Smaragdus arcanum Lunam

Cloud Sorano

23

The end.

Just kidding, read on.


"It's decided. The Wizengamots has concluded that Edward Masen Cullen will burned as it is decreed in the law of 1682 anti-vampire legislation. He is to be burned immediately." Madame Amelia Bones announced and turned sad eyes down to Harry.

Harry asked, "What? I thought both of us are on trial. Why is he being put to death and I am not?"

"I am coming to that. Harry James Potter, you are decreed to be magically bound and under probation until the end of hundred year." The woman replied and frowned. She had not liked how it was turning out, and there was a sense of heavy sense of dread filling her up.

"Wait!" Every head in the courtroom turned to see a small petite woman bounding in, the frantic expression on her beautiful pale face and her hands outstretched. "Wait, please, let us speak." Several more people, equally pale as the woman, followed through the door, taking a stance behind her coolly. The Aurors were quick to surround them, pointing wands at them.

"Who are you?" Madame Bones demanded. She noticed they all were pale and had the same golden eyes as Edward Cullen. The Aurors wands glowed at the tips; they had seen the same thing. She held her hand up to stay with them, "Speak."

"My name is Alice Cullen, I am Edward's sister. These are our family," She gestured to the people behind her. "Carlisle Cullen, our father and the head of the American coven. Esme, his wife, Jasper, my husband, Rosalie Hale, and her husband Emmett. We came all the way from America, not to save their lives but yours too."

"Blasphemy! Seize them!" Lord Padgett shouted from where he stood, and several other Wizengamot loudly agreed.

Kingsley stood, letting off a loud shot from his wand. "Silence!" He turned to Alice and Carlisle, who stood side by side. "This is unexpected, but seeing you are family of the accused, I will allow you in as long you will keep peace." They nodded mutely, and he narrowed his eyes at Alice, "What danger did you speak of?"

Alice nodded, her wild pixie hair swaying violently. She chewed her lips as she glanced up to Carlisle, who stepped forward, bringing up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Thank you. I can promise we are peaceful group of vampires and wish no harm to anyone." He gestured to Alice, "My daughter, Alice," then toward Jasper, "and Jasper, along with Edward," He nodded toward to surprise Edward. "Three of them are what we considered vampires with talents. But recently after meeting Harry Potter, we realized that they are wizard like yourself. Edward, I believe is what you would call a Legilimens, Jasper is a Pathokinesis, and Alice, a seer. Before turning, they were squibs, with very little magic in their blood. Being vampire brought their magic out and made them stronger." He rested his hand on Alice's shoulder, "As a seer, she has foresaw futures as outcome of the trial and it is horrendous. We beg you to allow us tell you the outcome of your decision and reconsider."

Madame Bones turned to Kingsley and asked, "Minster Shacklebolt, we have already voted."

"This is bullshit!" Theodore Nott, standing up. He was one of the few youngest of the Wizengamots seated, replacing their predecessors. "We voted, it's time to deliver the ruling!"

"Scion Nott," Kingsley boomed, "Sit down!" He was disappointed in the young man, hoping that he would not be like his father, but he was wrong. He glanced around the courtroom and realized there were unfamiliar faces through the gallery, and chills ran up his spine as he noticed red eyes among the guests.

"Just how many vampires are hiding in this room?" He demanded, eyeing the gallery. Several more stood up and moved down to join the floor. Auror Proudfoot called for more Aurors, and they lined up in front of the Wizengamots, wands pointing toward the vampires. There were six vampires in deep crimson robes. Then, to everyone's surprise, the seventh one in plain dark cloak stepped down from the shadow, and he threw his hood back to reveal his pale feature. A wizard joined him, standing beside him.

Kingsley stared down at the floor where the vampires plus a wizard stood. Never had he been in the presence of so many vampires before, and he was starting to wonder if the whole thing was a mistake. "Introduce yourself. Auror Proudfoot, please bring in more Aurors." There had been six Aurors, and six had recently joined. He decided with so many vampires in the courtroom, and it was necessary to have a dozen more. They were powerful in their rights. Two Aurors can bring down one, but not fifteen in the room. He briefly wondered how they had gotten past the security. Clearly, they were lacking.

"No need," One of the crimson-robed vampires held up his hands in pacifying manners. "We will not harm anyone. We're here to see the outcome of the trial and observe our dear Edward Cullen and his mate, Harry Potter. We've heard so much rumors about the two and wanted to see for yourself." He chuckled and gestured to the others in crimson robes, "I am Aro, these are my coven, the Volturi, except for you." He looked at the man at the end of the row disdainfully, "Sanguini, a pleasure."

