"I think, though, that another shame of war is that when it's over, a soldier doesn't get to leave it behind where he fought it. He's gotta carry it right back home with him, in his head, and in his heart." ~Sandra Kring, Carry Me Home
Chapter 109- Aftermath
Once we made it back to the house, Jasper and I decided it was time to tell the others of our plans. Everyone, including Bella, sat patiently in the living room as Jasper and I tried to find the right words.
"Is everything okay, Alice?" Bella asked as we all sat at the dining room table.
"I don't know how to start this," I admitted.
"Oh come on, Al," Edward said. "What can be that bad?"
"You're not leaving us are you?" Rosalie joked.
"Yes, actually," Jasper said, wrapping an arm around me. "We are."
Bella, Edward, Rosalie, and Emmet's voices started overlapping.
"Everyone settle down," Carlisle said in a calm voice. "Let's let them explain."
"Please do," Edward said, glaring at me. "I would love to hear the reasoning behind it."
"You have to understand, that this wasn't an easy decision to make," I said in a quiet voice. "I've thought about it for a long time. Since I came back to America at the beginning of the year, really. My family in England, they're growing older by the day. I've missed seven birthdays for each of them, I've missed four births, and I don't want to miss any more."
"That's not the only reason," Edward growled.
"No," I said. "It isn't."
I understood now that my mind was open, and he could see everything.
I looked at each of them, lingering on Edward's hurt face.
"I wanted a quiet and peaceful life, and I had it for a while...but when Bella came, it felt like there was a permanent target on my back."
"So this is my fault?" Bella asked.
I shook my head.
"No. We all knew that bringing in a human, and telling our secret was a risk. But Jane had a point. You bring out a reaction in our kind that I haven't seen before. Even in my world…" I trailed off, and looked to the ground.
"And you?" Edward asked, turning to Jasper. "You're just going to blindly follow her?"
"I started thinking about it when she came to me Wednesday night after coming back from the Netherworld. I realized that I wanted the same thing, but I also have my reasons."
"Which are what exactly?"
"I know you don't mean to do it and I don't think you actually know you're doing it," Jasper said looking up at Carlisle and at Edward. "It's subconscious for the both of you—"
"Just spit it out, Jasper," Edward snapped.
"You and Carlisle still blame me for what happened in September," he said simply. "You sometimes look at me and all I feel coming from you is anger."
"Jasper," Carlisle said in a quiet voice, "I am so sorry."
"There is no reason to be sorry," Jasper said. "It's how you feel."
Jasper sat back in his chair and everyone was quiet.
"It may not be forever," I said. "We may come back one day if we're welcome."
"You'll always be welcome, Alice," Esme said hugging me tightly before hugging Jasper. "You'll always be my children."
"I'm still going to think of you as my family, and we're still going to come back to visit."
"Will you still use Cullen and Hale?" Emmett asked quietly.
Jasper shook his head.
"We're going to use Whitlock, or Black-Whitlock in Alice's case."
I looked at Rosalie and Edward.
"It's okay if you're angry with me," I told them. "I understand it."
"When will you go?"
"After we're done here in Forks."
"So we have a year?" Rosalie asked.
I nodded.
"Is that why you've been so persistent to plan the wedding?" Bella asked.
I nodded.
"One last party," I told her with a small smile.
There wasn't much said after that. Edward and Carlisle left to go to the reservation, and I sent Carlisle with a note to Sam telling him that I'd come later to give Jacob a couple potions and check the healing.
I pulled Bella upstairs with to mine and Jasper's room.
"What are we doing, Alice?" Bella asked.
"We have a story to keep up with," I told her. "Charlie would never believe you were with me if you don't have a makeover."
Bella sighed.
"Alice—"
"Don't," I said, holding up a finger as I pushed her shoulders for her to sit in the chair. "I know what you're thinking, Bella. You want to go to La Push to see Jacob, and I know that, but Charlie's still there, and Jacob is unconscious. We have time. It could be worse. I could make you go shopping for real."
Bella groaned, but put her head down and let me start.
Time passed as I changed Bella into one of the dresses I had bought for graduation, and redid her hair and makeup. She stayed very quiet.
When is this going to be over, she groaned in her mind.
"Soon," I answered out loud. "Be patient."
She flinched.
"I forgot you could hear me," she said.
"Most people do."
"Alice?"
"Hmm?"
"Why do you think Victoria chose those specific people?"
"Jasper says that she picked some of them, like Bree, to be pawns. But she chose others, like Raoul, a vampire like Emmett, because they would be prized fighters."
"Why were you considered a prize fighter?"
"Because of my magic. In my world, we do not learn to fight with our hands," I said. "We learn to fight with our wands. I've been fighting with magic since I was very young."
"Why?"
"I was bullied in school," I shrugged. "Percy and Bill and Charlie tried to help me in the beginning. Fred and George too when they came along. But Severus taught me to defend myself when they would try to hex me from behind my back."
"Why were you bullied?"
"Because my father was believed to be a dark wizard who killed my mother, and then I was put in Slytherin."
"Did it ever stop?"
"When I learned how to defend myself."
"How old were you when you started learning to read minds?"
"I've told you this already," I laughed. "When I was recruited as a Death Eater, Severus taught me. Read them, close mine off."
"How do you do it?"
I shrugged.
"I've never thought about it. It always came naturally to me. It still does."
Bella fell quiet for several minutes as I began to come through her hair. She was starting to get very impatient.
"That's enough, Alice," Bella said in a voice that was almost as monotonous as Jane's.. "I want to go back to La Push."
"Jacob's still unconscious," I told her. "Carlisle or Edward will call when he's awake. Anyway, you need to go see Charlie. He was there at Billy's house, he saw that Carlisle and Edward are back in from their trip, and he's bound to be suspicious when you get home."
"I don't care. I want to be there when Jacob wakes up."
"You need to think of Charlie now. You've had a long day but that doesn't mean that you can shirk your responsibilities. It's more important now than ever that Charlie stays safely in the dark. Play your role first, Bella, and then you can do what you want second. Part of being a Cullen is being meticulously responsible. Go home," I ordered, watching her very carefully. "Talk to Charlie. Flesh out your alibi. Keep him safe. That's the most important thing that you can do now."
She stood up, the dress flowing down to her sides.
"Oh, that dress looks so good on you," I grinned as I held out a bag with a few others.
"Huh? Oh. Er — thanks again for the clothes,"
"You need the evidence. What's a shopping trip without a new outfit? It's very flattering, if I do say so myself."
"Jacob is fine, Bella. There's no hurry. If you realized how much extra morphine Carlisle had to give him — what with his temperature burning it off so quickly — you would know that he's going to be out for a while."
I paused as I watched her carefully. She was staring into the light.
"Is there anything you want to talk about before you leave? You must be more than a little traumatized."
"Will I be like that? Like that girl Bree in the meadow?"
"It's different for everyone," I said, quietly. "I wasn't quite like that, but the thirst for blood was still there. But don't worry," I told her. "It passes."
"How soon?"
"A few years, maybe less. It might be different for you, like it was for me. We chose this life for ourselves. For me it lasted a little under a year and a half. It might be less for you since you've had more time to make the decision."
"How long did you have?"
"There was about a two to three hour window between Tobias finding me and me actually being bitten."
"Almost no time at all," she murmured. "Interesting."
"They'll keep you out of trouble. Jasper and I will too while we're here."
"I know that. I trust you."
"If you're worried about Carlisle and Edward, I'm sure they'll be fine. I believe Sam is beginning to trust us . . . well, he trusts me and Carlisle, at least. It's a good thing, too. I imagine the atmosphere got a little tense when Carlisle had to rebreak the fractures —"
"Please, Alice."
