Hey everyone. I'm pretty sure all of you are shocked at how fast this next chapter came up. Well don't get used to it. I only put this up so fast because 1) its kinda a filler but it does give some important information and 2) one of you guys threatened me. Not that I'm pointing any fingers -cough - ZeeBee - cough.
Anywho. Someone mentioned to me that this story kinda points to Bella being the main character and everyone else is just kinda background and I'm sorry about that. It's probably because this story is following Eclipse and so I'm mostly just stealing scenes from Stephenie Meyer . . . lol. So from now on I'll focus more on the pairings, i'm just trying to get the whole newborn army thing out of the way.
That said this chapter takes place over next week leading up to graduation and it answers some questions some of you guys have asked me and I'm still using ideas that you guys throw my way, so keep them coming. Nine times out of ten they remind me of things I have forgotten.
Speaking of things I forgot . . . I'm sure I've mentioned this before but in case I haven't! Everything that happened in the war still happened just like everything that happened before Eclipse still happened. Just an FYI. :D
Also, I know I keep mentioning Luna's birthday, but I've decided not to write about it because it wouldn't be fair to Draco - who's birthday took place during this story but I kinda forgot. hehe . . . sawwy Draco-boo!
Pairings:
Harry/Edward (duh!), Alice/Jasper, Esme/Carlisle, Rosalie/Emmett, Draco/Jacob, Luna/?, Bella/Blaise, Neville/? (I'm allowed to keep some pairing secret)
Disclaimer:
This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling and Stephenie Meyer, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, MT Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, Little, Brown and Company, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
I wrote the song so if you wanna use it you must ask! It's my copyright!
Chapter 10
"I don't understand," President Stevens muttered, scratching at the back of his head with a ballpoint pen. His Head of the Auror Department, Kyle Daniels, leaned back in his chair and let out a wide yawn.
"I don't understand either," the black man agreed, nodding his head sagely. "Normally their governing body would have handled a situation like this. All of this," – and here Kyle waved his hand over the desk where several reports were strewn about – "isn't supposed to be happening."
"Do you think this is the work of someone else," Helen Bridges questioned from where she stood on President Stevens' right – a clipboard pressed against her chest.
"No . . ." Kyle let out a long sigh and scratched absently at his ear.
"Look," Stevens said after a minute's pause. "This is obviously not going to go away as fast as we need it to. Maybe we should consider sending in a team —"
"I would love to send in a team," Kyle interrupted, sounding bored as he gazed at his nails with disinterest. "However, all of my best men are out at the moment and for this assignment we need the best."
"Well, how long are they going to be gone?" Stevens demanded.
"About one month."
Silence followed his statement. President Stevens shared a tense look with his advisor, Helen. Then the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement spoke up for the first time since the meeting had been announced.
"What about Harry Potter?"
Harry awoke to something heavy pressing down on his chest.
He groaned and pushed at it.
Whatever it was giggled.
Harry blinked slowly and looked down at his chest – only to look straight into the amber eyes of his godson.
How Teddy had gotten into his room – and on his bed at that – Harry didn't have the slightest idea. But here he was in his turquoise-haired glory, a thumb stuck passively in his mouth.
"Teddy, where on earth did you come from?"
Teddy giggled again and tilted his head to the side. Harry sighed and wrapped his arms around the toddler, shifting the boy from off of him.
It was then that he saw it.
A red husky, blinking at him with large red eyes and panting heavily as if it had just come from a run.
Harry stared at the strange animal, looking for all the world at a loss. That was how Neville found him ten minutes later when he strolled into the room.
"Hey, Harry, have you seen . . ." the blonde stopped short at the sight of the red husky cub seated upon Harry's bed. "Oh there it is!"
Harry blinked and looked up at his fellow Gryffindor.
"Wait, you know what this is," the Savior asked of the newborn. Neville nodded and grinned sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his neck.
"It's a gift. From Hagrid."
That was all Neville needed to say for Harry to understand. The Boy-Who-Lived sighed and shook his head, muttering about crazy half-giants and supposedly harmless pets.
