BELLA'S POV

As we ran, Jasper lead the way holding Alice tightly by the hand. I would've turned back to face the wizards alone but Rosalie stayed behind me right on my tail. I think she could since what I was feeling. I knew that there was no way I would let anyone hurt family.

Jacob and Renesme were not answering their phones. I hated when they did this. They knew that Alice could not see their futures since Jacob nullified her abilities. Often times they would run off on a whim without letting anyone know where they were going. We spoke yesterday and they were in San Francisco but had said they'd be coming home today or tomorrow. I really needed to reach them and tell them to stay away.

Jasper slowed down, declaring that we were a safe distance away. Esme looked the most winded. I had been so focused on my daughter that I didn't even realize that she had fallen behind.

"How's is everyone doing?" Jasper asked, looking at Esme.

"I'm fine." She declared.

"Me too." I said when his stare turned to me.

"This is all my fault." Alice still felt responsible.

"Shut it Alice." Rosalie ordered. "I'm tired of hearing your pity party."

"It won't do to begin attacking each other." Esme insisted. "Bella, try to call them again."

"Okay." I did what she said but still there was no answer. "Nothing."

"Damn Jacob and his mutt-blood." Alice said.

"Esme try to reach Carlisle, make sure they got away okay." Jasper suggested.

"Okay." Esme took my phone and dialed Carlisle. It still amazed me that after all this time she had never got her own cell phone.

"Carlisle, yes yes, we're all okay. How about the boys?" Her face sank, I knew that something had went wrong. "Okay. Hold on."

Esme walked over to Jasper and handed him the phone. She never took her eyes off of me. She looked like she could cry.

"What? What?" I demanded.

"Oh Bella, I'm so sorry."

I knew that it was Edward even before she said it.

"Edward never made it. They don't know what happened." Esme said reaching to hug me.

"He's at the house" Alice said springing to her feet "with them!"

SNAPE'S POV

They should've just sent Luna. For all of Potter's unbelievable luck and marginally impressive skill he sure could jumble things up. In fairness, it was truly Hagrids rather dim intellect that had messed this situation up. Dumbledore was taking a considerable risk sending the students to American to bring back some ridiculous "veggie-vampires", all to save Ron Weasley. If the Ministry of Magic discovered this unsanctioned excursion, someone would surely be shipped off to Azkaban. I would've let theWeasley boy pass. There are too many of those red mop-tops around anyways. His only redeeming quality is that happened to luck into friendships with both Harry Potter, the boy who lived, and Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of their generation.

"Severus I am used to seeing your usual grimace splashed across your face but tonight it is much more pronounced. Does it trouble you that I've sent some of our students on this errand?" Dumbledore asked while feeding Faux the Phoenix.

"With death-eaters running to and fro, He who must not be named on the move and a rogue half-blooded vampire on the loose in the castle, I would not have sent them. You do realize that if word was to escape these walls that this field trip had occurred that the Dementors would be coming to collect you for your trip to Azkaban prison."

"I do realize the consequences of my actions, so I think that I will not go about blabbing the details of this field trip to the rest of the wizarding world. And I would appreciate you do the same." Dumbledore jested.

"You do realize that we have a Malfoy if these very castle walls. As much of an unbearable brat that he is, he is not without eyeballs. He will notice." I warned him.

"As you are the Slytherin Mentor, I leave it up to you to keep him busy enough that he does not notice that anyone is missing. I don't see this taking very long. In fact they may be back as early as tonight if all goes well." Dumbledore suggested.

"Not with that oaf Hagrid leading."

"Ah, Severus as with you, I trust Hagrid with all my faith and he has never failed or betrayed me."

I knew that was in reference to my joining the ranks of Voldermort's army in the previous war. Dumbledore had forgiven me long ago, but would never forget.

DRACO'S POV

"Ron Weasley is getting all this attention because he got one little vampire bite. Ridiculous! Had he not been such an imbecile and had a wand that wasn't broken, maybe he could defend himself." Draco spat.

Crab and Goyle chuckled.

"Goyle, remind me never to be poor!" Draco continued. "And what about Potter? Where was he during all of this?"

"I dunno." Crab stammered.

"I bet he has off making out with the loon Luna Lovegood." Goyle said.

"Now that I think about it, it doesn't make since. Where were Potter and that rats-nest-headed Granger?" Draco pondered.

Crab and Goyle remained silent.

"Well I intend to find out!" Draco declared. "Come on boys, we're going to do some recon. Potter's not the only one who can be sneaky."