Chapter 4: Time Marches On

When Carlisle arrived home from work they were still dancing. Emmett, Jasper, Cedric and Draco had each taken a turn dancing with Esme. As Carlisle walked through the door they were all back with their original partners. Sweeping across the room Carlisle took Esme into his arms and twirled her around the room.

Smiling Carlisle said "I'm not sure what I expected when I got home, but this wasn't it. Not that I am complaining."

The young couples spent all their time evenings and weekends together. One night at the Cullens on night at the Evans and any combination of the Cullens or Evans families could be around. True to form Carlisle and Esme became parental figures to the Evans siblings replacing the ones that could not or would not be there. Carlisle was someone to seek out for advice and they found themselves wanting to make him proud. Esme mothered them all and showered them with love, something that had been lacking in Ron and Luna's lives for a while and that Harry and Draco had never really had. They all meet Winky and had fallen in love with her and Dobby. Alice had taken Rosalie and Luna shopping and now Winky and Dobby had very extensive and high end wardrobes. Somehow, and no one knew quite how she did it, Esme had convinced Dobby and Winky to allow her to cook for them, and now prepared all their meals and snacks for Winky.

Although there were a few hitches in the road but not many. Dobby had a full blown hissy fit when he had found Esme sewing a button back onto Harry's shirt. It had taken Draco and Luna half an hour to calm him down and explain that it was alright. Harry had quietly disappeared, and Edward found him setting in the woods, the way his shoulders were shacking he knew Harry would be crying if he could. Edward just sat next to him and put his arm on his shoulder. To say what happened next shocked Edward would be an understatement as Harry turn and buried his face in Edward's chest as he sobbed the tears that would never fall. Edward wrapped his arms around him and told him it was alright everything was alright. After he calmed down Harry stayed there in Edwards arms with his head against his chest, after I while Harry sighed and said that he had never before known what it was like to have a mother. Holding Harry tight Edwards said he thought he had better get used to it.

Much to Edward and Cedric's amusement the three girls took Harry and Ron shopping and bought them both new wardrobes since they "had the fashion sense of a bag lady". Ron introduced Jasper to wizard's chess and became best friends with Emmett, who finally had someone to share interest and that could readily be talked into wrestling. The two were pretty evenly matched in strength so both won as often as they lost. Draco and Rosalie became inseparable with matching attitudes and sarcastic senses of humor. Luna and Jasper spent hours together she was a great help to him as her emotions where always so happy, and they shared a great zest for learning and would spend the entire night researching something together. Harry and Alice too had become best friends though when they were doing something you would everyone once in a while see Harry look up searching for Edward. When he saw him he would flash one of the amazing smiles that light up his whole face, the one the Witch Weekly had so often put on their front cover, and then go back to what he was doing. Edward and Cedric had already become best friend that was part of the closeness that helped with the cover story that they were twins.

They spent all their free time together in some combination the families even started to hunt together. The "Boys" as Esme had taken to calling them would take long walks in the forest holding hands, and sit in the top of the trees and enjoy the view. Ron and Cedric would spend hours reading next to each other in the matching club chairs that had been added to both bedrooms. Or on the couch with Cedric set between Ron's legs leaned back against his chest as they read to each other. Harry and Edward had added headphone splitters to their stereos and would spend hours listening to music while holding hands or cuddling. They also would play for each other and their families and when they played together, there would always be a dance. The dancing was happening a lot and Ron was getting quite good.

It was one of these nights of dancing, that Ron and Cedric had danced out of the living room through the open glass doors and onto the balcony overlooking the forest. When the music stopped Cedric thanked Ron for the dance and stretched up and kissed his cheek. Cedric immediately stepped back his hand over his mouth saying "I'm sorry I didn't mean to rush you I shouldn't have."

As Cedric turned to flee Ron caught his wrist and pulled him back, till he was tight against Ron's broad chest. Holding Cedric against him with one arm as he ran a hand over the side of Cedric's face he said "I'm glad one of us had the nerve to make the first move."