"Likewise," Sanguini replied dryly.

Kingsley paled, having heard of the Italian vampire coven; they were the spearhead of the vampires in the world, old and very powerful. To have six of them in the room was daunting.

Aro smirked and turned back to Kingsley, "Jane," he gestured to the blond-haired female, "Alec, her brother, and Felix, our strong bodyguard. And of course, Caius and Marcus," He gestured to the two besides himself, "The three of us head the Volturi coven. And like dear Carlisle said, we're all also magic-user, bearer of different talents."

"Thank you." Kingsley nodded to Sanguini, whom he had known, a familiar vampire that had occasionally made an appearance among the wizarding community, especially with Eldred Worple, the wizard next to him. "I have not expected you to show up, Sanguini and Eldred Worple. What is your reason here?"

"Carlisle Cullen contacted me and asked me to come in case I need to present some evidence about the vampire and Eldred, my dear friend, who has been residing with my coven researching about our lifestyle and habits."

Kingsley nodded and gestured toward the now space in the gallery where the wizards have vacated by shuffling to the side, giving them a wide berth. "Please sit and understand this, we have capability to suppress your powers if you toe past the line." They bowed their heads and returned to the gallery, sitting down. Aro glanced over to the wizards to his side and wiggled his fingers at them, giggling.

"I don't trust that one." Hermione whispered into Ron's ear.

"Me either, he gives me heebie-jeebies." Ron replied.

"Silence!" Kingsley roared and glowered at the entire courtroom, "This has turned into a circus. We will have a brief recess. Would all the members of the Wizengamots please adjourn to the private meeting room. Aurors, constant vigilant, especially on our newest guests. I leave it to you, Auror Proudfoot and Williamson to maintain peace in this room until we return." He stood and walked to the side, disappearing through the door. The other members rose and vacated the room.

Edward frowned, turning to Harry. "They are upset that the others has shown up."

Harry shrugged. "To be honest, I am glad they did. It might change things."

"It has." Edward replied, glancing over to the other side to where his family sat. He nodded toward Alice, who waved back at him. "Alice saw something."

Harry tilted his head to see Cullen better and smiled as she saw Rosalie and Alice give him a tiny wave each. He realized he had missed them and was happy to see them again. They've become his beloved family in a short time. "What did she see?"

Edward grimaced. "Something that you do not want to know. But since it might change the Wizengamots' mind."

Before Harry could ask, the Wizengamots came back from the other room and made their way back to their seats. He looked up to see Kingsley standing, waiting for everyone to be seated, and the silence fell in the room.

"We have voted to nullify our previous voting, to allow new evidences, if there are any, to be presented. We will be questioning the vampires that has made themselves known. As per to the law of the court, every person who take stand must take Veritaserum and answer the questions." He turned to the purple cloaked wizards, "Wizengamots, you are welcome to direct any questions to Madame Amelia Bones, who will proceed with the questioning. To remind you again, not all of your suggestion may be asked. And to those in the gallery, again, I remind you to respect the courtroom and keep quiet." As Kingsley paused before continuing again, there was a moment of silence, "Madame Bones, if you will please?"

Madame Bones bowed her head and turned to the gallery, "Miss Alice Cullen, please take the stand." She gestured to the seat in the center of the room. Harry and Edward had been sitting to the left where the accusers were to sit.

Alice hopped from where she sat and moved past Edward. She glanced at Harry and Edward, giving them a comforting smile. "Glad to see you both okay."

"For now." Harry replied and smiled back. "Good to see you again, Alice."

Two approached Alice. She sat down daintily and rearranged her high-end fashion skirt around her knees, and looked up at the Wizengamot, uncambered by the Aurors watching her closely with wands pointing at her.

Kingsley leaned forward in his seat, resting his arms heavily on the desk in front of him. "The Aurors will give you Veritaserum, a truth potion. It will compel you to tell the truth when asked questions. It last fifteen minutes each vial. If necessary, you will be given another. Do not fight it, unsavory things happened to wizard when they tried to fight it."

One Auror came up to her and handed her a small glass vial. She took it and drank it, grimacing at the taste of ash.

"It's flavorless." The Auror stated, frowning as he took the vial away.

"I know. Anything but blood taste like ash to us." Alice replied kindly.

Madame Bones asked the first question, "What is your name and when were you born?"

"Mary Alice Cullen, formerly Brandon. My birthdate is September 2nd, 1901."

"And when were you changed?"

"Spring of 1920, I don't remember the date. I was in asylum at the time and days were hard to keep track."

