Previously:
"Bella? I know it's disorienting. It's going to be okay. Please, you must know. I love you. I lied to you back in Forks. I've been miserable without you. I never wanted this for you, but it happened anyways. I would understand if you hate me."
"Edward?"
"Yes, Bella?"
"Shut up and kiss me."
Chapter Fifteen:
I didn't have to tell him twice. In the next moment I felt his lips on mine. They were feather light. Sweet. Loving. I could feel his love for me in his kiss. Then it seemed he remembered I wasn't so fragile anymore and his lips became more insistent. I could still feel his love but I could also feel so much more. His desperation. His relief. I could practically feel the empty void our separation created in his soul fill up and overflow with love and joy at having me in his arms once more.
Wait a minute. I couldn't practically feel it. I could feel it. I could feel his emotions like I was experiencing them myself, which I was, really. But I was feeling more than just my own emotions. I instinctively knew that I was feeling Edward's as well. Like an empath.
Then I started hearing voices. Lots of them.
I'm so glad to have my sister back. I've missed her so much. She's so beautiful; it's like she was meant to be a vampire. Just look at her.
Look at my son, he's so happy to have his Bella back. I am, too. I've missed my daughter so much.
My family is finally complete again.
Maybe now everyone will stop moping around. It was really annoying. I don't understand why my Emmett missed her so much.
I can't believe Bella was a witch. She was so holding out on us. We could have had so much fun with her powers. Oh well, I've got my little sis back!
Bella's vampire gift is unlike any I've ever experienced. Vampires aren't supposed to change. They are supposed to be frozen in time. Her gift doesn't seem to be finite. I can feel that her gift has the ability to evolve. To grow. Interesting.
Bella Bella Bella Bella.
Edward was chanting my name over and over in his mind. He was thinking back to the months since he left, and I could see him. I could see him trying to track Victoria until her trail ran cold. I could see his black eyes; he'd been starving himself. I could see the misery clear in his face while he lay prone on the floor of some dusty old attic. He was drowning. Drowning himself in sorrow and loneliness.
Never, Bella. I'll never leave you again. Never let go of you. We have to be together. I need you. Can't live without you. Love you. Love you so much. So sorry. So sorry I lied. So sorry I left. I wanted to protect you, but I failed. Please, I need you so much.
The voices. I need them to stop. I can't hear this anymore. It's too overwhelming. I concentrated my mind on my Occlumency walls and reinforced them. They need to be able to keep the voices out. I focused on altering my shields so they wouldn't allow me to hear thoughts unless I made a conscious decision to listen. Ah, much better.
I mean, Legilimency can come in mighty handy. I just don't want to have voices in my head all the time. How in the world does Edward handle it? Maybe I can teach him Occlumency.
I experienced all of this within a matter of moments, and I was still kissing Edward when I had yet another surprise. It was a vision. A vision of me and Edward hunting. I can see myself taking down a mountain lion rather inelegantly. Sorry, Nic. I then move on to some deer. Sorry Jamie. I'm just slaughtering everyone I love's animal forms. Ah, well. I'm sure they'll agree it's better than the alternative. And for the love of Merlin, why am I wearing that dress? Who wears a designer dress to go hunting?
Alice.
Of course. I will not let her force me into a dress to go hunting. No way. Not going to happen.
Edward was now kissing me with greater purpose, but we were broken apart by Carlisle clearing his throat. "Ahem."
Edward opened his beautiful eyes and smiled the most brilliant smile. "Bella," he breathed. "I've missed you so much. I'm so sorry I lied. I wanted you to be able to move on. To live out your human life without the dangers of my world. I said those things to try and make you hate me. To make you want to forget me." The anguish was clear on his face as he revealed his motives. It was also clear that he didn't really want any of those things. He just thought it would be best for me.
"You're so absurd, Edward. I'd have to forget myself, too. You're a part of me, Edward. I part of my very soul."
"I understand that, now. Your friends were here when I got back, just before you finished transforming. They explained that you were a witch, at which point the concealment charm allowed me to hear my family's thoughts on magic. I saw everything they'd been told by Dumbledore, so I was able to get up to speed quickly. Then they told me that you were planning on coming to find me after you finished school. That once you realized I lied because I love you, and wanted to protect you, you refused to live your life without me."
