DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter and Twilight.
A/N: Honestly, I was a bit pressured after reading the reviews, so instead of updating, I had to rest for a while. This is the first fic I've tried to update everyday. This makes me happy and makes me relaxed after a stressful day at work. So, I apologize if my overdoing it frustrates you. I will continue to enjoy writing no matter what you say. This is fanfiction, anyway. :)
CHAPTER 37
Seattle, Washington
Hermione Granger was aware that she was smiling and looking at Cedric like she had a dose of a love potion. She was grinning from ear to ear, like a love sick teenager. In return, Cedric couldn't seem to take his eyes off her.
It felt like Hogwarts all over again. She was with the man she loves. Her first love. The one that got away. That was what she called him years ago. But now, Cedric is 'just' the one and she feels complete again. The hole in her heart that was formed when she made her choice and he left, was filled with his love and presence.
They walked from the car park to the shopping mall. Her hand was wrapped around his waist while his arm was around her shoulders. They met each other's eyes and smiled. "Aren't we silly?" she giggled.
"We're far from silly teenagers. We're a matured couple in love, separated from each other for eleven years," he told her affectionately.
They entered the department store and started shopping for little Teddy. Hermione wanted the best and to spoil her godson while Cedric wanted all things flashy.
"These clothes are too expensive, you know. Carlisle might need another job because of you," she teased, while scanning the clothes he put in the shopping basket.
Cedric raised an eyebrow. "And who told you, Miss Granger, that I don't have my own source of income? I only play the role of a spoiled, useless youngest child, but I'm far from that."
Hermione gave him an amused look. "Oh, is that so? I wasn't informed that I'm marrying a secret millionaire," she giggled.
Thirty minutes later, they were finished shopping and ended up carrying ten bags to the car.
"We still have more than an hour. Let's go somewhere more public and expose ourselves to Vicky. Alice suggested something because she saw it coming. I hope you don't mind if we give it a try," asked Cedric, to which Hermione agreed. "Give me your ring, please."
Hermione removed her engagement ring without hesitation and gave it to Cedric. They walked to Seattle City Hall Plaza and sat on the bench, arms wrapped around each other while watching people - children playing, snogging teenagers, chatting adults.
"Which memories did you choose for her?" she asked while resting her head on his shoulder.
"The significant events of your seven years with Harry and Ron," he replied casually.
She pulled away just a little to meet his eyes. "That long?" she asked with widened eyes.
Ced smiled and nodded. "Well, if I only showed her a bit, she wouldn't learn. Her questions won't be answered. Bella is very stubborn and... well, selfish. And possessive. But she has to realize the importance of family and friendship. The friendships you formed with Harry, Ron and Ginny weren't perfect. You argued, cried and hurt each other unintentionally, but you were all sincere. The Weasley family and Harry will always welcome you with open arms because you're their family. Your world didn't stop when I... left."
"'Cause I don't love you that much," she teased and he had to pinch her lightly.
She giggled and met his eyes. "Okay, that was a lie. You know that I love you so much, right?" He nodded with a genuine smile. "It was hard for me to choose. Believe me, I really wanted to be with you, but I couldn't let the dark side win without even fighting. I imagined a world without Voldemort and Death Eaters. Peaceful. Everyone's free. We could do anything we want, just like now."
Cedric smiled and kissed her forehead. "I know, love. I never doubted your love for me. I honestly admire the way you love me. Selfless. Matured. I love you so much and please promise that you won't leave me."
Hermione leaned to give him a chaste kiss on the lips. "I won't. I will stay as long as you'll have me," she solemnly replied.
Cedric pulled her to a hug. "Can I make a little show? I'll be hitting two birds with one stone. We will expose ourselves to Victoria and lastly, I will be able to tell the world how much I love you," he whispered.
Hermione chuckled and nodded. "While I don't like getting everyone's attention, today, given the circumstances, I don't object."