Kingsley nodded, satisfied that Alice seemed to be telling the truth. He had a device on his desk that would spin if one was telling a lie; it was standard for the Minister to have one on his desk. It was spinning slowly. He turned to Madame Bones, "You may proceed with the questioning."

Madame Bones bowed her head and turned to Alice, "What kind of power do you have?"

Alice turned to the woman and smiled, "I am a seer. I can see future of people close to me once the decision is made."

"How close the people must be to you to be able to see their future?"

"They are family members or close friends. I cannot see their future if they are around shapeshifters or werewolves. Something about their magical core blocks my ability."

"All right, thank you." Madame Bones said and paused, receiving several notes flying toward her from several members of the Wizengamots. They were suggestions on questions to be asked. She glanced at them and nodded. "You said you saw the outcome of our ruling, who's future was it you saw?"

Alice swallowed and turned her head to Harry and Edward. Her voice took on a shaky tone as she replied, "Harry's." She turned back and continued, "Through his future I saw, I saw the fate of everyone in this room involved and more as well."

Madame Bones frowned. She had caught on the tone of the young woman's; whatever she saw must have been frightening. "How soon in the future does this vision you saw take place?"

Alice closed her eyes and heaved a heavy breath to calm her nerves. "It starts right when Edward is burned, or will be burned. Sometime it's difficult to keep track of what was and what will be once you see the future."

Surprise and murmurs were rippling through the Wizengamots and the gallery. Madame Bones glanced down at her notes and held up her wand, shooting a loud spark, silencing everyone. "What happened in the vision?"

Alice stared up at Madame Bones. "It's horrible outcome and very difficult to describe in words. Everyone in this room and the entire Ministry of Magic ends up dead." There were surprised gasps.

Edward spoke up somberly; he had seen what she saw and was horrified. It had shaken him to the core. "Perhaps it's best to show you. I know you can view memories in a pensieve."

Madame Bones turned her head, sending a questioning look to Kingsley. He nodded and waved his hand to the Aurors guarding Alice. "Extract her memory and place it up on the viewing pensieve."

Auror Proudfoot nodded and waved her wand above the courtroom to the hidden bowl anchored close to the ceiling in the shadow. The liquid flowed from the bowl down in slow motion and became flat like a vertical pool hovering high above everyone in the courtroom. Another Auror approached Alice and held her wand to Alice's head, instructing, "Think of the vision you saw, it should be like a memory and I will extract from your mind. It won't be painful."

Alice nodded and focused her thoughts on the vision she saw. The wand glowed and pulled silver strands from her temple. She watched in fascination as the Auror directed the silver strands toward the liquid sheet above them. She swallowed hard and watched as the macabre vision she saw play out in front of everyone.

The courtroom fell into dead silence as they all watched in horror as the vision played out what would become. Then the last thing they saw was Harry covering head to toe in thick blood, his eyeteeth and fingers elongated and sharp, and his eyes glowing crimson, looking every bit like the devil incarnate. Finally, the vision went black for a moment before becoming a shimmering pool of silver.

Silence lingered in the air before Kingsley spoke, his voice grave. "That was to be the outcome if we proceed with the ruling we made?"

Alice turned to the man and nodded. "Yes."

"What caused his… what do you call it?" Kingsley asked and pointed the finger at her, "I remind you, you're still under Veritaserum." He had glanced at his watch; she had about five minutes left.

"We call vampire who are in that kind of state, a blood-berserker." Alice supplied. "This is rare among the vampires but it does happen. In Harry's case, his soul-mate, Edward was taken from him too soon and their mating bond has not been complete, triggered the blood-berserker. The pain of losing his mate and feeling his burning was too much for him to handle and it took over his being. Nothing of Harry Potter is left, but a complete emotion of rage. It's similar to," Alice frowned and snapped her finger; she had recalled reading about it in the book Harry had left for them to read, she had skimmed through the book a little bit too quickly to remember. "What would you call when a wizard's magic is oppressed or denied?"

"An Obscurial." Madame Bones supplied. "So, like an Obscurial, a vampire can lose its sense of rationality and lash out?"

"Yes. But in Harry's case, he is very powerful, with his power as Master of Death on top of being a blood-berserker, you would have released the wrathful god of death upon Earth to lay waste."

"Master of Death?" Kingsley gripped the end of his desk and leaned forward, his voice booming, "Explain this!"

Harry groaned in exasperation and muttered, "Way to go, Alice."

She turned to him, "I am sorry, Harry! I thought they knew!"

"Enough!" Madame Bones all but shouted and turned to the Auror next to Harry, "Administer the Veritaserum to Harry Potter."

