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Thank you to all of you who continue to read and review and a big round of applause for my fantastic BETA Miss. Ellen

Chapter Seven

Party Time

Several months came and went, and life went on with relative ease. Classes were interesting and I was learning a lot, as was Bella. It was approaching the holidays and Bella began to get a bit melancholy. This was always the hardest time of the year for her. Well, it was hard for both of us, but I think it was more so for her because she had family to spend it with, she just couldn't be with them.

Until I started Hogwarts, Christmas didn't hold any meaning for me aside from disappointment. Even when I would spend the holidays at Hogwarts, or with the Weasleys, it still never felt right, somehow. I was happy, sure, but I guess having not grown up with the joy and excitement most kids experience during that time of year, I was never really affected by it the way most were. The happiest Christmas I ever remember having was the one I spent with Sirius, but that… seemed like such a long time ago, and Sirius was gone.

This would be my second Christmas with Bella. Last year we celebrated it by serving in a soup kitchen. It was Bella's idea. She said it was something she'd done every year since her change. It wasn't completely surprising that she would do something so selfless, even on Christmas. My Bella, after all, had one of the biggest hearts and kindest souls I had ever known.

As Christmas approached that year, however, Bella had poured herself into her job at a local bookstore, at least when she wasn't in classes. In truth I was starting to feel a little ignored, but I didn't pressure her about how she was feeling. I knew it would only frustrate her. If she needed me, she would come to me; until that time I just remained patient.

I was sitting at the computer, the lap top Bella and I shared to do our homework on, when the sound of Bella walking up the driveway caught my ear. What surprised me was that she wasn't alone; she had brought company, another vampire, it would seem. The scent was unfamiliar, so I was at a loss as to who it could be. I rose from my chair, taking my wand in my hand as the front door opened. Bella walked in, followed by a girl a few inches shorter, with short, black, spiky hair and golden eyes.

"Put it down, Harry." Bella eyed my wand.

I shrugged, carefully placing it in my pocket. It was just a precaution anyway.

The girl smiled brightly, bouncing on her toes, then she giggled. "It's wonderful to meet you Harry, I'm Alice Cullen."

A Cullen, of course they couldn't just leave things be. Bella gave me a 'be polite' look, as Alice extended her hand, and only because I knew Bella wanted me to, I accepted it.

"Alice came into the bookstore today." She said dropping her keys on a nearby side table.

"Hum," I crossed my arms over my chest, eyeing her suspiciously. I didn't know her, and I sure as hell didn't trust her. "What do you want?"

Bella sighed, dropping into a nearby chair, Alice's smile faded and she shook her head slightly. "To try and reconcile with Bella. I know I don't deserve it, but she was my best friend, like a sister to me. I've missed her so much."

"Apparently not enough to keep an eye on her."

"Harry, Carlisle already explained they didn't realize Victoria would come after me." Bella defended them, but I wasn't buying it.

"No, he simply stated it, he didn't explain anything. They left you, Bella. They broke you, remember telling me that?"

"Yes," she said weakly, "but you fixed me."

I couldn't help but smile at her words. She rose from her seat and wasted no time in falling into my open arms. "I just don't want to see you hurt. I know this time of year is hard enough for you as it is, you don't need memories of what they did to you adding to the pain."

"I've missed them, Harry," she sighed. "They were like family to me, and despite the fact that they hurt me, I still need them."

That wasn't what I wanted, or expected to hear. "What about Edward, do you still need him?" I asked, crossing my arms firmly over my chest.

"No! No, only you!" she wrapped her arms around my waist, resting her head on my chest. "You are part of me, Harry, part of my very soul. I couldn't imagine my life without you, not now, not ever."

We still didn't know if we were a truly mated couple, but in our hearts we felt that we were.

"My family wanted to invite you both over for Thanksgiving. The game will be on, and I have some great activities planned."Alice spoke up, smiling, and once again bounced on her toes. It was like the girl was on a sugar high.

I honestly didn't want Bella around the Cullens, at all. We were fine just the two of us but… she wanted this, I could see it in her beautiful eyes, eyes that I just couldn't say 'no' to. "Please say you'll come with me." I supposed that was her way of saying she was going regardless.

"Will Edward be there?" My gaze shifted back to Alice when I asked this.

Alice shook her head, "No, he's actually attending Julliard at the moment and doesn't plan to leave town for Thanksgiving. And he plans to visit the Denalis at Christmas. He and Tanya are trying to… sort out their feelings for each other." She had looked at Bella when she said this. I had no idea who Tanya was, but judging by the surprised look in her eyes, I would say that Bella most definitely did.

"Really?"

