Smaragdus arcanum Lunam

Cloud Sorano

19

Volterra, Italy

Victoria paced back and forth in the courtroom of the Volturi. She was silently muttering to herself as she tossed the thoughts in her mind. She wondered if she had made a mistake coming to Volterra or not. She also wondered if they would appease her about James and Laurent's death. She had only found about Laurent's death after trailing him to the clearing, and it had ended there, and there was a pile of ash, the remains of Laurent. There was nothing but evidence of wild attacks in the ground, gouges of what appeared to be claws or, perhaps, hand claws. What she knew, Laurent had put up a fight and was killed. There was only the Cullens that was capable of doing so. They killed her coven, and they deserved retribution.

She looked up, her eyes wild as three ancient vampires approached. She fell to her knees and bowed her head. Two of them sat down on the thrones, and one strode forward, almost floating to stop before her. He looked down at her with an ancient marbled face that was beautiful and terrifying. He smiled and held his hand out to her.

She swallowed as she looked down at hand before her. She knew what the man, Aro, wanted to do. He would see in her mind her memories. "I ask, please," She said, "punish the Cullens for destroying my coven."

Aro tilted his head to the sideway, still smiling beguilingly, "Show me."

She nodded shakily and placed her hand in his, and waited. She watched as Aro's eyes glaze, seeing into her mind her memories. She saw what he saw, as the memories played in her mind. It was a strange sensation, almost like watching the television of her memories. Then, it was over. She blinked as Aro withdrew his hand.

Aro looked up and blinked once; his smile faded, and he stood straighter. Victoria frowned and realized he was looking at someone over her shoulder. She dared to tilt her head and saw three more vampires behind her, all young looking, one tall and burly, two teenage, a boy and girl, all three silently approaching and stopping mere few yards from behind her.

"Aro." The female of the trio said, her voice has a light lit to it. She strode forward and held her hand out. Aro took it and closed his eyes to see in her memory. The female turned her head and glanced down at Victoria, smirking, her bright crimson eyes shining in the low light. Even as a vampire, Victoria felt a cold chill down her spine. She knew the young teen was Jane, one of the Volturi and one of the oldest among the coven. She was dangerous and can inflict pain with her mind. She barely compressed the shiver and turned her eyes away.

Aro frowned as he let go of Jane's hand. "Interesting." He turned to Victoria and raised an eyebrow. "There is a Cullen in Scotland."

Victoria frowned. "What?" She was confused. "The Cullens are responsible for the destruction of my coven."

Aro shrugged and moved to the dias before turning around. "I saw in your mind that you and your coven encountered the Cullens once, and they told your coven to leave." Victoria's eyes widened, and she hesitantly nodded. Aro sat down and made a show of arranging his robe and crossing his legs before placing his chin on his propped hands before continuing, "They were only six. They have always been seven."

"Seven?" Victoria asked, confused.

The blond on Aro's left spoke, his voice soft, "The Cullens has seven in their coven and everyone know the northwest of America is their territory. It is in their jurisdiction to decide if anyone is welcome or not in their area. If they have asked you and your coven to leave, then it is every right of theirs to protect their territory."

Aro tilted his head to the blonde, "You are correct, Caius."

Victoria, if she could, would've paled several sheets. "They killed my mate! I demand justice for that!"

The third of the three Volturi leaders, the silent, tall one with long brown hair and saddened expression had been looking away as if complementing the entire time, finally turned his head and spoke, his voice deep and gravely, "Aro, get to the point."

Aro's serious face grew gleeful as he laughed, "All right, Marcus." He sat straighter, dropping his hands, and glanced behind Victoria and nodded.

Victoria gasped as two guards appeared and grasped her in their hold. She shrieked as she tried to pull her arms out of their holds, but they were stronger and bigger. She looked up frantically to Aro.

Aro smirked down at Victoria, "Dear Victoria. You would've been a wonderful addition to my coven, with your ability to evade. However, it's a rather dull and common traits." Then his smile became grim, "However, there was something I found that I am afraid, I cannot accept your appeasement."

