SM & JK own it.
1 ½ years later.
"Mom! Mom!" Ness yelled as she sped through the upper rooms of the gatehouse, her new robes flapping behind her as she rushed to find Bella.
Edward chuckled from their bed, where they had spent much of the night enjoying each other until they had to prepare for the first day of school.
"You can laugh love, but you're taking her on the train!" Bella smirked lobbing a pillow at his head.
"She's been waiting for this day since we arrived here. Infact I'm not sure who's more excited, her or your dad," he responded laughing.
"Oh Dads beside himself and don't even get me started on Newt and Tina," Bella shook her head as she hunted for her Professors robes.
It had taken quite a while to clean up and rebuild the school after the battle the year previous, the Ministry also had a huge amount of restoration to undertake, but under the guidance of many of the old guard with Kingsley in command, they soon fought their way through and came out on top.
Charlie and Moody had retrieved a decidedly less than thrilled Jacob from Volterra and Leah and Seth had escorted him back to La Push via portkey. He was promptly sick on landing and spent the next 4 hours complaining to anyone who was stupid enough to cross his path.
Seth and Leah soon joined Charlie at home and then returned to Hogwarts to aid in the recovery. Once the school had been restored they took a little trip to Ireland to visit the Irish coven, Maggie and Seth had become firm friends, their attachment not remotely romantic, but with a trust gained through fighting together they had formed an unbreakable bond. Leah while less enamoured of the vampires had a steadier and easy going relationship with them, borne from their keeping her brother safe during the battle. She stilled scrunched her nose at their overly sweet smell and Liam, the stoic patriarch of the coven often joked of the almighty doggy stench she bore. Realistically it shouldn't have worked, but it did.
Emmett, Jasper and Edward had been head hunted by Kingsley during the reformation and now headed a newly reformed beast division within the Ministry. They worked alongside the Aurors in the law enforcement division and co-ordinated with Charlie's international taskforce for care and control of magical beings. The werewolf registry was in full effect and had now been joined by a vampire registry that was kept up to date by the newly formed democratic vampire council. Volterra remained the central location for all things vampire, however with the newly formed council, governing was divided into regional states that were overseen by a small council of three covens, who then answered to the main council in Volterra. So far there had been little to no resistance to this new way of life within the vampire world, there was no more unnecessary killing or collecting of talented vampires. All vampires were registered and all new vampires under new laws had to be registered and remain with their sires until they could control their thirsts. Surprisingly this had been put forth by Esme, who to everyone's astonishment had stood to join the ruling council. Many had thought that Carlisle would stand, however his interests remained predominantly medical and he had recently taken a position at St Mungoes working alongside his friend Hippocrates Smethwyk. Esme while always considered the motherly member of the family was surprisingly vocal in her keenness to join the council, she felt it highly important that they take a role in reforming and leading the vampire world and that her caring nature shouldn't be misconstrued as a weakness. Her appointment was unanimous, many vampires felt she brought a level headed approach, and her nurturing demeanour kept debates on friendly terms when they could so easily turn violent.
Rose had released her first edition Lightning Bolt broomsticks for Supernatural witches and wizards for sale and had taken the magical world by storm with her engineering expertise. Broom makers bombarded her with requests to work with her and she was building quite a reputation with her innovative designs. Her latest design had been snapped up by the all Veela quidditch team from Romania, who begged her to uproot and take up residence with them as their permanent broom maker; she declined stating her true loyalty would always remain with Hogwarts.
Alice had become invaluable as the personal assistant to the headmaster, his office had never been so well organised. Her visions proved to be a huge boost to keeping on top of things when running a magical school. As an aside she also assisted Professor Trelawney during divination classes and had also spent time with the centaurs learning their ways of reading the stars. While Cybil was still hit and miss with her prophetic visions, Alice helped her to channel those that did come through to make them clearer and the two were often found curled in a corner of the divination class room, meditating and practising relaxation techniques. Cybil was thrilled to have another who understood the complexity of future telling and had never been so calm and precise in her visions before. She was still a little bonkers, as Ron had said, but her heart was in the right place.
