Disclaimer: Well, considering I'm not richer than England royalty, I don't own Harry Potter. Or Twilight.
Story: The books happened. And then Harry decided to happen. So he did, living his life and traveling the world. Then Teddy comes into his care and he decides to settle down in Forks, somehow drawing attention even when he doesn't want it. Teddy is just exasperated and having his own fun.
Set after book 7, AU Epilogue and slightly altering the final battle.
Spoilers: Books 1-7 probably.
Warnings: ?
Pairings: Harry/Marcus, Bella/Carlisle, Alice/Jasper, Emmett/Rosalie, Esme/Charlie, Teddy/Leah, Sam/Jacob, Edward/Tanya…

A/n: Sorry I can't reply to everyone. I'm really sick and have a headache. I love all of your reviews and thank you so much for them!

Stranger Happenings
Chapter Ten: Hail Mary, Full of Grace

When Bella awoke, she saw that the group was still slumped over the table and on each other. The vampires were quietly and respectfully standing still as statues, all staring off into different areas unblinkingly. She shuffled a little from her spot and noticed that Harry was gone. Blinking, she looked around and didn't see him. But she saw Marcus, who caught her eyes and nodded at her before jerking his head towards the door, indicating where the green-eyed man had gone.

Her hand was still lightly gripped, so she turned to Carlisle who was looking at her now, smiling at him gratefully and squeezing his hand. He hesitated before smiling back and getting the message, squeezing her hand back and then letting go. She slowly got up from the table and started towards the door, with Marcus joining her silently.

Marcus, with his senses, led the way to the kitchens. It was quiet and seemed empty, but there was a fire burning and a lone figure sitting by it.

"Harry?" she called out quietly.

"Here, Hells Bells," he weakly teased, and he attempted a smile that failed before it even formed.

They walked closer and saw that he was still drinking.

"You okay?" Marcus' voice held an undercurrent of worry.

"I will be," Harry admitted. "Just not now."

Bella swallowed before voicing the sensitive question.

"What was all that back there?"

Harry smiled bitterly before he took another sip.

"That? That was some bitter old people reminiscing on the messes that were their lives," Harry ran a hand through his hair. "We were having a good time. We were…it's just…somehow a retelling of old memories led to old memories of our war and then we were drinking more and then we were reliving memories best forgotten. It's hard to let go of those memories, you know?" Bella was astonished to find that she could even hear a hint of tears in his voice.

"Yes, I do know," Marcus softly replied.

Harry paused before looking at him gratefully.

Bella inwardly frowned to herself. Marcus understood, being an age old vampire that had probably experienced a lot through his long life. And Harry, Harry had suffered a lot more than anyone could probably match, even in his young life. But Bella, she could still get stuck in her own pain when it was probably nothing compared to what the two of them went through…

"And you," Harry poked her forehead, bringing her attention back to the present. "You got some war scars on your heart," he patted her head.

"They're hard to heal and take a very long time," Marcus told her solemnly. "Sometimes never."

"And your pain isn't any less significant," Harry said quietly.

Bella couldn't help blushing in embarrassment. Jeez, was she really that transparent?

"Hey Harry, what was that song you were singing and playing at the end?" she changed the subject.

A half-smile flitted across his lips. "Nick Cave's O Children. I first heard this right after Ron had left us. Hermione had come back from chasing after him and I was brooding. This song came on and we tried to cheer ourselves up by acting silly and then dancing the night away. It's a rather sentimental song…"

They stayed quiet and Harry finished off his drink, moving along to one of the large sinks in the kitchens and washing the glass. He started polishing it dry before he spoke again.

"In a month, a friend of mine's anniversary of the day he died is coming up," Harry said, tone dead-like. "Some really bad anniversaries are coming up and we're probably not going to be all that nice to be with. That friend's death anniversary? Not going to be a good day especially for Hermione. She was tortured that day."

And they knew that it was going to be a rough month, at the least.

"Tell Draco and Hermione when they wake up that I'll be taking out the kids for a walk at the park. We'll be awhile," he smiled at them gently. "I'll see you two when I come back."