Marcus turned his head to Aro and asked, "Please, what did you find?"

Aro stood from his seat and looked down at Victoria, "You intended to create an army, for the purpose of wiping out a coven."

Victoria screeched, "I will not! I promise!" She pleaded.

Aro waved his hand in a gesture and watched as his two guards held her down, and the third one grasped her head in a lock and twisted, snapping her head off her neck with a loud echoing crack. Victoria's expression was frozen in painful shock. Then the guards holding her let go, her body fell with a thud, and her head dropped to roll beside her body.

Aro sat down and crossed his legs again, looking bored. "We all know that creating an army require permission and within a good reason. Dear Victoria was just reckless. The Cullens were in their rights to dispose of her two other coven-mates. Jane, dear, please tell us about what you have witnessed."

Jane looked up from Victoria and stepped over the body to approach her three leaders. "Edward Cullens were sighted in Scotland, specifically at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, and there was another vampire with him, whom we believe to be his mate."

Aro gleefully laughed as he clapped his hands, "Oh, this sound interesting, do tell!"


The Burrow, Ottery St Catchpole, England

Molly bustled around the kitchen for the last-minute collection of dishes and sent them flying to the dining room. She turned and sniffled, wiping her nose with the handkerchief that tucked in her bracelet at her wrist. She waved her wand and set the dishes down. She looked up and gave a watery smile at Fleur and Hermione, "Thank you, girls. Go on and settle down." Fleur and Hermione nodded and moved to the dining room.

Molly turned around and grasped the counter, trying to collect herself and not break down again. Percy's funeral had gone very well, and it was a beautiful service, and many people came to pay their respect. She had broken down several times while cooking dinner on top of the entire day. She has lost one son, which the whole family had not given a chance to reconcile with. Her chin wobbled, and she bit her bottom lip. It took her few more minutes, and she died her eyes before she went into the dining room. She looked around and saw that everyone was there, save one. The new stranger filled in the space next to Harry; she smiled at the stranger and nodded. "Well, eat up." She gestured to the table and sat down. She reached out and started to fill up the plate and passed them to Harry, "There, I got your favorites."

Harry looked at the plate and grimaced for a moment. The silence went around the table as everyone froze when Harry said, "Molly. they look and smell delicious, but I can't eat them anymore."

Molly stared at Harry, tears welling up in her eyes, "Why not?" Her voice had hitched with emotions.

Bill, who happens to be sitting beside his mother, reached out to touch her hand and whispered, "Leave it be, Mom. He will explain later. Let us eat. Don't worry about them."

Molly looked to her eldest and saw the serious look on his face. She swallowed and nodded. "Very well." She took the plate back and passed it over to Bill, who took it.

Dinner was a somber event; everyone whispered and ate. It wasn't long before everyone moved to the living room and sat around.

Arthur, in his sitting chair, looked to Harry. "You have something to explain to us, didn't you?"

Harry nodded and stood up. "Few of you already know," He said as he looked around the room. He and Edward had come back to the Burrow with the Weasley family after the funeral. Charlie sat next to his father, Bill and Fleur took one of the love seats and the couch packed with Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George. Molly stood beside her husband, looking on with watery eyes. "You guys are my family and you all have the right to know. Something happened to me few weeks ago." He looked to Edward briefly for support and saw him nod. They had discussed together and agreed it would be best for the Weasley family to know. "It happened when Ron, Hermione and I was on the run from the Snatchers in the wood. I was hit by a hex that was similar to the one Hermione got in the Department of Mystery few years ago. But it was bad." There were gasps from those who had not known yet.

Harry gestured to his chest, indicating where the cut was, from his neck to his waist, "I was cut across here, and I was bleeding out very heavy. Hermione cast a spell on me, sending me somewhere. I ended up in America, in Washington State."

"That's halfway around the world!" Fred cried.

"Why there?" Arthur asked.

"Hermione?" Harry asked.

