Thank you Kamerreon for editing!
Thank you for all the responses.
Chapter Seven
When Harry went home, he had to listen to everyone fight for the rest of the week, it made his head throb to an all time extreme. He wasn't allowed to go to school in case of serious injury, but being home with a screaming family was doing more damage.
The only thing that gave him any peace and quiet was when Edward stopped by every day for an hour to check on Harry and his health. He didn't stick around much to Harry's dismay. He seemed to keep a distance and Harry wished he wouldn't. He seemed to be the only thing that made Harry happy being home. He made Harry feel all giddy and as though everything was going to be alright.
But when he left, Harry found that a piece of him was missing, as though Edward stole something from him. He felt empty.
Lily babied him to death and Severus glared and sneered at every turn. James was the only one who seemed to understand how he felt, of course, his dad would the two of them were very similar.
Harry was sitting at the table; Lily and James were arguing and Severus was throwing his two cents in. It was around dinnertime and Harry simply stared blankly at the wall. He pressed his fingers to his temples in exasperation, finally, he snapped.
"Shut the fuck up!" Harry growled and stood startling everything.
"Harry…" Severus hissed. "Watch your language you twit!"
"You shut up too, bloody idiot! I'm sick of this, I'm sick of all your goddamn fighting! You're making my head hurt!"
"Don't be stupid-"
"Don't you dare call my son names! Especially in my house." James snarled.
"James! Stop it right now, Harry!" Lily admonished. "Don't say such things! Come on baby lets eat."
"No, I'm not!" Harry snapped and threw the napkin down. Oh, his head was hurting so bad. "I am going for a walk for some fresh air. Another minute in your guys' company and I'm going to have an aneurysm. Don't-" He held up his hand to keep Lily from following. "I don't want to be near you."
She gasped in horror, never having heard her son sound so forceful. Severus' eyes narrowed. James frowned in surprise. "None of you right now! You three can't stop acting like bloody children for five minutes and keep your mouths shut! For god sakes, when I get back you three had better be quiet…" He threw his hands up and walked passed. "Or I might sleep in the woods!" He grabbed his leather jacket and threw open the front door and slammed it shut behind him as hard as he could.
He whimpered in pain and rubbed his head. "Owie." He stepped off the porch and shivered at the weather. The ice had melted, leaving everything wet and murky. Stepping over several puddles, Harry enjoyed the feel of the cold.
It reminded him of Edward's hands. He focused on those hands, the ones he had touched in the hospital, held onto… so flawless and perfect. All week he had been questioning what Edward and his family could be.
He knew the answer or at least he thought he did. But he was still too afraid of making an actual statement.
Why was Edward becoming so distant again? What was the cause? He sulked. Was it him? What did he do… he did nothing. Now he wished he had stayed in the hospital.
The wood near the house was swaying gently in the damp wind. Harry zipped up his jacket, tucked his hands inside, and began to walk through it, following a barely distinct trail. Harry had a headache.
The wind picked up and brushed Harry in the face, chilled and chapping his nose, causing his hair to wind around and obscure his vision. He shook his head to move it aside and then winced at the pain.
Oh, he was tired. Exhausted from having to put up with their fighting. He wanted to go back to school. He begged for it, he would rather endure an eight-hour lecture on Trig than go back in there right now and face them three idiots.
Though, it wasn't dad's fault. His mother always seemed to admonish him, like it was his fault for Severus Snape's sneers. It wasn't his fault, this was dad's house not hers and not his. He loved his mother, he loved her dearly yes, but she really didn't treat his dad properly. He would suspect that she was bitter because, Harry had chosen to stay with him instead of going back to London.
Staying in Forks was now a necessity. There were people here in Forks, people that he liked a lot. Hell, Cho, Hermione, and Ginny were worth putting up with. He liked the small school, the lush green, the tepid rain, the wind, and that pale family of enigmas.
Finally, Harry stopped in the middle of the forest and stared down at his feet. "Succubi and Incubi?" Harry mumbled aloud to no one in particular. Beauty, dangerous, and non-human who looked like humans. Was there such a thing as a human sex demon?
"Close."
That musical voice, caused Harry's head to rise and he looked straight ahead at Edward who was standing underneath a tree. His mouth opened slightly in shock. The gorgeous man stood there, tall and Adonis-like. His grace uncanny, not like any human in this world. His eyes glittering, light honey colour and his hair, even in the dim light of the eve he could see the tawny layers. His face was so amazing Harry's breath was stolen every time.
"Why have you been avoiding me?" Harry asked feeling the sadness seep through his voice. He couldn't keep it out, as much as he tried.
Edward's eyes were unblinking. They grasped a hold of Harry's with that intense deep thought. "I apologise, did I hurt you?"
