Okay so this chapter was really, really, REALLY hard to get out. It's like the closer I get to the ending the harder this story gets. So I'm really sorry for the really late update. I'm not abandoning this. I've got like two or three chapters left.

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.

Chapter 17

"Charlie," Bella demanded loudly, her eyes wide. "What the—? How did you—? You're supposed to be with Billy."

Charlie Swan blinked several times before slowly sliding the wand he had into his pocket. He didn't say anything as he continued to look around.

"He just Apparated in," Harry finally broke the silence. "He just Apparated in . . . right," he then asked, throwing the question at his pack.

"Yes, he most certainly did," Draco drawled slowly, eyeing Charlie through narrowed eyes.

"But . . . but that's magic right," Bella demanded, whirling on the blonde. "But . . . but that not right! My dad can't do magic."

Draco arched a brow at Bella's tone before saying, drolly, "He just did."

"I can explain," Charlie finally said, holding his hands up.

"This should be good," Harry murmured. Charlie glanced down at where he was crouched, the slight glare on his face.

But whatever explanation he was going to give was pushed to the back of Harry's mind when Ron let out a low pitiful groan. He was still clutching at his chest and his face was really pale and twisted up in pain. He looked very much like he had the day he had gotten badly splinched.

"Never mind that now," Harry said, getting unsteadily to his feet while trying to support Ron's weight. Edward moved forward to help him, actually pulling Ron up like he was a rag doll.

"We're not actually going to help him, are we," Draco demanded, a slight whine in his tone.

Harry gave his a rather steely look and the blonde subsided for the moment.

"I can do a full diagnostic back at the Manor," Luna offered candidly, twirling her wand around her fingers.

"Oh come on," Draco exploded again. "I can see you wanting to help but we can't let him past the wards. We put them up because of him!"

"I'm with Malfoy on this one," Blaise added in.

"We're not having a discussion about this," Harry said evenly. He then turned to look Charlie over before saying, "You're coming to."

"Of course. I have some information for you anyways," Charlie agreed easily.

"Wait," Bella interrupted. "I'm going too then."

"This isn't a soiree," Draco grumbled lowly, his expression dully sullen. Harry eyed him for a moment before rolling his eyes.

"Go call up Jacob then if it'll make you feel better."

This appeared to be the right call because the sharp angles of Draco's face lessened and he calmly pulled out his cell phone. This was the equivalent of the Malfoy smiling outright.

Harry rolled his eyes again before shaking his head and turning to face the motley group of vampires who were still looking for some kind of explanation as to what was going on.

"Can I borrow someone's shirt or something of that sort," Harry asked without preamble. They blinked at him cluelessly. Harry wondered if he had started speaking parsaltongue, but no because in the next moment Bella was shaking off her heavy coat and handing it to him.

Harry took it with a muttered thank you before pulling out his wand and muttering a soft "Portgas." The jacket gave off a soft blue light for a moment and seemed to shake before settling back into place.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't see that," Charlie muttered softly and Harry gave him a curious glance before saying, "Agreed. I'm sure the President will understand anyways." To which Charlie inclined his head.

"Alright everyone," Harry called over the clearing. "We've got a large bunch so we'll go by portkey. This one will let us bypass the wards but anyone else will have to be fetched." Here he sent Draco a look that the blonde pretty much ignored. "Alright all, grab hold."

It took a minute for anyone to even comply but finally everyone seemed to be holding onto a part of the jacket. Harry murmured another Portgas and then they were spinning in the air.

Once upon a time, Bella had believed that the Cullen house was the most beautiful home to ever be built on the West Coast.

That was before she saw Potter Manor.

When they had first arrived on the edge of the sprawling compound, Bella had just assumed the household was hidden a little bit into the woods – like the Cullens.

She had been so very wrong.

Of course, it had taken them forever before they even started walking toward the house. Draco had insisted that since they were guest, it would be a wonderful idea to walk down the winding pathway. Harry had rightfully argued that it was pointless and that they had injured people to deal with.

The following argument had lasted a full fifteen minutes before Luna had simply started walking on. Even so, the two were still arguing even as they followed.