Harry took the vial without objection and drank the liquid, also grimacing as Alice had done earlier. He handed the empty vial and looking up to Madame Bones, waiting for her question.

"Are you the Master of Death?"

Madame Bones didn't skirt around, Harry noticed. He nodded and replied, "Yes, I am."

"How?"

Harry raised his eyebrow and replied with a bored tone. "I came in possession of all three Deathly Hallows and became the Master of Death."

"The Deathly Hallows are not real!" A dark-skinned woman shouted from the Wizengamot.

"Madame Davis." Madame Bones shot her a look and turned back to Harry. "How did you come in possession of the Deathly Hallows?"

Harry ticked off his finger slowly as he explained. "Let's see, first, I inherited an invisibility cloak from my father, which he inherited from his father and so on. It went back to Ignotus Peverell, who was my direct ancestor. Albus Dumbledore recovered the Resurrection Stone, which was hiding as the Gaunt family ring, as we all know, Voldemort, a.k.a Tom Riddle's mother's family ring. It was a horcrux and I had it in my possession for a time being, and then there was the Elder Wand. Albus Dumbledore had it, which he won from Grindewald, who stole it from Gregorovitch. You see," Harry looked up to the Wizengamots, "Voldemort was never the master of the wand, I was."

"But didn't Severus Snape kill Albus Dumbledore, thus making him the master of the Elder Wand?" Theodore Nott asked.

"Yes, but it was Draco Malfoy who disarmed him before he died," Harry replied, "Then I disarmed Draco Malfoy during the battle. So, I became the master of the Elder Wand. I've met Death and had a very nice conversation with him. I have thrice denied him of my death and he deemed me to be Master of Death. So, yeah," Harry gave a little awkward wave, "I'm Mr. Master of Death, nice to meet you."

"That means, you are impossible to kill." Xenophilius Lovegood said, looking down at Harry with awe on his face. "It's real. We've sought the Deathly Hallow, and we have only been able to track down the Elder wand until Gregorovitch, but it eluded us for many years. It makes sense now, as he said."

"He's lying!" Another Wizengamot member shouted. Several more called their agreement.

Harry looked up and gestured to the Auror, who was still holding the empty vial. "I may be able to resist the Imperius curse, but this, no."

Kingsley nodded slowly, "That's correct. So let's assume you're telling the truth, even under the Veritaserum, that you are the Master of Death, which makes you more dangerous."

Harry rolled his eyes and slumped back on his seat and groused, "Oh great, not in the right direction then."

Edward frowned, having read everyone's thoughts, "You have decided."

Kingsley turned to Madame Bones, and she nodded in reply.

"Wait," Alice stood up, and her eyes glazed over. Everyone turned their attention to the stilled vampire and waited. She finally came out of her trance, and she turned to the Wizengamot. "Don't. Even in this decision you are making now, the outcome would be the same."

"What now?" Lord Padgett shouted, "They're trying to delay our ruling!"

"Lord Padgett, please." Madame Bones snapped at the tiresome man. "Alice, please tell us."

Alice sighed, "He said," She gestured to Xenophilius Lovegood, "that Harry is impossible to kill. He's right. Even if you try to burn him, you can't. You will still kill Edward and be left with Harry as a blood-berserker." She bit the bottom of her lip, glancing over her shoulder to the said young man, "Harry is basically, a demi-god, Death's own making."

Madame Bones frowned, not liking how it was turning out. "Is there an outcome that would be favorable for us?"

Alice shook her head, "I've only seen two different futures so far, two decisions you've made thus far ends with one of the future I saw, which you all have seen," She gestured to the viewing pensieve. "There is another future option many of you are considering is not good either."

"Please explain to us." Madame Bones said, "What was the second option that would lead to the second course of the future that the outcome would not be ideal?"

Alice nodded and wrung her hands on her laps. "Locking both Harry and Edward away will trigger the second Wiz-Vampire war and the wizarding world would lose the war. We've grown since the last time and the Volturi coven is vast."

"But surely, we learned from the last time and we would be victorious." A Wizengamot member, an elderly woman with a thin high voice, said. Few murmured their agreements.

Alice shook her head, "Not without Harry Potter. He is the only one who can subdue any vampire. In this path of the decision, you refuse to use Harry and that is your downfall."

The Wizengamot murmured and whispered amongst themselves. They became unsure and doubtful. Alice stared up at the Wizengamots, "Because they are here," She gestured to the vampires on the side of the gallery, "My family is loyal to Edward and Harry, the Volturi values vampires with talents, and these two are the most valuable being who they are. And," She glanced over to Sanguini, "The rest of them will fall in line in outcry of the treatment. You see," She turned back to the Wizengamot, "We may be spread across the globe and keep to our own covens, but we are a race of people and that comes first to us."

