The crackling of the campfire was the only sound breaking through the cool night air. The elders sat around the fire, watching the shifters warily. Jacob, Seth and Bella were working their way through a package of marshmallows. The rest of the shifters were in their wolf form. Sam was perched on a picnic table, his gaze unwavering from Paul. Ever since the incident in the woods, Paul had been so volatile that he had been unable to shift back to his human form. He was currently sprawled next to the fire, worn out from hours of pacing back and forth, and whining mournfully, as if he was in physical pain.
Quil, Embry and Leah were sitting next to Jacob and Seth, far enough away that they weren't invading Paul's personal space, but close enough that they could jump him if something bad occurred.
Billy Black turned to look at Emily, Sam's mate, who was sitting to his right, her teeth biting her lower lip in worry.
"It's been too long, Billy. He should have shifted back by now." She murmured, her eyes glued to Paul's agonized form.
Billy sighed, covering his eyes with his hand as he began to massage his sore temples. "He is under great emotional distress. I was hoping his wand-waver would have shown up by now."
As if his words alone were enough to summon them, a great crack broke the silence of the Tribal circle, and Billy blinked furiously as four young adults materialized in front of his eyes.
Jacob, shoving the rest of his marshmallow into his mouth leapt off of his seat and sprinted over to the newcomers, who were standing a few ways off. The young man with black hair – Harry, Jacob remembered, was leading the group as they walked over.
"Jacob, good to see you again," he said, extending his hand in greeting.
Jacob could feel the wolves tense behind him. Sam leapt down from his pedestal and moved closer to Paul. Paul began to growl softly and Sam stuck his paw in Paul's side, warning him not to do anything foolish.
"Harry, thanks for coming!" Jacob replied back, smiling mournfully as he clapped Harry on the back.
The glowering blonde man that emerged behind Harry snorted loudly and glared in the tribe's direction.
"Draco," the curly brown haired girl whispered as she smacked him on the head. At the sound of his name Paul leapt up, growling. The other wolves began to advance on him as Sam barked out his command – Stand down, Paul. Paul laid himself back down on the ground, quivering in rage.
"I'm just being honest. If I remember correctly, last time wasn't so pleasant, especially for you!" Draco shot back to Hermione. His glare turned on Paul. "Don't think that I'll forget it, mutt."
Quil and Embry leapt forward to keep Paul from charging Draco as his hackles rose in fury. The three wolves snarled amongst each other as Sam continued to bark.
"Draco, enough!" Harry half-shouted. He turned to face him in exasperation. "Now is not the time for your attitude. Save it for later."
"With pleasure," Draco drawled, shooting a wink at Hermione. She pretended not to see, but the blush that took over her face was enough to keep Draco satisfied.
"Is Paul all right?" Jacob peeked behind the two men in front and saw the blonde ethereal girl who had caused Paul so much heartache – through no fault of her own, he added unconsciously.
"Luna. Thank you for coming." He held his hand out to her and she took it, smiling at him warmly.
Upon spotting her perfect blonde curls, all of the fight left Paul's body and he lowered himself onto the ground, emitting only a pained whimper. Luna walked past Jacob and sat herself delicately on a lone bench. She turned her gaze upon him and Paul was instantly overcome with peace.
You are more than welcome to join me, Paul.
Did she just – Quil sent worriedly to Sam through his telepathic link.
She's a witch, remember? Of course she did. Embry added with a proud hmph.
Paul didn't need a second invitation. The moment her voice caressed his mind he had crawled over to her side as quickly as possible. Knocking the bench she was sitting on out of his way, he caught her as she fell onto his side. The large wolf repositioned himself so that she was completely surrounded by his massive frame, and he sighed contentedly as she leaned back and began to stroke his fur.
"I wish you could do that," Hermione muttered as she walked to the remaining bench with Draco.
"Sorry, did you say something?"
"Hmm, what? Oh, nothing," she replied back sweetly, and upon sitting herself on the bench, snuggled up right next to Harry, to Draco's immediate chagrin and Harry's immediate amusement.