Hermione spoke up, explaining, "It was an old spell I read a while ago. I got the translation wrong a bit. It was a root spell of banishing or sending things away, but the original intent was to send something you do not want to somewhere it is needed the most." She shook her head, "It was the only thing that came to my mind at the moment. The Snatchers was upon us and I had to do something quick. So, I sent him where I thought he needed to be the most, hoping he would end up at St. Mungo or someone who can heal him." Her voice shook as she recalled how Harry had looked at the moment. "He was in a bad shape."

"How bad?" Charlie asked.

Ron scrunched his nose, "He was dying fast. That's how much blood he lost."

"The spell, as the literal translation, sent him to someone who needed him the most." Hermione gestured to Edward. "And it so happens he was halfway around the world to Edward."

Everyone turned their head to Edward, curious as to why he needed Harry the most at the time. Edward bit his lips and turned to Harry, his expression begging off the attentions.

Harry nodded, drawing the attention away from Edward. "Yes. At the moment, he was wishing to know his true mate." There were murmurs and questioning around the room. Harry held his hand to Edward, who took it. He pulled Edward to his feet and waved his hand over him, removing the glamour to show his true appearance. Half of the room gasped. "Edward is a vampire. He belongs to a coven, rather a family, of seven vampires that only drink from animal blood." He looked to Edward. "As I appeared at his feet, I was seconds away from being dead. Death was there, ready to take me. Edward offered to turn me to save my life." He looked into Edward's bright golden eyes. "I wasn't ready to go and I still have things to finish. So, I agreed and he turned me."

Molly let out a loud sob and rushed over to Harry and hugged him. She gasped again and held him away from her as she realized how cold and hard Harry felt. "Oh, my poor boy!" She cried, hugging him once again, and Bill stood up, helping to detach his mother from Harry and helped her to sit down where he had sat. Harry gave him a grateful look.

Harry waved his hand, and the glamour he had fallen away. His rosy hue turned pale, his features became ethereal, and his eyes shone brighter. "I'm a vampire now."

"Cool!" The twins chorused. Charlie smacked them both on the heads.

Arthur pursed his lips as in deep thought and then asked, "So, you require blood now?"

Harry nodded. "Food taste like ash to me now. Blood is the only thing that can sustain us. But I have never drank human blood. Only animal blood."

"That's good…." Arthur said and frowned, "I am glad you trust us to tell us this. But there's a problem."

Edward gripped Harry's hand as he heard what Arthur was thinking; he turned to Harry worriedly, "Harry."

Harry frowned, "What is it?" He had felt Edward's fear beside him.

"There's a law… it's illegal for vampire to turn a wizard. It's not going to bode well for the both of you." Arthur said.

Hermione gasped, "What? I haven't heard of that law!"

"Neither did I!" Ron sputtered.

The twin grimaced and whispered together before George replied, "You would've learned that in seventh year DADA."

Fred filled in, "And you all missed it."

"It's one of the first law you learn when you get into Vampire section. It's an absolute law all wizard knows."

Edward frowned. "It's not known with the vampires."

Charlie asked, "Do you interact with wizard in America?"

"No. We never knew you guys existed until Harry showed up. If there were vampires that interacted with the wiz, then they did not tell the others."

Bill looked to his brother, "Charlie, perhaps the Americans does not interact with vampires over there as we do here." Edward shook his head in agreement.

"Then you would not know. There's a reason why vampire do not drink from wizard." Charlie explained. "A long time ago, there was a problem in Romania and there were wizards turning into vampires and they were powerful. So, the wizards from all over the world came together and fought off the band of wiz-vampires, it was a bloody battle, literally, nearly wiped out majority of the wizards. But they were lucky and won. They decided that it was too dangerous for wizard to become a vampire, because as a vampire, everything is heightened, even their magic."

Edward looked to Harry worriedly. "Harry, your magic is very powerful."

"It is. Your Patronus was enough for me to know you have become very powerful. It's strong enough to fell thousands of demeanors. You were already powerful before turning," Bill said, and the others gasped.