"Alright then, can you tell me exactly what this is? Last I checked dogs weren't red."
To this Neville simply shrugged.
"I was actually hoping you could tell me," his admitted apologetically. Harry sighed and stared back at the odd colored dog – which was still staring up at him.
"Well we'll have to figure it out later. I'm gonna go down and make some breakfast, would you like to help?"
"Sure," Neville agreed.
And that was when the husky let out a bark and ended up spewing fire – which set fire to Harry's comforter and required a well placed Aguamenti and Reparo to fix things.
"You can't be serious. You've completely lost your mind!"
Harry arched a brow questioningly at Draco when he joined their group at lunch. The blonde shrugged, although his bored look said he didn't really care what it was Bella and Alice were arguing about now. In fact, it seemed the two had been arguing for a bit for everyone seemed to have resigned looks on their face – save for Edward who was looking a cross between annoyed and concerned.
But Harry wasn't about to ask Edward what was going on.
He was still nursing hurt feelings at the way the vampire seemed to dismiss him yesterday when Harry had been offering to help.
But that didn't mean the brunette could stop from listening in.
It seems like the argument had moved to more serious grounds – the newborns in Seattle that is. Edward was now telling Bella that they would be going into Seattle within a week – a thought that made Harry's heart constrict painfully in his chest.
"You're looking for help," Bella said rather slowly, a thoughtful look on her face.
"Yes," Alice said in an equally slow voice.
"Well," and Bella's voice was almost casual now. "I could help." This declaration had Edward's entire body tensing up. It was Alice, however, who said anything.
"That really wouldn't be helpful."
"Why not," Bella was arguing and a slow sense of horrible realization was sweeping over Harry now, especially at Bella's next words. "Eight in better than seven. There's more than enough time."
Bella wasn't possibly thinking . . .
She had more sense than that.
Right?
Obviously not seeing as Alice's next words were words to dissuade Bella from her ridiculous idea. Harry was clearly going to have to have another talk with Bella if the girl thought becoming a vampire could fix anything.
Now seemed like as good a time as any really.
"Hey, Bella," Harry called, gathering the girl's attention. "Can I have a word with you?" And he forced his expression into a friendly one so that Bella wouldn't get the seriousness of the conversation they would be having.
Bella arched a brow at him but stood none the least.
"Actually," she admitted as the two walked away from the table. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you." This brought Harry up for a moment and he sent the girl an inquiring look. "It's about Edward."
"What about Edward," Harry asked stiffly, his stance defensive. This drew another questioning look from Bella.
"Well," she said slowly. "It's really just something you said yesterday. . . ." Harry made a motion with his hand that urged her on. "Something like not standing idly by while someone else you loved died."
Harry's entire body froze.
Surely he didn't say love . . . right. He had said 'care for.' He was sure of it. He was positive. Because he didn't love Edward.
He couldn't love Edward.
Not yet at least.
And this thought frightened him.
Surely he wasn't thinking about loving the vampire. This was just a little fling. So what if they were mates?
"Harry?"
Bella was waving a hand in front of Harry's face, her expression one of concerned. And Harry suddenly remembered the reason why he had pulled Bella away from lunch.
"Look, it was nothing. I was just saying whatever in the heat of the moment," Harry said quickly in a dismissive voice. Bella didn't look the least bit fooled, but Harry rushed on before she could argue. "Anyways, that's not what I wanted to talk with you about. I was actually wondering about that conversation you were just having with Alice."
Now it was Bella's turn to tense up and she eyed Harry shiftily.
"Yea," she said slowly.
"Something about you helping the Cullens," Harry went on, hoping he couldn't have to say it out loud. But Bella didn't seem to want to say it either, or anything for that matter and so Harry reiterated. "It seemed like you were suggesting that they turn you."
And there it was – out there in the open for all to see.
"And if I was," Bella questioned, sounding more curious than anything else. Harry let out a low sigh and shook his head.