Ron, Harry, Hermione and Neville had finished the last of their schooling and promptly been snapped up by Kingsley, who had then inducted them into a newly formed training apprenticeship for Aurors under the guidance of Alistor Moody and Tonks. Tonks was thrilled to welcome her younger cousin to their ranks and Harry proved to be a formidable Auror. Neville surprised everyone when he agreed to join them; the quiet, shy boy who had a preference for herbology had found his confidence after destroying the snake. The belief he had in himself made for a formidable young wizard who had mastered his wand. Gone was the boy who failed at most spells and in its place was the young man who faced his fears head on, with a confidence that belied his age.
"You're thinking hard my love," Bella said wrapping her arms around Edward from behind.
He smiled at the closeness they had, "Just thinking over the last year," he replied tapping her hand.
"Lots happened huh baby," Bella responded.
"Yeah, but it's all good, well most of it," Edward said.
"We have a wonderful life my love, we live where we are completely accepted for who we are, we have an awesome extended family and a daughter who is so excited about going to school it boggles the mind!" Bella stated.
"You're right love, we do, so what are you planning to teach the young minds this year?" he asked turning and dropping a kiss to her nose.
"Oh I thought I might introduce them to the unicorns and perhaps a little time out back doing some Gnome control," Bella chuckled.
"Child labour in Esme's garden?" Edward laughed, "Babe, I think in most societies that's frowned on."
"You say it like I'm using them to do the garden work we should've done this weekend, but found other...more pleasurable activities to do instead, for shame!" Bella joked.
"So you're going to teach them about Gnomes and not have them digging Esme's blueberries or tend her pumpkins then?" Edward replied with a grin.
"Oh well I thought I'd do a little gardening, you know as we're there," Bella giggled.
Edward laughed, hugging her tightly, until Ness burst into the room, "Mom, Mom!" she yelled.
"Ness! Ness!" Bella joked back.
"Mom, is it time? I can't wait to get the train!" she said bouncing much like Alice.
"Not long now baby, Dads going to take you to the station, he's riding in the back like we did before!" Bella replied.
"Awww Mom, you're not coming too?!" Ness sighed.
"Sorry baby got to prepare for classes tomorrow and the feast tonight, but I'll see you at the sorting, you'll be wonderful I have no doubts," Bella responded.
"Ok Mom, I'm going to play with Bruce and Gary till it's time to go, uncle Em said he was gonna get Bruce a lady friend to play with, I don't think Gary will like that Mom!" Ness said her usual excitement causing many words to flow into one another.
Edward buried his head into Bella's shoulder to hide his laughter as Ness stamped her foot and ran off, once she was gone Bella lifted his head and raised a brow at him, "Seriously, Em needs to stop saying shit like that!" she snorted.
"Uhuh, you tell him, 'cause he won't listen to me!" Edward guffawed.
"Right, well I need to get ready, I've got work to do and you need to get to the train, she'll kill you if she misses it!" Bella said kissing his nose.
"I know, I know, I'm going to miss you today," Edward responded.
"Me too, but life goes on baby," Bella responded.
"One more for the road?" Edward plead.
They soon lost themselves in a kiss, their desire hadn't waned over the years since they'd married, and they only pulled apart when Emmett bellowed up the stairs that Ness was impatient to get going.
"Love you! Be safe!" Bella said quietly, before linking fingers and walking down to wish Ness goodbye and good luck.
The whole family were there to see them off and Ness was excited to get going.
"Your trunk and Bruce will be waiting for you when you arrive at school baby, no point dragging them down to London only to bring them back, have fun and make some friends!" Bella said hugging her tightly before passing her on to Rose.
Each Cullen wished her well and said they would see her soon and before long she was stepping into the fireplace beside Edward and heading to Kings cross.
Charlie, Remus and Moody sat on the large boulder on top of the cliffs that overlooked La Push. From their viewpoint they had a panoramic view of First beach and La Push road, although their main target was the little red cabin that sat on the end of the road. Charlie rarely came on to the reservation, unless on Police business, however he had kept a careful eye over the goings on with the wolf pack. Jacob Black in particular, who still remained totally human, thanks to being bound by Remus.