Madame Bones clasped her hands together, and her lips thinned. She eyed the vampires as they sat in the gallery. She could understand how the vampires felt, having considered herself in their shoes if this were a trail of witches with muggles. It was no different. "Thank you, Miss Cullen. You may step down and have a seat."

Alice curtsied and flittered back to her seat with her family. Esme grasped her hand and whispered support in her ear. Edward closed his eyes, having heard with his heightened hearing, smiling softly. Esme was always such a supportive and loving mother, and he wished the people in the Wizengamot to understand vampires were not so much different from the wizards. They were no different, with the good and the bad, just with different powers. He glanced over to Harry and gave him a loving smile; if they make it out alive, Harry would be the one to show them that.

"Aro of the Volturi, please take stand." Madame Bones called out and watched as Aro stood up, unclasping his robe before languidly walking over to the seat Alice had vacated. He made a show of sitting down, crossing his legs, and tugging his fine suit. He raised an eyebrow at the approaching Auror and took the vial. He inspected it before drinking it.

"What is your name and what is your occupation?" Madame Bones asked, almost annoyingly at the vampire's show.

Aro smirked, crossing his hands on his lap. "I am Aro, one of the three leaders of the Volturi coven." He smiled up at the witch who bristled visibly; he sniggered. Then he asked, "You never asked how old I am."

"It's clear you are very old." Madame Bones snapped lightly. "Miss Cullen said that your coven will push through the second Vampire-Wizard War if we opt to lock both Harry Potter and Edward Cullen away. Is this true?"

Aro glanced over to Harry and Edward, "Yes. They are very valuable to the Volturi. We are the spearhead of the entire vampire race in the world, we are the law. They are vampire, thus, under our law, despite being magical." He turned back to Madame Bones, and he gave a smile that sent a chill down her spine, "Now we know Harry Potter is the Master of Death, it makes him our god." At this, to his side, Harry rolled his eyes in exasperation, and Edward glared annoyingly at Aro. Aro smirked as he continued, "He is the only one who can determine our fate and powerful to stop any one of us. We are loyal to Death, and any mistreatment to Harry Potter and those who he calls family is an act of war." He tilted his head slightly down, his eyes glowed eerily. "You best heed Alice's vision. She is rarely wrong."

Madame Bones inhaled sharply. "Thank you." She glanced down at her notes before looking up again, "You may step down. I have no further question for you, Mr. Aro."

"It's just Aro, darling." He smiled at her and got up, returning to his seat in the gallery.

"Carlisle Cullen, if you will please take the stand?" Madame Bones asked, watching as Carlisle stood up and make his way over to the stand and sat down. She noted he was graceful, appearing very calm and normal, and wondered why he acted more like a human while Aro had flaunted his being flamboyant.

"What is your name and your occupation?" She asked as he finished taking the Veritaserum.

Carlisle glanced up to the Wizengamots before turning to Madame Bones and bowing his head politely. "My name is Carlisle Cullen, I am a doctor." There was a ripple of soft murmurs. He had heard few of the questioning if he intended to be a doctor to access the blood or even people. "It is my passion to help people. I've been a doctor for a long time and there is an advantage to having access to blood bank, but none of my family members needed human blood. We are what we consider vegetarians vampires, we survive on animal blood."

Madame Bones' eyebrow rose at this statement. "Animal blood? Does it sustain you as much as human blood?"

Carlisle dropped his head in a slight nod. "It does, albeit shorter than human blood would have done. We hunt every one or two weeks, depending on how much energy we use." He gestured to his golden eyes, "Our eyes are how you can tell if we drink animal blood or human, and how thirsty we are. My family are golden eyed. The ones," he glanced over to the Volturi and Sanguini, "with red eyes, drink from humans. The brighter they are, the most recently we have fed. But if our eyes grow dark, we need to feed again."

"Thank you, that was insightful. I do not believe we are aware of that." Madame Bones commented.

Carlisle smiled, "I have to agree. You do not have sufficient data on vampire. Harry had found few books and bought them for us to read to see how much you know about us, to my surprise, it was very lacking and stigmatized."

Madame Bones nodded, having known there were only two books published about vampires, and the Wizengamots had gone over the poorly documented tomes before the trial along with the interviews the Aurors did. "Was it the 'Vampire, the Complete Guide', by Eldred Worple, you were speaking of?"

"Indeed it was." Carlisle replied. He had reached out to the said author and requested him to make an appearance and was surprised he agreed and brought Sanguini, a man he had met two hundred some years before. He was glad they came.

