Chapter 9: And the flower of sadness bloomed.
A/N: I honestly have no idea who she will end up with, personally I am leaning more towards Jacob...but we will see. You can convince me otherwise.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor Twilight.
Christmas was over with, but that was okay with Bella. She wanted to make a trip to Spells Garden and to do that she needed Charlie to be at work. She got up early and tipped toed around grabbing her quill and some parchment and began to write. She hadn't written her friends in so long, she figured a group letter would be best.
Dipping her quill in black ink she began to write,
To my closest friends,
Things have been hectic here. I've been trying my hardest to learn muggle things as best as I can, but it hasn't been easy. I just obtained my muggle's driving permit (Crookshanks will know what that is) and to be honest I'm scared. Muggle deceives scare me a lot. They are so foreign and well built its almost scary.
What is also scary is even though I am nowhere near any Wizarding towns, there is magic in the area. I met a cove of Vampires and I can sense some ancient magic looming around. I'm heading out to do some shopping in some Wizarding area's to see what I can scoop up. Not to worry though, I feel safe. Any info you may have about Vampires and ancient magic would be greatly appreciated.
I miss you all so much. I can't express that enough. I do have friends here, but none of them are you.
I'll attach a letter to my brother, please make sure he receives it.
Happy Christmas
She smiled at that letter, it wasn't giving too much away and from the sounds of it Charlie just left. That means she should spend just a little bit of time on her brothers, get ready for the day and then head to Spells Garden.
Theo,
I honestly do wish I could come home. You have no idea, but for the time being I am staying. I don't know when I will be home, but I will come home when I'm ready. I don't remember a thing about Draco and I want too before I come home. Please tell everyone I'm sorry.
Love,
Your sister
It was a slight lie, but he didn't need to know that. She just wanted to comfort him and make sure he knew that she was alright because she was. And she honest was sorry about the life she left behind to some degree. She loved Charlie like a real father now, he treated her the way she always wanted her real dad to treat her. It was more than heavenly being here, but she did miss Theodore from time to time, along with her brother. But she tried to keep those thoughts away.
She folded up both letters together and sealed them with her wand. Quickly she threw on one of the dresses her brother sent to her, a beautiful light blue one, changed her hair color to blonde with her wand, grabbed her cloak and headed down stairs to grab something useless for the portkey she was about to make. She swept the kitchen for anything to grab, finally she settle on a fork and changed it into a portkey. She waited patiently then finally felt the sickening pull in her navel before she disappeared and got pulled farther and farther, till she landed in the elegant cobblestone streets of Spells Garden.
Her eyes instantly took everything in. It was all so familiar. The smell of the apothecary filled her and immediately made her remember the potions room, she smiled as owls hooted, cats meowed, other magical creatures gleefully showed off trying to attract new owners. Her eyes scanned over several shops nearby in search for the Owlery. It took her a moment but not far up the rode was Odessa's International Owelry. She walked purposely forward holding tightly to her letters in one hand and her bag of Galleons in the other. She walked in the store, feeling the rush of warm air hit her cheeks. She blinked several times before heading over to the owls that were marked for England. She went up to the counter after picking one out and sent the letter off paying a good 2 Galleons, which was a lot in her mind, nearly $20 in US money. She didn't complain though, it was for a good cause.
She left the store feeling slightly better and searched around for the book store. She had been to this book store several times before in the past but it had been a while. She entered in and took a deep breath, the smell of new books. She was excited. She loved to read and it didn't take Bella long before she was wondering shelf after shelf finding books to read. It only took her an hour to find three helpful books, after that point she was just absorbing the Wizarding world and found herself pouring over American Wizarding Times, a newspaper just like the Daily Prophet. In it she was able to find some news about Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Though she couldn't find if he was using Vampire's or not. She figured instead she'd find a book on the first war with Voldemort. That book didn't take her long to find at all, after she had that book and spent a total of three hours in the book store she paid for her books and headed over to the little pub to get lunch and of course a butterbeer. Opening one of the books she just bought and sipping her butterbeer she engrossed herself in much needed time in the Wizarding world.