Bella was honestly surprised that Harry and Draco could argue for so long. Esme had been afraid that they would come to blows, and Bella was thinking the same. Luna had simply waved off their concerns off and Blaise had commented nonchalantly that Draco and Harry couldn't helpbut argue. It was second nature for them.

"But I thought they were good friends," Esme expressed, her brows furrowed. "Aren't you all living together?"

"Ha. It's complicated," Blaise shrugged. Neville had rolled his eyes before calmly explaining that Harry and Draco were natural rivals and had been since they were eleven

"Arguing is just what they do."

Bella had wondered about that for a while until she was suitably distracted by the sight of the gardens coming into view. They had turned the corner at the end of a long row of trees and the gardens had just bloomed into focus like the opening of a massive flower. Vibrant colors seemed to pop everywhere and there was no rhyme or rhythm to what was placed where. It was like someone had gotten a bag of mixed seeds and scattered them into the wind, allowing the plants to grow where they landed.

Trees of all sizes grew up over the lush lawn, creating little niches of shade. Rows of poppies and pansies and roses of all colors shot up from everywhere – around artfully placed benches, surrounding fountain, and tickling the bottoms of statues. There were even waving plants Bella couldn't put a name to – some of which Bella swore she could actually see growing.

And all of this seemed to stretch out of acres and acres of land. In the far off distance Bella could see the peaks of the house, laid snug behind a cluster of trees.

Bella jumped suddenly as something slithered across her feet, and she looked down in alarm only to see an innocent root instead of a snake.

"Did . . . did that just move," she asked lowly as if it could hear her. She stepped to the side away from it, inadvertently pressing against Blaise.

"Devil's snare," the Italian murmured, his warm breath ghosting over Bella's ear. "Best stay in the middle of the path." And he smoothly curled his arm around her shoulder, positioning her to the other side of him.

Charlie made a show of clearing his throat and Blaise's arm slipped easily away, sliding into his pockets as if that had been his intention all along.

The rest of the walk was mostly silent as everyone took in the scenery around them. Draco and Harry had finally stopped arguing, but were now exchanging hard glares as if they were still in elementary school.

The manor appeared literally out of nowhere. First there was nothing but trees and flowers and then suddenly Bella found herself gazing up at a large sprawling Victorian-style house – complete with pillars and the customary twin staircase.

Emmett let out a low whistle from the back of the group to sum up the surprise Bella was feeling at the moment.

"Oh it's so beautiful," Esme murmured.

"Thank you," Harry accepted bashfully, he even ducked his head down to hide the blush covering his cheeks.

"You actually live here," Bella said once she could find her voice again.

"Of course, where else would we live," Draco said with such distain, Bella could really see him living in such a place.

Luna was already twirling her way through the massive front doors, Harry right behind her with the redhead, Ron, floating behind him.

Bella found her gaze sweeping the large manor once more, trying to take in the grand beauty of it all, even as Blaise started tugging her forward toward the door.

And then she was inside and she was sure her jaw could not drop any lower.

There were high vaulting ceiling that seemed to stretch higher than what seemed possible. Another set of stairs on opposite sides of the foyer stretched upward giving way to other floors. The rooms seemed to expand into oblivion and honestly, Bella was starting to question the actual dimensions of the manor.

She numbly followed the group into a living room that could serve as a house of a family of three it was so large. And there was the biggest couch Bella had ever seen in her entire life, and before it was the largest fireplace, it looked like it could house an NBA basketball team.

"Wholly cow," she murmured under her breath, her head titling all the way up to take in the large windows.

"Wonderland doesn't have squat on this," Bree the newborn breathed, the first words she had said since they had left the baseball field. It seemed like her surprise had won out over her fear of her saviors.

"You haven't seen nothing yet," Neville told them charmingly and then he brushed past them to help Harry do whatever it was he was doing.

Harry had already deposited Ron on a large ottoman and Luna was smoothly twirling her wand and murmuring a string of words in what appeared to be Latin. Neville was doing the same but he was waving his wand outward and soon bottles were flying through the air towards them.

Bella watched transfixed, wondering if this was what it always was like living with magic users when Harry suddenly barked, "Incoming!"

Bella jumped at the loud sound, her head swiveling around, but she didn't see anything coming.

"It's just someone at the edge of the wards," Draco murmured tersely before he turned on his heel and disappeared out the front door.

