Previously:

I took a deep unneeded breath and stepped into the fireplace with my fist full of floo powder. I smiled at my family before dropping the powder into the fire. "Number 12 Grimmauld Place."

Chapter Seventeen:

I stepped out of the fireplace in the kitchen to find Dad, Remy and The Skirts playing cards. Dad smiled and started toward me when he saw who'd arrived. I quickly made my way to him before Edward came shooting out of the floo. The process continued 11 more times. I chuckled. It reminded me of one of those clown cars you see at the circus. The thing looks small, but then a dozen clowns end up pouring out.

Once everyone was out I waved my hand with a Scourgify. The spell cleaned everyone up, ridding our clothes and faces from the soot of floo travel. My family's reaction was a bit comical. Thirteen vampires in one room is quite a sight.

I grabbed my dad's hand and led him over to Edward. "Daddy, this is my boyfriend, Edward. Please be nice. Edward, this is my dad, Sirius Black."

Edward held out his hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Bella has told me so much about you."

Daddy eyed his hand disdainfully. "Did she now? You know, she didn't really tell me much about you. The Skirts did, though. They told me all about how you abandoned my little girl. Told her she wasn't good enough for you. Told her you were only pretending to love her. Tell me, Edward, are you pretending now? Are you really pleased to meet me, or are you going to come back in a few months and tell me it was all just a lie?"

Oh man. The look on Edward's face is priceless. My dad is totally messing with him. I can feel the mirth oozing out of him. He's really enjoying this. I looked to Jasper and we made eye contact. His lips twitched, but he was otherwise stoic. Edward still looks like he's going to shit himself. How is Jasper blocking the fact that Daddy is just screwing with him? I entered his thoughts and heard him reciting Civil War facts. Sneaky vampire.

Edward started mumbling unintelligibly. "I, well…um, you know. I mean what I am saying now, sir. I just…tried… you know…to do what was right for her. Bella, I mean. You know, I was trying to do what was right by Bella. I, uh…well, I made mistakes, but it was then that I was lying. When I said those things. That was the lie. Not now."

I was really having a difficult time not breaking down into a fit of giggles. I won't be able to hold out much longer. I know Daddy will be upset if I spoil his fun, though. I figure this moment will make it up to Jake that I didn't make Edward beg for forgiveness.

My dad started stuttering, mimicking the difficulties Edward was having forming complete sentences. "Really, well, uh…what is the, you know…the truth then?"

Edward's emotion changed instantly. He went from unsure and a bit terrified to confident and self assured in an instant. "I love your daughter, sir. More than anything in this whole world. I would do anything for her. I'd die for her. I only left because I thought I was endangering her life. I was willing to rip my own heart out so that she could live a full and happy life. Leaving her was the hardest thing I've ever done, sir." He turned his attention away from my dad and looked down into my eyes. "I now see that it was a mistake. I never thought this perfect creature could love me with the same all encompassing intensity that I love her. I thought I was only sentencing myself to eternal darkness. I never would have left if I knew I was condemning her to the same fate. I'm sorry, Bella. So so sorry."

My chin started to tremble as I took in his words. The intensity in his eyes nearly brought me to my knees, and I could feel the venom building up in my eyes. I would be swimming in tears right now if I were still human. I did the only other thing I could do in that moment. I launched myself at him. My legs wrapped around his waist and my arms around his neck while my face burrowed into the crook of his neck. His arms wrapped around my middle and squeezed my tightly. "Oh Edward! I love you so so much."

We stayed that way for a minute or two, just holding each other, before my dad cleared his throat. "Alright, alright. I was just messing with you anyways. You can put my daughter down now."

I let out a shaky laugh and dropped my feet to the ground. When I lifted my gaze to meet Edward's he narrowed his eyes playfully. "You knew he was just having fun with me, didn't you?"

I teasingly impersonated his stuttering. "Erm…well, you know…maybe?"

Everyone laughed, but Emmett's booming chuckles could be heard over everyone. "Your dad is awesome, Bells!"

