So . . . I'm pretty sure it's been three months? or maybe four? Idk. But I have the next chapter here. Things are pretty much wrapping its self up with this whole Victoria/New born battle thingy. Lol. I'm not sure how you guys will feel about this chapter. It was grueling for me to get out. Lets hope the rest go smoothly.

Pairings:

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

A/N: So . . . I'm writing a book. It's a very slow process but I have someone who wants to publish it for me. So lets keep our fingers crossed!

Chapter 14

"You're not going."

Edward's expression was as firm as his tone and Harry had never felt more like a child.

"You can't stop me," he hissed angrily, feeling overly embarrassed that his pack mates were witnessing this. It didn't help that Blaise was snickering in the background.

"Yes I can." And didn't Edward sound just so sure of himself. And that was the problem. Edward was underestimating Harry. He had some ridiculous notion that because Harry could bleed he was incapable of fighting.

"Edward," Harry said warningly.

"This discussion is over," Edward spoke over him. "You're not going and that's final."

"You can't just tell me what to do and expect me to fall in line like some submissive fool. I'm an adult and I can do whatever the bloody hell I want."

"Harry please," Edward said, changing tactics now. "I just found you. Don't put me in the position where I have to watch as you are taken away from me."

"That's not fair and you know it," Harry said lowly. "I could use the same argument. And don't you dare bring in the age card because I feel as if I have lived just as long." A strained silence fell down upon them like cold water. The Cullens were trying to be very discrete about listening in as was Malfoy – but Bella and Blaise was staring rather rudely and Harry could feel their gaze.

"I can't let you go," Edward finally said and then rushed away before Harry could argue more. Not that Harry was about to. He was so angry he wasn't sure if he could talk anymore. It honestly wasn't fair of Edward to treat him this way and Harry was upset that he thought he had that right.

"I'll see you guys later," Harry muttered then motion for his group to move on out. They did so silently, Luna giving him woeful concerned eyes.

"Harry, wait!"

Bella caught up with Harry just as he reached his car and he turned to give her his full attention.

"Do you think . . . can you take me with you?"

"To my house," Harry asked with some surprise. "Why do you —"

"No! Not to your house. I'm talking about when you go to the meeting. You are going . . . aren't you," and her voice turned a little hesitant toward the end.

"Of course I am," Harry said confidently.

"Great." Bella smiled brightly. "So can you take me?"

"Sure, be ready at exactly three." Bella nodded enthusiastically, hugged Harry and then ran off. Harry shook his head at her, feeling a little bit better now

Bella was waiting impatiently crouched on the front porch when Harry pulled up in front of her house. A quick look showed that he was gonna have to use a little bit of magic to fit her into the car. He suddenly wished he had thought to send Luna on ahead instead of having them all squashed together in his car.

"Should have left the baby," Draco gripped, also looking into the back seat. Teddy was seated silently in Luna's lap, looking around with large violet eyes. Harry sighed. He muttered lowly under his breath before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a miniature bike. He debated for a minute, looking between Luna and Draco.

"Alright, Draco, I'm gonna bring Bella in on my bike. You'll be following me. Okay?"

Draco rolled his eyes at the pleading look Harry was giving him but nodded all the same. Bella jumped up when Harry go out and she rushed over to him. Her eyes trailed over the inhabitants of the car before focusing in on Harry.

"You're riding with me," he told her before she could say anything. He then placed the figurine on the ground. With a wave of his hand the object grew until it was its original size.

"Thank God Charlie is asleep," Bella murmured. "He would have a conniption if he saw me getting on this.

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him is the saying, right?" Harry patted the smooth leather seat and watched Bella carefully as she swung her leg over. She looked entirely too comfortable straddling the bike and Harry had to remind himself that she used to ride a motorcycle not too long ago.

"Do you know where we're going," he asked, holding out his helmet toward her. Bella nodded, lifting the helmet from Harry's hand and sliding it over her head. Harry mounted the bike, kicked it into start, and waited until Bella had wrapped her arms around his waist before peeling away from the house.

Bella directed him to a very rocky dirt road cutting into the forest a little bit farther out from where Potter Manor sat. In fact, they were so close to the manor that Harry could feel the wards buzzing not five feet to the left of where he stood.