Cedric gently pulled away and knelt on one knee in front of her. "I already told you everything I wanted to say during that day at my parents' house in Devon," he said in a low voice, but they were able to catch everyone's attention. From the corner of her eyes - thank Merlin for the gift of vampire's sense of sight - she could see the excited looks on the strangers' faces.
Cedric went on. "I only want one person to spend my life with, and that's you. Hermione, marry me and together, let's build a family."
Even though they were only doing it to lure Victoria, Hermione could hear the tenderness and sincerity in his voice. And even if she already said 'yes' a week ago, she still felt the urge of shouting her answer. Looking down to the man she loves with a smile, she yelled, "YES!"
Cedric placed the ring on her finger - again - and urged her to stand up with him. There was a loud cheering from the people around them.
There are a lot, Hermione noted. Then, she looked at the love of her life again and entwined her hands behind his neck and they shared a chaste but sweet kiss in front of the people in Seattle plaza. When they share a hug, Hermione caught sight of a grumpy looking young man with ruffled black hair like Harry's and black eyes. His skin was as pale as Cedric's and marble-like.
"Mission accomplished," he whispered. "Let's go home and tell everyone."
Hermione knew what he meant by 'mission accomplished'. He couldn't rell her directly if he saw Victoria because of the vampire's sense of hearing. She only smiled and also to the strangers who congratulated them, and they went back to the car.
.
Into the Pensieve
Bella watched Ginny apologized to Hermione, sheepishly admitting that she just wanted to make Harry feel better after nearly killing Malfoy. Hermione quickly forgave her 'best girl friend'.
Bella also witnessed the second Quidditch victory party of the Gryffindors in the common room. Hermione and Ron sat beside each other, smiling and enjoying gentle and innocent touches, but they never kissed.
Harry was nowhere to be seen. Bella remembered him saying that he was banned from playing Quidditch. Instead, she saw Ginny in Gryffindor jersey and was holding the cup. The portrait hole opened, revealing a shocked Harry. Ron quickly stood up and showed him the cup. "We won! Ginny caught the snitch!" he announced happily.
Harry's face brightened and his eyes were fixed on Ginny. Ginny's brown eyes also found Harry's emerald ones. They exchanged looks of happiness and all of a sudden, they were running towards each other, and kissed right in front of their housemates who cheered and cat-called. Hermione and Ron were grinning from ear to ear.
"Finally," they said together.
The scene faded. Bella was still in the common room, but it was quiet. Only few students were there, mostly sitting with their partners and studying. She found Hermione and Ron on their favourite spot: by the fireplace. They were sitting across from each other. Between them was Hermione's open journal.
"How many Horcruxes do you think You-Know-Who has?" asked Ron.
"Well, let's see... The diary Harry destroyed in second year, the ring Professor Dumbledore found in Merope Gaunt's old house, the snake and some things which bonged to the three founders."
"The Slytherin locket," muttered Ron. "The Hufflepuff Cup and the Ravenclaw Diadem. Six."
Hermione nodded. "Six. He believes that seven is a very powerful number, that's why he created six Horcurxes. Aside from his original soul, he had six more in different things."
"Now, Dumbledore and Harry's problem is where to find them."
Hermione nodded again. "And how to get them without Voldemort's knowledge because after all of the Horcruxes were destroyed, Voldemort is mortal again. He could be killed with a single Killing Curse."
The portrait hole swung open and Harry rushed to approach the two near the fire.
"Hermione, Ron," he whispered. "Dumbledore is taking me with him - we will get the locket."
"Oh, Harry, be careful," said Hermione.
"No. You should be careful," he told them firmly. "I heard voices in the Room of Requirement. Death Eaters."
Hermione and Ron exchanged looks. "Mate, are you sure?" asked Ron.
Hermione pointed out that Harry wasn't sure, but Harry still gave them the map and a phial of what he called Felix Felicis.