I shook my head and turned my attention back to the others. "Alrighty, introductions. Humans, this is Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and her familiar Callie, Jasper, Carlisle, Esme and her familiar Nani, Kate, Irina, Tanya, Carmen and Eleazar." My girls smiled brightly at Eleazar and waved. They've known him as long as I have, but they were never as close. I noticed that Dad was eying Kate funnily. Interesting. "Vampires, this is Sirius, Remus, Nicole, Sammie and Harley." The vampires were clearly nervous. I didn't need to feel their emotions to know they were afraid my family would reject them. I would address it later. I want Harry to meet them first.

"Where is everyone else? I expected to see more people here. Harry in particular. I want to introduce him."

Dad looked upset. "You've hit a bit of a sore spot, Bella. I'm Harry's godfather, and now that I've been cleared of all charges I should be able to take full guardianship over him. But Dumbledore insisted he go back to the Dursley's for the summer. Said because of some blood wards it would be the safest place for him. There's no arguing with him about it. He's the leader of the Order of the Phoenix. I have to listen to him."

"Bullshit. He's the leader of the resistance against Voldemort, not the ruler of all our lives. Do you want Harry here, Daddy?"

"Of course I do." He snapped, offended.

"Well I'm going to go get him, then! I'll be damned if I dragged that rat back with us for nothing. You are free, Daddy. You get to make your own decisions now. Don't let anyone take that from you. Not even Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

I grabbed a mug and allowed a mouthful of venom pool before spitting it in the cup. I handed it to Harley. "Can you add a drop in each dose and give it to the nine who haven't taken it?"

"Of course. But Bella, what about your eyes? They're not red anymore. They're back to your original color. Edward, Jasper and Eleazar's are a human shade, too. Did the potion do that?" I could feel her excitement at the prospect.

I smiled at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, it's quite a pleasant side effect, don't you think?"

"Yeah. It makes it easier to see my sister inside this new and improved shell."

Urg, she just had to get me all emotional again. I hugged her to me gently. I didn't need to listen to her thoughts to understand what she was doing. She could see that the vampires were afraid they'd be rejected. She was letting them know that she didn't care about their vampirism. The venom just creates a different shell. It doesn't change what's inside. I could feel the vampires relax at her statement. They understood her message, too. "Thanks, Harley."

I pulled away from her and turned back to the group. I cast the glamour over myself so that I wouldn't sparkle if the sun was out. "Nic, you want to come with me?"

She nodded her head enthusiastically. We might have to have words with the Dursley's and I know she's had some things she'd like to say to them.

Edward grabbed my hand on the way to the fireplace. "Bella, do you want me to come with you?"

I smiled weakly at him. "No, Edward. I'm not sure how Harry will respond to an unknown vampire. I want to get him back here with as little fuss as possible. Thank you for offering, though. I love you."

He pecked my lips. "I love you, too baby. Please be careful."

"I will, I promise."

I turned around to find my father standing directly behind me. How the hell did he sneak up on me like that? He hugged me tightly. "I'm so proud of you, Bella. You're absolutely right. I should have demanded that Harry be allowed to stay here. Dumbledore said he had his reasons for sending him back, but that's not good enough. Do you want me to come with you?"

Honestly. This isn't a dangerous mission. What is wrong with these men? "No Daddy. I don't need you sent back to Azkaban for murdering Harry's Aunt and Uncle. They're likely to do something that will make you want to."

He barked a laugh and nodded. "You're probably right, princess."

Nic and I finally made it to the fireplace. I stepped in first, as I didn't know what we'd find on the other side. "Number 4 Privet Drive."

I stepped into the living room of an average cookie cutter type house. I quickly moved out of the way to make room for Nicole. When she stepped out a giant man turning an alarming shade of purple started sputtering at us. "What in the bloody hell are you doing? Get out of my house!"

Nicole was already peeved, but she managed to be cordial. Barely. "Gladly. We'll just go fetch Harry and be on our way."

"The boy is not here. Ruddy menace was lying outside the window in the hydrangea bed while we were trying to watch the news. We caught the little freak and he ran off. Why don't you do the same?"

I grabbed Nic's arm before she could reach for her wand and led her out of the house. "Forget them, Nic. He's never coming back here. Let's just find Harry. I can follow his scent."

