A/N: Sorry this took a while. I had a falling out with a family member, and it's been difficult to get the motivation to write. But I'm getting over it.
Next chapter-wedding. I'm going to save where you can find Hermione's dress until then, but I will post the info. Then two or three more chapters, and that's the end. I'm sad to see it coming to the end, as this has been one of my favorites. But at least I'll get to focus more on some of my other stories. This was going to be a much longer chapter, but I decided to cut out the part with Hermione's bachelorette party for the sake of keeping things moving.
Enjoy, and please review.
Two days before the wedding and Alice had all the girls dressed to the nines. Two magically-enlarged limos were parked outside the Cullens house- a white one for Hermione and the girls, a black one for Jacob and the boys, each equipped with a driver who thought it was 'so cool' to be driving around vampires and werewolves on top of the normal witches and wizards fares. The first stop for both the limos was the Cullens house, then they would break away from each other, and the black would stop in La Push to pick up Jacob and the pack before they went to their bachelor party.
"Okay, 'Mione," Alice said with a dramatic flourish after all the women had gathered around her. "We have a list for you..." she started looking around.
"Got it," Leah said, holding up a pink piece of paper.
"I have a feeling I should bolt right about now," Hermione muttered.
"She's only going to do this one time before you get married, so just enjoy it," Rosalie replied, holding her arm.
"A list of forty different things you have to do before the night is out," Alice continued. "You may nix only three, so choose those three wisely." She held the paper towards Hermione, who took it between her thumb and forefinger like it might be poisonous.
"And if I destroy this one?" she asked.
"Several of us have backups. Each time you rip up a list you must do one of the ones you refused to do. And if you don't complete the list, you don't get the prize at the end."
"I'm not sure if I want any prize at the end."
"Just be a sport about this," Ginny rolled her eyes. "Take a look at the list, it's not that bad."
Hermione scanned the paper quickly. "You're right. This isn't that bad. I accept your challenge, and start right now. Number twelve- 'find a virgin'..." she trailed off, and her eyes shot up at Bella.
"Broadcast it to the world, why don't you?" Bella snapped.
"Just getting this evil list out of the way as quickly as possible. And I can do number thirty-five, too! Oi! Harry!" she shouted, stopping her raven-haired friend halfway into the limo.
"What's up?" he asked, looking confused.
Without a word she ran up to him, pulled her to him, and pressed her lips to his. He was too stunned to move, and before he could regain his composure she released him and started to walk back to the girls.
"Oi, if you're handing them out...!" Ron shouted after her.
Ignoring him Hermione grabbed the paper, took a pen a chuckling Rosalie was holding out to her, and with a flourish, crossed off number thirty-five while announcing "Kiss a guy with a scar."
"Did she just kiss me?" Harry asked as he fell into a seat next to Edward. Ron shot him a dirty look.
"I believe she did," Emmett chuckled. "Lucky bastard."
"I wish I was the damn Chosen One," George said, stowing his broomstick in a compartment near the back and sitting across from Harry. "I want hot vampire chicks kissing me."
"You'll probably be whistling a different tune if Jacob finds out and rips him apart," Jasper muttered, studying Bill's broom apprehensively. Only Harry, Edward, Sam, and for some reason Carlisle knew where they were going and what they were doing, and the fact that all the wizards had shown up with broomsticks over their shoulders made the vampires a bit nervous. Emmett popped out the moon roof to blow kisses at the women as their limo drove past and headed towards La Push. They pulled up in front of Jacob and Hermione's house where the pack were all waiting for them.
"Holy crap," Embry muttered, looking the shiny limo over. "I don't think I've ever even seen one of these this close. I'm afraid I'm going to make it dirty or something."
"They're magic," Jacob replied, walking towards the car. "They can clean almost anything." They climbed in, and Harry realized that he, Ron, George, Bill, Charlie, and Neville were now in a very dangerous place- between the three young vampire men and seven werewolves. Both sides were engaging in conversation freely, encouraged by Jacob. They drove for a couple hours before turning down a mostly hidden road.
"You're going to feel the need to leave in a second," Harry announced to the non-magical beings in the car. "Ignore it, the protections are about a half mile wide, so just ignore anything strange."
They made it through the protective enchantments, and there was a collective gasp as they came across a large stadium built into the side of a mountain. Small, blue-uniformed figures would occasionally pop over the top of the stadium riding broomsticks, then shoot back down in lighting quick movements.
"Welcome to the home of the Shelton Sirens ," Harry said as the limo parked in front of the entrance. "An all-women Quidditch team, they participate in the American Women's League. Very good, top of their division, won the league last year. And they've offered us some time on their pitch before we watch their game later tonight."
