Dawn of the Phoenix: Cedric goes to Forks

Story and Characters owned by

Stephenie Meyer and JK Rowling

Story Adaptation by Erica K. Bailey

Chapter 35: The Dawn

Other then the occasional moan or whimper by Bella, followed by an echoing moan by Edward, the house was silent and dark. Looking around I noticed the light that normally filtered in through the back of the house was blocked by huge metal shields. When did those appear? I thought back, recalling the lights going out and how it had gotten so dark. Must have been then.

It was maddening… the waiting. Not knowing if in the next minute we would be casting spells on an attacking hoard or on our own people or mourning… I tried to stop the thought, but I found I wasn't very good at it. They just kept coming and, with every reminder of Bella's worsening condition I was killing him along with her. Sorry. Finally I dozed off in the chair.

"I have rights, Carlisle… As her husband." I heard Edward's muffled voice. "If she's unable to give instruction over her wishes, I have more of a right then her."

I shook my head, clearing the cobwebs from my mind. Something was happening. I looked around but all I saw was grey darkness. Then I realized, at some point someone had laid a blanket over me as I slept. I pulled it down to look around the room.

Bella was gasping in her sleep. I wondered if she'd woken at all since last night. I glanced over at Sirius who lay a finger to his lips, signaling for me to sit back and wait. Clearly, at some point Edward must have decided to give up on a surprise attack and just hit it straight on, or maybe he was losing his mind.

"She doesn't want this, Edward. You know it." Rosalie hissed. Edward growled back at her, but I was surprised that now Emmett stood aside, only watching. Something had changed.

"Carlisle, Bella didn't want us to do anything because she believed she was going to live. She thought the both of them would live. Clearly that isn't the case they will both die if we do nothing. The… infant might even be viable at this point. We don't know, but it must be large enough." Edward was grasping at anything now.

"He might be right, Rosalie." Esme said quietly.

"Near as I can tell, she's 30 weeks." Carlisle said thoughtfully, "If that is the case, then there's a chance." He said.

"But now – when the wolves could attack at any minute." Rosalie countered.

"It is a consideration." Jasper said, "Though, if they haven't attacked yet, I am beginning to think they might not."

"I won't let you take that chance." Rosalie growled, crouching over Bella.

"You have no right!" Edward said firmly. It was almost a yell, and yet controlled. "I have stood aside all week while you fed her lies, while you kept me away from her. No more, Rosalie. I won't let you destroy her life."

"Edward?" A week frail voice sounded from the bed. In an instant he was beside her, Rosalie on the other side.

"Bella, love?" he said so gently, "you've been asleep for so long…"

"I'm still here." She said.

"Bella?" Carlisle said walking over, "I know you are very tired, but I need to talk to you about something."

Rosalie hissed, but Carlisle held up his hand for her to stop.

"Bella, your body isn't absorbing anything from the IV. That means you aren't getting any nutrients and neither is the fetus." Carlisle said, his voice full of concern, "You are both starving and I can't tell what it is, so I don't know how to treat it. If I could get a better look, then I might be able to figure out what to do."

"More tests?" she sighed.

"No." Carlisle said hesitantly, "I think we need to remove the fetus."

"What?" Bella's eyes flew open. "Take my baby? But it's too early… too soon." She faded a bit.

"Near as I can tell you're at the equivalent of 30 weeks. Many human babies have survived being delivered at 30 weeks. It will need special care, but there is a good chance-"

"Just a chance." Rosalie hissed, "There's also a good chance the baby will die."

Edward let out a low growled.

Carlisle held up his hand to stop them both. "Bella, I know it is a lot to think about. If you feel unable to make this decision?"

"No" she said softly. "I need to keep him as long as I can… To give him the best chance. If he's in distress, then you do what you can to save him."

Carlisle sighed and glanced at Edward. Edward turned away. His blank expression was gone. Instead the agony and pain, the burning was back in his eyes.

"Edward?" Bella's faint voice came back. He quickly snapped back over her. She reached up for him, "I know… I don't know how… but I know it will be fine."

