Wolf, Witch and Forks

AN: This is from Bella's POV and will feature MDA and Draco. The last chapter was well received and I am very happy that many of you enjoyed it. Katie and Cassius pairing was out of the blue and would be a side pairing for at least the time our main characters are old enough to understand what dating is. Christmas break will be also covered in the chapter.

My last update introduced a whole new range of characters to work with. This chapter will have significant plot development and deviation from canon.

Twilight characters now finally coming into the picture. The next two chapters would be set in Forks.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Twilight


Chapter 11: The Nutcracker, Christmas and Forks

Bella

Evening, Great Hall, November 30th, 1991

"CONGRATS Pads! Cheer up third place is great it was your first international tournament after all!" Bella congratulated her best female friend and roommate when the latter returned from Hogsmeade.

"Bells! You are too kind! Ron got first place, he defeated Durmstang's reigning champion to win! l lost to that boy! I think I might never be good at chess like Weasley…" Padma moaned with disappointment. Bella was about to sympathise when the worst person for handling this situation interrupted them.

"Pads! You are a sore loser! Ronnie my boy won fair and square!" Paul pushed a red-eared Ron forward who was still cradling his massive trophy like a baby. According to Hogwarts unwritten policy, almost every student donated their trophies to the school. Ron and Padma were going to follow the same precedent.

"Paul! Please not make this as a Ravenclaw vs Gryffindor thing!" Bella warned but it was Ron who replied, "Padma you just lost coz the strategy Markova used with you was a bit unorthodox. I can show you how to break it…"

Padma though wanted to retort something mean but Bella silenced her with a look and replied for her instead, "Pads would love to learn!" Padma gave Bella a dirty glare, 'She is definitely going to chew me out in the dorms' she thought. Daphne and Tracey approached their group at the Ravenclaw table with bright smiles.

Both of them had been allowed to attend the event in Hogsmeade as first-years and act as the Press for Hogwarts Herald. "We missed you all so much! It was so exciting! I met two girls our age from Beauxbatons, and a little boy named Jared Cam or was it, Camren… his elder brother was a participant from Ilvenmorny… surprisingly he was of American Indian heritage like our big idiot over here" "OYE!" Tracey ignored Paul and went on her excited rant about the various people she interviewed and met during the event.

Daphne interrupted an overexcited Tracey, "Trace! Take a breath and CALM down! Honestly! By the way Ron I clicked many photos of you and Padma during the tournament and at the award ceremony. I will hand them over when they are developed."

"THANKS, Daph!" Ron was elated and Padma's previous sour mood was forgotten. 'Padma is a bit like Parvati when it comes to vanity' Bella thought with a smile.


Muggle Music and Dance Studio, Fifth Floor, 5th December 1991

"Bells! you look so cute as Clara!" Katie gushed as she dolled her up with new costumes for the recital. Bella on the other hand never felt so insecure. She was in the dressing room for the final dress rehearsal before the Nutcracker scheduled tomorrow.

Madam Pince was inspired this year by the Muggle American Ballet companies and had decided to perform the Nutcracker for the Winter Recital.

She was the only first year with a solo performance in the first Act besides Malfoy whereas the rest of the first-and second-year MDA student members were cast as Snowflakes, Mice and other minor roles as side dancers. Justin Finch Fletchly was an apt selection for the role of Fritz, Clara's brother, the Hufflepuff boy had a bright sunny personality and loved muggle pranks.

Major adult roles were given to the upper years, with Katie being cast as the principal Candy Cane as a second year to the envy of many. Sugarplum fairy and her Cavalier was given to MDA student presidents Regina Stuart and Nathan Douglas. Terence Higgs was surprisingly playing the Mouse or Rat King, his girlfriend Alicia Spinet came to meet him at practice a lot lately, just like today.

'With Flint fiasco behind them, both look so happy.' Bella thought as she ignored the icy glares of Sue Li and Selena Runcorn; looking ridiculous in mice costumes. Both of them were still not talking to her out of jealousy and spite.

