* * * A Dangerous Summons * * *
As the transient humor is dying down, Edward becomes aware of an immensely tormented and complex consciousness that appears to be approaching the Great Hall. Looking toward the doors as a strangely frigid aura precedes her entrance into the room, he watches with first surprise, and then horror, as the dementor that was sent in response to Delores' earlier summons glides into the Great Hall… causing everyone's thoughts to quickly begin reflecting the massively deleterious effect of her draining presence.
Bella slumps in his arms almost immediately, her pale face contorted into a frantic and terrified expression as she relives some truly horrible nightmare. His emotions have plummeted as well, but the fact that her living form is needing his protection takes precedence. She is his anchor.
Edward's now-desperate light show clearly illustrates the dementor's profound effect upon his person, as he non-aggressively braces himself to defend against the poor unwilling creature who nevertheless drains the hope and happiness out of everyone she comes near. It actually looks as if the vibrant color is being sapped from every bit of his reflected light around the room- appearing as if the dementor were pulling all of his vitality into itself- with the exception of that which has reflected upon Bella's unconscious form. Curiously, the unaffected rainbows upon her person remain dancing brightly to the distinctive rhythm of her heartbeat.
Immediately upon entering, the dementor turns to regard Edward, and recognizes him as the threat she was sent to guard against. She can sense his considerable thirst, as well as the increase of it with every moment of her debilitating proximity… and perceives that her presence directly conflicts with the Ministry's directive that brought her here. So, when Edward also realizes this and gently but firmly states "You need to leave," she does. Observers are appalled that one of the Ministry's own most feared enforcers would apparently receive and follow a vampire's command without objection.
Unable to send a patronus its way without breaking the light spell (which he is not yet willing to do, being as Edward still presents the greater threat), Dumbledore ends up anxiously awaiting one of the other teachers to take up the slack. Beside him, the dark-haired wizard most quickly ready to do so is frustrated that he cannot, since- being the double agent he is, for both the Light and Dark factions- it would reveal the true nature of his allegiance to the forces of the Dark Lord. Once a silver tabby and stag finally circle the room in the wake of the dementor's departure, effectively chasing it out of the castle all the more quickly, bedlam erupts among all of the people still standing.
A couple of the attending students have also fainted, and their comrades are faithfully trying to rouse them. Everyone has been significantly rattled, and is still feeling uncommonly cold. Bella is unconsciously shivering. The shrewd potions master has promptly directed the house-elves to begin passing out a restorative serving of chocolate to each of the humans in attendance, and a few of them- having already taken a bite of it- are already feeling significantly revived.
In the attempt to humanly retrieve Bella's jacket from the back of her chair (located behind the far side of the head table), while still cradling her in his arms and not further scaring the residents with the use of quick movements, it unexpectedly 'accios' to Edward when he reaches for it. For a brief moment, his agitated expression morphs into a comical mix of surprise and disbelief- but since very few of the distracted residents happened to have been actively watching him at the time, it goes almost completely unnoticed. (The significantly less eye-catching nature of his now severely washed-out luminous display, coupled with the fact of having their own crises to tend to, meant that only the Masens, and one or two others, had actually caught the moment. They're not sure how to interpret what they saw.)
As Edward half-kneels to put the jacket on her uniquely vibrant form, recumbent in his arms, he also tries to wake her up with soothing words and touches against her skin. He needs her to wake up, so that she will be able to receive some of the chocolate remedy as well… before commencing her much-needed lengthy period of slumber, with an even higher chance of nightmares. Thankfully, Bella is starting to stir.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore knows immediately by whose hand the dementor had been summoned. Mentally acknowledging the fact that Edward has still made no attempt against them- though he's been clearly provoked- and wishing to head off their infamous ministry professor from further undermining the already fragile situation, Albus firmly insists that Delores make no further attempts. Righteous fury is emanating off of him.
Feeling justified for her actions, however- especially in the face of the headmaster's apparent acceptance of the two invaders- the drenched High Inquisitor stubbornly replies that "It's policy to call for a dementor when dealing with supporters of He-who-must-not-be-named. Surely you can tell he is one… and she is with him."
Strike Three. Edward doesn't appreciate the personal insinuation, or the fact that she is subsequently using it against Bella, or the fact that her actions up to this point have done nothing but make him more dangerous for Bella to be around. Speaking directly to the offensive witch in a deceptively quiet voice, while rising to slowly approach her squat form with Bella carried bridal-style in his arms, he responds nonetheless irately: "You would accuse her of promoting the ideals of this Voldemort character, simply because she is not afraid of me?!"
Gasps sound around the room in response to the taboo name, and somewhat in surprise of his unafeared claim, while the sodden and outspoken professor pales under his angry black glare. In terror, she shrinks back against the wall behind her.
"I'm not the one willing to sacrifice everyone else in this room in order to live another day!" Edward points out in a carefully controlled voice. His audience perks slightly with the hopeful sentiment… that is, all but the quivering witch now directly in front of him. "Neither is it her reactions, in panic, that have been making this situation more dangerous for every other person in attendance… though she has more valid reason for such an attitude than anyone else here."
"If I were most any other vampire…" another chorus of gasps accompany this frightening confirmation of his species, as he continues in a ominously hushed tone, "…you would have already had a massacre on your hands… triggered by one or more of the careless actions you have instigated. My patience with you has reached its end." Indicating the doors of the Great Hall with his right hand and body orientation, while his youthful gaze continues to bore into the dripping witch with shining and dangerous eyes, he concludes: "I don't care what authority you think you have. If you value your life: Get. Out."
As if in emphasis of these words, Edward's light show clearly illustrates that this is a defensive action on his part, rather than offensive, as the rainbows vibrantly shining upon Bella- in combination with every critically faded spectral echo of the same throughout the rest of the room- take on the form of a massive iridescent lion that savagely stalks toward Umbridge from above and behind him, sound-effectively accompanied by the just-audible rumble in his throat. Though most everyone else is unaware of the stipulation involved in this detail, Dumbledore knows that- if Edward's mood had not been defensive… whatever menacing shape it took would have threatened him instead of her.
Sopping wet and utterly terrified, Hogwarts' tyrannical toad of a High Inquisitor lets out a feeble squeak and immediately runs out of the Great Hall as fast as she can… her shoes making sodden squishy noises against the hard floor as her own personal stormcloud follows above her loyally.
A/N: Thank you for enjoying, and sharing your interest! (Not to mention the unanimous rooting for the 'just' treatment of the resident wicked witch. Lol! Don't worry; it isn't over yet.) :)