He hadn't meant to hurt Harry, when he kept his distance, he did it so that he could think; weigh his options on what he was going to say and what he was going to do. He had not wanted to ignore Harry, but he figured if he were around less, Harry would recover quickly and spend time with his family. That was until Alice saw him angry and storming out of the house and towards the woods, in which Edward became full of panic and rushed out to make sure Harry would remain safe.
What did this beautiful creature think he was doing walking in a forest all alone?
"No." Harry lied, took his hands out of his jacket, and brushed his hair away from his face. "I just-" I missed you but I won't tell you that. So nnn. He thought to himself.
"What?" Edward asked softly.
"Nothing."
"I don't believe that." Edward pulled back the branch and took a step closer, "How are you feeling?"
"My head hurts." Harry admitted and when Edward frowned in concern, he placated him with a soft smile. "That's my family's fault. They won't shut up for two minutes…" He confessed. "Driving me up the wall…"
"That's why you stormed out."
Harry gaped. "You - were watching?" He blushed furiously. He had said some very awful things.
Edward chuckled at Harry's blush. He was so cute when he got angry or embarrassed. "Yes and no." He took a hesitant step closer toward Harry, breathing him in for all it was worth. "You see, some of us are a little more special than others."
"Like you." Harry understood; he chewed his lip. "You're not human are you?"
Edward smiled humourlessly. "No, Harry, I am not."
"You said you were close to Succubi and Incubi?" Harry asked intrigued.
"Yes, very close. I'm amazed Harry, by the way you came up with that." He hoped that Harry would let him in that beautiful mind of his. Something! Anything.
"Well…" Harry licked his lips. "Several things."
"Oh?" He pressed hopefully.
"You are all strangely beautiful, beyond beauty there isn't a word to describe what I see." He insisted. "You have a grace, even the brawny one-"
Edward laughed out loud at the nickname for Emmett.
Harry blushed and shrugged. "The way your voice is so seductive toward the opposite sex or those who are of the preferred same sex… your eyes are all the same but you're adopted… and the fact that you are fast, strong, and have reflexes better than a cat. You hear from distances obviously and your skin is cold and flawless…" He blushed even brighter when Edward's soft chuckling continued through his entire assessment. "I had a book in London of all the fantasy and mythological creatures. The only other thing I could think of you being is a Veela or a Vampire."
Edward stopped laughing and looked over at Harry. "I am not a sex demon." He said trying not to laugh at the thought. "You are right that we have an allurement in our arsenal when needed." He offered quietly. As if they needed extra weapons!
"Veela or Vampire?"
Edward straightened and placed his hands together. "For the last week Harry, I've been trying to think of what I should say or do." He looked to the ground and he knew that if his heart beat it would be speeding up. He'd never felt so nervous before. Harry had hit it right on the nail but the confirmation would be different. The reaction… and the fact that this was very risky. Rosalie had screamed her head off… vocally until Alice threatened to barbeque her hair… Jasper simply stared at him, his mind running wild and Emmett was more amused than anything. Esme was delighted and Carlisle insisted that he trusted Edward's judgment backing him completely, which didn't make Rosalie any happier. "I have been weighing the pros and cons of this… to tell you what I am, is to tell you the truth in a way that is agonising for me to the very core. To tell you what I first thought when I saw you - what you did to me in two simple seconds of your innocent life…"
Harry frowned. "What did I do?" He asked in confusion.
"Oh, Harry, you did so much." Edward murmured. "Are you prepared for the whole truth?"
Harry held out his small hand, Edward looked at it before deciding, placed his larger one around Harry's in an ice cold comfort and then tucked both hands gently into the pocket of his coat.
Harry moved a little closer and they began to walk slowly. "I take that as a yes." Edward whispered sadly, brushing his middle finger across Harry's nimble little digits. They were so warm and nice, he didn't want them to fall off from his frigid touch, but Harry didn't seem to want to move them and so hopefully, tucking them into the pocket of his coat would help.
It did, slightly. Harry could still feel the cold and was racked by shivers but he wasn't going to show it. He put the other one in his own pocket. "Yes, Edward. Tell me." Harry was ready; he knew he might hear something that would frighten him. But if it was the truth then it was more preferable than lies. "I swear on my own grave I will never tell. I give you my promise."
Edward smiled gently. "I know you won't tell, otherwise we would not be here right now." He said earnestly. "Harry, I'm a Vampire or what some mythologists around here call, cold ones, like those at the La Push reservation call us."
"They know of you?" Harry squeaked.
"The council does." Edward told him. "Ephraim Black knew Carlisle, they set up the treaty so that we could stay here so long as we didn't cross the La Push borderline. They are sworn to secrecy on telling what we are, even to their kind…"
"That's why Sirius doesn't like Carlisle…"
Edward smiled grimly. "You know him?'