And they could only nod in agreement, letting Harry take his time in gathering himself and maybe find some peace with the kids.

However…

Bella sneezed, drawing a blink from Marcus and a knowing smirk from Harry. The eccentric man handed her a strange vial.

"What's this?" she asked in bewilderment.

"It's Pepper Up Potion," he told her with a straight face, and she just stared. "It'll help you get over your sickness."

She looked at him in disbelief, and yet she knew he was always full of odd miracles and she trusted him blindly. That and she really didn't want to get sick…

So, with the knowledge that any medicine usually tasted like shit, she chucked it down and swallowed without breathing. Afterwards, she strongly wanted to gag and then throw up, but then Harry handed her a bottle of butterbeer as Marcus comfortingly rubbed her back.

"And that's one of the better tasting ones," Harry cackled, patting her head again. "By the way, I closed the place down. So no work today!"

He left and then she looked at Marcus. They shook their heads.

At the park, the kids were happily playing, but Teddy could tell that something was up with his dad. Sneaking away from the others, he sat next to Harry on the bench and just stayed there quietly, waiting for the other to speak first.

Harry smiled fondly and ruffled his son's hair, which briefly turned a neon blue before turning back to a black like his.

He obliged his son in all but blood.

"What's wrong, Teddy? Why aren't you with the others?"

"I should ask you the same thing," the young boy retorted with a frown. "I'm not with them because you need me."

And Harry had to fight down the urge to cry as he smiled brightly.

"You know, kiddo…I'm really thankful for you…"

He pulled Teddy closer and hugged him tightly, burying his face into Teddy's neck.

"I don't think I ever left the Wizarding World, even though I'm not actually there anymore," Harry murmured tearfully.

"I don't think you've ever left the war," Teddy reluctantly said, hugging back.

Silently, Harry thought that might probably be a true statement.

The other kids saw and ran up to them. Scorpius climbed onto Harry's back, while Hugo and Rose clutched tightly around all of them as much as they could. The group hug definitely made Harry feel a lot better.

He went back home with a lighter step, sending the kids to play while he went to check up on the group. Surprisingly, they were still in the room, though they were all awake by then. Charlie was in there as well, talking quietly with Carlisle and Esme. Draco, Luna, and Hermione were discussing something seriously as well, while Bella and Marcus were talking about something alone. Mike, Sam, and Jacob were playing with paper footballs with Jessica keeping score. The two other Volturi brothers were sitting and doing nothing, but Harry was sure they were eavesdropping and being nosy.

"Yo," Harry said, holding up a hand.

Everyone turned to stare at him and he sweatdropped.

"Jess, Mike, Sam, Jacob –you guys are off, so you're free to do whatever. I have errands to do, so I'll be out. Bella, you can come and be my golfer."

Bella pouted. "I'm not a golfer."

Harry turned to Charlie.

"Can I have Bella as a golfer?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Dad! Traitor!" she screeched in indignation, mock-glaring at her dad.

"Come, golfer. We have work to do," Harry declared, picking up Bella by the back of her collar like a pup and then dragging her away. Marcus silently followed, with Draco hastily getting up.

"Wait up, Harry. I got some errands to do around town as well. I'll come with you."

Jessica hesitated before following after the lighter-haired blond blushingly.

The ones left behind were like 'huh' before going back to their talks and game.

"So Harry, what are you going to do first?" Jessica chirped up.

"I'm going to patent the shade 'Bella red'," Harry declared. "I've been meaning to, but I haven't put aside any time. I might as well get to do it now," Harry grinned.

They blinked, before Bella then started to glare. Harry just winked at her and she inwardly huffed in exasperation.

Through the day, Harry seemed to be sort of coming back to his usual self. Draco was a little more subdued, but he too seemed to becoming more snarkier as time passed. With Marcus silently by Harry's side and hanging onto his arm, both wizards were animatedly talking while the girls were walking behind them and having their own conversation.

Bella nodded towards Draco, confirming what they had just been talking about. Jessica blushed, acting more like the other girl than herself, and nodded in answer. Bella grinned and barely withheld her giggles.