Jacob cleared his throat and motioned the group to look across the fire at an elderly Native American man in a wheelchair. "That is my father, Billy Black. He is the leader of our tribe." The newcomers nodded at him in acknowledgement.
"I suppose you would like to hear our story," he began.
"Actually," Hermione cut in excitedly, "I found most of the legend in our collection of books back home! I do have a few questions-"
"Maybe we should start by telling you our story," Harry cut her off, shooting her a wary glance.
Billy nodded. "That may be for the best. If you don't mind waiting, we're expecting a few more guests."
"We're here," a deep silkly voice issued forth from the trees. Hermione and Harry turned and found themselves facing a group of tall, unnaturally pale humanoids.
Draco was the first to whip out his wand. "Bloodsuckers," he growled.
A gorgeous blonde man, his hair perfectly coiffed, was the first one to step into the light. He held his hands up in the air. "My name is Carlisle Cullen, and this is my family. Esme, my wife, and my adopted children Edward, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper," he offered, introducing each one of them in turn. "We mean you no harm."
"They're vegetarians," Hermione murmured.
"How do you know that?" Draco gasped out. Hermione shot him a look and then rolled her eyes. "Oh, a book, I should have guessed. Why am I not surprised?"
"Hush, Draco! Are you trying to annoy everyone here?"
"Why, is it working?"
"Boys, if you don't stop it right now, I swear to Merlin-"
"It's lovely to meet you!" Luna jumped up from Paul's large wolfish form and ignored his angry growl as she walked over and shook Carlisle's hand. "Your name sounds familiar. Do you know my father, Xenophilius Lovegood?"
Carlisle smiled warmly in memory. "Ahh, yes. I had the pleasure of working with him a number of years ago. You must be his daughter. The honor is all mine." Luna smiled back brightly.
Hermione was trying her best to stop Harry and Draco from bickering when she felt a familiar prickle at the edge of her mind. A legilmens? Her eyes quickly glanced over the vampires and she locked stares with the one named Edward, who looked strangely like Cedric Diggory. Feelings of shock, loss, and anger flew through her consciousness, and before she could fully comprehend her actions she had pushed Edward out of her mind so hard that he flew backwards and hit a tree.
"Rude!" Hermione shot out. The wolves began to growl, but the vampire named Emmett fell over laughing.
"I told you we'd like her," Alice smirked. Jasper nodded in agreement, but Rosalie was glaring at Draco.
"We'll see," she muttered.
"How is he a legilmens?"
"What?" Harry finally asked, breaking away from his quiet spat with Draco. Hermione pointed at the vampire who was now returning to the group, looking surlier than ever.
"Doesn't he look like-" Draco whispered.
"Not the time, Malfoy." Harry whispered back.
"A few of us have special abilities," Alice began in her perky tone. "Edward can read minds – well, except for yours and Bella's, apparently. Hi Bella dear!" She called across the circle. "It's been too long since our last sleepover! Even Edward has missed you." Hermione could swear she heard Jacob growl over the sound of Bella's laughter. She focused back on Alice, tucking that away in her thoughts. "I can see the future, and Jasper is able to influence other people's emotions and auras."
Luna gasped and turned to look at Jasper and Alice happily. "You both have sight?"
Jasper grinned. "That we do, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you." He crossed over and kissed her hand. Paul began to growl louder while Alice only laughed. She wrapped Luna in her arms.
"I'm so glad we've finally met you! I can't wait to compare notes!"
"Okay, wait a moment," Harry finally cut in. "You're shifters, and you're vegetarian vampires," he began, pointing at each group, "and somehow you three knew about us before we got here. Then what's the point of this meeting?"
"Only Alice knew of your existence, and even then she was only able to sense your presence." Carlisle replied.
"For some reason, I'm not able to get a read on you."
"It's our magic, probably," Hermione mused. "That's fascinating. I wonder - "
"Yes, yes, more questions, we get it, ask them later. We're here for a reason, and the sooner we get it out in the open, the better." Draco cut off Hermione again, but instead of ire he was met with silent agreement.
