Several minutes later...

'I was beginning to give up on ever being found. It had been so long. So many years had gone by and nothing. I was so heartbreakingly lonely. I know Edward was there, but he was the last person I wanted to talk to. I only ever spoke to him when I absolutely had to.'

'But you told him when you needed things, right? When you needed to eat, didn't you?' Hermione asked and I felt George move uncomfortable next to me. I know he wanted to hear my response to that.

'You have to understand something about Edward, he hated to leave me. I'm not sure if it's because he was afraid I would escape or that something would happen to me when he was away. It's not like I could escape even if I wanted to, there was no way out of that room, he kept me locked in. There was only a tiny window, to high for me to reach. Anyway, he barely kept himself fed. He would only feed me when he knew I was getting really hungry.' I didn't feel right to say close to death, but that was the truth and George knew it. I heard George scoff next to me.

'That's a load of bull and you know it.' I know he wasn't mad at me, he was mad at Edward. I felt pretty bad lying to everyone. It wasn't right to make any of them feel sad for me or guilty. They had so much more to deal with. Really... I was lucky. What I went through is nothing compared to what they all did.

'Edward, wasn't all bad. He was just sick, sick in the head. He had a warped view of things. He had this wild dream about us being together forever. He really believed that I would come around, He loved me, anyone would be able to see that, but his love was a little twisted.' I'm not sure why I felt the need to suddenly defend Edward, he didn't deserve it.

'But he actually meant forever, forever didn't he?' Harry asked. I nodded my head. 'I think I'm going to be sick.' Harry wasn't exaggerating. His face went pale. He stared down at his butter beer, but didn't take a drink.

'I don't understand.' Ginny stated. 'What does forever forever mean?'

'It means he was going to change Bella. He was going to bite her and she would have become a soulless monster, just like him.' George was seething. Everyone was staring at him.

'Is that true, Bella? Was he going to change you?' Molly asked me. My jaw tightened and my stomach grew sour. To hear George say that I would have been a soulless monster, it really hurt me. It's not like I could have fought Edward off.

'Yes, it's true.' I said in a small voice, fighting back tears. 'I had turned 17, I was the same age as him.' My head drooped down, suddenly too heavy for me to lift up. My shoulders started shaking as a sob slipped from my lips.

'No, Bella. I'm sorry.' George pulled me to him, his voice was full of remorse and wrapped his arms around me, giving me an extra squeeze. 'I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you.' He said shaking his head. 'I-I'm mad at him and me. We should never have stopped looking for you, if the Cullen's... Fred hadn't found you... you would probably be dead right now. One way or another. You wouldn't be our Bella.' I snuck a quick peek up at him. His lowered lip had a quiver.

'Okay. Now I'm lost. What do you mean about Fred?' Arthur asked as he sat his butter beer on the table, he turned in his seat to face me, at least as best as he could. He was a bit sandwiched in between Molly and Ron.

'On the day I was rescued, I was hanging onto the last bit of hope left in me. We had run out of food again and I knew it was coming. Maybe not that day, but soon. He was going to change. Edward was aggravated that day, he seemed paranoid. I never got the chance to find out what was going on with him. So, I will never know for sure what his plans were.' I sat back against my seat and thought back to that day.

'It been weeks since he last went hunting. He was really on edge. He had never waited that long before. I believe he was going to wait until I was almost at my last breath and save me. Turn me into a vampire.' I scoffed, 'I think he believed I would have been so grateful for him saving me and he was counting on me to forget my past life... like most vampires do when they're changed, my only choice would have been to fall in love with him. He was dazzling. Charming. I wouldn't know him as anything other than a hero.' It was making sense to me as I spoke. This was Edward's plan. I shuddered thinking about it.

'That's where he's wrong though. He was thinking I would be like his sister, Alice. She had been inside a windowless room for years before her change. She had no memory of her former life. She's not even sure Alice is her name, but it sounded right to her. Edward thought because I never spoke of all of you, that I had forgotten. He was convinced I even forgot my dad. The thoughts of you never stopped running in my mind though. Even you, Draco. Thinking of all of you is what kept me going for all those years.' I looked at several of their faces. I know saying this might make them feel guilty, but they shouldn't.

'You have to stop looking at me like that. All of you. I mean it. I'm okay now. You did your best to find me and if it hadn't been for Voldemort, I know you would have found me. So, please, no more feeling guilty. I was safe. At least safer locked in that room than here fighting in that war. I may have been part of the fallen. Okay.' I looked at Harry, then Hermione and then George. He wouldn't look at me though.