"Sorry."
"Alice, can I ask you a question? About the future?"
"You know I don't see everything."
"It's not that, exactly. But you do see my future, sometimes. Why is that, do you think, when nothing else works on me? Not what Jane can do, or Edward or Aro . . ."
"Jasper, too, Bella — his talent works on your body just as well as it does on anyone else's. That's the difference, do you see it? Jasper's abilities affect the body physically. He really does calm your system down, or excite it. It's not an illusion. And I see visions of outcomes, not the reasons and thoughts behind the decisions that create them. It's outside the mind, not an illusion, either; reality, or at least one version of it. But Jane and Edward and Aro and Demetri — they work inside the mind. Jane only creates an illusion of pain. She doesn't really hurt your body, you only think you feel it. You see, Bella? You are safe inside your mind. No one can reach you there except for me. Unlike my visions, that is working inside the mind, but magic is the most powerful substance on this earth. In regards to your mind though, it's no wonder that Aro was so curious about your future abilities."
I studied her face and I could see that she wasn't focused on what I was saying to her. I pulled her into a hug.
"He's going to be okay, Bella. I don't need a vision to know that. Are you ready to go?"
"One more thing. Can I ask you another question about the future? I don't want specifics, just an overview."
"I'll do my best," I said.
"Can you still see me becoming a vampire?"
"Oh, that's easy. Sure, I do. Don't you know your own mind, Bella?"
"I do. I just wanted to be sure."
"I'm only as sure as you are, Bella. You know that. If you were to change your mind, what I see would change . . . or in your case, it would disappear entirely.."
"That isn't going to happen, though."
"I'm sorry, Bella," I said. "Choosing between two worlds will never be an easy thing. I'm sorry you have to choose between two very good things."
This wasn't a lie. I knew that in theory Jacob would be a good option for Bella. She'd still get her family and friends. She wouldn't have to give up everything. I worried about the idea of her getting too close when he changed, but I could see now that Jacob wouldn't let that happen. The wolves, much like us, looked out for their own.
"Don't feel sorry for me," she said, shaking me off of her. "I'll go deal with Charlie."
She paused halfway out the doorway, but quickly kept walking.
I sighed and started cleaning up the counter.
"Hey," Jasper said, leaning on the doorway.
"Hey," I smiled, as I ducked under the counter to put everything away. As soon as I finished I kissed Jasper. "What's up?"
"I just finished talking to Emmett and Rosalie."
"Oh really?"
"They said they understand our decision and that after we get settled in, they're going to come see us."
"I think that's a good idea," I smiled. "I'm going to start working on letters after I go to La Push."
Jasper sucked in a breath.
"Are you sure that you don't want me to come with you?"
I nodded as I began grabbing everything I needed to brew the potions for Jacob.
"They're not going to hurt me."
"Can I at least drive you to the border?"
I shook my head.
"I'm Apparating there, sweetheart."
"But you don't even know what it looks like."
"I'm going after Edward calls and tells me that Bella has left La Push. He's going to show me where to go in his mind."
Jasper sighed as he laid on the bed. He carefully watched me as I set off to work.
"Are you going to write to Minerva? About me teaching?"
"If you'd still want me too. Or we can go this weekend to see her. Do keep in mind, when we were there, the current Professor said he wasn't leaving for another two years."
"I know. I can work at the store until then."
I nodded.
"We'll go and see Minerva this weekend and talk to her about our options. I'll write to her tonight and let her know we're coming."
"Thank you, Alice," he grinned.
There was a soft knock on the door.
"Come in," I said.
Esme stepped through the door and smiled.
"Hey," she said with a smile. "Is it okay if I come in?"
"Of course," I grinned, hopping off of the stool I was sitting on. "Do you want to sit down?"
"No, that's okay, Alice."
"Is everything okay?" Jasper asked as he came to stand next to me.
Esme nodded.
"I just wanted to come see you."
She watched Jasper and I closely and I thought I saw a small tear well in her eyes.
"I am so proud of the two of you," Esme continued. "I understand why you feel you have to do this, Alice, and Jasper, I don't want you to think that we're angry with you for what happened with Bella."
"You're not angry," he said. "Carlisle and Edward are."
"I don't guess either one is too happy with me either," I said, in a quiet voice.
"They'll come around," Esme said. "You've been a part of our family for the last fifty years, it's going to take some getting used to. Having you gone I mean."
"You guys did okay when we left in September." I gave Esme a weak smile. "Besides, this time you have Edward and Bella."
"But we won't have you."
"I think you'll do alright," I said. "Like I said, it won't be the last time you ever see us. We'll come see you guys when we can."
"And there's still the possibility that you guys will come back?"
"Yes," I said.
"But that may not be for many years," Jasper said.
"When do you start working at the store?"
"Sunday night. Jasper and I will head out around midnight and head to the store."
Esme smiled.
As we talked more about the store, I saw Edward and Carlisle's future reappear and Bella's future disappear.
"They're heading home now," I said. "And Bella is heading to La Push."
"So how much more time do you have?"
I shrugged.
"Depends on how long Bella takes, but Edward and Carlisle will be here in about five minutes."
"I think you should talk to Edward, Rosalie, and Emmett," Esme said. "Rosalie and Emmett missed you so much when you were in England."
I nodded.
"I'll talk to them when I come back from La Push."
"Thank you."
Esme didn't stay much longer than that. She left as Carlisle and Edward got home.
"Sam is counting on Alice to be there in an hour whether Bella is gone or not," Carlisle said.
"He trusts her a lot more than the rest of us," Edward said. "He considers her a close friend especially after he learned of her history with werewolves."
"She's brewing a potion of some sort now," Esme said.
I heard Edward's footsteps coming up the stairs. They were moving quickly. Once he made it up the stairs, he leaned in the open door way.
"Come in," I told him, waving my hand at him.
"What is that? It smells disgusting," he said, wrinkling his nose as he stepped towards the cauldron.
"It's a version of Skele-Gro," I said. "Instead of replacing bones, it heals them, and strengthens them. You take some of an already brewed mixture of Skele-Gro and you add to it. It will heal his bones correctly. It's going to hurt, but it will be worth it in the long run. It will strengthen the rest of his bones too. Make them harder to break."
"Why does it smell like that?"
"Skele-Gro is made with Chinese Chomping Cabbage. That mixed with the Scarab beetles makes it taste horrible, but what you smell is the cabbage mixing with octopus powder."
"Is there anything you can add to help with the smell and taste?"
"Not without ruining the potion. Potions are like chemistry. You combine things and make something new, but if you add in something you're not supposed to, then the thing you had before is ruined."
"Even with something like peppermint?"
I nodded.
"All plants have a magical property. Even peppermint."
"And it will work on Jacob?"
"Oh yes," I said, with a grin. "Potions work on everyone. Muggles and Wizardkind alike. It's about who makes them. That's what Muggles can't do."
Edward gave a soft smile.
"I'm going to miss coming in here to watch you make potions."
"You still have a year," I said. "and Edward, I'm not going out of your life completely. I'll come and visit every other week when I'm not busy, and you know where my house is so you and Bella can come see me anytime."
"Will you be taking your Porsche with you?"
I sighed.
"I want to…but I'm not so sure I need it where I'm going."
"Take it with you," Edward said. "And Jasper can take his bike. Then when we're in town we'll have cars and we can go see Muggle London."
I nodded.
"I'll do that."
"I don't want you to go," he said, "but I understand why you have to. When I was changed, all of my family was already dead, and you can safely be around your family. The rest of us, we didn't get that."
"I'm sorry," I told him. "But I can't leave them behind. Besides, I think that this is going to do you and I some good. If you miss me, you won't be so mean to me when you see me," I grinned.