"So, this is the decider on whether the little snot gets his wolf back?" Moody asked, his eye spinning in all directions as he watched the little red cabin.
"Yup, he's had ample time to change his attitude, if he can show he's learnt something, we'll unbind him, if not then it's tough shit and human life for him," Charlie replied.
Since the year before the wolf pack had become somewhat more controlled and less egotistical in their manner, Charlie had arranged for another member of the American branch of the beast division and a fellow shifter from another tribe at that, to pay them a visit and explain what they were doing wrong, the young woman from a branch of the Navajo tribe of Condor shifters had spent nearly two months schooling the cocky young men and had been quite forthright in her discussions of how they ranked in the magical, mythical world.
For the most part the young Quileute's took on board her teachings and while a few were prejudiced to a woman telling them how they stood, they took her guidance reasonably well.
"How did they take Doli?" Remus asked.
"Yeah, when she first arrived Sam was quite vocal that he wouldn't take being told what to do by a woman, soon changed when she turned into a ruddy great Condor and pecked the top of his head," Charlie laughed.
"And the boy?" Moody questioned as said boy stomped out of the front door of the cabin. His last year or so as a mere human had done him no favours, having had a huge appetite as a wolf; he didn't adapt to eating like a normal person so well and had put on a considerable amount of weight.
"Looks like he could do with taking up running," Remus nodded towards a rather plump Jacob.
"Well today is his reckoning, we're going to a council this afternoon, Doli and a few other elders from the combined shifter nations will decide his fate, it makes any punishment fair and prevents the wizarding world being seen to control without recourse." Charlie said.
"Good, I don't mind binding on the short term, but we can't take their rights way indefinitely," Remus replied.
"It's all on them, we're just here to oversee, and represent the Ministries," Charlie replied as Jacob pushed a young Quileute girl out of his way and told her to "Move!" before continuing to stomp down the road.
Remus raised his eyebrows at the action, surprised at the show of aggression to a child. "I take it we're evidence gathering today?"
"Yup," Charlie replied.
"Sucks to be him!" Moody retorted as he considered the look on Jacobs face when they reveal all of his misdemeanours to the shifter council later.
"Yup!" Charlie replied grinning.
"You got nothing else to say?" Remus grinned.
"Nope!" Charlie smirked.
Moody shoved his shoulder, muttering about idiots.
Remus laughed as the two tussled.
"Come on guys, we need to follow the pup," Remus snorted.
Moody scowled and shoved Charlie as he staggered to his feet. Charlie huffed, "I'm missing Ness' first day of school for this!"
"Bet she's driving Ed nuts," Remus laughed.
"No doubt, reckon he'll be the first vampire to go bald," Charlie chuckled remembering their trip to Diagon Alley the week previously.
Arriving at The Leaky Cauldron, the Cullen's were instantly greeted by a jubilant Tom and cheers from the various patrons seated within the cosy pub. Ness bounced excitedly beside her parents as they smiled and gave thanks to the various well wishers. "Mr Tom, I'm getting a wand today!" Ness had stated excitedly.
"Wonderful Miss Cullen, I expect Mr Ollivander will have something truly special for you!" Tom had gushed to her.
The Cullen's eventually managed to escape from the Pub with promises to return for a celebratory drink with Tom, on entering Diagon Alley their reception was no less trying as numerous witches and wizards stared in awe at the 'vampires who fought at Hogwarts'. Emmett broke the tension by loudly exclaiming, "It's true! Your vampire saviours are here! We'll be giving free rides at noon!" before being slapped on the back of the head by Rose, who didn't know whether to laugh or be annoyed.
The crowd of witches and wizards were equally amused however soon continued with their shopping, allowing the Cullen's to continue on unhindered.
"So Rose, you and Em could collect the books and writing supplies from Flourish and Blotts, Alice, could you head to Madam Malkin?" Bella directed.
"Sure Bells," Alice said excitedly.
"Jazz, if you could head to Wiseacres, I've a list of equipment here," Bella continued.