Nic disappeared around the house for a second before returning with a bike. "Transfigured it out of one of their precious hydrangea bushes. I figure you can make sure you don't run too fast by keeping my pace."

"Aye Aye, Capt'n!" I gave her a mock salute and we were off. "I forgot how bizarre transcontinental travelling can be. It was just 9:00 am when we left Forks an hour ago. Now it's almost six at night."

"Yeah, it's even darker because it's about to storm. We need to find him quick."

I was now close enough to Harry to smell him instead of his trail. I pointed to a tunnel about two hundred yards away. "I think he's in that tunnel with another human."

We started making our way over when I suddenly felt freezing. A cold dread filled my soul and my mind started reliving all my worst memories.

Four years old, men attacking my nanny. I tried to help her. Tried to protect her. I failed. They killed her. They took me. "You'll never see your daddy again, little girl." Edward walking away. Never seeing him again, either. "It will be like I never existed." Daddy. Sitting in a cell by himself. His soul tortured by those horrible Dementors.

Wait. Dementors. Shit! I shook my head trying to clear it of the painful thoughts. I turned to Nic to see her drowning in her own sorrows. I reacted instinctively and threw my magic into my Occlumency shield, trying to block out the effect of the Dementors. It worked. I felt at peace again. I expanded the shield to include Nicole. She shook her head and looked to me in horror. "What the hell? Dementors! We have to get to Harry!"

The bike forgotten, Nic transformed into a lion and started running. After a quick scan to make sure no one was watching us, I followed her lead and made it to the tunnel in a few seconds. I arrived just in time to see a Patronus stag chasing the demons away. I quickly changed back and ran to Harry. "Harry! Are you alright?"

"Bella? What were those things doing here?"

I hugged him to me as tightly as I could without hurting him. "Merlin, Harry! I don't know why they were here. I'm just so glad you're okay!"

"What are you doing here?" He looked over to see Nicole levitating a chubby teenager over to our side of the tunnel. "Nicole? What? Why are you guys here?"

"I arrived back to Grimmauld Place an hour ago to find you gone. Dad told me Dumbledore wouldn't let you stay at Grimmauld over the summer. It's bullshit, Harry. Dad has guardianship of you. It's his decision, not Dumbledore's. Dad has been so used to having no choice in his own life, he allowed Dumbledore to have his way. Well not me. You're coming back with us, where you belong."

Harry hugged me fiercely. I could feel his overwhelming gratitude. "Thank you, Bella."

"You don't need to thank me, Harry. We're family. We stick together."

The smile that took over his face was almost blindingly brilliant. He was feeling accepted. Like he'd finally found a true family. The type of family he should have had all along, where you know you have someone on your side no matter what. "You can always count on me and Sirius, Harry. We're your family."

I could feel his emotions overwhelming him, so I decided to divert his attention to the situation at hand. "Alright. I'll take your cousin back to the Dursley's, and Nicole will apparate you back to Grimmauld."

"What if the Dementors come back? Or Voldemort? You shouldn't be on your own."

"I'm just going to apparate him back, Harry. I don't want you to see your Aunt and Uncle again. They're not going to respond well to the state of your cousin, and I won't have you suffering any more of their abuse. I'll pack your things and bring them back with me."

"Are you sure? I could go with you."

Oh for the love of Merlin why does every man in my life think I can't do anything on my own? "Nonsense, go with Nicole. I'll be along shortly."

"But –"

"No buts." I turned to Nic, who nodded. She wrapped an arm around Harry, who still looked ready to argue, and apparated them away.

I turned to the lug of a boy on the ground. He was having a seriously hard time, not that I fault him. He's just been attacked by a Dementor. If he hadn't bullied Harry his whole life I might even feel sorry for him.

"Alright Dudders." Lifting him into my arms, I spun on the spot and we disappeared with a pop. We landed in the living room of Number 4 Privet Drive, at which point all hell proceeded to break loose.

"Dudley! What have you done to him?" Poor Vernon. I'm not sure his heart can take all this excitement.

"Relax. He's fine. He just needs some chocolate. I'm sure you've got some around here." I set Dudley on the couch where Petunia immediately started fussing over the blubbering boy. I then turned around and started making my way to the stairs.