Edward laughed as he threw an arm around my shoulder.
"That's very true."
"I'm going to talk to you, Rosalie, and Emmett more about this when I come back, and I'm going to take them to the house and show them around."
"We could go tomorrow and bring Bella," Edward said. "She's curious about your world and she wants to meet the Weasleys."
"If she lets me plan the wedding, do you think I should invite them?" I grinned.
"I doubt she will, but if she does, sure."
I laughed.
"I'm sure I can convince her."
"She's really looking forward to meeting them."
"They want to meet her too," I said. "Make sure she doesn't eat anything though. Molly will feed her and then send her home with food too."
"Bella really liked the fudge that Molly made for her graduation present. Charlie too."
"Is it gone already?"
Edward nodded.
"Bella told Charlie to take the rest of it when he went to Billy Black's today. Billy loved it."
"I'm sure I can get Molly to make more. Or I can. I've made it with her more time than I can count."
Edward smiled.
"That'd be great."
As the potion finished a few moments later, I bounced around the room to grab a few more.
"What else is there?" he asked.
"Calming Draught, a paste to help with the bruising, and a Dreamless Sleep potion, I'm sending a few sleeping potions. He'll probably have a hard time sleeping over the next couple of days."
Edward nodded.
"Sam is ready for you to come and work your magic."
"And Jacob?"
"He's curious as to what you're going to do."
Jasper chuckled.
"It's something I'd love to see."
"I'll show you in the Pensieve."
Suddenly Bella's future came back into view. She was in her truck crying.
"Oh, Edward," I said softly.
"I'm going," he said. "Good luck with Jacob. Here's where you need to go."
He showed me the house and quickly flung himself from the window.
I turned to Jasper.
"I really have to go, love," I said, leaning over to kiss him.
"I'll see you when you get home," he grinned.
I disappeared out of the room, finding myself in an unfamiliar place.
I was sure I was in the right place. I could smell the wolves and hear several heartbeats. I approached the door slowly, giving it three quick and sharp knocks before stepping back.
Sam opened the door, and when he saw me, he grinned.
"Finally you're here."
"Hey, Sam. Where is he?"
"Follow me."
Sam guided me through the doorway. The entire pack seemed to be cramped with the wolves.
We had left for a while, but came back to bring Billy some food.
"Is this Alice Cullen?" I heard a low voice say.
An older heavyset man in a wheelchair rolled out from a doorway off of the living room.
"Yes. Alice, this is Billy Black, Jacob's father."
"Hello, Mr. Black," I said, with a small smile, extending my hand. "Pleasure to meet you."
"You aren't what I expected you to be," he told me.
"I'm sorry?" I asked.
"I didn't expect you to be so kind."
"I don't have reason to not be," I frowned.
"We have not always been on good terms with your coven," he said.
"Maybe not," I said, "but all of that happened before my husband and I joined the coven."
Billy nodded and glanced at Sam.
"Sam has told me about the magic you possess. He says it's extraordinary."
"I wouldn't call it that," I said.
"I would," Quil said, speaking up. "You should have seen her during the fight, Billy!"
Billy's grim face cracked a small smile.
"They've been talking about the training sessions that your husband held. They said you fought with magic?"
I nodded.
"Yes, sir. I've been fighting with magic for a long time."
"So I've heard. Sam has told us all about you. For now, I need you to use your magic to help my son."
I nodded.
"Of course, sir."
Sam guided me back to Jacob's room before returning to the living room.
I knocked softly before coming in.
"Hey, Jacob," I said with a small smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Hey, Pixie," he said. "Dr. Fang told me you were coming."
"What did you call me?" I asked, stopping dead in my tracks.
"Pixie," he said. "You remind me of a fairy. You're small and you move like one."
As Jacob talked, I could hear Fenrir Greyback in my ear.
If you're not careful, Pixie, you will end up with your werewolf lover soon.
I rubbed my eyes and shook my head.
"Fenrir Greyback is in Azkaban," I said to myself. "You are in La Push, Washington. Thousands of miles away from Azkaban. Just a memory."
"What was that?" Jacob asked, raising an eyebrow. "Who's Fenrir Greyback?"
"Bella told you my story I'm sure?"
"Yes. She told me about your time undercover, but I can't remember what she called the group or the guy."
"His name was Voldemort," I said as I reached forward to press lightly on his side he flinched as I touched him, and then sucked in a breath as I pressed. I stopped pressing long enough to cast a numbing spell on him. "His followers were the Death Eaters. Voldemort spent most of the second war gaining a following. This included anybody he could find. Some people didn't have a choice."
"Like you?"
"Sorta. They were put under a spell to do his bidding," I said, stepping back from him, starting to unwrap the gauze Carlisle had put into place. "One of the groups Voldemort was able to recruit were werewolves. He saw them the same way as he saw Muggleborns: impure, but Voldemort needed help and a lot of it. These werewolves were very different from your pack. They only changed during the full moon, otherwise, they aren't dangerous. The leader of the wolves name was Fenrir Greyback. He called me Pixie."
"Why'd you react the way you did?"
"Bella didn't tell you everything?"
Jacob shook his head.
"She said something about your memories. She says she doesn't understand how it works."
I pulled out the bruise paste, and motioned towards the bed.
"Do you mind if I sit?"
Jacob shrugged.
"Knock yourself out."
I sat at his side and reached over to start rubbing in the bruise paste.
"What is that?"
"It'll help the bruising. Do you want to hear the story or not?"
He motioned for me to continue.
"Okay," I said. "Now, when vampires are changed, the transformation is painful. For me, I've felt worse pain than that, so I was able to keep my memories that typically would have faded during the transformation."
"Bella says there is nothing worse than the pain of the transformation."
"Bella has never felt the Cruciatus Curse," I said. "Anyways, my memories, sometimes, they'll play like a movie. They take my vision, and put me back there. Jasper helps some but I never had time to process the war, and the memories stuck very closely. Certain things will bring me back there. Jasper called it Shell Shock Syndrome, although now I'm pretty sure it's called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."
"You have PTSD?"
I shrugged.
"I suppose I do in a way. Carlisle has never seen anything like it."
"So when I called you Pixie—"
"I could hear Greyback."
"So I can't call you that?"
I shrugged.
"I don't mind it. It's a step up from Bloodsucker or Leech. Besides, maybe it'll take the bad memories."
After I finished with the paste, I sat it on the nightstand.
"Your brothers were at the graduation party," he commented as I pulled out my wand. "Bella said you were an only child."
"I am," I said. "Harry is my godbrother. My father was his godfather, and his father and Remus were my godfathers. George is my best friend."
"I thought Bella was."
"You can have more than one," I said, rolling my eyes. "You know, for someone who doesn't like me, you have a lot of questions."
"I don't not like you."
"But you don't like me either."
"You saved my life today."
I shook my head.
"No. Your pack would have gotten him if I didn't."
"What are you doing?" he asked as I tapped the wand down his body.
"The Healer at Hogwarts made a spell when I was there for broken bones. She taught it to me when I became an Animagus."
I pointed the wand to the door, and the outline of Jacob's bones appeared. They were still completely shattered from Carlisle rebreaking the bones.
"I'm going to give you a potion that is going to fix and strengthen the bones," I told him. "In the words of the late Alistair Moody, it tastes like goblin piss. Hold your nose when you drink it."
I helped him swallow the first set of potions.
"I'm going to tell your father all of this when I leave," I said, "but you need to put the bruise paste on once a day, take two of the bone potions twice a day, once when you first wake up and once after dinner, for three days for your bones to strengthen themselves so they're harder to break. Then there is a Calming Draught, that will help you once the adrenaline wears off or if you are upset, angry, anything like that. Finally, this one will help you sleep. I have enough for you to take one a day for the next three days. Everything is labeled so I trust you'll be able to do what you need to get done."
