Wow! It's been like . . . what? Three weeks? Four tops? And I'm updating. jeez you people have been super lucky lately. Anyways. Here you go. Just so you know this might have more grammar errors than usual. It's just a tiny bit rushed . . . or sloppy . . . or maybe tedious is the word? Enjoy!

Pairings:

Harry/Edward (duh!), Alice/Jasper, Esme/Carlisle, Rosalie/Emmett, Draco/Jacob, Luna/?, Bella/Blaise, Neville/?, Paul/Seth (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.

A/N: I've posted the first two chapters of my original story on FictionPress so feel free to check it out. It's called Murdering Perfection and I have the same pen name.

I've Been Nominated! www*energizewipawards*blogspot*com/2011/09/nominees*html

Chapter 13

Harry and his housemates arrived at Fork High a little late thanks to Teddy and his monster dog. It had taken a lot of convincing but Harry managed to convince Teddy that Moony would be perfectly fine at home with the house elves. Even now Teddy was still sulking a little and he refused to tell Harry 'bye' when Neville and Blaise walked off to join the group of parents and siblings taking seats in the gym.

"He'll get over it so stop looking so heartbroken," Draco said with a roll of his eyes as Luna patted Harry comfortably on the arm. Harry just managed to control the urge to stick his tongue out at Draco, but only just. As it turned out, Draco seemed to sense Harry's intention anyways because the blonde threw him a dirty look before strutting toward the back of the Gym – where the seniors were told to gather. However, as Draco left Harry gave into his urge and made a face at the older teen's back.

The cramped area behind the Gym was a bit chaotic when Harry and Luna finally rounded the corner. Ms. Cope from the front office and one of the math teachers were trying to get everyone into an alphabetical line – but most people were milling about, chatting with their friends instead of cooperating. It seemed like after a while the math teacher lost all patience and began yelling at people to get into place.

Harry ended up standing right in front of Jessica Stanley of all people. If that wasn't a testament of how small Forks was, then nothing was. As it stood, the girl talked everyone's ear off for a whole thirty minutes before the actual graduation began. She kept lamenting on how awesome the year had been and how good friend everyone had been and how they should all keep in touch when the all went off the university. Harry just kept giving Bella long suffering looks of empathy. And then the graduation was on its way.

Neville looked around the gym with wide eyed wonder, taking in all the Muggles and Muggle products. The stuff was so strange and foreign and amazing.

"That's not a look someone normally sees on a teen's face." The dry comment came from right next to him and so Neville turned to look at the person. It was Leah, he remembered her from the bonfire and yesterday's talent competition. Despite that he still couldn't help but marvel at her amazing russet skin or her spiky dark hair. She just looked so bloody cool.

"Cat got your tongue?"

"Pardon," Neville asked, blinking when he realized he was staring.

"You look like you've dropped into wonderland," Leah told him with some amusement.

"What's wonderland," Neville asked, his brows furrowing at the unfamiliar term.

"You've never read Alice in Wonderland?" Neville shook his head and Leah sighed. "You're childhood was seriously robbed."

"I suppose it's a Muggle think then," Neville wondered. "I've always wanted to read Muggle stories, but my grandmum wouldn't let me. She was afraid it would confuse me too much."

"Well I'll lend you the book and you can figure out whether or not it will confuse you," Leah told him with a small smile and a shake of her head.

Neville smiled back before turning to face the front as the graduation started.

Harry had finally come to the decision that Alice Cullen was a force to be reckoned with. Not only had she managed to single handedly plan the best party in the existence of Forks, but she had also managed to set it all up in only two short hours. Harry supposed she had a little help from a thing called vampire speed, but it was still rather disconcerting.

"I like it," Draco declared imperiously as he critically took in the flashing strobe lights and the gleaming stage that had replaced the platform that had previously housed Edward's piano. Bella let out a low groan from beside Harry and he could guess that she now wished she had stayed for dinner with her dad for just a little bit longer.

"This is so stupid," she muttered lowly.

"Alice will be Alice," Edward said in a rather tense voice. Harry peeked sideways at his kinda-sorta boyfriend, but besides the clear tension Edward wasn't revealing anything. And didn't that just suck. Sometime after the actually graduation, most of which passed in a blur for Harry, Bella had told Edward something that had turned him into a bloody statue of tension. And despite the amount of times Harry had probed and pried, Edward still hadn't told him with that conversation had been about.

"Hey Bella, wanna help me get some things from the car," Harry asked casually, keeping his face as open as possible. Bella didn't even have to think hard about her answer. She seemed to want to get away from the horror house as soon as possible.