"Come on," Blaise said from her other side. "Let's move out of the way so they can work."

Bella couldn't see how they were in the way seeing as the area was so large, but she allowed Blaise to lead her into the kitchen.

This room was just as remarkable, with its massive island and gleaming countertops. There wasn't a fridge as far as Bella could see, or a microwave or really much of any kind of kitchen appliance. The stove itself looked ancient even thought it was gleaming as if it were newly bought.

"Dude, where's the fridge?"

Bella looked up as the wolves – Seth, Paul, Leah, and Jacob – strolled into the kitchen on Draco's heels. The blonde's head was tilted up towards Jacob as he asked, "The what?"

"The fridge," Jacob repeated slowly. "You know. The device people use to keep food cold."

"Oh! The refrigadator," Draco asked confidently with a small nod. "It runs on that elekticity stuff."

"Uh, yeah." Jacob threw a questioning look at his fellow wolves all of whom shrugged, looking equally confused.

"Magic and electricity don't work well together. So in magically made houses there's no need for a fridge," Charlie supplied calmly. "We just place a cooling charm on a cabinet instead."

Jacob still looked confused but he nodded anyways.

"And how do you know that Dad," Bella demanded, whirling on her father. "Why do you have a wand? What aren't you telling me?"

"I'll explain later," Charlie told her, not looking the least bit fazed. "Right now I'm on the clock so —"

"Right, why don't you tell us what you're here for." Harry was standing in the doorway, his expression blank and his jaw set. He was leaning a little heavily on the doorframe, but his shook his head when Edward moved toward him.

Charlie sighed before stepping forwards so that he was staring only at Harry.

"First, on behalf of the President, I would like to thank you for taking care of the vampire problem. We're sorry that the situation had to be dealt with by a civilian, especially one that came to our country looking for a safe haven."

"Well tell the President that it wasn't that big of a deal. Trouble seems to follow me everywhere," Harry said with a small quirk to his lips.

Charlie nodded before going on. "On more serious matters, we've received word that a small group has been deployed by the Ministry and is headed here."

That wiped all amusement off of Harry's face. Draco moved away from Jacob and came to stand by his fellow wizard.

"Why are they coming," he demanded when Harry didn't.

"The official word is that they are coming to subdue an escaped terrorist. They wouldn't specify who, but we have reason to believe that the target is the Chosen One."

Draco let out a low hiss and all the blood seemed to drain from Harry's face.

"That's not his name anymore," Luna spoke up calmly, coming up from behind Harry. Her blue eyes were fixed on Charlie's face, and that was the most direct Bella has ever seen her. "But thank you for the warning. We'll be ready for them."

Charlie nodded, his eyes sweeping over the three. "Okay. My auror's are at your call if you need them," he then said before sweeping out of the room. No one tried to stop him, they were all watching Harry for some kind of reaction.

The dark haired teen took in a deep breath, let it out slowly, before turning and walking slowly away. Edward hesitated for only a second before following after him.

"Where's he going," Bree asked after a long moment.

"To be with his godson," Luna said before asking, "Anyone want a snack?"

By the time the wolves were suitably fed, Ron had awoken. Draco and Neville were quick to crowd him, demanding answers. And slowly but surely, the scene came together.

Apparently, Harry and the gang had all been involved in a war back in Britain. Harry had managed to defeat the Dark Wizard but soon after that, his best friends had tried to turn him over to the Ministry. All this they had heard from Draco, but Ron was quick to defend himself.

"I did not turn Harry over! He's my best mate, I wouldn't do that," he protested hotly.

"Oh really," Draco sneered. "So someone Polyjuiced as you made that press conference that claimed Harry was another Dark Lord rising?"

"I'm not saying that!"

"Then what are you saying Ron," Neville demanded. "Because the circumstances are pretty damn telling."

Ron let out a frustrated growl before going in on a long tale about how his girlfriend had apparently been drugging him for the last couple of months. He had apparently been living in a cloud forced to watch as his family turned their backs on him and listen as his girlfriend came up with this elaborate plan to imprison Harry and steal his magic.

"I always knew Granger was a power hungry bint," Blaise said with disgust.