And leaning down he softly brushed his lips against Cedric's. Their first kiss was all that it should be, it was sweet and tender and when they parted they had smiles that nearly split their faces. Wrapping his arms around Ron he leaned into his chest.

"Are you sure you're alright…I'm not rushing you?" Cedric mumbled into Ron's shirt.

Ron smiled and put his fingers under Cedric's chin, lifting his head till he was looking at Ron. Blue eyes fell in to hazel and Ron wanted to be lost in those depths for all time. Leaning down Ron kissed him; it was not as sweet but more filled with passion. Ron licked Cedric's lower lip and he opened his mouth, soon their tongues were engaged in a duel they were sure they would both win. Cedric's hand kneaded the hard muscle of Ron's back as Ron's fingers twined their way into Cedric's hair. Each of them poured all their attraction, passion and desire into the kiss and when it finally ended twenty minutes later all Ron could think was 'not having to breath was a good thing'.

During this time, as is normal for a small town, they were the major topic of gossip. The Monday following their first meeting they had arrived at school together. Edward, Cedric, Ron and Harry arriving in Edward's silver Volvo followed by Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper in Rosalie's red BMW convertible, and trailing in last was Luna and Draco in Luna's canary yellow Thunderbird. This feed the gossip mills for days…the mysterious Cullens who associated with no one and the new arrivals the Evans where friends and arriving together to school. Then they were talking to each other in the halls between classes, and OH MY GOD they all sat together at lunch and even Edward who was cold to everyone and Jasper who always looked like he was in pain were…SMILING!

Things only escalated two weeks later when they arrived to school as usual. Only this time Edward and Ron got out first and ran around the car and opened the door for Cedric and Harry. They then walked into school with their arms over their mates shoulder and broad smiles on all their faces. Harry and Cedric were being meet at the end of each class and walked to their next, their books were carried and they rewarded their mate with a kiss on the cheek. The girls were all jealous their boyfriends are not that attentive, and the boys were all mad because they were being made to look bad. Then the school nurse nearly had to administer oxygen to the gossips that were spreading the new so fast they almost forgot to breath.

Breathing in the school nearly stopped later; it was gym class and girls were set up to play volley ball and the guys to play flag football. It was shirts verses skins and the team with the Cullen twins and the Evans brothers was skins. Needless to say the girls all stopped to stare till Jessica was hit in the head by Erica's serve; she hadn't seen the football game start.

One evening late in the month they were all gathered at the Cullen's house. Esme was sewing the buttons back onto Emmett's new shirt, though how they came off she didn't know. She clearly remembered Rosalie complementing the shirt before dragging Emmett up the stairs to their room. But she had no idea how this happened, since Harry had decided that they all needed a bit of privacy and had warded their rooms like the Evans families were at their house. You could hear what was going on outside the room but nothing from inside when the door was closed. Carlisle was reading up on a new medical journal by the fireplace. Emmett and Ron were in a heated battle in a video game, something about Emmett accidently killing the hostages again. Rosalie was doing her nails…again. Draco and Jasper where facing off in a game of wizard's chess. Harry was trouncing Alice a game of monopoly. Cedric, Edward and Luna were playing uno. As had become the norm Harry would about every hour look up and look for Edward before smiling and going back to his game. Speaking softly enough to not be heard over the video game Edwards decided to ask "Luna do you know why he does that? Uno!"

Not looking up Luna asked "Why who does what? Draw two."

"Why Harry stops what he's doing and looks around for Edward?" Cedric asked trying to help.

Edward nodded saying "Then he gets that amazing smile and goes back to what he's doing. Uno!"

Smiling Luna answered "Yes. Reverse back to you Edward."

"Well are you going to tell me why? Uno!" Edward asked

Luna answered "No."

"Why not?" Cedric demanded.

Finally looking up at them Luna answered "Because it is not mine to tell and if you want to know you should ask, Harry really doesn't like people talking about him behind his back. Draw four…red."

