Twilight Saga characters

created and owned by Stephenie Meyer

And the characters and plotline of

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

created and owned by J.K. Rowling

Chapter 38: Scones and Lemon Drops

We had issues to talk about, but as we rose in the morning, it seemed we had unspoken consent to shelve the matters we had to discuss and just enjoy the day. Or perhaps we were just both tired – Bella from lack of sleep, me from mentally re-examining the matters from every conceivable angle. The key, in my opinion, was what to do about our relationship, whether it was time for it to come out of the closet or not. My initial reaction was no – but the more I thought about it, I wondered if we should just make it known that we are together.

But that complicated things with Cho and Cedric, both of whom thought they had dates for the Ball, and at this point, still did. And then, what would we do about Harry? I supposed Harry might have to fend for himself in the date department. He shouldn't have any difficulty. His champion status, now widely accepted by three of the four houses, made him a fairly popular topic of discussion for the female population at all age levels.

And, then there was the second task. I glanced at my golden egg. I hadn't even looked at it since the night I retrieved it from the dragon. It held the key to the second task and, given the amount of time I needed to prepare for the first one, I should probably get on it right away. It was already the first week of December. Perhaps Cedric would have an idea… I packed the egg into my bag and took it with me to Hogwarts.

The day began like most others, meeting up with Cedric and the guys in the Great Hall. "So, I was wondering… There is supposed to be a clue about this golden egg for the second task. Do you guys have any ideas?"

"Open it" Patrick suggested, "Maybe there's a message"

I looked it over noting there was a clasp. I was about to release it when one of the Weasley twins walked by.

"Not here! Are you crazy? Harry opened his in the common room after the event and it nearly made us deaf."

"Let's take it to the Hufflepuff common room." Cedric suggested.

There was still some time before first class so we ran out of the hall and down the steps to the Hufflepuff common room. Once we were there, settled into the very comfortable chairs and sofa, I flicked open the clasp.

I immediately covered my ears, the sound was so intense. My hands made very little difference to the intensity of the piercing shriek. I thought my brain was going to explode into billions of tiny pieces. The egg fell on the floor and rolled toward Cedric. He quickly grabbed it and closed it up.

"What was that?" James exclaimed.

"Whatever it was, that is the last time I want to hear it. Keep it closed." Patrick recanted.

"But it must be some sort of clue." Cedric considered, "There must be some way of decoding it… otherwise why would you have it?"

"Or it could be a trick" Ernie suggested, "A red herring – to make you spend a load of time searching trying to figure it out while the real answer is staring you in the face."

I considered that for a moment. It could be. I took the egg from Cedric's hands and looked over the surface for anything else that could be a clue. It was uniform, with no distinct markings. Maybe the egg was the clue itself. Maybe we were battling some sort of bird…

It was almost time for Potions, and not wanting to be late, we headed off.

The rest of the morning dragged by as Cedric and I presented our project for potions, which turned out quite well, and then listened to the litany if criticism for the minute insignificant reasons our potion wasn't going to receive the top mark it deserved. Cedric sighed in defeat as we were presented with a barely passing grade. I felt bad for him. It was because of me that Snape was being unreasonable. However, whereas the grades didn't affect me, they would have a significant impact on Cedric's future.

"Do you want to change partners?" I asked on our way to lunch.

"What? No – not at all…"

"I'm just thinking, Snape is picking on us, because of me… because of who I am… You shouldn't have to bare the brunt of that."

"Edward, it isn't a problem… I don't really want to go into Potions."

"What do you want?" I was truly curious. What did wizards do when they graduated from school? Was there Wizard universities and colleges? I knew several worked at the Ministry, and some, like Lucius just seemed to be independently wealthy, but what about the average wizard or witch?

"My Dad wants me to go into the Ministry, like him… but I was thinking I'd like to see the world more – get out there. I was thinking maybe something like what Charlie Weasley does."

"You want to work with dragons?"

"Not necessarily, but some line of work like that, where there is some adventure and you get to see different parts of the world…"

"Hmmm."

"Like you – you came over from North America to work with us and help Harry. I think, doing something like that would be so meaningful."