'I will never be able to stop feeling guilty, Bella. I should have done more. I should have been right there with Fred and Oliver. If I had been with them every step of the way, maybe we would have found you.'

'You don't know that George.' I placed my hand on his arm and he finally looked at me.

'Please forgive me.' He said so softly, I almost didn't hear him. He had no reason to be asking me this. It wasn't necessary at all, but I knew he needed it. This moment was about him, not me.

I leaned my head against his shoulder.

'I forgive you.' I moved to look up at him and saw him take in a shaky breath and release it. It was almost like you could visibly see the weight lifting off his shoulders.

He's starting to heal, Bella. You did what no one else could do. Thank you.

'It was like Fred was really there.' I continued, 'I know I was asleep, but It felt so real, like it was more than just a dream. He told me to tell you that he loves you and that he's okay. He said he lead them to me.' I said as I slowly wrapped up my story about my time in the room with Edward and being found by the Cullens.

'I woke up to the sound of someone pounding on the door and it was Dr. Cullen from Hogwarts and his family. One thing I learned about the Cullen family and really their kind of vampires is that they are often gifted. Jasper can feel what your feeling and can even project emotions to others, Edward could read minds, except for mine for some reason and Alice could see the future, she saw Fred or he found her, I'm not really sure, but Fred told her how to find me. The Cullen family never stopped looking for me. Once they had learned what Edward had done, they started searching. Carlisle had gathered the family at Hogwarts and they started their search there and continued to every place they could possibly think of that Edward may have taken me. Alaska, Brazil, Washington... they didn't realize we never left England. After they left, they never went back to Hogwarts. So, they didn't know what was going on here in the wizarding world. Jasper and Emmett were completely caught off guard when they went there to tell everyone that I had been found and it was only then that they found out about the war. They brought me a daily prophet from the one year anniversary with the fallen fifty article. That's how I found out about Fred.' I finished patting Molly's hands. She wiped a tear away.

'So, you think somehow Fred talked to you and this Alice.' Aurthor Weasley said. I nodded at him. He was taking it all in. 'Weirder things have happened.' He seemed like he was accepting what I was saying, but some of the others weren't quite sure. I decided not to share that I still hear his voice. I don't want them thinking I really am going nuts.

'You know. Um. Back during the Triwizard Tournament, when Cedric died.' Harry said stumbling over his words. 'I only escaped Voldemort because my parents and Cedric were there helping me. They were only able to hold him off for a moment, but it was all I needed to get the port key and Cedric's body back. Cedric was dead, but he talked to me. He begged me to bring his body back to his father.' Harry said more to me than anyone. I didn't know who Cedric was or much about the Triwizard Tournament was, but everyone seemed to believe me more after hearing Harry speak.

'I like to believe the loved ones we lost watch over us.' Luna spoke, I hadn't met her before, but her presence alone brought a peace to the table. She joined us at some point during my long winded speech and I liked her instantly. She was different and had a unique way of looking at things. 'Fred and Oliver searched harder than anyone to find you. They tried so hard to find you, Bella. I know I can't speak for Oliver or Fred, but it was easy to see that they were devastated. We all were, even me.' I was truly touched by her saying that.

'But it hit them the hardest. You were like our sister. Fred said all the time that he would never forgive himself. He knew that something was wrong that morning. He kept pacing on the quidditch field, saying that something didn't feel right. He was almost hit in the head by a bludger, his mind wasn't on the game. It never crossed our minds that you were in danger. We saw Edward leave Hogwarts and the last we saw you, you were in the common room, safe.' George replied. He looked so guilty. I reached over and grabbed his hand.

'It's not your fault. None of you are at fault for what happened to me.' I said making eye contact with Hermione and Harry too. 'Let's put the past behind us, please, no more of this feeling guilty. You all went through way more than I did. I was never in any real danger.kp' Harry snorted and I gave him a pointed look. 'Not like you all were. I didn't see the ones I love die.' My heart pinched when I said that. So many lives were lost. It was truly heart wrenching.

'I think that's why you saw him. Fred, I mean.' Luna said in her dreamy sounding voice. 'I really believe you did. Maybe his unfinished business is you, Bella. Even in death, he didn't stop searching for you.' I mulled over what Luna said.

'I think you're right. It makes sense why he came to me in my dream or vision or whatever it was.' I replied to her.

'So, how did you find the wand?' George asked me.