"Bella, Bella, Bella," he said and sighed again. "Do you honestly think turning a person is the smart thing to do?" Bella shrugged awkwardly and Harry plowed on. "I mean think about this for a moment. Think about the life you're giving up. Your father. Your friends. You won't be able to have a family —"
"I already know all this," Bella cut across rather suddenly, startling Harry from the neat little picture that was forming in his head. "I've already thought all this through. I know what I'm giving up, but at this point it doesn't matter."
"What are you talking about," Harry demanded, suddenly confused.
He had thought, no, assumed that this had all been a rash decision that had sprung up from Bella's need to help everyone. But from the sounds of it, Bella had actually thought about this for a while. How long, Harry wasn't sure.
"I have to be turned Harry," Bella told him, looking suddenly grave. "If the Cullens don't turn me, I will be killed."
Blaise sighed in frustration and threw down the quill he had been holding. He rubbed tiredly at his eyes before glaring at the documents spread out before him.
Suddenly he wished he was going to school with Potter and everyone else, because surely they didn't have to deal with all this political, legal shit. Blaise swore if he had to sign another paper with, 'Yes, we do want to move our vaults to the American branch of Gringotts' he just might claw his eyes out.
"Hey, we have another one," Neville's voice called out and the just-turned vampire dropped another stack of parchment on the desk. Blaise stared blankly at the documents for a moment and the let out a loud roar that had Neville jumping back in surprise.
"What," the former Gryffindor demanded in alarm.
"I can't do this," Blaise shouted, slamming his hand down on the desk. Rosalina Potter hissed at them, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she went to find yet another portrait that she could reside in and hopefully have some peace and quiet.
"Maybe you should take a break," Neville suggested, gazing warily at the volatile teen.
"I don't need a break," Blaise growled, snatching up the quill again and practically stabbing at the top parchment. "Not when our leader" – stab – "has declared that I will handle this shit." – stab – "No, I'm perfectly fine." Another stab. There were now four holes in the parchment and Blaise rolled his eyes before growling out a repairing charm.
Neville gave Blaise a dubious look but didn't decide to argue with him.
"I've actually been wondering about this whole leader stuff," the blonde muttered, wondering if a distraction was what Blaise really needed. It seemed to work because the black Italian looked up, a look of relief on his face.
"You never did explain to me why you wanted to join Harry," Neville reminded him and that was all the incentive Blaise needed to leave the work for the moment.
"It has to do with our inheritance. It binds us to him," Blaise informed, leaning back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head, and crossing his feet at the ankles. Neville arched a brow curiously waiting for Blaise to continue.
"Have you heard about the Wolfe clan?"
At this question Neville nodded vigorously, his eyes going a little wide. He could clearly remember the tales of the legendary Wolfe clan. His grandmother used to tell him of how that powerful quartet had done things most wizards could only dream of. And then one day they just vanished without a trace.
"Well, that's what we are."
"Wait," Neville said slowly, his brows furrowed. "You're telling me. That you and Harry are . . . are . . . No way." Blaise simply nodded, a cocky smirk making its way onto his lips.
"It's true. I'm the last descendent of Raphael Zephyr, the one who could control fire. Draco is the descendent of Charity Alphorn of the Airs. Lovegood is the descendent of Lasik Serapha of the Waters. And Potter, our glorious leader, is the last descendent of Naira Peverell of the Earth. We make up the Wolfe clan, a name given to us when a witch saw our second animagus for, the wolf."
Neville was now gazing at Blaise in open mouthed awe.
He couldn't imagine that . . .
Then again, whenever Harry was involved one could expect the unexpected. That teen just seemed to unearth things that people believed was lost to the world forever – for example: the Chamber of Secrets.
"If the rest of the Wizarding World knew this about you guys," Neville said, his voice just as awed as his expression. Blaise snorted.
"They would be worshiping the very ground we walk on instead of trying to slander our leader with blatant lies."
The two fell into silence, pondering over these words. A loud crack broke them from their thoughts moments later.