Madame Bones waved her hand to the Wizengamot audience, "We have gone over the book itself before the trial. It is clear that in the book, there were no mention on how vampire can survive on animal blood. Can you give us another example that may have not been mentioned in the book?"

Carlisle nodded, "The book was informative, only to an extent, giving room to paint a negative picture of the vampire race in entirely. Yes, we are powerful with increased speed, strength, and need to survive only on blood and live for indefinite time. But we are also fallible, we can be killed, but it is harder to do so. But what it did not mention, that like increased strength and speed, our love is stronger. We love deeply and passionately, we are ferocious when it comes to our loved one." He turned his head to his family and smiled at them. "Family is very important to us, once a bond is made, it is forever." He turned back to the Wizengamot. "Harry and Edward are true soul-mates, and to divide them, is to bring hell upon Earth. I have never seen a bond like theirs in my entire life. They love very deeply. Harry has a very deep bond with people around him, his friends and family," He glanced over his other shoulder to the gallery where the entire Weasley family sat, and several friends, mentors, and other people Harry knew in his life. "Every one of them, Harry consider his family to extent and that love he has for them is permanent. That's why he chose to live, as a vampire, instead of dying to fight for them." He then turned his eyes back to the Wizengamots, meeting every gaze that looked down at him. "Harry chose to live to fight for you, so that you would live free from the shadow of the Dark Lord."

There was a lingering silence that filled the room as everyone considered Carlisle's words. The Wizengamots had known the story of how Harry had turned but not really comprehending why until now.

Madame Bones broke the silence, "Thank you, Doctor Cullen, you may return to your seat. Will Eldred Worple please take the stand?" Eldred Worple was short, slightly rotund, with bright red hair not unlike the Weasley, thick sideburns framing his face, and bright blue eyes. He hurried nervously to the stand and sat down. He quickly took the vial from the Auror and downed it. Madame Bones watched the man and had to bite back an amused smile; the man was very nervous and skittish, which was strange for one who lived with a small vampire coven.

"What is your name and what is your occupation?" She asked, not unkindly.

The man looked, wringing his hands on his lap. "My name is Eldred Worple, I am an anthropologist, or so to say."

Madame Bones frowned, "Anthropologist? We are not familiar with the term. Can you please explain to us what an anthropologist does?"

Eldred nodded quickly and replied, "Anthropologist is an muggle occupation, we study people. To be prescise, the history, language, culture of different race. I am a half-blood and I decided to pursue a muggle degree at the Cornwall University to become an anthropologist. It was a passion of mine to study vampires and I met Sanguini some years ago and was able to live among his coven to study how they live."

Madame Bones nodded and asked, "Is it true you published, 'Vampire, the Complete Guide'."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"From what we understand, it is not. Why is that?"

Eldred swallowed hard and nodded jerkily, "Yes, Ma'am. I have a much more complete version, however I tried to get that published several times. The publisher refused and edited the version to what you have. It didn't sell very well. Fewer than hundred were made and sold." He shrugged.

Madame Bones sighed deeply. "I see." She was very well aware of how the Ministry of Magic in the past had a nasty habit of censoring many things. Apparently, they had censored information that might have been vital from Eldred Worple's book. "From what we've heard today, was there anything here that is familiar or not familiar to your study of vampire?"

Eldred glanced over to the Cullen, then to the Volturi. "I have met the Volturi at one time briefly about a decade ago with Sanguini and his coven. What I have documented about them is as they said about themselves. They are the law and head coven of all vampires in the world. They deem justice if the vampire step out of line. It may be draconian but it works and keeps them in line. But as for the Cullens, I have not met or am aware that there are vampires that do not drink human blood. I'm rather intrigued and would like to learn more about their lifestyle, if they would let me." He gave a nervous smile at Carlisle, who responded with a nod.

"And how long have you lived with the vampire coven?" Madame Bones asked.

"Close to twenty five years." Eldred smiled, "I really enjoyed living with them. They considered me as part of their coven."

Madame Bones nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Worple, you may return to your seat." The man hurried back to his seat and sat down next to the tall, pale vampire. She caught the vampire next to him, pat his knee comfortingly, and whisper into his ear. Eldred seemed to calm down from being skittish to the point of being comfortable. She wondered what the extent of his relationship with the vampire was.

She looked to the Wizengamots; they were whispering quietly amongst themselves, waiting for her to make the next move. "I'd like to call one more person to the stand and we will have recess to make the final decision." She announced and turned back to the audience, "Sanguini, please take the stand."