The first year Ravenclaw girl's dorm was now divided into three factions with Li, Runcorn on one side opposite Bella and Padma. Lilith Moon and Morag MacDougal were neutral to the ongoing conflict and kept to themselves. Padma had hexed Runcorn with boils when the latter insulted Bella by calling her attention-seeking klutz who everyone barely tolerated due to the fact, she was close to Harry Potter.

Bella had to forcefully stop Harry, Paul and the rest of her friends from murdering Runcorn when Padma informed them about the incident in anger.

Just when Bella had gathered enough courage to give the two girls a piece of her mind she heard the familiar screeching voice of Malfoy,

"This disgusting mask is so itchy! Farley! have you not heard of a cushioning or a cleaning charm!"

Malfoy had been cribbing incessantly about everything for the past few months. Though Bella knew he was secretly overjoyed at bagging the role of the prince. She was also mesmerised by how magic was incorporated into the play with ingenious techniques employed to provide special enhancements to meticulously executed dances. With a flick of Gemma's hand, the oversized bulbous nutcracker mask vanished from the whining boy's face.

'I hope it was worth the effort to keep Paul and Harry under control for him' Bella thought irritated watching Malfoy complain again about the enchanted mask of the Nutcracker to the MDA costume designers Professor Burbage and Harry's housemate Gemma Farley.

She hmphed before sharply twisting Malfoy's ear just like she did with Paul when he misbehaved, "SWAN!"

"We had a deal! Mr Bad Faith"

"Stop calling me, Bad Faith!"

"I will call you whatever I like! We have our first performance at Hogwarts tomorrow! Stop giving everyone a hard time!"

"My father will hear about this!" "Oh! Has Mr Bad Faith forgotten, daddy doesn't know!"

"Ugh… you!"

"Yes me! Now if your daily tantrum is over, your highness! let's go over the steps one more time. Your Quick Change is still not perfect."

"Huh…" Malfoy kept quiet after that as they started rehearsing their parts in perfect silence but a frown never left his face.

Blissfully ignorant of their enraptured audience, gawking shell shocked at the bizarre conversation. Never had anyone witnessed a muggle-born or a half-blood in Bella's case put a blood purist spoilt heir like Malfoy in his or her place. Bella Swan's name became more popular across many Hogwarts circles from that day onwards.


December 6th 1991, 7:00 PM, Backstage, Dearborn Auditorium Hogwarts

Bella was a bundle of nerves as she heard Madam Pince's sharp voice cutting the anticipatory anxiety in the air, "Students we have a jam-packed hall! I don't want to be embarrassed in front of Madame Dearborn, yes! she is in attendance, so no subpar performances you hear me! Her proud ancestors brought Dance to the hallowed halls of Hogwarts! All the best or as the muggles say break a leg!"

"Pince doesn't know how to give a pep talk" Malfoy scoffed from Bella's side. He was looking adorable in his costume, dressed in a Navy-Blue tunic with white tights which complimented his platinum blond hair, grown shoulder length by a temporary Hair-growing-charm and tied back with a black ribbon.

'Ugh…a perfect prince, here I am looking like a beggar' Bella held back a grimace at being dressed in a plain pure white nightgown and her brown hair left open to fall in waves. "Pipe down… she might hear you"

"Swan, you worry too much! By the way, Dearborn is sitting in the front row with the headmaster and the other professors. You can't miss her; she is a right harpy!"

Bella just sighed as Stephen Cornfoot gave the signal for them to be ready. Stephen could not dance to save his life, in her harsh opinion but for a first-year, he could operate backstage stuff easily.

Tchaikovsky's grand familiar symphonies began to play, marking the commencement of the Nutcracker 1991. The orchestra was being led by Professor Flitwick and almost forty students were a part of it belonging to various years and houses.

Bella took a huge breath as she and Justin opened with a massive crowd on stage for the party scene. As the dark crimson velvet curtains lifted, so did Bella's spirits. The crowd broke out in enthusiastic applause. Bella immediately spotted all her friends in the second row. She had coaxed them to buy the tickets for the recital all October. They were not in uniforms; they looked so different in casual muggle clothing.