"But what do we do now," Bella asked. "According to my dad you guys have been found out and they're heading here right now."

"Well they can try but they sure as hell won't be getting to Harry easily," Neville said with some much confidence, it was kind of shocking. "They'll have to go through us."

"No they won't." Harry's voice came from the far stairwell. He looked a little bit better than before, there was more color in his cheek and his stance was sturdier as he clutched Teddy to his chest.

"What do you mean," Draco demanded, he jaw set stubbornly. "If you're about to tell us that you're going to hand yourself over or something equally moronic I'll —"

"Shut up Malfoy," Harry told him with a roll of his eyes. "That's not what I was going to say. I meant that they won't have to go through you guy because I'll be meeting them head on."

"But you'll get hurt," Bella protested and Harry gave her a droll look that she was more likely to see on Draco's face.

"There's always a chance I'll get hurt," he told her. "Today was proof of that. But I'm tired of running and hiding and looking over my shoulder. I've been doing that for nineteen years. I want to live, I bloody well deserve that by now."

"Well in that case, we'll fight with you," Edward said from beside him. Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Edward plowed on with, "As if I'm going to let you risk your life and stand idly by."

Harry's lower lips stuck out in a pout and he murmured, "I hate it when my words come back to bite me in the arse."

Edward grinned smugly as he hugged him tight.

Later that day Bella found herself sitting at the large, emasculate island, Edward on one side, Jacob on the other, while she watched Harry flit about the stove. It had been decided earlier on that for everyone's safety – namely just the vampires and wolves – that they would all stay at the manor tonight.

Bella didn't really mind, not if she got to hang out with all her boys like this, everyone acting cordial. Especially in this magical kitchen where the vegetables were chopped with invisible hands and the dishes clean themselves in the sink. There was bread baking in the oven, filling the room with a warm heady scent, combined with a large roast.

Jacob was practically panting in anticipation next to Bella, and she wasn't even judging because she was salivating a little bit too. It was made all the worse because Bella was watching the whole process, so she knew exactly what Harry was preparing.

"Aren't you making a lot," Edward asked amused, finally breaking the comfortable silence. Harry gave a little jerk of his shoulder's but did not sure from where he was stirring a thick gravy in the pot.

"Shifters have a higher metabolism and require more food to sustain them," a voice replied from behind them, making Bella squeak and almost topple from her stool. Luna just stared at her mildly before saying, "James is also a stress cooker."

"I am not," Harry protested, shooting a mild glare over his shoulder as he walked over to the cooling cabinet and pulled out a block of cheese.

"But you're baking a cake and pudding."

Harry flushed a dark red, ducking his head down as Bella caught a glimpse of the large bowl of chocolate pudding with marshmallows sprinkled on top.

"Is it bad that I'm glad you're so stressed," Jacob said bemused.

"No, I'm glad also," Luna hummed and she twirled her way around the island. Harry managed to beat her to the cooling cabinet, and he slapped her hand away before she could dip her fingers in the pudding. Luna just smiled gracefully before floating away.

Harry scowled after her before turning back to the gravy pot.

Finally, thirty minutes later, everyone was ushered into the dining room. There was a long table with a heavy chandelier dangling over it. The table was set immaculately, something Bella was sure Draco could be blamed for. Everyone settled down, vampires intermixed so that it won't be incredibly awkward that they weren't eating.

Harry waved his wand once everyone was seated and the food floated into the room and settled on the table. There was two large roasts, a huge bowl of mash, an overly large steak and kidney pie, a couple of platters of carrots and peas and beans, and three loafs of break with cheese and butter.

Harry then pursed his lips and waved his wand again and a bucket of big lollypops floated in.

Edward arched a brow at him in question.

"Blood pops. Having you guys just sitting her and staring at us is kind of awkward," Harry told him with a shrug.

"Shouldn't you be used to that already," Bree asked curiously. She was seated on the other side of Harry, across from Edward and next to Neville so that she could be carefully monitored. Bella even noticed that Harry had even made sure that she was seated at the end of the table on the opposite side with Draco on one side and, Jacob across from her, and Blaise on her other side.

"I can eat food so long as I have blood in my system," Neville told her softly. "It come with being a Wizarding vampire."

"That's convenient," Rosalie sighed wistfully.

