Their plane landed in Seattle early Saturday morning. It was still dark as Harry stretched his arms up above his head while they walked out onto the cold street, the morning air startling him awake. He had slept the whole flight, and while it hadn't been long, it had certainly reduced his weariness.

"How far are we now?" Harry asked Edward. He had figured out that they were now in the correct state, but he still didn't know how big that state was. Maybe he should actually look at a map sometime.

"Still about two hundred miles by road," Edward replied, marching on ahead towards the multi-storey carpark. "Which is why we'd best get a move on." They walked through row after row of cars but Edward seemed to know where he was going. Harry half wondered if he was looking for one to steal.

"We're driving?" He asked, stifling a yawn.

"We are," Edward confirmed. "I had Alice drop this off for me; I asked her before our plane left. You can sleep on the way if you like." They finally came to a stop beside a beautifully sleek car that was the darkest blue Harry had ever seen. This was not the Volvo that Edward drove them to school in. This was something else. Harry read the badge: Aston Martin.

"This is yours?" Harry asked, unable to hide his amazement. Even knowing nothing about cars, Harry could tell this was a very expensive one; it certainly stood out from the other nearby vehicles.

"She is," Edward replied, grinning madly. "Hop in."

Far too quickly, Harry was getting nudged by a cold hand.

"Harry, wake up." Grumbling to himself, Harry opened his eyes, surprised to see his house in Forks. He looked at the clock and groaned. Seven thirty. Edward can't have driven anywhere close to a legal speed to make such good time. They had stopped just inside the gate, still a good distance from the house.

"Uh, were you going to drive closer?" Harry asked, still half asleep.

"I would love to," Edward replied pleasantly. "I simply didn't want to be shocked with thousands of volts of electricity while driving this beautiful car."

Harry stared at him, confused. Electricity?

He blinked.

"Ah," he sighed. "The wards."

Harry pulled his wand out and muttered a few words, disabling the wards surrounding his house. Part of him was pleased to know that he had managed to keep the vampires out effectively.

"There you go. Drive on, driver," he teased, his eyes closing again briefly. Chuckling, Edward did, pulling up in front of the door.

Harry and Edward both got out, Harry slamming the door a little too hard causing Edward to hiss in pain. Harry looked at his house feeling uncertain; no turning back now.

"Shall I leave you to get your things in order? Bella suggested the place was quite a mess," Edward commented. Harry thought it sounded as though Edward didn't really want to leave him just yet, and Harry wasn't sure he wanted to be left alone either. But Edward was right: his house was a mess. He wouldn't be able to do anything else until he fixed it up.

"Sure," Harry said. "I, uh – just give me some time to get things sorted."

"Shall I return in an hour?" Edward asked gently. Harry nodded. "Then I'll leave you for now." And he turned to get back into his car.

"Edward," Harry called suddenly. The other boy turned around. "Uh, thanks for um, you know," he gestured awkwardly, "coming to find me."

Edward smiled. "Of course, Harry. Any time." He climbed back into his car and rumbled down the drive onto the street.

Harry turned back to his house.

"Right then," he said, trying to bolster himself. "Here we go."

Opening the door, Harry took a good look around his living area. When he had left two weeks ago he hadn't actually seen downstairs, only apparating and disapparating directly from his bedroom upstairs. Now he could see just how thoroughly the intruder had searched; most drawers and cupboards were open, some of them with their contents thrown all over the floor. The television had been pulled away from the wall as though they had considered he might have hidden the wand behind it somewhere.

It made Harry nervous knowing that someone out there, other than Bella and the Cullens, knew who and what he was. The fact they had known he was in possession of the Elder wand was deeply troubling, and had Harry wondering if he shouldn't leave some more permanent wards in place. Whoever it was wouldn't be able to use it properly of course, but that only made Harry feel more trapped. He could almost sense Death gazing in through his windows, waiting until the right moment to strike him down.

Harry waved his wand, watching as all his possessions flew back to their respective homes. At some point on the way back to Forks, between drifting in and out of sleep, Harry had admitted to himself that living without magic was not only depressing, it was dangerous. If there really was someone in Forks looking to kill him, he needed to be strong and ready. He had felt how rusty he was when he'd been apparating everywhere, not able to go anywhere near his usual distance and tiring quickly. Even now casting a non-verbal Reparo was difficult, some of his larger possessions losing their will half way and crashing to the ground. He wished he had access to something like the Room of Requirement where he could start training himself again, but of course he didn't. He'd have to make do with the basement downstairs.