"I can't believe Alice would do all this," Bella was ranting as she walked with Harry outside. "With everything else going on . . . ugh, she's being so unreasonable."

"Well it's not like we know anything concrete. We're just playing the waiting game now," Harry cut in smoothly. He popped the trunk open and started pulling out his amp when he caught the guilty expression on Bella's face.

"Something you want to tell me," he asked blandly.

"Well . . . uh," Bella stammered, shifting uncomfortably. She shuffled forward and a made a move as if she was going to pick something up but then stuck her hands into her pockets. "I . . . kinda figured some things out."

"And they are?"

"Well . . . everything is connected. The vampire who stole my clothes is the same one that's changing newborns in Seattle. I kind of put everything together this morning." Bella's voice turned sheepish toward the end but Harry didn't really notice. He was thinking hard about Bella's epiphany.

Really, looking at it objectively it made absolute sense. And Harry was sure he would have put the pieces together a long time ago, but since these events weren't happening to him he hadn't had all the facts.

"So they're coming for you. This newborn army?"

"That's what we think," Bella admitted.

"So everyone knows this except for me," Harry demanded, stung. Bella shrugged her shoulders although she looked a little bit guilty.

"Well I imagine Edward's telling everyone else now."

"And he didn't feel the need to tell me?" Harry's hands started clenching into fist at his side and he threw a glare at the house.

This whole, overprotective kinda-boyfriend thing was becoming a real pain real fast.

"Hey, don't take it too hard," Bella told him soothingly. "He's just trying to protect you."

"Bloody hell he is," Harry growled, but left it at that. He and Bella began pulling the instruments from the car in a rather tense silence. Bella kept throwing Harry worried looks, which Harry was choosing to ignore only because he felt like he was likely to blow up on the next person that so much as said 'hi' to him.

They had just finished setting up when Jack arrived, looking around with wide eyes and an awed expression. Harry could understand the way Alice did things just had people feeling like that all the time.

"Jack, over here," Harry called out gently and pulled her over to the stage. She nearly stumbled over the one step seeing as she was still staring up at the ceiling.

"This place is amazing," she finally said in a hushed tone.

"Alice likes to go all out," Harry told her candidly. Jack blinked rapidly before seeming to realize that her mouth was hanging open. She snapped it shut and even under the pulsing multi-colored lighting, Harry could tell that she was blushing.

"S-so . . . what's the set list," Jack asked after a moment of embarrassed silence. She was fiddling with the straps of her guitar and determinedly not looking at Harry. Harry smiled sympathetically, but otherwise pretended like he didn't notice.

"Well since this is first and foremost a party, we're planning to start out with generic music. Alice wants to give us time to mingle before we actually have to work so we won't actually go on until around ten."

"Oh." And Jack grimaced at his words.

"What?"

"Well . . . I don't want to sound ungrateful or anything . . ." she trailed off but Harry waited patiently for her to continue. "Well I'm a freshman remember. I don't exactly have any friend here to hang with."

Harry's lip parted with a surprised 'Oh.' Honestly he should have thought of that before.

"Don't be silly, Jack," Alice's tinkling voice suddenly cut in, the girl appearing at Harry's elbow. "I took the time to invite some of your friends too."

Now it was Jack's turn to look shocked.

"Really?" Alice nodded patiently and then she suddenly had an armful of Jack. "Thank you so much. Jeez I always knew you guys were freakin' awesome! Everyone had their doubts, you know – cause you guys don't really talk to anyone else. But not me, I knew you guys were cool. And I kept tellin' everyone that—"

Jack was babbling excitedly now and so Harry helpfully pulled Alice free and suggested that she continue setting up. Jack didn't even seem to notice that the other girl had left really, not until Harry had slipped his hand over her mouth to shut her up.

"Silence at last," he said cheekily and received a glare.

Bella was sulking in a corner near the kitchen when she was approached. She swallowed nervously as the black man came to a stop in front of her, an easy smile on his face.

"Good evening," he said smoothly, holding out a hand.

"Hi," Bella said back and allowed the handsome Italian to kiss the back of her hand only out of pure shock that someone would think to do such a thing.

"Isabella, isn't it? I do believe that is Italian," Blaise commented smoothly.

"It is," Bella answered, carefully taking her hand back and wondering at the probing look Blaise was giving her. "From my mother. Her name was Renee Moretti. It's rather generic, or so I've been told."

Bella shut her mouth with a click when she realized she was on the verge of rambling and a familiar blush found its way across her cheeks.

"It is," the black male reaffirmed. "But that will not deter me."

"From what," Bella questioned.