"Draco's right," Harry added softly. Turning to the vampires, he motioned for them to sit down. The Cullens made their way quickly to the circle, and Luna returned to her spot next to Paul, who encircled her even upon her return so there would be no easy way for her to escape. She began to pet him again, and he finally stopped growling.
Harry stood up and faced Hermione. "How do you think we should do this?"
"We make a pensieve using our bodies. If we all hold hands, we will be able to create a circle to maintain the memories. One of us will stand in the middle of the circle, and with Edward using his legilmancy powers, we should be able to amplify the memories so that they are visible for everyone."
"Is that even possible?" Harry asked in shock.
Hermione shrugged. "We won't know until we try. And as long as we have a circle and a vessel for the memories, it should work. They didn't have pensieves in earlier days, so the first witches and wizards shared their memories in this way. It's not easy, but it's not impossible."
"Will the wolves have to shift back into human form?" Billy asked from across the circle.
"Whatever is most comfortable for them. As long as they are physically touching another member of the circle, they should be able to experience it. However, it would probably be best if only one or two remained in wolf form." Almost immediately Quil, Embry and Leah ran off behind the bushes and returned shortly thereafter dressed.
"Sam and Paul will remain in wolf form."
"That's probably for the best," Luna added thoughtfully. She grabbed Paul's head by his wolfy ears and turned him to face her.
"What you are going to see isn't pretty, but I just want you to remember that no matter what happened in the past, I am here now and I am safe. Promise me you will remember that? I'll be with you the whole time," she whispered softly. Paul nodded his head and licked her cheek. She smiled, then turned to look at Hermione.
"Okay, we're ready."
"I'll be the vessel for the memories," Hermione added, standing up. Draco grabbed her hand worriedly.
"Are you sure you're strong enough to do this?"
Hermione nodded and smiled down at him sadly. "I'll be all right. Besides, you and Harry and incredibly powerful wizards. I need you to be a part of the circle in order for it to work."
She moved to the center next to the fire, which had dwindled down to a small flame. The rest of the group moved in closer together and held hands. Luna tucked Paul's paw around her leg, and Harry wrapped his arm around Sam's giant paw and held it with Jacob.
Hermione turned to look at Edward, who had seated himself next to Bella. Locking eyes, she lowered her occlumency shields, and she felt Edward begin to probe her mind as Harry and Draco sent silent projecting spells towards her. She closed her eyes and felt herself sucked into her own memories. They flashed around her, and she searched through them, trying to show those that were the most important.
The Hogwarts Express. Being sorted into Gryffindor. Classes with Harry, Ron and Draco. The troll, Cerberus, Professor Quirrell. The Basilisk, Sirius Black, the Time Turner. The Quidditch World Cup, Cedric Diggory, dragons, merpeople, the Yule Ball, seeing Harry exit the maze with Cedric's dead body. Voldemort coming back to life, Harry casting the sectumsempra spell, Hermione healing Draco afterwards, Bill's wedding, hunting Horcruxes, Ron leaving, Ron returning, being captured by Fenrir Greyback, being held in Malfoy Manor. Bellatrix Lestrange. The Cruciatus curse. Seeing her Cruciatus curse scars and the same scars on Luna. Luna being saved, half-dead from Malfoy Manor, by Dobby. Gringotts, Rowena's diadem, saving Draco from Fiendfyre, Harry dying, Harry coming back to life, Draco saving Hermione from Greyback, Harry killing Voldemort. Finding out about her parent's deaths, moving to Forks, encountering Paul for the first time, comforting Luna after the disastrous ice cream date, learning about the Death Eaters coming after them from Draco, training, disapparating to the Tribal Council, seeing Edward Cullen's face and remembering Cedric -
As the final memory of seeing Edward's eyes raced through Hermione's mind and the minds of those in the circle, Hermione was shocked back to reality and the pensieve was broken. Dizzy, she began to sink into the ground, only to be swept up into Draco's arms and carried back to the bench where she sat wrapped in his embrace.
The circle sat in silence for many moments. Hermione looked around and saw tears streaming down the faces of Bella, Alice, Esme, Rosalie, and Emily. Several of the men were torn between looking angry and mournful. Jasper looked pained, Jacob looked distraught, and Emmett was seething. Shock was written across Edward's face and he sat, motionless, as the others around him began to stir.