She was so engrossed that an hour later and a 100 pages into Ancient Magic from the American Plains and How it Strives Today that she jumped when she felt her phone vibrate. Several witches and wizards nearby scowled at her, clearly annoyed at being interrupted, but she ignored them and looked at her phone.
Bella was surprised it worked with all this magical interference surrounding her, but she was even more surprised to see Edwards name pop up on the screen. She smiled and flipped open the phone.
"Hullo?" She said unsure of herself, just as always when she used a phone.
"Bella," Edward's silky voice came through the receiver sounding worried, but happy none the less. "Had a Merry Christmas?" He questioned.
"Yes, I did thank you for asking." Bella said softly, still doubting the phones capabilities. "How about yourself?" She said even softer, noticing the looks some of the Wizards and Witches were giving her. She'd have to make this conversation quick, and then head back home with her books.
"Would have been better had I seen you." Edward said sincerely, causing Bella to blush. Thank the heavens he couldn't see her right now she thought. "Which is why I was wondering, would you care to hang out today?"
"That would be wonderful." Bella smiled, "We can't be at my house though, Charlie would flip."
"I'll come pick you up then?" He asked hopeful.
"Sure, give me some time to get ready. I'm still in my pajamas." She lied.
"Then I'll see you at 1 o'clock?" Was it really that late Bella wondered after he said a time. She looked at her watch sure enough it was almost 1 o' clock.
"Great," She clicked the phone shut and started packing up her stuff. In no time she was out of the pub and heading down the road with her wand and portkey in hand. She found a great place to portkey out of there and safely back into her bedroom. She smiled at another successful transportation and then quickly set out to stash the books away. She made one quick phone call to Charlie to let him know she was going over to Edward's house and had to reassure him several times that Esme would be there, though she wasn't sure if that was true her not. By the time she got off the phone she had just enough time to stash her wand away in her dress and head downstairs to answer the door.
When she opened the door she was thoroughly surprised to see Edward wearing such a deep frown. It made it hard for her to smile, but she attempted to as she held the door open greeting him.
"Good afternoon Edward," She said formally.
"You dyed your hair." He reached out and grabbed her now blonde locks. She had completely forgotten that she dyed her hair for the outing in Spells Garden, just in case. She meant to change it back once she got home, but Edward's call completely set her off guard. It was her turn to frown, she might be stuck with unnaturally blonde hair for a while.
"Yeah, I don't think I like it. Random impulse last night," She shrugged hopping this would suffice for him.
"It's just different." He held out his hand and waited for her to take it. Bella smiled and grabbed his hand letting him lead her off the slippery driveway into the warmth of his car. They sat in agreed silence for a while as Edward drove down the roads. The snow was coming down lightly this afternoon, but when wasn't it this time of year? The trees were covered with so much snow the branches threaten to break, but to Bella it was the most beautiful thing in the world. The snow reminded her so much of Hogwarts it was comforting in a way. She let out a soft giggle at the thought of snowball fights with her friends.
"What?" Edward asked curiously.
"Just thinking about home," Bella admitted sheepishly as her eyes continued to scan the beautiful scenery winter had to offer in Forks.
"Back in New York?" His voice sounded serious and solemn. He had wondered how she was fairing this holiday season. Surely it was her first holiday away from her mom, step-brother, and friends. That couldn't have been easy on her. He was hoping to spend New Year's Eve with her. That would surely be the hardest, spending the New Year without her family. Even Esme suggested she should come over.
"They sent me presents you know, but it just isn't the same." She sighed. "I try not to dwell on these things. I have an image to keep up." She said haughtily and held her head up high.
Edward chuckled quietly, "This isn't New York, you can let your hair down." He reached out and gave her hand a squeeze, Bella rolled her eyes in response.