She remembered her dialogues and steps. She tried her best to project tremendous hurt when Justin broke the Nutcracker doll gifted to her by sixth year Ravenclaw Dorian Grey, playing Clara's Uncle Drosselmeyer.

Her Christmas tree solo act was nerve-wracking with a ginormous tree with Fairies and pixies twinkling and dancing with her on the stage making the scene otherworldly to the common observer. Bella sighed in relief as Malfoy's part started, she needed some company. The Nutcracker mask looked hilarious; she had to force herself to not laugh outright at him on stage.

The Battle scene which was next was filled with wands as sparks of an array of colours cast by the rat army illuminated the stage in dazzling light. Suddenly, Terence Higgs materialised out of thin air, which still fascinated Bella, though she had seen him do it countless times in rehearsal.

As Malfoy's Nutcracker defeating the Rat King, the former vanished his mask. Gasps resounded across the Dearborn Hall, 'Oh! Bad Faith's new look worked!' Bell guessed as Malfoy grabbed her hand and both started their duet with only two of them left on stage.

Malfoy performed his quick-change transforming into the ethereal prince which elicited another delighted reaction from the enraptured audience. As the first Act culminated and with the dance of the snowflakes and the curtains fell, she could hear the loud cheers from the hall. She was about to fall face first when she reached backstage but Malfoy put a supporting hand on her shoulder steadying her,

"Swan, you did well…" Bella's jaw dropped Draco Malfoy, narcissism personified had complimented her. The shock intensified tenfold when waiting Madam Pince offered her a rare smile, before saying, "Ms Swan your performance was adequate. I have a few notes which I would discuss in the next term". To be called adequate was the highest praise one could get from the Irma Pince. It was equivalent to Snape saying your potion was up to the mark.

The second ACT garnered more applause as difficult dances were a part of it. Katie got a large bouquet of white roses when she returned to the dressing room after an award-winning performance, Bella had sneaked a peek at the note, as Katie accidentally slipped it on the floor blushing,

'YOUR CASEY'

Bella was not surprised at all. She could not wait to tease Katie about it in the future.

Soon Madam Pince called everyone on the stage to take a final bow. They were showered with confetti and sparkling fireworks accompanied with conjured rose. The night had been a huge success and their hard work for all these months had paid off.

Her friends surrounded her as she exited the dressing room, Harry was the first to say, "Bells that was Awesome!" Hermione, Tracey and Padma gave her warm hugs as Blaise and Theo offered her red rose each. Ron and Neville congratulated her with Daphne going on about how she could not help herself and took so many pictures that her reel was over.

But it was Paul's reaction that surprised Bella the most, "Bells! You were great! I did not get you a rose though… the shop was closed by that time…" He rubbed the back of his head as he mumbled the last statement.

"it's okay! I am just glad you all liked it" Bella said with a joyous smile. When Malfoy passed over, Paul shouted, "Peacock, you sure can dance! If only you knew how to use a wand!" Malfoy just ignored the offending remark and quickly moved further away in the corridor.

Tracey smacked Paul on the shoulder, "That is not how you give a compliment! Dunderhead!" Everyone started laughing at Paul's cartoonish hurt puppy expression.


December 11th 1991, Evening, Abandoned Classroom 1C, Hogwarts

My Dearest Bella,

I hope your end of the term exam is going well. I am currently in Ibiza! Fabio has been so generous! So… I wanted you all to stay at Hogwarts for the entire Winter Break but then your no-good father called and now unfortunately you, Harry and Paul are going to spend the two weeks of Winter Break with him in Forks. I have asked and already paid Minerva to arrange a three-person two-way portkey for Boxing Day! It will drop you off in Charlie's backyard. Charlie paid for it by sending over the fees for it, so I did not spend a dime.

Don't worry, he knew my mother was a witch! She got along more with him than with me that Old Bat! America is extremely strict about muggle and wizard interaction so you all be very careful. Forks is a backwater, dingy little town but very close to MACUSA's Seattle Branch. KEEP PAUL WAY FROM LA PUSH AT ALL COSTS! Charlie would ensure that as well!