She tugged lightly on his shirt and he leaned down over her and kissed her gently. Then she fell back into her restless sleep. He crumbled over her. Even Rosalie didn't dare tell him to back away.

It was silent then. Everyone went back to their various positions glancing occasionally back at the monitors and Bella and once in awhile toward the front yard. After part of an hour, Alice sighed and went upstairs. This seemed particularly difficult for her.

The silence was broken by a wolf howl just after dawn. Everyone stiffened for half a second and then went into action. Alice flitted down the stairs. She still looked horrible. "Sirius and Cedric, be prepared to take up your positions upstairs. Rosalie and Edward – you'll stay to guard Bella. The rest of us will face them head on." Jasper threw out the orders, everyone prepared to move quickly if necessary. Rosalie and Edward rolled Bella further away from the impending battle.

A lone wolf padded into the yard. It was Seth. Where was Jacob? Had they gotten him? Edward commented in his toneless, expressionless voice. "It's okay. It's Leah. She's come to join the pack."

"Leah?" Jasper asked, eyebrow raised, "I didn't think she liked us. Could it be a trap?"

Edward shook his head slowly as he focused on Seth, "No, I don't think so. They can hear her thoughts. They wouldn't be able to do that if she was still loyal to Sam… No, it looks like she has definitely joined Jacob." He continued without inflection. His face was a barren wasteland. There was nothing left – nothing without Bella.

The tension released, if only a bit, as everyone went back to their activities – Jasper and Emmett gazing out into the night, Alice disappeared upstairs, Rosalie and Edward looking over Bella, Carlisle checking her monitors and vitals every so often and Esme… Esme just sat helplessly in her chair. Sirius and I shared a worried glance. What would the rest of this night bring?

"The wolves won't attack now – they're at a disadvantage… Not that they would have gotten through before." Emmett said absently.

"I don't imagine so – the element of surprise is gone and he is now out-numbered." Jasper replied. He sighed and turned away from the window. In a flash, the metal shields were gone and light streamed in. Jasper retreated up the stairs to where Alice had gone earlier. Emmett glanced once at Rosalie's protective stance, frowned and left with him. After a few minutes, Esme got up quietly and left the room.

Though the threat was no longer eminent, the nervous, stress filled silence returned. I looked over at Edward. If it were possible, he looked even worse then last night. Bella was awake again, but barely. I still had the envelope with the letter from Hermione in my pocket. She seemed barely able to keep her eyes open, forget reading. Maybe this was one letter that would go unread.

"No" Edward said, and then the first hint of any change in tone came to his voice, "Bella, love, would you like to hear a letter from Hermione?" He said softly, gently, hesitantly touching her hand.

"Umhm" she mumbled.

I got up and walked over, taking the letter from my pocket. "I'll have to break the seal." I said stupidly. I was sure she wasn't worried about such things right now. I unfolded the paper and read.

Dear Bella,

I miss you so much. I hope you had a wonderful time on your honeymoon and that everything worked out. You'll have to tell me everything! Well, perhaps not everything.

I wish you were with us in school this year. We are learning so many interesting things. I am sure you would find it fascinating.

Cedric and I kissed just before…

I stopped, tearing my eyes away from the page. "The next part is personal." I said before I voiced the words, "Perhaps I should leave it for you to read." I said, folding the letter back up and putting it in her hand. I was terribly curious as to what she said, but the invasion of privacy seemed too great.

"She knows?" Bella whispered.

"Yes, I told her when I visited."

"Hmm" she replied, then began coughing, choking.

Edward moaned, "Please, Rose, Bella… please…" He got no response. Bella was unconscious again.

His gaze flitted around the room. "Carlisle?" he asked in desperation.

"You know I can't when she's made her wishes known." It looked painful for him to say it.

Rosalie looked triumphant.

Edward moaned, his head dropping into his hands.

The silence descended upon us again as the sun rose higher above the horizon. Edward stood by Bella's bed, unmoving. Off to one side I could see Carlisle mumbling with his eye's closed. Was he praying? After an indeterminable amount of time it seemed Bella awoke again.