Alice nodded, grinning, "Yep. Tanya's believed Edward is her mate for decades, but Edward's expectations being way too high, never allowed himself to be open to it."

"And he suddenly has. Why?" Bella asked.

"He believes since he had to give up his real mate, there's no point in continuing to look for one, so he figured he might as well give Tanya a try."

I snorted. "Bella is not, nor was she ever be, that dunderhead's mate. She is mine!" I ended that statement with a growl. Wow! Where did that come from? I really was getting defensive over this wasn't I? And did I just call Edward a dunderhead? Oh dear God, I'm channeling Snape.

Bella responded to my outburst by kissing me—hard. "God, I love you." She purred after finally pulling away.

"Damn right." An American term I'd picked up that I quite liked.

"So, can we expect you for Thanksgiving as well, Harry?" she asked, looking quite confident she already knew the answer.

I shrugged, "For Bella, I will go." I still didn't really want to, and I had every intention of letting every member of that coven know exactly how I felt about what they had done to Bella. Actually this would be a good opportunity to vent and perhaps practice a few hexes.

A very good opportunity.

XXX

As we walked up to the Cullen's very large home which was on the outskirts of a neighboring town, I crossed my arms firmly over my chest, a scowl planted on my alabaster face. What the hell did they need all this space for anyway?

"Knock it off, Harry. That look is very unattractive on you."

I just grunted, did she really expect me to play the part of the excited boyfriend eager to meet his girlfriend's extended family? Bloody fat chance.

"I'm serious, Harry, the Cullens are actually great people. You'd really like them if you gave them a chance."

I wasn't buying it. I was determined to hate this coven and nothing, not even my sweet Bella's word, could change my mind. "I'm sorry, Bella, I said I would come but that doesn't mean I have to play nice."

"Fine," she huffed, "you leave me no choice. Either you act civil or there will be no sex for a month."

"What?!" I gasped. She couldn't, she wouldn't, would she?

"Bella, don't you think that's a bit extreme?"

"Would you like to make it two?"

I couldn't believe this. She was treating me like I was some disobedient child, talking back to their mother.

"Bella, this is ridiculous, you can't just give me ultimatums like this. I'm not a bloody child."

"Well, you're certainly acting like one right now. Now start behaving like the vampire I have come to know and love or I will live up to my threat."

No sex for two months' simply wasn't a sacrifice I was willing to make; and as stubborn as Bella was I had no doubt she would live up to her threat. So I swallowed my anger, anger I knew really wouldn't do any good in the first place, and agreed to be civil at least for the evening.

"Fine, as long as they are polite I will be as well."

"Thank you," she gave me a soft kiss on my lips before sliding her hand into mine and together we made our way toward the front door.

As we drew closer we could hear voices carrying on inside. "They sound excited," Bella said with a laugh.

"We are!" Alice's voice called out, just before she yanked open the front door and pulled Bella into a hug. "I'm so glad you're here. Everyone is so excited to see you, and to meet Harry of course." Alice gave me a small smile, which I found myself returning. "Come on in, every one's waiting in the living room."

As we followed Alice into the front room I immediately noticed the vampire I had met several months ago, the leader of the coven, Carlisle. He looked much more relaxed wearing tan pants, a shirt and a sweater vest. I also thought it made him look a few years older, but I suppose wearing old man clothes will do that. A woman with long, caramel colored hair was standing next to him, smiling kindly. Her eyes shone with joy at she looked upon Bella, but at the same time I could see something akin to shame and remorse in her expression as well. I quickly noticed most of them shared the same look, except for a very attractive blond female who just looked… disappointed.

"It's good to see you again Bella," the women beside Carlisle said.

"Thank you, Esme, it's good to see you all, too."

"Oh, Bella!" Esme suddenly opened her arms wide. Bella wasted little time walking into her warm hug. "I'm so sorry. We thought we were protecting you. I'm so, so very sorry."

"Oh, Esme, I know. It's okay, really." Bella sighed, gently releasing herself from the emotional vampire. "Besides, if I hadn't become this way I never would have met Harry." Reaching out, she took my hand; all eyes were instantly focused back on me. "Everyone, I would like you to meet my mate, Harry Potter. Harry, these are the Cullens. You already met Carlisle," she said motioning to the head of the coven, "and beside him is his wife, Esme. And then Alice you know, and beside her is her husband, Jasper, and these are Emmett and Rosalie."

"It's pleasure to meet you all." I said politely.

A large booming laugh erupted from the vampire named Emmett. "Do you really mean that, or are you just saying that so Bella doesn't take away sex privileges."

Of course, they had heard our conversation.

Lovely.

"Oh God, Emmett, shut up." Bella groaned.