"Why would I have trouble sleeping?"
"Pain keeps you up. Especially broken ribs. I've had a fair share of those myself."
"What did you do to take the pain away? It doesn't hurt."
"Numbing spell. I can leave it on until I come back Monday if you'd like."
"You're coming back?"
I nodded.
"I have to check the healing, and I want my vials back."
"So don't throw those away?"
I shook my head.
"Can I put the bone potion in something?"
I shook my head.
"You have to take it like that or else it won't work."
Jacob groaned.
"It tastes horrible."
"I know," I grinned. "That's why I say it tastes like goblin piss."
Jacob laughed and then sighed.
"So can you give me the okay to shift instead of Dr. Fang?"
I shook my head.
"Listen to Carlisle. He knows best."
"But with magic—"
"The potion will continue to work even after you finish taking the potions," I said. "I personally don't recommend you shifting for a month to give the potion it's full effects. I'll be telling Sam and Carlisle that."
Jacob groaned again as I picked up my bag and stood up.
"I'll be back on Monday to come check on you and bring you some energy potions to help with counteract the sleep potions. Go ahead and take one now. You've had a long day."
"Thanks, Pixie."
I nodded and ducked out of the room to the living room where everyone was waiting.
"Mr. Black?" I asked.
"Right here," Billy said.
I turned to him and repeated all the instructions I told Jacob.
"If it's alright, I'd like to return Monday after I get back from my store to check the progress."
"Of course," Billy said.
"How long before Jake can phase again?" Embry asked. "Doc said it depended on what you said."
"Magic is a very complex thing," I said. "The Skele-gro is fixing his bones, but it's also strengthening them so that they won't be easy to break, or in the case of his right side, rebreak. During his shift, his bones shift too, taking the form of a wolf. The shift will put stress on the bones, and the potion will stop working. I wouldn't recommend Jacob shifting for three weeks at the least."
"And the most?"
"A month. I'll come back and check on him and continue to advise Carlisle on the process of magical healing."
"Thank you, Alice," Sam said. "I'll show you out."
"No need," I grinned before Apparating away.
Jasper was on the bed reading when I came though.
"Hey, you," I grinned, climbing onto the bed next to him.
"You weren't gone very long."
I looked at his watch. I had been gone for about an hour.
"Jacob didn't put up much trouble. He however isn't very happy about the wait time of shifting."
"Which is?"
"Three weeks to a month."
"You should go talk to Carlisle," he said. "Then we can talk to Rose and Emmett."
I nodded.
"I will. Do you know where he is?"
"He's in his study," Jasper said.
I gave a smile before heading out of the room and knocking on the door.
"Come in," Carlisle said.
I pushed open the door, and when I stepped inside, he was writing something on a sheet of paper.
"Hey, Alice," he said. "How did it go with Jacob?"
"He's good," I said. "There is a numbing charm on him that I'll take off when I go back on Monday."
"And the phasing? How long would you recommend he wait for?"
"Let me check him in three weeks and see if the potion is working the way it's supposed to."
"Will his body temperature burn that off too?"
I shook my head.
"No. Potions aren't affected by body temperature."
Carlisle nodded.
"I'll be going tomorrow to check on him," Carlisle said. "Are you coming?"
I shook my head.
"I'm going Monday after I get back from the store. Tomorrow, I'm taking Edward, Bella, Rosalie, and Emmett mine and Jasper's house in England."
"Is Bella coming over tomorrow?"
I shrugged.
"Edward said he was going to try to get her to come. It'll probably be sometime tomorrow afternoon. We're going to the Burrow so that they can meet Molly and the others."
"Maybe Esme and I can come with you sometime."
"Maybe you can come tomorrow."
"Can you Apparate with that many people?"
I nodded.
"It's going to be very cramped. Then I can get a Portkey that will bring us back here but even still it might be easier to just Apparate back."
Carlisle nodded.
"I'll go see Jacob tomorrow morning then."
I nodded.
"I have letters to write. MACUSA will want to know I'm leaving as soon as possible so they can start transferring my paperwork from resident to visitor."
"How long will that take?"
"I've been here for a long time, so it might take a while. I'd say a couple of months."
"And when it finishes transfering?"
"I'll get a letter and a new wand permit card and I guess you'd call it a visa."
"How long will that last?"
"Well Jasper and I have to set a date to leave, and then they'll have it last through that time."
"And if you're not gone by then?"
"They'll send officials to find out why I'm still here."
"How will they know?"
"My wand. My magical presence will disappear."
"Then I'll leave you to it."
I nodded.
"Be ready to go by noon tomorrow. Everyone will be at the Burrow at that point."
"We won't be interrupting anything, right?"
I shook my head.
"Nope. Have yourself and Esme ready to go."
Carlisle nodded and set back to work.
I returned to mine and Jasper's room, pulling a calendar from the desk.
"We need a date," I told Jasper, flipping to a year from now.
"A date for what?"
"A date to leave."
"You have to put it in the letters," he said.
I nodded.
"For the one for MACUSA at the least."
"Hmmm," he said, looking at the calendar from over my shoulder. "How about May 24?"
"Why May 24?"
"Well it gives us a little under a year, and if you go earlier, then people will be more likely to believe it."
"What are we going to take with us?"
"Our books, our clothes, your magical stuff."
"I think we should leave the furniture here."
Jasper nodded.
"So if we leave on May 24, you'll have to 'die' about a week earlier so we can do a funeral."
I nodded.
"Esme says we'll probably go ahead and start planning it with the funeral home. The more we have set into place is less they'll have to do when the time comes."
"When are you going?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "Probably sometime in a week or so."
"And will I be coming?"
I nodded.
"Of course."
I set to work writing letters to Kingsley, MACUSA, and Minerva. The others would be told I was moving back when I went to see them tomorrow. As for the members of my family who had already died, I was sure that they knew already.
By the time I finished writing the letters, I turned to Jasper.
"I'll have to go close down my account at the American Gringotts. I can get it transferred to my account in England, but I'm going to take some of it out to give to Carlisle and Esme."
"If that's what you want to do," Jasper smiled. "When do you want to go?"
"We'll go Sunday. We don't have anything going on then."
"Where are you going now?" he asked as I grabbed my bag.
"To go find Paris for one. For two, I'm going to go tell Edward what time he and Bella need to be ready by."
"Can I come?"
"Sure," I grinned. "Then when we come back, we'll go talk to Rosalie and Emmett."
Jasper grinned and nodded.
We launched ourselves from the window into the dark night.
Edward said he wasn't sure if Bella was going to want to come to England after the night she had, but that he'd check with her in the morning. He told me about everything that happened between her and Jacob.
"What is she thinking about, Alice?"
"Nothing," I said. "She's having a dreamless sleep."
"When will it stop?" he asked me. "The pain of losing someone you love?"
I sighed.
"I don't know the answer to that," I said. "I don't feel for Remus anymore, but sometimes it still hurts. More when Jasper and I fight. It will take a while. She's going to be upset, then angry."
"What about hysterics?"
"I never got like that," I shrugged, "but Bella will be okay. She's going to marry you. I still see that crystal clear."
"Are you okay with not being able to plan the wedding?"
"That's still not completely off the table," I said. "In the recent hours, she's been leaning more towards yes than no."
Edward sighed and watched me carefully.
"You're relentless," he said to me with a smile.
"Maybe so," I said, "but you have to consider. This is the last major party I get to throw where the whole town will want to come."
"You won't have any parties in England?"
"Oh I will," I said. "It's only that partying with Muggles is a different experience."
"How is that?"
I shrugged.
