Renesmee Cullen and the Angel's Domain
Chapter 3: Beginning of Another School Year
On the first of September, all of the Cullens were ready to go. Edward, Bella, Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Emmett and Jacob had their bags packed and ready to go. Carlisle had put an Engorgement Charm on the trunk and seats of Edward's car and everyone got in. "You'll love Hogwarts, guys," Renesmee said excitedly. "There's a lot to do there and it's mostly cloudy all the time."
"That's reassuring," said Emmett smiling. "The one thing I can't wait for is watching you play Quidditch, Ness." Renesmee grinned. "At least you got some good teachers to work with. Any of your teachers give you a hard time last year?"
"No, but I did get to hear Willow yell at Angel and Spike in the Charms corridor last year," Renesmee said frowning. "It was really scary to hear her yell like that. I know a little bit about Willow's past, but not much of it." She made a mental note to talk to Willow about her past back in Sunnydale as everyone got out of the car and went through the barrier to Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters, which was really busy. Scorpius Malfoy was standing with his father and mother by the train talking. Upon seeing her, Scorpius waved and Rensmee waved back.
"Hey, Renesmee!" Rose Weasley shouted from the train. "Come on!" Renesmee grinned and led her mother and father to the train and the three of them sat down with Rose and Albus. "I didn't know your parents were coming this year."
"We're the new protectors along with your father and uncle," Edward said flashing Rose his usual crooked grin. "Bella persuaded the Minister to allow us to help." Rose's jaw dropped and she looked as if she were about to faint. Bella slapped him on the shoulder. "What?"
"What did I say about dazzling people, Edward?" she hissed. Edward looked at Rose again and remembered the waitress in Port Angeles and aplogized. "I knew you'd get the hint." Bella turned to Rose and said, "Edward and I aren't the only ones protecting the school with the Aurors. Most of our family are here. You've met everyone in my family besides our distant cousins which should be coming around soon." Rose was overwhelmed by this information now and shook her head. Noticing this, Bella decided to warn Rose about some of the other vampire covens that were going to be there. "Watch out for Kate from the Denali coven, though. She can produce a psychic electrical charge from her body when angry or threatened. Ask my husband. He's seen her power first hand."
"Shut up, Bells," Edward muttered, then said in his normal tone, "Not only did I see her power first-hand, I got to feel it." Bella laughed. "I'm sure Renesmee told you about that?" Rose nodded. "Good. I don't have to go through the memory again."
"Don't worry, Dad," Renesmee assured him, "I already showed Albus and Rose the memory of what happened that time. I was with Aunt Rosalie at the time, remember?" Edward nodded and reminded her that she was only a baby at the time. "Yes, but I had the mental capacity of a six-year-old."
Bella nodded in agreement. "True," she said, "and now your mental capacity's staying the same as any normal person. I'm really glad Professor McGonagall used that spell to stop your rapid aging. If she didn't, you'd be the oldest first year ever." Renesmee smiled but knew her mom was right. If McGonagall hadn't cast the spell to stop her aging, Renesmee would look like she was eighteen or something and wouldn't be going to Hogwarts. "We better go to Madam Pomfrey after the Start-Of-Term feast and see if that spell's still working." Bella glanced out the window and raised her eyebrows slightly. "Looks like we're getting close. You guys better change into your robes."
The Great Hall was loud when Renesmee, Rose and Albus sat down at the Gryffindor table. Jacob sat down beside Renesmee since he was the youngest of the group and rubbed his hands with anticipation as Professor Finnigan and a long line of first years entered through the large oak doors. He carried a three-legged stool, a roll of parchment and an old wizard's hat. "What's that all about?" Jake whispered to Renesmee when he saw what Professor Finnigan was doing.
"That's the Sorting Hat," said Nearly-Headless Nick as he floated through the table in front of Jake. "Professor Finnigin, Head of Gryffindor House, is going to call a name off the list, place the hat on their head, and the Sorting Hat will announce which House they belong in. Oh! There's the first one now!" Renesmee looked up and saw Lilith Demona sitting on the stool. Professor Finnigan placed the hat on her head.
"SLYTHERIN!" The Sorting Hat shouted and Lilith went to sit next to Scorpius Malfoy at the Slytherin table. Renesmee felt a surge of happiness for her new friend.