I looked down shyly. What the hell? "I'm already wearing the stupid dress! Alice! I will not go hunting in this blasted dress!"
The Cullens and Eleazar's coven were all staring at me curiously. Alice was smirking. "Yes you are. I've seen it."
"Yeah, so have I. I'm telling you right now, it's not going to happen. I'm changing before I leave this house."
"What do you mean you've seen it, too? Are you getting visions, Bella?" Carlisle asked, looking like a scientist excited by a new discovery.
I nodded my head and could feel the curiosity and apprehension rolling off everyone in the room. I looked to Jasper. "I can feel everyone's emotions, too. They feel curious and apprehensive."
He nodded, wide eyed. I turned my attention to Edward. "When I first woke up I could also hear everyone's thoughts. I could…" I choked up and continued with a shaky voice. Well, as shaky as my new bell like voice could become. "I could see your thoughts. You were thinking of the months of our separation. How you starved yourself and allowed the misery to consume you."
Edward pulled me to him tightly. "I don't know how to function without you, Bella. I need you."
I rubbed his back comfortingly. "You have me, Edward. You've had me since the moment I first laid eyes on you."
"Bella?" Carlisle could no longer contain his scientific curiosity. "Do you mean to say that you can't hear our thoughts anymore?" I decided to listen in on his musings.
How fascinating. Her gift seems to allow her to use the gifts of those in her vicinity. I wonder how it works if she's no longer hearing our thoughts. She's in Edward's arms, but she can't hear us.
"No, Carlisle. Did Dumbledore explain to you about Occlumency?"
At their negative response I explained the theory and practical uses of Occlumency. I told them that when I realized I could hear everyone's voices I reinforced my mind's walls to block the voices from being heard unless I make a conscious effort to listen. "I think I can teach you Occlumency, Edward. You'll be able to block the voices unless you want to hear."
Edward's thoughts seemed to lead him down a different path of thought, blocking voices being the last thing on his mind. "Bella? Does this mean you can lower your shields, as well? So that I can hear your thoughts?"
Damn. I don't really feel comfortable lowering my shields. I know that Edward would never mentally attack, but it would still be very difficult to ignore the instinct to protect my mind in order to lower the shield. "I don't know, Edward. Maybe we can try sometime, but not right now. All of this is so new and my instinct to protect myself is too great."
He smiled happily. "It's okay, love. We've got all the time in the world."
Eleazar spoke up. "Speaking of having all the time in the world, we can discuss all of this later. Bella just woke up from her transition. I'm sure you're really uncomfortable, Bella. Why don't you let Edward take you hunting?"
I honestly hadn't really felt the burn until Eleazar mentioned it. I lifted my hand to my throat. It felt dry, parched. It wasn't too bad, though. I looked over to Edward who was smiling adoringly at me. "Let's go, love. You'll feel better once you've fed."
We made our way out of the house and started running into the mountains. I felt so free. It was almost as fun as riding on my Firebolt. Almost. I was still tethered to the ground. Well, sort of. I could jump pretty high.
Edward and I were laughing and running around like goofy kids when I stopped dead.
I looked down at my…dress. "Oh for Circe's sake! I forgot to change out of this damn thing!"
Edward started laughing out loud when suddenly I smelled it. The most intoxicating scent I could have ever imagined filled my lungs and my throat burst into flames. So this is that burn they were talking about.
I didn't think. I just reacted. I took off in the direction of this mouth watering aroma and heard Edward calling after me. No way, Edward. This one is mine. I felt my instincts to protect my hunt flare within me and it awakened my magic. Edward is the fastest. I have to be faster.
I put all my new born strength into my legs followed by a burst of magic. The magic changed me into my lab form. Vampire dog? It seems the magic allows my vampire body to retain my animagus ability. Awesome.
Being able to run with four legs allowed me to travel through the forest at an alarming speed. My vampire reflects allowed me to dart through the trees unscathed and it wasn't long before I landed on top of the delicious scent. I had a vision of what I would find in the clearing moments before I stepped through it. It stopped me dead in my tracks, and I transformed back into a human.