Neville turned to look inquiringly at the elf – Misty – who was bowing lowly at them, her nose almost touching the floor.
"Little Master Teddy is awake sirs," she told them in her high-pitched elf voice.
"Err, thanks Misty," Neville said awkwardly. Misty bowed again before disappearing with another crack. "I guess I'll leave you to your work now."
Blaise let out a low sigh, glaring at the documents.
"Yes, go look after the little monster," he said and made a shooing motion with his hand.
Neville chuckled and left Blaise to the tiresome work of documentation.
Luna hummed softly as she navigated around the people leaving the school. The swirled around her like a swarm of doxies, all rushing to leave the campus ground so that they could be free until the next time they were trapped behind the walls of the school.
Luna weaved throughout them, making a game of it and trying to see if she could spot any wandering Yaksperns trying to sink into peoples' skins. When they got there they cause people to break out with unexplainable rashes.
She was distracted from her search when she spotted Alice and Bella up ahead near one of the picnic benches, leaning into each other and talking in hushed whispers.
Luna cocked her head to the side and casted her gaze around in search for Edward – sure that he would be close by – but he was nowhere to be seen. And so she walked over to the two girls, knowing that now was her chance.
"Ladies."
Bella jumped a little before turning around to look at Luna with wide eyes.
"Luna!"
"I've startled you," Luna observed, looking up at the taller girl with luminous eyes. Bella blinked before letting out a little chuckle.
"Well yes you did."
Luna nodded at that, tucking her long hair behind once ear – where one of her radish earrings glimmered. The three then fell into an awkward kind of silence in which Luna stood there and swayed gentle to a song she was making up in her head.
"Um, can we help you with something," Alice asked politely after the silence became something she could no longer bear.
"James isn't falling in like you thought he would," Luna said rather suddenly. Alice blinked and shared a startled look with Bella.
"What are you —?"
"Your plan," Luna told them, sounding just shy of impatient. She swatted at the air a little, dislodging a Chikari that was trying to tie a knot into Bella's hair. "It's not working like you thought it will. It's because James is really hard headed. The Wrackspurts have taken hold and they're clouding his judgment."
"Oh-kay," Bella drawled, her confusion evident. She had no idea what Luna was going on about. And what was a Wrackspurt?
"So what do you suggest we do," Alice asked and Bella turned to look at her like she was crazy. Surely she wasn't asking Luna what to do. Bella wasn't sure if the girl was capable of any kind of normal solutions.
"It's quite simple," the blonde said, nodding her head as if she were agreeing with something. "Let the tension build."
Bella blinked.
Alice blinked.
Luna hummed.
"That's surprisingly very simple," Alice finally said, her tone clearly one of surprise.
"Just because I act the way I do doesn't mean I'm incapable of simple logic. I was sorted into Ravenclaw, where wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure," Luna told them serenely, and Bella cursed the fact that she was still clearly human and could therefore still blush.
"Well Luna," Alice said to divert away from Bella's clear embarrassment. She hooked her arm through Luna's and pulled the girl in close. "This looks like the start of a beautiful relationship."
"Oo, this is exciting," Luna drawled. "I've only had James and Dragon as friends. I've never had any girl friends." This startling confession made Bella feel even guiltier. Really, who was she to judge someone just because they were a little odd? Look at Alice.
"Well now you have us," Bella said, coming up on Luna's other side and hooking herself to the small girl as Alice had. "We should have a girl's day."
"Let's go to an amusement park," Luna said in agreement. "Let's go to Disney World! I heard they have a dragon. I miss seeing dragons." Bella blinked at that.
"Uh, Luna, Disney World is in California. We couldn't possible make it there in time to get on any rides," she told the girl gently, deciding to dismiss the whole dragon comment. If there were wizards in the world, who says there can't be such things as dragons. "And even if we could, I don't have the money —"
"Oh posh," Luna cut across her. "I can get us there in two minutes."
And with that said the three girls disappear with a loud crack that had several of Forks' remaining students looking around in confusion.