The tall, pale vampire in a dark robe stood and almost glided to the stand and sat down. He made no show like Aro had done or attempted to look normal like Carlisle. Instead, he was slow and graceful, almost like a shadow. He took the vial from an Auror without question and swallowed it. Like every other vampire who had taken Veritaserum, he gave a slight grimace.

"What is your name and occupation?" Madame Bones asked as the Auror returned to his post.

"I am Sanguini, a vampire from the British coven. I have no occupation, but I do enjoy collecting different philosophies and discuss them with different people."

"Interesting," Madame Bones said as she looked up to see an airplane folded note flying toward her. She snatched it out of the air and opened it to read it. It was another question suggested by one of the Wizengamot members. A reasonable one, she thought. "Do you or any one in your coven have talent, or power?"

Sanguini shook his head. "My coven, small as it is with only three of us, we have no power to say. We are akin to muggles."

An elderly woman spoke up from the Wizengamot, leaning forward on her cane, squinting her beady eyes, "So, you are saying among the vampires, you have something like muggles and wizards?"

Sanguini nodded, smiling up at the elderly woman. "Yes."

"Do you drink human blood?" Madame Bones asked, drawing the questioning back to her. She had noted that Sanguini's eyes were bright red.

Sanguini slowly nodded, "Yes."

"How often do you feed?"

"Once every few months."

"Do you feed on wizards?"

Sanguini shook his head, chuckling. "No. They are unappealing."

"Can you explain that, please?" There were questioning murmurs through the Wizengamots members.

The vampire glanced at Eldred before turning back to the Wizengamots. He was nearly a head taller than the other man, slender with pale features, long hooked nose, yet, pleasing to look at. "After the wizard-vampire war in the 1600s, the wizards found a way to make their blood unappealing to the vampires to prevent any more wizards becoming into vampire. They developed potions and distributed them throughout the wizarding communities across the globe. The potion was enough to change something in the wizard's gene to make their blood unpalpable to vampires."

"So, there has been no wizard turned vampire since then?"

"No. It is also a law that the Volturi had established as well around the time, that vampires are not to turn a wizard too. Much for their own protection, rather than yours. Carlisle," Sanguini gestured toward the Cullens, "is correct in assuming that vampires with talents, were squibs before they changed. But none has ever become a full wiz-vampire."

Another note flew like a dart toward Madame Bones, and she quickly snatched it out of the air before it could hit her face. She frowned and opened it. Her eyebrow rose at the question and nodded, "Sanguini, what would you explain Edward Cullen here? We have decided that he is a full wiz-vampire, having displayed ability to cast magic, even defensive and offensive magic that are performed by adult wizard with seven years of schooling."

Sanguini turned his bright red eyes to Edward and Harry, "They are the first in centuries. Edward must had been a fully-fledged wizard but was unaware of his power before turning."

"Thank you. You may sit down." Madame Bones said, and Sanguini returned to his seat with the same quiet grace. She nodded once and opened her mouth but was interrupted as a note flew toward her. She snatched it out of the air and read it. She looked up to see Hermione biting her thumb, looking hopeful. She glanced down at the note and reread the question. She cleared her throat and said, "I do have one question to ask. It's to ask toward the Wizengamots instead." She turned to the surprised members of the Wizengamots. "May I ask the question, Minister?"

Kingsley was curious. "You may as long it is relevant to the trial."

"Thank you. The question is; would any of us be here if it weren't for Edward Cullen saving Harry Potter's life?"

The Wizengamots were silent. Madame Bones asked after a long silence, "No one?" She swept her gaze across the fifty seats of the Wizengamots, surprised no one was willing to speak up. They had been very opinionated until now. "I have to admit myself, if it weren't for Edward Cullen's turning Harry Potter at the moment of dying, we would have lost the war with the Dark Lord. Many of us would not be here." She turned to Harry and said, "Harry Potter, you have directly and indirectly saved our lives. I do not believe there is a single person in this room that were not affected by your presence in our lives. Show of wand if Harry Potter had directly or indirectly made an impact in the past seven years?"

Then there were quiet murmurs among the Wizengamots and the wizard side of the gallery. Then glowing wands began to rise one by one among the gallery. Madame Bones raised her wand. She turned and saw the entire Wizard gallery had raised their wands. Then the Aurors began to raise their wands up as well. To her surprise, the vampires, even without wands, raised their hands.

Kingsley then raised his own, "Then, it is decided, isn't it?"

There were nods among the Wizengamots. Madame Bones turned back to the council and asked, "Raise your wands in agreement if Edward Cullen and Harry Potter should be released, to live their own lives as they please, within reasons?" She raised her wand once again.

Harry gripped Edward's hand as they watched wands rose, tips glowing. He turned to smile at Edward.