"He was dad's best friend, he was the one who owned the truck."
"Ah," Edward nodded his understanding. "I see. Anyway, as you know, a Vampires' appetite…"
"Blood." Harry said confidently.
"Yes," Edward was shocked at how calm Harry was. He listened to the rhythm of Harry's heart and while it was moving fast, it wasn't irregular, like he was frightened. "There are only two known families in the history of all Vampires that do not prey on humans." He told Harry.
"Your family?"
Edward nodded. "Mine and another, one in Denali. We are all really good friends. To prey on a human takes their life. There is no story about drinking a little and moving on. Once our lips touch - we can't stop." He said softly. "Most of the time…"
Harry thought about this. "So you don't drink human blood?"
"No, but it's not like there hasn't been slip ups. All of us messed up in the beginning. I did, Emmett did, even little Alice. Jasper was a little different." Harry nodded his understanding. "Carlisle has always had a determination to be better, to do better. He's one of the most genuine people you could ever meet. He is over 300 years old…"
"Wow." Harry said in awe. He was gorgeous!
"Yes, the sight of blood does nothing to him now. He isn't bothered by it. Hell, he's the best surgeon around. Unlike humans, he can use his extra skills to determine a person's health. We can hear heartbeats without a scope, hear blood… hear the inconsistency and rhythms in a human body."
Gasping, Harry laughed, "Wow, talk about a lie detector."
Edward laughed quietly. "Yes, it is easy to tell when one is lying, especially me."
"Oh?"
"Carlisle's theory is that when a human crosses over to the world of vampires they take their strongest traits with them and they become enhanced, sometimes an ability… special ability."
"Example?" Harry was trying to understand.
"Alice, she has the ability of foresight. She can see what's coming before it happens…"
"You saw me dying last week-"
Edward frowned strongly at this and squeezed Harry's hand gently. "Harry, she saw you dying the second you met me…"
Harry should have been frightened, should have flinched, but the tragic painful tone that Edward's voice carried made Harry's mind and body have a completely different reaction.
"The moment you walked into that biology room…" Edward turned away, not wanting Harry to see his face as it contorted into horror. "Every rare once in a while, a human comes along with a scent so potent that you can't resist it… sometimes it is so strong that there is nothing you can do to resist it… Emmett has killed two because of that. He had no resistance whatsoever - it was an accident, he went into a frenzy and had no control… I nearly killed you Harry-" He whispered lowly. "I nearly killed you and a whole room full of students…"
Harry was hearing it. The truth, why Edward had been so shocking. Why he had ran out of the classroom like Harry had hurt him so desperately. Why he was holding his breath, fisting his hands, trying to stay away… Harry did feel a bit squeamish to know he almost caused Edward to lose control. All because of him.
"You didn't want to hurt me." Harry said softly.
"No." Edward said remorsefully. "No, I did not. But - you - the image… it still burns. It's bad, Harry, the way I saw things… how I pictured it… every gruesome detail displayed out, all because of you. I was almost out of control. I turned into the monster I try not to become… I had to leave I had to get as far away from you as I possibly could… I went to Alaska."
"Wow."
"I still smelled you…" Edward said quietly. "I craved you more than I had ever craved anyone. I didn't want to do it, you were too precious to harm, so I tried to hate you…"
Harry grimaced, hating seemed worse than dying.
"Wouldn't hating you be worth it, if I didn't kill you?" Edward asked more to himself than Harry.
To the Vampire's surprise, Harry replied, "No."
"What?"
Harry smiled grimly. "This world is full of hate, Edward. Hate is a cruel thing. Death is simply death. It's nothing, you seep into nothingness, but hate is a secondary emotion that can last forever, leave an imprint that shouldn't have been made. Hate is Hitler to the Jews; hate is white supremacy to those who are of a different skin colour, hate is to have no say, to have no freedom… to be a prisoner for the rest of your life."
To say that Edward was speechless was perhaps an understatement. Harry's words were too pure of heart to be true. Did he really truly believe this?
He looked at Harry and saw the sincerity in his eyes. Yes, yes he did believe this and it was so persuasive so intense.
"Harry… you do realise I almost killed you?"
Harry smiled gently. "Yes." He said simply. "While I'm not thrilled with that, I understand…"
"Do you?" Edward asked doubtfully.
"I do. You are what you are. You're good at what you do but sometimes you slip. Somehow, I seem to have the blood that drives you nuts and I can understand how that might make you react to me. You nearly put your family in danger, at risk of being exposed."
He did understand. Harry wasn't just saying that. He saw it from the clear perspective. A perspective that wasn't human!