Finished with downstairs, Harry headed upstairs where he knew it was even more of a mess, partly due to his own searching making sure the Elder wand really was gone. He switched to using the verbal spell just to make things go faster. His bedroom back in order, he went down the hall to the study, the room where the last two weeks of trouble had started. He wondered, not for the first time, if he and Bella had never gone to the Cullens, would the intruder have still come in and attacked them, or had they been watching his house waiting for him to leave? A shiver ran down his spine at the thought.

Harry walked over to the bookcase where the photo of him and his parents sat. He watched them waving up at him, laughing, as though trying to send him their joy and love through the glass. Smiling sadly, he left it sitting there and tidied up the room. He cleaned up Artemis' filthy stand, the guilt at leaving her behind bubbling in his stomach. He didn't return the battered up notebook to its place behind the desk. No doubt Bella or the Cullens would be over here at some point in the future; he didn't need to risk one of them finding it again. Instead he took it back into his bedroom and put it underneath his mattress.

It took him another half an hour to finish tidying the rest of the rooms. Once he was happy everything was where it should be, he went for a quick shower. Thrilled at finally being clean, it was with good spirits Harry went down to his kitchen to see if he had any food left that hadn't expired. He found some cereal that was still alright and made himself a cup of tea. Of course he had no fresh milk, but when you'd been eating as poorly as Harry had the past two weeks, dry cereal and black tea was a delightful breakfast.

The sound of a car driving up to his house brought him from his thoughts. It was not the deep rumble of the Aston Martin, so Harry assumed that Edward had switched back to his Volvo.

"The door's open," Harry said at a normal volume, still munching on his breakfast. He heard the front door open and close and Edward ambled around the corner, looking around as he did so.

"Bit big for one person, isn't it?" He commented curiously. Harry shrugged.

"Didn't pick it myself. That's what happens when a wizard tries to pick out an inconspicuous Muggle house," Harry said, shaking his head.

"Muggle?"

"Non-magic people," Harry supplied. This would take some getting used to for all of them. He sipped his tea, looking at Edward closely. The vampire was trying to be casual, but Harry could tell he was dying to ask another question, and he reckoned he knew exactly which one. He grinned into his teacup; he was personally surprised Edward had lasted this long.

"So," Edward said, drawing the word out as though he didn't have a care in the world. "Can I see some magic? Please? Sorry, I'm sure you didn't want anyone pestering you about it, and I know that you'll probably get asked dozens of times by the rest of my family and maybe Bella, so I understand if you'd rather not just now, but I just – HEY!" He cut off abruptly, flung upside down and hoisted into the air by his ankles.

Harry laughed harder than he could remember since coming to Forks. The look on Edward's face had been priceless and before long he too joined in the laughter.

"Alright then you can put me down now," he said.

"I don't know," Harry chuckled, "you're less annoying like that." He waved his wand and watched Edward crash to the floor. In a blink of an eye he was upright again, grinning madly.

"You're in a good mood," he commented.

"You would be too if you were showered and fed for the first time in two weeks," Harry replied. He didn't mean for it to sound so blunt, but he turned away, pretending to miss the smile slide off Edward's face, and busied himself with his dishes. He could feel Edward watching him closely and prayed he wouldn't say anything. After all this time, Harry still couldn't stand pity.

"So," he said, putting as much warmth into his voice as he could muster, "what now?"

Seeming to understand that Harry didn't want to talk about his time away from Forks, Edward seemed to recover.

"Do you feel up to going to my house? Everyone would like to see you, and you know they have questions."

Harry sighed. No, was the answer. He didn't feel like doing this now, but he knew he shouldn't put it off. Edward and Bella especially had worked together to find him. Maybe he could try persuade them that having him around was dangerous for them after all. Then if they decided he should leave at least he would know, then, that he actually needed to set out on his own.

"Sure," he said. "Let's get this over with."

Harry couldn't help the thundering of his heart or the sweat around his collar that started as they pulled up in front of the Cullens' house. The last time coming here with Bella had led to disaster as Harry's secret had come crashing down around him. He'd run like a fugitive. How would this meeting end? Seeing Bella's red truck parked beside them didn't help either; would she really accept him once she knew everything?

"It'll be fine, Harry," Edward said calmly, obviously able to hear every beat of Harry's racing heart. "I promise."

Mouth suddenly dry, Harry got out of the car. He took a shuddering breath before following Edward up to the door and into the house. Edward gestured him on ahead into the living room, where seven people were sat talking amongst themselves. If Edward hadn't purposely positioned himself in the doorway, Harry would have backed right out again. It was only the huge smile Bella sent his way that gave him the courage to take another step forwards.

"Harry!" Bella cried, launching herself off the sofa and throwing her arms around his neck. Harry was momentarily frozen; Bella had never shown him this level of affection before, and it had been a long time since anyone had hugged him at all. He slowly put his arms around her in return before she noticed how much she had surprised him. Knowing how pleased she was that he was back made him feel a stirring of warmth inside.

