DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter and Twilight.

A/N: Thanks for your continuous support! :)

CHAPTER 38

La Push, Washington

"What do you mean, a honey badger? This is America, not Africa," said Emily with a frown.

Embry snorted. "Mother, you're dealing with shapeshifters every single day. Expect unexpected things to happen and the impossible to be possible."

"That's no ordinary badger," Jacob said seriously. "I could hear something from her earlier. Her thoughts, but I couldn't understand. It was like listening to a muffled sound."

"Shite! I heard that, too!" exclaimed Seth, earning a smack from Leah.

"Watch your words, young man!" she glared.

Seth turned to his sister. "You're not mom!" Leah sent piercing looks to Seth again before turning back her attention to the group.

"Well, there's only one way to find out..." quipped Quil. "Let's find her and talk to her!"

"There's one thing I've noticed. She remained on the Cullen territory. She didn't dare cross the treaty line!" said Seth. "Do you think she's with the Cullens?" Several pairs of eyes turned to Seth. Leah snorted.

"Why would those bloodsuckers keep a honey badger for a pet?" asked Embry.

"Obviously, they're replacing Isabella Swan as their pet," quipped Leah coolly.

"Leah, that's not very nice," scolded Emily and she also earned a warning look from Jacob.

"Oh yeah. They have that new girl Edward Cullen's proposed to," said Leah sarcastically.

Embry grimaced. "Oh, shut it, Leah. Just because you haven't imprinted on to someone yet..."

"Anyway," said Jared with a glare to Embry and Leah, "about the honey badger... Maybe she's special like us. A shapeshifter."

Jacob sighed. "Well, I agree with Quil. Let's go and talk to her."

"Now?" asked Quil with excitement.

Jacob gave his friend a questioning look. "It's just a badger. A honey badger, mind you - the most fearless animal in the world," he said matter-of-factly.

"She's a honey badger; probably the only one in America and she's special!" exclaimed Quil.

"You know what, Jacob? Stop acting like curiosity is a weird thing. We all want to know who she is, sho sut it and come on! Let's find her and maybe she'd fancy a chat with a pack of good looking werewolves!" chuckled Jared.

Suddenly, Jared, Embry, Quil and Seth leapt on their feet and ran outside before Jacob could even say anything.

.

Into the Pensieve

Hermione was reading a book, which Bella recognized as Hogwarts, A History while Harry was reading a newspaper and before Bella could even lean over his shoulder to read, Harry folded the paper.

"Thanks for the paper, 'Mione. It's really dangerous, what you did, I mean," said Harry in a serious tone. "Will you ever tell me how you're able to sneak into wizards' houses?"

"Occlumency and transfiguration," she replied.

Harry grimaced. "Will you tell me more?"

"No. Your thoughts aren't safe," she replied matter-of-factly without looking up from the book. "I can't show you because You-Know-Who might look into your mind and I'll be damned. So, what does the paper say?"

"There was a three-page article about our little trip. They've figured it out - that we've used Polyjuice potion and entered the Ministry as Reginald Cattermole, Albert Runcorn and Mafalda Hopkirk. They have a few theories why we were there, but didn't guess it right," he explained.

She finally looked up with a smirk plastered on her face. "Good. If anyone knew that we were there for the locket, You-Know-Who would figure out what we're doing. Thank Merlin, Ron heard that V's name is now a taboo. We must refrain from calling him that."

Harry shook his head. "Honestly, I'm glad that you two insisted to come with me. Dumbledore died, leaving me a task of hunting Tommy's pieces of soul. I didn't know where and how to start. Thank Merlin for you and Ron. Ron knows a lot about the Ministry's passages and employees and other wizarding world stuff. And you... You're just brilliant, Hermione! You could heal and protect us. Now, I feel useless," he joked at the last part.

Hermione slapped him playfully. "You are Harry Potter. You're destined to defeat him. We're only here to help."

"You and Ron are here to keep me sane and alive," he chuckled. Then, he turned to the closed tent. "When do you think he'll be able to Apparate again?" asked Harry.

Hermione shrugged. "Two to three days, I think."

"Thanks to your healing and potion skills, 'Mione."

"Yeah, but let's be more careful. I can't brew complicated potions here. We couldn't even have proper meals 'cause I can't sneak to the market all the time."

"What are you two talking about?" snapped Ron who peered from inside the tent. Bella was surprised to see his grumpy face.

