Chapter 8: Old Friends and New News

Cedric wasn't overly concerned as he walked to answer the door. He had watch Harry and Draco cast the wards on the property and then the house. It had fallen to him to explain to his family that it should be no more than two casting the ward, as the more magical signatures could actually weaken them. He went on to explain that Harry and then Draco had been the most powerful wizards among them before the change. Although Harry said that Cedric and Draco were pretty evenly match just that Cedric hadn't really used his magic a lot in the last few years, but they would work on that. Cedric was amazed at the wards when they were done, he thought they may be the strongest he'd ever seen, and they may even be stronger than Hogwarts' wards. No one that meant them harm could enter; as a matter of fact no one that meant them harm could see the house or the drive leading up to it.

So whoever it was at the door could not mean them harm. Of course they still couldn't cross the wards into the house without being invited. Reaching the door he pulled it open and stared in shock.

"Professor McGonagall?" Cedric shouted in shock.

An equally shocked Minerva McGonagall replied "Diggory?"

That jolted everyone in the house into motion. At full vampire speed nearly everyone was in the entry. Rosalie had jumped up from the couch into a defensive position only to find her way blocked. She was blocked by a wall of muscle as Emmett, and to her surprise, Jacob had taken defensive positions in front of her and Teddy. The rest of the family was on full alert and in defensive positions as Harry moved to the door greeting his old Professor "Professor McGonagall."

Minerva McGonagall snapped out of her shock when Harry spoke, tilting her head to the side as she removed the hand covering her mouth saying "How is Mr. Diggory alive?"

Eyeing her carefully Harry said "We will get to that when I am sure you are who you appear to be."

Minerva smiled and stood straight nodded as she spoke "Very good…when you are ready Mr. Potter."

"What did you give me in my first year?" Harry questioned.

Minerva smiled and responded "A Nimbus 2000."

A shocked gasp filled the room from all the wizards

"Bloody Hell!" Ron shouted.

At the same time Esme and Minerva shouted back "Language."

His face giving nothing away Harry continued his questioning "What happened to it?"

With a sheepish look Minerva answered "It was destroyed in your third year by the womping willow."

Having his own question Ron asked "In first year you awarded Harry and I points after the Troll incident for what."

Laughing Minerva replied "for Shear dumb luck!"

Being satisfied that she was who she appeared to be Harry asked "Who do you have with you?"

Minerva nodded saying "You always were observant Harry."

Minerva stepped aside to reveal two figures one clutching something and the other standing with his arms around the first.

Jacob growled "Vampires."

"Flint?" Draco questioned in shock.

An equally shocked Ron asked "Wood?"

Minerva nodded sadly as she spoke to Harry "If you allow us in I will explain…I promise they are not a threat to you."

Stepping up to Harry's side Jasper said "They have a wizard child with them…I sense no deception."

Joining Harry on the other side Edward added "They are not lying. They are looking for…safety."

Harry looked to Carlisle who walked to the door as the others relaxed from their defensive positions.

Nodding to his son-in-law Carlisle turned to the witch and vampires at his front door saying "My name is Carlisle Cullen and this is my family…why don't you come in and we'll get comfortable and talk."

They all made their way to the family room and took a seat. Harry conjured an extra couch and Minerva nodded in approval before conjuring a deep red wingback chair for herself.

When everyone was settled Carlisle made the introductions "Allow me to begin the introductions and then we can start the explanations. As I said my name is Dr. Carlisle Cullen my wife Esme Cullen. My daughter Alice and her husband Jasper Hale. This is my son Emmett Cullen and his wife Rosalie Hale, who is holding my grandson Theodore Lupin. My son Edwards Cullen and I believe you know his mate Harry Potter now Harrison Evans. Apparently you know my son Cedric Diggory now Cedric Cullen and his mate Ronald Weasley now Ronald Evans. My new son Neville Cullen I believe you know as Neville Longbottom and his mate you know as Luna Lovegood now known as Luna Evans. And last but not least my son Draco Evans who you knew as Draco Malfoy and his mate Jacob Black."