Charlie continued his tale, "The wizard banded together and decided that there is only one way to protect themselves from being bitten by vampires is to change their blood, to become unappealing. They created potions and cast a powerful charm. Then supplied it to as many wizards they could get to in the world. The potion and charms were enough to change the wizarding world, the next generation were born with the natural deterrent and it's been in all of us since then."

Hermione frowned. "What about the muggle-borns? We're not related, yet we also have that deterrent too."

Charlie laughed. "That's something else you'll learn in seventh years. All muggle-borns do have wizard ancestors. I bet if you trace your family back long enough, you'll run into ancestors that were wizards."

"That explain why some muggles do not appeals to vampires as much as others." Edward murmured, "some are singers, the ones that appeals to us the most. Then there are some that just doesn't at all. Most fall in between. We can handle them until their blood is spilt."

"There you go." Charlie said and sat back. "Then, that's when the law was enacted. Wizard did not want that war to happen again, so it's illegal for wiz-vampire to exist."

Harry inhaled sharply and looked at Edward worriedly. "So, we both are in trouble."

Arthur nodded somberly. "Yes."

"Maybe it's best that we go back to America." Edward said softly. "I am sorry, Harry. I know you wanted to stay."

"I do." Harry looked to his family worriedly. "I had intended to stay and be with you guys because I love you all, you're my family."

Everyone looked at each other, unsure what to say. They were all worried about the two vampires. Then Arthur stood up and went over to Harry and Edward, clapping his hands on their shoulders. "I think, it's best that we all keep a mum on this," he turned to his family, "won't we?" Everyone murmured their agreements. "Good. You both had done a superb job hiding the fact that you are vampires. Use the glamours when you are around the others."

Harry looked to Edward. "I'd like to stay for a little while. I want to pay my respect to those who lost their lives in the battle. Then we can return to America." Harry looked sad; he had wanted to stay with his family in the United Kingdom.

Edward nodded. "Yeah."

"Great." Arthur said.

Molly stood up, "I can have a room for both of you prepared in a bit, if you wish to stay for the night."

Harry shook his head. "I don't want to impose on you and we don't sleep at all." Molly looked a bit put out. Harry smiled, "Please, don't feel too badly. There's also Edward I have to think about. He hears everyone's thought, so there would be no privacy for him and everyone around him."

"Yeah." Ron muttered, "I don't want him to be hearing in what we're thinking."

Edward laughed. "I don't want to hear what you're thinking anymore."

"Ooh, what does he think about?" Fred asked, nudging Ron. "Those big…" he gestured to his chest with his hands, and Molly jumped toward him, smacking him on the head with a rolled-up Daily Prophet that was nearby.

Hermione flushed and buried her face in her hands. "Oh my gods… you are so vulgar!"

Harry laughed. "Thank you. We'll be at the Grimmauld Place," He turned to Arthur and got confirmation, "you guys are welcome. Just send owl or something before you come over."

Fred nudged George, "He just didn't want us to walk into something."

George batted his eyes and placed his hand on his chest, as if imitating feminine pose, "Oh, please don't be so vulgar." They both snickered together.

Edward rolled his eyes and turned to Harry. "You're correct. They're worse than Emmett and Jasper."

Ron grumbled under his breath, "Trust me, we've done that." The twins looked to Ron and Hermione, their eyes wide. Hermione blushed beet-red.


Hogwarts, Scotland

Edward grasped Harry's hand. He watched his lover from the corner of his eyes, watching as Harry had his head bowed and eyes closed. He could feel Harry's emotions underneath; there were sadness, respect, regrets, and tiny bit of disappointment. He understood each feeling for their reasons. He was privileged to see the memory Harry had seen recently and came to know where Severus Snape was coming from. He came to admire the snarky professor and understood where Harry stood with the man.

Severus Snape may have been a hated man with a surly and snarky personality, but having seen Harry's memories of the man, and with an outsider's perspective, he could see why the man was who he was. In all, he was a hero in his own right, a true Gryffindor with the snake clothing. He shared the same regret with Harry, wanting to meet the man and get to know him. But they've only briefly met before he died.

