Smaragdus arcanum Lunam

Cloud Sorano

6

"Hm… No, that would not work." Harry muttered as he paced back and forth in his guest room. It was made up for him, a pale green couch against a cool grey wall with shelves of books and decors. Of the four walls, two were floor to ceiling windows looking out to the woods behind the house. It was nice and airy.

Edward was lounging on the couch similar to his own, head resting on the rolled pillow, hands resting on his abdomen while watching Harry pace back and forth, his mind flittering through several things at once. They had returned mid-morning to a nearly empty house. Esme had gone to do her weekly shopping, and the rest of the siblings had gone to school. Only Carlisle remained behind, working in his office as it was his day off. He had called the school, stating that Edward would be out for a week, under the pretense of having caught a nasty cold.

They spent the morning talking about their lives, asking each other questions. Until Harry started to work himself in a frenzy, trying to figure out the best way to communicate with his friends across a great distance. Patronus could only do so much, and it took some significant magic power. His friends would not be able to cast it often to keep up in conversation.

Edward caught snippets of owls, but the idea shot down, being able to be intercepted. Then there was a fireplace, which he found puzzling. But where would one find floo powder and a fireplace hooked up to the floo system? Edward shook his head in confused amusement. The thoughts cycled again.

"Harry," Edward said but was ignored as Harry continued to mutter to himself. He sat up and grasped Harry's hand as he made another pass by him. "Harry!" Harry stopped, turning to Edward. "From what it seems, nothing would be secure except for your Patronus. But it requires a lot of your magical energy. How about-" He waved his hand in the air, "a muggle way?"

Harry gave a bemused noise, "Huh?"

"A phone?" Edward asked.

The wizard's eyes widened. "Ohh. That could work. Hermione knows what it is and could find one to use." He smiled at Edward, "That's brilliant!"

Edward stood up and took the notebook from the desk, and scribbled something down. "This is the house phone number. We can accept the charge." He handed the paper to Harry and smiled, happy to be able to help.

Harry took it and waved his hand, calling forth his Patronus, "Expecto Patronum!" The stag materialized before them, bright and brilliant. "Ron, Hermione. If you can get to a phone, call this number 360-374-2531*." He then waved his hand, commanding the Patronus to go. They watched the stag turn into a streaking light, shooting across the sky.

"Can anyone see that?" Edward asked as it vanished from their sight.

Harry shook his head, "No. Muggles can't see it… wait…" he turned to Edward. "Since you're a muggle vampire, and you can see it."

Edward looked surprised. "Let's ask Carlisle." They left the room and found Carlisle in his office, at his desk, working on his computer. "Harry and I discovered something interesting."

"Oh?" Carlisle smiled, standing up. Harry could not help but be reminded of Albus Dumbledore, how Carlisle moved, talked, and how his eyes seem to twinkle. "Do tell."

"Muggles can't see some form of magic, and magical creatures like wizards do, and often there are wards and shields that prevent muggles from seeing wizards and their community. But you all can see my Patronus. You're not supposed to."

Carlisle nodded, leaning back against his desk. "That's an interesting mystery." He tilted his head to Edward. "You must have seen enough in Harry's mind in the past couple of days; what do you theorize?"

Edward thought about it before replying, "Harry mentions that there is magic everywhere. Muggles cannot use or detect it because they can't, but some of them can. So," He turned to Harry, "Harry was already a powerful wizard before he turned, but now he is much more. I was able to read people before I was turned but became a mind-reader, and Alice with her ability to see the future and Jasper as an empath. Everything intensifies after we turn."

Carlisle smiled, "Yes. That would make sense."

Harry's eyes widened, "So, you can see magic because being a vampire increase the capability. Now I understand why vampires were able to interact with wizards and move freely in the wizarding community. The one I met a few years ago, Sanguini, he had no magic, but he was able to come to Hogwarts and move among us."

"It's a fascinating theory, and I can believe it," Carlisle said. "I'm curious, in your reading and lessons, is there anything about wizard vampire? I've been looking it up and found nothing about it."

Harry shook his head. "No. We learned the basics of vampires in Defense class, but there were no mentions of wizards turning into a vampire. I am sure there are some."