I felt a warm hand unsuccessfully try to spin me around. How cute. The human tried to physically stop the vampire. So precious. I decided to give him my attention anyway. "Yes?"

"Where in the bloody hell do you think you're going? I want answers! What happened to my son?" The man was screaming in my face. Where is his sense of self preservation? He better be glad I'm such a well behaved vampire.

"I'm going up to gather Harry's things. He won't be staying with you anymore. You never have to see him again; you should be happy. As for your precious Dudders, he and Harry were attacked by Dementors. They are dark magical creatures that suck out your soul. Your 'ruddy menace' of a nephew saved his life, not that you would ever thank him. But seriously, you need to give Dudley some chocolate. It's really the only thing that will help him right now. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pack up Harry's things."

"No! I will not just excuse you!" Le sigh. This is so tedious. "You barge into my house, bring back my son in a clearly disturbed state and then expect me to let you have free reign in my home? I want you out of my house! Now!" He pulled a gun out of his cabinet and pointed it at me.

I laughed. Out loud. In his face. He didn't appreciate it. "Mr. Dursley, there's not one thing you can do to stop me, least of all shoot me with that gun. I think you'll find me rather bullet proof." I spun on my heel and made my way up the stairs leaving a sputtering Vernon Dursley in my wake.

Arriving in Harry's room, I immediately opened his trunk and set a spell to pack his things. While the magic was doing its thing I tried to decide what to do about the Dursley home. I felt the blood wards break when I was downstairs. They must only be active if the house is still considered Harry's primary residence. That's probably why Dumbledore wanted him to come back. Oh, I would definitely be having words with the Headmaster.

As much as I dislike the Dursley's, I can't leave them as sitting ducks. I placed the same wards around the Dursley's house that I placed on the wolves' back home. If a wizard tried to break through, I'd be alerted. This will protect the house in the same manner as the blood wards did. I'm not sure why Dumbledore thought this was so safe, though. Harry's only safe inside the house, and these people make him want to spend as much time outside as possible. Oh yes, Dumbledore and I were going to have a little chat.

With the wards set, I shrunk Harry's trunk and stored it in my pocket. I then freed Hedwig and told her to head to Grimmauld Place before shrinking her cage and placing it in my other pocket. I should really leave. I shouldn't go back downstairs. It would be a bad idea. I really want to see this cupboard they housed Harry in for ten years, though. It's like some morbid need to see it with my own two eyes. Screw it, I'm doing it.

I quietly made my way down stairs. I could hear the Dursley's in the living room fussing over Dudley and what a horrible monster I am. Ha! I wonder what they'd think if they knew they had a vampire in their house.

When I reached the ground floor I tip toed toward the door under the stairs. It had a lock. On the outside. They would lock him in there. I involuntarily released a growl and opened the door. There was a cot and a book shelf inside. Nothing else. Harry slept on a cot for ten years. He didn't even have a proper bed. I felt my grasp on my emotions begin to slip. I could not kill these people. I really want to, though. I need to get out.

I slammed the door shut and immediately spun on the spot. I wasn't sure I'd be able to control myself if I had to face that horrible man again.

I landed on the steps of Number Twelve and took what was supposed to be a calming breath. It didn't really help very much. That woman is Harry's Aunt. She's his family and she treated him like a burden. Nothing but an unwanted obligation. Oh, Harry.

I love Charlie and Renee. I always have, and I've always been grateful to them for bringing me into their family. But there are times like this that show me just how lucky I really was. Here these two people who had no responsibility to me, no reason to give me a second thought, brought me into their home. Into their family. They never treated me as a burden. I was a perfect stranger, but they gave me their love from the moment they arrived in my room at the orphanage that day. When they found out I was a witch, they didn't try to send me back to Doc's. They embraced my oddity. Rejoiced in it. They never made me feel like some kind of freak for being able to use magic. When Charlie found out I was the daughter of alleged murderer Sirius Black, he didn't turn his back on me. It didn't even take more than a few minutes for me to convince him that my dad was innocent. The loved me. Always.