"From courting you, of course," was the answer. And Bella's face turned an even darker red, as it should have. Now Bella could be called a lot of things, but oblivious she was not. But she was still thrown for a loop at Blaise's words. Sure the teen had been hitting on her at every chance he got, but Bella had rightfully assumed he was just playing with her. There was no way that someone like him could actually be interested in plain, boring her.

And Bella was anything but a prude, so she fully acknowledged the fact that Blaise practically oozed sex appeal. And she had even indulged in a dream every now and then. And wasn't that pretty damn exciting. But that also screamed Blaise.

Sure, she had dated Edward Cullen of all people, but despite the whole vampire bit, Edward had been tame. He was the perfect dapper gentleman that a mother would want their daughter to have and a father wouldn't feel the need to pull a gun on. Even Jacob had been fairly tame, although Bella hadn't given that relationship much thought.

But Blaise Zabini . . .

Well he was the type of bad boy that a girl had an affair with and hid from her parents. He was danger and sex and thrilling excitement. And he certainly reminded Bella of her little danger stint with the motorcycles and cliff diving.

"You can't be serious," Bella finally managed to say when her thoughts caught up with her.

"I'm always serious," Blaise told her with a small frown.

"But why," Bella demanded, just managing to keep herself from announcing her insecurities out loud.

"Why not," Blaise shot back smoothly. "What did you think I was doing this entire time? I don't do things half way Isabella and my madre would have my hide if I ever strung a woman along." Bella's mouth was gapping open now as she gazed up at the older teen. So when the doorbell rang not a moment later, she practically ran to it if only to give herself some space to get her head together.

And then the party was underway and Bella was too busy playing host to even give Blaise Zabini much thought. Not that he made it easy. Every time she turned around he seemed to be a couple of feet away from her, staring at her even as he talked to someone else.

Bella was so flustered at the attention that she stuck close to Harry hoping that if Blaise did approach her again before she had given his words enough thought that Harry would act as a buffer. This plan was ruined for a moment, however, when Harry had to go on stage.

"Hey everyone, give it up for Jack one more time," Harry yelled into the MIC, throwing his arm around the girl's shoulder. She was beaming brightly out at them all, and she had every right to. Bella had never heard a more talented singer.

"But she's not leaving just yet," Harry continued to say and Jack's head swiveled around so she could stare at him with wide eyes. "Nope. Let's say Jack sings one more song for my band?" Everyone cheered and Bella heard a few catcalls ring around the room.

"That is so like Potter," a voice said into Bella's ear, making her jump literally a couple of inches off the ground. She turned her head to see Blaise right beside her, his face alarmingly close and that familiar grin oozing confidence.

"Oh, hey," Bella said awkwardly, moving over a little to put some space in between them, but Blaise just moved in closer. "Err, they're really good together." Bella gestured up at the stage where Harry and Jack were taking turns sing the lyrics to "Everything I Own" the Bandslam version.

"Mmhmm," Blaise agreed although he didn't look away from her like she had been hoping he would do. Bella felt her face heat up for what had to have been the millionth time that night. "You blush a lot," Blaise murmured, and he lifted his hand, his warm fingers grazing Bella's cheek. Bella felt a shiver run down her spin and she jerked back.

"I-I . . . Alice," she stammered and then practically ran to the other side of the house, hiding away in the kitchen. Esme was in there, humming away to herself, but she seemed to notice Bella's mood and so left her alone.

And so Bella spent the next twenty minutes hiding out in the kitchen and scolding herself for acting like a fool in front of a guy that was actually showing an interest in her.

"Stay here," Edward murmured close to Harry's ear so that he could be heard over the music. And then he was slipping away through the crowd, off to an alcove where he seemed to disappear into darkness. Harry narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend not even giving whoever it was his attention anymore.

"What's he doing," Bella whispered, standing on her toes so that she could see over the crowd. It seemed like Harry wasn't the only one suspicious about Edward's sudden disappearance. "Oh shit."

"What," Harry asked, alarmed at Bella's curse. But he already knew what because he had seen the look of dread on Alice's face when the alcove was lit up for the quickest of seconds.

"Excuse me, Jess," Bella suddenly blurted out and then she was twisting her way through the crowd toward Edward and Alice. Harry glance over at Jessica to see her face fall before he was following after Bella.

"What's going on?"

Draco had appeared at Harry's side, his eyes tense as he took in Harry's face.

"I don't know yet," Harry told him tersely. He finally caught up with Bella to see that Edward had disappeared off somewhere. Bella was standing in front of Alice, her hands gripped almost pleadingly in front of her.

"Please, Alice, what? What did you see," she was demanding, her face showing all the tension Harry's wasn't.