"One thing we found puzzling when you first came. Your clothes soaked in blood, but it did not trigger our bloodthirst. Jasper struggles to be around humans, he's a newly turned vegetarian of our coven, but he also found your blood unappealing. So perhaps, as a natural defense, the Wiz does not attract vampires at all."

Harry nodded, "You may be right. There are few products sold in our community that serves to vampires, such as Blood-pop."

Edward looked intrigued, "Blood-pop?"

Harry laughed and grasped Edward's hand. "I'll get you one. It's like a lollipop but made with blood. I've tasted one before, and it was weird."

Carlisle clapped his hands, "This has been an interesting conversation. When you do, go back and finish what you need to do. I'd love to look into more about the relation between wizards and vampires. It would be wonderful to be able to move freely among the people and not have to worry about hiding our true self."

Harry nodded. "Yes. I think Hermione would be the one to ask. She is…"

"A walking library?" Edward suggested, chuckling. He wanted to meet Harry's friends. Having seen memories of them, he was intrigued by Harry's friends.

"Yes." Harry laughed.

The phone rang, and Carlisle moved around the table and picked it up, "Cullen's household, this is Dr. Carlisle Cullen…" His eyes flickered to Edward, then to Harry. "I accept the charge, thank you. Hold on…" He held the phone down and covered the reception, "Harry, this is for you." He handed the phone to the young wizard. Harry's eyes widened, and he darted around the desk and took the phone and held it up to his ear, "This is Harry."

Then he grimaced, holding the earpiece away as a loud shriek came through, "Harry! Oh! I am so happy you're okay! That was a horrible curse! Are you recovering now?"

"Hermione." Harry replied, "it's alright. I am fine." He looked up to see Carlisle whisper to Edward, then left the office, closing the door. Edward then moved to stand beside Harry.

"Washington, America!?" Hermione asked, "When you gave us the numbers, I looked it up! How in the world did you end up there?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Hermione, you did that. That spell sent me to someone who needed me the most." He glanced over to Edward and gave a loving smile. Edward returned it with a cocked grin that made Harry's knees weak. "Really? Did you get help?" Hermione asked, and Harry could hear someone else in the background and recognized Ron's voice, firing different questions of his own.

"Guys," Harry said, "I am fine. I did get help, and I have recovered. I am staying with this person I met. His name is Edward, and you guys might meet him soon. Yes, he helped me. I am going to stay for about a week or so. Why? I need time to think, and being here helps, away from all that, you know."

Harry could hear the phone pass, shuffling noises, and Ron's voice came through. "Mate, you scared us. But we're thrilled to know you are okay. That was a brilliant Patronus. Did you get powerful or something?"

Harry closed his eyes, smiling. He had missed his friends. He felt Edward moving behind him and hug him and grasped Edward's arm on his waist. "You could say that. Are you guys safe? You got a place to stay for a while to lay low?"

"Yeah, we're staying with Bill and Fleur for now. It's safe here, and their place is under fidelius. We'll wait for you. Don't take too long; we need you back here."

"I know. You said you got news?"

"Oh. Remus had a baby." Ron laughed. "It's a boy!"

Harry's eyes widened. "A boy! Oh, that's great! Are they okay? Is the baby all right?"

"Yeah. Remus stopped by, and he wanted to name you godfather. His name is Teddy Lupin."

"Oh… I'm honored." Harry murmured. "Thank you for telling me. It's wonderful to hear that."

There was shuffling, and then Hermione's voice came through. "Harry, is there anything you need us to do while we wait?"

Harry was silent for a couple of seconds before he replied. "Right now, nothing. Just keep your ears open to whatever could come up. You can call here anytime. I'll do my part here, thinking and doing some planning. Right now, I'm actually in a safe place where I do not need to worry about them finding me."

"Yes, Harry, rest and get better. We're calling from a booth in a nearby village. We'll call you tomorrow. Take care."

"Yeah, talk to you later, mate." Harry heard Ron say before the line went dead.

Edward turned Harry around as the phone was placed down. "You didn't tell them."

Harry shook his head. "I don't want to worry them right now. It's not that important." He rested his head against Edward's collarbone. "They'll know soon enough. Right now is not the time."