"Welcome all to the auditions for Forks High's Music Competition," Ms. Abel said as way of greeting. A low murmur spread throughout the group in the auditorium. Harry shared a look with Draco.
Competition?
"Yes, yes, I know," Ms. Abel continued, her voice rising over the murmurs. "As I explained to yesterday's audition group I've managed to hash out all the details of this spur of the moment contest with our sponsor." As she said this, she gestured toward the stage and out walked Alice in all her pixie-like glory.
"Hi everyone," she chirped happily. "First I would like to say that yes this is a competition and yes there will be a prize for the winner. Second I would like to ask that anyone who is here on a dare please leave because some of the people here are actually serious about this." Here Alice paused and watched as a group of boys in the very back exited the auditorium, jeering loudly and making a big show of things.
"Moving on. The auditions today can be considered a first round. Our judges today will be the teachers of the music department. Those who make it past this round will move on to the actually competition where the students will vote on who's best. That group will win a two thousand dollar scholarship and the opportunity to play at the graduation party that I'm having."
Alice concluded with a little bow and gave the attention back to Ms. Abel, who was now calling the first group onto stage. While the group of girls started setting up, Harry leaned over to Draco.
"Is it me or does this seem just a little bit suspicious," Harry questioned.
"Suspicious how," the blonde inquired curiously. Harry simply shrugged and settled for looking thoughtful. It was just a little odd that the Cullens had been living in Fork for a while and never before did they decide to sponsor an event until now. Harry wanted to dwell on it, but really, what was so bad about a two thousand dollar scholarship and giving people an opportunity to show off their musical talents?
It was a while before Harry's group was called up. The three walked up to the stage and began setting up their instruments.
Harry felt a lump form in his throat as a case of stage fright swept over him.
"Easy, peasy," Luna whispered to him as she walked by to stand to the left of Draco's drums. "Just like a home."
Harry sent her a thankful look and turned to face the microphone and audience.
"Hey everyone. We're the Hogwarts' Wolves! And this is a little song I wrote called, 'Standing Tall.'!"
With that said Harry took a step back and Draco set up the base line with Edward weaving in a little melody on his keyboard. Luna jumped in then with a little cord and Harry laid down a complicated rifted. Already they could see that they had the audience's attention.
Harry and Luna both opened up, their voices mixing together to create a unique taste – low and melodic Harry with warbling bird-like Luna.
"Don't try to tell me
That your life is over
For it's just beginning
So take my hand
And we'll keep on living
So don't you dare give in
Just keep on
Walking far!"
Luna took the next verse all on her own, letting the bird-like sound of her voice spread out over the room.
"I'll keep on leading
So you'll keep believing
And we'll never give up
We'll take a stand
And stand tall!"
Harry grinned, feeling like he was in his element. It was the same feeling he got when he was playing Quidditch. He took over the next verse, letting the music wash over him and take him away.
"As I go through these dark
Dark days
I wanna stop and drift away
You came into my life
And took away the pain
How did you do it?
Are you the one for me?
You just say . . ."
Luna jumped in again for the chorus.
"I'll keep on leading
So you'll keep believing
And we'll never give up
We'll take a stand
And stand tall!"
Draco jumped in all of a sudden, taking over the next verse. His deep aristocratic drawl adding a new kind of sound to the group.
"Here I stood
Ready to give up
Then I stop and looked up
And there you are
Smiling at me
Begging me
Please, oh please
You take my hand and pull me away
And then I know everything's okay
And then your words come to me
They say . . ."
Edward took the next verse, adding his own musical voice to the mix. While the others' voices we're just shy of unique, Edward's sounded like the voice of an angel.
"I'll keep on leading
So you'll keep believing
And we'll never give up
We'll take a stand
And stand tall!"
All four of them took up the chorus this time, and their voice were both a weird mash-up of sound and something extraordinary all at the same time.
So don't try to tell me
That you'll life is over
For it's just beginning
So take my hand
I'll keep on leading
So you'll keep believing
And we'll never give up
We'll take a stand
And stand tall~"
They ended with another nifty little rift from Harry.