Petunia had her sister's son in her house and treated him like a servant. Made him sleep in a closet. Made him serve her family. Made him feel like he had no one in the world. The Dursley's weren't surprised to find out Harry was a wizard. They had ten years to come to terms with the knowledge. But they didn't embrace his abilities. No, they shunned him even further. Tried to keep him out of Hogwarts. Harry didn't receive an ounce of love from the time Jamie and Lily were killed until he made friends at Hogwarts.

I collapsed on the stairs of Number 12 feeling a deep sorrow take over my soul. While I was off creating mischief and enjoying my childhood knowing that I was loved, my brother was stuck with horrible muggles who made him feel like he was alone in the world. I was feeling cherished while he was feeling like some unwanted burden. I should have let Nicole hex them.

I was interrupted from my morose thoughts by Dad, Harry and Edward joining me on the steps of the house. If I wasn't so upset I'd probably giggle at their worried expressions. My father, brother and soul mate. I could see the love and worry in their eyes, and it just made me feel worse. "What's wrong, princess? Jasper said he could feel your sadness."

I turned my gaze to Harry. "I'm so sorry you had to grow up with them, Harry. So so sorry."

He looked surprised that he was the reason I was so upset. He sat down next to me and laid his arm across my shoulders. "Hey, don't worry about it. I never have to go back, right? Besides I learned how to make a mean breakfast. If you weren't a vampire I'd make you some eggs and bacon that would knock your socks off."

That set me off. I pulled him into an embrace and started dry sobbing into his neck. I could feel his panic. He didn't know what to do, or what he said to bring me to this level of sadness. "You're not a house elf, Harry! You're my brother. You know that, right?" I pulled away from him so that I could look into his eyes. He was looking bewildered, and I could feel uncertainty and confusion radiating through him.

"Harry, I don't care about blood relations and all that crap. You're my brother. My family. I love you so so much. I'm so proud to be your sister. Those people. They're horrible. They're not your family, Harry. We are. We're your family." Dad had sat down on the other side of Harry, and was nodding his head in agreement.

"I'm sorry that I didn't insist that you stay here, Harry. Albus insisted that you would be safest with your Aunt and Uncle. Your safety means everything to me, Harry, but you'll be safer here. I see that now. This house is under the Fidelius charm, and you'll have thirteen vampires looking out for you. I'd say there's no safer place in the world." Daddy smiled at me, and the three of us shared a group hug.

"It's okay, Sirius. I know you were just trying to do the right thing. Professor Dumbledore can be quite persuasive."

We pulled ourselves off the steps and followed Edward back into the house. "Harry, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Edward. Edward, this is my brother, Harry."

"Nice to meet you, Harry. Bella's told us all about you." Edward held out his hand for Harry, who eyed it for a second before shaking it.

"It's nice to meet you too, mate, but if you ever hurt my sister again you'll regret it. I don't care if you are a vampire, I'll figure out a way to make you hurt."

"I won't do anything to hurt her again, I promise."

Aw, my poor Edward. He's taking a bit of a beating. After dropping Harry's hand, I slid my body under Edward's arm and hugged him tightly, sending him all my love and adoration. He smiled down at me. "It's okay, love. I'm glad that you have people in your life that are willing to stand up to a vampire in order to protect you. They love you; it's their job to threaten my life."

I chuckled as we made our way back to the kitchen. Everyone was already there, and the nine recently dosed vampires were beaming at me. Even though I knew they'd have their human eye color back, it was still quite a shocking sight. It's amazing how such a small change can make them look infinitely more human. Maybe it's not just the eye color change, but their whole demeanor. They don't have to be so focused on controlling their bloodlust anymore. They can just relax and be themselves. I beamed back at them, happy to have facilitated such a positive change in their lives.

We all sat around the table and my families started getting to know one another, merging into one giant family right before my eyes. The Skirts regaled everyone with tales of our school years, revealing things that I would have preferred to stay between the four of us. The vampires told amazing stories of things they've seen and done throughout their many years of existence.

I noticed that Kate and Daddy were sitting next to each other having their own private conversation. I looked to Jasper and he moved his attention to me when he felt my eyes on him. I glanced toward Kate and Daddy with a raised eyebrow. He looked over to them and grinned. I glanced into his thoughts when he returned his gaze back to me.

