed to try the obliviate on Bella or it could have been the fact that Edward was acting far more mature than usual. When the teen vampire acted his true age, Harry found his presence a lot less irritating to be around.

Too fast for Harry to track easily, Edward leaped over the fallen deer and climbed his way up the tree. Within seconds, Edward was in Harry's face. The boy's eyes were a liquid topaz and the small shadows beneath his eyes were gone, all thanks to the intake of animal blood.

Edward loomed close to Harry, his nostrils flaring. "You smell like a blank canvas," Edward whispered, sounding unhappy. "I can smell a bit of wizard, but I would feel a lot better if you had a bit of vampire scent to you." Topaz eyes warmed passionately as he inched closer to Harry.

The wizard gave a snort, leaning back and adventuring up the tree. Anything to get away from Edward and his bloody bright eyes. "You're a lot more playful once you get your fair share of nutrients," Harry remarked dryly. "I don't know whether to think of that as a good or bad thing."

His hand reached out to grab the branch above him. He pulled himself up skillfully, the many years of flying a broom coming in handy. However, he was more aware of the fact that Edward was lingering awfully close, his eyes watchful on Harry's climbing form. The vampire probably would have liked for Harry to slip. That way, Edward could save him, making himself feel superior.

Not bloody likely.

"I believe, you are realizing that you are enjoying my presence, but you don't want to admit it," Edward spoke confidently, following Harry at a slower speed.

Harry paused on a branch, testing its support before pulling himself up. He ignored Edward's comment and decided to change the subject. "Bella is angry you brought me with you. Why?"

Edward's lips thinned and a discontented expression crossed his flawless features. "I'd rather not speak of it, of her."

Harry turned suddenly. "You seemed rather hostile toward her tonight. And despite the fact you told me yesterday that you don't love her like you thought you had, surely you wouldn't be so… antagonistic."

Edward's molten gold eyes reflected off the setting sun. His sparkling skin slowly dimmed, a sign of the upcoming nightfall. "I just don't want to talk about her. I like this time we have together. Your true personality is starting to shine through and I don't want to spoil that by talking about Bella." Edward paused, considering Harry's pointed look, before his lips thinned. "She shouldn't have brought you to La Push, Harry. They could have hurt you a lot more than they had. That's why I am angry with her."

"She wanted to go hunting with you," Harry spoke, changing the subject entirely. He had already expressed his defense to Edward when the vampire had expressed his concern for Harry. It wasn't if Harry couldn't handle himself against the Muggle La Push Shape-shifters.

Edward's bronzed eyebrows rose in amusement. "She's always expressed an interest in accompanying me on my hunts. Yes, she's envious of you. But unlike Bella, you can take care of yourself if the situation should arise." The vampire issued a sound in his throat, rivaling that of a purr. He leaned forward, his face contorting into a pensive expression as he surveyed Harry. More particularly, his eyes were on Harry's scar.

Again.

Harry shifted, turning away and staring out at the endless lines of trees. He had never been frightful of heights. And frankly, he thought it stunning. Standing here, on a branch overlooking nature in its purest form put Harry at a calm. And with Edward so close, Harry's troubles and worries were erased from his mind.

Just briefly.

"Then why was Alice angry?" Harry questioned, reminded of Alice's reaction near the piano. "You mentioned something about her getting used to it." Harry's lashes tickled his cheeks as he gazed inquisitively down at Edward.

Edward issued an exhale of breath, presenting Harry with an unsteady smile. "Alice loves Bella. They're practically as close as Rosalie and Alice could ever be." The vampire paused, thinking, before continuing sorrowfully. "Parting with Bella will most certainly be the hardest on Alice. I told her she'd better get used to the distance I was putting between myself and Bella. I have to speak to her alone. Alice will eventually understand my reasoning for wanting to part with Bella."

Harry offered a small grin. "It will work out for you, Edward. There are others out there, others that won't put your family in danger."

"No," Edward shook his head. "There are no others. Just that special one." The Adonis beauty leaned closer, his sweet-smelling breath tickling across Harry's face. Molten gold eyes gazed into his own before slowly inching up closer to his scar.

Harry stiffened, suspicious. The vampire had never been openly curious about his scar, at least never like today. "Edward." He turned cold, his face averting away from Edward and toward the darkening forest. "Exactly what book did you read today? The one that took you away from reality all day? And who, exactly, gave it to you?"

The playfulness in Edward's expression turned sour. Shadows flickered across Edward's face as his body hunched forward.

"Edward?" Harry murmured softly, his own body on guard. "What's wrong?"