Edward stroked Harry's hair and held onto him for a while before his head turned toward the door, and he groaned. "Well, I have my problem to deal with right now."

Harry frowned as Edward moved to the door and followed him down the stairs to the living room. He paused at the stairways, and he could see Alice enter the door, with an apologetic look on her face and Rosalie close behind, looking angry. Then, another girl followed them in, a human one with dark brown hair, pale skin, and wide honey brown eyes. She looked pretty, and she smiled at Edward. Harry realized who she was.

"Bella," Edward stiffly said as he saw her step in. "Uh, why are you here?"

"Edward. I missed you and wondered why you were not answering my calls, and Rosalie told me that you were preoccupied. I just wanted to make sure you're okay." Bella went up to Edward and wrapped her arms around his waist. "You did say you were going to bring me over here a couple of days ago to meet your family. I waited and waited. What happened?"

Edward turned his head and saw Harry at the end of the stairs. "I… Something came up, and I have to take care of it. Bella- I was going to call you today." He hugged her briefly and stepped back, rubbing his hands down his jeans in a nervous gesture.

Bella blinked and glanced over, finally seeing Harry for the first time. "Oh. Who is he? A relative?"

Edward glanced to Harry, who had a blank look on his face. "Ah, he…"

Alice and Rosalie had moved past them when Bella entered and disappeared into the kitchen. However, Edward heard Alice in his head, 'Just do it, rip it off like a Band-Aid!' He barely held back a grimace and gestured to the living room, steering Bella toward the couches. "We'll talk now."

Bella frowned as she went to a loveseat and sat down. Her frown grew deeper as Edward chose to sit across from her on a different couch. "What's wrong, Edward?" She glanced up to see Harry follow them and sit on the sofa near Edward.

The bronze-haired vampire waved toward the other man, "This is Harry Potter. He's from Britain. Harry, this is Bella Swan."

"Hello. Britain? Wow." Bella asked and blinked, looking back and forth from Edward to Harry, "You're one of them?" She could not get over how handsome the young man was and how striking his emerald eyes were. He had the same grace and fluidly as Edward and the same mysterious air about him, but there was something akin to energy crackling in the air around the newcomer. He seemed different. She was almost afraid of him but squashed it, believing Edward would not allow anything to happen to her.

Harry smirked and nodded. "Yes. I'm visiting for a bit. Edward is kind enough to accommodate me during my stay." Amused that Bella appeared unafraid of them despite them being vampires. She would've been a good Gryffindor. He saw Edward shaking his head in amusement. He shot a thought, 'You know I'm right. Either she is very brave or foolish to be in the presence of vampires. That's Gryffindor traits.' Edward gave him a look to shut up and turned back to Bella.

"Oh, oh! I am glad. Edward is great." Bella smiled, having missed the entire silent exchange between the two men.

"That he is," Harry replied.

Edward rubbed his face and groaned, standing up and walking back and forth. With Bella and Harry, he could see where he stood with both. Bella was a fleeting infatuation, and now, smelling her and seeing her, she seemed so plain compared to Harry. He was honestly surprised that she no longer smelled enticing to him. His feeling for Bella was insignificant compared to how he felt for Harry. "Bella," he said as he stopped, looking down at the teen girl. "Remember how I said that there was something between us?"

Bella nodded, smiling, "yes?"

"You're my singer. Your blood sings to me. And your ability to block your mind from me was also intriguing, which is why I was interested." Bella frowned. "But that's it. Nothing more." He glanced over to Harry. "Vampires has mated," He turned back to Bella, "and it's forever."

Bella stood up, "What are you saying? I'm not your mate?" She made to move to Edward but stopped as he stepped back.

Edward looked pained, "No."

Harry leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees. He could see the awkwardness between the two and decided to jump in. "If you two get together and continue to date, eventually develop a deeper relationship. It will only content him for a while but never fully satisfy him as a true mate would. You both should end things right now before it got any further and hurting each other down the road. Bella, you have a full future ahead of you and the opportunity to have a life that denied to the vampires."

Bella twirled to Harry, her ears red and her eyes wet. "What are you trying to tell me? Break up with Edward? I love him! I would become a vampire for him!"