I was truly a noble man. I appreciated his outlook on life, shared his desire to give back to the world. Of course, my motivation was a little less noble, hoping that, somehow, I might have something to look forward to after this life. I suspected it didn't matter what I did, I had lost my soul and this life was all I would have.

But Cedric, he was human – he had a true eternity to look forward to. He was noble and true. I wished I could be him.

"Of course, it would be more meaningful if I had someone to share that adventure with…"

And with that phrase, all my good will toward Cedric disappeared into a cloud of jealous anger. Everything I wanted to be for Bella and couldn't be, he could. He was my best friend and my greatest threat, all rolled into one.

We made it though lunch, though the conversation, particularly from my side, was limited. I had a double spare for the afternoon and retreated to my haven, the library, while Cedric went to Defence Against the Dark Arts.

On my way, I heard the strange double voice of Professor Moody mumbling as he walked down the hall. Venum flowed to my mouth and ran though my veins as I heard the alternating clunk of his false leg approach. He should have been on his way to class, and yet here he was just outside the library. I couldn't think of a scenario that would have brought him to this part of the school on his way to his teaching assignment.

"Cullen, you have a minute?" He said as he turned the corner, as if he knew I was waiting there for him. Perhaps, with his magic eye he did.

"Sure" I replied, taking a carefully casual, yet defensive stance. One that I could react from at a moments notice, but didn't appear threatening.

"Over here." He said, motioning to an empty room across from the library. I step inside, keeping watch over him out of the corner of my eye.

"So, any ideas yet about yer egg?"

I stared at him blankly. "Excuse me?"

"I said, do you have any ideas about yer egg – about what the clue is?"

"Umm, no, sir. I opened it, but all I got was a horrible shrieking sound." I shivered as I remember it ringing in my head. "We shut it pretty quickly."

"Well, I can't tell you what to do or not to do, but all I can say is you might find some answers underwater… and the Prefects bath on the fifth floor might be inspirational."

"I'm sorry"

"You heard me, son. I can't say no more. I've probably said too much as it is." His magic eye swung around madly as he suddenly stood up and exited the room.

I stared at him disbelieving. I was unsure as to whether he had just been helpful, of if he was setting me up for a trap. But what kind of trap could he set up in the Prefects bathroom? There was nowhere to hide, and what would he think he could do, drown me? No, if he wanted to set up trap, he would do it somewhere off site – somewhere a struggle couldn't be heard. It could be that he actually was giving me a clue to unravel the puzzle.

I continued to the library, the egg still in my bag. I would have to discuss it with… Cedric. I sighed. This was a complicated friendship. It didn't have to be, but it was. I decided I would wait to discuss it with him at a later date. Today I needed to get home and have another conversation. Bella and I had some unfinished business and I didn't want to let that stew for too long.

The end of the day found us both in our room, I sitting on the bed, Bella sitting on the chair by the window. I supposed she wanted some physical space so we would actually talk this through.

"So…" I started, "What are we going to go about the Ball?"

"Well, we've both already accepted dates… I would rather go with you, but I don't want to be rude either."

"Nor do I…" I said regretfully.

"And if we are resigned to keep our relationship a secret?" she paused, it was a question. I nodded affirmative, to which she sighed again, "Then we have to go with someone. We might as well keep our dates… but I want to discuss the secret thing."

"Okay… Well, I've already explained why." I said, "And it was advised by Dumbledore."

"True, but I think we need to consider this more seriously… Lieing to everyone isn't helping anyone. It is unfair to Cedric and Cho. It is unfair to everyone else. And it is unfair to ourselves, Edward… It isn't good."

"But if Voldemort…"

"What – what could this Voldemort do Edward? He could kidnap me? That's a stretch. First of all, he would have to know you are helping Harry to even consider it as an option. Then he'd have to get through a coven of vampires and a castle of witches and wizards… How likely do you think that is? Then he'd have to threaten death. Edward, we've had that threat how many times now in our relationship? Don't you think we can handle it if we stick together?"

I was astounded by her reasoning. There was a still a risk, and I didn't like putting Bella in any danger of harm or pain… But I already had. This charade of ours already caused her pain and now had put her in a very difficult position with Cedric, all which could have been avoided, if we had been truthful about our relationship.