"It's hard to put into words."
"Trust me, Edward," Jasper said. "Wizarding parties are much much different."
"When did you go to a Wizarding party?" Edward asked.
"When we went to England. I helped throw Alice a party at Hogwarts. I understand why she goes all out for parties."
"I'll have a Wizarding Party sometime," I said with a smile.
We stayed to talk to Edward for another hour before we went back to the house to talk to Rosalie and Emmett. They both quickly jumped on board to the idea of meeting my family and seeing where I grew up. They, much like Carlisle and Esme, agreed to be ready by noon so we could go.
The night passed quickly. Jasper and I continued putting plans in order for the next year and Carlisle and Esme started planning for the others.
Noon was quickly approaching, and as we all got ready, I saw the decision that Edward and Bella would be coming. They were on the way. The next decision was made, and that decision was that I would be planning a wedding for Edward and Bella after all.
I grinned as I turned to Jasper.
"Looks like we're getting our final party after all," I grinned before darting to the door.
I could hear Bella's truck coming up the driveway.
I was grinning from ear to ear as they got out.
"Thank you, Bella!"
"Hold it, Alice," Bella said, holding her hand up. "I've got a few limitations for you."
"I know, I know, I know. I only have until August thirteenth at the latest, you have veto power on the guest list; however, Edward has stated that he would like for my family to be there, and if I go overboard on anything, you'll never speak to me again."
"Oh, okay. Well, yeah. You know the rules, then."
"Don't worry, Bella, it will be perfect. We have some time before we have to go. Do you want to see your dress?"
Whatever makes her happy, Bella thought before looking up at me with wide eyes.
"Sure," she said, quietly with a slight squeak in her voice.
I took her hand and guided her to my room.
"Um, Alice, when did you get me a dress?"
"These things take time, Bella," I said, hesitantly. "I mean, I wasn't sure things were going to turn out this way, but there was a distinct possibility—"
"When?"
"Perrine Bruyere has a waiting list, you know. Fabric masterpieces don't happen overnight. If I hadn't thought ahead, you'd be wearing something off the rack!"
"Per — who?"
"He's not a major designer, Bella, so there's no need to throw a hissy fit. He's got promise, though, and he specializes in what I needed."
"I'm not throwing a fit."
"No, you're not."
I watched her carefully for a moment and as we got to the room, I turned to Edward.
"You — out."
"Why?"
"Bella," I groaned. "You know the rules. He's not supposed to see the dress till the day of." I took another deep breath.
"It doesn't matter to me. And you know he's already seen it in your head. But if that's how you want it. . . ."
"He hasn't seen it in my head, and he's not going to."
"Jasper then."
"He's not going to see it from Jasper either," I said.
"How do you know?"
"Because I'm not staying," Jasper grinned as he grabbed my bag from the floor and headed out of the room.
"Nobody will see it except for me," I said, as I guided her to the closet. "Only our minds are safe. Come on then."
I went to the back of the closet where the dress I had bought after I had left Phoenix hung up on a rack. Carefully moving, I unzipped the bag and stepped to the side so Bella could see it.
"What do you think?"
"It's perfect, of course. Exactly right. You're a genius."
"I know."
"Nineteen-eighteen?"
"More or less. Some of it is my design, the train, the veil. . . .The lace is vintage. Do you like it?"
"It's beautiful. It's just right for him."
"But is it just right for you?" I insisted.
"Yes, I think it is, Alice. I think it's just what I need. I know you'll do a great job with this . . . if you can keep yourself in check."
I beamed.
"Can I see your dress?" I asked.
I frowned as I blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
"Didn't you order your bridesmaid dress at the same time? I wouldn't want my maid of honor to wear something off the rack. "
I grinned as I hugged her tightly.
"Thank you, Bella!"
"How could you not see that one coming? Some psychic you are!"
"We've got to go now but the second we get back, I have to start planning," I said.
Bella grinned and we met back up with Jasper and Edward in the hallway.
"That was very, very nice of you," Edward said to Bella in a low voice.
"She seems happy," Bella agreed.
I beamed at Jasper as we all headed to the living room where we were all meeting.
"Okay," I grinned as we all got into the living room. "A couple rules. Apparition is a very dangerous piece of magic when traveling with more than one person and when traveling out of the country. Under no circumstances can any of you let go, with this and the Portkey. It's especially dangerous for you, Bella," I said. "It's important that you stay as close to me as possible. Now, I think we all should be ready then."
Everyone in some way held onto a piece on me. Jasper and Bella held on the tightest.
After we made it through the tight tube and to the front lawn of the Burrow, Bella stumbled back.
"Here," I said, holding out a vial to her. "Drink this."
"What is it?" she asked.
"It'll keep you from throwing up," I said.
As soon as Bella drank the potion, I guided them past the chicken coop to the front door of the Burrow. I didn't knock as I poked my head through.
"Molly? Arthur?"
"Alice!" Molly cried from the dining room She came quickly to the door as we all filed in and pulled Jasper and I into a tight hug. "What are you doing here? Nobody told me you were coming!"
"Nobody knew," I grinned. "It's a surprise."
"Come on then," she grinned, as if she hadn't noticed the others. "Everyone is just through here."
I motioned for the others to follow me and they did quietly.
As we stepped into the dining room, the others looked at us in surprise and joy.
"And who are these people with you?" Arthur asked as he put a hand around Molly's waist. I grinned and stepped to the side.
"You all remember Edward?"
Everyone nodded as Edward waved.
"Okay, then, this is Emmett and Rosalie, Carlisle and Esme, and Edward's fiancee, Bella."
"Oh it's fiancee now?" George asked, raising an eyebrow. "Last time we checked it was still just girlfriend."
"Wednesday night," I grinned. "And yours truly is planning the wedding."
"Which you're all invited to," Edward said. "Alice will send you the invitations."
I went through each of the Weasleys including the children. James was grinning widely as he launched himself at Jasper.
"Unca' Jasper!" he cried.
"Hey, Jamie!" Jasper grinned, picking up the child. "Look at how big you are!"
James grinned before he wiggled to go finish his food.
"Was Charlie here when you came, Edward?" I asked. Edward shook his head.
"A dragon was sick."
"Well have a seat! Bella are you hungry?" Esme asked.
"Starved," she grinned.
Hermione and I started conjuring chairs and we all squeezed in around the table. Jasper swept James into his lap and took that chair.
Molly and Esme immediately launched into a conversation as Molly made Bella a plate of food.
Arthur started asking Carlisle questions about the Muggle world, and Fleur and Rosalie set into a conversation about clothes. Emmett, Edward, Charlie and Bella started talking about dragons, more specifically Norberta.
I leaned over to George.
"I think it's going well."
"Why else are you here?" George asked. "This isn't all there is."
"We're going to talk about it, just not yet. Let them get to know each other first."
"So there is something more?"
I nodded.
"Am I going to like it?
"Yes."
"Will it affect you and Jasper at the store?"
"No. Am I still on for Monday?"
"You and Jasper both as far as I know. Keep in mind. You're co-owner. You don't have to ask my permission."
I grinned and nudged his shoulder.
"I forgot about that."
As the Weasleys, the Potters, and Bella went through their meal, everyone started joining into one big conversation that started when Bella asked about me as a child.
"We first met Alice when her parents joined the Order," Molly said. "She was a little under a year old, and only a few months older than Percy. We didn't start taking her a few days out of the month until she was five."
"When Sirius went to jail?"
"Yes," I said in a quiet voice. "I was terrified at first. I didn't understand why Remus was leaving me. Slowly but surely Molly and Arthur became my parents."
"When she went to Hogwarts, Bill and Charlie became her protectors, and then when Fred and George came along, they protected her."