Madame Bones counted and turned, glancing at Alice, giving her a silent questioning look. Alice smiled and nodded. "Forty two for and eight against. So, mote it be." She smiled down at Harry and Edward, "You are free to go. Though, we need to look over the law and update it. There are thousands that are sorely in need to be revised. Eldred Worple, Sanguini, we will be in contact with you to see about the full version of your book soon." The entire wizard gallery plus the Cullen family cheered loudly. There were smiles among the Aurors as they relaxed and dropped their wand arms but held onto their wands, still watching the seven vampires in the gallery.

"But there are couple of things before we conclude this trial." Kingsley's loud voice boomed, and everyone fell silent, turning attention to the dark-skinned wizard. "Harry, Edward, we expect you to be upstanding citizen of the wizarding world. I would ask, this is for every vampire, that the law still stand that wizard are not to be turned. It is in Harry's unique case that he was necessary turned, but for the sake of the wizarding world." He smiled to Harry and Edward, "I am pleased for the both of you. Now, the court is adjourned, Aurors, please see the Volturi vampires to the exit. I do not wish to see them here again without appointment." He watched as the Volturi rose without question and moved toward the door to wait for the Aurors to escort them out. Aro gave a scathing look to Kingsley.

Hermione and Ron ran down the steps and jumped into the center, running to Harry and Edward, hugging them both. Alice laughed as the Cullen family approached them along with the Weasley. Carlisle and Esme quietly introduced themselves to Arthur and Molly Wesley.

"You saved my ass, Alice." Harry turned to the pixie-haired girl and pulled her into a tight hug, "Thank you."

"Nah, it's the vision." Alice smiled and grimaced, "Though it wasn't very pleasant."

"Same." Edward shuddered. "I don't know if I could ever forget that look of your face at the end, Harry."

Harry scrunched up his nose, recalling how evil he had looked. "I hope to never become like that." Alice shook her head.

Aro approached the group and cleared his throat. Everyone turned and stepped back, giving the vampire a wide berth. Aro smiled at Harry and Edward, "I'm pleased for you both." He glanced up to the silver pool that was being retracted to the bowl near the ceiling. "That was interesting vision, Alice."

"Why are you here, Aro?" Edward asked, glaring at the man.

"I heard so much about young Harry Potter and wanted to meet him for myself." He turned to Harry and bowed, "I am Aro, of the Volturi. You would be a wonderful addition to my coven."

"No thank you." Harry nearly spat. "I am not interested to join a coven that would use me as a means to an end. I had enough of that my whole life." He looked at Edward and grasped his hand, "I just want to live my life with Edward, and my family peacefully."

Edward smiled lovingly at Harry. "Always."

Harry replied, "Forever."

Aro sighed. "Well, keep in mind if you ever find yourselves without a place to belong, we will wait for you."

Alice stepped forward and held her hand out, "Aro. You want to see this."

Aro took Alice's hand and looked into her mind. A few moments later, he dropped her hand as if it was hot poker. He scowled and grabbed his robe, pulling it around his body, and stepped backward, watching Harry warily.

"That is an warning, Aro, if you toe the line." Alice called after him as he turned and stalked out to join the other Volturi with Aurors leading them to the exit.

"What was that about?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, why did he have to touch your hand?" Ron added.

Alice stared at the door where Aro had disappeared before turning to the others. "Aro is like Edward, he can read minds, but he is not strong enough and has to touch you to do so. The minute he left an open invitation for Harry, I saw a future if he were to follow, it would result in the destruction of the Volturi coven."

"Do we need to know what he wanted to do?" Carlisle asked.

Alice shook her head. "No. He changed his mind after he saw the vision. It's not pretty. I had enough of macabre visions."

Molly tentatively stepped forward, "Why don't we all go to the Burrow and celebrate? The Cullens are welcome to come, we'd love to get to know Edward's family. After, all, if we were to be technical, we are in-laws after all." She smiled.

"Hey, is the dragon blood still at the DMLE?" Charlie asked over Molly's shoulder. "If it is, I'll grab it for you guys."

Edward smiled and nodded. "You guys need to try it. Let's get out of here. A celebration sound good to me right now."

Harry laughed joyously and grabbed Edward around the waist, kissing him soundly.


AN:

Sorry, not sorry for the last chapter! I did plan having Alice see something in the vision, but I DID NOT intended to make a full chapter out of it until it struck me one night to write it out. Your reactions were awesome to read. I was grinning like mad the entire time!

This chapter was a bit hard to write after the last one! I probably rewrote the entire chapter like 3 times.

One more to go.