"Jacob's coming." Edward said suddenly, back to his toneless, emotionless state. He stayed focused on Bella. "He's changed to his human form."

Carlisle quietly got up, reached for the door and met him as he walked across the lawn. Their voices poured in quietly through the open door.

"Are you all right, Jacob?" Carlisle asked.

"Is Bella?" He chocked out.

"She's… much the same as last night. Did I startle you? I'm sorry. Edward said you were coming in your human form, and I came out to greet you, as he didn't want to leave her. She's awake." I turned away, trying not to listen to their conversation…

I glanced back at Edward. He was taking in every last breath, every glance, every touch of her hand… I felt the despair settle back in. Last night, well, at least there had been hope, a plan, the possibility we could save her – but now? What use was falling in love if you had to be subjected to such pain?

The monitors which at first had flashed with regularity and uniformity seemed to stutter and hesitate. I could only guess that meant things in side her were not going well. I stood and walked over to Edward, resting a hand on his shoulder. There wasn't anything else I could do. My heart shattered for him – to have it all, and then for it to be snatched away so cruelly…

Time stood still for me as I stood there at Edward's side, wishing there was something I could do as we both stared down at Bella's figure. She was wide awake now, staring back up into Edward's eyes… she was trying to take in as much as she could of him too, before…

I could see Rosalie inch forward, eyeing the two of us suspiciously. Maybe I should stun her, just once… It would make me feel better.

"death and blood" Edward whispered so quietly I almost thought I'd imagined it, except that Rosalie looked at him sharply. For the first time in days there was an expression other then the blank expressionless face or utter agony. He was working through something in his mind.

"What?" Bella asked softly, noting the change in expression. "What is it?"

"Sssh" he said tenderly, stroking her hand, her arm, her cheek. Rosalie continued to eye him suspiciously. He bent down and kissed her very gently. "I'll be right back, Bella. I want to speak with Carlisle for a moment. Actually, Rosalie, would you mind accompanying me?" His voice was different. The tonelessness was gone and, in its place was there hope?

Rosalie glanced between us and Bella. I could see the objection forming on her lips. I quickly backed away and sat back down on the chair I'd slept on last night.

"What is it, Edward?" Bella asked a little more forcefully in her hoarse, gravelly voice.

"Nothing you need to worry about, love." He kissed her hand, her arm, "It will just take a second." Then he looked upward toward his sister, "Please, Rose?" In a tone that left little room for question.

"Esme?" Rosalie called out, "Can you mind Bella for me?" she said eyeing me in my seat.

Esme flitted down the stairs. "Of course." She said.

The two of them marched off toward the door, Rosalie following, keeping a careful eye on both of us. When they reached the door, Edward closed it behind them.

I watched through the window, wishing I could read lips or use a spell to hear what was going on. There was a flurry of discussion amongst them. Whatever it was it looked like the first good news they'd had in days. Rosalie's face lit up, Carlisle looked pensive and yet positive and Edward looked alive for the first time since they returned from their honeymoon. Jacob, on the other hand, looked repulsed, as though he was holding back from being sick.

Across the room Esme gasped, "Of course."

"What do you think is going on?" I asked Sirius quietly.

"I think they've figured out some way to feed her." He said, watching them.

"We'll ask Bella." I heard as Carlisle opened the door and the four of them shuffled into the house.

"What's going on?" Bella demanded. The activity had revived her somewhat, as if whatever they had determined might help her was already giving her some life back.

"Jacob had an idea that might help you." Carlisle said. Jacob made a face in response. "It won't be… pleasant, but-"

"But it will help the baby." Rosalie interjected, her face lit up, "We've thought of a better way to feed him. Maybe."

Bella's eyelids fluttered. Then she coughed out a weak chuckle, "Not pleasant?" she whispered, "Gosh, that'll be such a change." She eyed the tubes that were obviously causing her discomfort and coughed again.

Rosalie laughed with her.

Edward frowned at Rosalie's response. He stepped around her, looking intently down at Bella. He gathered up the hand that wasn't resting on her swollen stomach. "Bella, love, we're going to ask you to do something monstrous, repulsive."

What could it be? I was cautiously hopeful.