It was a family of four. A husband and wife and their two small children. They were camping deep in the woods. The father was bleeding from a gash in his stomach. He was trying fruitlessly to distract a bear that had descended upon his family. I shook free of the vision and opened my eyes to the clearing in front of me.
I reacted on instinct. Human instinct. The bear had his arm raised, about to deliver a death blow to the brave man willing to die to protect his wife and children. I burst through the clearing and tackled the bear to the ground. My vampire instincts surfaced, and I had the bear drained in less than a minute. Mmmm…delicious. Emmett has the right idea.
As my head cleared I realized the children were screaming. I could feel the terror rushing through all of them, as well as the instinct of the parents to protect their children. I was approaching them slowly when Edward arrived to the campsite. He had his hands extended in that universal way that said he meant no harm. "Bella. You don't want to do this. Come on. Let me get you out of here."
"It's okay, Edward. I'm not going to hurt them. I want to help them. I still have my magic. I am going to heal the man. He has lost so much blood already. Then I am going to modify their memories so they won't remember any of this. They'll just remember that the father woke up feeling ill."
Edward was stunned. "You still have your magic? Are you sure?"
"Yes. I focused on protecting it the entire time I burned. I was able to keep out the destructive aspects of the venom, only taking in what would make it stronger. My magic feels more a part of me than it ever has before. It's wonderful, Edward."
I saw the movement that the humans couldn't, so I wasn't surprised when Edward's arms flew around me in a tight embrace. The humans gasped in surprise.
"How…he was over there, and then in the next second he was over there. What is happening?" The father was feeling so many different emotions it was hard to decipher between them. He seemed to be scared, protective, curious, confused, grateful, and hopeful all at the same time.
Edward was smiling beatifically. "I'm so glad your magic survived, Bella! According to Dumbledore it's unheard of! He was worried that you would become very depressed without your magic, but you didn't lose it! Oh Bella, I'm so happy for you!" He was. I could feel it. Edward was down right giddy.
I smiled back at him and turned toward the family. The man was losing more blood by the second, he really needed to have that wound closed. I walked up to him, explaining that I wasn't going to hurt him. "I'm just going to close up your wound, sir." At his nod I raised my hand and channeled my magic into the spell.
Vulnera Sanentur
I watched as the wound started to weave itself back together, and heard the man's breaths begin to even out. When the wound was completely healed I cast two more silent spells.
Tergeo…Repairo
The blood that was covering the man instantly disappeared revealing the perfectly unmarred skin beneath it. His clothes then weaved back together in much the same fashion as his skin had moments before, leaving his shirt fully intact.
The man still looked a bit peakish. He'd lost a lot of blood. I wasn't sure he'd be strong enough to hike back to civilization. I then remembered the preparations for the final task of the TWT. The girls and I made a lot of potions to take into the maze in the event that we needed something quickly. There were a couple vials of blood replenishing potion in the bag hidden away in my TWT robes.
Accio bag
I felt my magic summon the bag from my discarded robes, making its way to me. I turned my attention back to the humans while I waited for the bag. "Hello. My name is Bella, and I'm a witch vampire. I know this is a lot to take in right now, but everything is going to be okay. I have summonsed a blood replenishing potion that should be arriving any minute. It will give you the strength you need for the hike back. You'll still be a bit sluggish, but you should be okay. You are not supposed to know about magic or vampires, so I will be modifying your memory. You'll just think you woke up feeling ill."
"My children won't remember this? I don't have to worry about it haunting their dreams?" I could feel the man's concern for his children, and it really touched my heart.
"No, sir. They won't remember a thing. Just an amazing camping trip."
The man looked at me and I could feel his gratitude. "Thank you," he breathed.
The bag came gliding into my hand in the next moment and I searched through the contents finding the blood replenishment easily. I extended the vial to the man. He drank it quickly and made a sour face, which caused me to snicker. "I know. It tastes a bit coppery."