Still, I was uncertain. "I need to talk to Dumbledore" I said, "I want to hear his side of this… I think we need to hear his side of this" I corrected.

"I can accept that…"

"And we should talk with Carlisle, too."

She nodded. "And Edward – I know you want to be good and chivalrous. You already are – but you need to know that, when you agreed to go with Cho, simply because you didn't want to hurt her feelings, you hurt mine."

I started at her. The remark caught me off guard. I hadn't seen it coming… and her voice, so laden with emotion – sadness with regret, send waves of emotion through me I hadn't expected. Both righteous indignation with regret for my actions. I took a minute to consider her words before responding. Had I overlooked her feelings in favour of Cho's? Had I realized how she would react to the news? Yes, I had. As soon as it happened I knew she would be hurt by this. I realized she was right.

"I understand." I said simply.

She nodded. "And I understand that I hurt you when I accept Cedric's invitation. I knew it wasn't what we had planned. I didn't know how he felt, though once I thought it through, I realized what his invitation meant, and how you would feel about that. I am sorry… for both of you… but mostly you."

I opened my arms in invitation, hoping she would accept – bridging the distance between us. She got up and walked across the room, settling herself in my lap as I wrapped my arms around her, breathing in her scent that always burned, but told me she was here. I kissed the top of her head and felt the soft strands of her hair against my lips.

"It must be hard for you," she said, "being with him every day – having him as your friend and yet hearing how he feels… I don't know if I could do it."

I sighed. She was so perceptive. "Yes, but he is a good man. A better man then I… If I wasn't so selfish, I would prefer you chose him over me."

She pulled away slightly. She reached her hands up to take a hold of my face and bend it toward hers as she stared intently into my eyes. "Edward, you are going to have to get over this inferiority complex. I want you. There is no one else for me. Accept that!"

"Except what?" I teased.

She rolled her eyes, "Accept that I love you!"

And I did. I knew it in my core… I had since the mess with Jacob. I didn't doubt her, only my ability to live up to the person she saw in me. I would have considered that a little more, but my lips were suddenly busy kissing her and I didn't want to think of anything else.

After her supper, we headed back to Hogwarts to meet up with Hermione and Cedric. I didn't have to concentrate to hear that there wasn't much work going on at Hermione and Bella's table. For once, Hermione was interested in discussing something other then school work.

"So, you're going with Cedric, then?" she asked, "How does he" she flitted her eyes in my direction, "feel about that?"

"Not happy, but I would have to go with someone…" Bella replied, "At least we'll both be there."

"And I'm going with Viktor." She smiled.

"You seem pleased,"

"It's not that he is my ideal match…" she explained, "But he is sweet – and he has been at the library almost every day since they arrived. He asked me today if we could study together sometime… but I told him I already had plans to study with you for tonight."

"He can join us, Hermione… that would be perfectly fine."

"Well, if he asks, I let him know" she said, with forced casualness. "It is nice to be asked, though – right off…"

"Yes… oh, I was supposed to ask you this the other day – and you can say no if you don't want to – but Alice would really like to give us a make over for the dance, er, Ball… I warn you – she is relentless… but the results are usually pretty amazing."

"A make-over, really?" Hermione said, sounding more girlish then I had ever heard her, "Bella, that would be really great… does she want to come here, or should we get ready at your place?"

"I'm not sure… if we get ready there, we have more bathroom access – but then we have to get here, and I don't think we want to use Floo Powder… but if we get ready here, Alice will take over the Gryffindor common room – just warning you…"

"You know what. It might be kind of fun getting ready at your place… sort of gives the element of surprise… We can figure out transportation later."

"Sounds good." Bella smiled.

"Oh – there's Viktor…" she noted, looking across the room. He looked her way with a bit of a wave and a tentative smile. Hermione smiled shyly back and made a small beckoning wave. His face lit up as he strode across the room with his funny duck footed walk, and sat down next to her. He spent the rest of the hour watching her study as she worked on an assignment for Transfiguration with Bella.