They're mates.

I nodded my head infinitesimally, and Edward's attention flew to Jasper. Jasper mentally told Edward he was referring to my dad and Kate, and Edward turned his attention to the couple. A goofy grin overtook his features and he looked down at me. I returned the smile, letting him know I was happy for them. Merlin knows my father can use as much happiness in his life as he can get. He's got 12 years in Azkaban to make up for. The fact that he'll be the most important thing in the world to a vampire doesn't hurt, either. Kate will protect him with her life, and love him unconditionally. I couldn't ask for much more in my father's mate.

The room was buoyed by the happiness that was leaking from me and Jasper. The group started to get louder and more exuberant when I heard it.

"Blood Traitors! Shame of my flesh! Inviting filthy Mudbloods and Blood Traitors into the house of my fathers! Disgrace!"

The vampires leapt to their feet ready for action. I just laughed, as did the humans. Oh, Grandma. So predictable.

"Edward, would you like to come meet your future granny-in-law?"

He looked at me curiously with his head cocked to the side. "The woman screaming is your grandmother?"

"Yep," I said, popping the 'p'. "She's a real gem."

I led Edward up the stairs while my dad led everyone else around the other side. He was going to use the side entrance to the library so they could watch without Walburga seeing them.

When we made it in front of the portrait, Grandma's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "What? Oh the shame! You have brought even more disgrace to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black! You have changed into a filthy half-breed and mated with another piece of filth!"

I smiled brightly at my insane ancestor. Edward looked murderous. You can't kill her, babe, she's already dead. I sent a wave of mirth to Edward, letting him know I wasn't bothered by her antics.

"Hey Gran! I see that you've noticed the change in me. It turns out your friend, Tom Riddle, was using a vampire to help him try and kill my brother, Harry. The vampire in question joined him because he promised to give her revenge on me. Don't worry, though, Grammy, I got away. She got a bite in, sure, but I turned her to dust!"

"Shame! You are a disgrace to your ancestry! A humiliation to my fathers!"

I changed my features to an expression that someone would have after an amazingly tender compliment, bringing my hand to my heart. "Thank you Grandma. That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me."

I reached out and hugged her portrait while she sputtered incoherently. "So, Gran, I want to introduce you to my boyfriend, Edward. He's a Gemini with multiple degrees in medicine and science. He's 94 years old, and able to provide me with a stable home. He plays the piano like a dream and loves long walks in the woods. His favorite food is mountain lion, but will settle for a nice herd of deer."

I looked to her hateful countenance with mock regret. "Now, he's not a blood relative. I know you would probably prefer for me to be with a cousin, but I love him, Grandma. Please try and be happy for me." I held her gaze with mock hope in my eyes.

She glared at me with undisguised loathing. "You bring degradation to the name of Black! You are a disgrace! An embarrassment! You shame me to my very core! You do not deserve to live, you vermin! Tom should have killed you!"

Her words didn't bother me, but they ignited a flame in both Edward and my father. Daddy came flying out of the library at the same moment Edward rammed into the portrait. The frame didn't dislodge from the wall, but a hole was torn in the wall around the area that held the portrait. It was like in the cartoons when one of the characters runs through a wall. It leaves a hole in the exact shape of the character.

This is what happened to the portrait. The wall is stable behind the frame because of the permanent sticking charm. The surrounding wall, however, not so much. A Walburga portrait sized hole was left in the wall, and Edward was on the ground atop old Granny's angry face.

My dad stood staring at the now dislodged wall/portrait, speechless. He'd been trying to get the hag off the wall since he moved in. He never thought to remove the entire wall. Edward quickly righted himself, nervously watching my father's reaction. "I'm so sorry, Sirius! I didn't mean to destroy your wall; she just made me so angry. I'll fix it, I swear!"

Daddy looked back to Edward and laughed. It was loud and carefree, his eyes dancing merrily. He approached Edward and threw his arm around him. "My dear boy, I have been trying to get my shrew of a mother out of this house for the last seven months! If I would have thought to remove the whole wall I would have done it ages ago! Welcome to the family, Edward! I can't keep giving you a hard time after the favor you just did me!"