"A pur—" She choked back her words, she almost referred to herself as a pureblood. Edward raised a curious eyebrow as she coughed a couple of times. "Never mind," She muttered and went back to staring out the window. "I bet," She said suddenly surprising Edward who figured she dropped conversation for a while. "It wasn't easy on you either, your first Christmas as a Vampire. How long ago was that?"
Edward blinked, he was not expecting her to turn the questioning onto him. He thought for a moment before speaking. "It was back when the influenza epidemic hit, in Chicago." He started, "Carlisle was working nights in a hospital there. He'd been turning over an idea in his mind for several years, and he had almost decided to act—since he couldn't find a companion, he would create one. He wasn't absolutely sure how his own transformation had occurred, so he was hesitant. And he loath to steal anyone's life the way his had been stolen. It was in that frame of mind that he found me." His voice was starting to fade out, but Bella was listening with rapt attention. She hung on every word, genuinely curious and saddened by it all. "There was no hope for me; I was left in a ward with the dying. He had nursed my parents, and knew I was alone. He decided to try…" He trailed off in a near whisper now. Bella felt the tears forming. It couldn't have been easy on him.
Edward stayed silent, waiting for Bella to finish taking everything in. Her mind was pounding with questions. But she treaded cautiously. "Did you always stay with Carlisle? I mean, you've always been a vegetarian right?" She questioned out loud not being able to see Edward anything but sweet and gentle towards humans.
"Almost always." He supplied as he pulled into the driveway.
"Almost? So you aren't as perfect as you seem." Bella smirked.
Edward sighed, not really wanting to answer. He was already afraid of telling Bella too much. One of these days would be too much for her to handle. She would run. She would be filled with fear. It wasn't normal for a human to react this calmly. "Well, I had a typical bout of rebellious adolescence –about ten years after I was…born…created, whatever you want to call it. I wasn't sold on his life of abstinence, and I resented him for curbing my appetite. So I went off on my own for a time." He swallowed and watched her carefully. She seemed amused and not frightened at all.
"Rebellion is what got me here in the first place. A little rebellion is good for the soul." She answered simply and got out of the car.
"It got you in a lot of trouble, though." Edward stepped out of the car and caught up to her in seconds.
"If that's what it takes for me to be able to express who I am, it's worth it." Bella shrugged and threw him a wicked smirk before skipping to the front door. "Come on slow poke."
He chuckled at the irony of her calling her a slow poke and led her in the house. Together they were greeted by Alice, Esme, and Jasper who all wished Bella a Merry Christmas. From there they had a conversation on what they did for Christmas and carried on into other topics before Edward announced that he was going to take Bella upstairs.
Her last visit they stayed downstairs and talked, but this time he lead her upstairs into Carlisle's study. Since they had talked about Edward's history he wanted to start from the beginning. And that beginning started with Carlisle. They ran through how he came to be and who was turned next. Edward being the first, followed by Esme, none of this surprised her until they came upon the Volturi. She had heard that name before and she knew exactly where she had heard it, in history books about Voldemort and his rise to power the first time. The Volturi had backed him up the first time, but now would they do the same? It was obvious after hearing the stories the Cullen's were nothing like the Volturi, therefor they would not be on Voldemort's side. But still, she was still in danger being around them wasn't she?
By the time he finished his story, Bella had a deep crease in her forehead and actually looked scared. Edward couldn't help but stare at her with a peculiar expression. He didn't want her to run away. She looked about ready too though.
"Sorry, I spaced out a bit. It was a lot to take in." She said softly.
"Bella?" He said gingerly. "Thank you for listening. I feel so relieved. Having you know everything, not needing to keep secrets from you. But I didn't expect to feel more than that. It makes me…happy." He let his lips curl up in his smirk.
"I can only imagine." Bella muttered, thinking so much of her life back in England. She wanted so much to spill her real name, her real self, Crystal Beatrice Nott a pureblooded witch. Her brow creased and she felt her heart drop ever so slightly. Edward couldn't help but notice her distress. "You're thinking I'm going to run off scream right now aren't you?" Bella looked up shaking her head.