"If I'm not mistaken, they spent half of their first quarter in detention for hexing any Slytherins who were picking on me," I grinned.
"Why did Dumbeldore give you so much freedom?" Bella asked.
"Because when she was at school the only friends she had were Fred, Percy, and I, and in the beginning Bill and Charlie."
"Originally," I said, "Dumbledore let me sit with Bill because the Gryffindors were a lot more accepting of me. The conditions were that I had to sit with the Slytherins for the Welcoming Feast and the End of Term Feast. Any other time, I could sit with the Gryffindors or they could come sit with me."
George grinned as he looked down at his plate.
When everyone finished eating, Esme helped Molly with the dishes, and their conversation about me over the years continued.
"So you said there was another reason why you came here," George said once everyone had gathered in the living room. James was still attached to Jasper's hip as if the two had been fused together.
"Yes actually," I said with a smile. "I have news."
"It's not anything bad, is it?" Angelina said.
I shook my head.
"All good."
"All?" Harry said. "There is more than one thing?"
I nodded.
"Two things. So which do you want to hear first?"
"Which is the better news?"
"I guess it depends on the way you look at things."
"Just tell us, Alice," Ron said. "The suspense is killing me!"
"I see that your patience hasn't gotten better over the years," I said, causing a roar of laughter to ripple through the room. "Okay, I guess we'll start with the most recent news," I said. "Victoria is dead."
"James's mate?" Ginny asked.
"Yes."
"When?"
"Yesterday."
"Did you do it?" George asked.
I shook my head.
"No. That'd be Edward's doing."
"Did she remember?"
"There at the very end," Edward said. "Everything flashed in front of her."
"So we're safe now?"
"Yes," I said. 'James and Victoria are dead, and the Volturi took an Unbreakable Vow. The kings, nor their guard, can hurt you."
They grinned and Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"The other good news?"
"Next year," I said slowly, "Jasper and I are moving here. To England. We're going to be living in my parents house."
"Oh, Alice!" Molly grinned, but then her smile dropped. "But Carlisle and Esme...and your brothers and sisters, there won't be enough room in that house for all of you."
I sighed.
"That is the downfall. Jasper and I made the decision to leave the Cullens."
"We support Alice and Jasper's decision," Esme said. "We know that we'll still see them, and they'll always be a part of our family."
"But that's why we're here today. Jasper and I wanted to introduce them to all of you so that the wedding didn't feel so awkward, and we're going to be showing them the house."
Molly gave a small smile.
"It'll be great seeing you more often," she said. "We've all missed you."
"I know," I said with a grin. "I've missed you too."
Everyone set into a chatter about the wedding, when and where it would be, and if there'd be any Muggles there."
"Actually," I said. "We'll be the only witches and wizards there. Everyone else will be Muggles."
"Will you have to wear the oxygen tank?" Harry asked.
I nodded.
"Up until I leave Forks. At that point the town will think I've died. We'll stay long enough for Jasper to be seen at the funeral, which you will all have to make an appearance at considering you will be introduced as my biological family at the wedding...well Harry and George will because they already have been. Then we'll say Jasper went back to England with you."
Harry nodded.
"Sounds easy enough."
"It is," I said. "I'll make a replica of my body, just like I did for you. They'll have something that they can say goodbye to."
I gave a weak smile as I glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Well then," I said, rasing to my feet. "We'd better get going. We've got to go see the house and then get back to Forks. Jasper and I have a lot to do. We'll be here early Monday morning. I'll take the warding down on all of your houses then."
"We'll see you soon, sweetheart," Molly said, pulling me and Jasper into a tight hug.
We all went around the room saying our goodbyes.
Charlie held onto me a little longer than the others.
"When you come back, you'll come see me in Romania, right?"
"Of course," I said. "I've got to see how Echidna is doing, don't I?"
Charlie smiled as I stepped back into a line with the others. We went back to the same way we had been when we Apparated to the Burrow, and then the living room disappeared, and we were in the front yard of my house.
"Welcome to the House of Nott and Black," I said. "Now the house of Black and Whitock."
I grinned as I approached the door, pulling the key from my pocket.
"There are three rooms in the house," I said as we stepped inside, "but those are all upstairs. If you guys come to stay with me, I can make the basement into the room or make the basement into my office and turn what is currently my office into a bedroom."
I shrugged as I stopped in the living room.
"Alice?" Emmett asked.
"Hmm?"
"Whose wands are those?"
I turned to where he pointed. He was pointing at the mantle where I had three wands on stands.
"My parents and Fred's," I said. "My mother's wand was hidden away in their vault. I found it when I was a Death Eater. My father's was found in the Department of Mysteries...he dropped it when he fell into the veil."
"And Fred's?"
"George had it for some time but gave it to me when Jasper and I came here last year."
"That's your mother's piano, right?" Bella asked.
"How'd you know?" I asked.
"Edward told me," she said. "He said he taught you to play but that your mother and father played."
I nodded.
"Yes, that's her piano. She was an extraordinary player."
I motioned for them to follow me down the hallway.
"This is one of the two bathrooms," I said, touching the door but not opening it. "The other is right up the stairs. Through here is the kitchen, I'm not sure how much we'll need it though. Down here," I continued, "is my office."
I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Who is supposed to be in that portrait?" Bella asked, pointing above the table.
I turned and looked at it.
"Phineas Nigellus Black, my great-great-great grandfather. He was headmaster at Hogwarts. It was hanging at Grimmauld Place, but Harry put it in here when Jasper and I came back."
"Where is he?"
"Hogwarts," I said. "That's where his other painting is."
"What happens when it moves?"
"He can send messages through Minerva and I. If I hadn't written a letter to Minerva saying that we'd be coming to see her tomorrow after I go to Gringotts, I could have told Phineas and he would have told her."
As I spoke from a distance, I could see a shadowy figure coming from the back of the frame.
"Grandfather Phineas?" I asked. "Is that you?"
"Who else would it be, girl?" he grumbled as he came into view of the frame. "I heard you mention me, and I came to check up on the last member of the house of Black."
He looked around the room.
"What have you done, girl?"
"What are you on about?"
"You've brought Muggles here."
"They're vampires," I frowned. "Like me."
"Not that one," he snapped, jabbing a finger in Bella's direction. "That one is human."
I rolled my eyes and turned away from him.
"Don't disrespect me, girl!"
"You remind me of Grandmother Black," I said. "She isn't a vampire now. But she will be."
"Don't bring her back to this house until she is."
"Of course."
"Respect!" he barked.
"Of course, Grandfather Phineas," I repeated before motioning for the others to start heading out of the room.
"He believes in blood purity, doesn't he?" Edward asked as I shut the door.
"Yes."
"I can't hear him," he commented.
"Because he's not a person," I said. "Phineas isn't alive."
"He's very harsh," Bella said.
I shrugged.
"Grandmother Black was worse. I should take you to Grimmauld Place so you can meet her."
"Can you?"
I nodded.
"I have to tell Harry I'm going. I'll send him a Patronus."
I waved my wand, and spoke my message and the dog ran from the hall and I turned towards the stairs.
"Come on then," I said. "I'll finish showing you the house."
We moved up the stairs, the others following very close behind me.
"I thought you said there was a basement," Rosalie said.
"There is," I grinned. "But it's hidden away up here."
"I didn't see it when I stayed here," Edward said.
"That's because you didn't know where to look. I'll show you that in a bit though."
I grinned as I guided them through the upstairs.
"This is the other bathroom," I said, flipping on the light. As it would seem, I had left the door open the last time I was here. "Over here is the room that Edward stayed in. It was a guest room for when Remus or Peter came. After they left I kept it as a guest room for when Draco came." I stepped back out of the room.