The applause was thunderous, but it was the judges that made the final call.
Harry waited patiently, breathing a little bit heavily. One by one the judges held up a card. If they got three checks they were threw. Taking a deep breath, Harry scanned the cards one by one, counting in his head.
One . . . two . . . three . . . four . . . five!
Harry felt Luna knock into him as she hugged him tightly. And then Draco was there thumping him on the back. Harry felt like his heart just might burst. He turned to look behind him, into the face of Edward and beamed brightly.
Sure, it was only just the audition but it was the first thing besides Quidditch in which Harry had gotten such positive feedback.
Draco was actually grinning as he maneuvered his bike through the streets of La Push.
He didn't want to think too deeply on why he was grinning or why he was heading to La Push of all places – but he was. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Draco was honest to God happy and he was letting himself feel that way.
He wasn't questioning it.
Because if he started questioning it he was sure his Malfoy upbringing would rear its ugly head and he wouldn't be feeling so happy anymore.
For once in his life Draco was just going with the flow.
It was terribly frightening, but he felt like he owed himself this.
And it was also exhilarating.
Draco basked in it, soaking it up and letting it spread through his body. He wasn't even paying all that much attention to the road.
It was pure reflex – although he would claim that he saw it coming later – that kept Draco from knocking into the figure standing in the road.
Draco's bike skidded around the figure and hit a patch of stones by the edge of the road. Both Draco and the bike flipped into the trees.
Draco groaned and pushed the bike off of him. Anger speared through him and he turned to glare hatefully at the fool who had been standing in the middle of the bloody street. Said fool, however, was already at Draco's side, fussing over him and apologizing furiously.
Draco blinked up into the face of Jacob Black and all anger just seemed to wash itself out of his body. He sighed and swatted at Jacob's hands.
"I'm fine," he told the shape shifter. "No blood, no foul." Jacob still looked like someone had just killed his dog. "Look, just make it up to me, okay?"
"Okay," Jacob agreed quickly. He then moved to help Draco up, brushing dirt off of the blonde's clothes. "I'm really sorry though. I smelt you coming and I just wanted to catch your attention. It was incredibly stupid, I know but —"
"I get it," Draco cut him off with a slight smirk.
And awkward silence descended between them. Draco could feel a blush trying to work its way onto his face as he suddenly remembered what they had done a couple of night ago.
"Hey, do you wanna come to my house and clean up," Jacob asked in an effort to break the awkwardness. Draco looked a little startled at the idea. "It's just up there. And we can talk or something."
"Talk," Draco repeated faintly, staring in the direction that Jacob had pointed. It took all of two seconds for Draco to decide. "Yeah, sure."
The walk to Jacob's house was just as awkward. Draco was searching his mind constantly for things to talk about, but it was as if his thoughts had suddenly decided to take a break. And then they were at the shifter's house.
It was a small thing. It looked like it only held two rooms at the most. But it had a sort of charm to it that Malfoy manor never seemed to have. It was definitely lived in, Draco thought. All the furniture was worn and the living room was cramped.
"So," Jacob asked nervously from where he was standing in the tiny kitchen.
"I like it," Draco admitted, his voice thick with surprised honesty. "It has a lot of character."
"Thank," the large teen mumbled and shuffled toward the couch where he all but sprawled out on it. Draco shifted awkwardly on his feet for a moment before moving to sit in the small space next to Jacob.
"So . . . what kind of house did you grow up in?"
"A manor," Draco admitted a little sheepishly. "But it's not as cool as it sounds. There's just too much space and I don't know how many times I got lost when I was little and trying to go to breakfast."
Jacob didn't seem to know what to say about that and so he picked another subject.
"What are your parents like?"
Jacob was confused when Draco tensed up all of a sudden, and he was about to retract the question and ask something else, but Draco moved to answer it anyways.
