Ch 10

Birds of A Feather

Jasper didn't ask where Edward had gone after their Library fiasco. He didn't bother interpreting any incoming feelings. In return, Edward didn't read into his thoughts. The two cloaked vampires merely sat on a stone bench, watching the morning sun cast beautiful colors along the Fjord. They listened to the distant voices of students as they flew on brooms. Early morning Quidditch, Edward supposed. The morning winds carried the rustling of the Forbidden Forest. Jasper knew from experience the Forest harbored animals they would never catch. Behind them stood Ravenclaw Tower. The grounds of the Hogwarts School was as vast and magnificent as the Castle itself.

"Toast?" Jasper offered, raising his vial of unicorn blood

"To vampire wizarding hybrids that obsess over human women" smirked Edward.

All was well. As well as it could be. Until a select few Aurors led them straight to The Volturi.

Jasper and Edward heard footsteps precisely 15 feet away. Jasper promptly rose from his seat under the pretense of being a gentleman. More importantly, Jasper rose because he anticipated blocking a second attack on the young miss. Cho Chang strode toward them shyly, her blue and silver robes matching a radiant night sky. Luna confidently skipped ahead trailing green and orange robes behind her. The former Ravenclaws were escorted by three lions. Hermione, Ron, and Harry kept a comfortable distance, wands at the ready. Only Hermione looked on with a mixture of interest and empathy.

"Hello Jasper, Hello Edward." Luna dreamily smiled.

"Edward is what you prefer, right?" Her airy thoughts regarded the vampire. It bothered Edward that this stranger wordlessly spoke to him with her thoughts. Nevertheless he would preserve his resolve to maintain peace.

"Hello. You must be Luna" was all the velvet voice would offer.

"You remember me. I'm quite flattered Edward." Luna silently gazed at the Fjord.

She felt the cold chill of Jasper's close presence.

"Miss Luna. I apologize. I left the ball so rudely." he looked at her apologetically.

"Oh it's quite alright. That usually happens when I go to Balls." she beamed. Her admission would've demanded pity, were it not for the fact that Luna stated this so happily.

As the two continued to converse, Edward turned his attention to the other witch. He was not surprised at her appearance. Even after last night's heated...events, he expected to see Auror Cho. She did, after all, make an unbreakable vow. Her life was magically bound to protecting his. He stayed seated, listening to the events unfold. Cho stepped forward, her almond shaped eyes met Jasper. The only interaction they ever shared was her blasting him through a stone wall.

"I'm terribly sorry, sir. Last night was entirely my fault. I'd like to start over, if that's alright." Cho began. Her eyes expressed regret as she pushed a black strand of hair behind her ear. Her voice came out warm and gentle. Like it could melt snow. Jasper regarded her emotions and quickly glanced at Edward. No hint of any intention to attack. Jasper bowed toward the apologetic Ravenclaw.

"Your wand packs a fine punch, Miss." he slightly grinned, sending waves of comfort toward her.

"I'm Jasper Hale." He added, still wary of Edward.

"Cho Chang. I've been assigned head Auror for Mr. Cullen, though one might not believe it after last night's fire." a wry smile.

"It's Edward- call me Edward." he interjected. She briefly smiled and nodded.

Jasper's eyebrow lifted at the genuine gesture. Aren't we nice and cozy with the young miss you tried to eat. Edward ignored Jasper's mental jab. He instead fixed his golden eyes at the lake. Nature remained unmoving, as if every tree waited for him to speak. Every leaf hung on his words.

"I'm the one who should apologize, Auror. I regret what happened." a quiet statement spun in the softest silk. Edward kept his eyes forward.

Cho looked thoughtfully toward the direction of his gaze. The sun began to rise higher, dispelling the mist around them. The lake remained still. The Ship of Durmstrang undoubtedly sailed beneath its waters. After a moment, Cho turned toward the vampires and offered her hand. Something about her slightly changed.

"I'd like for us to start over." Cho's voice held integrity, as if this decision had been made long ago. Edward looked at her small hand. His eyes trailed up the blue robes that were stained with her blood merely hours ago. Her shoulder seemed mended. Her neck was covered by a window of long black hair. He'd met her eyes which were unmoving as nature itself.

"Yes." Edward replied, mildly taken aback. Her thoughts were completely closed off again. Yet her feelings were openly sincere. She looked at him as if this was the first time they'd met. She looked past him.

Was last night- Vampires didn't dream.

It was kind of you to let her say goodbye. A small thought dreamily floated behind him. Cho briskly moved forward, abandoning any hint of shyness. She took out her wand. In a swift stroke, her long black hair arranged itself into an elegant ponytail. It shimmered blue in the sunlight. Her wand remained by her side. The small witch indirectly commanded attention.

"Today's the first day of the Tournament. We've received word that The Volturi have arrived. I've been sent to..accompany you." Cho chose her words carefully. "Protection" seemed like an offensive term.

Jasper and Edward immediately tensed without allowing anyone to notice. The Volturi were ruthless. Their army was an elite sect of vampires "collected" by Aro for their rare abilities. These abilities far surpassed mere emotion-control and mind reading. One look from a Volturi guard could send thousands of victims to their knees, writhing and praying for insanity.

Jasper and Edward cast expressionless looks as they walked up a winding dirt road. Jasper attempted light conversation with Auror Cho. The last thing they needed was for anyone in the Ministry to panic. Jasper emanated waves of relaxation. He listened to her countless missions as the Chief of Dumbledore's Army. Soon Cho was the one distracting Jasper. He couldn't deny the rush of exchanging battle tactics. This witch was charming. Sweet. Genuine. Fierce.

Edward found it unnerving that Jasper was so impressed. They walked on as he silently dissected the contents of their conversation.

It makes sense now. Auror Cho is the Chief of D.A. That's what Harry Potter meant about her being "forced" to make an unbreakable vow to protect his existence. Yes. This conclusion was easier to accept than the idea that she did it for-

"Edward? You okay?" Cho looked back.

In an instant neither Edward nor Jasper were okay. The Volturi set their camp right in front of the Hogwarts Entrance. Jasper could smell the living heartbeats of human blood, no doubt they had packed such provisions.

Aro's brought the entire guard. Edward darted at Jasper, whos mind was already spinning with strategy after strategy. They would have no time to converse before another revelation hit them. The gigantic Triwizard stadium was overshadowed by yet another massive black tent. It held a banner that signified the crest of three names.

It couldn't be.. Jasper's jaw tensed.

"Are you okay?" Cho repeated. The two vampires were forced to lie. Cho gave a small smile as she led them into the stadium, directly to the Minister of Magics box. She'd kept her distance from Edward. Aurors surrounded each row, discreetly holding their wands. They held expressions of cordiality but it was obvious their attentions were elsewhere. The Auror fleet nodded as the Head of The Order rounded out the caravan.

Harry nodded back. He vividly remembered this place. His felt his scar burn all over again, except the burn was distinctly felt in his memories. The first task. A dragon egg. A dragon. Hermione and Ron exchanged worried glances as they looked at Harry's frozen expression.

"Summon your brooms." he fiercely whispered.

What they saw below them was more dangerous than a mere dragon. At the center of the stadium stood Headmistress Mcgonagall and Minister Kingsley. They faced three completely hooded figures. Jasper instinctively grabbed Luna's hand.

Aro. Marcus. and Caius.

Red eyes met gray