"Yes," was all Edward responded with.
Bella smirked. "I don't mean to be the boggart in your closet, but you aren't as scary as you think." She said barely even noticing her slip. "I've honestly met things that would give you nightmares." She said emphasizing the word you.
Edward stared at her with blatant disbelief. Then suddenly he flashed a wide smirk. "You really shouldn't have said that," He chuckled.
Bella let out a sigh of relief, he didn't notice her slip up of the word boggart, or if he did he wasn't saying anything.
He let out a sudden growl from the back of his throat. He kept his eyes on her as he curled his lips back over his perfect teeth, revealing his fangs. She threw him a sharp glare as he shifted suddenly, and crouched down like a lion about to pounce.
Bella backed up ever so slightly, "You wouldn't," She whispered. Looking around the room for a place to easily back up on, only to realize there wasn't much of a place to go in Edward's bedroom. There was the couch and that was it. She glared once more giving up all hope as Edward leaped on her with amazing speeds. In one quick motion she found herself airborne and then crashed onto the sofa with a definite thud, it crashed into the wall.
All the while he was holding on to her tightly as if to cage her in. She didn't bother moving though. She knew his strength and she knew there was no escaping the Vampire that held her close in a ball.
He grinned down at her, his eyes bright with humor. "You were saying?" He practically purred at her.
"I'm sorry, was that supposed to be terrifying?" Bella smirked, "Because I didn't find it terrifying at all. You little kitten." She reached out and poked his nose, but he was quicker. He grabbed her tiny frail finger and held it with in his own. Watching her expression carefully he lifted her finger up to his lips and gave it a soft kiss. Bella's cheeks burned with embarrassment.
"You were saying?" He repeated once more in a whisper.
She felt her cheeks grow even warmer and he pulled her close. She didn't know what to say, and then as if someone else was speaking for her, the words formed off of her lips. "I would love nothing more than to be your girlfriend."
The words seemed to catch Edward off guard. His hands slightly fell and her weight fell forward for just a moment. He quickly grabbed on tightly and stared at her in amazement. He was sure she wasn't going to respond to him asking her out, but she just did. This girl was full of surprises. He was sure he could wait another hundred years and never find anyone like her. He smiled with satisfaction. "I thought you would avoid that question forever."
"I guess a small part of me was hoping I would go home. But I guess I'll stick around for a while." She reached out and grabbed Edward tightly. "Although, I'll have to tell Charlie, I'm afraid his wrath might be worse than my step-fathers."
Edward snorted back laughter, "Doubtful, he will come around."
Bella shook her head, "Maybe."
About an hour later of talking, Alice came in the room excitedly to announce that the snow was packing snow. She wanted to make a snowman down in the fields. Bella was all game for that, especially because the whole family would be coming. Edward was enthusiastic as well. They would all have a competition on who could make the best snowman, and then once they were done they'd have a snowball fight. Even Carlisle was going to come with, it would be grand. So around 4 o'clock after Bella had eaten dinner, they put on their gear and headed outside.
"How are we getting to this field?" Bella looked around at Edward and then Alice who were close by. Emmett, Rosalie, Esme, and Carlisle were already there. They were just waiting on Bella to finish getting dressed up properly. Edward was really concerned that she would get a cold if she wasn't dressed up right. But she insisted she stay in her dress the whole time. She had worn jeans for the first time just about a week ago and she really didn't want to try it just yet. She knew she'd be warm enough, she cast a shield charm around her knee highs so her feet wouldn't get wet. But Edward didn't know that.
"We are running of course." Edward grinned.
"I'd never be able to keep up with you." Bella pointed out, but before the thought could dawn on her Edward picked her up. She let out a squeal.
"Hold on tightly." He commanded.