"My father is not someone I like to talk about," the older teen started slowly. "He wasn't a particularly good father. Never offered words of pride or anything like that. He was . . . a cold man. And he tried to make me a copy of him."
Draco looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers. Jacob saw a little smile make its way onto the blonde's lips.
"Now my mother, she is probably the kindest and most amazing person I know. If I didn't have her . . . I don't know where I'd be in life. It was an arranged marriage," Draco explained further for Jacob. "I think the only reason my mother stayed with my father was because of me. She wanted to make sure that I didn't turn out to be as rotten on the inside as he was."
"Will I ever get to meet her," Jacob asked, pulling Draco from his thoughts. The blonde arched a brow at the shifter.
"Why would you want to meet her," he questioned. Jacob shrugged looking suddenly uncomfortable.
"Well . . . because she's your mom. And we're —"
"We're what," Draco demanded sharply. He moved away from the wolf-shifter to peer up at him with hard eyes.
"I . . . I," Jacob stammered, looking unsurely around the room. Draco reached forward in a rash show of boldness and grabbed at Jacob's face, forcing the younger teen to look him in the eyes. Dark chocolate gazed into hard silver.
"Jacob."
Draco said his name in a warning tone.
"I imprinted on you," Jacob blurted out, unable to break away from Draco's gaze. Draco dropped his hands, letting them fall to the couch as he stared up at Jacob in shock. He wasn't one hundred percent sure what imprinting meant, but he was sure that it had something to do with them being mates.
"What exactly is imprinting," Draco drawled after a moment of silence.
Harry didn't think he had ever been in a more uncomfortable situation as the one he was in now. He had come to the Cullens house to pick up Teddy – who he had left with Rosalie seeing as the vampire was so taken with him – and somehow he had been coerced into have tea and biscuits with Esme. Or rather, she was feeding him tea and biscuits and watching him eat it.
As much as Harry liked Esme – for her kindheartedness and her big heart and motherly ways – it was still uncomfortable sitting here eating while she just watched and quizzed him about anything and everything.
"And how are your parents handling your move," Esme questioned kindly as Harry took a bite out of another biscuit. For a person who could no longer eat, she sure knew how to bake.
Harry swallowed the sweet before answering.
"They're dead Ma'am."
"Please dear, it's Esme," the motherly vampire said, a sad smile taking over her face. "And I'm very sorry to hear that."
"It's okay, Esme. They died a long time ago."
Esme looked like she wanted to say more, but a cough from the doorway had her stopping. Harry looked over to see Edward standing there giving Esme as significant look.
"Oh, um . . . I have some things I need to speak with Carlisle about," Esme suddenly said, getting up from where she had been seated next to Harry. She sent the dark-haired teen a smile and said, "You can take those cookies with you if you don't finish it, okay."
"Okay," Harry agreed, bemused and watched as Esme flitted out of the room. Edward took up her spot.
"Are you done," he asked, motioning to the biscuits that Harry hadn't touched since Esme had left. Harry pushed the plate away to show that he was. "Okay then. Can we finally talk?"
Harry sighed and grabbed at the cup of tea, letting it warm his fingers.
"I thought we already had our talk."
"We got . . . distracted," Edward informed him. Harry blushed a bright red at that and looked down into his tea. "Why are you avoiding this so much?"
Harry peered up at Edward from under his bangs, not sure how to answer the question.
How could he explain the overwhelming fear that gripped his heart whenever he thought about giving in? How could he explain that he didn't think he was capable of love? How could he explain that he felt like he was endangering Edward's life just by being here? That being the soul mate of Harry Potter was possibly the worst thing that could possible happen to him?
He couldn't, because saying it out loud made everything real and horribly terrifying. And if he ever voiced his thoughts he was sure they wouldn't be as sound as they were in his head.
"Harry?"
"I just don't want to talk about this," Harry murmured lowly. He felt Edward's hand under his chin and he didn't fight the pull as he was turned to face the bronze-haired vampire.