"The meeting place is deep in. I'm not sure how deep. We took this road most of the way and then Edward piggy backed me the rest," Bella said when Harry had cut the engine.

"Okay. We'll go on foot from here."

Bella made a face, staring at the trees and rocks uncertainly. "We'll probably miss the whole meeting even if we move fast," she told him slowly, still staring at the terrain.

"That's why we're running," Harry said with a sharp grin. Draco snorted at his words and started stretching out his arms. Luna passed Teddy over to Neville before she started jumping lightly on her toes. Even Blaise was leaning down as he stretched out his legs.

"Running," Bella repeated dubiously. "I can barely walk across a flat surface without falling on my face and you want me to go running through a forest in the dark?"

Harry rolled his eyes at her, before leaning forward. The shift was so gracefully done that Bella felt like she missed it. One minute Harry was standing next to her and the next a wolf was sitting in his place. Bella now understood why Harry had called his friends pack mates. Everyone, save Neville and Teddy, had turned into a bunch of wolves. They were larger than normal wolves but smaller than the La Push wolves.

Harry, who was as black as Sam, nudged Bella with his nose and motioned towards his back. Bella hesitated.

She knew what Harry wanted but she hadn't even ridden a horse before much less a wolf that was actually one of her best friends. Bella slowly inched forward, throwing her leg over Harry's back like she had done his bike.

Harry started walking forward and Bella let out a squeal as she rocked forward. By reflex she wrapped her arms around his thick neck and buried her face into the fur there. She heard a low grumbling beneath her and imagined that Harry was laughing at her.

"Oh shut up," she muttered. There was another grumbling sound and then there was wind in Bella's hair. Bella kept her eyes closed and her face pressed into Harry's neck. She could feel them moving, a great difference from when she had ran with Edward or when she road on a bike. She could feel all of Harry's muscles moving powerfully underneath her and it gave her a rocking motion that wasn't all too pleasant.

And then they were coming to a stop. Bella peeked up and saw the rest of the guys waiting patiently for them at the forest edge. Blaise, Draco, and Luna had changed back already and Luna was twirling in circles with Teddy.

Bella sat up as Harry walked over and when he stopped she slid off his back. In the next second He was standing next to her, an amused smile on his face.

"So . . . you guys keep your clothes," Bella asked.

"Of course, why wouldn't we." Bella just shook her head and then lead the way. They entered at the edge of an enormous field that was as large as a professional Quidditch pitch. The Cullen's were already there, talking casually. Everyone could hear Emmett's booming laugh echoing around them.

"Bloody Salazar," Blaise exclaimed. "Imagine the matches we could play here." Blaise's voice drew the Cullen's attention and in the next second Edward was standing right in from of Harry, his expression furious.

"What are you doing here," he demanded lowly, his eyes almost black.

"What does it look like," Harry said, matching Edward's glare. "I'm here for the information session. We do need to know how to kill these newborns when we help you guys."

"You're not helping," Edward grounded out. Harry rolled his eyes and brushed past Edward, but Edward wouldn't allow it and he moved in front of the small wizard. Harry glared and moved to move around Edward again, and so it went. After the fifth time, Harry growled lowly, threw out his hands, and pushed Edward so hard that he landed on his back a few feet away.

"I'm staying and that's final," Harry said lowly. Edward glared at him before getting up and walking over to his family. Everyone else was staring at Harry with wide eyes.

"So . . . does this mean we get to practice with magic?" Emmet was the first to break the silence and he looked like a kid in the candy store at the prospect of seeing magic. Edward gave him a dark look but said nothing, his jaw clenched so tight it looked like it might just crack.

"When will our other guest arrive," Carlisle asked Edward.

Edward shifted, turning his attention towards the surrounding forest.

"A minute and a half," he said after a few seconds. "But I'm going to have to translate. They don't trust us enough to use their human forms."

"This is hard for them," Carlisle said empathetically with a nod. "I'm grateful they are coming at all."

"Wait," Bella interrupted and Harry felt her tense at his side. "They're coming as wolves?" Edward turned finally to look in Harry direction, but his gaze was fixed on Bella. Harry also looked at Bella; she was biting down on her lip and looking around a little uneasily.

"Want me to take you back home?"

"No," she quickly declined. She straightened her back, a resolved look coming onto her face. "I want to be here."