"Hush," the vampire shushed. His cold hand went to the small of Harry's back, holding the wizard in place. The vampire's nostrils flared as he sampled the air. A dangerous glint entered the gleaming eyes. "Stay here."

Harry spluttered, insulted. "Excuse me?" He took his wand out, envious of Edward's superb hearing and sight. Once again, he was reminded of his runes book back at the Cullen house. If he could just use the rune to improve his eyesight, he could be even more superior to the Volturi. Their vampire speed would be nothing to Harry if he could just bleed the ward into his magical core.

"Stay here," Edward repeated, this time, his voice was iron steel, dominant, unrelenting. His face no longer held the naïve and teasing boy Harry was used to seeing, but the dangerous vampire.

"I was sent here to protect you, I—" Harry's voice left his throat as he watched Edward jump from the tree. "Foolish vampire, bloody idiot," he cursed, staring at the long way down to the ground.

"Edward!" Harry yelled after the vampire, stomping his foot on the branch like a spoiled child when he realized Edward had left.

With his wand, he took a deep breath before levitating his body down to the ground. As soon as his feet hit the ground, a chilling scream echoed across the forest. Harry's heart stopped before it began beating wildly. The cry, the scream, it sounded remarkably like Edward.

Squeezing his eyes closed, Harry focused on gathering himself and his magic. He had learned to Apparate last year, and this was the first time he was using it in a serious situation. A loud crack filled the air as he Apparated yards in front of where he last stood. White smoke fell away from his body as his eyes adjusted to the darkening forest. Frantically, he looked around for Edward.

Ahead, he could see flashing lights and fire. The flashing lights weren't exactly Muggle, they were magical.

How could he have forgotten about Death Eaters? Harry sucked in a breath, rage tickling at skin.

As predicted, it was a Death Eater in front of him and Edward was attempting to close in on the wizard. The Death Eater appeared shocked at finding a vampire, yet the man had been smart enough to put a shield around him. And it wasn't just a shield that would reflect Edward backwards, it was an inferno shield. Fire was what made vampires vulnerable. It was the only weapon one could use if they did not have the power of a magical shield.

The Death Eater kept firing spells at Edward, hoping to catch him with Crucio. Harry assumed the man would have been firing the killing curse if the incantation wasn't as long as it was.

Edward was snarling, his face transformed into that of a predator, a hunter. Harry never would have thought Edward would possess such an intimidating bone in his body.

Gathering his magic once again, Harry Apparated again, closer to Death Eater.

"Leave him alone, it's me you want, isn't it?" Harry demanded, his wand held out in front of him.

The Death Eater's mask quickly turned toward Harry as he kept the inferno shield up and ready. "Potter," the man spat disgustedly, his dark eyes narrowing beneath his mask. "Why don't you call off your Muggle pet and come with me, hmm?"

Edward landed in a graceful crouch next to him. Harry paid him no heed, his attention focused completely on his enemy before him. Subconsciously, he stretched his awareness past the Death Eater in front of him in order to search for any others. Surprisingly, there weren't any others. This Death Eater was by himself. But there wasn't any conformation of how long the Death Eater was alone for. There could be others close by.

The Death Eater's identity was a mystery. Harry could tell it wasn't Bellatrix, Crabbe, or Goyle. The wizard was too smart to be Crabbe or Goyle, possibly Lucius Malfoy, but dark— almost black eyes peered at Harry from beneath the mask. Not grey like Malfoy Senior.

It had to be one Harry hadn't encountered before.

"Come with you? Willingly? You must be off your rocker," Harry slurred, walking slowly around the perimeter of the inferno shield. The fire licked at his skin, causing sweat to bead off his forehead. The sun had set and the only source of light came from the magical fire. It stayed tame and low when Edward was away. If the vampire came closer, the fire would intensify, and no doubt become threatening to the creature.

"Amusing, really. The whole world is abuzz as to where you have gone. They speculate that you are receiving private training. Little do they know you are out playing with…" dark eyes spared Edward a revolting glance. "With the worst sort of creatures… pathetically weak and Muggle. They are nothing. No threat. Tell me, did Dumbledore send you here as a means of protection? Surely he realized that wizards have many spells to use against vampires."

Edward released a low hiss, his eyes narrowed intensely on the Death Eater.

"I think we're getting off topic here," Harry whispered. "Why are you here?"

It was a stupid question, really. He knew the Death Eater was sent by Voldemort to either kill or capture him. What Harry wanted to know was how the man had discovered his location. Could have Ron and Hermione spoken too loudly when they were told of his whereabouts? Or was it something a bit more complex?

"To give you to the Dark Lord of course," the Death Eater whispered gleefully. "He would be most interested in your location."

