A/N: *yawn* Are we awake? It's 6:50ish in the morning. Ready for our date?
When Bella sent him a link to Pottermore—JK Rowling's website for all things Harry Potter—Edward had a good idea where she was planning on taking him. He played along, though, and sent her back his results when he was sorted into Ravenclaw.
Bella: You cheated.
Edward: Did not.
Bella: Ravenclaw implies you're clever. Quick of wit.
Edward: Ha.
The morning of their date, Edward was still only half awake when she knocked on his door. When he opened it, he stepped backward, finding a brown, squarish envelope an inch from his nose. Edward blinked at it and then looked blearily up at the bright-eyed woman waving it in his face. "I'm an owl," Bella said.
For almost thirty full seconds, Edward only stared, searching his brain to make that particular statement make sense. When he couldn't, he finally spoke. "What?" he asked eloquently.
She laughed and shook the envelope again. "Will you take this?"
He took it.
She smirked. "And open it? You're not a morning person, are you?"
"It would be good if there was coffee in here. That's all I'm saying," Edward said as he opened the envelope. He started to read, and then grinned when he realized what it was. "This is a Hogwarts acceptance letter."
"Yes. Congratulations! Now, I can give you your stuff."
"I have stuff?"
Bella picked up a bag at her feet and proffered it to him. Inside, he found a shirt that was made to look like a robe with a blue and gray striped tie and a blue and gray striped scarf. "We'll have to visit Olivander's to get you a wand."
"We're cheating on Disneyland?"
This was exactly what he'd suspected, but he could let her have her fun.
"Do you know how many people Disneyland is in an intimate relationship with? And that's not even counting the one-time guests." She pulled a piece of paper out of the bag and handed it to him. "So, let's play the field a little."
The text written there actually did shock him. "Bella, this is a three-day ticket."
"Yeah. Universal is weird. Believe me when I say it made more sense to buy the three-day discount ticket then a regular priced one day ticket." She waved a hand. "Anyway. We have six months to go again."
"So, what you're saying is you're securing me for at least three dates?"
"Don't look at me. This is Costco's idea." Bella flashed him a serene smile. "I don't even like you that much."
Edward leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. "Liar," he said before he kissed her hello.
She sighed when their kiss broke a minute later and rested her cheek against his shoulder, her hand still cupped around the back of his neck. "You know this is too much, right?" Edward murmured against her ear, content to hold her close.
"Nah. I've seen all those romance movies. You're supposed to do something big and extravagant so the person you're courting gets dazzled into liking you back."
"Dazzling, huh? So I'll be in too deep before I realize you're actually an asshole?"
Bella raised her head with a look on her face that told him she wanted to laugh. She bit her lip hard and he raised an eyebrow, pressing down with his thumb to release her lip from her teeth. "You have a joke about being in too deep on the tip of your tongue don't you?"
She burst out laughing, hiding her head against his neck. "And talking about assholes too. You kinky bastard."
Edward groaned, tightening his hold around her. "We're not supposed to be thinking about sex."
"Whose dumb idea was that?" Bella kissed the underside of his chin. "Come on. We have a long drive ahead of us. We can stop for coffee along the way."
~0~
"See, this is the first difference. I don't have to walk through Downtown Disney to get to Disneyland. I can, but it's my choice," Bella said of the shopping center just outside of Disneyland.
Edward slipped his hand into hers. "You have to admit the Universal City Walk is much more impressive." He craned his neck, smirking at a cardboard King Kong hanging between the buildings.
Bella pulled them to a halt and pointed a finger in his face. "You bite your tongue, sir. Downtown Disney came first."
He caught her finger and smirked. "Actually, my little know-it-all, Downtown Disney was built in 2001. I know for a fact the City Walk pre-existed it."
She pushed onto the balls of her feet, giving herself height to get in his face. "Listen, smarty pants, Downtown Disney originated with Disney World in 1975 as Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village. It's older than Star Wars."
This time, it was Edward who bit his lip. "You're a nerd. A Disney nerd."
Her mock-angry face fell into a perplexed expression. "You already knew that."
"Yeah." He wrapped his hand around her wrist and pulled her toward him. He rubbed his free hand up and down her back. "But the demonstration was damn sexy."