She took a shallow, fluttery breath, "How bad?"

Carlisle answered, "We think the fetus might have an appetite closer to ours than to yours. We think it's thirsty."

Well then, give it some water… some juice… I was puzzled.

"Oh." Bella blinked, "oh." She said with sudden understanding.

I glanced over at Sirius. His face was pale, but understanding shone through. It took me a minute more… appetite closer to theirs… thirsty… I put the words together… My eyes must have flown open when it hit me. They're going to ask her to drink blood? My stomach momentarily heaved.

"Your condition." Carlisle went on, "-both of your conditions – are deteriorating rapidly. We don't have time to waste, to come up with more palatable ways to do this. The fastest way to test the theory-"

"I've got to drink it." she whispered. I was horrified. Surely she couldn't. But she nodded slightly, a look of determination came over her face, "I can do that. Practice for the future, right?" she looked back up at Edward with a faint grin. He didn't smile back.

I could hear the faint tapping of a shoe against the floor. Rosalie. Give her a minute, I thought.

"So, who's going to catch me a grizzly bear?" Bella whispered.

Carlisle and Edward shared a look. The tapping stopped.

"What?" Bella asked at their expression.

"It will be a more effective test if we don't cut corners, Bella." Carlisle said.

"If the fetus is craving blood." Edward explained, "it's not craving animal blood."

I turned my face away to hide the expression. It was revolting… cannibalistic… the drinking of human blood was part of the Dark Arts. A part of my mind accepted that the Cullens drank animal blood. It was necessary for them and I even realized that perhaps, in the past they'd taken human life… but all my life I'd know drinking human blood was a practice for dark creatures and evil wizards. No respectable wizard would…

But Bella isn't a wizard. She's my best friend's wife and she's dying… If this will help her? If this will bring her back? How could I condemn that?

"It won't make a difference to you, Bella. Don't think about it." Rosalie encouraged.

Bella's eyes widened, "Who?" She breathed. He gaze flickered from Edward to Jacob and then to me. Indeed, who? I stared back at Edward. I had thought time and time again I wished there was something I could do. I wondered if it would be terribly painful.

"We have blood on hand." Rosalie explained. I felt a burst of relief. "For you – just in case. Don't worry about anything at all. It's going to be fine. I have a good feeling about this, Bella. I think the baby will be so much better."

Bella ran her hand across her stomach.

'Well" she rasped, her voice was barely a whisper, "I'm starving, so I'll bet he is, too." A faint smile curled at the side of her mouth, "Let's go for it. My first vampire act."

Carlisle and Rosalie dashed up the stairs in an instant.

"I think we should warm it." Rosalie said.

"I'm not sure it will make a difference." Carlisle replied.

Edward stayed, holding Bella's hand. It was the first time Rosalie had left them alone all week. They said nothing, just stared into each others faces, as if they could speak without words. It reminded me how they stood before each other on their wedding day. There had been no one else.

And Edward was easier to look at. It wasn't that he looked hopeful. In fact the carefully placid expression was firmly upon his face, but perhaps it seemed a little less forced. The agony he could never seem to erase from his eyes a little less present.

Rosalie dashed back through the room, too fast to make out what she was carrying. I guess I probably didn't want to know. This might all be a lot easier if it wasn't so visual.

"Not clear, Rosalie." Edward murmured, rolling his eyes.

Bella lifted her head slightly, as if she were about to ask, but Edward just shook his head.

Rosalie flashed back through and disappeared back up the stairs.

"This was your idea?" Bella whispered looking toward's Jacob.

"Don't blame me for this one." Jacob countered, "Your vampire was just picking snide comments out of my head."

She smiled a little, "I didn't expect to see you again."

"Yeah, me, either." Jacob replied.

I had barely slept all night and so had made my way back over to the chair I'd slept in, now pushed far out of the way. I pulled it forward so I could be there, but I was too tired to remain standing. It didn't look like Jacob was faring much better. I wondered if I should offer to pull a chair over for him as well. Sirius beat me to it, but instead of one of the comfortable arm chairs, he pulled a kitchen chair in and set it by the bed.