Cringing Cedric said "Well I get the talking behind his back thing; he has had more than his share of that in his life. You know I really feel bad about those badges."

"What badges?" Edward asked thinking that ever conversation still brought up something new.

Cedric looked guilty as he answered "It was during the Tri-Wizard Tournament there were these badges that had my picture on them that said "Diggory the real Hogwarts Champion" and then they would spin around and when they stopped they would have Harry's picture and say "Potter Sucks" almost everyone wore one, they were terrible to him, it wasn't like he even entered the tournament it was all forced onto him."

Seeing Cedric upset Luna told him "They were worse to him the next year the paper said that he was mentally unstable and an attention seeker lying about Voldermont's return. Besides Draco made the badges, if he can get over it with him you shouldn't feel bad about it."

"Wow there is so much to learn about him. So, talk to him if I want to know" said Edward.

Luna answered "Yes, I am not sure that there is much he would not tell you. You have made him happier than I have ever seen him. Here is your chance Alice just went bankrupt."

True enough not seconds later the monopoly game was over, and Harry declined another game. Alice volunteered to put it away and Harry thanked her before walking on the balcony. Edward gave his hand to Alice and soon followed. He found Harry standing off to the side looking out over the forest. Edward walked up behind him, grabbing the railing one arm on each side of him. Harry leaned back onto the marble chest.

"Are you enjoying the view?" Edward asked.

"Yes and I love the smell of the forest…it's almost as good as your scent" Harry answered.

Smiling his crocked smile Edward said "I'm glad you approve. Harry, can I ask you something?"

Shrugging Harry said "Sure."

"When you're off doing something or when I am why do you stop and look for me?" Edward asked.

Harry suddenly was as still as a statue in front of him. Edward turned him so they were facing each other and cupped the side of Harry's face with his hand, rubbing his thumb over the cold cheek.

Feeling terrible for upsetting him Edward said "I didn't mean to upset you…I just…I have waited so long for you. I just what to know you and understand you. Please can you tell? Can you let me in?"

"This will sound stupid I know, but I'm afraid that you will leave." Harry answered.

"Why do you think I would leave?" Edward asked.

Sighing Harry answered "They all do leave or betray me everyone I L…like leaves. My parents, then Sirus everyone but Luna leaves or turns on me."

"What about Ron and Draco?" Edward asked again having more questions.

Harry snuggled into Edward's chest as he answered "Draco and I were enemies for years in school. And Ron turned on me in a Jealous fit in our fourth year. Only Luna has never hurt me."

"I will never hurt you…and I am NOT leaving. It would take the hounds of hell to pull me from you." Edward vowed.

Harry leaned into Edward playing with the button on his shit as he talked "Really, I met one of those you know…big three headed dog. All you have to do is play it some music and it goes right to sleep."

"Is that so?" Edward questioned.

Harry looked up and him and nodded.

Shaking his head Edward said "Well now that I know their weakness, I guess they can't carry me away. You just have to put up with me…always."

Having said that Edward leaned down and brushed his lip to Harry's. Harry's mind finally snapped to what was happening and he kissed back. Edward's hand moved to Harry's back, while Harry's cupped Edward's strong shoulders. Soon their toughs were exploring each other's mouth. Moaning into Harry's mouth as his hand slid lower, Edward cupped his rock hard ass lifting him up. As Edward lifted him, sliding the smaller vampire up his broad chest, Harry wrapped his legs around Edward's waist. Harry's hand gripped Edward's hair, their kiss was passionate filled with years of long and desire. When they finally broke the kiss Harry's head fell to Edward's shoulder, one hand in his hair the other wrapped around a broad shoulder.

"I don't want you to leave me" Harry whispered into Edward's shirt.

Looking down at him Edward assured him "I'll be here as long as you will have me."

Releasing his legs from around Edward he slid down to his feet. Entwining their finger Harry smiled up at him as he said "Let's go see what the others are up to."

Hand in hand they made their way to the living room and Edward's grand piano.

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