Hermione looked over at Luna and saw that even though tears were streaming down her face as well, she was quietly murmuring to Paul, who was shaking and whining. Her heart went out to them, and as if sensing her gaze, Luna turned and looked back at her.
Thank you. I don't think I could have done that myself.
Anytime, Hermione smiled back sadly.
Minutes ticked by, and after what seemed like an eternity Billy finally broke the silence by clearing his throat.
"Words cannot communicate how sorry I am for what you have gone through," he said warily.
Emily nodded tearfully. "And you are so young!"
Harry absentmindedly ran his hand through his hair, and Hermione grabbed onto his other free hand and held it tightly. Smiling sadly up at Draco, she leaned into him even more and clutched onto his hand with her free one like it was the only thing keeping her afloat.
"We made it. Together. And that's the only way that we're going to be able to get rid of these Death Eaters, once and for all." Harry stood up and addressed the group. "I don't think that there is anything further that can be done tonight. We're going to go home and rework our wards to make sure that you are able to access our house."
Carlisle nodded. "I think it would be best if we start training as soon as possible."
"Agreed," Draco nodded. "I don't know what sort of monsters you're used to, but these guys are a whole different brand of nasty."
"The last thing we want to do is endanger you, so if you do not want to be a part of this fight, you are not obligated to be by any means," Hermione added in hastily.
Paul growled at her declaration and Jacob jumped up, inferring her meaning. "Luna is one of us now. We fight for her."
Edward surprised everyone by leaping up as well. "We are with you too." He turned to look at his family. "It is the least I can do, after everything. In his memory."
Esme nodded. "In his memory."
"I'm coming too!" Bella jumped in. Jacob groaned.
"Bella-"
"Someone is going to need to make sure you don't kill each other! Besides, between their magic and my baking skills, we'll make sure you have the energy you need. And this is such a fascinating learning experience!"
Edward and Jacob shot each other a glance and groaned. Jacob turned to look at them. "Would you be willing to let her take a glimpse at your library?"
Hermione smiled excitedly. "Would I? Absolutely-"
Draco chuckled. "Tomorrow, dearest." He winked at Jacob. "Once you get her started on books, she doesn't stop."
Jacob chuckled in return. "Tell me about it!"
Harry clapped his hands together. "That settles it, then. Let's call it a night, and feel free to come over to our place bright and early tomorrow morning."
Billy nodded. "We'll see you there." With that, the elders of the tribe, the wolves and the Cullens began to disperse. Hermione walked over to Luna, who was trying to stand up, to no avail.
"Hermione!" Luna smiled brightly. Hermione offered her a hand and pulled Luna into a standing position. "Paul said that he hasn't been able to phase out of his wolf form for days," she smiled sadly as she gaze down at him. "I'm bringing him back to the house with us. A good night's sleep should help him finally relax."
"That sounds like an excellent idea." Are you sure you're okay with this?
He is my mate, Hermione. I've never been so okay with anything in my life.
Good. Hermione smiled and watched as Luna hopped onto Paul's back and raced off towards the house.
"Racing us back to the house, I take it?" Draco asked, walking over to Hermione's side.
She scoffed. "Yes, and if you don't hurry, she'll be you there."
"Pff, as if." Draco apparated away quickly.
"He just can't lose, can he?" Harry chuckled as he reached Hermione.
"Guess not," she smiled softly.
Harry shuffled his feet, avoiding her eyes. "Hey, if you like him-"
"Harry!"
"You have my blessing."
Hermione paused. "Really?"
"Really." Harry swept her up into a giant and swung her around.
"Thank you," she whispered.
A sudden pop echoed through the clearing as Draco reappeared.
"What's taking so long? Luna and the wolf have already crashed in her room, and I'm bored."
"Sorry your highness!" Hermione smirked. Grabbing Harry's hand, she disapparated away, leaving Draco behind.
He scoffed, though there was no malice in his eyes. Only contentment, and the faintest glimmer of hope.
"Women."