Edward looked up and around; the funeral proceeding was smaller than the others he had attended with Harry. Only professors from Hogwarts and few selected people like Harry, his friends, and people from the Order of Phoenix made attendance. It held on Hogwarts ground, near the gravesite of Albus Dumbledore. Unlike Professor Dumbledore's large marble tomb, Severus Snape's tomb was a simple black onyx box with a carving of a lily flower on the surface. It was simple, and it was what he had wanted.

Harry gave a soft sigh, and Edward squeezed his hand, silently asking if he was all right. Harry gave a tiny smile and squeezed back. Harry let go of his hand and went to the casket. With a wave of his hand of the smooth stone, a bouquet of lily with emerald ribbon tying the flowers together appeared. He then placed his hand on the casket, softly speaking, "Thank you, Professor Snape, sir." He chuckled lightly closed his eyes.

Harry opened his eyes and glanced around, and he was back in the strange place where he had met Death recently, standing on top of the twine bridge. He looked over and saw a dark figure standing on the other end, his back to him. He recognized him and called out, "Professor Snape."

The figure turned around and scowled, "And in death, you follow me everywhere." Professor Snape snarked, crossing his arms over his chest. "How is this possible?"

Harry laughed and shrugged, "Master of Death."

Severus' eyes widened, "I see. So what is it you want?"

Harry shook his head amusedly at Severus' usual demeanor. "I wanted to make sure you have redemption and peace now."

Severus dropped his arms and turned halfway away from Harry, "And if I do not have them, what would you do?"

Harry remained silent for a few moments, studying the surly professor before replying, "Then I would not rest until you have it. You deserved it, after what you've gone through."

Severus turned his head back to Harry in surprise. "I do not deserve it."

"You're wrong." Harry said softly, "You made sure I was safe and alive the entire time. I release you from that bond of promise you made years ago." He waved his hand, and a small bouquet appeared. Severus sharply inhaled as he recognized asphodel and wormwood. Harry looked up to the former professor and said, "I understand now what you were trying to tell me all those years ago."

Silence hung in the air, and Severus nodded once. "Thank you."

Harry smiled, "No, thank you." He then stepped back and watched as Severus Snape's dark black robe bled pale gray and into white, and then he faded away.

Opening his eyes, Harry smiled; a silver tear fell and splashed onto the petal of a lily on the casket. Harry turned and walked back to Edward, grasping his hand, and stood there, watching as the others approached the casket and laid down their flowers.

They watched as Professor Filius, Arthur, Bill, and Kingsley waved their wand, placing the onyx casket into the ground and filling up the hole. The four men cast their wands to the ground, grass sprouted, and a black onyx stone appeared on the top with the professor's name, birth, and death date. Harry waved his hand toward the ground, and bunches of lily appeared, surrounding the stone.

Edward softly smiled as he watched the people disperse, breaking up the somber environment to either hang back and chat quietly among themselves. Few professors started to head back to the castle.

Bill approached him asked quietly, "You both are heading back to America soon?"

Edward nodded, glancing at Harry, who was talking to one of the professors. "Harry wants to start heading back soon. We will stop by the Burrow before we leave."

"That's good." Bill said and nodded, "It was good getting to know you."

Edward smiled, "Likewise. I think Harry would like you all to visit from time to time, and we will be sure to come around too."

Bill nodded. "We're going to miss him. Alright, I got to get back." He clapped his hand on Edward's shoulder and nodded to Harry, who had turned back to them.

"Ready to go home?" Edward asked Harry as Bill left them.

"Yes." Harry replied and looked up to see Kingsley Shacklebolt approach them. "One more and we'll go." Edward nodded, and they turned to the dark-skinned man.

Kinsley walked up to Harry, his face stonily, and he bowed his head, "Harry."

Harry smiled at Kingsley. It has been a while since he last saw the man outside the battle. He remembered every encounter he had with the man in the past and had nothing but respect for him. "Kingsley. How are you?" Harry asked.

