I apparated to the Cullens house early Saturday morning. We would be travelling to the Ministry via the floo network. The arrival of the saviour had spread through the wizarding world like fiendfyre. It would be difficult to conceal my presence, so after much debate, I had decided not to bother. The chance that Edward and I would be front page news tomorrow was high. Alice had dressed Edward because she didn't want him embarrassing her. I was wearing a rather formal - red and grey - floral dress under witches robes with red pumps. I felt Glumbumbles struggling to escape from my stomach. Edward flinched as green flames engulfed us. I've never seen Edward flinch: I'm guessing Gemma hadn't warned him about the flames. Edward and I strolled out the fireplace, dusting ourselves down. I stumbled slightly but Edward caught me. 'Thanks.' The quiet word of thanks made Edward smile. It was followed by a scream. 'There she is! Miss. Potter!' Edward and I were quickly engulfed. Camera flashes blinded me: questions filled the surrounding area. I forced my hand into Edward's: Edward squeeze to reassure me. 'Isabella isn't taking questions right now, thank you.' The crowd suddenly noticed Edward's present. It was amusing watching the witches and wizards taking a step back, because there was a vampire. Edward gestured forward using his free hand. 'Ladies first.' I flushed, quickly leading Edward through the channel that had now formed. The quicker we reached dad's office the better.
The Minister's office overlooks Diagon Alley. I hesitated as I reached up to knock: Edward crooked smile appeared on his lips. 'His mind is anxious too, love. He's worried a, uh, Death Eater will pluck you from the streets of London.' I knocked, taking a deep breath as I heard dad's apprehensive voice. 'Enter.' I slowly turned the door handle, stepping into the room. 'Minister, sir... Your favourite daughter has arrived.' I loved watching dad's face light up as laughter escaped from his lips. 'Bells. You're the only daughter I have.' I giggled, speaking as I hugged dad. 'Thus your favourite: you should always remember that.' The hint I'd thrown dad couldn't have been more successful. He studied my facial expressions and spoke warily. 'Isabella? What have you done?' I added a dramatic gasp, emphasising that I was hurt he'd assume I'd done anything of the sort. Dad laughed. 'You've spent too much time with Padfoot.' I pouted but it seems my father has become immune over the many years of living with me. I decided to introduce Edward. 'You'll remember that I am bringing a boyfriend to meet you today.' Dad raised his eyebrows, but I continued talking without letting him speak. 'He's waiting outside and is very excited to meet you.'
I skipped over to the door and let Edward in, not letting dad speak. Edward was leaning against the wall, attracting much attention. A crooked smile appeared on his lips when I reappeared from the office. 'The human's here are amusing.' I'm pleased that he's enjoying himself. 'No more amusing than what's going to happen next.' I lead Edward into the office. Dad was wearing an astonished expression as he absorbed Edward's appearance. 'Daddy. This is Edward Cullen.' Dad eventually heaved a sigh. 'A vampire... seriously Isabella?' I pouted, folding my arms. 'Yes.' I watched dad and Edward exchange a very stereotypical father/boyfriend greeting. Dad's paternal persona only dissolved into laughter when Uncle Sirius scared me half to death. 'Boo!' The shock made me tumble forward into Edward's waiting arms. Dad and Padfoot howled with laughter. I grumbled. 'You're supposed to be my favourite uncle.' Sirius pouted. 'Izzy-Bells.' Uncle Padfoot ruffled my hair. 'You know there's a vampire behind you, kiddo' I'd just climbed out of Edward's arms. A wide smile spread across my lips, as I debated how to tell Padfoot, that I'm dating a vampire.
Padfoot didn't react how I'd hope: he grinned and ruffled my hair again. 'Nice one Fawn.' Dad seemed just as surprised as me. Edward was left to introduce himself. 'Edward Cullen.' Edward and Sirius shook hands. Padfoot spoke. 'Sirius Black. I'm assuming you're a brother-in-law of Gemma's.' Edward just nodded. Hmmm. That was the easiest godfather out of the way. Bring on the werewolf.
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'Padfoot. Shouldn't you be working?' Dad summoned a tray of tea as Padfoot made himself at home in the Minister's chair. I'd transfigured a couple of chairs for me and Edward. Edward had just taken a seat as Uncle Sirius answered dad's question. 'Nope. Don't work when my favourite goddaughters here.' Dad shook his head offering Edward something to drink. Edward shook his head. 'No thank you. I hunted earlier this week.' I poured myself a cup of tea, whilst dad spoke to Padfoot again. 'Did you apologise to Moony?' I watched an indescribable expression cross Uncle Padfoot's face. 'Apologise! That werewolf trapped me - in a cupboard - with a Boggart, Prongs! Seven hours listening to that old hag bang on about pure blood mania!' Dad heave a sigh, ignoring Padfoot and turning to Edward. 'Please excuse Bella's godfather: he's a little temperamental.' Uncle Padfoot imitated dad. Dad continued to talk. 'I am assuming you're a muggle vampire.' Edward nodded. 'Yes, sir.' Dad grinned. 'You can call me, James.' I am sure Edward is busy trying to make sense of dad's and Padfoot's minds. I'd have to ask him about it later... Or maybe dad and Padfoot know and are using occlumency. Dad continued to talk. 'I would be a fool to approve of my daughter dating a vampire. I'd also be a fool to disapprove. I don't particularly wish a visit from Luna and Fangs. To be perfectly honest, Edward, I'm caught between being a father and having my head ripped off.' Edward seemed deep in thought, so I responded. 'Edward would never hurt me on purpose.' Dad raised his eyebrows. 'Poppet... You know I believe there is good in everyone.'