Looking at the head of the coven Minerva tilted her head to the side and asked "You don't speak the way I would expect the head of a coven to speak."

Nodding Carlisle answered "We prefer to think of ourselves as a family. My wife and I fall into the roles of parents, who have been blessed by the deities with twelve wonderful children."

The Cullens all laughed as Teddy kicked and hollered and Carlisle added "And one amazing grandson."

Accepting the answer Minerva introduced the new arrivals; "That makes me feel so much better about this. My name is Professor Minerva McGonagall I am Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and head of Gryffindor house. This is Marcus Flint who was in Slytherin house with Draco and in the same year as Cedric. Next to him is his husband Oliver Wood-Flint who was in Gryffindor house with Harry, Ron and Neville and was also in the same year as Cedric. And in his arms is their son Fredrick Wood-Flint who is five months old, I believe just a month younger that Teddy. Now if you would not mind telling me, how is Cedric Diggory here?"

The Cullens went on to explain how Cedric had been changed not killed and how they had all come to be a family. During the discussion Dobby had arrived with tea for Professor McGonagall and soda for Jacob and bottles for Teddy and Freddie. When they had finished Carlisle looked at McGonagall and asked "Your companions seem surprised that Jacob is a werewolf and about Dobby being here but you do not. Why is that?"

Minerva laughed as she answered "Harry has never bothered about race or species in selecting his friends. You have Remus' son and he was a child of the moon. Dobby has been his friend since his second year at Hogwarts. I assume Winky is also here somewhere. So no Mr. Black doesn't surprise me at all, I must say though that I am so happy for all of you that you have found your soul mates."

Neville beamed he had always liked McGonagall and said "Thank you on behalf of all of us. Now Professor will you tell us why you are here?"

Turning serious Minerva started "Severus asked me to bring them to you. He believed that you would help them and keep them safe."

"Flint what happened when were you changed?" Draco questioned.

Marcus looked at all of them and answered "Do you know what has been happening in England?"

Nodding Edward spoke up "We know that they have started detaining vampires and werewolves."

Looking down Marcus said "That is true; they started about two weeks ago. Then about a week ago we were attacked in our home. Vampires attached in retaliation for the detainment of their kind, I guess I should say our kind. Three of them broke into our house."

"Marcus tried to hold them off so I could get Freddie out." Oliver interrupted he knew Marcus blamed himself for not being able to protect his family.

Gaining a new respect for the former Slytherin Ron commented "That was very brave Flint, standing up against three vampires to save your family."

Marcus shook his head saying "I took one of them down…but they were too fast."

Draco noticed that this was a sore spot said "Good on you Flint, not may wizards can take down a vampire."

Looking down at the child in his arms Oliver said "I only managed to hide Freddie. We were both bitten in retaliation for what the Ministry is doing."

Picking up there Minerva continued "Severus was with the Order and Aurors that arrived and the vampires fled. Ms. Granger ordered they be taken into Ministry custody. But Severus got them each a portkey and they disappeared before they could be taken into custody. After the others left Severus found Freddie and took him to his fathers."

"Professor Snape helped us through the change and gave us his bloodlust potion." Marcus said, wanting to reassure them that they were not a danger.

A shocked Draco exclaimed "It works…he finished it?"

Marcus nodded as he spoke "Yes, he was able to hide us in Hogwarts and we had no problems with bloodlust even surrounded by children. As a matter of fact human blood doesn't smell good, it is not offensive but we do not want to drink it."

"No bloodlust!" Jasper shouted in awe.

Draco turned to Jasper saying "I'll get Severus to make some or give me the recipe."

Minerva gave Draco the saddest look any of them had ever seen on her as he said "I am afraid that will not be possible. I am sorry."

"Why Minerva?" Harry asked.

Looking at Harry Minerva spoke barely above a whisper "Severus sent them here because he can no longer watch out for them. I am to ask on his behalf if you will help them."