"Jessica, you just wait until Harry and I get our hands on this situation," Bella told her.

Jessica smiled hesitantly, though she wasn't sure if she should be grateful or scared.

"Has that weird fanclub following Harry and Marcus around decided whether or not to call them Harcus or Marry yet?" Jessica changed topics.

Bella shrugged. "I don't think they have."

Suddenly an owl flew over head, hovering over the group before landing on Harry's outstretched arm. The group, minus Draco, stared and gaped. Well, Marcus didn't outwardly.

Harry started skimming it and 'hmming' to himself as he read.

"What is it?" Draco asked curiously.

"Letter from George. They'll be by to pick up Ron soon," Harry said, not looking over.

"What it say?" the male blond inched closer and Harry rolled his eyes, shoving the other man away and reading it himself.

"'Dear Harry, bloke it's been awhile! We'll be dropping by soon for Ickle Ronniekins. I've sent the word over to Bill and Charlie, and we've decided to make a vacation of it. See you darling Commodus. Coming to serve my Emperor as always, love from Georgie.'"

"Damn, that means they're going to forget the bastard and party," Draco groaned in exasperation.

"The more the merrier, I say!" Harry pumped a fist into the air. "Now, to conquer the town!"

They finished up and Bella managed to finally pay Harry back for the dress he'd given her for the party, remembering the money she'd saved up from her paychecks and had stored in her bag to give to him. In retaliation, Harry bought her new expensive shoes and informed her that she hadn't been to her room for awhile to notice her new collection of designer shoes so she should do that when she was back at the house.

When they got home, Jessica voiced the question everyone almost forgot to ask.

"Hey, Harry, how'd you do all that last night?"

Harry and his group somehow seemed to disappear.

And, as the week passed, Harry or any of the others seemed to never be in sight or be there, though they knew that they were around because of the residents of the inn. So it was an avoidance situation obviously.

"This is rather frustrating," Mike commented to Bella.

"Tell me about it," Jessica grumbled, slumping over a table.

"And something's up…something to do with what they did that night," Jacob added.

Bella stayed quiet, knowing at least part of what had happened and out of respect for Harry, and knowing it wasn't her business or her right to say anything in the first place.

"No slacking off, slackers," Harry said, suddenly appearing behind them.

The group jumped in their seats in shock before most of them turned to him seriously and started to ask the question they kept asking. But then Harry blinked and pointed over behind them.

"Oh look, vampires!" Harry said.

The group turned to look, seeing only Aro, Caius, and Marcus, who inwardly panicked at Harry's sudden betrayal of their secret and then realized he was messing with the kids, resigning to shrugging it off and standing there.

Bella mentally face palmed, knowing that it was ironically the truth.

"Hey, wait a sec –"

Jessica turned back around to Harry, followed by the others, only to groan out loud. Harry had disappeared on them.

"We were duped," Mike grumbled, getting up and heading over to start work.

"Totally and utterly," Jacob agreed, heading to start his part.

Jessica and Bella shook their heads.

The Volturi brothers were amused and decided that Harry could use them as scapegoats any time, so long as they got to witness the chaos.

Just then, Charlie came in and looking very upset. Worried for her father, Bella got up and went to him.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

Charlie grimaced. "Harry's, Leah and Seth's dad, has been having heart problems. I've already gotten Carlisle to check him out, but there's nothing he can do. I was hoping…if there was anything Harry, our Harry, could do. I know he's not a doctor, but he always seems to be able to do miracles."

"He's got a PhD," Bella corrected, though she was even more worried. "And he's Harry. It wouldn't be bad to ask him."

Suddenly, Harry reappeared, looking serious for once.

"What's wrong? I got an alert that something's up."

"Harry, rez Harry is having some heart problems and I was wondering if there was anything you could do for him. I don't know if there is anything, but I'm hoping and I thought it couldn't hurt to ask," Charlie asked in distress.

Harry nodded. "Take me to him."