The Sorting went on and Gabe McSaint was put in Gryffindor. Gabe had curly brown hair, a well-built body with slightly bulging muscles on his arms and chest and a pair of bright blue eyes. He looked like an angel to Renesmee and she didn't know why. "Hi," said Gabe as he sat down next to her and Jake. "I'm Gabe McSaint. You must be Renesmee Cullen, right?" She nodded. "Good to meet you finally."
"Finally?" Renesmee said with confusion. "What do you mean by that?"
"I heard about your little battle two years ago with the Moloch Jonathan Marlowe." Gabe said casually. "You really did a good job against him." His smile vanished and his look turned serious. "If there's one thing I hate, it's a descendant of the three Fallen Angels." Rensmee was a little suprised that he knew about the Fallen Angels. "You don't want to get into a fight with them."
"Yeah, I kinda figured that out," Renesmee said. "Don't want to do it again, either. Near the end of last year, I went on patrol with Buffy Summers, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher here, and we got attacked by a Moloch. And before that, A Moloch actually used a duplication spell of some kind to bring out the evil side of Angel." Angel waved over at Gabe with a small smile. Gabe returned the wave but not the smile. Professor McGonagall stood up at the owl podium and the Great Hall got quiet.
"I have a few announcements to make!" she said and looked at the Cullens who came with Renesmee. "As you may have noticed, we have some guests with us this year. I would like to introduce Renesmee Cullen's family and their family friend, Jacob Black." Jake stood up and waved as everyone stared at him. "The Cullens will be protecting Hogwarts along with the Aurors and so will their extended family. Now, I ask you not to be afraid of the Cullens because..." McGonagall glanced at Edward who nodded. "The Cullens are vampires." The Hall erupted in hushed chatter and whispers at her announcement. "I assure you that these vampires are like vegetarians. They do not harm humans, but they will attack animals when they hunt.
"Now, you are wondering, I am sure, why the Aurors and the Cullens are here. This is because of a new threat that came around over the summer. I believe you have been tought about the three Fallen Angel bloodlines such as the Molochs, the Belials, and the Ba'als by Buffy Summers in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Belial, the first of the bloodline, has been revived by a large group of his own bloodline." McGonagall swallowed and looked very upset now. "The Ministry has asked me not to tell you this because they do not wish to disclose it until the time comes, but another war will be starting soon and we must be ready. For now, Bella Cullen will be explaining the way things will go while she and the rest of the Olympic Coven are here. Mrs. Cullen, if you would."
"Thank you, Professor," said Bella. Her amber eyes took in every student in the Great Hall and rested upon Renesmee. "My family and I are here to protect everyone in this school in case there is an attack by the Molochs or the Belials, but I assure you that this will not affect your day-to-day activities. If you have any questions, I ask you to come to me, or any of the others here. We will not bite." Edward chuckled softly in his seat next to Hagrid, who looked a little scared of him. "Also, for you third years, you may see me or my husband watching the classes this year because we want to see what lessons you take." Bella gave a grin and said, "Okay, I think that's all I have to say," and sat back down beside Professor Longbottom.
Renesmee was quite intrigued by her mother's speech and was pretty excited for having her family at the school with her. Of course, she still had that odd feeling that either her mother or father would hound her on homework when she had some to do, but that still remained to be seen. Bella and Edward were walking with her silently toward the marble staircase leading to the upper floors and stopped at the foot of the steps. "This is where we leave you, honey," Bella said hugging Renesmee lightly. "Your dad and I are going to be all around the grounds patrolling." She grinned slightly and added, "Listen to me. I sound like a Slayer."
"Is that a bad thing?" asked Buffy from behind them. Bella turned around and smiled. "I'm going out on patrol, too. May as well make it a family outing. Renesmee, would you like to join us?"
Renesmee considered going out on patrol with Buffy and her parents but she felt a particular dry burning in her throat as if a hot poker had been pressed to her neck. Her hand instinctively grabbed her throat. "Sure, but can I hunt first? I'm kinda thirsty." Bella nodded. "How about a mother-daughter hunt? It could be fun."
