Chapter 2

Edward and Alice entered the castle. It was actually Hogwarts…but slightly different. The place was emptier and more spacious, but Alice was appalled to see the Great Hall again.

"Edward!" a voice from above and behind hollered. "Come here! There's an update on REAS! A lot of things happened on the show! Unless you got us some popcorn, I am not explaining what happened. Where were you?"

Edward looked up to see James jump from the second floor to the first floor. Edward glanced at Alice only to see her back facing him. She was still admiring the general splendor of Hogwarts.

"Edward?" James asked. "So do you have some popcorn?" Then, James looked at Alice who was now facing him.

"You brought a snack," James said.

Edward and Alice both glared at him.

"Kidding," James said. "Hullo, Alice."

"James? What are you doing here? Isn't this a place for good souls?" Alice asked.

James glanced at Edward. "You didn't explain to her yet?"

Edward shooked his head.

"Well, hurry, then," James said impatiently. "I don't want to miss the show."

Edward gestured to one of the long tables. The threesome sat down on the chairs.

Edward cleared his throat. "Alice, do you have any idea why this place is called Deathly Hallows?"

"I'm sure you can already read that I don't."

Edward ignored her. "Well, it's because everyone who comes here conquered death in some point in their lives."

He continued, "You, Alice, conquered death because you were recreated a vampire after you were poisoned. Same applied to me after I was knocked unconscious by Voldemort's spell."

"The same went for James here," Edward added, gesturing to James. "Before he became the vampire tracker we knew, he was James Potter, a known Gryffindor seeker during his time."

"Potter?" Alice asked. "You mean Harry Potter's…father?"

"That's right. It was no wonder why James got his tracking ability after he was recreated. He was good with his eyes when he had to seek the snitch," Edward explained.

James ruffled his hair with pride. "I'm the one with the wicked curve ball."

"Isn't that Victoria's line?" Alice asked, confused.

"Still such an arrogant prat," Edward whispered.

"Wait, now I understand! You bring some legacy of your human life to your vampire life," Alice nodded with satisfaction. "That's why you were so fast even for a vampire, Edward! You were the fastest keeper Hufflepuff ever knew! And you were a good Legilimens so that's why you read minds!"

Edward smiled his crooked smile.

"But James, I thought you were killed by Voldemort! Isn't Harry's story supposed to be legend? Why did Harry go through all those life challenges alone if his father isn't even dead?" Alice asked.

"When Voldemort's Avada Kedavra hit me, I became unconscious. I expected to be dead, but I wasn't. I was still breathing and my heart was still beating. A few minutes later, a woman named Victoria began to investigate Godric's Hollow, my family home. When she saw me, she felt sorry for me and bit me," James explained.

James continued, "When I asked her if she saw any trace of my wife and son, she said no. I had no idea where they were and I even had a feeling she was lying. But I didn't think about it so much because the thirst started sinking in and—"

"—And your addiction with challenging tracking games began," Edward finished, nastily glaring at James.

"Sorry about that. It was the lust, thirst and addiction that came with being a vampire. I didn't even love Victoria. It was all lust as she helped me get through the dark ages of being a newborn." James muttered. "But, hey, I paid for all those after you killed me."

"Fair enough," Edward huffed.

"Wait, how come Voldemort's killing curse didn't kill?" Alice asked in wonder.

"I think he damaged his soul too much to damage another's," James retorted.

"No one really knows. One thing for sure is that he made us realize that we do have souls," Edward replied thankfully. "Only people who love at one point in their life, whether in the vampire or human or werewolf or wizard stage, go to the Deathly Hallows after they die. Where the rest go, we don't know."

"Now can we please go and watch REAS? Everyone else might be wondering where we are," James drabbled impatiently.

"Patience, James," Edward purred with his velvet voice. "Alice, I read you have more questions?"

"Are the dead that we know stay here? Like are Victoria and Laurent here?" Alice asked.

"We don't really know. Deathly Hallows Castle stretches wide enough for a state to fit in. But at any case, I don't think they care watching REAS," Edward explained.

"So who watches REAS that I know?" Alice asked curiously. "And, first of all, what is REAS? I didn't expect you guys to be watching a soap opera after death."

"It's the Deathly Hallows' pastime!" Edward started enthusiastically. "REAS is—"

"Oh come on, already!" James yelled. "Let's just show her, alright?"