"Awesome," Jacob smiled as they climbed out. A smiling woman was hurrying up to them.
"Harry Potter!" she said, extending her hand. "I'm glad we finally get to meet face to face. I'm Mandy Warner, owner and manager of this stadium."
"Great to meet you, Mandy," Harry said, shaking her hand.
"We've got everything ready for you, including setting up the field the way you requested. At first the girls weren't happy with what we did for the middle goalposts, but once they heard it was for you they stopped complaining. All they want in return is some autographs."
"Great," Harry smiled.
"Bloody chosen one," George grumbled.
"They want to meet you, too, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley," she said, indicating Ron and George. "You're a hero, too, and you own the shop many of them buy Wonder-witch products from. They're really excited to meet this group."
They walked through a tunnel, and out onto the field. Instead of the normal Quidditch pitch the ground had long lines painted across it, and the middle goalposts had been changed to the goalposts of American football.
"We know you can't ride brooms," Harry smiled. "So we decided a game of American football was a better choice. But we can't have you play in just any stadium or out in the open because I know this is going to be loud. So we're here."
"And the broomsticks?" Jacob asked, eyeing the broom in each of the wizard's hands.
"This game is going to involve vampires and werewolves. Our meager human bodies couldn't take a collision. So we're going to ref from above. We need the broomsticks to have a prayer of keeping up."
"And, what, we're supposed to play vampires versus werewolves?" Paul asked, looking excited.
"Not a chance," Edward said, motioning to a figure in the stands. A second later Carlisle was standing with the group. "We invited Carlisle to this part of the party first because he's never gotten a chance to play football and he really appreciates the opportunity, and also because he makes four vampires. Two a side. You can split us up however you want."
"You're a captain," Sam said, clapping Jacob on the back.
"And you're the other one?" Jacob smirked. "Alpha versus Alpha?"
"Fight for top dog," he returned the smirk. "You're the bachelor, you pick first."
"Edward," Jacob said without hesitation. The mind-reading vampire was top choice as whichever side he was on had a distinct advantage.
"Big One," Sam replied just as quickly, motioning towards Emmett.
"Jasper."
"Guess that makes you ours, Doc," Sam looked towards Carlisle.
"Seth."
"That pipsqueak?"
"Got to keep my pack in tact."
"I see. Good luck with that. Paul."
"Embry."
"Jared. And you can have Quil, but someone has to sit out each play."
"Seems fair," Jacob shrugged.
"And you're skins."
"Skins," he groaned with a glance up at the witches on brooms, which were all glancing down at them occasionally, but he stripped his shirt off and noticed his team was doing the same. Several of the witches stopped playing and stared downward, especially at Jasper and Edward's sparkling skin.
Jacob's team won the coin toss and decided to kick off to Sam's team. Jasper lined up to kick the ball, and Emmett lined up on the goal line at the other end of the field. Jasper's kick flew so high it almost hit one of the players watching above them, then arced back down into Emmett's waiting arms, but he was immediately hit by Edward, causing a loud crash to sound through the stadium and several people to jump.
Sam knew that any play he called would be known by Edward, so he just assigned Emmett and Paul to protect him and had Carlisle and Jared try to get open enough to catch the ball.
Play moved too fast for the refs to see. The ball was nearly invisible as it flew, and before anyone above them could catch it Carlisle had gotten past Jasper and was making a break for the goal line, but was brought down by a blur that proved to be Edward. The next play Sam threw to Jared, who saw Edward waiting for him and phased mid-jump, his jaw closing around the ball and hitting the vampire with his shoulder, knocking him over. Seth, who had seen the phase, was suddenly in form, his mouth clamped around Jared's leg, dragging him down.
"I didn't know phasing was acceptable," Jacob said as they lined up again.
"Neither did I, but it's on the table now," Sam shrugged.
There was no pretense of trying to look like they were practicing anymore, the woman's team were now hovering near Harry and the Weasleys, watching the game in surprise and amusement. The next play Edward intercepted the ball and got about half the distance to the goal before Paul tackled him. The next play Jacob tossed the ball high in the air, phased, and jumped up to catch it, carrying it into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. He celebrated with a loud howl that reverberated off the mountain which was cut short by Sam knocking playfully into him. The two wrestled for a moment, but quickly went back to the game.
People who had arrived early to 'tailgate' outside came in to investigate the loud howling and strange crashes, and pretty soon there was quite the crowd gathered. Word spread quickly, and with five minutes left on the clock the stadium was nearly full. The crowd wasn't sure who to cheer for, so nearly every play earned the players loud cheers or boos. The game was close- Jacob's team was only up by three points. Everyone was playing intensely. A fight had nearly broken out when Quil had managed to nearly take off one of Emmett's fingers while trying to strip him of the ball, and it was only Harry, Ron, and Neville casting some well-placed shield charms that kept them from starting a war on the field.