"This is another guest room," I said, pushing open the next door. "It used to be my parents' bedroom, but I'm going to do some cleaning up. Finally, here is mine and Jasper's room."
I pushed open the door.
"What does that door go to?"
Rosalie asked, pointing to the room on the far side of the room.
"Storage," I said. "Just some old decorations and things I still need to go through."
"Like what?" Bella pressed.
I sighed and pulled open the closet door.
Hanging up on the shelf was my Death Eater robes and mask. I pulled it out and showed it to the others.
"You still have it?"
I nodded.
"I didn't get a chance to get rid of it before I left England, and when I came back, I was trying to go through the stuff in the rooms."
"Why didn't Harry get rid of it?"
"Because the door was locked. Only I could open it."
"What's that?" Rosalie asked, pointing to the back of the storage closet.
"This," I said, pulling out the mirror-like object, "is foe glass. A gift from Mad-Eye."
I aligned the mirror on the wall, and motioned Rosalie forward.
"It shows you your enemies. If they get close enough to you they'll become visible to the others. That's when they're too close."
"And your enemies? Where are they?"
"Locked away in the middle of nowhere. Edward and Jasper have met them."
Somewhere in the mirror, although it might have been my eyes playing tricks, I swore I saw Aro pacing in front of his throne.
I blinked before stowing the Foe Glass into my bag and turning to the others.
"The basement," I said. "Did you guys still want to see it or are you ready to head home?"
"I want to see the basement."
I nodded and motioned for the others to follow me. As we stood out in the hallway, I waved a hand at the wall.
The door formed slowly, and once it did form, I pushed it open and headed down the tight and narrow staircase.
"There's nothing down here. I used it more as a panic room of sorts," I said. "When the Death Eaters came for us, my mother was going to hide me here, but she wouldn't have had time to come back up and seal the door. She told them that Dad took me and ran."
"Why would you need a panic room?" Bella asked.
"I lived a dangerous life. If Voldemort learned that I was loyal to Harry and not to him, there's a good chance that I'd have a price on my head. It was a low chance, but still a good one."
I pushed open the door to the basement when I reached the bottom and stepped to the side.
"I'll probably turn the office into another bedroom and move my office down here."
"I don't understand," Bella said. "Why do you need an office?"
"I do have two different businesses that I run, Bella," I said. "On top of that, I plan to further my studies when I return to my world. I have the opportunity of a lifetime, and I'm not going to throw it away."
"Two businesses?"
"Mine and George's store, and I still plan to help Carlisle run C.E.E Inc."
Bella glanced at Edward.
"Alice knows the best decisions business wise," Carlisle said. "She can see what the results of her decisions can make. She's a very powerful woman, Bella. She's what makes our coven so powerful. We just failed to realize that in time."
Before anything else was said, everyone spread out through the large basement.
"He means that," Edward said coming up next to me.
"I know he does," I said, with a small smile.
"If I hadn't met Bella, do you think you would have stayed?"
"I think that if you hadn't met Bella, I wouldn't have had a choice."
"What do you mean?"
"James wouldn't have started a hunt, so he never would have died…I would have never come home."
"He would have started the hunt anyways," he said. "Before he knew Bella was human, he was trying to figure out how to start the hunt again. The only difference would be there would have been a battle between us and them rather than us hiding you."
I shrugged.
"I don't want to spend my time wondering about the what-ifs. I'm grateful for the time I've spent here, and I'm glad you're finally going to get your happily ever after—"
"It's not happily ever after. Is this the cost of me finding her? Find my wife, lose my brother and my sister?"
"You're not losing us," I said. "We're still going to be here. You're just not going to see us every day."
I'm going to miss you, he thought, looking at the ground.
I know, I thought back, but this is the best thing.
For you.
No, Edward. For all of us. You can come see me whenever you want. I'll keep that room set up for you.
Edward sighed and turned to go back to Bella.
As I turned back to the steps, I saw a doe nod at me before running back the way it had came.
"Come on, guys," I said. "Did you still want to go see Grimmauld Place?"
Everyone nodded.
"We'll head back home from there," I said. "Jasper and I have an appointment tomorrow at Hogwarts."
I guided them back up the stairs.
"I have to lock the door then we can go."
We left through the living room after I made sure all the doors and windows were locked and all the lights were out.
We landed across the street from the house.
"What number did you say it was?" Rosalie asked.
"Twelve," I answered.
"I don't see it," Rosalie said.
"Come on," I said.
I lead the way out of the bushes, and up the sidewalk. The street was empty, but I wasn't very surprised by that. Grimmauld Place was always quiet. It was one of the many things I did actually enjoy about staying here. Maybe if Dad had survived the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, I would have come back here with him for a time while we tried to clear his name. Then after it was cleared we could go back to his and my mother's house. But that was all things that could've been and things that would never be a reality.
We stopped in the space between the stairs of Number 11 and Number 13. Things here hadn't changed. Trash still littered the streets, and the old building still looked unwelcoming. The only thing that had changed was a few cars lined up towards the far North of the street.
"Number 12 Grimmauld Place," I said before looking up to the building. It rumbled and shook as Number 12 came out of its hiding spot.
"Come on," I said for what felt like the thousandth time that day. "We have to hurry before it closes. It's not supposed to stay in sight very long."
We all quickly made our way up the stairs into the house that was already unlocked. A house I hadn't been in since I was nineteen years old, and for me that felt like a lifetime ago.
"Welcome, Cullens," I said in a low voice as we stepped through the door. "Welcome to the house of Black. A noble and most ancient family."
I waved them in the direction of the family tree tapestry.
"I thought we were here to meet your grandmother," Bella said.
"Keep in mind that Grandmother Black is dead. Just a painting. She has all the time in the world. I want to see something."
I took Jasper's hand as we stepped in the room. My free hand trailed against the wall.
"All of these names," I said, "are my family. Some distant, but some not."
I paused.
"The Weasleys actually are my family. All purebloods are related in one way or another. Phineas's granddaughter Cedrella married a Weasley. Septimus Weasley to be exact. Arthur's father."
"So Arthur—"
"Is my third cousin once removed. That's what Remus tells me, although I never understood the removed parts."
I laughed as I moved down the family tree.
"The tapestry was updated by magic. So down here, is me."
I grinned as my finger landed on my name.
"Is that—"
"Jasper's name, and this little ribbons here is when we got married."
I traced my name before tapping the picture.
"See, time travel is a tricky business," I said. "When I was here, Jasper's sign wasn't. We hadn't been married yet, but we had been married for over forty years at the same time."
I sighed as I trailed up to my parents.
"I can't say I'd ever get the last date filled," I said, tracing over the year that Dad had died.
They stood in wonder for a moment, looking at the family tapestry.
"It goes all the way from the beginning," I said. "The Noble Most Ancient House of Black."
"What are all of these burn marks?" Bella asked.
"Grandmother Black blasted those who had been disowned off the family tree."
"Your father was disowned?"
"When he ran away. He ran away right before I was born. Stayed with James a while and my mum stayed with Lily. I'm sure Petunia would remember her, although I only met Petunia one time. A long long time ago."
"Does she still remember you?"
"I'm sure she does," I said with a small laugh.
"When did you meet her?"
"Right after Harry found out who I was. I came to Privet Drive to see Arabella Figg. I was looking into getting a Kneazle cat, and Arabella was a squib who breeded half-Kneazles."
"So if Sirius was disowned, why weren't you when you were born?" Edward asked.
"I'm not sure I'm the best person to explain it," I said with a small smile. "But I do know someone who is."
"Who's that?" Jasper asked.
"Kreacher!" I called.
There was a loud crack from the middle of the room that caused everyone but Bella and Jasper to leap back. Both had heard the sounds of House-Elves Apparating and Disapparating.