There was silence for a few seconds, but dad eventually spoke. 'How long have you been, uh, seeing each other?' Padfoot grinned at the awkwardness in dad's voice. Edward politely answered. 'It's been a couple of weeks. I'd usually seek permission from her father before courting, but your daughter's, hmmm, rather persistent.' I flushed red: Padfoot howled with laughter. 'That's something she inherited from her father.' Dad and I scalded Padfoot in perfect sync. 'Padfoot! Shut up!' Uncle Padfoot continued to laugh. Dad asked Edward another question. 'It's fine, Edward. I don't have say over who Bella dates. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?' Edward took a few seconds to answer. 'One hundred and three. I was born 1901 in Chicago, Illinois. Transformed by Carlisle Cullen in 1918 after contracting Spanish Influenza.' Dad didn't have much to comment on, so he asked a further question. 'Have you always been vegetarian?' This question made Edward glance toward me. He hesitated and hung his head in shame. 'No. In 1927, I rebelled against Carlisle's way of life... but I only killed those who didn't deserve to live: murders etc.' Dad didn't make a comment towards Edward sudden confession. There was silence in the room.
I watched Edward's expression becoming more frustrated. I am assuming dad and Padfoot are using occlumency. I decided to explain Edward's frustration. 'Edward's a legilimen.' Padfoot chuckled. 'We know... Luna told us during our fourth year. I'm guessing he hasn't met many occlumens.' Edward interrupted the conversation. 'Occlumens?' Padfoot nodded. 'We can shield our minds. It's a form of magic.' Edward seemed to think this over, glancing briefly towards me. I knew exactly what he was thinking. 'No... I'm not an occlumen.' Edward continued to gaze towards me. 'I hear snippets of their thoughts: but as always, nothing with you.' I didn't know what to say. I'd always been susceptible to Lord Voldemort's mind tricks. Why a vampire couldn't penetrate my mind, was beyond my knowledge. The conversation after this didn't last long. Dad and Sirius where due in a Ministry meeting. 'You must both stay at the Potter Manor this evening. I'll send a message to the House Elves.' Edward shook both dad's and Padfoot's hands.
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Walking through the ministry towards the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Edward spoke. 'Am I meeting the werewolf next?' A wide grin appeared across my lips. 'Yes. He'll try and block his thoughts too.' There was silences for a few seconds. 'What did you hear of dad's and Padfoot's thoughts?' Edward crooked grin appeared. 'Your godfather was rather proud about something... and plotting some sort of revenge. Your father was concerned, but happy that you where safe and in high spirits. I'm not sure I'd classify your position as safe though.' I rolled my eyes. 'Edward. I've lived with a werewolf all my life. If a loss of control was going to happen, it already would have.' Edward didn't comment as we entered the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, bumping into Hermione almost. Edward pulled me out of Hermione's path. Hermione grinned widely. 'Bella!' I hugged Hermione, who then spoke to Edward. 'You must be Bella's boyfriend?' Edward nodded politely: I started the introductions. 'Edward.. this is Hermione Ganger.' Edward cautiously shook Hermione's hand. Obviously remembering the howler. Hermione flinched a little as she shook Edward's hand. 'It's a pleasure to meet you, Edward. Bella's told me all about you.' Edward's crooked grin appeared. 'The pleasure is all mine.' Hermione had to rush off after that. I promised to meet her and Ron in Diagon Alley tomorrow.
We continued towards Moony office. I knocked on the door and went straight in. 'Uncle Moony!' I knew Moony would have smelt me coming, so I didn't bother hiding Edward. Moony was seemingly bewildered as he gazed toward Edward and I. There was a few seconds of stunned silence. 'Bella.' I laughed and ran over to hug Uncle Moony. 'You stink, kiddo.' I placed an expression of mock hurt on my face. 'You're supposed to be my favourite godfather.' Moony shook his head in amusement. 'I thought Padfoot was your favourite.' I pouted. 'No... He's my favourite uncle. You're my favourite godfather.' Moony brushed back my hair and looked towards Edward, who was stood in the door, holding his breath. 'You must be Edward Cullen. I'm Remus J. Lupin. Sorry about the smell, but you don't smell so great yourself.' Uncle Moony's gaze came back to me. 'Really Isabella. A vampire? Whatever did Prongs say?' I let go of Moony with a smile. 'Nothing. I didn't let him. I have my mother's charm, remember?' Moony grinned. 'Indeed. You and those eyes can make us do anything.' I stepped out of Uncle Moony's arms. Edward walked forward. It's the strangest thing seeing a vampire and werewolf shake hands: considering neither of them are truly monsters.
A.N. Two more chapters in the Magical world I think... next one will be the evening at Potter Manor and the third Diagon Alley. Then it's back to Fork to continue with the Twilight story and to get some bad vampires in the mix. Hope you love this chapter. Please review and make me smile. Love RoxannetheLaugh. Oh... I'm going back to university later today, so not sure how regular the updates will be from now on. Please bear with me. :)