"Your human instincts should be screaming about now." Edward arched an eyebrow. "How can you be so - lax? Even at school, no one knows who or what we are, yet their instincts tell them to keep their distance."
Harry allowed his smile to become a little wider. "My instincts tell me the opposite…" A blush then blended into his already freezing cold cheeks. He was having a bit of trouble feeling his hand in Edward's but he wasn't likely to have it moved. He would deal with it. He loved it there; he loved the contact. Oh, Jesus, he was in trouble.
Edward shook his head. "This is wrong…" He whispered. "So, so wrong."
"Tell me about Alice? You broke off…"
Remembering that he had been discussing Vampire traits before he confessed his thirst for Harry's delicious blood. "As you know, Alice has foresight. She sees what's coming, though it's tedious and there are holes. Things can change in the blink of an eye. She saw you heading out into the woods, I got a bit panicky for your safety so I chased after you."
Harry giggled softly. "Wow and -" He paused and tilted his head. "Let me guess, you can read minds?"
Edward inclined his head, turning his eyes upon the ground as they walked. "Yes, I can read minds, through walls, down halls, and my hearing helps me with that… I can read anyone's mind if I have heard their voice before, usually. The one exception to this rule - is you."
Harry was stunned. He stopped on a dime and Edward stopped with him. "Really?" Edward nodded solemnly. Giggling, Harry grinned like a Cheshire cat. "You can't read my mind?"
Scowling playfully, Edward would have sulked over that, had Harry not looked so adorable with his grin. "No, I can't Harry and not only does your scent draw me in like honey to bears but your mind boggles the living hell out of me! I swear you were put on this earth to torture me… to elude me and have me following you around like a puppy for all eternity."
Harry stared at him shocked by his words and then giggled some more before biting on his lip. "Well, Edward, I won't apologise for my quirky little brain being so malfunctioned you can't read it, but I will apologise for almost having you kill me…"
Edward scoffed. "Not your fault, even though I blamed you for days and days…"
"Still, I am sorry; am I causing you pain now?" Harry asked concernedly. "Being so close, touching you, and stuff?"
Edward took Harry's hand out of his pocket, the burn got hotter and hotter. He brushed his fingers over the top. "You are cold."
"Of course I am, but I'm not pulling away." Harry stated sulkily.
Edward reached out for Harry's other hand. The teen handed it over. "You're freezing and I'm not helping." He brought one of the hands to his mouth.
Harry watched, his heart speeding and his blood pumping hotter, flushing his face and causing him to tingle. Edward's nose pressed in against the top of Harry's hand.
"Does that scare you?" Edward breathed onto Harry's hand and the breath was cold but delicious, crisp and fresh.
"No…" Harry murmured dazedly. "It's nice…"
"Really?" Edward mused, running his nose up and down and taking in that scent that was catching him on fire. He was in the good part of hell, he thought wildly.
"Uh huh…"
Edward pressed a kiss to Harry's soft sweet knuckles; they were small and gentle.
Harry whimpered ever so quietly, getting a sideways smirk from Edward in return. "I think, I can handle this," he whispered once again to himself. "I have little choice…" The taste of Harry's skin on his lips was indescribable. Soft and pure, the scent was tantalising and calling to him.
Freezing cold or not, Harry was melting. Turning into a pile of goo. No one had ever, ever done this before. "Thank you for being honest with me. I know - your family probably weren't so keen on me knowing."
Edward chuckled. "Carlisle, Esme, Alice, and Emmett didn't mind so much. "Jasper was worried and Rosalie - well - she's a bitch." Harry giggled, having never heard Edward curse before. "No one really cares what she thinks. Esme is really happy as is Alice and you know Carlisle is already attached to you, being his patient. Emmett thinks you're the most entertaining thing since the 60s."
Harry choked on that, laughing loudly and twitching. "How old are you?"
"Seventeen." Edward said automatically.
"Uh huh, but for how long?" Harry asked.
"I was born in 1901, Chicago, the Spanish Influenza epidemic wiped a ton of people out. My mother and I were in the hospital about to die. She died before me, but before she died, she begged Carlisle to save me - he did. I was the first. Then Esme, then Rosalie, Emmett, and Alice and Jasper came together."
"Hum." Harry grinned, "How interesting."
"Is it?" Edward asked, lips pressed up against Harry's hand. Listening to the rhythm of the blood and the sound of Harry's heart. He was a perfect musical instrument that should be worshipped, Edward couldn't help but thinking. The way his black hair swayed and he wished for light so that he could see the deep blue hue.
"It is." Harry insisted happily. "I mean, I am stunned about all this, but I'm not going to freak out."
"Won't you?" Edward asked. "Why?"