"Sounds good to me, Little nudger," Bella said and Renesmee felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment then shot a glare at her mother. "Hey," Bella said shrugging, "your dad and I are at Hogwarts, so you're gonna have to deal with me calling you that." Buffy giggled and Renesmee shot her a look as well. Bella noticed this and said with a sly grin, "Buffy, you may want to shut up. Renesmee does bite."
"Sorry, Ness," said Buffy, "but that nickname your mom gave you is really cute." Renesmee shook her head. "Let's get you some blood in your system and then we'll patrol the grounds a bit." Renesme grinned and the four of them set off toward the grounds.
On the way to the Forbidden Forest, the group of four met Hagrid at his hut. The half-giant was wearing his normal moleskin coat and carried a pink umbrella that concealed his broken wand, the only reminder of his days as a student of Hogwarts. "Hello, Renesmee!" Hagrid said as Renesmee, Buffy, Edward and Bella walked up to him. "Bella, Edward, good ter see yeh."
"You too, Hagrid," said Edward with a kind smile. "Renesmee needs to hunt and then we're patrolling the grounds. Would you like to join us?" Hagrid looked as if he didn't want to interrupt a family outing such as this and Renesme knew that her father was reading Hagrid's thoughts. "You won't be imposing, Hagrid."
"How did yeh know what I'm thinkin'?" Hagrid asked curiously, then it hit him. "Oh, righ'. I forgot yeh have that mind-readin' power, Edward. All righ', I guess I can go with yeh. Jus' let me grab me crossbow and I'll be with yeh in a momen'." Hagrid went inside his hut and returned a few moments later with Fang the boarhound, his crossbow, and a lantern. "Righ', then. Let's go."
Renesmee led the group into the forest and stopped in the clearing leading toward the lake. She closed her eyes and let her vampire instincts take over. A slight breeze carried different smells through her nostrils and the rich and tangy smell of blood took her away. The scent came from the northeast near the lake, but the blood was too sweet, the blood of a unicorn. "Unicorn," she whispered, then turned to the northwest. A slightly disgusting smell hit her, something barely human. "Centaur." she said confirming the smell.
"Very good, Renesmee," Edward said quietly. "Now, turn west." Renesmee turned west and smelled something delicious, something she could take down easily. "A doe, right?"
"Nope, a stag," Bella corrected him. "You were close, though." Before anyone could give her instructions, Renesmee was gone in a flash. Buffy was knocked to the ground by the burst of air that followed. Bella helped her up. "Have you seen Renesmee hunt before?"
Buffy shook her head. "The one time I was supposed to watch her hunt, we ended up fighting some Molochs and Harmony, Spike's old girlfriend." The Slayer felt her stomach churn when she said the word 'girlfriend' and grimaced. "It's still hard to believe that Spike actually dated Harmony years ago." Bella nodded and smiled as the deer Edward found for their daughter yelped and was silent. "She's really good at the hunting, your daughter."
"You should've seen her back in Forks." Edward said proudly. "She completely outstripped Jacob and myself and she can leap up to fifteen feet in the air." Buffy smiled. "Oh, and Renesmee's got rock-hard skin like we do but nobody's tested its strength yet, nor are we willing to."
"I can understand why not." Buffy said. "You don't want your daughter to get hurt and neither do I. That's why I took the job as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. To tell the students what I know about vampires and some demons that I've fought over the years and, of course, there are the spells I'm supposed to be teaching them." She grimaced and added with sincerity, "I'm actually dreading next year's lessons for the first term. I'm supposed to be teaching my fourth years about the Unforgivable Curses, the Cruciatus, Imperius and..." Buffy shuddered at the sound of it, "...the Killing Curse. Harry Potter used one of the curses last year during the Dueling Club, but he promised he wouldn't do it again."
"Don't worry, Buffy," said Edward softly, "Renesmee's been through a lot over the years. She can handle anything." Buffy looked unsure. "Trust me, she's smart. She'll know not to use the Unforgivable Curses on any fellow witch, wizard, or vampire unless they attack her first or it's her only resort."
"I just hope it doesn't come down to that." Buffy said grimly, then smiled when Renesmee came back looking extremely proud of herself. "Good job, Renesmee! You caught that stag by surprise!"