Alice wasn't even paying Bella any attention. Her eyes were fixed on something over Harry's shoulder, and so he looked also. Edward was all the way across the room, staring back. His face was so set . . . it looked to be carved from marble. And then he was disappearing into the shadows once more.

"Alice," Harry demanded, turning back to the small vampire.

The doorbell rung, somehow being heard over the blasting music. It sounded almost out, seeing as it had been hours since the last guest had arrived and the band had already played. Alice's face titled up with a puzzled expression that quickly turned into one of disgust.

"Who invited the werewolves," she bit out, looking put out. Draco shifted guiltily before saying, "Luna." Alice blinked at that before shrugging it off.

"Well you guy take care of it then. I have to go talk to Carlisle."

"No, Alice, wait," Bella exclaimed, her hand shooting out to grab onto her arm, but the vampire was suddenly gone. "Damn it!" Harry sighed in disappointment and turned to look at Draco who wasn't even paying them any attention anymore.

It was a curious thing to see – the look that came onto Draco's face when he saw Jacob Black. Harry had never seen the Malfoy look so open before. And wasn't it just the oddest thing to see how Jacob walked straight towards Draco, not even noticing the people he was practically plowing over.

"Oh goodie, they're finally here."

Harry was really getting sick of people just popping up on him, even though he still threw an arm around Luna's shoulder as his eyes took in the other two shifters that had showed up with Jacob.

"Paul, Seth, Jacob," Luna greeted them, leaning forward and taking one of Seth's hand and one of Paul's.

"Hey Luna," Seth chirped back, his young face showing innocent excitement. He then leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. Luna accepted it with a hum before turning to Paul expectantly. The larger shifter looked uncomfortable for a moment before he pulled Luna close, landing a quick peck on her lips.

"Whoa," Jacob just about shouted and he was staring at the three with wide eyes, as was Bella – who had previously been searching the area for some sight of Alice. "What . . . I . . . huh . . . but . . . what?"

"Nargles like to fly into open mouths," Luna commented serenely. "They also create great distractions. Is that what you're so interested in Isabella? You know you have to squint if you really want to see them."

Luna's comment seemed distraction enough because Jacob was now focused on Bella's tense face.

"Why're you so distracted," Jacob asked.

"It's nothing," Bella said immediately, almost as if she wasn't even aware she was saying it.

"Bella?" Everyone was looking at Bella now. Harry felt a little bit bad because she was clearly uncomfortably with the attention she was getting.

"Jake, I . . . not, there's nothing."

"It doesn't do one good to lie," Luna chimed.

"And you suck at lying anyways," Jake added. Bella was looking very caged now, her eyes darting here and there.

"It won't hurt to tell them," Harry advised.

"It's not . . . I just need to find Alice."

"The psychic saw something," Paul butted in and understanding lit up Jacob's face.

"I – yes, I think so."

"Is this about the bloodsucker in your room," Jacob asked, ducking his head down and pitching his voice below the thrum of the music. Bella didn't look like she was going to answer; her eyes were still darting around the room in search of Alice.

"Yes, it's related," Harry answered for her.

"So you know what this is all about," Jacob demanded and now Harry had all the attention.

"I know some of it but whatever Alice just saw was a complete mystery."

"Well you can start by telling us what you do know," Draco commented in his sarcastic manner, taking the words from his boyfriend's mouth. Jacob nodded behind him before crossing his arms over his chest. Paul and Seth mimicked him.

"Alice," Bella suddenly squeaked, relief clear in her voice. Harry looked over his shoulder just in time to see Alice skip over to Bella's side, her eyes narrowed. The little vampire moved close to Bella, her lips against her ear as she whispered something.

"Ah, er . . . I'll see you guys later," Bella mumbled, giving Harry a meaningful look before she started edging away from the group. Before she and Alice could move very far, Jacob threw his arm out, bracing it against the wall and blocking their path.

"Hey, not so fast."

Alice blinked once, staring up at him with wide, incredulous eyes. "Excuse me?"

"Tell us what's going on," Paul demanded.

"Temper," Luna sang.

And suddenly Jasper was standing on the other side of Jacob's arm, Neville teetering nervously behind him. And Harry could understand why his friend was nervous – Jasper's expression was understandably hostile.

Jacob slowly pulled his arm back. It seemed like the best move, going with the assumption that he wanted to keep that arm.

"We have a right to know," Jacob muttered, a pout on his lips. Jasper growled lowly and the three shifters back up respectfully. Seth and Paul moved to flank Luna who was now rocking on her heels and staring up at the ceiling.

"It's okay Jasper. He actually has a point." Jasper didn't relax. He moved closer to Alice, wrapping his arm around her tiny waist.