Harry shrugged. "Don't know, Edward." And he didn't know. "While the logical mind tells me that it is impossible, the logical mind also tells me that the facts stack up and the creative part decides to make the logical part see reason."
Edward chuckled quietly. "I better walk you back. We've been out here for an hour…"
"Is that it?" Harry asked wistfully. "I thought it was five minutes…"
"Not with my procrastination."
"I like your procrastinating, please, by all means you want to procrastinate - do it! So long as I'm in the same room…" Harry said cheekily.
Edward shook his head. "Harry… this is dangerous." He began to lead them back. He had to try and make Harry see reason. "You should run from me…"
Harry rolled his eyes. "That's not going to happen."
"You should be scared."
"I'm not."
"You should - hate me for wanting to kill you."
"No." He said simply. "I can't hate you…." Not when it's completely opposite.
"Eighty years, Harry… and then you come along…"
Harry bit his lower lip. "Bad thing, huh?"
Edward cupped Harry's hand and began to stroke the back of it. Harry's body relaxed, faltering at the cool tender caress. "Yes and no. Yes, for I want this and no because this is wrong, dangerous, you are mingling with a monster."
Harry rolled his eyes once more. Was this what Edward really thought of himself? "I am mingling with Edward Cullen." He corrected, "Who has a bit of an appetite different than mine…"
Edward snickered at that. "You make it sound so normal."
"Everyone has to feed off something, it's a part of the food chain. Us humans can't be put on the earth to kill ourselves; something has to be bigger than us. Something has to take us… right? Otherwise, the population would be even worse! People live and die every day, but no one expects a human to be food. Strangely it makes sense to me."
How did Harry's logic work this way? Harry should have been running, revolted, hating Edward, and cursing him for trying to kill him. But instead, here he was… Edward's hand in his and Harry's heart was quickening and his blood was surging lively through his veins and - he was smiling.
They slowly made their way out of the clearing of woods. The wind whipped passed brushing Harry's hair and scent up. Edward took a deep breath and moaned quietly.
Harry looked up at him.
"You should be an illegal work of art." Edward hummed.
Blushing again, Harry reached his free hand over and brushed it across the top of Edward's knuckles. "I take it the talk about Vampires and daylight is a myth correct?"
Edward relishing the warm touch over his knuckles chuckled quietly. "Yes and no. We can go out in the day, like now. It's overcast, but the direct bright sunlight." He shook his head. "Would really put on a display…"
"Ooh? Does it hurt?"
"No." Edward dismissed. "It's - different. Maybe, I'll show you someday."
Harry's heart flipped. "I hope you do!" He shimmied a bit closer and curled his hand around Edward's forearm, pressing part of his side against the frame. The freezing cold hard skin seeped through the fabric of Edward's jacket and clothing, but he loved it. Edward smelled so fresh so something. Invigorating. "This okay?" It was impossible to understand it.
"I don't know." Edward moaned; heated through clothes, Harry's petite frame comforted him but it made the creature inside want to rear back and attack. Although, he couldn't for the life of him push Harry away. It felt so good, so pleasant, and so hot. "Yes." He could only say.
Harry's house came in full view. He groaned. "Are they still fighting?" Harry asked dubiously. He knew Edward would be able to hear.
Edward quirked his lips, "Your mother is muffled to me. I can hear pieces but it's kind of foggy. Your stepfather is cursing you and James. Your dad is steaming at the way you're being treated, but I think they've all went their separate ways, afraid you'll go through with the sleeping in the woods threat…" Severus Snape didn't seem to care much, if Harry did or not. That man really bothered Edward.
Harry choked out a laugh at this. "Good."
The closer they got, Edward knew he would have to leave Harry here. It would be too questionable if they found Edward had shown up without his car, but even as he thought this, Edward stared down the street and then laughed out loud. Leave it to her. "Alice is coming."
Harry gripped Edward's arm. "Alice? The little one?"
Edward smiled. "Yes. She's bringing my car. She is about twenty human minutes away, give her a second."
... A second? Were they that speedy?
"Ooh, how did you get here?"
Chuckling, Edward stared at Harry. "I can run quicker than my car."
Harry gaped and then giggled. "Sounds fun! No wonder, you all move so quickly… the small things I saw."
When Alice appeared a second later, Edward smirked. "We all have a speed thing…" He expressed.
"I see…" Alice pulled up and bounced out.
"Can I finally make friends with the cute human?" She asked, her tawny eyes wide and bright. She looked so cute and innocent. Harry thought. Her voice was high and musically soprano. The closer she came the better her features came in from Harry's corrective sight. She was dressed in the latest fashion with clothing that looked like they were made from designer material and while she was stick thin, she somehow looked older; perhaps it was the graceful elegance of her porcelain face?