Jasper nodded bowing his head lightly.
"We need to go to Ollivanders, then we'll join you Alice!" Bella finished.
"Aaaand Break!" Emmett clapped.
The family eyed him as if he was a little mad before heading out to get Ness' supplies. Charlie snorted, he found Emmett refreshing.
"Don't encourage him dad," Bella said quietly.
"Wouldn't dream of it Bells," Charlie responded.
They soon arrived at Ollivanders wand shop; it still looked a little run down, but inside was a veritable treasure trove of wands. Garret Ollivander was propped against the front counter, a wide smile on his aged face. This would be his first official day of trading since the end of the war, a war which he had spent shackled to a wall in the basement of the Malfoy's manor a prisoner of Voldermort. Only his knowledge of wandlore had kept him alive. He'd been rescued by Charlie and Moody who had lead a team of Aurors in cleaning out any final death eaters that remained and their known hiding places.
"Aha! I've been waiting for you Miss Cullen! Come, Come!" he called as the Cullen's and Charlie entered the shop.
Ness eyed the elder wizard with excitement, her grandma's wand was nice, but she wanted her own.
"How are you Mr Ollivander?" Edward asked shaking the wizards' hand.
"Much better Mr Cullen, thanks to your father in law, thought I'd be shut in the basement for the rest of my life!" Ollivander replied.
"It's good to see you back where you belong," Bella added.
"Wouldn't miss this day for anything," Ollivander replied, nodding in acknowledgement. "Now then, Miss Ness needs a wand," he continued eyeing her shrewdly, "Hmmm, I think I have just the one!" he said before disappearing into the stacks.
He returned moments later with a long purple box, he stroked it lovingly, before looking back at Ness and lifting the lid. A twisted elegant wand sat on the cushion within. A small bloodstone attached on the end.
"Vine wood, with Phoenix tail feather core, 9 inches, supple, I've added bloodstone for balance, it'll aid the casters courage, self esteem, energy and will provide protection." He said offering the box to Ness.
Ness looked at the wand in absolute awe, "You made this for me?" she asked.
"Oh yes, a special witch requires a special wand!" Ollivander responded cheerily. "Go on, give it a try!"
Ness gently picked up the wand and held it confidently in her dominant hand, she glowed with the power that rushed through her and her hair swirled around her head, making her look like an avenging angel, Ollivander clapped excitedly, thrilled that his wand had bound so well to the young Halfling.
"Wonderful!"He cheered.
"It feels amazing!" Ness beamed.
Edward ran his hands through his hair and tugged, Bella recognised the nervous tick, "What's wrong?"
"She's growing up so fast!" he sighed.
"She looks so happy," Bella continued, "We knew this would come, but look our world is becoming a far safer place, she'll be with us for a very long time my love."
"I know, I'm just having a hard time accepting it," Edward responded.
A commotion outside the store drew their attention and they bundled out of the door to see what was going on. They soon realised the source of the disturbance, Emmett was bounding down the cobbled street, witches and wizards pressed against the front of shops in shock. The giant vampire had an enormous cat on a leash and was being pulled along the street at a fierce clip.
"What the hell!" Charlie exclaimed, "Thats..."
"A bloody Wampus!" Bella finished for her father.
"A Wampus?" Edward asked eyeing the large cat nervously as it sniffed the air and made for them.
"How the hell did he get one here? Its similar to a Puma or a Cougar, they're native to the Appalachians, and very rarely seen, I've never known one to be domesticated...ever!" Bella finished.
"Emmett! What did you do?!" Edward asked groaning as the large cat sniffed his chest and head butted him before sitting on his feet and purring.
"Awww Ed look he likes you!" Emmett responded, "Well, you see I was down at the Magical Menagerie and the old wizard inside tells me that this fella had just come in, but he didn't know who would be able to take him! I couldn't just leave him in the shop!" he finished.
"So you thought you'd what, bring a large predatory cat to a school full of children instead?" Edward asked, running his hands through his hair.
"I didn't really think that far, but look he likes you Ed!" Emmett replied bashfully.