It wasn't long until Charlie was taking Harry to the reservation, inwardly noting that they let Harry on the land much more easily than they had Carlisle. And when they reached Harry Clearwater's home, he conceded to seeing Harry more willingly than the golden-eyed doctor. Though he noted that, he kept it to himself and resolved to keep quiet for now.

"Alright, let's get this started," Harry smiled pleasantly.

Charlie wasn't present for the checkup as it was between the two Harrys, but he visited Billy and talked awhile with his old friend. It wasn't long until Harry came checking on him and gave a good prognosis, being vague about what he did and how he was going to help the other Harry.

But Charlie couldn't fault or say anything if it was going to help his friend.

Harry sat in front of the fire, brooding to himself. It's been awhile since he had, like this, but for once he was alone and had no one to distract or keep him from his thoughts and memories.

"Harry?"

He looked over and saw Bella, a bitter smile twisting his lips. Never mind. It seems whatever god there was seemed to sense his mood and feelings easily, sending down a godsend.

"Bella," Harry greeted, emerald eyes dark. He turned back to the fire, leaning forward and basking in the warmth.

"Things good?" she asked hesitantly.

He heaved a heavy breath and rolled his shoulders, hearing them crack.

"Not really," he told her truthfully. "I'm just riding out the next two months, hoping they'll be over soon. They're not really good months for all of us and I'm hoping to forget it."

"Maybe you need a vacation. Go out and do something fun, to take your mind off of things," she suggested, smiling tentatively.

"That does sound good," Harry murmured. "I still have a meeting to go to though, one I promised Draco and his dad that I'll attend –and that'll probably put me in a bad mood. You can attend, if you like. I won't answer questions, as always, but you being there will give you all the answers you need without me having to say so."

She was quiet before she nodded. "I would like that…"

"How's the Edward thing going?" Harry asked gently.

"Better some days," she smiled faintly in remembrance. "Like I said, I've gotten over him as a whole…but there are times, if I'm alone and usually in the dark of the night, my mind wanders. I have trouble sleeping. I'll remember the good memories. And a pang in my heart comes and lingers…but as each day passes, that pang seems to lessen."

"That's good," he murmured. "Bella, come with me. There's a trip I need to take you."

Curious but not at all anxious, she just trusted him and let him lead her out, driving her to their destination. She was surprised when she realized he'd driven her to her old house.

Before she could open her mouth to question him why, he flipped a lighter open. The light of the flame seemed to light up the darkened car a little and entranced her a bit, before Harry spoke and brought back her attention.

"Inside that house, in your room, holds memories of Edward that are hidden. I meant that literally as well," Harry spoke softly. "If you want, I can lead you to those things that he hid from you and give them back. On the other hand, we can burn down those memories and not look back."

Burned bridges.

She took a deep breath and look at him seriously. "I would like to have closure."

And he understood immediately, flipping the lighter close and taking her hand, pressing into her palm and closing her fingers around it. They got out of the car and she stood in front of her old house, as Harry opened up his trunk and got out three gasoline cans. Opening one, he started to douse the front with it when they were interrupted by a squad car. Looking disbelieving at their luck, when they just saw who it was, they weren't sure whether they were better off or not.

"What are –is that gasoline?" Charlie furrowed his eyebrows as he got out of his car and saw exactly they were doing.

It was very incriminating when one was holding a lighter and the other was practically throwing suspiciously smelling liquid at a very flammable house.

"Dad."

Charlie looked at the determined and solemn face of his daughter, and somehow, just somehow he knew what this was all about and had put it together. Harry figured the man had similar feelings as to his daughter, no matter how different the two were.

Reneé and Edward were just two names that seemed to never go away unless these two made them.

"Hell, never did care too much for this house recently," Charlie said gruffly, striding over to Harry's car and picking up a can. He joined Harry in dousing the house until it was surely and utterly primed for a bonfire celebration.

"Trust you probably have this whole thing contained?" he directed towards Harry.

"You know me," Harry said cheekily.

"How'd you find us, Dad?" Bella asked, confused as to how it was her dad that managed to pop up right at that time.

"I was looking for y'all at the inn and the house and couldn't find you. I used the tracking device on Harry's car to come looking for you two here," Charlie shrugged nonchalantly.