She tilted her head up and that was all the invitation Edward needed. He kissed her with probably more tongue than anyone needed to see in an extremely public place.
"You know we're at least two and a half hours from home, right?" Bella said, her voice husky.
"I hear they have hotels in LA."
"You're not going to help me be good, are you?" Her hands were warm against his shoulder blades.
He sighed and kissed her cheek. Then, he stepped to her side, keeping her hand in his. "I want to make it clear, I want to spend time with you. I like hanging out with you, and not just because I'm waiting to get to the sex part. It's just that you turn me all kinds of on."
"That is a problem. We are so very pretty."
Somehow, they managed to make it past the entrance gate. "They scan your thumbprint," Edward said, impressed. "Another step beyond Disney."
"You know what? I didn't bring you here to replace Disneyland in your heart. You can fool around with other theme parks. That's fine, but at the end of the day, you should know where your home is."
"What are you, a Hufflepuff in disguise? Loyal and true." Edward tugged on the red and yellow striped scarf she wore. "I knew you were lying about being a legitimate Gryffindor. Just because Harry Potter was in Gryffindor house doesn't mean you have to be too."
"If I want to be in Gryffindor for anyone, it's Minerva 'Badass' McGonagall." She poked him in the side. "Are you trying to tell me you don't think I'm brave to the point of recklessness?"
Edward wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I think you're actually Slytherin. Cunning and resourceful and maybe just a little bit evil."
They made their way through the park, stopping just short of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and ducking into the Kwik-E-Mart from The Simpson's Springfield. Bella cackled as they passed Marge and Bart who were both stationed outside the mart.
Inside, they bought a huge, pink-frosted donut—an oversized replica of Homer Simpson's favorite snack—to breakfast on.
"I'll tell you what. Disneyland wins in the food department," Edward said, looking across at the line of Simpson's related eateries. "I don't know that I want to pay amusement park prices for a Krusty Burger." Under the table, he nudged her feet with his.
Her lips tugged up, and she trapped his foot between hers, playing. "Point for Disneyland for decent food. We're eating at the Three Broomsticks at lunch though. Minus points for Universal not having reservations."
When they were done with their gigantic donut breakfast, they went to face the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The entrance was a stone archway, beyond which was the snow-covered village of Hogsmeade, an all wizard village direct from the books. Bella stumbled to a halt, and Edward stood beside her, both of them looking in.
"It's not just me, right?" she asked, her voice a little breathy.
"No." He had to laugh. "It's magical."
It really was, in a totally non-Disney way. Disneyland had Disney magic—nostalgia and just a sense of wonder in the air. Universal was an altogether different experience. Rather than having themed lands, they were transported. The town of Springfield was filled with the facades and characters right out of The Simpsons. So it was with Hogsmeade and Hogwarts looming in the distance.
The Hogwarts Express sat off to the side, and people stood in line to take pictures with its conductor. Most of the Hogsmeade favorites were represented. They ducked first into Honeydukes—a candy shop which was indeed filled with all the things mentioned in the books like Chocolate Frogs, Every Flavor Beans, Acid Pops, Fudge Flies and the like. Bella zipped straight to the bakery counter and ordered a pumpkin pasty and a cauldron cake.
"I've always wondered what these tasted like," Bella said, handing him the cake while she bit into the pasty.
"Hmm. Me too." Edward tugged her hand, bringing her to him and ducking down so he could kiss the taste right from her lips.
In Zonko's Joke Shop, Edward bought Bella a pygmy puff—a big, pink ball of fluff. She threatened to buy him U-No-Poo,The constipation sensation that's gripping the nation," which were really essentially green M and M's.
They spent the most time in Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear, and the Owl Post caught up in the nostalgia as they perused robes and brooms. Dervish and Banges had a Monster Book of Monsters—a living, furry textbook with nasty teeth that would just as soon gnaw your arm off as let you learn anything—in a cage. Bella, of course, stuck her hand through to pat it and squeaked, jumping backward into Edward's embrace when it snarled at her.
Edward kissed the side of her hair. "I'll protect you from the fake monsters, babe. Don't worry."
Everything was obnoxiously expensive, which Edward found hilarious given that it wasn't difficult to find Harry Potter paraphernalia outside the park. He supposed the same was true of Disneyland, but the things sold at Disney were only available there. "Robes, scarves, ties, brooms. All of that stuff can be bought online," Edward mused.