Back at my table, I was doing my best to ignore Cedric's overly optimistic thoughts as he glanced toward Bella.

"You know, it looks like Viktor and Hermione would like some time together. Maybe we should invite Bella over to sit with us?"

"I think she has a big assignment for Transfiguration that is due tomorrow." I lied… it was due next week.

"Oh, well then, we probably shouldn't disturb them…. So, you're taking Cho and I'm taking Bella…"

"Yes" I replied politely, hoping he'd take the hint that this was not a conversation I wanted to have. He didn't.

"Do you want to bring your stuff and get ready at Hufflepuff?"

"Ummm. I'd have to think about it." I replied, not sure what to say. Then I considered that Alice would be driving Bella and now Hermione nuts in the hours preceding the ball. Perhaps a retreat would be in order, though I would miss properly appreciating Alice's results until after the ball was over. "Actually that wouldn't be a bad idea." I agreed.

He smiled, "Do you think I should get her something? Like a flower or a corsage? Is that typical?"

I looked up from my book, struggling to find a way to extricate myself from a conversation about how my best friend was going to woo my fiancée. "Cedric, I don't know what is customary here… I'm sorry I'm not much help." I paused for a minute, then thought of an escape. "Hey, Professor Moody talked to me today."

"Really, what about?"

"He suggested I might find some answers under water – and that the Prefects bathroom might be inspirational."

He thought for a moment, "Well, I've used the Prefects bathroom several times. The only thing inspirational in there is the mermaid… but if he suggested it, maybe you should give it a try." He smiled brightly, "you could give it a shot when you come to get ready for the ball!"

I didn't manage much of a detour from the topic I didn't want to belabour, but our hour was almost up, so I returned to my reading and Cedric didn't bring up the ball audibly for the remainder of our time.

That Saturday, we met with Dumbledore in the library as usual. This week I had something I wanted to discuss with him…

"Here you are" Esme handed him the tray with the tea and two cups, a plate of scones she had baked and a candy dish of lemon drops.

"Oh my, scones…" his eyes twinkled.

"I decided to learn to do some baking." She smiled, "How are they?"

"Scrumptious!" he replied as he took his second bite. "Oh, where are my manners?" He set down the scone and poured tea for Bella and then himself, offering her the plate of scones. She took one and he turned his attention back to his. It must have been good for he practially inhaled it. Esme beamed.

Once he had completed his tea and scone, and a few lemon drops, he got down to business. "So, Edward – how are you coming with the second task?"

"Well, I opened the egg." I started. Dumbledore chuckled, "And it was horrible."

"When did you open it?" Emmett said, disappointed, "You might have included us, you know!"

"Believe me, you are better off. It wasn't the most pleasant experience."

"I'll bet…" he ran upstairs, instantly retuning with the egg. "Let's see…"

"No" I started to say, but it was too late. The screeching sound was overpowering.

"SHUT IT, SHUT IT" Jasper yelled. Finally, it was Bella who was able to get to it and close it up.

"It seems to have a somewhat stronger affect on you." Dumbledore mused, as he pick out another lemon drop… "Likely due to your more sensitive hearing…"

I was shaking my head, trying to rid myself of the ring, "I suppose… I have been told that I might be able to figure it out in the Prefects bathroom on the 5th floor."

"Ah, yes…" he said, stroking his beard, "That might be a good spot for considering your next task… I recall a rather lovely tapestry of a mermaid hanging in that bathroom."

I didn't say anything. I recalled seeing it myself, but then I wasn't sure if I should have. Our little tour around the castle had been unauthorized after all. Then again, I suspected there wasn't much that went on within those walls he didn't know about.

"Yes. I saw it the other day. I stayed over with Cedric and the guys."

He looked at me with an amused expression, as if he already knew, "I see. It is supposed to be off limits to students, other then Prefects. I assume Cedric showed you."

"Ummm." I responded.

He smiled, "Regardless, that sounds like a good idea. I am sure if Cedric chooses to let you use his bathroom time, no one will have grounds for objection. As it would seem, other students have found their way in there from time to time – particularly the Gryffindors…"

"I thought I would get ready there the day of the ball. That would provide an opportunity."