"And unfair," Emmett complained with a pout even as he reached for a blood pop. Seth snickered at him.

"Alright, dig in," Harry said, which apparently was the cue everyone was waiting for, because Draco, Blaise, and Luna all moved as one and began to dish out food for everyone else. It was quite interesting to watch, like one of the movie Thanksgiving scenes.

Harry cut up all the meat and one by one Luna and Blaise passed him the plates around them. No one else even had to move as they were served. Harry served himself last and then everyone began to dig in.

Bella already had a clue as to how the wolves would eat, but surprisingly the person with the least table etiquette was Ron and not Paul. The redhead started shoving food into his mouth as if he were a starving man. It was really quite disgusting to watch.

However, the food was so good, Bella found herself kind of rushing to eat it all. This was so restaurant quality stuff.

As things dwindled down conversations arose. It was pretty innocent at first. What future plans were and stuff like that. Carlisle was having deep conversations with the wolves, trying to understand the genetics of their linage. Not that any of them had a clue how to answer them.

Rosalie has complete abstained from conversation and was focused on watching over Teddy and making sure he got most of his food in his mouth instead of on the floor.

It was a nice atmosphere Bella was basking in. Like one big family.

"Isabella?"

Bella blinked a couple of times before turning to the dark skinned man beside her.

"Hmm?"

Blaise's lip quirked in one corner, his dark eyes swimming with amusement. Bella felt a blush unwillingly creep up her face.

"When this is all over, you'll come to Italy with me, right?"

"I'm doing what now," Bella asked, caught off guard. "Why?"

"To meet my madre. She'll be pleased that I'm finally courting someone."

"You're courting her, Blaise," Draco suddenly cut in and Bella was pretty sure he was giving her a look of distain.

"I don't believe it's your business, Draco," Blaise responded coolly.

Draco scoffed and looked like he was going to say more, but a loud conversation interrupted him from the other end of the table.

"I don't care what you think I should do. Harry's my best friend, not yours. I'm going out there with him."

Ron's loud voice had everyone looking over at him as he leaned over Luna. The blonde witch was calmly eating her food, not even looking at the redhead.

"What wrong," Harry asked with a deep frown.

"Ronald is upset that I told him he should stay here."

"I don't see why I have to," Ron protested. He looked over at Harry with desperate eyes as he said, "I can help you guys fight. I'm always there helping you fight."

"You weren't there when Grimmauld Place went up in flames," Draco cut in drolly. Ron's head snapped over and his glare was full of anger as he said, "I couldn't help that I was being drugged."

"Yes, with love potions," Draco told him in a voice that suggested he was speaking to a young child. "And any Hogwarts student would know that love potions take a toll on a person's mind the longer they are ingested. Seeing as you have been submitted to them for several months, it's highly likely that once you see Granger you will not be able to actually attack her. So therefore, you are completely useless to us."

Ron let out a low growl and then lunged over the table. Before he could make it to Draco, however, Jacob knocked him back. The redhead hit the far wall and then slid to the ground limply.

Harry let out a low sigh.

"Shelly."

There was a loud popping sound and a tiny green creature that reminded Bella of gremlins, bowed lowly to Harry.

"Yes, Master Harry sir."

"Can you take Ron to one of the spare rooms? Thank you."

The creature nodded, bowed again, before popping out existence with and somehow taking Ron with it.

"What was that," Bree was the first to ask after a moment of awkward silence.

"That was a she and her name is Shelly. She's a house elf."

"What's a house elf," was the obvious follow up question.

"House elves are creatures who are bound to a master for whom they serve for all eternity," Luna told them in her dreamy voice.

"So . . . like slaves," Seth asked timidly.

"Yes," Luna said at the same time Harry said, "No."

Harry stared at Luna for a moment before sighing and saying, "Essentially they are but it really depends on their master." Harry trailed off awkwardly. There was another weird pause and then Teddy let out a loud giggle.

There was suddenly a poof of smoke in front of the highchair. Bella's eyes widened as she caught sight of the red husky.

"Ah! Teddy no," Harry shouted, jumping up and rushing around the table towards him. Before he could reach the toddler, Teddy and the husky disappeared into a puff of smoke.

"Oh bloody hell!"