With just a few seconds left Sam's team was fifteen yards from the goal, gearing up for one last play. Carlisle was acting as quarterback, as Jacob's team all seemed to have a hesitation to hit him. Emmett hiked the ball, and everyone scrambled. Carlisle saw Sam was open, and launched the ball, but Jacob saw the throw and intercepted the ball. Seeing Emmett and Paul waiting to tackle him he fell to the ground just as the final buzzer sounded. There was a loud cheer from the crowd as the wolves phased back.
"That was something else," Ron beamed as the wizards landed. "I may have to start watching this game."
"It is much more interesting when we're playing," Emmett beamed.
They walked through the stadium to their seats in one of the top boxes, and it seemed like wherever they went female fans were waiting to make a comment on the game or flat-out flirt with the group. Their box was large and comfortable, with large tables of food laid out for them, which the pack immediately descended upon.
"Think the girls are having this much fun?" Sam asked, sitting next to Jacob with a plate of hot wings and watching the players circling around the field.
"I just hope Hermione isn't doing anything too crazy," Jacob muttered back.
"Don't worry. I reigned Alice in," Edward called from across the box. "I made sure it would be nothing that you would be too upset with."
"Too upset?"
"Don't worry. Hermione won't do anything to hurt you."
"It's her bachelorette party, man. Let her enjoy it like you're enjoying yours," Seth chuckled.
"I went and played some sports. Not exactly wild..."
"This is just the first stop," Sam smirked.
"Should I be frightened?"
"Trust me," he smiled, placing a hand on Jacob's shoulder. "It's going to be loads of fun."
Carlisle had left after the Quidditch game and went home to Esme. The girls got back around three in the morning, and Hermione, Alice, and Rosalie had a job of getting the rest of the girls into beds with hangover potions and water near their heads. At five in the morning Emmett, Edward, and Jasper came back in, each with smiles plastered across their faces.
"You look like you had fun," Hermione smirked.
"We just unloaded seven very drunk werewolves at your place," Emmett replied. "Plus a few wizards who can't hold their booze. It's been a blast."
"I don't want to know everything ," she said, covering her ears. "Just if it would be in their best interest to bring over some phials of hangover potion."
"Let me put it this way- we ran up a two thousand dollar bar tab," Edward smiled. "Some of it was the champagne, but at least half was from draft beer and well drinks."
"I'm on my way," Hermione muttered.
"Don't rush. They'll be out of it for hours."
She and Alice both went over at nine, and they literally had to step over snoring werewolves to get glasses of water. Hermione changed clothes, and they gathered some playing cards and went to sit on the porch.
"Welcome to the Chateau Hangovers," Hermione muttered as Emily approached around eleven that morning. "Here to pick up a werewolf?"
Emily chuckled. "Billy wants to know when Rachel is coming back."
"When she wakes up," Hermione shrugged. "Esme said she would drive her back... speak of the devil," she said as a car rounded the corner. Esme's Mercedes slid smoothly up the driveway, and Leah and Rachel climbed out.
"Holding our men hostage?" Leah asked as she walked towards the house looking worse for wear.
"Are you kidding me?" Hermione rolled her eyes. "I would love nothing better for them to get out of my house and stop drooling all over my pillows."
Rachel chuckled. "Do you think it would be stupid of me to try to kick Paul awake?"
"You can try. I could probably kick him as hard as I could right now and he'd sleep through it."
"Depends on where you kick him," Alice chuckled.
"You stop that. Rachel wants children at some point, and I want to be an aunt."
"Would you really want your children around a vampire?" a new voice sounded, and Hermione groaned audibly. Standing in the middle of the driveway, acid-green quill at the ready, was Rita Skeeter.
"Have you no concept of trespassing laws?" Hermione hissed.
"You seem to have barred me from your wedding venue. I thought I would get an interview with the Bloodless Bride before your wedding. You know you're big news in the Prophet."
"The Bloodless Bride?" Alice asked.
"Everyone gets a nickname, darling, it's the way things are done in our business. Now, Hermione..."
"I'm not going to tell you anything. Leave us alone, bug," Hermione warned.
"You know you and your friends have been much less than helpful," she pouted.
"You heard the woman," Jacob's voice sounded from the front door, Seth standing right behind him. "Beat it."
"Are you the fiancé, then?" Rita's face lit up. "What made you become involved with a vampire? Do you have any intentions of becoming one yourself? What's it like..."
"Leave," he snarled.
She pouted. "Perhaps I should go ask some folks in this little village here..."