Edward rolled his eyes humanely. "Yes, Alice, you may. Alice Cullen this is Harry Potter, Harry this is my annoying lunatic sister Alice."
"Nice to meet you, Alice." Harry said sheepishly, unwinding his hands from Edward's.
Alice squealed and then before Harry could register what was happening, she launched herself at him in a great big - child like hug.
Harry laughed and hugged her back. She was exuberant.
"He's going to be my best friend!" Alice taunted sticking her little tongue out at Edward who was watching, with a mild glare. 'My friend, so hah! I was right, I was right! I saw you two all cute and gooey! I saw it, ha-ha.'
"Nosy." Edward grumbled but he chuckled quietly when Harry patted her on the head.
"I thought you might need a car, seeing as Harry's parents might wonder how on earth you got here on foot."
"Alice, what would have happened if I never told him?" Edward asked crossing his arms as Alice stepped back and began to assess Harry and his clothing.
"You wouldn't have had too tell him. He knew…"
That was true. Edward thought.
Harry smiled. "Well, I came up with a few things, but I won't say anything. I wouldn't do that to another family." he said earnestly.
Alice's smile became wide and shiny; she touched Harry's cheeks with those well-known cold hands. "He's so cute Edward, see! He's a smart human and pretty. You dress nice, though, I wonder why you are wearing all that together." She traced him up and down. "That's not your usual dressing…"
Harry looked down and then gushed. He hadn't realised he was in pyjamas. "Hum, I raced out of the house…" He was wearing an old flannel shirt from his dad's closet and baggy gray sweatpants. Oh, how horrible he must look.
"Yes, angry and steaming I saw!" Alice said brightly.
"I was asleep and they woke me…" It was easy to talk to Alice, easy to get along with her. Like Carlisle. She was - cheery.
"That's what it was."
Edward cocked his head and watched the interaction. Alice had no problems with Harry's blood. It was just him… just Edward who was drawn in. Damn her. He saw Harry blushing over the way he was dressed. Edward thought he was cute all tired and sleepy looking; wearing whatever was warm and comfortable.
'Ooh, I should take Harry shopping in Seattle; I bet he'd like that… we'd have so much fun! Esme too.'
Edward laughed. "Harry's only just found out Alice, don't go making big plans yet."
"Too late." Alice sing-songed.
Harry laughed quietly, knowing it was Alice's mind running and Edward answering. He brushed his hair out of the way.
Edward then turned to Harry. "How is your head? Alice, I think Carlisle should take another look…"
Alice looked at Harry, who shook his head. "It's fine, it was hurting because of all the screaming." He said instinctively bringing his hands to his ears. "It was like nails on a chalkboard, mum and dad shouting and Snape being a prick."
"They'll be leaving Sunday." Alice stated stock still next to Harry. "You'll be free of them."
"Good." Harry said with relief.
"I think I'll introduce myself now." Alice then said as Edward frowned at her.
"Do you think it wise?"
Alice arched an eyebrow. "I'm looking ahead - and I see - that yes, it's a good idea that they know who I am. I have a feeling the stepfather will like me." She cocked her head to the side and then turned on her heel.
Harry looked to Edward, "I like her." He whispered and got a tinkling giggle from the female Vampire.
'Told ya, told ya!' Alice's mind shouted to Edward.
This was going too well, Edward thought briefly. Something had to go wrong soon. It just had too.
Alice had been right. Severus was rather taken by little Alice as she introduced herself as Edward's sister and Harry's best friend.
James thought she was the most adorable thing and was pleased to see Edward standing so closely to Harry.
Edward was rather amused by the thoughts of James, while Lily didn't know what to make of the tiny little girl, but she gushed every time she stared up at Edward, like she was surprised to find him looking so perfect.
James and Lily were still apologetic to Harry, while Severus refused to apologise for anything.
James asked when Edward arrived.
"I was in the neighborhood." Edward replied easily. "I had Alice with me and she wanted to see how Harry was doing."
"It is very nice to meet Harry's parents finally." Alice beamed sweetly. "Edward has hogged him all up."
Edward glared at her, while James chuckled amusedly.
"It is lovely to meet you, Alice! Edward has given Harry a break I think, as soon as he appears we all shut up out of courtesy."
Alice laughed songfully, stunning both Severus and James momentarily.
"How old are you, Alice?" Lily asked staring wide eyed at the small girl.
"I'm seventeen."
"You're not real siblings?" Lily was looking from Edward to Alice.
"Real in all but blood." Alice chirped cheerily.
Edward nodded to confirm this.
"How long have you known Harry?" Severus asked finally seeing an opening.
"Ooh, for a while. Edward was first and then I joined in! I couldn't let him have all the fun!" Alice slid a cold arm through Harry's who smiled down at her.