She let go of him suddenly and punched him, hard, on the arm.

"Ow!" He complained.

"If you ever run off like that again," she threatened, "you'll wish your only punishment was a punch on the arm." Harry flushed red, trying to ignore the snickering vampires surrounding him. As Bella went back to her seat, he looked around the room; each vampire was sitting with their respective partner, while Edward was still leaning against the door frame as though not trusting Harry to stay put. His eyes drifted to Carlisle whose own eyes were fixed firmly on Esme's hand in his own; apart from Rosalie, he was the only one not smiling.

"Can we see some magic?!" Emmett demanded excitedly. Harry snorted; in hindsight he was impressed with how long Edward had managed to keep his cool. He snuck a sideways glance at Edward who grinned knowingly, before he waved his wand and watched on for the second time that morning as a vampire was hoisted into the air by their ankles. Emmett was so shocked at finding himself suddenly upside down that it took him almost a minute to join in everyone's laughter. Smirking, Harry's eyes drifted to Carlisle. His stomach plummeted at seeing the discomfort on the man's face. Harry instantly dropped Emmett and tucked his wand away, wiping the sweat off his neck while everyone's laughter settled down.

Harry could see Edward watching Carlisle as well with a deep frown of concern on his face. Harry had expected it to be bad; Edward had indicated that Carlisle had been troubled since discovering Harry's identity, but Harry hadn't counted on this. Stoically, he looked away ignoring the thickness in his throat.

"Harry," Bella's voice called him out of his gloom, "what do you want to talk about?" It was asked kindly, offering him the chance to say only what he felt comfortable with. He appreciated the thought, but he still felt uncomfortable. Edward moved, then, over to sit next to Bella. If Harry focused, he could pretend he was just talking to the two of them; it wasn't that he didn't want to tell the others as well, he just didn't think he could stand them all watching him.

So he began talking.

He started with the happy parts; he told them of Hogwarts and the thrill of discovering magic. He didn't dwell on the misery in his life before the age of eleven or his summer holidays spent with his Aunt and Uncle. Instead he recounted some of his fonder memories; his first Christmas at Hogwarts, helping to free his godfather, the joy that is Quidditch. He found it easy to talk about, the smile that stayed on his face reminding him of just how much happiness he had once felt in his life. The first time his words became difficult was when he spoke of his friends.

"Ron is – was my best mate," he said, shifting his eyes down to his lap. "And Hermione, she was brilliant. And they were the best two friends anyone could have." He let out a small sniffle, trying to muffle it with a cough. "But they're gone now.

"There was a war," he said. The rest of his tale would be the difficult part, and so he kept his eyes down trying to hide the emotion they were betraying. "Well, there were two wars. The first ended with my parents' death and me being given this," he lifted his fringe slightly, just enough that the lightning bolt scar was visible. "I was only one, the whole wizarding world worshipping me for defeating the dark wizard, Voldemort." Harry found it almost jarring at seeing no reaction to the name. "Most people thought he was gone for good, that whatever had happened that night had killed him. The Headmaster of my school, Dumbledore, he didn't think so. He guessed Voldemort was just biding his time, rebuilding in strength. And he was right.

"Voldemort came back when I was fourteen. Everything went to hell from there as his pureblood ideology resurfaced. There was a prophecy that said only I could defeat him thanks to what he'd done to me as a baby. So when we were seventeen, Ron, Hermione and I trekked around Britain, slowly destroying the magic that was keeping Voldemort alive. But people were dying; everywhere there were non-magic people being murdered, just for the fun of it. Anyone who didn't side with Voldemort was disposable.

"The fight then came to Hogwarts. A group of some old veterans, teachers and students, fighting his army of Death Eaters. In the end the prophecy was fulfilled and I killed him. We won," Harry gave a humourless chuckle. "We bloody won. Only we didn't win. No one did. And when everyone thought it was over and finally, finally we'd be able to mourn in peace, it all went wrong." Harry could feel his throat in serious danger of closing up. He could no longer see the pale faces in front of him. His mind's eye had gone back to that terrible day in the Great Hall, Ron's terrified face burned in his memories forever. He hadn't even seen Hermione, not before –

"I got sent here," he whispered, seeing the darkened highway in front of him. "I still don't know how I came so far, it should be impossible. That was the first time Carlisle found me. But I didn't know," he growled, "I didn't know that there were more dying back home. More people being taken from me – taken because of me. Ron," he choked, "and Hermione, gone."