"I know!" Renesmee said excitedly. "The deer led me straight to a few of its friends so I had a three-course meal." Bella and Edward laughed, then continued their patrol of the grounds. Throughout the patrol, Renesmee kept her eyes open as they walked. She saw Professor Malfoy walking toward the greenhouses. "What's Professor Malfoy doing at the greenhouses at this time of night? Professor Longbottom's probably asleep right now."
"Probably getting a few plants for Potions," Buffy said but there was a hint of worry in her tone. "Professor Malfoy's had a bad reputation since he became a Death Eater in 1996, but after that, he's been doing well in staying away from the Dark Arts." Noticing Renesmee's questioning expression, she explained. "Harry told me about the whole thing. Draco was initiated into the Death Eaters before school started and was given the Dark Mark, Lord Voldemort's mark that would burn when he needed them. Before the final battle between Harry and Voldemort, Draco and his parents ran off like cowards."
"Well, I'd do the same thing if I were in his situation," Bella said. "If you ask me, Draco and his family were right in running away." Edward agreed and Buffy didn't even answer. "When did Harry tell you all that?"
"Right after Renesmee and Harry fought off the Molochs that attacked them," Buffy replied, then looked up at the sky. "I better set up the protective charms Professor McGonagall asked me to set up. Give me a minute." Buffy pointed her wand in the air and muttered a number of spells. "Protego Maxima...Fianto Duri...Flagrante..." The spells formed a large bubble over the grounds and the castle then turned invisble. "There. I added a powerful Shield Charm, a charm to make the shield sold and a charm to turn the vampires into ashes when they hit the shield. That should help." Renesmee had to admit that Buffy's spells were pretty powerful for someone who usually fought vampires with wooden stakes, crucifixes, holy water and her hands and feet since she was fifteen years old.
"Where did you learn those spells?" Edward asked as he gazed upon the Slayer with admiration. "Those are pretty powerful, aren't they? Especially for you."
"Willow and I tried a few spells out and I caught on after a few days," said Buffy shrugging. "Let's get back to the castle. Renesmee looks pooped out from the hunt and the patrol."
Renesmee gave her parents a pleading look and said, "Do I have to?"
"Yes, Renesmee, you do." Edward said with a grin. "Unlike your mother and myself, you need your sleep. I'll walk you to the Gryffindor common room, but you better go to bed after that. Buffy's right, you do look tired." Instead of pouting or trying to persuade him that she wasn't even tired, Renesmee gave in and walked with Edward to the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Fortuna Major," he said lazily and the Fat Lady's portrait swung forward to admit Renesmee inside. "Good night."
Renesmee walked past the fireplace and toward the girls' dormitories when someone stood up. Renesmee instinctively grabbed her wand and pointed it at Lily. "Oh! Sorry, I thought you were someone trying to attack me." said Renesmee and pocketed her wand again.
"Albus asked me to wait up until you got in," Lily said grinning. "You were out later than usual."
"Yeah, Mom and Dad went to hunt with me and we joined Buffy for some patrolling in the grounds." Renesmee said as she sat down with the youngest of the Potter children. Lily had that same excited expression she had on the Hogwarts Express. Her shoulder-length flaming red hair was in a high ponytail and she wore a light blue pair of pajamas. "You should get to bed, though, Lily. You've got classes in the morning, and I don't want you to be late."
"Don't worry about me," Lily said dismissively. "Jacob Black offered to help me to my classes if I have any trouble." Renesmee thought this was a little unorthodox because Jake had no clue where the classes were and she did. Lily must have known what Renesmee was thinking because she said, "He offered because he knows you won't have time to with all of your other classes and everything."
"That's nice," Renesmee said and tried to feel okay with this but for some reason, she just couldn't. "We should gert to bed. I'm a bit tired from all the patrolling and hunting I did tonight." She walked up the spiral staircase to the girls' dormitory, changed into her sleepwear, crawled into bed and fell asleep instantly. Her mind was filled with everything that was going on in her life: the Molochs, the Belials now reviving their master, the return of Angelus last year, and the Volturi willing to destroy her when another vampire thought she was dangerous. She thought of the prophecy from Professor Luna Scamander and was now dreading her first Divination lesson tomorrow morning.