Harry looked up at her impassively. "Love is a complicated feeling, Bella. You are not his mate. It will cause you both pain down the road. Even if you do become a vampire, you will find that out the hard way."

"Who are you to say that!?" She shouted at the stranger. "You come in here and then confuse Edward; you do not know me!"

Harry stood up, he was a half head taller than Bella and moved to Edward, placing his hand on the other man's shoulder. "You're right; I do not know you. But I know him," He looked to Edward, "he is my mate."

Bella gasped, grasping her chest as she stared at the two. Few hysterical breaths later, she asked, "Edward? Is this true?"

Edward nodded. "Yes. When a vampire finds his or her mate, it's forever." He looked to Harry. "When he showed up, I knew then." He smiled softly. "It's like my entire world right with him." He turned back to Bella. "I am so sorry. What we had was good, but it is just it. You'll find someone who deserves you. Someone who can love you more than I can."

Bella whimpered, "Edward!" She stepped forward, reaching out. Tears were streaming down her face. "That can't be! What you and I had, that was real. He must have some kind of power to deceive you! You love me very much!"

Edward shook his head. "No, Bella. You can't understand what it is like to be us. It's beyond human comprehension." He looked away. "Bella, it's best you go. Forget about me, move on." He turned and zipped away.

Harry gave a pitying look to Bella. "I am sure you are a wonderful young woman. You have a bright future, don't waste it." He stared into her honey brown eyes, frowning as he attempted Legilimency. He ran into an impenetrable wall in her mind, and it was very strong, much more potent than Professor Snape's own from his experience.

"It might be best you forget about Edward." Harry softly said as he waved his hand discreetly. He watched as she stared at him with tears spilling down her face. His eyes widened as he realized his attempt at obviation didn't work on her. Of course, her mental shield prevented that too. He could not get into her mind or remove the memory. Edward will have to find another way to get her to accept the fact that he is no longer available to her. He turned and was gone.

Bella fell to her knees and screamed, breaking down into heavy sobs. She was barely aware as Alice came in, helped her up, and led her out to the front door where a police car pulled into the driveway.

Charlie Swan, the chief police of Forks, came out of the police car looking concerned. "Alice? What's going on?" He rushed to Bella's side and took her into his arms. He glanced down to his daughter, who was ugly sobbing into his jacket.

Alice shook her head, looking sad. "Edward broke up with her. She's distraught."

"What?" Charlie muttered and looked down at Bella again and pushed her hair out of her face. "I suppose that's a good thing," he said under his breath and sighed, "Thank you, Alice. I appreciate you calling me over here. I'll take her home and make sure she's all right."

Alice nodded and waved. Charlie helped a sobbing Bella into the car, and they drove away.

"Well, that's one way to go." She said to herself and turned on her toe, entering the house. She went up to Edward's room and peered into the open door. Edward was standing by the window, staring out into the woods. Harry was standing behind him, hugging him. "They're gone. You wanna stay clear from school or town for a while."

Edward nodded. "Thank you, Alice. I will not be going back for the remaining year."

Alice's eyebrow rose. "Oh," then her eyes glazed over for a few seconds, and she smiled. "I guess I'll have Jasper get your paperwork in and all that. We will need to go to Seattle tomorrow."

Harry looked up to Alice. "Seattle?"

Alice smiled, "You'll know why later tonight. Edward, I'll have everyone out of the house tonight to hunt in Canada. We'll be back late morning tomorrow." She clapped her hands together.

Edward sighed in irritation and waved his hand, "Sure."

Harry moved around to face Edward. "What did she mean?"

"She saw something soon, but she was fast enough not to let me see it. As for tonight, we're alone." Edward said as he cupped Harry's face and lowered his head, brushing his lips against Harry's, "you're mine."

Harry caught on and smiled, kissing Edward passionately.


AN:

* the phone number will take you to Forever Twilight Collection Museum in Fork, Washington. I've passed the place by but didn't get the chance to stop in, it was closed that day.

Edward and Bella's all broken up. But it won't be the last we see her.

Up next: the chapter you're all waiting for... ^_~

AN: #2 - updated a small part in this chapter that was missing - where Harry attempted Legilimency on Bella.