"Okay, we don't have to talk about it," Edward said just as lowly. His eyes were a dark amber now, and Harry felt like he was drowning in them. He could feel Edward's breath ghosting over his lips . . .
"Harry will you let me plan Luna's surprise party?"
Alice looked innocent enough as she gazed over at Harry. She looked for all the world like she hadn't just interrupted something important, but Harry wasn't all that fooled. Not with that mischievous gleam in the small vampire's eyes.
"What," Harry questioned, trying to will his blush way.
"Luna's surprise party," Alice repeated.
"We weren't," Harry started to say then shook his head and thought better of it. This was Alice they were talking about. "Sure Alice. You can plan the party."
"Oo, goodie," the vampire cheered with a clap of her hands. "We can have it here. It'll be like a prequel to the graduation party. We need to get started on the cake. And gifts!" Alice let out a sudden gasp, a look of horror flashing across her face. "I haven't even gotten her a present yet." And then the girl was gone from the room, leaving Harry staring at the place where she had been standing in amazement.
"What have I done," the brunette whispered in mock shock. Edward let out a low chuckle that sent a thrill through Harry's body.
"Alice is a force to be reckoned with." Harry laughed his agreement, turning toward Edward with a smile. A peculiar look made its way onto Edwards face, but Harry hardly noticed.
"I never thought I would meet someone just as odd as Luna, but here she is."
Edward's hand was under Harry's chin again. But this time he traced his finger up Harry's jaw and curled his finger's around his cheek.
"I love it when you smile," the vampire muttered lowly. Harry's smile slid right off his face and the intense feeling from before Alice had interrupted them returned in full vengeance. Edward's hand had now slid back to cup the back of Harry's neck.
Edward pulled Harry close, their bodies aligned. Harry could feel the coldness of Edward's skin seeping through his shirt and he shivered reflexively. His cool lips pressed once against Harry's cheek, his nose, the corner of his mouth . . .
"What kind of things does Luna like?"
Harry blinked furiously to get the clouds from his mind. It took him a moment to understand what Alice had asked of him. He was vaguely aware of the heated glare Edward was sending his little sister, but he chose to ignore it – that and the blush that was covering his entire body now.
"She likes to paint," Harry told Alice faintly.
The girl was grinning up at him and he wondered if there was anything else she wanted.
"Is that all Alice," Edward demanded in an even voice. The girl nodded and then skipped slowly from the room. "Honestly that girl."
"Hmm," Harry hummed vaguely, his head still not completely clear, especially since Edward was rubbing soothing circles into his back with one hand and the other was still cupping the back of his neck. Harry tried to move back to his chair – he wasn't sure when he had climbed into Edward's lap – but Edward's hold on him wasn't easily broken.
Not that Harry was trying too hard.
"You're always fighting me," Edward observed.
"You're always crowding me," Harry shot back, but he relaxed against Edward anyways, allowing the vampire to hold him close. Edward pressed a kiss to Harry's forehead and the teen's eyes fluttered shut. He leaned in closer, allowing his instinct to take over and thinking that now, finally Edward will be able to ki—
"Da!"
Harry jumped away from Edward in a move that even surprised the vampire.
He was breathing heavy, his eyes wild as he looked over to the lean form of Rosalie standing in the doorway – Teddy perched comfortably on her hip.
The toddler was reaching his arms out to his godfather, his face bright with a smile.
"Da," he called again, and balled his hands into fist as is beckoning Harry. The teen Savior smiled shakily at his godson before going over to relieve Rosalie of the babe and handing him one of Esme's biscuits.
"Hey Teddy bear, how was your day?"
In response Teddy began to babble about, only ever other word an actual word although they didn't make sense with any legit kind of story. The-Boy-Who-Lived and the metamorphagus both disappeared into the living room.
When they were gone Rosalie arched a brow questioningly at Edward, who groaned and said, "I never thought the day would come where I would hate a child."
To that Rosalie snorted and shook out her blonde hair.
So . . . yea. I know it's short . . . but it is kinda a filler. So anyways. Review if you want. I'm still taking ideas!