Edward snarled and raced forward. He was mere blur to Harry's eyes. It was possible to see his path, but it was also difficult to keep his eyes on the moving vampire.

"Edward, no!" Harry yelled, knowing his warning would be ineffective.

The fire burned fiercely and the Death Eater had been crouched and ready. A fire whip, entwined with a blasting curse, struck Edward in the chest. The vampire howled as he was thrown backward and into a tree. The boy's face was cracked down the cheek and burns marked his chest. His eyes were squeezed shut in order to avoid revealing his misery.

Harry felt sick as he stared at Edward. Watching such a powerful creature being toyed with by a pitiless wizard was nauseating.

Harry issued a small whimper, catching Edward's gaze. The vampire would heal, most definitely; only it would take awhile for the burns and pain to dissolve. Edward looked away from Harry, most likely ashamed. But the boy had nothing to be ashamed over. Nothing.

"Worthless," the Death Eater tisked, chuckling lowly. "Crucio!"

The red curse was aimed straight at Edward. Harry shot his wand out, intercepting the torturing spell. "Impedimenta," the curse slowed and Harry batted it away with his wand, sending it deep into the trees. "Confringo!"

The blue spell escaped his wand and the Death Eater lifted his own wand, batting the spell away from his person. "Rather Dark spell, Potter," the Death Eater murmured, a cruel glint sparking in his eyes. "Let's play, shall we?"

The man manipulated the fire around him, spitting it out toward Harry. With a renewed determination, Harry lifted his own shield absorbing the flames into a small orb. As the Death Eater kept throwing fire, Harry remained taking in the magic. Once Harry reached a critical level of stored magic, he tossed it back at the man in the form of a large fire ball.

The man growled, diving to the side to avoid the powerful flame. A bit caught his robes and he hysterically tried to pat it out with a jet of water. Harry slashed his wand through the air, aiming particularly at the man's wand arm. "Confringo!"

The man howled as the blue spell crashed into the man's arm. A sickening splatter was heard as his bones exploded in his arm.

Harry grimaced at the noise of suffering before he blinked as a blur swept by him. "No, Edward, don't kill him!" The vampire had gotten past the shield and took the Death Eater easily by the neck. Edward's molten eyes were a bit deranged. Harry took a step backward at the emotion within them.

"Why shouldn't I?" Edward hissed, the burns on his chest slowly healing. "He threatened to kill you." The vampire turned to look at the Death Eater in his grasp. The man's feet were swinging madly with the lack of gravity. "It's only right…"

"No—" Harry's rebuttal was cut off as the crack sounded throughout the woods. It was just as sickening as the curse Harry had thrown at the man earlier.

Edward dropped the Death Eater to the ground, his shoulders trembling as he stared at the dead man. "I couldn't let him live, you don't understand," Edward croaked, a snarl upon his lips. "You wouldn't understand."

Harry shook his head, his wand slowly falling to his side. "I needed him alive. I wanted to question him, I—"

"I said you wouldn't understand, didn't I?" Edward hissed, turning his fury upon Harry. "Do you really think I go around killing humans like this? This is my first kill in years. I… its… you."

Harry stood across from Edward. The smoke danced around their legs, snaking between their feet. Harry sensed a bit of desperation, but also a bit of challenge in Edward's gaze. His green eyes met the vampire head on, not afraid of the fury surrounding Edward.

"I make you kill?" Harry questioned darkly, quietly.

Edward blinked, his vehemence slowly disappearing. "No, I didn't mean it like that, Harry. I'm just trying to work things out. You wouldn't understand."

"You keep saying that," Harry pointed out, upset at the boy's comment. "What won't I understand? That my presence here obviously sets you on edge and makes you crave the thrill of a kill? Is that what I won't understand? Because I can clearly grasp that simple concept."

Edward growled, slowly making his way over to Harry. "You can be an idiot at times."

"Edward!"

Harry turned away from Edward, disgusted by the boy. He was angry and bitter, unable to come to term with Edward's remark. It hit Harry hard, hearing he ignited a thirst of murder in someone by his mere presence.

The Cullens slowly entered the forest, their eyes assessing the damage and scene. Carlisle crouched next to the Death Eater, cautiously assessing the neck. Harry's mood was back to being dark and dim. Earlier today, with Edward, Harry had felt lighter than he had in months. Amazing how fast someone's mood could tarnish and turn sour.

Edward stared at Harry from a few feet away. His eyes were openly tracing over Harry, almost if he knew the wizard was turning cold once again.

"What? Who is it?" Emmett peered down at the Death Eater. Rosalie was at his side, watching Carlisle as the clan leader looked over the broken neck.