Can you please inform Paul and Harry to remove their names from the list for staying at Hogwarts for the entire break! It is just till Christmas. Hogwarts put a lot of effort to make it Fabulous! Enjoy!

Love,

Mom

"Woah!" Paul shouted with an equally wide-eyed Harry squeaked, "Bells! Are you feeling alright?" Bella was not sure how to respond after reading her mother's letter again for the second time. She knew her dad would have asked for the entire break but her mother still got her way by not giving him Christmas.

But her childhood dream was coming true, this was going to be amazing. She had almost forgotten her dad's face if not for the photograph she kept at her bedside hidden from her roommates except Padma.

"Why does Renee want me to stay away from la Push?" Paul questioned. Bella after a few seconds answered nervously, "She always has been against your tribe for some weird reason. Maybe because of your father?" Though Paul looked conflicted at this. The lull in the conversation was soon broken by Harry.

"Charlie really did not have to pay for me! I don't even know him!" he said with distress and guilt. Paul just gave him stern look whereas she addressed the former's concerns by saying,

"Dad must have known that we both would not come to Forks if you were not with us… If you want anyone to blame, blame my mom."

"Can you both get a bit excited for a second! This is huge!" Paul concluded before all three of them began discussing how to revise for the Potions practical tomorrow.


December 25th, Christmas morning, Abandoned Classroom 1C

"That is an invisibility cloak! They are incredibly rare and expensive. Who sent it to you?" Bella asked fascinated at the silky mystical fabric. "Apparently it is a family heirloom, my father entrusted it with someone close to him. There was no name on the note so I don't know!"

"Forget about the Note! We can use this for so many pranks! We can finally sneak into other common rooms!" Paul and Harry fist bumped to Bella's surmounting annoyance.

"Speaking of presents, I have never gotten so many in my life! Thank Merlin you were in charge of gifts for both Paul and me. Imagine if we had forgotten someone!" Bella knew perfectly well that Harry's concern was genuine.

She had started making lists and owl ordering the gifts for everyone since the end of November. Harry only chose what to order for their friends whereas Paul being a layabout did nothing. They had decided to send individual presents than a combined gift from all three of them. Though their pocket money had taken a major dent it was well worth it.

"Daph! Is so biased! I and shrimp got ten photos each whereas she gifted you an entire album!"

"Huh… she is not biased; I just look better than you Pig!"

"Keep telling yourself that!"

"Can you both stop arguing for a second!"

"Hmm…" "Fine…"

"To change the subject, I saw Hagrid after breakfast today. He was carrying a large object hidden under a dirty curtain to one of the abandoned dungeons. It definitely looked like a mirror!"

"I never thought HAGRID was vain! You think you know people" Paul commented at Harry's new observation.

"Shut Up PAUL! It must be some new magical artefact! I have heard the headmaster loves collecting them."

"Bells might be right! Pig what do you say? Should we check it out after the break! We can use my Cloak!" Paul grinned in response, "For a Snake, you sure think like a lion!"

"What can I say it is in my DNA! Did you forget my parents were Gryffindors! Hagrid sent me so many photographs of their time at Hogwarts"

"Boys…." Bella banged her head on the desk as the other two boys made plans to include their other friends and even going on a Prank War against the students, they disliked especially Zacharias Smith and Selena Runcorn. The rest of their gang had returned home with only Ron and his brothers at Hogwarts at the moment.

"Where is Ron? I have to thank Mrs Weasley for sending us these lovely sweaters and fudge. I feel so bad for not getting her anything! Next time she is going to be on top of our lists" Bella inquired after admiring the baby blue sweater with a bronze B that she was wearing. Paul had gotten a maroon jumper with a golden P whereas Harry's was dark green with a silver H.

"He is probably sleeping in after tearing open his presents…" Paul answered.

"Ron is going to be lonely after the three of us leave tomorrow!" Bella said with sadness. "No! he is not, twins are going to make sure of that!" Harry reassured her.

"Shrimp! You should not have introduced those terrors to the Carrow twins!"