He nodded. "And Carlisle, how are classes coming?"

"The students are quite brilliant – very creative. And you were right about Neville. That boy really has a talent for herbology."

"I agree… It is interesting. If circumstances had been different… well, no bother dwelling on that…" he faded off into some distant memory. "and Rosalie, how is Slytherin house?"

"Quite acceptable." She smiled, "I have made a particularly close acquaintance with one of the younger students – Draco Malfoy. He is quite attentive. Raced out of class the other day to ask me to the Ball…"

"You're not going with him are you?" Bell asked, aghast.

"Of course I am." She replied, tossing her hair, "He has assured me he is the best dancer in the school, unparalleled by student or faculty." Her eyes glinted as she continued, "I decided to let him prove himself…"

"And, of course, I am going as a member of the faculty." Emmett grinned.

Bella gasped, "Rosalie you are positively devilish… I like it!" she grinned.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Bella" she replied, smiling.

Dumbledore cleared his thoat meaningfully, though a smile remained on his face. "Well, you are certainly welcome to go with whomever you choose… And of course, an invitation is extended to the entire family."

"Yeah!" Alice cheered, then paused for a minute, her eyes unfocused, "Of course, Jasper. I'd be delighted to go with you."

"And I understand you have a date, Edward, as you are required to open the ball?"

"Yes, I am attending with Cho." I saw Bella flinch at the mention of her name, but nothing more.

"Hmmm. I see." Dumbledore replied. I wondered what that meant. Surely he expected I would attend with one of the other students… and yet his comment and demenor gave me the impression he was disappointed in me. "And Bella?"

"Attending with Cedric."

"Ah yes, well, that should be interesting." He stroked his beard. "And I am to understand you have a question for me?"

"Ah, yes." I started, again surprised as his ability to read me so quickly, "Actually it is for you and the rest of the family…" I took Bella's hand in mine, "Bella and I have been talking about our arrangement – keeping our relationship a secret. It seems to be causing more problems then it might be avoiding… I guess we are looking for your… opinion on whether we should be honest about it."

Dumbledore stroked his beard, considering… He was quiet for quite a while. It wasn't a comfortable silence.

"Well, Edward" Carlisle finally jumped in, "Of course, Esme and I will support whatever you decide, but, remember that this was for Bella's safety."

"Yes, I recall that." Knowing full well, he knew I remembered that with my perfect memory. The comment was for Bella's benefit.

"Carlisle," Bella started, not fooled by his indirect approach "I understand the reasons, but the fact is that as long as Edward is in danger, so am I. If something were to happen to him, I couldn't…" she broke off, her sentence didn't need finishing.

"I understand, dear." Carlisle put a hand on her shoulder, "but you could be used to hurt Edward."

"I know… we talked about that – but if Voldemort wanted to hurt me through Edward, he would have to get to me first, just as he would have to get to Edward… He would have to get through…" she started to make her argument, but paused, realizing she was making an assumption on behalf of the rest of the family.

"Of course, Bella, if it came to that, we would protect you."

She flushed, realizing they had already done so, more then once in the past. "I know, Carlisle. You have already put yourself in danger for my sake. It is presumptious of me to assume you would do so again. Perhaps we should keep it a secret… I don't want to bring more down upon you all." She looked around the room.

"Ha – Voldemort! Bring him on!" Emmett chuckled.

Jasper had been deep in thought over the past several minutes. I saw in his mind he was about to say something, "Bella, you are like a sister to me. Of course I would protect you, as I would Alice or Rosalie… or Esme as my mother. Strategically, it is always best to keep as much of the information to yourself as you can… Information is power, don't ever forget that. On the other hand, I can see that you two have struggled under this burden, and it may be that together you can be stronger then apart."

"The battle with the dragon certainly proved that to be true." Carlisle mused.

Dumbledore had remained silent during the entire conversation. I considered that this may have been on purpose, to see what my family would say. When it was clear there was nothing more to be said he simply added, "Think about it over Christmas. You have the ball to get through first…"

Then, with a suddenness that surprised me, he rose, "Thank you, again, Esme, for the wonderful tea. We shall see you all again very soon."

And with that, he left.