Edward smiled back nervously, still feeling a bit uneasy about taking out a wall in my father's house. "Edward, don't worry. My dad is seriously happy that he'll now be able to get rid of her portrait. Every time we make too much noise in the house she throws her curtains off and starts ranting. It will be much easier for everyone to live here without her presence. Trust me."

Edward was smiling more confidently when my father started levitating the portrait out to the back yard. Walburga wasn't screaming so spitefully now. I think she realized her time was coming to an end.

Daddy created a fire pit in the center of the small yard and placed the portrait inside. He then proceeded cast an Incendio, but the portrait would not catch fire. Harry, Remy, The Skirts and I formed a circle around the portrait and cast the charm at the same time. The frame still refused to light up. There was some sort of flame resistant charm placed on the stupid thing.

Dad sighed resignedly. "I guess I can just send her to the family vault. I'd really rather her be destroyed, though. The shrew wished my child dead."

I could feel the anger rolling off everyone in the yard. They all wanted her destroyed. "Alright, everyone, back up."

They all looked to me curiously, except my girls. They knew what I was up to and they smirked at me. "You're such a show off, Bella."

"What can I say, Sammie? Everyone wants to see the hold hag turn to dust. I can make that happen. Now, everyone back up. Like way back."

The continued eyeing me curiously as they lined up along the wall of the house. "Good, now stay back. No one is to approach me or break my concentration until the fire is gone, understood?"

Daddy realized what I was going to do and tried to stop me. "Bella, wait! It's not that important. You don't want to risk this."

"I got this, Daddy. If I could control it while I was burning alive, I can control it now. Just stay back."

I conjured the Fiendfyre before he could argue further, and a fiery dragon erupted from my hands. The dragon looked to me for its instructions, and I guided him to the portrait. Walburga's eyes grew wider than I'd ever seen them, and she began to scream bloody murder. The dragon quickly descended upon her and she was turned to ash in mere seconds. The dragon then turned its attention back to me. It was so easy to control the fiend, now. Almost effortless. I sent my magic into the beast and banished him easily.

When I turned back to my family I was met with nineteen astounded faces. The only one who'd seen me conjure the cursed fire was Harry, but there'd been a lot going on last time. It also seemed that there was a world of difference in knowing I could control it and seeing it firsthand.

I smiled smugly at their astonished faces and bowed. "Ta da!"

This loosened the group from their shocked stupor and I was quickly inundated with hugs and high fives. "That was so clutch, Bella! Total win!" I laughed at everyone's enthusiasm and we all filed back inside. It was getting late, and the sleepers needed to get some rest.

The vampires gathered in the library after we said our goodnights. Kate spoke first. "Bella, Sirius gave us a tour of the house when you were gone to retrieve Harry. Your elf, Kreacher, hasn't kept the place up, and your father was telling us he'd eventually like to renovate the whole house. We thought we could do that, you know, as a thank you for accepting all of into your family so easily. You don't understand what it's like, because you've only been a vampire for a few weeks, and everyone in your life already knew of our existence. For us, though, it's been decades and centuries of hiding away. Of being on the outside of the world, looking in. Your family is giving us the opportunity to come inside. To be included in a world where we truly belong. Renovating the house is the lease we can do. We can even do most of the work while they sleep. You can place a silencing charm around the room we're working on, so we don't disturb their rest. What do you think?"

I smiled brightly in response. I can feel that she has a deep desire for my acceptance now that she realizes my father is her mate. I decided to put the issue out there so that we're all on the same page.

"I know my father is your mate, Kate." She looked down nervously, so I just smiled and sent a wave of acceptance and joy her way. Her head shot up quickly with a brilliant smile. "I'm happy for you both, Kate. I know that you're a good person, and that my father couldn't possibly be loved by a human with the same unwavering devotion as he will with you. I'm glad he's found his other half. I'm not sure I could ever look at you as a mother figure, but we are still family."

She had me pulled into her embrace in the next second. "Thank you, Bella! I'm so relieved that you're okay with everything. Sirius loves you more than anything. He'd never pursue a relationship with me if you were against it."

"I wouldn't do that to either of you, Kate. I understand the bond that you share with him. It's unbreakable. You're destined to be together. I'm so very happy for the both of you. Truly."