"Prepare yourselves," Edward suddenly called out, an amazed look dawning on his face. "They've been holding out on us."

"What do you mean," Alice demanded, sounding put out, but Edward simply shushed her. The Cullens suddenly moved out to form a loose line with Edward and Jasper taking spear point. Harry looked over his group before motioning for them to do the same. Bella was moved to stand in between Blaise and Harry, with Harry taking the very end and Neville moving to stand near Jasper.

"Damn," Emmett muttered under his breath. "Have you ever seen anything like it?" Blaise whistled appreciatively and Draco allowed a shit-eating grin to cross his face.

"Of course," Luna said plainly. Esme and Rosalie exchanged a wide-eyed glance while Alice groaned. Harry arched a brow, looking over at Neville who simply shrugged.

"What is it," Bella whispered – the only person who hadn't seen them yet. "I can't see."

"The pack is huge," Harry told her with a roll of his eyes. "Bigger than you guys know."

"Wait, you knew," Edward demanded.

"Of course. Draco told me."

The conversation was cut short as the wolves finally breached the tree line. Harry felt them first as the brushed against a layer of his wards. He was honestly surprised, he hadn't thought his land stretched this far.

There were ten of them, crouched in a more formal line in an arrow like formation. The huge black wolf was at spear point, an wolf just as large right behind him. It was this wolf Draco waved at, so Harry assumed it was Jacob.

"Welcome," Carlisle called out, stepping forward with his arms stretched in a clear show of reassurance.

"Thank you," Edward responded in a weird flat tone. Harry realized almost immediately that he was 'translating.' "We will watch and listen, but no more. That is the most we can ask of our self-control."

Harry snorted at the ridiculousness of the situation.

"That is more than enough," Carlisle, ever the diplomat, said. "My son Jasper" – he gestured toward Jasper who was standing tense and ready – "has experience in this area. He will teach us how they fight, how they are to be defeated. I'm sure you can apply this to your own hunting style."

"They are different from you," Edward asked for the leader, Sam if Harry remembered correctly.

"They are all very new," Carlisle told him with a nod, "only months old to this life. Children, in a way."

"I take offense to that," Neville said easily with a careless eye roll. Carlisle inclined his head toward him before continuing.

"They will have no skill or strategy, only brute strength. Tonight their numbers stand at twenty. Ten for us, ten for you – it shouldn't be difficult. The numbers may go down. The new ones fight amongst themselves."

A rumble passed down the shadowy line of wolves, a low growling mutter that somehow managed to sound enthusiastic to Harry ears.

"We are willing to take more than our share, if necessary," Edward translated. Harry rolled his eyes at the wolves' eagerness. He could kind of understand Bella's worry now. They were kind of like big children.

"We'll see how it plays out," Carlisle said with a smile.

"And we'll be helping out wherever needed," Harry felt the need to add, for which he got a glare from Edward, but he ignored it.

"Do you know when and how they'll arrive?"

"They'll come across the mountains in four days, in the late morning. As they approach, Alice will help us intercept their path."

"Thank you for the information. We will watch."

With an almost sighing sound, the wolves sat down on their hunches.

It was silent for a moment before Jasper moved forward to stand in the space between the two groups. He shot a look Edward's way before turning his back on the wolves. Harry could easily imagine how uncomfortable Jasper was; turning his back on what his instincts were telling him was his enemy.

"Carlisle is right," Jasper spoke and he seemed to be trying to ignore the wolves' watching eyes. "They'll fight like children. The two most important things you'll need to remember are, first, don't let them get their arms around you and, second, don't go for the obvious kill. That's all they'll be prepared for. As long as you come at them from the side and keep moving, they'll be too confused to respond effectively. Neville?"

Neville looked confused for a moment but he stepped forward anyways.

"Since you actually are a newborn, I think you'll help best in the demonstrations."

"Oh, I can do that," Neville agreed. "One sec." He then flitted over to Harry and pulled out his wand. "Hold this for me, please. I wouldn't want to accidently use magic."

"Course mate," Harry agreed, taking the wand. Neville smiled then moved to the other side of the field so that he was standing opposite Jasper.