"So . . . um? What's going on guys," Neville asked, his voice vibrating his tension.

"Alice what did you see," Bella asked at the same time. Alice looked at the shifters for a moment before turning to Bella.

"The decision's been made."

"You're going to Seattle," Bella demanded and Harry echoed.

"No," Alice said slowly, her eyes darting between Bella and Harry as if she wasn't sure who to focus on more.

"They're coming here," Bella choked out after a moment.

"Yes."

"To Forks," she whispered.

"Yes."

"For?"

Alice hesitated. "One carried your red shirt."

Bella looked remarkably pale and Harry gripped her arm to keep her steady.

"We can't let them come that far," Jasper said through his teeth. "There aren't enough of us to protect the town."

"I know," Alice said, her face suddenly desolate. "But it doesn't matter where we stop them. There still won't be enough of us, and some of them will come here to search."

"No," Bella said as if she had a choice in the matter. "Alice. I have to go; I have to get away from here."

"I highly doubt they have tracker," Harry said calmly. "Our only choice in the matter is to protect you."

"But I could —"

"Bella," Harry cut across, already knowing what she was going to say. "We're going to protect you."

"Hold it," Jacob finally broke in. "What is coming?"

"Vampires. The new kind," Harry answered before either Jasper or Alice could because he just knew that they'd be as vague as possible. "They're tracking Bella's scent so it's safe to say that they're after her."

"And there are too many for them to handle?"

"For them yes," Harry agreed stressing the 'them' part.

"We have a few advantages," Jasper imputed in defense. "It'll be an even fight."

"No," Jacob disagreed, a fierce half-smile stretching across his face. "It won't be even."

"Excellent," Alice hissed.

Bella's mouth dropped open and she stared from Alice and Jacob as if she wasn't sure who was being more of an idiot. Harry could practically see the thoughts rushing through her head. It didn't seem to help that Alice and Jacob were now the best of friends.

"Everything just disappeared, of course. That's inconvenient, but, all things considered, I'll take it." Alice leaned up toward Jacob in her excitement.

"We'll have to coordinate," Jacob said, leaning down and matching Alice's excitement. "It won't be easy for us. Still, this is our job more than yours."

"I wouldn't go that far, but we need —"

"Wait," Bella interrupted, finally finding her voice. "Wait, wait, wait! Coordinate?"

"Well yeah. You didn't think you were going to keep us out of this," Jacob said flippantly.

"You are staying out of this!"

Harry sighed and turning his attention to the not arguing portion of the group. Draco and Luna were both looking at him with expectant expressions.

"Yes, we're helping."

"What about Edward," Luna asked.

"Edward doesn't make my decisions," Harry told her.

"So we're definitely helping. You're not going to change your mind or anything," Draco demanded, his eyes intent.

"Yes, Draco, I'm not going to change my mind." Draco eyed Harry for a moment more before nodding his head sharply. Harry rolled his eyes before turning back to the argument, and just in time to catch the last of Jasper's sentence.

". . . strategic meeting. If you're going to fight with us, you'll need some instruction."

The wolves all gave him disgruntled looks and Bella moaned a low, "No."

"This will be odd," Jasper continued, ignoring Bella's protest completely. "I've never considered working together. This has to be a first."

"No doubt about that," Jacob readily agreed. He was bouncing on his toes now, looking very much like an excited puppy. Harry almost laughed, especially when Draco glared at him as if he could hear Harry's thoughts.

"We've got to get back to Sam. What time?"

"What's too late for you?"

"What time," Jacob asked again after giving his pack brothers exasperated looks.

"Three o'clock?"

"Where?"

"About ten miles due north of the Hoh Forest ranger station. Come at it from the west and you'll be able to follow our scent in."

"We'll be there." Jacob turned and then planted a large smacking kiss on Draco's lips, much to the Slytherin's embarrassment.

"Jake, please don't do this," Bella was trying to plead with him, but Jacob simply patted her on the head and started heading out. Paul and Seth followed him out of the house after giving Luna their own kind of weird goodbye that involved Eskimo kisses.

And then the wolves were gone.

"I can't believe this," Bella was ranting now. "Can you believe this?"

"You're worrying too much," Harry told her. "I'm sure they understand the seriousness of the situation."

"But they don't," Bella yelled, throwing her arms up in frustration. "They don't at all. To them this is just some stupid play fight."

"Oh, stop complaining. You can't control them," Draco snapped at her before turning and storming off.

It's done. That chapter was like pulling nails! Jeez. The faster I get this whole newborn army thing out of the way the happier I'll be. Only a couple more chapters and then I can focus on Harry.

Review please. You're comments and ideas keep me alive!