Marcus stood tall as the pureblood wizard he had been raised to be and walked to stand in front of Carlisle and then got down on one knee and declared "I ask the head of the Cullen coven for sanctuary…at least for my family."

"Marcus!" Oliver shouted as he jumped to his feet.

Marcus then tilted his head and offered his neck to Carlisle saying "I will gladly offer my life for their safety." Carlisle looked around to his family, this was a family decision. One by one his wife and children nodded, they would be welcome into the family.

"I sense resignation to his fate and hope for his family." Jasper said.

Edward answered the unasked question "He will do anything to make sure his family is safe."

Seeing the questions on the new arrivals faces Carlisle said "Jasper can read emotions, Edward can read minds and Alice and Luna are seers." Then looking down at Marcus he continued "No such offer will be needed instead I offer you and your family the opportunity to join our family."

Marcus and Oliver breathed a sigh as they bowed the heads in thanks before Marcus returned to his family and wrapped them in his arms.

Turing to Minerva Draco demanded "Why cannot Severus take care of them?"

Tears filling her eyes Minerva replied "Severus was betrayed to the Ministry. I barely got them out before they arrived. He was taken into Ministry custody for harboring dark creatures."

"Who?" Harry demanded.

Minerva looked at the floor as she spit out the name like it was poison "Albus".

Harry jumped to his feet yelling "That lying, manipulative, thieving, backstabbing bastard. He betrayed the sanctuary of Hogwarts!"

In a distracted tone Esme chastised "Language Harry there are small children here, you shouldn't talk like that in front of them."

Edward pulled Harry down onto his lap and held him tight.

Not understanding part of Harry rant Minerva questioned "Harry why do you say thieving, not that the rest is not true?"

Taking upon herself to answer so Harry wouldn't have to Luna said "The Headmaster has been taking money from Harry's trust fund vault since his parents were killed and Sirius' trust fund for Harry. He intended to seize all the vaults including the family ones when Harry died in the war."

Neville decided he would say what they wouldn't "But Harry didn't, he became a type of dark creature that is now being rounded up by the Ministry."

Oliver was in shock as he asked "Do you think Dumbledore is behind this?"

Shaking his head Ron replied "Not entirely, but he is backing the Ministry because what they are doing will give him the result he wants. He will do anything to get what he wants. Even bribe a young girl to make friends with someone so that she can report to him about them."

"Ms. Granger." Minerva said in shock.

Nodding Ron added "And my mother"

"Minerva what will happen to Severus?" Draco asked in a small voice.

The tears she had been trying to hold back now flowing down her face Minerva resonded "The Minister has found him guilty of harboring dangerous dark creatures and obstructing their efforts to protect the public. He was given the kiss."

Not understanding Rosalie quietly asked "What is the kiss?"

Cedric answered in a very somber tone "The Dementor's Kiss…they suck your soul out."

They all gasp, even the Flint family as they had not known what happened to their Professor. With tears still running down her face Minerva stood and walked over to Draco. She reached into her pocket and pulled out what looked like a box and handed it to him as she ran her hand over his hair and said; "These are all his potion books, his note, his formulas, and his entire life's work. He wanted you to have them. His family ring is in their too, he wanted you to have it and to know that you were the son he never had." She moved over to Harry who was shaking like a leaf and said; "He wanted you to know that when he is reunited with his best friend he will tell her how proud he was of the man you grew into."

"Who was his best friend?" Edward asked as he tried to comfort is obviously distraught mate.

"My mother." Harry whispered as he leaned into Edward's chest.

The Professor left shortly after that, saying that she could not risk being missed. She did let them know that all the heads of the houses at Hogwarts had been working together to cover any sign of any creature blood in the students. And Professor Nott whose nephew they went to school with would be replacing Professor Snape and had already approached them about doing the same thing.

Marcus and Oliver were given the room on the other side of the nursery. Alice and Luna had announced that they would need to take them shopping for clothes tomorrow. And to everyone's surprise Rosalie had informed them that she would be going to make sure that Freddie had everything he could need. That night both babies were put to sleep in the crib where they promptly cuddled up to each other under the blanket. And that is how they stayed all night, under the watchful eyes of their fathers. Harry on one side and Oliver on the other with Edward and Marcus standing behind them on hand placed comfortingly on their shoulder.