Bella tapped on her Gryffindor headband, almost identical to the one that sold for eighteen dollars. "I paid $8 for this at Hot Topic."
Edward nodded. "Point Disney."
Outside, they watched a tiny child wave a special wand at one of the windows. He gave a delighted peel of giggles as, at his command, a display of cupcakes twirled merrily. The Universal worker explained to the parents that when they saw a magic symbol displayed on the ground, scattered around Hogsmeade, the child's wand would interact with the scenery.
"Not going to lie, I want that wand," Edward said, leaning down to whisper in Bella's ear.
She gave a shiver and looked over her shoulder. "Is that the Harry Potter version of you want the D?"
Looping an arm around her waist, he brought her backward against him, his lips still near her ear. "You want the D."
She turned her head to kiss his cheek. "It's a sickness."
They managed to make it past Hogsmeade to where the gorgeous Hogwarts Castle loomed. On a platform just outside the village, they got there just in time to see the Hogwarts Frog Choir. A student from each house, dressed in their robes and scarves, climbed onto the platform, each of them carrying a gigantic toad on a pillow.
It was nice. Bella leaned back against him, and Edward held her in his arms, leaning down to croak in her ear like a frog every so often as the choir sang. And it was then he abruptly understood why Bella had brought them here.
They were two people who could lose themselves in the magic of a theme park. They didn't get bogged down by insane lines, tons of people, and near-constant marketing. They lost themselves to the happiness of the place, unashamed to indulge in the childlike wonder.
But Disneyland, as much as they both loved it, didn't belong to only them. There were memories there more bitter than sweet with people they'd lost, people who'd hurt them. And while they were both happier having found each other, it couldn't erase the memories they already had.
This place was new to both of them. This was just theirs.
Edward held Bella close, swaying in time with the music.
They wandered then to the main attraction: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The wait was insane even by their standards, but it passed happily enough. They entertained themselves, debating the darker side of Harry Potter.
"You know those love potions are really problematic, right?" Bella said, recalling that the Weasley twins sold love potions in their joke shop in the books. "Make someone fall in love with you. Anyone?"
"They have spells to render you immobile and totally helpless," Edward pointed out. "Think about that for a minute."
But even those problematic themes didn't damper their experience. The ride's line wound first around and then into the Hogwarts castle, all of it set up with familiar landmarks. Just outside, they found the herbology classroom, and mandrakes could be seen in a neat row. Inside, were first a row of statues and then the familiar entrance to Dumbledore's study. Bella and Edward took turns shouting passwords at it, knowing the Hogwarts Headmaster chose the names of candies.
"Lemondrop," Edward shouted.
But of course, the giant phoenix statue didn't turn around to reveal a winding staircase.
As they walked down the hall, the pictures on the walls moved just like in the films, chatting and jumping from frame to frame. One room even boasted the founders of Hogwarts, all of them chattering, hinting about things to come.
They visited Dumbledore's office with its interesting knick-knacks, including the pensieve—a large, stone dish that held some of Dumbledore's brightly shining memories. Then, in the History classroom, the big three—Harry, Ron, and Hermione—told them about a spell they were wanting to try to get Muggles—non-magic humans—to fly.
After they passed by the Sorting Hat, gleefully singing his song, they were through. They climbed on board the moving conveyor, their feet hanging free and a restraint across their chest, and they were off.
Edward had never experienced a ride like it. They swept over the castle, over the lake, into the forest. Bella caught his hand in a death grip, screaming as they were hurtled through the air, dodging the Whomping Willow, gigantic spiders, and dragons.
At first, Edward laughed between gasps, amused by Bella's shrieks of terror. But then, as they rounded another corner he screamed. Loud. And shrill.
Bella was still cackling as they stumbled out into the obligatory shop. "That scream. I'm surprised they didn't stop the ride."
"Bella," he said with a sigh.
"I thought you were being murdered."
He grabbed her around the waist, hauling her to a corner of the shop so they could be obnoxious out of other people's way. "They were Dementors," he said, tickling her as she faux-fought his attack off. "Evil looking things that suck your soul out and they were in my face."
"You were terrified," she said gleefully.
"I'll show you terrified." He lunged at her and they play-fought until he had her tangled up in his arms, pressed tightly against him.