"Okay Neville, just go with your instincts and try for an easy kill." Neville nodded, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Jasper smiled and then in the next second he was off. He wasn't all that fast but he did blur out of view a couple of times. Neville was just as fast, but since he was going for the obvious kill Jasper always had the upper hand.

It was over in three minutes.

Jasper had Neville form behind, his teeth an inch from his throat.

There was a muttered rumble of appreciation from the watching wolves.

"I'm next," Emmett called, moving forward from the line.

"It's my turn," Edward protested.

"In a minute," Jasper grinned, stepping back from Neville. "I want to show Bella something first." Bella tensed at the sound of her name and then frowned deeply when Jasper waved Alice forward. "I know you worry about her," Jasper explained as Alice danced into the field. "I want to show you why that's not necessary."

Jasper was the one to attack this time. He sank into a crouch opposite of where Alice stood motionlessly. Jasper shifted, slinking toward Alice's left.

Alice closed her eyes.

Bella reached out and grabbed Harry's hand, holding onto it tightly. Harry allowed it as he watched Jasper attack Alice. At the last second Alice side stepped the attack. The demonstration started slow, for Bella's benefit, and then picked up pace. It was easier to see that Jasper had been holding back his speed when dealing with Neville, because he was moving around Alice so fast, there were times when they both completely disappeared from Harry's radar. And they moved so fluidly together, it was like a dance.

After six minutes, Alice laughed. She was perched on Jasper's back, her lips pressed into his neck.

"Gotcha," she tinkled. Jasper chuckled, shaking his head.

"You truly are one frightening little monster."

The wolves murmured again, this time with wariness.

"My turn," Edward suddenly called, and he rushed forward before Emmett, who settled back by Rosalie with a pout.

Harry straightened and paid close attention to this match. He had always been a little curious to see how Edward fought, especially with his advantage of being a mind reader.

Edward moved with the ease and grace of a jungle cat. It was a little curious and kind of funny, really, given Harry's animagus form – not that anyone had ever seen it outside of Draco and Luna.

Jasper spun around Edward with an ease that spoke of experience. But his body was always tense, his eyes always narrowed as he tried not to think about his next move. The strain of it was slowing him down, Harry could tell. Jasper was trying to rely mostly on instinct but also trying not to be too obvious in his movements.

Harry could imagine that it was exhausting having to fight against a mind reader. It didn't help that Edward was faster. Jasper's only saving grace was that his movements were unfamiliar to Edward. Their advantages and disadvantages helped to make the two a very even match.

Eventually Carlisle cleared his throat when the match hit the fifteen minute mark. Jasper laughed and took a step back. Edward straightened and grinned at him. Harry could tell that Edward enjoyed the sparing match – and he could understand that a little bit. It was kind of like his matches with Draco – fun and exhilarating and challenging.

"Back to work," Jasper consented. "We'll call it a draw."

Harry stopped paying as close attention after that. Every Cullen had a chance and the information session turning into a training session. Harry sighed quietly and sat down on the ground as he watched Jasper take special care in teaching Esme. She was the weak link of the group.

Draco was getting antsy at his side. Harry could tell that his pack wanted a shot at the training session, but Harry knew the Cullens wouldn't allow it. Harry figured they'd just have to train on their own using Neville; it might even be more of a challenge since Neville had magic.

Bella was starting to fall asleep on her feet, leaned up against Blaise.

"They're almost done," Harry told her, patting her foot.

Jasper confirmed that, turning toward the wolves for the first time, his expression uncomfortable once more. "We'll be doing this tomorrow. Please feel welcome to observe again."

"Yes," Edward answered in the detached tone that suggested he was translating. "We'll be here." He then sighed and turned to address his family. "The pack thinks it would be helpful to be familiar with each of our scents – so they don't make mistakes later. If we could hold very still, it will make it easier for them."

"Certainly," Carlisle said to Sam. "Whatever you need."

"Does that include me," Neville piped in, shifting nervously. Edward tilted his head as he stared at Neville.

"No," he finally said. "They say that you don't smell the same. It probably has to do with your magic." Neville nodded and stepped back.

As the Cullen's lined up again, Bella bent down towards Harry.

"You didn't participate," she said but it came out as more of a question. Harry could hear the unspoken 'why not?' "Aren't you going to train?" Edward's head snapped over at her question. He had stopped sending Harry burning glares a while back when Harry hadn't tried to step in on the training session.