"Emmett, are they even allowed to be kept? Wampus can be dangerous!" Bella interjected.
"Oh, I have this!" Emmett replied handing over a piece of parchment.
Bella glanced at the paper, stamped with the Ministries official stamp and that of the beast division.
"Says that it's controlled and only those trained in the care and control of magical and mythical creatures may have one... Em, why do I feel like I've been played?" Bella asked.
"Please Bell, I promise I'll look after him, but we need you're special skill to keep him," Emmett replied.
Charlie snorted, while Ness bounced excitedly beside him, "Can we keep him Mom?"
"Shut up dad, or he's going home with you!" Bella retorted.
Charlie choked on the laugh that had bubbled up and tried to look contrite. "Yeah ah, don't think that would work Bells," he sighed.
"Exactly, so hush you! Babe, I can't just say yes, you need to tell me what you think," Bella said turning to Edward who was now being licked by the large cat.
Edward looked at her with wide eyes, before raising his hand and giving the large cat a stroke, "This is the last one Emmett, no more!" he answered.
"Yeah, ok!" Emmett cheered and proceeded to dance with Ness in celebration of their new family member.
"Oh we have to name him!" Ness squealed.
"He needs a strong name," Emmett responded.
"Gideon," Ness said with a clap, "That's what he should be!"
"Are we done?" Charlie asked, he didn't have much patience for shopping.
"Yeah, let's head back to the Leaky," Edward replied as the large cat stood and walked at his heel.
"Looks like he's claimed you for his pride Ed," Charlie snorted.
"Will make it easier to control him," Bella offered. "You just need to prove your rank to him...later," she finished.
"Bloody hell," Edward groaned.
Remus and Moody chuckled as Charlie told them of that visit; they only wished they could've been there when Edward had staked his claim on the Alpha position against the Wampus cat.
Meanwhile down on the reservation, Jacob had stomped into his garage behind the small red cabin and had slumped onto the old worn couch out there and opened the first of no doubt numerous cans of beer that sat there.
"Doesn't bode well for young Black," Remus stated.
"Like you believed he'd change," Moody retorted.
"I'm an optimist!" Remus replied.
"Since when?" Moody replied.
Remus snorted in response and looked to Charlie who shrugged, "Great help you are!"
Charlie smirked before standing from the rock, "Well I reckon Jacobs going to be there for the foreseeable, so let's go see Doli," he said straightening his shirt.
"Is that a new shirt?" Remus asked grinning wolfishly.
"What?" Charlie hedged.
"You've trimmed the stache, who you trying to impress?" Moody added.
Charlie blustered, "N-no one, what are you old farts babbling about?"
"Oho! Who is it? I bet its that Lynx shifter from Victoria, what's her name again...Tiltlly or something," Moody laughed.
Charlie growled under his breath, "Her name is Tiltilla!"
"See how he defends her!" Remus laughed.
Charlie grumbled and turned from his two friends, mainly to hide the pinkness of his cheeks.
"We're joking! She's really nice, good for you!" Remus stated patting his friends back.
"Yeah, she's great!" Moody replied rolling his eyes.
"We're just talking is all," Charlie grumbled.
The three shoved and cajoled each other as they made their way down on to the reservation and headed towards the community centre. For the most part the locals took little notice of them, Charlie had been a familiar figure for so long, that they didn't really take much notice when he came around.
Seth and Leah had come to visit Sue and also give evidence at the hearing, much to the anger of their former pack members. Those same pack members backed off when Leah an Alpha in her own right spoke to them with the Alphas timbre, she had every right to be there, as a member of the tribe and the true Shaman of the tribe. Seth stood slightly behind her and to the side in respect and rank and to back up his sister if things got dicey. Charlie smiled at the pair, they had grown and learned the most since everything had happened and he couldn't be more proud of the two young people he had watched from birth.
Leah greeted him with a wide smile and a strong hug, before turning and offering the same to Remus and Moody.
"How can you hug them? After what they put Jake through!" Sam called to her.
"Grow up!" she growled back at him before turning back to the wizards and rolled her eyes. "Obviously some people still have lessons to learn," she stated wryly.