It took every ounce of willpower not to disapparate again so he could break down in privacy. It was the first time he'd actually voiced the fact that he would never see his friends again, not as they had been. He let the tears slide down his cheeks, not caring how weak he must seem. He remembered a similar time at the end of fourth year when he had broken down in Molly Weasley's arms. His inner child wished for her love and warmth now. The tears fell faster thinking of her; just another person he'd abandoned.

'I did it to protect them,' he reminded himself. Even this defence now seemed pathetic in his mind.

He started at the feeling of a warm hand placed on his knee. He took a deep breath and wiped his eyes under his glasses, trying to regain control. He hadn't completely fallen apart, but it had been a close thing. He looked up into Bella's soft eyes, startled to see tears on her own face. He glanced around the room and was amazed to see himself surrounded by glossy eyed vampires; even Rosalie looked solemn. Carlisle still was not looking at him, his eyes fixed on the floor looking pained. Pitying. Harry felt his jaw clench slightly.

"Dear, you're always welcome in our home," Esme told him firmly but kindly. "Anytime you want to talk to someone or anything, just come around."

"I'm really not a very safe person to have around, Mrs Cullen," Harry tried. "Most people who get close to me end up dead; you probably worked that out from my life story."

"We're a little tougher than humans," Emmett joked. "And we can help watch out for Bella too." Alice whacked him over the head.

"What Emmett means, Harry," she said, "is that you can be safe here. The terrible things that have happened to you don't have to keep on happening."

He wanted to point out how wrong she was, that just two weeks ago it had been proven how easily wizards could find them. Nothing could keep them truly safe, but at least now they understood the dangers. If anyone came for him in the future, he'd know he could run and the Cullens would know to stay away.

"I've done horrible things, too." He hated the words that were coming out of his mouth but he did not try to stop them. If they were to accept him, Harry needed them to know the true extent of what he had done. "Things that would get me sent to prison back home."

"Harry stop," Edward insisted. And Harry did.

He turned back to Esme who was still watching him expectantly. "Um, thank-you, Mrs Cullen," he said honestly. He wasn't entirely sure how much he would take her up on her offer, but he understood her good intentions.

"Call me Esme, dear," she offered. Harry only nodded in response. The room was now filled with an uncomfortable silence; at least Harry felt it was uncomfortable. Maybe that was just him.

"Harry," Edward began, "what do you know of witch trials in history and how they affected people like you?"

Harry blinked. What a strange question. He raised an eyebrow in confusion, and the other followed in alarm as he heard a soft growl from his right; glancing towards the sound, Harry was startled at the look of fury on Carlisle's face. Looking back at Edward who was steadfastly ignoring his father's reaction, Harry responded.

"Um, not a lot really," he said slowly. "I think I did an essay on them a few years ago, but I can't remember the details. Why do you ask?" As Edward opened his mouth to answer him, Carlisle spoke up for the first time since Harry had arrived.

"I think it would be best to leave things there. I'm sure Harry would appreciate some rest before going back to school on Monday." Giving Edward a stern look, Carlisle swept from the room without even a passing glance at Harry.

Harry felt helpless. What did he expect? He hadn't told the others in detail about all the terrible things he'd done. He figured Edward must know or at least suspect considering how silent he had been at school in the days following his revelations to Carlisle. Bella and the others had no idea of his crimes; he hadn't been brave enough to tell them in detail. Was that what disappointed Carlisle now? That Harry couldn't own up to his own past? Or was he just so disgusted in what Harry had done that he couldn't bear to look at him?

"Come on," a gentle nudge brought him back to himself, "I'll drive you home." Bella put her hand on his shoulder and lead him out of the room. The Cullens offered their goodbyes which Harry returned politely. Edward followed them outside looking furious.

"Don't worry about him, Harry," Edward said. Harry flushed, knowing that everyone inside the house would be able to hear them. "He'll come around eventually."

"It doesn't bother me, Edward," he replied with bitterness. He refused to show just how much Carlisle's snubbing hurt him. He deserved it after all. "He's entitled to react however he likes."

Edward looked at him knowingly but Harry said no more. Trudging over to Bella's truck, he flung himself into the passenger side, pretending he didn't notice the look Edward and Bella exchanged. Bella got into the driver's seat and the truck roared to life. Only when they were most of the way down the winding road did she speak.

"You know I don't mind," she said. "You could be a wizard, or a vampire, or even a werewolf and I'd still want to be your friend."

His head leaning back against his headrest, Harry turned to look at her.

"It isn't always safe being my friend," he reminded her.

"Too bad."

Unable to help the small smile that came to his face, Harry turned back to look out his window. He heard Bella chuckle beside him.

"On the bright side, you and I are the only minds Edward can't read," she laughed.

"Yeah," he agreed automatically. When her words finally computed, he sat bolt upright.

"Wait. Edward can what?!"