She didn't question. She held on as tight as she good, even though she didn't need to Edward's grip was extremely tight on her. She wasn't going anywhere any time soon. As soon as Edward started moving, she felt like she was apparting somewhere. They were going so fast she could have sworn there was a tight pull at her navel. It made her feel almost sick. But she had flooed and apparated enough to know she was fine. That didn't change the disorientation that was around her as the snowy trees flew by. And just as suddenly as it started it stopped.
Edward set her gentle on the ground, but she still managed to trip and fall to the ground with a soft, "Ow." She grumbled and helped herself up.
"I have to give you credit." Edward watched her closely as she brushed snow off of her elegant dress. "You are so brave, trusting…and warm. Like no other human being would be. How you can be around me when your life is in constant danger is beyond me."
Bella grinned and thought it must be the Gryffindor within me. "I just love danger, what can I say?" She shrugged.
"I love you," He smiled at her light teasing tone. "It's a poor excuse for always putting you in danger, but it's true."
"I'm in danger without you in my life." She said before quickly running to the field where everyone was waiting.
Esme was standing the closet, everyone else were far out in the field already making huge snowballs. Down by Esme's feet was a bag filled with what Bella assumed to be decorations for the snowmen.
"It's best to let them gather the snow. I figured I'd wait here with you a while." Esme filled her in as Bella watched everyone. Edward was already at work piling snow nearby.
"You don't have too, I can survive in my own company." Bella felt a shot of guilt that Esme was waiting with her instead of out there having fun.
"It's quit alright. I wanted to talk to you anyways." She reached out and put a motherly hand on Bella's shoulder. "I'm truly happy for Edward. He was my—well first new son."
Bella raised an inquisitor eyebrow, "New son?"
"Yes, did Edward tell you I lost a child?"
"No," Bella murmured softly feeling stunned and not certain at what to say.
"Yes, my first and only baby. He died just a few days after he was born, the poor tiny thing," She sighed the sigh of a heart broken mother. It was filled with so much passion and heart break it made Bella want to cry. "It broke my heart—that's why I jumped off the cliff, you know," She added in a very matter-o-fact tone, which stunned Bella even more.
The burdens this family carries must be large. No wonder Rosalie didn't like Bella, she was jealous. Jealous that Bella was free and didn't have to live a life time. She was free to love whom she wanted. Rosalie must loath the fact that she is free, but yet she is with Edward. Bella frowned, she must be making terrible mistakes. But didn't Esme say how happy Edward was? Wasn't that worth something? Enough that Bella is dating someone almost worse than a muggle?
"Edward was the first of my new sons. I've always thought of him that way, even though he's older than I, in one way at least." Esme carried on through Bella's silence, never letting the smile leave her lips. "That's why I'm so happy he's found you, dear." Her voice was so motherly, Bella couldn't help but wonder if that's how her mother talked about her. If she did talk about her, she knew that was near impossible, she was a forbidden topic in the Nott house hold. "He's been the odd man out for far too long; it's hurt me to see him alone." She watched Bella closely, who looked close to tears. What could possibly be running through her mind?
"I'm all wrong for him though." Bella said after a long pause. She was all wrong for him. Vampires and Witches do not mix, especially not in her family. "That doesn't bother you? I won't be a live forever."
"No," She said thoughtfully, "You are what he wants. It will all work out, somehow, it always does."
Bella closed her eyes and thought about what Esme said. Was this what they mean by motherly wisdom? She wondered, it could be, but her mother was never there. Wasn't there someone else there for her when her mother and father abandoned her…but who was it? Did these lead back to the Malfoy's? The whole reason she was here in Forks in the first place…it was possible.
She opened her eyes when she suddenly felt another magical being next to her. Standing right in front of her with those magical topaz eyes was Edward, grinning. "Ready to make the best snowman?" He asked nodding over to his ginormous pile of snow to their right. Bella gasped at it, but nodded none the less and headed for the pile.
Edward was extremely patient with her. Everyone else seemed to be making their snowman at top speed, but then once they saw how delicate Edward and Bella were going they slowed down the pace as well. Together, they made the body, torso, and head of the snowman. Edward had to lift up the snowballs since Bella wasn't strong enough, but she helped mold them the best she could. It took them longer than everyone else to make, so in the end everyone ended up gathering around their snowman, laughing. Alice and Edward took turns lifting Bella up to put the face on the snowman.