"A Death Eater," Remus answered for the group as he entered the clearing. He flashed a look toward Harry, concern written across his face.

Harry ignored the man, looking particularly at Bella as she jumped off Alice's back. "What's she doing here?" he demanded, his voice sharp throughout the forest. "She should be back at the safe house, underneath the wards. Who's saying the Volturi weren't the ones inside the forest tonight? She could have been in danger."

Alice looked uncomfortable as all eyes turned to her. The slain Death Eater remained forgotten. For now.

"I thought the danger was past. She wanted to see if Edward was alright, and I didn't think she would be in danger." Alice moved closer to Jasper. The blond vampire wrapped an arm around her shoulder for added comfort. She visibly relaxed as he washed reassurance over her.

"I don't think it's for you to decide," Harry whispered darkly. Alice frowned angrily at him, insulted.

Bella made a sound in her throat as she looked desperately at Edward for guidance, for protection from Harry's harsh words. She found none from the vampire as he continued to gaze unblinkingly at Harry.

"I wanted to see if Edward—"

Harry snarled and brought his wand up, mere inches from her face. Her brown eyes widened and she took a small step backward.

"And it's certainly not for you to decide. I'm here to protect you. You are not here to protect and look after Edward's safety. Do you honestly think a Muggle, a mere human girl, could do anything worth while to protect Edward? No." Harry shook his head, rage tickling at his skin. His arm was shaking slightly and he found himself angrier over his lack of control.

"On second thought," he continued, mindful of the way all the Cullens, with the exception of Edward, were guarded, ready to attack him if any harm was to come to the precious and vulnerable Bella. "There is something you could do to help Edward, I suppose." Behind Bella, Remus stood, his face etched deeply of concern. Harry hated to think he was concerned for Bella, but he was even more hateful if the werewolf was concerned for him. "You could stroll through the bloody forest and waft your scent throughout the trees. Only then, surely, they would become distracted with Edward and set their sights on you."

"Harry," Remus growled out, stepping around Bella and slowly curling his fingers around Harry's wrist. He lowered Harry's wand, his eyes alight. "That is enough. You're alright," the man's voice softened and his opposite hand touched Harry's cheek. "Everyone is alright."

Harry gazed into the man's amber eyes, trying to calm himself. He was angry at Edward for his comment and he was also angry at himself. How could he think moving across the ocean would make him less vulnerable to the Death Eaters? Everywhere he went, no matter whom he was, no matter whom he was with, danger and death followed him.

Harry moved his face away and Remus' hand fell from his cheek. He didn't need comfort. Not now.

"Harry is right, Alice," Carlisle spoke up somberly. "Perhaps it was best to leave Bella at home."

Alice nodded tightly, glancing at Bella once before turning to Harry. Her eyes didn't hold any hate, only an eerie calm. She studied him through thick eyelashes.

"So…" Emmett began, looking around at everyone gathered. "What exactly is a Death Eater? It's obviously a wizard." The large vampire kicked the wand from the man's hand, sending it rolling across the forest floor.

The Cullens turned to Remus and Harry, their expressions raging from interest to suspicion. "Of course you're right, Emmett," Remus gave a soft smile toward the larger vampire. He was uncertain how to proceed with his explanation. Even Harry could hear the hesitation and he knew the werewolf didn't want to tell them Harry's secrets without first gaining approval. "They are Dark wizards from our world. You see, there are Light wizards and Dark wizards. In short, Dark wizards' morals are very different from our morals. They enjoy pain and suffering and they will stop at nothing to destroy our world." Remus cocked his head to the side, a frown to his lips. "They don't particularly care for magical creatures, or, in this case, Muggle creatures."

"Us?" Rosalie whispered, her eyes going suspiciously toward Harry. "Because I thought all wizards hated vampires, even Light wizards. So why would they all of a sudden come to Forks and hunt us down? To kill us?"

Harry shook his head, a bitter smile crossing his features as he gazed at the fallen Death Eater. "Not you, me."

Rosalie looked as if he had answered her suspicions. She gave a cruel smile as everyone around her exclaimed in question. Esme put a hand to her throat, a wounded expression crossing her features. "Why, Harry?" she whispered softly. "Why would they want to kill a mere child?"

Edward shifted, his eyes subconsciously going to Harry's scar. "Because he was Chosen," Edward spoke, a growl entwined within his voice. "These Dark wizards, these Death Eaters, they follow a Lord. His name is Voldemort."

The Cullens looked at Edward curiously. They wanted to know how he knew all this. But Harry remained stoic, already having guessed that Remus had given Edward a book.