I grabbed Edwards hand and led him out of the clearing. When we were out of sight I used Legilimency on the four humans to modify their memory of this morning's events. I added that they saw a bear, but that it didn't attack. I made the father think that perhaps he shouldn't bring his family so deep into the woods. Edward and I watched as they discussed the father's illness and plans to pack up and head home.
Edward and I then turned around and ran away hand in hand. "How did you do that, Bella? You were directly next to a human covered in blood. You are an hours old vampire. You should not have been lost to the bloodlust."
"I don't know, Edward. I got a vision of what I was hunting moments before I broke through the clearing. I knew that I would find four humans being attacked by a bear. I reacted on instinct and protected them. Once I knew they were human, drinking from them never even entered my mind. I drained the bear, though." I beamed back at him. "Bears are yum."
He looked at me with undisguised awe. "You're amazing, Bella." He pulled me into his arms and I took in his smell. I also smelled something else. It smelled pretty tasty.
"What is that smell, Edward?"
He inhaled deeply and smiled. "Mountain lion. I think it's time you try my favorite."
I smirked at him and followed the scent to the unsuspecting cat. He fought valiantly, but fell in the end. The dress was completely destroyed and covered with blood by the time I was finished. I looked up to see Edward leaning against a tree, watching me. He thought I was adorable. I could feel it. I had just brutally murdered this noble cat and my boyfriend thought it was cute. I giggled.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. Everything." I laughed. "I'm just so happy right now. I'm not gonna lie. I was devastated when I first realized I was changing. I didn't want to be a vampire. But since I was able to save my magic, it just feels…right. Like this is the life I was meant for. To be with you. To be like you. It's my destiny. I can feel it." I had cleaned the blood off my body and repaired the dress as I made my way to Edward.
I arrived directly in front of him as the last word passed my lips. In the next moment he spun me around and had me pinned to the tree while he kissed my passionately. His feelings were overwhelming me. His love. It is so strong. So true. So Eternal. Feeling it radiating off him filled my soul with such amazing warmth. It would have brought tears to my eyes if they were still capable of producing them.
I could also feel his lust. Edward wants me. Badly. I want him, too. We started getting carried away when I was hit with a vision. We'd been gone too long, and because of my magic Alice wasn't able to see us. They were about to come looking for us.
I pulled away from Edward, breathing heavily. How on Earth does this man make me breathless when I don't even need to breathe? "We need to head back. Alice can't see through my magic and they're getting really worried."
He groaned and kissed me once more. "Alright sweetheart." He put his forehead to mind and stared lovingly into my eyes. "I'm glad your vision interrupted us. I don't want our first time to be like this."
He started at my lips and then kissed his way down my jaw toward my ear. He whispered, "I want you to be Mrs. Edward Cullen before we take this step, my love."
My body shuddered at his words. Edward wants to marry me? "I want to tie myself to you in every way possible, Bella. I love you. I want to be with you always."
Yep, Edward wants to marry me. "Good luck asking my fathers for permission."
He groaned at that. "I have to ask Sirius and Charlie, don't I?"
"Yep. Don't worry, though. I'll marry you even if they say no." I laughed at his discomfort and took off toward Eleazar's. We stopped along the way when we came across a herd of deer. After taking down a large male and a doe, I felt so full I'd explode. The fire left my throat and I felt sated and completely myself. I was still Isabella Black.
About a mile from the house we ran into the others. I listened for their thoughts and they were in a frenzy. Alice had me enveloped in her arms so quickly I almost missed her approach. "Bella! I couldn't see you. You've been gone for so long and I couldn't see you!"
"It's fine, Alice. It's my fault, actually. I was able to save my magic in the transformation. You can't see through it, and I used it while we were out."
The others were shocked, especially Eleazar. "You still have it, Bella! But that's wonderful!"
I smiled happily. "I know! I can even still transform into my animagus form!"
I demonstrated, and started running circles around them. I could run really fast as a vampire dog.
Everyone laughed as I jumped on Emmett knocking him to the ground while licking his face. I transformed back and the twelve of them were just staring at me in awe.
Eleazar embraced me and congratulated me again on retaining my magic. He then introduced me to Carmen, Tanya, Kate and Irina.