"Leave our tribe and the people around here out of this. It's no more their concern than yours."
"Let's ask them. Somewhat of an opinion piece, perhaps?"
There was a loud ripping sound, and suddenly Rita was face to face with Jacob, Seth, and Leah's wolf forms, each growling loudly and advancing menacingly.
"They're telling you to leave," Hermione chuckled.
"Message received," she muttered. "Have a nice wedding, Hermione."
"One more thing," she said, suddenly next to the reporter and grabbing her sleeve. "We will know if you talk to anyone around here, and we can easily outrun you. Your bug disguise doesn't get past our noses."
Alice sniffed loudly behind her. Leah let off a low growl, and with one last look around Rita disapparated.
"Keep an eye out for her," Hermione said as Jacob, Leah, and Seth phased back.
"If someone was going to wreck this wedding I'd know, and bring them down," Alice nodded.
"Couldn't keep the annoyances away for another couple hours," Jacob asked with a yawn.
"How late were you planning on sleeping? Because we have the rehearsal dinner tonight, and lots of final preparations to do," Alice huffed with her hands on her hips.
"I was going to sleep until it was time for the rehearsal, and I was only going to wake up for that because I fear your wrath," he replied as Seth stretched behind them.
"You didn't need to come protect me," Hermione pointed out.
"It's kind of instinctive," he shrugged. "Like I was so attuned into your feelings that I knew there was something troubling you, and I had to come investigate."
"It was the dung beetle, I could have squashed her all by myself."
"You could have, but if you chipped a nail or something Alice would have your head, and it's kind of hard to kiss a decapitated body."
"She can't chip a nail," Alice rolled her eyes. "But I do have to paint them. I was going to paint them for the dinner tonight, then before the wedding tomorrow."
"Oh, dear Merlin," Hermione shook her head. "Can I have a few moments with my fiancé? Alone?"
"You have five. I'm going to start go waking up werewolves and wizards," she said, flitting inside before anyone could protest. Seth and Leah hurried after, knowing that the treaty would be damned if the pixie-sized vampire woke up some of the more hostile members of the pack.
"Finally," Jacob muttered, grabbing Hermione's hand and pulling her into the woods, away from where they could be overseen or overheard. The moment he was sure of their privacy he pulled her to him and started kissing her passionately. She pushed herself into him, but wouldn't let it get past an enthusiastic kiss.
"We're so close. Hold out another thirty-six hours," she whispered against his lips.
"You're asking so much of me," he growled. "You had no idea the thoughts I was thinking of you last night- how much I wanted to sneak through those woods and jump through your window."
"From what I hear your drunken behind would probably have fallen into the ocean hours before you could find our house."
"I did imbibe my fair share," he flashed a large grin that made her melt. "To be fair it was to cope with the women that kept dancing on my lap. Apparently some people are still hoping for a split."
"Who?" she hissed.
"Jared and Paul. And Emmett, but I think he was more enjoying me looking uncomfortable than anything else. And making jokes about my current lack of a sex life."
"I'll show him lack of a sex life," she grumbled. "When we get back from our honeymoon we're doing it against his car."
"Talk like that and I'm not going to make it to the honeymoon," he purred.
"Trust me, it'll be worth the wait."
"Of course I trust you. Though what's this I hear about you laying one on Harry? I could smell you on him."
She groaned. "It was this stupid scavenger hunt Alice had me do. There were four kissing tasks on there, and I could only refuse to do three. I thought you'd get less pissed at me kissing Harry than some random stranger."
"Tasks? What did you have to do?"
"Dumb stuff. Take pictures of men doing whatever they could to convince me not to get married. Pose for risqué photos. Gather embarrassing items. Those were all Rosalie's ideas, because she's never had the experience of a 'proper' hen party. Ginny probably helped Rose. Alice had me using Main street as a fashion catwalk and soliciting marriage advice from those who have been married for more than twenty years, so thank Merlin for that."
"Risqué photos?"
"Of course you'd pick that up. It's nothing too bad, there's one where I'm sliding down the pole in a firehouse. Stupid things like that."
"I want copies."
"No way. What happens in Vegas..."
"You went all the way to Vegas?" he asked in surprise.
"Magical transport. Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"I really can't wait. To marry you, and to get you all to myself for our honeymoon, even if you won't tell me where we're going."
"You're going to love it. It'll be warm, isolated, and I'll even wear some of those swimsuits I didn't want to wear to that New Years Eve party."
"Now I won't be able to focus tomorrow," he muttered, catching her lips again with his.
"When you see my dress any thoughts of me in a bikini will disappear," she teased.
"I can't wait," he said quickly, pressing her lips insistently to hers, enjoying their final moments of privacy together before their wedding.