The air between them heated, crackling and alive. He looked into her hooded eyes, his mouth gone dry. He licked his lips. "You're a horrible person, you know that?"
She laughed breathlessly and shook her head. "Nope."
"You are. Rotten all the way through."
She tilted her chin up. "Shut up. You love me."
The last word came out with a gasp and her eyes went wide as she realized what she'd said. "I mean...I don't mean…"
Edward's heart pounded a mile a minute, and he was sure she could feel it. "No," he said quickly. He adjusted his hold on her, wrapping one arm around her and bringing his hand up to cup her cheek. "It's true. I do love you."
Her lips worked up and down, up and down. Then, her smile spread, wide with wonder and gorgeous. Her eyes lit up, and she threw her arms around his neck.
She kissed him then, giddy kisses between little titters and a tiny dart of tongue. She pulled back after a minute of this, her hand cupped at the back of his head stroking his hair. Her breath shook.
"You don't have to say it back," he whispered.
She tilted her forehead against his. "But it's true. I do love you."
It was the best thing Edward had ever heard.
~0~
The rest of the day passed in a heady haze. They were floating, lost in that surreal space where only the two of them existed. They were in a cloud of new love, where they couldn't stop touching, couldn't stop grinning at each other—those secret stares because they were the only people in the world who understood what love was.
As promised, they ate lunch at the Three Broomsticks, adjacent the Hog's Head Tavern. They ordered Butterbeers—one of the favorite drinks of witches and wizards everywhere—spiked with fireball whiskey. They sat on one side of the table—something Edward swore he'd never do because what kind of people couldn't talk face-to-face. But he couldn't stop touching her, couldn't keep his hands off her. They kissed between sentences, nose to nose, barely touching their food.
They strolled hand in hand when Bella wasn't hopping on his back to catch a ride for a few steps. They waited in another line for the Simpson's Ride, which was phenomenal.
"Rides here are immersive. They're really intense," Edward said, impressed.
"Point over Disney?" Bella asked.
Edward stroked his chin. "Not sure yet. It's a different experience." He grinned and pulled her close against him. "It's new, and I like it."
They went to several of the shows. Edward was called on at the Animal Actor's Show, and a parrot landed on his hand, stole a twenty dollar bill, and eventually returned it. They rode rides and had way too much to eat.
Near the entrance of the park, they entered the Walking Dead attraction which was, in essence, a big, walker-related haunted house. Edward decided it was the best attraction in the park, but mainly because Bella all but plastered herself to his side. She hid her face at his chest, squeaking every time a walker jumped out at them or loomed threateningly.
He liked that—not only having her so close but that she turned to him for safety. It filled something primal in him.
"Bella," he murmured against her ear when they were in the safe, low light of the early evening.
"Hmm?" She turned to him and, as had been happening all day, she seemed shocked by his nearness. Her eyes roamed his face, lingering on his lips.
She was so damn distracting. "Um." He ran his hands up and down her sides absently. "You think maybe you're ready to go?"
Her eyes stopped their undressing of his body and she raised her head to meet his gaze. "Yeah."
He took her hand, leading her toward the exit. They got into the City Walk before Edward couldn't stand it anymore. He pulled her to a bare, quiet wall and pushed her against it. There, he kissed her in earnest, kissed her like he wanted to devour her, which was nothing but the truth.
"Bella," he said again, his voice ragged.
"Yeah?" She was as breathless as he was.
"I was wondering…" He kissed her. "How do you feel…" He kissed her again. "About hotels?"
She moaned, fisting his shirt in hands, and pulled him closer to her. "I'm a big fan of hotels if they're closer to us than home."
"That's good." Placing his hands on the wall on either side of her head, he kissed her hard, pressing her into the wall. "Because I booked a hotel room a mile from here."
She put her hands on his shoulders, pushing him away. For a fraction of a second, he thought he'd made the wrong move, pushed too hard too fast, presumed too much. But then, she grinned. She grabbed the front of his shirt again and started walking, dragging him with her. "What are we waiting for?"
A/N: Welp!
That happened. I didn't get to make nearly as many jokes as I wanted to.
Also had to stop myself from making Edward creeped out at the idea of touching the Tri-Wizard Cup. *winky face*