"Paul's right! Hestia and Flora Carrow with Fred and George Weasley! My god!"

"You two are such worrywarts…" Harry waved them off.


December 26th Early Morning, Charlie Swans' Backyard, Forks Washington

"Are you all okay…" a gruff voice asked. Bella could barely keep the vomit down. International Portkey was the worst form of travel. All three of them landed in a tangle of limbs. With great difficulty, Bella managed to free herself from under Paul and Harry and looked up to see her father staring at them with concern.

Charlie Swan was a tall imposing man. With a thick dark moustache, short curly hair, jeans, and a brown flannel shirt that matched his chocolate brown eyes, he could easily pass for a stereotypical American lumberjack. He was the Chief of police at Forks and he definitely looked the part.

He had aged from the last time she had seen him five years ago. She wanted him to hug him immediately but there was an awkwardness that was preventing her. Paul and Harry were also gaping at the man, Paul had only met Charlie once so his reaction was justified like Harry.

"You all arrived on a rare day in Forks! It has not rained yet!" Charlie said with a casual tone that worked as the perfect ice breaker propelling her to run towards the man, "DADDY! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH" Her eyes wet with tears as Charlie lifted her in the air.

Their emotional reunion was ruined with Paul's dry comment, "Yeah, yeah we get it! you both missed each other a lot! Now can we go inside; I think I might be concussed, and it's freezing out here!"

Harry punched Paul in the shoulder. But Charlie to their surprise laughed, "You are a Lahote! Alright!" "You must be Harry Potter, a pleasure to meet you! "Thank you so much for inviting me, Mr Swan!"

"Call me Charlie, Harry…"

As four of them made their way inside a pair of malignant yellow eyes observed from behind the thick forest located at the back of Swan House. A demonic chuckle resounded in the now silent woods.


2nd Jan 1992, Charlie Swan's House, Evening

"I can't believe that both my parents can't cook" Bella complained to Harry who was helping her with dinner.

"I am more surprised that it took you this long to speak up about healthy eating. Charlie has been treating us with different take-outs every night" Harry smirked.

"Fine… point made" "Where is Paul? Not seen him for a while"

"He must be in the backyard playing with that baseball, dad gifted him" Bella replied.

"Charlie doesn't speak much, does he? Renee is the complete opposite" Harry noted.

Bella hummed her agreement but both were startled by a sudden cry for help. "BELLS, HARRY, CHARLIE HELP! LET GO OF ME, YOU BASTARD"

Harry and Bella ran outside the kitchen backdoor with their wands out where they witnessed in horror as a hooded figure dragged an unconscious Paul into the woods.

"PAUL!" Bella and Harry cried simultaneously when Harry raised his wand to shoot a stunner at the kidnapper. Bella stopped him in the nick of time, "BELLA, why did you stop me!" Harry roared at her in anger.

"Have you forgotten we are in AMERICA! Children are not even allowed Wands during summers! To fire an underaged spell at a muggle is a FELONY!"

"RULES BE DAMNED! He took my BROTHER!"

"We need to call Dad! The kidnapper would not have gotten far" "Fine! You win! But listen Bella if Paul is hurt in any way, you are the one to blame" Harry hissed at her.

Bella was not intimidated that easily. She had dealt with the two boys for five years now, "Blame me all you want! I can't have my one best friend in jail and the other one kidnapped!"

"Let's stop wasting time and call Charlie!"

Both ran inside to see Charlie at the front door removing his jacket. As they hastily informed him about the incident, Charlie's face grew deadly serious.

"You both get in the car! We are going to La Push!" Bella and Harry hurriedly complied with the command without objection.

As they reached the boundary of the tribal lands, Bella asked nervously, "Dad why are we going to la Push…"

"Bella, Harry… this a tribal matter… that's all I can say"

'I just hope Paul is safe' Bella exchanged a worried glance with Harry.


AN: A bit of a cliffhanger ending, the story needed some momentum. Hope you all enjoy it. Next time Paul's POV is going to change some of the Twilight canon and add my twist to it.