"No," Harry lied, not looking at Edward. "We just came for the information." Bella looked disbelieving but didn't question Harry further on it. She seemed to understand Edward's overprotective-ness well. They did date.

The wolves were leaving now as dawn broke over the trees. Jacob stayed however, lopping over to Draco and grinning in the way that Draco did when he was in his wolf form. Two others – Seth and Paul – settled in around Luna who ran her fingers through their fur and began humming.

Harry sighed and settled in to let them have their 'couple moment'. Bella sat down also, leaning onto him and away from Blaise. Blaise stayed where he was, staring down at Bella but not making any moves toward her. Harry had to admire his determination – and his ability to make Bella squirm. Harry shared an amused look with Neville, who understood Blaise the best of out all of them and still seemed surprised at the black Italian's resolve to marry Bella.

"You guys should probably head home now," Edward said as he walked over toward them. "You need to sleep."

"We'll go home when they're done," Harry said motioning to the two groups. Jacob looked up suddenly and he locked eyes with Edward. Edward sighed and frowned down at Bella.

"I've not quite figured out all the details yet," he said. Jacob grumbled and moved closer. Draco followed after him curiously.

"It's more complicated than that," Edward was arguing now. "Don't concern yourself; I'll make sure she's safe."

"What are you talking about," Bella demanded, rising to her feet so that she was on better standing to the two. Harry stood also, looking curiously between Edward and Jacob.

"Just discussing strategy," Edward said simply. Harry narrowed his eyes. Jacob snorted then turned to run into the woods.

"Where's he going," Draco demanded, moving to follow.

"He's coming back," Edward told him. "He just wants to be able to talk for himself."

"About what exactly," Harry asked, his arms crossed and his green eyes fixed on Edward. Edward didn't answer, but Jacob was returning now, making a beeline for them.

"Okay bloodsucker," he said as he threw an arm around Draco's shoulder. "What's so complicated about it?"

"I have to consider every possibility," Edward said, continuing the conversation from where he had left off. "What if someone gets by you?"

Jacob snorted. "Okay, so leave her on the reservation. We're making Collin and Brady stay behind anyway. She'll be safe there."

"Are you talking about me," Bella demanded sounding thunderous. Harry could understand – in fact, he was pretty sure Edward was trying to think of where to put him when the fight broke out.

"I just want to know what he plans to do with you during the fight," Jacob explained.

"Do with me," Bella repeated with all off the outrage that women seem to have in reserves.

"You can't stay in Forks, Bella," Edward told her in a pacifying tone. "They know where to look for you there. What if someone slipped by us?"

"Charlie," Bella gasped.

"Then we'll keep then both at Potter Manor," Blaise inputted.

"Where," Jacob, Bella, and Edward all echoed.

"Potter Manor," Neville repeated. "It's where we live."

"I've never heard of it," Jacob said at the same time that Edward said, "It won't work."

"Why not," Draco demanded, ignoring Jacob's comment.

"They're not trackers so they'll be coming here anyways. And they're following her scent so they'll find her anyways," he explained.

"Right and I'd like to see them get past Potter's wards," Blaise said with a snort. "They wouldn't even know where to start to look."

"I don't think so guys," Harry finally spoke up and Blaise and Draco immediately backed down.

"You don't," Jacob said, sounding surprised. "But Dray told me a little about wards. If you have them up the bloodsuckers shouldn't be able to find her, right?"

"Well yeah," Harry agreed. "But then they'll just come after her some other time, and let's face it, Bella can't live at my house forever. Hiding her won't solve anything. What we need to do is get her to a safe open space and protect her. Whoever is after her is sure to find her – they've already gone through all this to get after her. Then we can eliminate the threat altogether and Bella can move on with her life."

Jacob and Edward were silent for a moment, thinking over Harry's words. Finally Edward said, "You're right. But we should still make it hard for them to find her. And it can't be La Push," Edward interrupted when Jacob opened his mouth. "She's been back and forth enough that her scent is everywhere."

"What about out here," Blaise asked, waving his hands toward the forest.

"She'll be far from the battle but close enough that if something happens we can get to her," Neville added when it didn't look that Blaise would explain his reasoning.

