Warning: slight m/m lime

Smaragdus arcanum Lunam

Cloud Sorano

4

Harry's eyes flicked from the mountain lion at his feet to Edward and back several times. They had run through the wood at speed he never thought he would have been capable of. Then Edward had gestured for him to stop and wait and took off and returned with the massive mountain lion on his shoulder not five minutes later. He was surprised and watched as the vampire laid down the creature, apparently alive but paralyzed. He figured Edward did something to it, not entirely killing it but immobilizing it.

It was a bizarre thought he had just now; it felt as if the other vampire was laying a bouquet at his feet in an attempt to court him. It occurred to him that Edward could've let him do the hunt on his own, but it mattered not to him. There was plenty of opportunities; after all, he has forever now. He was amused at the gesture of the other vampire and shook his head. He then knelt, taking the paralyzed creature into his arms. He had missed the amused smirk on the bronze haired vampire.

"It helps to not look at the creature's eyes. Don't overthink; just bite the jugular, and your instinct will take over." Edward supplied softly, leaning back against the tree, watching Harry hesitate.

Harry nodded and moved to where he could feel the rush of blood beneath the thick fur. He gave himself a mental shake-off and went in. The moment the hot blood rushed into his mouth, all he could think was how good it was and drank greedily, forgetting everything around him. However, he was acutely aware of the other man watching him, and his eyes met the golden one. There was heat spreading in his belly, and he knew if he could blush, he would be lobster-colored. But he could not break his gaze away from Edward as he drained the mountain lion. It was intimate.

Then, he felt the heartbeat stilled to a stop. He released his hold on the now-dead creature and allowed it to drop to the ground. He had remembered enough from Defense Against Dark Arts reading that vampires cannot drink from the dead. It was like poison to them. He stood and wiped his mouth of the stray blood. He felt content as if he had eaten a huge feast in the Great Hall.

Edward pushed away from the tree and walked few yards away slowly. Harry followed. They strolled for a while in silence. Their shoulders were brushing against each other.

Finally, Harry had to ask, "Why do I feel so drawn to you?" Edward stopped and turned to him. "I don't feel that way to others, just you."

"I am drawn to you as you are to me," Edward replied. "As a vampire, everything about us is heightened, even our senses and emotions. In your case, your magic too." He saw Harry glance at his hands for a moment before returning his green orbs to him. "Vampires find their mate that way, drawn to one another, and it's for life. The mated pair are always perfect for each other, and the feelings between them are intense. They often are not far from each other, as if they could not be without one another."

Harry tilted his head, finding himself mildly surprised. "So, you're my mate?" The idea didn't bother him in one bit; instead, he was thrilled.

Edward nodded and stepped forward, bringing himself mere inches away from Harry. Harry was a half-head shorter, a bit of slim built, but fit as he had seen before during the transformation. "Yes. I knew the moment you appeared. One look in your eyes, you're my world." He traced a finger down Harry's face slowly.

Harry swallowed. He knew the feeling because it felt like that when looking into Edward's eyes. It was compelling. "It's all so fast..." He murmured, unable to break away from Edward's gaze. He wanted to complete that space between them, rest his head on the other shoulder and hold on. But he refrained from the desire.

Edward's hand cupped the shorter male's cheek, his thumb grazing the skin. It was soft and smooth but not so delicate. "Yes. But it's in our genetic buildup to form a connection with our mate the moment they meet—the instinct of attraction, desire, and longing. The rest follow as easily once the bond forms and the love that grows from it is forever. There is no mistake about it."

Harry found himself leaning into the hand, whispering, "Like soulmates."

Edward frowned and dropped his hand, stepping back to turn away. "We have no soul."

Harry felt the loss intensely when Edward withdrew. He hugged himself and shook his head. "I disagree."

Edward spun to Harry, looking anguished. "We're predators! We are monsters... how can you think we still have a soul?" He nearly snarled. It was a sensitive topic for him, something he battled within for almost a century.

Harry looked up, daring Edward to look in his mind. The bait was hooked, and he drew the other man into his memory, selecting several memories as he replied, "There are creatures like the Dementors. They suck people's soul out, leaving a husk of a shell, barely alive." Memories of dementors swam before his mind. The feeling of his soul nearly drawn out when he was thirteen. Then brilliant light of the Patronus blew the dementors away. Then new memories took place, "Wizards learned that they could do a terrible thing to their soul, ripping it apart and dividing them, to ensure immortality. Brilliant spell, but very terrible. It's unspeakable."

Memories of Tom Riddle learning about Horcruxes, his murders, and several items that housed soul pieces. The vision of Lord Voldemort's appearance with a fraction of a soul after he came out of the cauldron came along. Then the memory changed to the most recent one he had—Conversing with Professor Dumbledore at the white King's Cross Station.