After the introductions we started leisurely making our way back to their house. During our walk Edward told the others about what happened with the humans. To say they were astounded would be a massive understatement. They were bewildered. Dumbstruck. Taken aback. Befuddled. Flabbergasted. In a dither. Point is, they were thunderstruck. I, Bella Black, had managed to thunder strike twelve vampires.
Now that takes talent.
After they finished fawning over my great achievement of resisting killing four innocent people, the conversation moved on to my gift. The others looked to Eleazar to explain the intricacies of my ability. "I'm having a hard time getting a read on your ability, Bella. I mostly just feel that it has the ability to evolve, or grow."
I had a much better understanding of it after the last few hours, because I also had Eleazar's ability. He could sense the extra abilities of vampires and possible abilities of humans if they were to turn. He couldn't get a full reading on mine because of my Occlumency shields. I could use his ability to analyze it, though. I was the freaking Peter Petrelli of vampires. I told them as much.
"I understand my gift. I'm the freaking Peter Petrelli of vampires."
Almost all of them looked confused. Emmett, Jasper, Alice and Edward were the only ones who seemed to catch my reference. I glanced into their thoughts to see that Emmett and Jasper had immediately understood what I meant. Alice saw a vision of my explanation and Edward had heard all of their thoughts. Their reactions varied from apprehension to unadulterated excitement. The latter was rolling off Emmett in waves.
I took an unneeded breath before explaining myself to the others. "Peter Petrelli was a character on the show Heroes. The show was about humans who had super human abilities. There were characters that could fly, manipulate time, manipulate technology, regenerate, read minds, paint the future, and much more. There was on character, Peter Petrelli, who could do it all. Whenever he came into the vicinity of someone who had an ability, he acquired it. From that moment on he would have the ability, regardless of whether he ever saw the person from whom he'd acquired it again. I have the same ability as Peter. When I am within the vicinity of a vampire that has an ability, I acquire it too."
I held up my hand and allowed the electricity to visibly run across it. Kate let out a gasp. "That's my ability!"
I smiled at her weakly. "Yes. It wasn't as obvious at first, like the others. It's kind of hard to ignore the fact that you can feel people's emotions and hear their thoughts. It's impossible to overlook a vision of the future passing through your mind. It's pretty easy to miss your gift. I already knew about Eleazar's. Did he tell you how we met when I was 13?"
At their affirmative nods, I continued. "He told me that he could see that I'd have an amazingly powerful ability if I were to ever become a vampire. He couldn't quite get the flavor of it. He thought it was just because I was a human, but I think it was because it's not finite. As Eleazar says, it grows, evolves. It…changes." The last word was barely a whisper. Could it be?
"I change. I can change into my animagus form. My ability has the power to change. My venom…could it be?" I was talking more to myself than the others at this point, lost to my inner musings.
Edward slipped his hand into mine and squeezed. "Bella? Sweetheart? What is it?"
"I need to talk to my Skirts. Now. I'm sorry, but it's really important. I'll be back in a little while. I promise."
I apparated away quickly, leaving behind the protesting voices. I landed on the steps of Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
I took another unneeded breath and paused. Is this a mistake?
Come on, Bella. You were able to stand in front of a complete stranger while he basically bled out in front of you. Once you realized they were human you no longer even associated their scent with prey. Of course you can refrain from killing your family.
After reassuring myself that'd I'd keep my control I opened the door to my father's house. I quietly walked through the hall to the kitchen and found Dad, Remy, The Skirts, The Trio, Dumbledore, Sandy and the Weasley clan all looking morose.
"Who died? Oh right, me." I was smiling widely as they all turned as one to stare at me with gaping mouths.
My father stood and slowly approached, much to the dismay of Dumbledore. "This isn't safe, Bella!"
I glanced at him before moving to my dad and allowing him to embrace me. I breathed deeply taking in my father's scent. There was no fire in my throat. No excess of venom in my mouth. All I felt was the love and relief radiating off my father. He's not food. He's my dad. I could never hurt him.
"I love you Daddy. I promised I'd come back."