"That'll work," Harry said before Edward could. "But it'll have to be that way. Potter Manor covers all the land behind us. The wards are already too close to where we are and if, Merlin forbid, they can get past them I will not have Teddy in danger."

"Your house is back there," Bella asked quietly. "But we're miles into the forest."

"Potter Manor covers a lot of land," Harry explained nonchalantly.

"We can't hide her out here," Edward spoke up. "Her scent is too strong and when combine with ours its more potent. And our scent is all over this place. It's sure to catch their attention. We're not exactly sure which path they'll take because they don't know yet. If they crossed her scent before they found us . . ."

Everyone grimaced at the implication.

"Well our scent isn't," Harry said. "And if we Apparate it won't leave a trail at all."

"That might just work," Edward said slowly, although he didn't seem to like the idea all that much. "Jasper," he then called. Jasper looked up curiously before walking over with Alice on his heels. "Okay, let's try it."

"I'll take her," Blaise quickly volunteer. He then grabbed Bella by the waist. "Hold on tight," he told her before the two disappeared with a loud crack. Jasper looked a little startled before turning to them for an explanation.

"We're trying to hide Bella but her scent is too familiar to me," Edward explained. Jasper nodded once before turning in a wide circle. He frowned then moved out into a wider circle.

"I can't get a sense of her anywhere," Jasper said as he moved back toward her. Harry nodded before lightly tapping his wrist. In the next second Blaise and Bella were back with another loud crack.

"So," Bella asked, moving out of Blaise's grasp, her face as red as a tomato.

"No trace at all," Jasper told her. "So long as you don't touch anything I can't see them finding you."

"A definite success," Alice agreed.

"And it gave me an idea," Jasper added.

"Which will work," Alice added confidently.

"Clever," Edward agreed.

"How can you guys stand that," Jacob murmured.

"I don't," Draco deadpanned with a roll of his eyes and Harry simply shrugged.

Edward ignored Jacob and turned to look at Bella. "We're – well you're – going to leave a false trail to the clearing, Bella. The newborns are hunting, your scent will excite them, and they'll come exactly the way we want them to without being careful about it. Alice can already see that this will work. When they catch our scent, they'll split up and try to come at us from two sides. Half will go through the forest, where he vision suddenly disappears. . . ."

"Yes," Jacob hissed.

Edward smiled at him naturally. The idea of a fight seemed to be bringing them together.

"Not a chance," Edward suddenly snapped, his voice disgusted. Bella jumped a little, looking a bit guilty but Edward wasn't looking at her. His eyes were fixed on Jasper.

"I know, I know," Jasper said quickly. "I didn't even consider it, not really." Alice stepped on his foot. Neville who had been watching silently snickered. "If Bella was actually there in the clearing," Jasper explained to Alice, "it would drive them insane. They wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything but her. It would make picking them off truly easy. . . ."

Edward and Harry's combined glare had Jasper backtracking.

"Of course it's too dangerous for her. It was just an errant thought," he said quickly.

"No," Edward said. His voice rang with finality. Harry had to admit that it was nice to hear it being used on someone else.

"You're right," Jasper said. He took Alice's hand and inclined his head toward Neville. "You up for trying this time?" Neville nodded and the three walked off. Jacob stared after Jasper with disgust written all over his face.

"Jasper looks at things from a military perspective," Edward defended.

"Which if this was a war and Bella was a trained solider, there wouldn't have been a problem," Draco said, helping in the defense – which surprised Harry. Draco hadn't made his distain of the Cullen's secret, but it was nice to see the Malfoy was growing up a little bit.

"Alright then, we'll meet up here on Friday to lay the false trail," Edward said, getting back to business. "You should probably come too," he told Jacob, "so that everyone has an idea on where Bella will be hidden."

"And then what," Jacob asked critically. "Leave her with a cell phone?"

"You have a better idea?"

"Actually I do," Jacob said smugly.

"Oh . . . again, dog, not bad at all."

"You're just full of them today, aren't you," Draco teased.

Jacob leaned down to kiss Draco's forehead before turning to Bella. "We tried to talk Seth into staying behind with the younger two," he whispered and all eyes darted over to where Seth, Paul, and Luna were. The two wolves appeared to be sleeping, but it was hard to tell with the distance. "He's still too young, but he's stubborn and he's resisting – especially now that he has an imprint or whatever they are. So I thought of a new assignment for him – cell phone."