With the air cleared about the new relationship, we began planning the renovation of the house. Esme and Carmen already had a ton of ideas. They'd blown through all the books they purchased on magical architecture and interior design. They pulled out a book and started drawing sketches of each room. They were going to present the ideas to my father in the morning and get his input on how he'd like the house to look.

I sat back and watched the twelve vampires discuss the best ways to turn this old creepy mansion into a home that my whole family can feel comfortable in, and felt a deep contentment seep into my bones. Sure, we still had trials in our future. The first will undoubtedly come when Dumbledore realizes Harry's been removed from the Dursley's. We'll handle it though. Together. After all, that's what families do.

A/N:

Hello my pretties! As always, I'd like to start out with thanking my reviewers who bring a smile to my face and a pep to my step!

Lara, bloody alana, GenoBeast, lunarwing, Sweetie7Smiled, AFlawInCourage. Carj89, Dreamsb223, haileydelacour101, Silver Moonlight-81, Dreamer Horse, Angel JJK, vivx-chan, ., and Amerilia Lily Lotus!

Special shout out to Dreamer Horse. I wasn't planning to include Mrs. Black's portrait anymore, but you inspired me to use her again in the story! I'd like to dedicate her destruction to you! :)

Now, this chapter was kind of a transition chapter to get the two groups merged into one. Bella has always placed the utmost importance on familial bonds, so I felt it was necessary to the story. She needs her family to be together, and to accept each other. You also see that Sirius and Kate are mates. She got the most votes, so I went with her. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

The next chapter will take us over the summer before Harry's fifth year. We'll see Dumbledore's reaction to Harry's presence at Grimmauld and the disintegration of the Dursley's blood wards. I'm also thinking of throwing in a bit of Sirius POV so we can see what's going through his head. Let me know what you think!

Now, I am going to give you guys a rec. I don't typically do this, but I am reading a story right now that totally rocks my socks. As you can tell by my name, I am a total Tom Riddle fangirl. My favorite ship is Hermione/Tom Riddle/Voldemort. I don't like the Voldemort/Tom Riddle from the original books/movies, as they really only focus on how awful he is. There are some really talented fanfiction authors who focus on this ship, though. Their stories are incredibly original, creative and exciting. I have a ton I could rec for you, but I'm sticking with this one first. It will allow you to kind of get your feet wet in this ship. It's got smut and a bit of violence, so this rec goes out to those old enough to read Mature content.

The story is called Tertius Vita by Shan84. In the story, everyone thinks Voldemort dies when the killing curse rebounds, but he doesn't. His body is being held by the ministry after the battle when a young Tom Riddle emerges from the case they put him in. Kingsley decides to obliviate him and place false memories of a muggle life in his mind. He then releases him to live his life in the muggle world with certain precautions placed over him to make sure he doesn't revert. He ends up meeting Hermione at muggle University, and they start dating. There was a specific part in the last chapter that I thought was brilliantly funny, and I wanted to share it will my lovely readers.

Tom and Hermione are in a park when they notice a garden snake. The snake starts talking to Tom, who internally freaks out a bit, which is funny on its own, really. Hermione removes the snake from the crowded area of the park so it's not hurt. She places a calming spell in it so that the snake doesn't freak out. It strikes Tom as odd that she handled the snake so well, and he asks her about it. This is her explanation:

Tom looked down at her, the way she looked at him; it almost felt as though she knew something he didn't. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he chose his next words carefully. "The snake… How did you know how to handle it?"

Hermione briefly averted her eyes and Tom took the chance to move down onto the couch and sit beside her. "Oh. That. Well, I'd seen something on a wild life program before…" Lie. "Showing how to pick them up." Lie. "And my school once took us to a wildlife park when I was about 12 or 13," Lie. "Oh, you should have seen me when I first saw one… it absolutely petrified me." She continued, letting out a nervous laugh at the end of her story.

The way she brought in the fact that Hermione had been petrified by the basilisk made me LOL. Love it. Anyway, it's a really great story, and I don't think you'll be disappointed if you check it out. If you decide you like the pairing, PM me and I'll give you some more recs.

Thanks friends!