He laughed happily. "Yes you did, pumpkin. I just didn't expect for that to happen so soon."
I laughed. "Yeah, well it turns out I'm not that great of a vampire. I have no desire to drink from humans. When Edward took me hunting I came across a family of four camping way too deep in the woods. I started hunting them when I caught the scent, but when I realized they were humans…there was nothing. No bloodlust. It's like the knowledge that the scent is human flipped a switch inside me. I no longer associate the smell with food."
He pulled back and smiled brightly. "That's amazing, sweetheart." His eyes widened as he took in my new appearance. "Wow, Bella. You were always such a pretty girl, but now…you're otherworldly beautiful."
If I could have blushed I would have been a bright shade of red right about now. "Thanks, Dad. I know the eyes are freaky right now. The Cullens said it's because of all my human blood that's still in my body. In a few months the red will leave my eyes and they'll turn a golden color."
In the next moment I was wrapped in hugs from everyone in the room. Harry was euphoric, and he held me as tightly as he could. "I was so scared, Bella. I'm sorry I asked you to win the tournament with me. If I'd just taken it myself, like you wanted, none of this would have happened. It's all my fault."
I smiled lovingly at him. "Then thank you, Harry. I feel great. This was meant to happen, Harry. Whether it happened in that graveyard or somewhere else is irrelevant. This was fated. You have no reason to feel guilty, and it will upset me if you do. I'm happy, Harry. So happy."
He smiled brightly, nodding his head in agreement, and I continued being passed around the room. My family's joy at seeing me again so soon thrilled my very being. My magic reveled in the happiness permeating the room and started swirling around me. Everyone gasped as they felt my magic dancing merrily around them.
Dad made his way to me and held my face in his hands, bringing it up to look in his eyes. "Princess, is that your magic? You were able to save it from the transformation?"
I smiled toothily at his bewildered expression. "Yep. I've always had a strong connection with my magic, being able to control it in ways others cannot. When my magic realized it was under attack I could feel it drawing into my core, trying to protect itself. I imagined a shell of goblin metal forming around the magic, keeping the corrosive aspects of the venom from destroying it. Since the protection was goblin made, it kept everything out except that which makes it stronger. Because of this my magic wasn't destroyed during the change, it was strengthened. I can even feel the magic in my venom. It's the reason I came so suddenly, actually. I think I may have had a breakthrough in my bloodlust potion, and I wanted to speak the The Skirts about it."
We were all sitting at the table now, and Harley, Nic and Sammie were eyeing me excitedly. I quickly filled in the others on my progress up to this point. "Okay, so I developed a potion that could remove the feeling of thirst that causes a vampire's bloodlust. It works. Temporarily. I had Eleazar try it out and he felt the fire leave his throat completely for about two hours. Then it was back with a vengeance. The potion is too complex to be useful, as you'd never be able to keep them stocked enough to dose themselves every two hours. The potion needs something else in order to make it useful. Something to make the vampire's instincts change."
Everyone else looked introspective, except my girls. They were bouncing in their seats in excitement. "Your venom!" They chorused simultaneously.
The confusion in the room grew at their outburst and I hastily explained. "Vampires are frozen in time. They never really change, or evolve. Their base characteristics are static. The only real change that happens in a vampire's life is meeting their mate. It changes them irrevocably. But me. I can change."
I decided to show the others my animagus form. The only people who knew of it were my girls, Dad and Remy. "I became an animagus when I was 14. I was inspired by Dad. I can still transform." I immediately changed into a chocolate lab and barked merrily at their shocked faces.
I quickly changed back and continued on with my thoughts on the potion. "So you see, if I can change, and my venom contains my magic…"
Sammie finished for me. "If you add a drop of your venom to the potion it will give it the ability to change the vampire permanently. The bloodlust would be gone forever."
Everyone was smiling brightly at this, and Harley disappeared up the stairs. "How is your bloodlust now, Bella. Is it there at all?" Ron wondered.
"It's not that bad right now, but I'm overly stuffed. I had a bear, mountain lion and two deer."
"Hey!" Nic was offended.
"Sorry, Nic. It was delicious." I smirked at her.