Bella nodded her head but Harry could tell that she didn't completely understand.

"As long as Seth is in his wolf form, he'll be connected to the pack," Edward said. "Distance isn't a problem," he added, turning to Jacob.

"Nope."

"And I can throw in a messaging mirror," Harry added. "I have a pair at home that I don't use anymore. One mirror can connect to the other no matter where you are, all you have to do is say the name of the person you wish to talk to that has the other mirror."

"Really, anywhere," Jacob asked skeptically.

"Yes anywhere. Just in case you guys move out of Seth's range."

"We can hit three thousand miles," Jacob boasted.

"Well then the mirror is just a precaution," Harry said with a roll of his eyes. He then turned toward Bella who was swaying on her feet. "Come on I'll take you home." Blaise opened his mouth to protest but one look from Harry had him backing down.

"We'll see you all tomorrow for the next session." Edward didn't look too pleased but he nodded all the same. Neville paused in his fight with Jasper and started to walk over.

"Go ahead and stay Neville. It's not like you actually need sleep," Harry told him. "Draco, you and Luna can stay also if you want to. I don't have control over your lives." Draco nodded and he and Jacob walked off together.

With a tight smile towards Edward, Harry and Blaise Apparated away with Bella.

Bella was out like a light by the time she crawled into bed.

Harry got a call from Bella at six in the afternoon the next day. He was right in the middle of training with Neville when his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey Harry. So don't be mad but I have some bad news for you." Harry frowned and moved away from the others who were still training. They had agreed to have Neville come at all of them to see how they would probably fair against one newborn. So far, it was too easy.

"What kind of bad news?"

"Well . . . you know how I worry a little, right?"

"A little," Harry echoed.

"Okay, a lot," Bella reiterated and Harry could practically hear her eyes rolling. He stayed silent hoping she would get to the point faster. "Well," she finally said, sounding too nervous and a shade guilty. "I got Edward to back out of the fight, but you have to back out with him."

It all came out in a rush so it took Harry a minute to understand what Bella just said.

"Why," Harry demanded when it finally clicked.

"I'm sorry," Bella apologized. "But I don't think I can stand not knowing what was going on. And Edward was so sure that you'd end up fighting that he said if he was going to back out you would have to stick with him."

"Stick with him where," Harry asked with a sigh.

"Well . . . um . . . with me and Seth."

Harry was silent for a minute as he thought the idea over. Given what little he knew about vampires and the one after Bella, he could still guess that the one after her would find her. So maybe it was a good idea to stick with her.

"Okay. I don't mind."

"Really," Bella asked and the relief was clear in her tone. "Thanks Harry. You know, I would have tried to find some way to ask you to sit this out also. I hate to think of what could happen to you in a fight."

"Well I suppose you're getting what you want anyways," Harry told her. "But don't worry Bella. We'll protect you."

"I know you will," Bella whispered softly. The line was silent for a moment. "So are you coming to get me for the meeting tonight?"

"I'm going to send Blaise for you," Harry teased.

"Harry! This is so not funny. Blaise is intimidating . . . and hot."

"Okay, too much information. I really didn't need to know you thought that."

"You're a weird gay best friend," Bella said with a laugh.

"Who said I was even gay? Edward is the first guy I've ever been attracted to," Harry admitted, settling in for a long phone conversation.

The gang was at the Cullen household when the missive came. Harry's fingers froze on the keys of the piano, where Edward was teaching him how to play, and he looked over toward the window. A barn owl was tapping calmly at the glass to gain their attention.

"Is that an owl," Emmett asked, looking over at the window and subsequently losing his racing game against Jasper. "Damn it! No fair. Redo, I was distracted," the large vampire complained when Jasper smiled at him smugly.

"It's not my fault you have a short attention span," Jasper quipped and Harry laughed as he let the owl into the room. The vampires gathered – Jasper, Emmett, Edward, and Alice – all watching him curiously as Harry took the letter from the owl.

"I'm sorry I don't have any treats on me," Harry spoke to the bird, but as always Luna came to his rescue. She shifted the bird onto her shoulder and then walked over to sit by the window and feel the bird treats from out of her pocket.