"In between life and death, I was there. I talked to someone I knew that was dead. And that soul fragment of Voldemort that was in me-" The memory played. He watched Edward's face as the memory played in his mind. Edward had gone from horror to repulsion and finally relief. "You said vampires love intensely. Where do we feel that emotion from?" Harry asked and reached out to lay his hand on the other vampire's chest. He knew he would never feel his heartbeat, but he could feel the solidness of him. Gazing into the golden eyes that have captivated him since the moment he first saw them. "Emotions come from our souls. We do still have them. You do have your soul. I know I do have mine. I came back from that place that crossing over." With his other hand, he held it to his chest. "There are ways to rip them apart, but you would still live. But no one, not even a vampire, can be without a soul. We would be nothing but a husk," He glanced over his shoulder, "Like that mountain lion."

Edward closed his eyes, and his hand closed over Harry's hand. "Thank you." He felt relief, the weight of the world on his shoulder lift away. "I've long doubted if I had a soul. You have proved my doubt wrong and shown me something so precious. Thank you." He moved and wrapped his other hand around Harry's neck, drawing him close.

Harry made a small gasp, inhaling the heady scent of Edward as they drew closer. Their lips brushed, a hesitant moment before they closed together, their lips locking in a sweet delicious kiss.

Edward felt like the world fell away underneath him, everything else was gone, and all that mattered was this young vampire in front of him. The taste of his lips, the feel of his skin, and the solidness of the body against his own. It was everything. He let a small moan as Harry curled his arms around his waist and licked the bottom lip, seeking entrance, and delved his tongue into the mouth, tasting and exploring.

Harry's mind spun as their kisses became intense. He wanted more and kept going. They did not need to breathe. His hands, having moved to encircle Edward's waist, roamed up his back, and he felt the strong muscles, gripping and clawing at them. Then he felt his back hitting the trunk of the tree and a knee between his legs. He arched his back, groaning in pleasure as the knee did something extraordinary to him. Edward trailed his mouth down the pale neck, nibbling and biting. Harry carded his hand through the wild bronze hair, moving his head to allow Edward more of his skin.

Edward gripped Harry's hips and pulled them to his own. He heard Harry's soft moan as he felt the hardness under the clothes, straining against his own. It was heady as he kept kissing, licking, and biting. Their hips were moving against each other, grinding and rotating.

Harry had moaned as he moved against Edward. He could feel the hardness rubbing against his own. It felt so good, and he could not have enough. He gripped Edward's shoulders, holding on as they moved together in an ancient dance. He kissed and tasted Edward's neck, allowing his instinct to guide him.

"So beautiful," Edward murmured as he licked the junction of Harry's neck, "all mine, forever."

"Always," Harry murmured as their bodies ground together, their hips rolling and arching, seeking release. Then it came; they shuddered as they held onto each other tightly.

Edward looked up to Harry's stated face after they had calmed down. He grinned, "That was…"

Harry softly laughed, "Yes. I've never done that before." He ran his hand up to cup Edward's face and leaned to peck on his lips, "Forever."

Edward smiled, "Always."


"Where did you send him!?" Ron screamed as he and Hermione landed somewhere in a different part of the wood.

Hermione waved her hands and shushed him, "Quiet! It was the only thing I could think of at that moment." Then she started to whimper, shaking her hands and pacing back and forth. "Oh Merlin! Circe! So much blood! I hope he didn't die from that! It was so horrible. There's no spells or potions that could cure him!"

Ron paled as he watched Hermione frantically pace back and forth, muttering to herself.

She stopped and turned to him. "It's so much worse than what I received back in 5th year. And that took me months to recover from!" She dropped to her knees; her whimpers turned into hysterical sobs. Ron fell beside her, grasping her to his chest, and rocked. He stared out, tears streaming down his face like rivers.

They cried together for a while until their tears ran dry and they were hoarse. Hermione slowly pried herself away from Ron and stood up, whispering, "We need to go somewhere safe and wait."

Ron stood and nodded. "I know where we can go." He grasped Hermione to him and spun. They disappeared.

They landed on a lonesome beach; the cold air whipped around them and the sky gray and dreary. Ron tugged Hermione's hand, and they started to trek along the coast. "There's a place under fidelius," Ron explained, "Bill and Fleur's place. Bill's always been decent to me. He – he wasn't impressed when he heard what I'd done, but he didn't go on about it. He knew I was sorry. None of the rest of the family know I was there. Bill told Mum he and Fleur weren't going home for Christmas because they wanted to spend it alone. You know, first holiday after they were married. I don't think Fleur minded. You know how much she hates Celestina Warbeck."

"That's where you've been?" Hermione asked.

Ron nodded somberly and stopped. Hermione could see that they had come to the beach end, and a cliff was ahead, open to the cold gray sea. He turned to her, "Wait here. I'll get Bill. He's the secret keeper, and he'll get you in." He then jogged toward the cliff and then vanished. Hermione knew he had gone under the fidelius charm that surrounded the area. She could not see the house but the field on the top of a cliff. Sea lavenders dotted the place, swaying in the gentle breeze, mixing its scent in the air among the smell of the sea. She supposes it was a quiet place and lovely.