"Alice, move me over to the left just a bit." Bella called from on top of Alice shoulders. "I can't get the eye in the right spot. You're making him into a Cyclops." She cried.
"What's wrong with that?" Alice laughed.
"Everything, she's going to be beautiful. Not a monster." Bella pouted.
"She looks like a boy from down here." Jasper picked on Bella.
"Excuseee me!" Bella pouted dramatically as she stuck the coal in the right spot. "Perfect," She cheered happily, "Someone hand me another one." As she reached out to grab the other one from Edward, Alice suddenly went ridged, and before she knew it she was falling off of her shoulders landing roughly into Edward's arms.
"Alice?" Esme said in a tense whisper.
Alice looked panic as she looked between Bella and her family. "I didn't – I couldn't tell," She sputtered out not making much sense.
"What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asked in a calm voice.
"They were traveling much quicker than I thought." She murmured.
Jasper stood next to her quickly and put a comforting arm around her shoulder. As seven pair of eyes flashed towards Bella, his smooth calm voice filled the air, "How soon?"
Edward looked at Carlisle with a grim face, waiting for Alice's answer. But Alice didn't answer, it was Edward in a low scowl. "Less than five minutes, they're running fast."
"Can you make it?" Carlisle asked him, his eyes casting on Bella for a moment then back to the worried stricken Edward.
"No, not carrying –" He cut himself short. "Besides the last thing we need is for them to catch the sent and start hunting." He ran his hands through his already tousled hair.
"How many?" Emmett turned to Alice.
"Three," She answered abruptly, with tension. She was feeling like this was all her fault. She was the one who insisted on playing in the snow. She was so excited, but not it all felt so foolish. She knew they were coming, but not this fast. How could she have misinterpreted so badly?
"Three!" Emmett said loudly clearly not afraid of the coming Vampires. "Let them come." He flexed his large muscles, showing that his strength.
"Bella?" Esme said quietly, wondering what her opinion on this matter was. She seemed overly quiet by the turn of events. To be honest she seemed almost dead, as if all emotions had left her.
Bella lifted her head slowly as Edward finally set her on the ground. She looked around at the friendly Vampires before her, feeling her cover was blown. There had to be something she could do? She let her Gryffindor mind take over as she recalled the scene for the Ministry of Magic that wound her up here in the first place. Memories flashed quickly and her eyes darted around. She knew there was only one thing to do. She reached out and grabbed Edward's hand, "I need you to trust me. I mean fully trust me. And I need you not to question this matter any farther." She said in the strongest authority voice she owned, but to her it sounded weak.
"Bella this is your life we are talking about. Whatever you are thinking I want you to stay right here by me," Edward scowled.
Bella glared at him, "We don't have much time," She sneered. "I swear it upon god that if you hold me back I will silt my throat and take the chances to who drains my blood first." Everyone shifted around at her words. Edward even let out a growl.
"Do not joke about that. You are staying here." He demanded coldly.
Bella let out a sigh and did the only thing she knew would work. "Rosalie, please," She turned to the beautiful blonde Vampire with hope in her eyes. "Take me to the tree line." She asked softly. Rosalie looked at Edward for a second, then without warning grabbed Bella and ran her with lightning speed to the tree line. She set her down and glared at Edward who was attempting to get Bella back where he believed she was safe. Emmett was there just as fast too, with Rosalie and Emmett together they managed to bring Edward back to the clearing.
"Goodbye," She muttered softly while hiding deeper into the forest. She hid well enough and pointed her wand at the seven Vampires, "Obliviate!" She muttered softly, hoping the charm worked on Vampires. When she seemed satisfied with her work she grabbed the nearest tree branch and made it into a portkey. She gave the group one last glance before she was safely home in her bedroom.