"How you doing Leah?" Moody asked, he had hoped to have been able to get her and Seth to join the Cullen boys in the beast division, but she had declined as she needed to take her place as Shaman.
"All good Alistor, come on, the council are already here, who gets to collect Boy wonder?" she replied.
Charlie smirked, "I think that would be me, he can come peacefully or I'll hogtie him and drag him here!"
They laughed at the taciturn Police Chief as he turned from them and headed back down the road to the Blacks cabin.
"He should be escorted by his pack!" Sam growled petulantly.
"What packs that then, from what I remember seeing he became quite invisible once his wolf was bound, seems to me that should he get his wolf back today, he may find himself a lone wolf," Remus retorted.
"Whats that mean? Should he get it back?" Paul snarled.
"It's up to the shifter council, if he doesn't meet their criteria to retain the wolf, then they will ensure that it is gone forever, we are just here to give evidence and act as ministerial observers today, it's all on them," Moody replied glaring at the Quileute.
"What right do they have? He is Quileute!" Paul growled.
"Read your histories boy! The shifters of the First Nations have always held council for these sorts of decisions, it keeps it fair, your leaders...have mislead you for too long and its time you got with the programme and woke up! You are not all powerful, all knowing beings, the power of the shifter is an honour, not a right, so learn some humility or you may find that it's your wolf that is lost next!" Remus growled angrily staring Paul down.
The other pack members shuffled, not looking any of the others in the eye, unsure of who was right in this situation. They'd been told so many things since becoming members of the pack and now, they didn't know what was true.
"Enough!" Leah shouted, "Come they're ready!" she finished leading them into the community centre where there was a large circle of unfamiliar people. She pointed to the chairs off to the side and the pack sat obediently as Leah joined the circle.
Moments later Charlie came in leading a bound and gagged Jacob to the circle where he placed him in the lone seat at the centre. With a swish his bounds and gag were removed. And Jacob jumped to his feet prepared to unleash verbal vitriol.
"Silence!" Doli stated calmly raising her had.
Jacob slumped in his chair unable to speak.
"You will have your turn at the appropriate time. Let's convene shall we," she continued.
Leah stood from her seat and moved into the circle a large stick in her hand.
"I am Leah Clearwater, ancestral Shaman of the Quileute, Alpha of the Clearwater wolf pack and I welcome the Council of the Shifter nations," she stated clearly before handing the stick to Doli.
"I am Doli, ancestral Shaman of the Navajo, Beta of the Condor Shifter pack and member of the MACUSA Beast division for control of magical creatures, representative of the Council of Shifter nations, thank you Leah Clearwater for your welcome, we are here as a council to determine whether Jacob William Black will have his wolf returned to him or if it shall be freed from his line forever," Doli continued.
Jacob sneered at the assembled council members as his former pack members watched from their seats, unsure what exactly they were seeing.
"We shall receive evidence from the tribe, his pack brothers and from Charlie Swan on behalf of the MACUSA," Doli stated. "Only a unanimous agreement will see the return of the wolf, if the vote is split, it will remain bound until such a time that the council will reconvene for a further meeting."
The train ride from Kings Cross had been much more peaceful and far less exciting than the previous ones Edward had endured, perhaps it was because Ness was now travelling as a student and not just for fun this time, but Edward enjoyed the ride much more this time. The students were far more joyful at the thought of returning to the school and there had been no problems at all from the Slytherin camp.
Hagrid met the train at Hogsmeade and lead the excited and chattering first years away to ride the boats across the lake to the school. While the older students headed to the carriages pulled by Thestrals, sadly more of them could see the large skeletal horses than before; the war had changed a lot of things and caused the young ones to grow up far too quickly. Edward saw the last of them away then checked the train before he too headed up to the school, although his running speed allowed him to arrive far quicker than the students.
Bella met him at the entrance and embraced him briefly before taking his hand and heading into the great hall, where the rest of the teaching staff waited at the top table. The hall soon filled up and Minerva headed out to meet the first years to lead them in for the sorting ceremony.