'I'm not sure who found it, but at some point during this last year, it was found. Professor Mcgonagal had it in her office and gave it to Jasper and Emmett.'

'Jasper and Emmett, the vampires?' I nodded to Mr Weasley.

'Wait... Professor McGonagal knew you were alive?' Harry asked. I nodded to him.

'She didn't know for very long.'

'Why didn't she say something? I've been there every day this week. How long had she been aware?' He was a little upset that she didn't tell him.

'I think she only found out a few days ago. Im honestly losing track of time. I'm not even sure how long it's been since I was rescued. A few weeks maybe, definitely not a month though?'

He was fuming a bit, but I smiled at him.

'She thought it was best that I came here and showed you that I'm alright. Which, I am.' I said firmly.

Our group quieted down after that and slowly everyone started leaving. Author and Molly made me promise them that I would come stay at their home that night. I think Molly was ready to go home. I can't quite tell how she feels about all this. Draco and Luna left soon after. Soon it was just me, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and George.

'Please. It's your turn to talk. I have to know. What happened to Oliver?' I asked wanting desperately to know what happened to him.

'He was so determined to find you.' Harry started. 'Like Fred, he was absolutely beside himself when he found out you were gone. But where Fred grew more and more determined... Oliver became more upset, he was angry and really depressed. He quit Hogwarts. Quidditch. Everything. When I saw him about a year after you disappeared, he was not the same Oliver I had met that first day of school. He lost weight, he wasn't bathed. His hair was shaggy, he looked like he hadn't slept in weeks.' My throat started closing up and it felt hard to breathe, I couldn't swallow. 'Im pretty sure he was homeless, by choice.'

'Angelina had spotted him first and gathered the rest of the quidditch team to go search for him. We found him the next day. It took a lot of convincing, but we got him to come back to Hogwarts. He rejoined the quidditch team again, but his heart wasn't into it anymore. He was angry all the time. He was always hard on himself, if he'd done something wrong, but this was different. He would mess up and somehow he would bring it back to not being able to find you.' George told me.

'Eventually he left Hogwarts and we didn't see him again. Not until we saw him during the battle at hogwarts.' George continued.' He looked bad, not that any of us looked much better, but he looked really bad. I barely recognized him. He grew a long scraggly beard, his hair hadn't been cut in years. still homeless I assume.' My heart hurt so much hearing this. I started feeling sick to my stomach.

'When was the last time you saw him?' I asked them as I tried to keep my voice steady. It cracked a bit though.

'Not since the battle.' They all said at the same time.

'But I do know someone who has seen him recently.' George said to me. 'Angelina saw him a couple weeks ago. She's still playing quidditch. She said he wasn't looking any better, but he's working at the new quidditch field that replaced the one destroyed in war. He wouldn't talk to her, but she's sure it was him.'

'Tomorrow's Monday.' Harry said randomly. But George caught on, turning to me.

'If it is him, I know where he will be tomorrow morning, before the sun is up.' I felt a nervous chill run through me. It seems it will be easier to find him than I originally thought.


I stayed with the Weasley's that night. I was able to apparate with them. I was a little nervous to do it by myself, but they promised to to teach me how tomorrow. I was old enough and wouldn't have a tracker on me. They told me how their home was destroyed, but they too rebuilt it. I never saw it before, but George said it's nearly the same. I didn't sleep much that night. George and Ginny kept me company and filled me in the last five years. They both sensed that I didn't want to talk about my five years and were mostly satisfied with knowing that I'm okay.

Dawn eventually arrived and I knew it was time to see Oliver. Molly tried getting me to eat a little something, but I was too nervous to stomach anything, so I declined and tried sipping some peppermint tea. I was hoping it would help calm my stomach.

'Please eat.' George begged me as he sat in the chair next to me. 'You barely ate a thing last night.' He was worried about me. So, without saying a word. I took a small scone, cut it in half and added a tiny bit of clotted cream and strawberry jam to it and took a small bite. It was heavenly, Molly had made everything fresh just that morning. I took another small bite and looked at George, He didn't seem satisfied, but didn't say any more.

After he ate his plate of food and finished off my half eaten scone, we started heading out the door.

With shaky hands and some encouragement from Molly and Ginny. I was able to apparate on my own. George got the two of us back to Hogsmead and then walked with me to the new quidditch field. The field was much more modern than the previous one and out front was a beautiful, tall, white marble memorial with the names of everyone lost during the war. There were two smaller ones on the left side of it.