It was silent.

"You have a tracking device on my car?" Harry almost gaped.

"Yeah. You know, a just in case thing?"

"Sneaky Swans."

And then Bella flipped the lighter and threw it at the house, letting it catch on fire until it spread to the whole thing. True to word, Harry had somehow kept the flames to just the house and for some reason, no one around woke up to see the fire and report it, leaving the three to watch it burn to the ground.

When the three of them went back, to their surprise, they went to find company in people they hadn't expected to. For Harry, well he'd always quite liked Marcus and the vampire intrigued and amused him like a sonofgun…but he hadn't expect to so easily seek out the man's presence. In times like this, in his melancholy and bitter moods, Hermione, Draco, Neville or Luna had always been a best bet for him. But sitting at the fire, drinking some firewhiskey while the vampire solemnly sat next to him, it was actually kind of nice.

As for Charlie, he hadn't expected his feet to lead him to Esme's room, where he awkwardly stood outside the door. Before he could back away, the door opened and she stood there and he was being asked to accompany her to a walk outside. His mouth said yes before he could think of an answer and soon enough he was escorting her out.

And for Bella, she had enough on her mind before it could make decisions for her and lead automatically to someone. In the end, she had finally let go. Before, she understood she had but it didn't stop her from having relapses or still feeling the pain. She was slowly getting over it, but something seemed to always be holding her back. It was this…this literal burning of that bridge that for some reason seemed to help her actually move on and stop the pain.

She had moved on before, but now…now she was certain the pain would be gone as well.

She thought of seeking out Carlisle, but she hadn't wanted to bother him. Although, a part of her ached to see him for whatever explanation unknown to her. Instead, she stopped in front of a door and went in when she was invited, staring into a curious face.

"So…I was wondering if that offer was still standing? The full order?" she asked nervously.

Aro smiled patiently. "Why, Bella, I thought you'd never ask."

"I can't believe you went ahead and did it," Harry cackled.

Bella pouted. "Hey, you had Sanguini. And even Hermione before that! I'm opening up my horizons."

"You want me and Marcus? Maybe at the same time? That'll broaden your scope a bit," he waggled his eyebrows.

She leaned over Marcus' shoulders and tried to hit Harry, who just danced out of the way with more mad cackling.

"Marcus, hit that idiot for me, please."

"With pleasure," the vampire deadpanned, using his speed to lightly slap the man's shoulder. Harry pouted this time, rubbing at the area. Light vampire strength was still vampire strength…

"You guys are no fun. Anyways, how long are we from this place?" Harry looked around.

"I don't know," Bella shrugged. "The meadow's supposed to be close, but it's hard to tell with vampire speed. Edward always had to take me there."

"Psh. I just think he was lazy," Harry wrinkled his nose. "So whatcha want to do with the meadow? Burn it to the ground like the house?"

"Nah. Dad's still complaining about the house. So many people were freaking out about it, especially since no one knew about it until the next morning and it was completely burned down. Dad's also saying he can't believe he condoned and participated in arsonist acts, but that was half-hearted so I don't think he really cares."

"Ah, the corruption of Forks."

"Only because of you," Marcus snorted in derision.

"Too true," Bella agreed.

Harry went back to pouting.

"Anyways, I was thinking of just seeing the meadow one last time before never coming back…or maybe frolicking with you two there first," Bella grinned mischievously.

"You've been corrupted as well," Marcus sighed.

"My little protégée," Harry hummed happily. "Though, I must say Carlisle is probably disappointed."

"What?" she blinked.

"Nothing, nothing."

Marcus wisely kept his mouth shut.

"Here we are," Bella announced and Marcus gently let her down. She thanked him profusely for letting her piggyback onto his back all the way there.

"So frolicking first or burning time?" Harry grinned, flipping out a lighter.

"No, pyromaniac," Bella smacked his arm. "Reminiscing first, frolicking, and then burning."

"Excellent," Harry clapped his hands. "Let us reminisce."

"Even though neither you nor I have any attachments to this place," Marcus drawled.