Hermione smiled affectionately and approached Ron. "Oh, you're awake! How are you feeling?"

Ron didn't look happy even when Hermione held his sling-free arm. "Fine."

"That's good! Would you like something to eat aside from the bread I left near your bed?"

Ron glared at her. "As if you're good at cooking. No, thanks. I can live with the loaf of bread."

Hermione was taken aback and pulled away from Ron. Bella wanted to snort. Is this what you want to show me, Edward? Hermione is NOT better than me. She's head over heels with Ron. He's not even like you, Edward.

"Give me the locket, Ron!" said Hermione firmly and extended her hand.

Ron frowned but obeyed. He reached inside his jumper. He removed the locket he was wearing and handed it to Hermione. The moment Ron's skin lost contact with the locket, his facial expression softened.

"Feeling better?" asked Hermione.

"Merlin, yeah. I'm sorry, Hermione," said Ron, looking regretful.

Hermione nodded. "This is a Horcrux. It has You-Know-Who's piece of soul in it and it is trying to possess us. No wonder, we aren't ourselves when we wear this."

"Still, that wasn't an excuse. I'm really sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

Hermione approached Ron and gave him a brief kiss on the cheek. "I'm fine. Go and rest. You need to regain your strength."

Ron nodded and gave Hermione an affectionate look. Then, he turned to Harry. "Mate, I'm sorry."

Harry gave him a small smile and nodded. "No big deal. Go back inside and rest."

Fuck. I was wrong again. I hate this life.

.

Forks, Washington

Rosalie smirked. "Dahling, hasn't anybody told you that life isn't fair?"

Hermione and Cedric, who were snuggled on the loveseat, exchanged amused looks and both chuckled.

"Something funny?" asked Emmett who raised an eyebrow.

Hermione shook her head. "Rosalie spoke like our former Hogwarts potions professor. He had this silky voice and he didn't raise his voice. He was always hissing or whispering, but he had the power to make us all shut up."

"He's gone?" asked Rosalie.

"He was killed during the final battle," she replied sadly. "And he once told Harry that life isn't fair with that tone you used on Emmett."

She noticed Ced looking at his favourite brother and Emmett didn't look happy. Then, Alice gave her a piercing look. "Edward, don't!" Alice warned, even though she was looking at Hermione.

Hermione frowned and turned to Cedric. "Why not? Hermione wants to help," replied Cedric to Alice, sounding annoyed.

Hermione looked at Rosalie who was obviously clueless. Then, she turned to Emmett. He was looking down on the floor. "Are you talking about me?" he asked without looking up.

Alice stood up and Jasper, who was with Esme Carlisle in the porch, suddenly joined them in the sitting room. He wrapped an arm around Alice's tiny waist, trying to calm his wife.

"Emmett, Hermione wants to help because she found a solution to your dilemma," explained Cedric in his gentle tone.

"But why is Alice against it?" asked Emmett who finally looked up.

"Because... Because I don't see it!" snapped Alice. "And I don't know what she's going to offer! I only have an idea but I don't see it happening successfully!" She pointed her finger to Hermione.

Hermione suddenly felt hurt. Turns out, Alice couldn't accept me in this family, she thought sadly. Maybe, I can just convince Ced to stay in Australia...

"Because you can't see werewolves, witches and wizards," said Ced quietly.

"You don't know yet and you're so against it?" snapped Rosalie. "Hasn't Hermione proven herself yet? She's brilliant and selfless, unlike your human pet who's currently in the kitchen, watching some memories that would teach her a lesson."

Alice was taken aback and pressed her lips together.

Hermione gently pulled away from Ced's hold and stood up. "Why don't we ask Rosalie and Emmett? They're not little children nor silly teenagers. I'm sure they are smart enough to weigh things before making their decision together."

"She's right," said Emmett.

Hermione turned to her fiancé. "Well, darling," she said in her Cantabrigian tongue, "why don't you and Emmett talk privately? Rose and I will do the same."

Ced nodded and tapped Emmett's shoulder. The two male vampires left the house. She turned to Rose. "Where would you like to talk?"

"Your room?" she suggested.

Hermione nodded. Rosalie offered her hand and she took it. Once again, they walked upstairs, holding hands like best friends. Both of them were aware of Alice's unhappy face.

"Don't worry. She'll come around," whispered Rosalie.

She nodded and they continued to the third floor.