Draco and Jacob had retired to their room early and Jacob held him as Draco sobbed half the night. The tears that Draco could not cry ran down Jacobs face for the man he'd never met, which had been more of a father to his mate than Lucius ever was.

Sunday found the newly extended family at La Push beach. Harry had insisted they take the boys before the snow came, and with a few warming charms on the area they played in they were fine. Carlisle was meeting with Billy in the parking lot overlooking the beach. Luna and Alice were gathering seashells and stringing a necklace. Rosalie, Esme, Harry and Oliver were helping the boys to build sand castles. And the guys were playing volleyball. It was an overcast day so they were safe from the sun and as it was early November they had the beach to themselves.

Suddenly Jacob turned to the sea and growled. Everyone on the beach, except Luna and Alice, jumped into defensive positions. There were three men, three naked men walking onto the shore. Oliver jumped up with both boys in his arms ready to get them to safety. When Harry ran forward hollering that everything was ok. When he got close he conjured robes for all of them, once they had them on he hugged one of them. Then he pointed what looked like the eldest of them up to the parking lot where Carlisle and Billy were. They could hear him laughing at Edward's growl as he brought the other two back with him.

Harry introduced everyone, the one he hugged was Jamie, the other was is Cousin Aaron and the elder that went to talk to Carlisle and Billy was Aaron's father Oscar. The men were as pale white as the vampires, but their eyes and their curly hair was black as the night, they were Silke. Harry had met Jamie in his fifth year at the Black Lake and had been friends ever since. Jamie had been sent by his father to tell his American relatives what was going on in England. The boys went back to their sand castles and everyone talked for a couple of hours catching up, getting to know each other and finding out what was going on in the magical world.

When they finished Jamie turned to Ron and asked "You are Harry's friend Ron Weasley aren't you?"

Nodding Ron said "Yes."

With a very sad look Jamie continued "Then I am afraid I have some bad news for you. Your sister-in-law Fleur and her children have been taken into custody. The Ministry has extended the scope of its rounding up of creatures to include Veela."

"What of my brother?" Ron asked quietly.

Jamie answered "He tried to protect his family. So he too was taken into custody. The Minister has declared him a werewolf."

"But the werewolf that attacked him was not changed. He is scarred but he does not change with the moon." Neville said trying to comfort Ron.

Shaking his head Jamie responded "He fought the Ministry therefore must be enough of a werewolf to be a dark creature.

Still angry at what his brother had done and said to them Ron replied "Serves him right for having a hand in what happened to Remus and his family."

They were joined by Carlisle and Oscar, Carlisle looked at Jacob saying "Your father said that he would see you later. He said something about getting home to keep an eye on your sister's mate."

Jacob laughed and nodded his head.

Looking to everyone there Carlisle announced "The Silke have offered their aid if there is any problem. I have extended the same offer on behalf of the Family and Billy has also on behalf of the Pack.

Luna and Alice walked up then handing a seashell necklace to Oscar.

Luna told them "Wear this if either needs help it will let you know.

Nodding Alice added "It will warm if the Pack needs you and get cool if we do."

Going on to explain Luna said "If you need help it will signal the others."

"Turning their medallions into fish." Alice finished.

Jacob promised to explain to Billy what would happen if anyone needed help. As the sun began to set the family said goodbye to their friends and allies and headed home. Things were looking up they would have plenty of help if anyone needed it. They just didn't realize how soon they would need it.

A/N: Hope the rewrite makes the story easier to read. Please review and let me know what you think. Also sorry to kill Snape but at least he died a hero protecting his former students. The scene where he stands between a werewolf and the golden trio in the Prisoner of Azkaban inspired that. And I am imaging the Marcus Flint from the Chamber of Secrets not the first movie, because I think he is cute when not wearing those terrible teeth.

Chapter 9: Standing Firm in Your Own Front Yard

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