'It's for you and Cedric Diggory. They somehow survived the war. They were removed during the remodel, but it looks like someone has brought them back out.' I was touched. Surprised that a memorial was made for me, I had only been at Hogwarts for a few months. 'Look.' George pointed.

We were still a several yards away, but we could see someone walking to the memorial. I started walking, almost jogging over. I watched as he ran his hand over some of the names on the larger memorial and kept walking. Stopping in front of my memorial.

'It's him.' I said looking up to George. He nodded.

'I'll wait here. While you go to him.' George said and he squeezed my hand that he was still holding. I let go and I slowly started walking towards Oliver. I hesitated.

He just needs to see you, Bella.

' Go on!' George nudged me forward

I took a deep breath and walked on.

He was placing a white rose on my memorial and had a withered one in his hand.

'I'm sorry I haven't been here in a while.' There it was the voice I had ached to hear for so long. I closed my eyes and listened to him. 'I just couldn't face you. I'm so ashamed of what I've become. I'm trying though, Bella. I'm trying to be someone you would have been proud of. I'm trying to get my life back on track.' He paused and I opened my eyes and watched him lightly trace my name on the granite.

'I got a job. Here at the quidditch field. Maybe I'll even start giving lessons sometime, but I just can't shake this.' His voice cracked and I felt my chest tighten. I started walking closer. I was only about 10 feet away from him. 'This ache that has surrounded me, I can't free myself from it, because I never found you. I failed you.' He looked so defeated. His shoulders looked like they carried the weight of the world. He didn't say anything else, but he stayed a few minutes longer tracing my name over and over with his finger tips. He turned around to leave and stopped when he saw me standing there. He was frozen. Just staring at me. The withered rose slipped from his fingers and landed in the grass below.

'You didn't fail me.' I didn't know what to say or where to start, but that was what came out of my mouth. He sucked back a gasp.

And then he ran to me. He pulled me into his arms. We hugged each other tightly. My emotions were going haywire. I was so happy in this moment and so sad at the same time. Seeing what my disappearance and the war had done to him. It broke my heart. We were both sobbing now. After a few minutes, he pulled back from me with one of his hands cradling my cheek gently and his other on the small of my back. Both my hands found their way to his face. I looked his face over, at least what I could see. George was right about the beard. His bright brown eyes had dulled so much over the years. He looked so worn out. He was skin and bones too. We were quite the pair. He pressed his forehead to mine and grasped both my hands with his.

"Please say something. Anything. I just need to hear your voice." He begged me, desperate to hear me talk again.

"Oliver, I-" He kissed me and I kissed him until I couldn't breathe anymore. Who was I kidding when I said before that I wasn't in love with him. Of course I was in love with him. I never stopped loving him. His eyes were the first thing I thought about every morning and last thing before I went to sleep at night. I was terrified I would forget all the tiny details, how light his eyes were and the bits of green he had in them, the freckles under his eyes and across his nose, how his voice brought a smile to my face every time I heard him talk. I'm his and he is mine. My hands were back on his face and he let out the most breathtaking laugh, but then he stopped suddenly and his smile faded.

'I-I.' He paused and backed away from me 'How can you stand to even look at me?' The look on his face was heartbreaking. 'I'm-I'm such a mess. I've ruined everything. My life is almost beyond repair. You, look at you.' He pushed away from me, taking a few steps back. 'Your breathtakingly beautiful. I'm- I'm just not. I didn't, I didn't keep you safe.' He took another step away from me. 'I'm no good for you Bella. You need to go, I- I need to go.' He turned and started moving further away from me.

'Stop.' He stopped, but wouldn't look at me. 'Please. Will you look at me? You. You are everything to me. I don't care how you look. I just need you.' I pleaded with him.

'No, no you don't.' He said. 'Go. Bella. Just Go.'

'No.' I said stubbornly. 'You need me as much as I need you.' He took a small step back to me.

'Bella.' He said my name with such sadness, but with determination he spoke again. 'I don't want you. You need to go. NOW.' He yelled pushing past me and knocking me hard to the ground. He didn't even stop to see if I was okay. He just kept going.

'Oliver!' I shouted, but he ignored me.

George ran over to me and helped me to my feet. Fussing over my arm which was throbbing painfully, it may have broken in my fall. I didn't hear what George was actually saying. I kept looking at the spot Oliver has disappeared from. My heart felt shattered and I turned to George and pulled him close to me. Stopping his grumbling. I buried my face into his chest and let out a small sob.