Edward squeezed Bella's hand, excited to see where Ness would be sorted. The rest of the family sat alongside Grawp, Newt and Tina on the balcony above, and watched as Minerva lead the group of excited and somewhat nervous first years in, Ness towered over many of them, resembling a 15 year old.
Albus rose from his seat and moved to the lectern, "Welcome! Now before we enjoy our great feast and first night here at Hogwarts we have a new group of students to sort! So let's get started before our hungers take over!"
Minerva stood beside a stool with a large old floppy hat placed on top; she held a long parchment in her hand and glanced over it through her spectacles. Raising the hat she called the first name...
"Dolores Chancey!"
The young girl with elfin features and straight black hair stepped forwards, her wide blue eyes glancing nervously about the hall as the students watched in silence.
"Hmmm, a shrewd mind, a keen eye, firm yet fair..." the hat said as the young girl sat nervously beneath its wide brim.
"Ravenclaw!" it called out and Minerva lifted the hat and directed her to join her housemates.
"Martin Chattle!"
The blonde haired bespectacled boy had barely sat down and the hat had not even touched his head, before it called out "Hufflepuff!" he sighed and slid from the stool and quietly joined his table.
"Renesmee Cullen!" Minerva called. Bella, Edward and the rest of the family leant forwards as Ness stepped forwards and sat confidently in the seat and the hat was placed on her head.
"Hmmm, Strong willed, a good heart, brave, eager to learn..." the hat started as Ness smiled under the brim.
Back on the Reservation Jacob sunk lower into his seat; this hearing was not going in his favour at all. He was getting more and more annoyed as his inadequacies were extolled to the council, no one, not even his so called friends and pack mates made any mentions of anything that he did that was good. "What about the stuff I've done that was good!" he shouted. "I helped save Bells from that Dreadlocked vamp that time!" he implored Charlie.
"If I remember rightly Jacob it wasn't long after that, that you then forced a kiss on her and expected her to enjoy it and suddenly fall in love with you," Charlie retorted.
"She wanted it! She just wouldn't admit it because of that bloodsucker Cullen!" Jacob snarled.
Doli called them to silence once more, "It seems Mr Black that you still haven't learnt from your mistakes, I believe that asking for any further evidence will show no differently, so we shall adjourn to discuss this and return after lunch with our decision, Charlie if you can ensure that Mr Black doesn't leave," she finished and called the hearing to close.
Charlie pulled out his wand and placed a barrier around the area Jacob was in, preventing him from leaving, he could move around, but go no further. Jacob growled and grumbled as he paced and waddled.
An hour later the council returned and Jacob and the pack waited with anticipation for their decision.
"After much deliberation the council have decided that Mr Black you will be permanently stripped of your wolf, you have shown no humility or maturity since you were bound and have made no attempt to improve your attitude in order to retain your spirit guardian. Our shifter animals are a privilege and honour to have, not a birthright, your disregard for this and your behaviour show us that you do not deserve to honour your heritage and as such we shall conduct a permanent binding of your bloodline, so that you and further generations from your direct family shall never shift, now or in the future, that is our final and unanimous decision," Doli stated her voice taking on an ancient timbre.
At Hogwarts Ness wriggled on the stool as the sorting hat extolled her good virtues and hemmed and hawed over where to put her. She sunk into the memory of a few days earlier of a discussion with her parents over this exact situation.
"What if I end up in Slytherin Mom!" she cried.
"Then you will be the best witch that they have had and will help to lead them on the right path," Bella replied hugging her tightly.
"Really?" Ness asked.
"Really baby, but the hat will also take into consideration your wants, if you don't want to go to Slytherin tell it," Bella replied.
"I don't know where I want to go, I sort of like all of them," Ness replied, "Well except Slytherin!"
Edward laughed where he was standing leant against the door frame.
"I know that where ever you end up, you will the best witch that you can, we don't expect anything else, just be you little love," he said coming to kneel beside her.
"Just be me," Ness whispered.
"Well if you're sure, then it'll have to be...GRYFFINDOR!" the hat stated to the cheers of the students on the Gryffindor table.
THE END.