Harry smiled fondly at the girl before turning to the letter.

Dear Mr. Potter,

My name is Richard Stevens and I'm the current leader of America's magical community. I would love to meet you some day but I am reluctant to admit that this isn't a casual summons. I'm not sure if you are aware but there has been an outbreak of newborn Muggle vampires in Seattle, Washington. Given the information that has come in from Gringotts, I had reason to believe that you are within that area. Normally I wouldn't ask this of a civilian, especially of one that is so new to the area, but I feel I must. I've heard great things about you and I only wish to ask for your help. I completely understand if you do not wish to, I will certainly not force you. But we are in a bit of a bind and it will take some considerable time for me to send out a good enough team to handle the situation. Please owl me your reply as soon as possible.

Much Appreciated,

Richard Stevens

President of Magical America

"Well, what does it say," Draco demanded when Harry continued to just stare at the letter. Everyone was watching Harry with some concern now, wondering about the globsmacked look he was sporting.

"The President has requested my help," Harry admitted numbly.

"What," Draco demanded and he made a move as if to race across the room and snatch the letter from Harry's hands, but Edward beat him to it. The vampire then proceeded to read the penned note out loud. When he was done all the others in the house had gathered and they all stared at Harry with surprise.

"You're going to tell him that you'll do it, aren't you," Neville questioned quietly when the silence grew too long.

"Of course he's not," Edward said before Harry could. "It's too dangerous." Harry blinked slowly at his boyfriend and then an amused expression crossed his face. It was backed up by all the Magical people bursting into loud rounds of laughter.

"Did we miss something," Bella asked irritably, not liking the way there were all laughing at the thought of danger.

"Too dangerous," Draco snorted with a shake of his head. "As if Wonder Boy cares that something's too dangerous."

"If anything that's more of a reason for Potter to go," Blaise added with a snort of his own.

"Hey," Harry protested with a small frown. "I have some self preservation."

"No you don't," Luna chimed in her usual overly blunt manner.

"I still don't get it," Bella admitted.

"They're just making fun of me," Harry muttered as he summoned a pen and began to write back his response.

"What are you writing," Edward demanded as he caught a couple of the words on the paper.

"Well really it was nice of the President to ask, but I would have gone to handle those vampires anyways," Harry told him nonchalantly. "Especially since you all are involved. As if I'm going to let you risk your lives and stand idly by."

"You can't," Edward protested and he tried to take the paper from Harry but the Savior was done and handed it to the owl. They all watched as it flew out of the window. "Harry!"

"Edward," Harry said back with a roll of his eyes.

"I can't let you do this," the vampire told him tensely. "This isn't a game."

"I know that," Harry told him. "I'm not going to do it anyways because Bella already asked me to sit out. You know that." Harry leveled Edward with a look and the vampire looked away a little guiltily.

"So we're going to handle it," Draco inserted with a smirk. "All the better, because now we don't have to worry about you trying to sacrifice yourself for everyone."

"One time and no one lets me live it down," Harry muttered lowly.

"One time was enough," Luna told him softly. She placed a hand on his arm and he turned to look down at her. "We don't need a repeat. We're nothing without you James."

"Thanks Luna. But don't worry, I'm going to be here for so long, you guys are all going to get tired of me."

The room was cloaked in darkness, the only light coming from the crescent moon that hung low in the sky. It lit up the small circle located in the ceiling, giving light to the round stone table at the center of the room. There were three wizards and three witches seated around the table, although their faces were hidden in the shadows.

"It has been decided that we will enact our plan in two weeks," one witch spoke in a no nonsense tone.

"Are you sure about that? Do we have everything ready," a wizard asked anxiously.

"We're as ready as we can be. This is Potter we're talking about," the first witch said.

"And who knows who he has with him right now," another witch inputted.

"Alright Granger, you're the boss here," another wizard said with a careless tone.

"So we're all in agreement," Granger asked, leaning over the table so that her face was momentarily lit up.

"I suppose," the second wizard said lazily. "You know him best. So long as he gets what's coming to him, I don't care how or when we do it."

"He will," Granger promised. "We'll make sure of that."

Sorry about the long wait guys. But hey, now you have a tiny peek into what's going on in the Wizarding World. :D