"Dr. Cullen is one of the best surgeons." James endorsed with a smile. "We're lucky to have such a talented man."
Severus looked at James in disgust as Edward smiled. "Thank you, Sir. He's been all around the world, but Esme loves it here."
Alice nodded. "She isn't much for big cities."
"Who is Esme?" Lily asked.
"Our mother." Edward and Alice answered in sync.
It was ten minutes later, when Edward and Alice made their exit.
Edward stared straight at Harry until the teen locked eyes with him. "I will see you soon, Harry." The way he said it, made everything and everyone stop moving. Harry developed temporary tunnel vision until Alice hugged him.
"Bye, Harry!" She cooed and then waggled her little fingers before catching Edward's hand and leading him out the door.
"Harry…" Lily said slowly. "Are you dating that - boy?" She seemed to stumble over the word boy and Harry could see why. He looked young but he seemed older, his maturity shone through to anyone and everyone without even speaking.
"I -" He paused and turned. "I don't know." He said honestly.
"That's preposterous! You're too young." Severus growled.
James glowered. "Harry is of age, git. He can see whomever he wants and I quite like Edward thank you very much. They're all nice! The Cullens are one of the most polite families in town!"
"James… Harry doesn't even know him… and that girl is strange… they're adopted." Lily whimpered. "What if-"
"Mum!" Harry cut across. "Stop it for once! Stop treating me like a two year old. Alice is my friend and so is Edward. I like the both of them and you will not talk bad about them!" He felt a strong sense of defiance wash over him and the need to protect the both of them. "Carlisle Cullen treated me in the hospital, he put up with a whole hell of a lot, listening to you guys yell and snap and bark at each other like uncivilised barbarians! Leave them alone and I will see whomever I choose."
James choked with laughter and Lily's eyes widened in horror.
"Potter, don't be stupid…" Severus looked to James.
"Shut the living hell up Snape, I'm tired of this." James pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is my house and Harry's - I will not have anymore insults, there will be no more bitching, nor will I have anymore fighting amongst any of us! No more laying blame here and there!"
Lily glowered at James hatefully, before turning to Harry. "Oh, Harry! Please come home with us?"
"God no." Harry said quickly. "I'm not leaving." He said moving out of James' arms. "You ought to stop being a jerk to dad just because I don't want to leave. It's my decision."
Lily's face reddened as though she had been slapped.
"Don't talk to your mother that way, boy!" Severus growled. "If she wants your arse home you will get home! You will stop being a problem menace!"
James was mutinous, Harry noted and he briefly wondered if his father's gun was out of range.
"I am home!" Harry retorted. "You can't do a thing about it! I'm happy here and I refuse to leave. The only one who can make me leave is my dad and even if he did, I still wouldn't leave Forks."
"That would never happen, Bambi." James said succinctly. "You know that. This is your home."
"For once I'm free, I have friends, and I have a damn life! I am not going back to where I am belittled and chewed out every time I turn around."
Severus looked as though he had swallowed a lemon. Lily blinked. "No one's belittled you baby!" She cooed reaching out to him, but he withdrew.
"Oh yeah? Look at the prick next to you!" He shot, causing Lily to turn to look at Severus in shock. "Ask him, I am sick of it and mum, I love you just as much as dad, but I'm seventeen. In London, I am an adult; here I'm six months from an adult. I will see and date whomever I choose and there is no getting around that. Now, I'm not dating Edward, but that doesn't mean I don't like him. Quite frankly, I don't think it's your business and while I respect your concerns, it's my life and I have to live it. Not you."
"Harry…"
"No." Harry cut off. "I don't want to hear it. I'm tired and I'm getting a shower and going to bed. Good night."
He left the three adults downstairs stunned as he raced up the staircase to his room. His head was throbbing from all the fighting and the loud talking. When would they see reason? Harry slammed the door shut and shrugged out of his jacket to where it landed on the floor. Usually, he'd put on music to drown out any noise coming from downstairs, but he really couldn't handle that right now.
He kicked off his shoes, pressed a foot to the toe of his socks, and walked right out of them before doing the other. He crawled across the bed, knowing he should get a shower, he thought about the night's events. Edward, the revelations, Alice, and the truth.
Why wasn't he freaking out like most people? Edward was right. He should be scandalised, scared, shocked, and everything else there was when it came to the arcane.
However, when he thought about it, he saw how nice Carlisle Cullen was. How Edward had put forth all his energy and even left his family for a week to get away from Harry, whose blood was obviously a potent type of dynamite. How sweet Alice seemed to be and why the family stuck together.
His father stood up for them to his own friend and just because they were stronger and more powerful didn't mean that they should be feared or hated. They had a different lifestyle… yes… they drank blood… from animals and sometimes they messed up and attacked humans.