Bella watched Harry leave and soon, there was a loud bang and commotion. The next thing Bella saw was Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna and Neville, fighting the cloaked and hooded figures again, until they made it to the hospital wing where a redhead young man was lying and his face was scarred. She remembered the young man as one of the Weasleys. Everyone were talking about the Death Eater attack.
"Let's wait for Dumbledore's decision," said one of the adults in the room. "Where is he anyway?"
"Dead," croaked Harry. "Dumbledore is dead."
Bella felt shivers down her spine. Before she could decide whether to cry or not cry, the scene faded and she found herself outside a tent that Hermione and Harry were guarding.
.
Forks, Washington
Hermione and Cedric were aware of a ginger haired vampire following them while they were on the way back to the Cullen home, but none of them dared to speak. All they talked about was their relationship. A slightly faked talk: that they would have the wedding soon, after Edward's graduation and it would be in London, in the church where her parents got married; that she would attend the University of Cambridge in fall and Edward will be with her and her family.
When they reached the Cullen House, Hermione wandlessly and non-verbally put up wards and protective spells, so that no vampire could hear them. They already knew that no vampire would dare to peek at another vampire's house, unless he was looking for trouble.
Hermione and Cedric sat on the sitting room with the entire family.
"Edward, can you still hear her?" asked Esme.
"No. She left as soon as we reached the house because she only wanted to know where Hermione lives," he replied.
"Are you sure, she was thinking that Hermione is a normal girl?" asked Rosalie. "We can't afford our plan to go wrong."
Cedric gave Rosalie and appreciative look. "Yes. She thinks that Hermione is just like Bella. Ordinary and mortal. Hermione also didn't remove her glamour charms. As you can see, her skin is still darker than ours."
Rosalie gave hin a satisfied look. "So, what's the plan?"
.
Jacob Black slumped on the couch in Emily's living room, recalling the event that transpired earlier.
"That ginger haired blood sucker was damn fast!" he heard Quil complained. "She likes playing! Heard from Bella Swan that her former mate was a tracker. Do you think she's exposing herself to the Cullens to sacre them?"
"Why would she scare them?" asked Seth, the youngest in the group.
"I don't know. Maybe, to let them know that Bella's life is in danger?"
"And why is Bella's life in danger? Not that I care," spat Leah.
"Do you remember the vampire we've destroyed a months ago?" asked Jared. "He wanted Bella for snack and said that Victoria will be disappointed. Cullen killed Ginger's mate because of Bella. Now, Ginger wants to kill Bella because she thought he was still Cullen's mate."
"But he's got a new girl, that Cullen," quipped Emily. "He actually made a little show in Seattle today."
Jacob turned to Emily. "What show?"
"Cullen proposed to this new girl in the middle of Seattle City Hall Plaza and it was captured by the local news," explained Emily.
Jacob shook his head. "That will crush Bella's heart."
"No. It will kill her," said Embry in a serious tone.
"Hey, did you notice something different earlier, while we were tracking Ginger?" asked Seth.
"What?" asked Jared.
"There was a honey badger and she's different. I mean - "
"Yeah, I get your point. I saw her, too," replied Jacob. "She's no ordinary badger."
.
"Why couldn't we just kill Victoria?" groaned Emmett who slumped on the chair. "She was there! She wanted us to chase her! She was exposing herself!"
"Because, dahling," quipped Rosalie in her British accent, "according to the new law signed by the Volturi, we can only destroy vampires who actually harmed others. She hasn't done anything wrong yet. Even when she saw Hermione and Edward. She only glared at them ran in the forest and showed herself to us. Let's wait for the attack."
Emmett groaned again. "But those dogs are allowed to capture and destroy her."
"It's part of their duty. They think that they exist because of our kind," stated Rosalie.
"It's not fair," whined Emmett.
Rosalie smirked. "Dahling, hasn't anybody told you that life isn't fair?"