Everyone but Sammie, Dad and Remy were back to being confused. I didn't want to out Nicole's secret, so I continued on. "I am really sated right now. When I was hunting I did feel it, though. And even though I'm sated, blood is still a thought in the back of my mind. Just waiting for me to get thirsty again so it can flare back up."
Harley returned with four vials. It's what we have left of the potion. I took them from her gratefully. "I'm going to go back to Alaska and explain the potion to the vampires. Do you think you can start brewing the remaining doses? We'll need nine more."
"You got it, Bella. They'll be ready in two weeks," Harley assured.
I thanked her and turned my attention to Dad. "Can we tell them the location to Grimmauld? I want to come back; I don't to be away from you. But I can't be away from them, either. They're my family, too. Please Daddy, I know we can trust them here."
"Of course, Princess. I want you back here and you'll need their guidance while you adjust to your new life." Dad turned to Dumbledore. "Can you go with her back to Alaska and give them the location?"
"Of course. I met everyone but Edward already, and I'm sure they'll be fine here. I need to place the concealment charm on Edward, anyway. I'll do it when you return."
I'm sure that if I were with any other group of people my smile would be frightening. It was wide and toothy, showing off all my brand new vampire teeth. They weren't afraid, though. I could feel their happiness. They had thought they wouldn't see me for at least a year, but we were all going to be together again.
"Thank you, sir. You all have no idea what this means to me. I'm going to stay away for the two weeks it takes for the girls to brew the potion. It will give us time to test it. I'll take it, and see if three others want to try it with me. We won't hunt for the entire two weeks and see if our bloodlust returns. I want to make sure that everyone is safe here. People tend to end up bleeding a lot in the magical world." I smirked at them. It was true. A regular school nurse would have a stroke at the injuries that occur every day around a magical school.
They all chuckled and nodded. We could all handle two weeks apart. It's worlds away from the years we were preparing ourselves for.
I transfigured a container that would safely hold the potion during apparition. After saying my goodbyes Dumbledore and I spun on the spot and landed in Eleazar's living room. The vampires were frantic and on me in a second.
"Bella!" Edward looked so worried. I should have waited and explained what was happening, but I was too excited. He grabbed me quickly and embraced me tightly, like he was afraid I'd disappear again. "What was that? You just disappeared. Don't ever do that to me again."
I hugged him to me just as fiercely and tried to placate his worries. "I'm sorry, Edward. I didn't mean to make you worry. I was just so excited!"
"Excited about what?"
I spent the next half hour explaining to them how I started researching a way to remove the bloodlust of a vampire. Eleazar contributed by explaining his trials and how the potion worked temporarily, but was unable to make a permanent change. All of their faced lit up with understanding at that word. Change. It was all about the ability to change.
"That's why you left so suddenly. You realized your venom was the missing ingredient." Alice voiced everyone's thoughts.
I nodded in affirmation and asked Carlisle for an eyedropper. It seemed a lot more dignified than spitting into the vials. He returned with one and I allowed venom to pool in my mouth. I used the eyedropper to add a drop of venom to each of the four vials.
"Anyone want to join me in the trials?"
Jasper had a vial in his hands before I even finished the sentence. Eleazar and Edward ended up taking the other two. I held up my vial up to the others. "Cheers!" We clinked vials and downed the liquid in one swallow.
The relief was instantaneous. I didn't really feel overwhelmed by the thirst before taking the potion, but afterwards I realized that the burn was there the entire time. It just wasn't unbearable. After taking the potion the burn was completely gone. I didn't feel any need for blood. I knew that I would have to hunt to survive, and the thought of blood was still pleasing, but more like the way a chocolate cake is pleasing to a human.
I was lost in my musings about feeling the absence of the ever present thirst when I was lifted into Jasper's arms. He was laughing the most carefree laugh I'd ever heard. "Bella! I don't feel any thirst or bloodlust at all! I feel like a new person! So free. Free to be me. Thank you, Bella!"
He set me down and I looked into his happy eyes. We both gasped at the same time. "Your eyes!" We exclaimed simultaneously.
"Your eyes are blue!" I shouted excitedly.