Kingsley looked a bit surprised and sighed, "Good as it can be." He glanced around and back at Harry. His voice lowered to a near whisper, "I need you and your friend," He nodded to Edward beside Harry. "To come with me, quietly and without trouble."

Harry frowned and felt the back of his sleeve tugged slightly. He turned to see Edward looking concerned and recognized the look on his face. He gave a tiny nod and employed legilimency, sinking into Edward's golden eyes.

"He's arresting us. But he wants to keep it discreet." Edward explained.

"Arresting? They've found out already and so soon?" Harry asked, his mind colored in surprise and hint of betrayal.

"They know. They know we're vampire and they suspected I turned you." Edward glanced around them; he finally noticed several men were watching them; their hands were at their side, ready to whip out their wands if needed. "There are Aurors here. Is it normal to have twelve of them to arrest two vampires?"

"No." Harry mused; he could feel fear and worry beneath the bravado in Edward's mind and knew he felt the same. So, they found out. He sighed, gripping Edward's hand on his arm. He looked around and saw what Edward saw. "We'll go quietly as they wanted. Perhaps they want to investigate and make their decision. I am not going to prove to them that we are a vicious creature that they need to be afraid of." He turned back to Kingsley and gave the nod. "We'll go with you. We will not give any trouble." He smiled genially up at Kingsley, "Twelve Aurors are a bit excessive, don'tcah think?"

Kingsley looked surprised and coughed lightly. "We're being cautious."

Ron had noticed the silent conversation between Edward and Harry. He had known Harry long enough to read Harry's facial expression and body language to figure out there was something wrong. "Harry? What's going on?"

Harry turned to his friends and gave them a reassuring smile, "Kingsley need Edward and I to go with him."

Hermione glanced between Kingsley and Harry. "Why are you going with him?"

Harry reached out and grasped Hermione's hand. "They know. You guys go and tell the family."

Ron paled. "No! That's not right." He turned to Kingsley. "They're not like the others. They're good ones!" He objected, moving to stand in front of Harry. "They've done nothing wrong!"

Edward watched as Harry's friends moved to defend him. He knew they were immensely loyal to Harry and was glad he has people that cared for him. He grimaced as heads were starting to turn. The Aurors had their wands out and were slowly closing in on them. Kingsley made a discreet gesture for them to hold and wait.

Harry shook his head, "Ron, don't. Not here. We will go and you guys go home and tell your family."

Ron turned to Harry, "But…." He saw the grim look on Harry's face and quieted down, nodding. "Alright. We'll be at the Ministry as soon as we can."

Harry gave a grateful look and turned to Edward. "Let's go." He grasped Edward's hand and turned to Kingsley, "Lead the way."

Kingsley looked at the two young men and sighed. "I want to say this before we go. I don't like this and have a very high respect for you, Harry. But, my hands are tied."

"I know. Thank you, Kingsley." Harry replied and followed the tall Auror. The other Aurors followed behind them.

Hermione gripped Ron's arm tightly; she could feel him vibrating in anger. "I hope Kingsley won't treat Harry and Edward too badly."

Ron clenched his hands in fists as he watched the Aurors circle around Harry and Edward and apparated away, vanishing from their sight. "Kingsley better not do anything to them or else he will have a lot of trouble on his hands from a lot of people. That's the Chosen One they're arresting." Ron growled and turned to Hermione, and he relaxed some as he saw tears in her eyes and reached up to wipe the falling tear. "Come on, let's go to the Burrows."


Note:

The chapter had been delayed in past few weeks because I was struggling to write some parts in this chapter. Also, I've started my masters and it's overwhelming. I'm already frustrated with one class (I'm taking 3).

The story is getting closer to being done. I would say maybe 3-4 more chapters. I'm still open to suggestion for images for some of the chapters. I'm currently working on 3 of them. Either visit the story on AO3 or my deviant art page (under same pen name) to see them.

I really appreciate the reviews and feedbacks. This story has a lot of likes and kudos and that makes me happy. Thank you!