Then she saw Ron return with a familiar man, tall and lean, with long red hair and scar across his face. "Bill." She smiled, greeting the man. She then found herself in his arms, holding her tight.

"Hermione. It's good to see you." Bill replied into Hermione's hair, relieved she was okay. "Come to the Shell Cottage." He said, allowing her into the charm, and she saw a quaint house appeared. It was a lovely little cottage, wall whitewashed and embedded with shells. She smiled and followed the two redheads to the house. Fleur was at the door, greeting them with a smile.

After washing and getting fed, Hermione sat at the table, looking down at her intertwined hands. She couldn't help but feel sorrowful, replaying the memory of seeing Harry so wounded. It was a nightmare. She was sure she would be seeing blood in her dream tonight.

"What happened?" Bill asked finally. He had held off asking after seeing his brother and his friend alone, without Harry, looking lost to the world. They looked dirty, unkempt, tired, and worn. It didn't escape his notice that Hermione's hand was coated in dried blood when they arrived.

Ron shuddered and softly replied. "We were running from the Snatchers. They found us somehow." Fleur gasped. "I was some way behind them," he gestured to Hermione, "and Harry. He stopped, and-" He swallowed, paling again as he remembered. "He turned to Hermione. Blood was down his chest. He was hit with a curse-" Hermione sobbed next to him. "It was horrible." He gestured to his neck and drew down to his hip on the opposite side. "Big gash, torn open and bleeding everywhere." He grimaced, trying very hard not to break down and cry again, "S-so much b-bl-blood." He finished, and his eyes were swimming in tears.

Bill paled and asked, "Is he?"

"We don't know. Hermione cast a spell, and he was gone." Ron replied, wiping his face furiously.

Fleur reached out, placing her hand on Hermione's fidgeting hands. "What spell did you use?"

Hermione shook her head and stuttered, "I-It's a spell I read one time. It was Ubi Maxime opus Sit."

Bill frowned as he translated, "Where it is most needed." He glanced over to his fair wife. "I have never heard of it."

Fleur shook her head, "Me either. But it seemed you sent Harry somewhere to where he is needed the most."

Hermione gave a loud gasp and covered her mouth in shock. "Oh no, no, no. I hope I didn't send him to…" She shuddered and broke down sobbing.

Ron gripped the edge of the table, staring down. Bill and Fleur shared the same look of horror.

Finally, Bill, the rational one, spoke, "I am sure you had a good intention, trying to send him somewhere he needs to be, not the other way around."

Then suddenly, a brilliant burst of light exploded in the room, and they all gasped, looking up to see the ethereal form of an elk hovering in the air. Hermione gave a low whine of whimper, Ron looked shocked. Bill looked surprised, and Fleur covered her mouth in surprise, having heard about the majestic Patronus. It was bigger and brighter, indicating the caster was very powerful. A familiar voice came, "Ron, Hermione. I hope you both are safe. I am okay, and I will return when I am ready. Send a reply as soon as you can."

"He's alive! He's okay!" Ron shook Hermione's shoulder. "You're brilliant!" he grasped her and hugged her as her sobbing renewed.

Bill sighed in relief. "Well, that's good. He's somewhere safe, and you both should stay here until he is ready."

Fleur smiled, happy for the two teens. She glanced to the air as the Patronus faded, the room settled back to standard lighting. She noticed about the Patronus; it was brilliant and lit up the entire room like full sun. She felt the power radiating from it and the joy within. "Has Harry always cast such powerful Patronus like that?"

Ron looked up to his sister-in-law. "He's powerful, alright. But you're right; I have never seen it that bright or powerful."

Hermione wiped her nose on her sleeves and shook her head. "Even when he was thirteen, he did cast a powerful Patronus to drive away dementors; it wasn't that powerful. What did you think happened?"

Bill rubbed his chin, stroking his goatee. "Something happened in between the time you last saw him and now. Only time will tell. Come on, you both looked like death has warmed over. Up and go, you both to nap. You can send your Patronuses to him afterward," he gestured toward the stairs behind them leading to the second landing of the house. "We'll contact some people about you guys."

Ron stood and helped Hermione up. "Thank you." He turned and led her up the stairs.

When they reached the two doors that led to separate bedrooms, Hermione rested her hand upon the door. "I don't want to be alone." She whispered.

The redhead reached over and grasped Hermione's free hand. "Me either, come on." He pulled her toward his door, and they went into the guest room. He moved to the bed and toed off his shoes before lying down on the plushy bed. He gestured for Hermione to lie beside him. She did the same with her shoes and climbed in beside Ron, allowing him to spoon her and held her close.


An:

The raw emotions with Hermione and Ron got to me when I wrote this scene. I have few chapters written out and parts of several future chapters.

As for Bella... her time will come. Same with Jacob and others. Remember, Edward just only began dating with Bella for few weeks when Harry appeared, so a lot of things diverged in Twilight universe.

There will be a full blown lemon coming.