"Thank you" he said, looking up at Sirius, who simply bowed with a small flare of his hand and then pulled up his chair along side mine. He looked as tired as I, but somehow more at peace.

I wondered at that for awhile. He did seem much better, even after this week – the worst week of my life and all that we were facing, Sirius was somehow better off. I made me better appreciate how difficult it had been for him being cooped up in that house.

Bella and Jacob visited while Edward watched on. I was only moderately irritated that he was taking away precious minutes from Edward's last moments with her, but maybe, if this worked, those minutes wouldn't be so precious. I hoped.

There was something different in his stance. Not hope. I didn't think he dared to hope yet. But he did seem less defeated.

"You're scared of Leah, but you're best buds with the psychopath blonde?" Jacob suddenly exclaimed. Maybe it was need for a release of tension in the room, or perhaps it was really funny, but I couldn't help bursting out in a laugh. I realized then maybe it wasn't just Edward who was different; it was the entire house… There was a lessened sense of doom. I got up to check on how Bella was doing and I could see she was actually smiling.

And then Carlisle and Rosalie were back with a white plastic cup with a lid with a straw. There was some sort of liquid sloshing around inside but, thankfully, I couldn't see what it was. Knowing was bad enough.

Bella eyed it speculatively and I began to seriously doubt her ability to go through with this. Just imagining it all - thick and warm, sliding down my throat. I shiver went down my back and my stomach churned. Just don't think about it, just don't think about it.

"We could try another method." Carlisle said quietly.

"No." Bella whispered, "No, I'll try this first. We don't have time…" Her hand fluttered to her stomach. She was worried about the baby. She reached for the cup. It sloshed around as her hand shook. I tried to picture it as something else… pumpkin juice. Ah yes, think of it as a glass of pumpkin juice. She tried to lean forward to take a drink but she was too weak. I glanced at Edward and saw him blanch, the previous improvement in disposition lost a few steps.

Rosalie leaned over and helped her, supporting her upper body like a child. "Thanks" Bella whispered. She glanced around at us, embarrassed at what she was about to do.

"Don't mind them" Rosalie murmured.

"Think of it as pumpkin juice." I suggested. It seemed to be working for me so far, though I didn't actually have to drink it.

She lifted the cup to her face and sniffed at the straw. Not a good idea. She flinched and then made a face.

"Bella, sweetheart, we can find an easier way," Edward said, reaching for the cup.

"Plug your nose." Rosalie suggested, glaring at Edward's attempt to help. I reconsidered my decision to stun her.

"No, that's not it. It's just that it-" Bella took a deep breath, "It smells good." She admitted in a tiny voice. I fought hard to hold back the shudder. Pumpkin juice, pumpkin juice I chanted to myself.

"That's a good thing." Rosalie said eagerly, 'That means we're on the right track. Give it a try."

Bella took the straw between her lips, shut her eyes, wrinkled her nose and sucked. I could hear the suction as the liquid drew up the straw, saw the shift from opaque to dark as it moved toward her mouth and touched her lips. Her hand shook. She quickly took her mouth away and moaned quietly.

Edward reached for her, lovingly stoking her face, his face full of concern. I suppose throwing up again wouldn't be helpful at this point. "Bella, love?"

"I'm okay." She whispered. She opened her eyes and stared up at him. Her expression was… apologetic? Pleading? Scared? "It tastes good, too."

The sudden tension in his shoulders released. I could see he was relieved at the admission. It mean more then just that she wasn't about to throw up. Her system wasn't strong enough for that. It meant they might just be on the right track. He pressed his hand to her cheek, curling his fingers around the shape of her delicate face.

She sighed and put her lips to the straw again. She took a much larger drink this time. She was seemingly stronger from just the small taste she'd just had.

"How's your stomach? Do you feel nauseated?" Carlisle asked.

Bella shook her head, "No, I don't feel sick." She whispered, "There's a first, eh?"

I noticed then that Jacob had been quite silent the entire time. His face was as green as mine threatened to be. He didn't seem to be taking this any better. I took some comfort in that. Sirius, on the other hand, was grinning broadly. He'd told me a bit of his time living as a dog, subsisting off rats and other small rodents. I supposed a bit of blood wasn't all that bad.