"Sorry Bella, I just find it kind of funny. I mean you and Edward barely kissed but—ouch." Rosalie had just smacked him upside the head. Thank you Rosalie! "That hurt." He whined.

"What do you think you're doing bringing up Edward in front of Bella's mate? You idiot!"

I think I like this Rosalie.

"I was just saying." Emmett whined again, rubbing the now sore spot on his head

"Well don't, or you'll be the one with no sex privileges."

Emmett just huffed, crossing his massive, muscled arms over his chest.

"Why don't we all sit down and get to know each other better." Esme suggested motioning to the rather comfy looking sofa sectional.

"I think that sounds like a great idea," Bella said as we and the rest of the Cullens sat down.

"So, Harry, what part of England are you from?" Carlisle asked as he stretched his arm over his wife's shoulders. I could hear a slight accent in his voice now that I was paying attention to it. Bella had mentioned that Carlisle had lived all of his human life and several decades of his vampire existence in London, before leaving to travel throughout much of Europe, and eventually coming to North America.

"Well I was born in a small town called Godric's Hollow, but went to live with my Aunt and Uncle in Surrey, when I was a year old and my parents had been killed. From the age of eleven until I was turned, at seventeen, I spent most of my time at boarding school in Scotland."

"Really, what school did you attend?" Carlisle asked, curious.

"Hogwarts, it's a school for witches and wizards."

I heard several shocked gasps. Alice was not among of them, but that didn't surprise me. Earlier that morning Bella had informed me that Alice was Psychic. Plus, I did have my wand out when I met her at our home, and she hadn't seemed at all surprised by it then, either.

"You're a wizard. That's fascinating, so few of your kind survive the change," Carlisle observed, looking quite intrigued.

"Yes, that's what Sanguini said." I couldn't help but frown, for a long time I'd held a large grudge against the vampire that had changed me; but then I met Bella, and I decided that if I ever met him again, I would be sure to thank him.

"I take it this Sanguini is the one who changed you?" It was Jasper who asked this.

"Yes," I nodded. "He thought I was dying and so… he bit me. He didn't believe it was my time to go, apparently." I sighed, shaking my head at the memories.

Bella squeezed my hand and kissed my cheek reassuringly.

"You wanted to die, didn't you?" My eyes met the golden stare of Rosalie, she looked… sympathetic.

"I did. I had a very… difficult life and I just- just wanted it to be over." I suddenly felt Bella's fingers slowly running through my mop of messy black hair. She always did that when I was frustrated or upset, it was very calming. "Despite that however, I'm glad I was brought into this life, otherwise I never would have met my Bella." I kissed her softly on the lips.

"And I would still be roaming aimlessly around the country, alone and isolated. You brought me a hope I thought I had lost even before I was changed."

I kissed her again and if I hadn't been in a room full of people, I would have kept going until I had ripped off every stitch of her clothing and taken her over the arm of the couch. She made me feel so wanted.

"Can you two stop that, please?" Jasper groaned, rubbing his eyes.

Bella giggled, "Sorry Jasper." Seeing my confusion she then added, "Jasper's an empath."

"Oh." That must truly suck. I can barely handle my own emotions, let alone everyone else's. "Sorry, mate."

Jasper just shrugged, "I'm used to it."

"Well, I think it's wonderful," Alice chirped. "I'm so glad that Bella has found someone like Harry to share her eternity with."

"So am I," Bella said. "I couldn't imagine a better way to spend forever then with my Harry."

We spent the next two hours talking with the Cullens. I learned that Emmett was a video game fanatic, and liked to joke and prank; he kind of reminded me of Fred and George a little. Rosalie loved to work on cars, which was, well, surprising; you don't come across too many girls with beauty queen looks who enjoy mechanics. Alice was the fashion queen, Jasper an introvert and history buff. Carlisle was, of course, the doctor and the head of the coven; and Esme was the essence of all that was maternal, as well as quite the decorator. It may have been an odd sort of family but it was certainly a loving one.

We ended up playing a variety of board games, some dating back to the 1950's, as well as several video games on an Xbox. I even got the chance to show them a few fun spells, including Levicorpus which I demonstrated on Emmett. Rosalie jokingly suggested I leave him that way for a couple hours.

I had gone to the Cullens with every intention of hating them for what they'd done to Bella; but she was right, in getting to know them I did find them to be great people. I now understood that they had left because they truly did believe they were protecting her. They had left because Edward convinced them it was the right thing to do. Edward, just the sound of his name made me want to spit venom.

I would not be so polite when I came face to face with the guy whom once broke the spirit of my sweet, wonderful Bella.

A/N: Okay there's you go Harry meets the Cullens, next up Harry surprises Bella with his magical abilities.