"Lord Voldemort marked Harry at the young age of one, by that scar…" Edward trailed off, his molten gold eyes studying Harry. "Voldemort believes that Harry is fated to be his equal, fated to kill him. That's why he's determined to kill Harry, because he doesn't want him to threaten his rising regime."

"Who knew wizard politics could be so damned confusing…" Emmett muttered, mainly to himself.

The others were silent, their eyes either on Harry or the Death Eater. Around them, the smoke from the fire settled near the ground, looking strangely like thick fog. It created an uncanny scene, one that matched the mood terribly accurate.

"You all know what this means, don't you?" Rosalie spoke up once again. It appeared as if Harry lost her favor completely.

Edward growled low in his throat. The first time since the incident, he ripped his eyes away from Harry and pinned them on Rosalie. "Don't start, Rose. You are entirely off base."

She flicked her long locks behind her shoulder, ignoring Edward completely. "By coming here, by protecting us, Harry is only drawing more enemies to Forks. Not only do we have to worry about the Volturi, if they come after Bella, but now we have to worry about a greater threat. You're putting us in more danger than Bella ever could," she accused cruelly.

Harry's stomach dropped. His own beliefs— his own fears— were being thrown in his face. He was putting the Cullens all at risk.

"I say Harry leaves Forks. If we need another wizard to protect us, Remus can stay and send another… one with less baggage," Rose continued maliciously.

Edward hissed loudly, his white hands curling into fists. His nostrils were flared and his teeth were exposed toward Rosalie. She hardly spared him a glance, yet her stance was wary and cautious. She was afraid of him.

"I…" Esme started softly. "I think I will have to agree with Rose, Harry. Not because of your… baggage," she quickly defended, as if sensing Harry's pain. "But because we'd all be safer, even you. If you go back to Britain you will have your own kind to protect you. I don't think we could do much against your threat."

"I agree," Emmett spoke after Rosalie gave him a stern look. "Sorry, buddy."

"I don't agree," Edward spoke loudly, fiercely. "I won't let him be thrown out after one Death Eater got lucky with his location. We can protect him just as he is with us. I'm not going to let him go." His remark was said with such ferocity, Harry was almost afraid to believe it.

"I agree with Rosalie," Alice lifted her chin. "We'd be much safer with another wizard." She looked at Jasper, just as Rosalie had done with Emmett. It was a sort of expecting look, one that made their mate agree with their side.

Jasper looked at Harry, shaking his head slowly. "I'm sorry, Alice, but I think Harry should stay here."

Alice frowned, yet she remained silent. It was if she respected his opinion. That was the only positive Harry had seen of her as of late.

"I can sense Harry's emotions," Jasper said softly, his eyes searching Harry's knowingly. "While I understand them perfectly, there are others here that wouldn't comprehend. Harry's a pure soul. He's a protector. We will never get another wizard who takes our protection as seriously as Harry."

Harry looked down at the ground, feeling a lot more affected by Jasper's words than he would let on.

"Thank you, Jasper," Edward whispered.

It wouldn't matter. Edward and Jasper were the only ones who agreed to let Harry stay. They were just two out of four. Somehow, even if Carlisle agreed to let Harry stay, he believed that this coven ran equally. They voted. The power was spread equally among the group— decided as a family.

"Carlisle?" Edward asked.

The coven leader nodded toward Edward and reluctantly spoke. "I couldn't imagine rejecting Harry, he stays."

"He stays," an unexpected vote spoke up. Harry turned to Bella, watching as she gave a small smile. "If Jasper can sense true protection from you, then I have to agree with him about you being here."

Remus cleared his throat. "If it matters, I think Albus was right to send Harry. Harry is the most selfless wizard of his age. Yes, there will be Death Eaters, perhaps more than just one at a time. But I believe Harry can protect both himself and your family at the same time. He'll always have my help. Always."

Harry felt his throat constrict and he shook his head sadly. "Doesn't it matter what I want?" He didn't wait for them to answer. "I think I should leave. Rosalie is right. I'm going to draw the worst sort of people here. If you think the Volturi is cruel, you have yet to see what the Death Eaters and Voldemort can do. I can't live with others dying on my account…" Harry's voice broke off and he turned away, hiding his vulnerability.

He had to get away, if only for a few minutes. He couldn't let them see his weakness. Turning, his face controlled, he eyed Remus. "I need to leave for a few minutes, you've got everything covered?"

Remus nodded silently, trusting Harry would return.

Gathering his magic, he Disapparated with a loud crack. Though, he wasn't prepared for the ice-like hand curling around his arm and side-long Apparating with him.