"Your eyes are grey! They look just like they did when you were human!"
I turned to Edward. His eyes were the most brilliant shade of green. Almost like Harry's eyes. I didn't think he could get any more handsome, but here he was, proving me wrong.
I approached him and pulled his face to me. I kissed his lips while staring wonderingly into his eyes. "Your eyes are green. So beautiful."
He stroked my cheeks just under my eyes. "Your eyes. I never thought I'd see these piercing grey eyes again. I'm so glad I was wrong."
I looked to Eleazar and saw Carmen staring into his brown eyes. He glanced up and smiled brightly. "You're so brilliant, Bella."
"Well, really, it was a group effort. I couldn't have come up with it without my friends."
"That's nonsense and we both know it. You may have bounced ideas off of them, but you put in all the effort researching, and it was your brilliant mind that put the pieces together. Don't sell yourself short. This is your achievement."
I smiled shyly at him and buried my face into Edward's chest. I was brought out of my embarrassment by Dumbledore clearing his throat. I'd completely forgotten about him.
"Hello again, everyone. Bella asked me to come and reveal the secret of the location of her father's home. It is located at Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Now that you know the location, you will be able to see the house. Bella can help you get there, should you decide to come. Edward, you will need to come at least for a little while so that I can place the memory concealment charm over you."
Edward looked to me. "Bella? Are you leaving?"
I looked into his face. He was feeling vulnerable. How could he think I was leaving without him? "Yes, but I want you to come with me. I'd like for everyone to come, but I understand if you choose not to. Please understand that my father needs me, and I need him. We've been apart for so long, and we just found each other again. I don't want to be apart from anyone in my family. I also need to go back, because Voldemort…I assume Dumbledore explained about him?" At their affirmative nod and sour faces I continued. "Well, he just came back. He's very dangerous, and I can't leave my family there to fight without me. I need to protect them. To be there with them. I could be a huge asset. I'm a vampire who can still do magic. Please come with me, Edward."
He smiled and pulled me into his arms. "Of course, Bella. You just try and leave without me."
I chuckled into his chest and turned my face to address the others. "Anyone else want to come?"
They were all smiling and nodding their heads. Even Rosalie and everyone in Eleazar's coven seemed excited to join in this adventure. Alice and Emmett were literally jumping up and down. "When do we leave? I can't get any visions through all this interference!"
I laughed at my sister's exuberance. "Two weeks. The girls will be finished brewing the potion, so everyone else can have a dose. I also want for the four of us who've taken it to refrain from hunting during the next two weeks. It will allow us to ensure the potion really worked."
Carlisle spoke for the rest of the Cullens. "Excellent idea, Bella. So that means we have two weeks to get our affairs in order?"
"Yep. Two weeks."
A/N:
Big thanks go to my reviewers! I love you guys!
Lara, bloody alanna, carj89, AFlawInCourage, vivx-chan, RiTuXa, Angel JJK, Sweetie7Smiled, haileydelacour101, Termia, DreamerHorse, and Dreamsb223
You guys keep me motivated! I've kind of reached the point in the story where all my original ideas have run their course. I am just going to kind of allow the rest of the story to go where my muse takes me.
I'm actually toying with the idea of having Sirius fall in love with one of the Denali women. No one seemed to care for having Leah imprint, so I'm just going to leave her out of the pack. She's not my favorite, anyway. I thought one of the sisters might be good for Sirius, though. He could use some lovin stuck in that house all the time. Let me know what you think!
Now, I know that other stories have the vampires' eyes reverting back to their human color, most notably in The Wisdom Seeker, which IMHO is one of the best stories. EVER. If you haven't read it and it's predecessor, The Secret Keeper, what is wrong with you? Go read them. Now. A.E. Giggle is the author.
Anyways, I was always planning for Bella to create a potion that would cure the bloodlust, but I added the eye color thing at the last minute. I felt like Bella's eyes were one thing that always made Bella feel connected to Sirius in all those years they were apart. I wanted her to be able to keep that.
Welp, that's chapter Fifteen done and dusted. I hope you guys liked it! Let me know what you think!