"Little Miss!" Kreacher gleamed. "Kreacher has been missing you Little Miss. He was just thinking of coming to see you!"
"You can come see me whenever you'd like, Kreacher. Jasper and I will be at Hogwarts tomorrow. How about I come and see you then?"
"Kreacher would like that, Little Miss. Now, how can Kreacher be of service?"
"Kreacher, this is the Cullen family. The vampires I've been living with, and you've already met Bella."
"Human girl," Kreacher said.
"Be polite," I said, nudging his shoulder with my knee.
"Of course, Little Miss."
"Now Kreacher," I said, sitting on the floor in front of him. "I'm trying to help the Cullens and Bella understand the history of our family. I was wondering if you could tell us why Grandmother Black didn't disown me."
"Mistress was a very headstrong woman," Kreacher said as the others sat in a half circle, listening very closely to the small elf. "She was very kind to Kreacher. One day after Kreacher's time, he hopes to join the wall of heads."
"Wall of heads?" Bella asked with a small gulp.
"When a house-elf dies," I said slowly, "in the Black family at least, we cut off their head, and put it on a mantle."
"Alice that's horrible!" Bella said loudly.
I shushed her quickly before jumping to my feet and peeking out into the hallway. Grandmother's portrait hadn't opened. I quickly cast a Silencing Charm on the door.
"Is there someone else here?" Bella asked.
"No,"I said, as I returned to my spot next to Jasper.
"Are we expecting someone to come?"
"No."
"Then what are you looking for?"
"If you speak too loudly, you'll wake the portrait of my grandmother."
"Isn't that the point of us being here?"
"Yes, but it's not time yet. Now be quiet. I know it's a terrible thing to do to House-elves. I really do know this. But Kreacher sees it as an honor."
"Do you?" Edward asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kreacher nodded.
"Yes, sir. Kreacher wishes to join his family on the wall."
"Let him finish the story," I said. "Kreacher, you may continue."
"Of course, Little Miss. Now Mistress was very upset when Master Sirius ran away. She knew that he was expecting a child with Johanna Nott. She was proud he had decided to marry a pureblood despite his lack of belief in the views of Mistress. She wanted him to come home, to raise his daughter to be a noble member of the Noble Most Ancient House of Black. Master Sirius refused, and she was so upset she burned him off the tapestry. Told him to never return. But she had hopes for Little Miss. She believed that she would follow in the footsteps of Master Regulus. She met Little Miss when she was very young. After Master Sirius went away to Azkaban prison. The werewolf Remus Lupin brought her here. She was kind to Kreacher even as a child. Grandmother knew that Little Miss was going to bring her honor, and she did."
Kreacher smiled and patted my knee. I gave him a small smile.
"Thank you Kreacher."
"Of course. Little Miss?"
"Yes, Kreacher?"
"Could I come and see Mistress with you?"
"Of course," I said with a smile. "First we're going to finish showing the house."
Kreacher jumped up in glee. As soon as I stood he grabbed my hand and walked happily beside me.
"Follow me," I said.
Kreacher and I guided the others up the stairs. They looked up and there were several audible gasps.
"Alice are those heads?
"Yes."
"This one is Kreacher's mother," Kreacher announced pointing to one of the heads with the hand that wasn't clutching onto mine.
Horrible, Bella thought. I can't believe she would do this.
"I know it is, but try to remember, Bella, that it isn't me who did it. My grandmother and ancestors did."
Bella looked at me with wide eyes.
"Alice, I—"
I shook my head.
"It's alright. Let's keep going."
We made it up to Dad's room, and I pushed the door open. It was still as messy as it always had been.
"This was my father's room."
"He was very messy."
"Master Sirius wouldn't let Kreacher clean his room," Kreacher frowned. "He kept ordering Kreacher away."
I sighed as I looked around the room. I stepped inside and looked around. On the desk next to the bed, sat my father's wedding band. He didn't wear it when he slept, and the day he died, he said he had forgotten to put it back on. My mother's rings were around his neck that day. They disappeared with the rest of him.
I stepped closer to the desk and slid the ring off the desk and onto my thumb.
"I'm glad Mundungus Fletcher didn't find this," I sighed. "Speaking of which, whatever happened to Mundungus?"
"The thief Mundungus Fletcher is alive, but is in Azkaban."
"Azkaban?" I frowned.
"Master Harry put him in after he attempted to break into your house after you were found in the Black Lake. They hadn't even had your funeral, Little Miss."
"He's been in Azkaban for eight years for trying to break into my house?"
"Not just your house, Little Miss, but every house Mundungus Fletcher has ever broken into including Number 12 Grimmauld Place."
I sighed as I looked down at Kreacher.
"Still wearing Regulus's locket?" I asked, picking up the locket.
"Of course, Little Miss," Kreacher said, patting my hand. "Kreacher will wear Master Regulus's locket until the day he dies."
I smiled and took his hand and we moved on.
I showed them Regulus's room, and my grandparents. I showed them the room where the kids stayed before Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts during the Order meetings. I finished showing the downstairs where we had skipped before we came to a stop in front of the portrait.
"Final stop," I said. "She's going to say hurtful things. I warn you of this now. I'm sorry for all of it. Kreacher, be ready to help me close the curtains."
"Of course, Little Miss."
I tugged at the corner of the curtain and they shot open.
"TRAITOR!" Grandmother roared. "YOU BRING DISHONOR TO THE HOUSE OF BLACK BY BRINGING MUGGLES HERE! MORE DISGRACEFUL THAN YOUR BLOOD TRAITOR FATHER! FILTHY MUGGLES AND BLOODSUCKERS! CREATURES WHO WALK THE NIGHT! YOU DEFILED YOURSELF—"
"Kreacher now!" I roared over the painting.
Kreacher and I worked together to tug the curtain closed again.
Everyone, including Jasper, was standing in surprise. Their mouths were wide open.
"Quiet now, Mistress," Kreacher said to the painting who was mumbling behind the curtain. "Little Miss's family is good to her and to Kreacher."
I smiled as I turned towards the others. They remained speechless as Kreacher tugged on the hand that he still held.
"Yes, Kreacher?"
"Little Miss, permission for Kreacher to speak freely?"
"Of course."
"Little Miss, Kreacher would like to return to serving the house of Black. You and Master Jasper, Little Miss."
"Kreacher, I'd love for you to come work for us. But we aren't your only masters. Go back to Hogwarts for the night. Sleep and then talk to Harry. See what he says. If he agrees, come find me at the Cullen house and we'll talk about it."
"Thank you, Little Miss."
He patted my hand before hugging me tightly. He bounded off into another room where there was a crack. Kreacher was gone.
"So what'd you think?" I asked quietly as I herded the others into the kitchen.
"Your grandmother is very harsh," Carlsile said.
"She's said worse things," I shrugged. "Not just to me. To everyone. That was just a small piece of what it could have been."
"Ali, I didn't realize she was that bad."
"She didn't yell like that when I met her. Just her painting does."
"I think that it might be time to go home now," Carlisle said.
I nodded.
"Come on then. I'll just Apparate us back instead of going to the Ministry."
Everyone crowded around me, and much like they had done before, they pushed Bella to the middle.
"Let's go then."
Grimmauld Place disappeared, the Cullen's living room taking its place instead.
Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. This one was relatively long. The actual chapter itself is about twenty eight pages, and then the authors note will probably make the chapter twenty-nine pages.
Now the next chapter will pick up not long after this chapter leaves off, so the next chapter consists of Hogwarts, Alice and Jasper's first day at the store, Alice revisiting Jacob, and planning Edward and Bella's wedding.
So I hope you enjoyed the chapter and will enjoy the next one!
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