Bella gulped down another mouthful, then looked up suddenly at Edward as if she just thought of something. "Does this screw up my total?" she whispered, "Or do we start counting after I'm a vampire?"

He looked down at her with more life and tenderness as I'd seen this whole week. Of course that wasn't much. "No one is counting, Bella. In any case, no one died for this." He smiled faintly, "Your record is still clean."

Sirius chuckled beside me. I glanced at him curiously, "They keep track of who has the best record… as far as not killing anyone." He said as an aside.

Oh. That's… ah… good? I suppose it was better then the other way around.

She took several more sips. With each one she got visibly stronger and as she got stronger, Edward got visibly more positive. He even chuckled once at something Jacob had thought. By the time she sucked back the last of the contents of the cup, they were almost jovial. The mood was much, much lighter. I moved from hope to belief she might actually survive this…

"I did it." she said, sounding pleased as the straw pulled at empty air. Her voice was no longer a whisper. She had some actual sound to it – still rough, but it was a sign of strength. "If I keep this down, Carlisle, will you take the needles out of me?"

"As soon as possible." He replied with a gentle smile, "Honestly, they aren't doing that much good where they are."

It was clear, the cup of human blood had actually done some good. Such an improvement over only a few minutes… clearly this was what was working, though I had to keep stop myself from thinking about it too much… Her pale, pasty face suddenly had a bit of color and tone and she seemed to be able to lift herself somewhat. Her breathing was less labored. The lights on the monitors seemed to steady.

"Would you like more?" Rosalie asked. Bella's shoulders slumped in response.

Edward shot a look at Rosalie, then turned tenderly to Bella, "You don't have to drink more right away."

"Yeah, I know, But… I want to." She admitted glumly.

Rosalie reached up and stroked her hair, "You don't need to be embarrassed about that, Bella. Your body has cravings. We all understand that." Her soft tender tone then turned harsh, "Anyone who doesn't understand shouldn't be here." She seemed to point her accusation at Jacob, who grinned back easily as if hadn't a care in the world.

Carlisle took the cup from Bella, "I'll be right back."

The sound of a message in the message book was suddenly in my head. There must be a reply from Dumbledore. "I'll be back." I said briskly. I should have brought the notebook with me. I quickly grabbed it and read it while I walked back.

Very sorry I didn't reply earlier. I have been searching everywhere, even seeking council from those I trust. There are only more rumors and stories. No advice. I would come to visit, but things are very precarious right now. Please do your best to offer your comfort. I have been able to procure a dragon's claw. It should arrive shortly.

The note was in quick, hasty strokes. Things must be hectic at Hogwarts. I took out my pen and wrote a quick reply as I approached the house.

We've had a bit of a discovery. It seems to have an appetite more in keeping with the father. We're not out of the woods, but we've seen some improvement.

As I sat down again in the living room I felt the signal for another reply.

Facinating. And so obvious. Yet I hadn't thought of it. Tell me whose discovery was it.

I quickly replied back.

Jacob's

Then the book was silent. I folded it up and set it beside me.

When I looked up I could see Edward serving a plate of eggs to Bella. Jacob was bidding her farewell, but paused at us before leaving.

"So you're the wizards?" He asked. "Seth told me about you." He glanced me over, "You do look at lot like him." His head nodded toward Edward.

I smiled, "I get that a lot."

"So, you do actual magic?" he asked.

"Yes, much like you." I replied. I glanced once at Sirius who was smiling smugly.

"What? Oh, I guess." Two howls suddenly pierced the still morning air. They sounded urgent. "Dammit" he snarled as he took off through the door. I watched in amazement as, in one swift move he leaped from the porch and exploded in mid-air. The ratty shorts he was wearing ripped to shreds and he landed on all four paws, already fully transfigured into a huge wolf.

"Wow." I heard escape my mouth.

"Pretty impressive." Sirius said beside me. "It's like he doesn't even have to concentrate."

I nodded. "But a little hard on the clothing."