"Hush you, and reminisce."

The vampire resigned himself to being dragged over to stand by Harry and let the man hilariously close his eyes and spread his arms out in some kind of exaggerated reminiscing about an area he hadn't even been to before. It was worse when Bella decided to copy him.

"What is this? Bella Swan? And two new people. I'm surprised. One is a vampire I haven't smelled with you before and another unknown human. Have the Cullens let yet another human in on the secret?"

The three of them turned to see a pale olive-toned vampire, striding towards them curiously at a leisure pace.

"Laurent," Bella recognized.

He smiled genially at her before casting her companions with questioning glances.

"Harry and Marcus," she pointed. "I see from your eyes you couldn't keep to the diet. Damn, I owe you 20, Marcus."

Marcus gave a shark-like smile and accepted the twenty that Bella fished out from her wallet. Laurent blinked in confusion.

"Anyways, did Victoria ask you to come get me or something?" Bella was strangely blasé about this. Might be because she had Harry there with her and it would just be plain stupid of Laurent to even attack when a Volturi King was standing right next to her. Not that he probably knew exactly who Marcus was.

"Something like that," he said regretfully. "You see, I passed by the Cullen's house and was surprised to see it empty. I was surprised even more at the thought that they'd left you alone, but I suppose not so alone," he continued, giving a pointed look at Marcus. He scrunched up his eyebrows in confusion. "Though it is a surprise to know he keeps to the more…regular diet and you seem okay with that."

"Nah, I'm good," was all that she said.

"Anyways, I liked Tanya and especially Irina from the Alaskan clan, but the restrictions of the diet were difficult for me," Laurent spoke mournfully. "Victoria found me when I was cheating on my diet. I am here as a favor for her. She wanted me to lead you to her so that she could kill you –a mate for a mate, you see. Your Edward killed her James, so she wants revenge. I don't agree with her logic, but it will be less painful for you this way. I am thirsty and I can spare you the pain you would endure at her hands."

Marcus held up a hand. "I'm here. I vote no."

Harry patted his shoulder proudly before holding up his hand too. "I vote no too."

Before Laurent could speak another word, something pale and blonde tackled him from behind yelling, "SOULMATE!"

Luna seemed to have gone even more insane. Confused and out of his depth, Laurent was about to turn his head to see the slight girl that had slammed into him and was now cheerily nuzzling him from behind. He opened his mouth, only for Luna to shove a blood pop into his mouth.

"You said you were hungry," she said sensibly.

Harry looked between the downed vampire, Luna, and then Bella before striding over to the two, pulling a pouting Luna off and tossing her over to Marcus to catch, before surprising Laurent with his inhuman strength for a human by kicking the vampire repeatedly.

"Stupid. Idiot. How. Dare. You. Try to. Kill. My Protégée. Before. I. Got. To Corrupt. Her. Completely!" Each word was punctuated by a really painful kick. "And take my precious little Luna's innocence while you're at it!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Laurent cried out, curling up into a ball.

"LIES!" Harry yelled before he was interrupted by a bang and he saw something he hadn't seen for awhile.

Wild-fire Whiz-Bangs shot up above him and then there was a lot of smoke, and then he was crashing down to earth while he was pretty sure there were three punks right on top of him.

"Presenting –"

"Weasley –"

"Wild-fire –"

"Whiz-Bangs –"

"Up for sale in America coming soon," all three ended together.

When the smoke cleared, Harry was lying on the ground on his front and face twitching ominously, with three red-heads that looked similar to Ron smugly standing on top of him.

"GET OFF ME, YOU PRICKS!"

Started 1/23/12 –Competed 1/29/12

A/n: Well, this was meant to be out today anyways, before I'd changed it to Friday and decided to update back today. You can blame my cold on that by the way. I keep getting sick, dammit (Please accept my new HPxTransformers fic as apologies (bows repeated). The Weasleys, moving along with the plot and finishing New Moon, and getting closer to winding up the Wizarding world back into the story. Review, my lovelies. Always appreciated and loved.

I am also not sorry for the depressing chapter last. It's part of who they are. Thanks again.