But don't humans attack humans? What's the difference! Humans even ate humans… literally. Harry made a face at that thought. Perhaps it was because Harry grew up knowing that hating was wrong, being gay and showing it caused controversy, and people pinpointed and hated Harry for what he was. Not many did, but there were those few that looked at him as though he were a disease.
Being different didn't make you a monster. Being different made you who you were and to be honest, Harry wouldn't want Edward any other way…
In almost an instant, Harry was overwhelmed by Edward, by his voice, his actions, everything that he was. The sad and tragic art piece in a gallery hanging all alone, it was allowed to be admired from a distance but wasn't allowed to be taken home and cherished.
Harry knew that being with Edward or near the vampire was dangerous. He could die, but then again, everything was a chance. Harry could die at any day and any time. What did it matter how he died? He would eventually. He knew that a life as a vampire would be impossible and he wouldn't even attempt to ask Edward. He might poke and prod around in questions to get a better understanding but he could see Edward's struggle with what he was.
He could see the Cullens fighting to be normal; to blend in, and be what they wanted rather than what their kind wanted them to be.
These thoughts sent Harry into a lolled sleep, with a smile across his face.
-
Edward crouched on the ledge of the front roof and watched Harry struggle through with agitation. He could see that his head was hurting. Harry would rub it while peeling his jacket and shoes off. When he collapsed onto the bed, Edward longed to enter - the smell of the room was mouthwatering, he'd heard the fighting downstairs and Harry's strong defense of him and Alice.
He hadn't expected it, even though he should. Edward found that he wanted to know Harry better. He wanted to know everything that there was to know. He wanted to protect Harry and keep him safe, never allowing anyone to touch or harm him.
Harry was - sublime. Edward knew he should fight his urges, he wanted to stay away but when Harry confessed to his parents about how he felt, the selfish part of Edward was halted. He was nailed shut by this one beautiful little creature that was a human.
This same little human whose mind was so open and how he worked everything out with a calm habit. What turned him this way? What made him so compassionate and true? What caused him to be as good as he was. How did a human get this good?
If there were such things as angels, Harry would be one. He'd be the Angel looking out for the Devil.
Edward chuckled silently at this. Edward was the Devil through and through and Harry was an Angel - a white winged angel. He was certain he could almost see the outline of those hidden wings.
He sounded fluffy and disgusting, he knew it. But, Edward had never encountered this. Was this how Jasper and Alice felt about one another? Were these thoughts running through their minds when they began? What about Esme and Carlisle? Edward had been there for it all and had inwardly longed for it. Even stuck up, conceited Rosalie had someone, Emmett, the most funny and boisterous Vampire in the world, but Edward had been the odd one out. The one, who never felt this with anyone, didn't have anything like it… and now here he was falling ungracefully for a human boy, eighty years later.
Through his deep thoughts, he saw that Harry had fallen asleep completely and he looked rather uncomfortable. The lights were still on and Harry wasn't under the covers like he should be. He could get cold and get sick. Hmm, Edward quietly pulled up the window and seamlessly slipped in.
He was a stalker, he knew it. Peeping through windows at night, watching Harry sleep… it was beautiful to watch and it did things to him. He rolled his eyes humanely when he heard Severus' and James' biting retorts and Lily taking Severus' side while trying to work out something with James, to make Harry go home.
Edward grimaced, was it wrong of him to not like Lily simply because she wanted to take Harry away from him? Yes, it was very wrong. Lily was a good mother. He knew she was. But the Vampire inside of him was claiming Harry little by little and that claim was turning into a nailed down obsession…
He turned out the lights with a flick and then with one arm, he swept Harry up, who moaned beautifully.
He breathed in Harry's aroma and closed his eyes. "Lovely…" He whispered too low for any human to hear. Strong and sharp but wanting… he pushed the covers back as Harry shivered in his arms. Reluctantly, Edward lay Harry down in the middle, his face having gotten dreadfully close to Harry's hair, ear, and cheek. The heat radiated off him, the breathing sent his nose, throat, and mouth into an overdrive of hell. But the hell was becoming sadistically enjoyable. He touched Harry's hair, feeling the gentle silk texture and pushed it out of his face.
"Hmm, Edward…"
Edward paused when he heard his name and stared down at Harry's motionless lips, how he longed to touch them and kiss them… what was he dreaming? Edward longed to know, it was three times now that he heard his name in the boy's sleep and he was three times as curious.
"Sweet dreams the Devil says to the Angel…" Edward whispered into the boy's ear, and took in the burning through his nostrils. He pressed a cold kiss to Harry's hot cheek and while it tortured Edward, it also elated him.
Perhaps he could do this after all.
