Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns everything related to her published works.
A/N: Wow! A ton of great reviews for chpt. 11 especially the interaction between Amelia and Harry. Have I said that I have the best readers anywhere! This has turned out to be one of my longest chapters, I actually had to cut this one in half so the next one will be posted soon after this one. (but don't hold me to it.) Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, I haven't responded back to everyone yet but I will definite try to. Thanks again! Now on to the next chapter of Watching Over Harry.
Chapter 13
Amelia Bones stood stunned for a moment as she looked upon the 'former' Bellatrix Lestrange. The image of Bellatrix the deranged insane killer was not the person that was standing before her. Instead, in her place, stood a very young and beautiful looking young woman who was holding the hand of her godson.
She was poised and regal looking, appearing to all the world to be a woman of confidence and strength; however her eyes betrayed the nervousness that lay beneath the surface. Amelia noticed the intimate glances cast between Harry and Bella, and could see the love the two had for each other.
"Bellatrix I…" Amelia began.
"Please Minister Bones call me Bella…Bellatrix was my past…and I want to live in the here and now. I want to life free of who I once was or what people believed I once was, and be free to live my life as Bella Potter the wife of Harry Potter."
Amelia gave a warm smile to the Lady Potter and nodded her head. "Bella…I won't lie to you, if you stand trial you may still be found guilty. We would need a majority vote in the Wizengamot to pardon you. Many of the Houses represented have lost family members in the last war and some may see this as an opportunity to get retribution."
Bella took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him. Bella took comfort in the warmth that her husband was offering and gave him a half smile. She looked deeply into his eyes and saw in them the chance of real happiness, of the possibility of a long life wrapped in the arms of the man she loved and who loved her.
Bella returned her gaze to Amelia. "Minister if there is even a small chance of being acquitted and being able to live my life like any other normal witch. Then I'm willing to take that chance." Bella with tears in her eyes looked back at her husband who smiled and nodded his head in approval.
Narcissa and Andromeda were teetering on the edge of emotional overload as they looked at the young couple in front of them. No one seeing the scene in front of them could not help but be moved when the young couple embraced and kissed each other lips tenderly. Unshed tears filled their eyes as they silently made the decision to go forward with the trial.
Amelia nodded at the pair and fighting with her own emotions told the couple that Bella would be released on her own recognizance and that they were report to her office by 8:30 a.m. the next morning. She gave them the floo address to her private office in the Ministry and told them that she would allow them through when they had contacted her. The four of them nodded their understanding.
"Aunt Amelia before you go I would like to ask another favor." Harry stopped her before she left. "The Wizarding World still believes I'm dead…I'd like to keep it that way for a little longer if I could."
"Harry the news of your death has hit our community extremely hard…to know that you were still alive would bring back hope to many who saw your death as an omen of bad things to come."
"I understand that Aunt Amelia… but there are a few people who I'd like to be kept in the dark until the will reading of my godfather. There have been inquiries and attempts made by these people to take control of my family fortune, hereditary titles and seats in the Wizengamot."
"I'm assuming one of these people is our illustrious headmaster." Amelia stated with a hint of contempt in her voice.
"It is, and another is the Weasleys." Harry stated regretfully.
"Arthur Weasley's family?" Amelia asked in shock.
"I'm not sure that the entire family is involved or not. I do know that Dumbledore wrote up a marriage contract between me and Ginny Weasley without my knowledge or approval. The goblins have also made me aware of several attempts by Mrs. Weasley to access my vaults. She has claimed that Ginny is the rightful heir to the Potter fortune because of the betrothal and citing an old end of line clause that prevents a Noble House from going extinct."
"I'm familiar with that law Harry." Amelia began. "It states however that in order for her to claim House Potter she would need to have a descendant that was a Potter. Does she have a Potter ancestor?"
"We don't know for sure, we haven't had a chance to look at the Potter genealogy." Harry replied. "Also Auntie, Dumbledore has produced a false will claiming it to be mine and in it has divided up the assets of House Potter."
"That unbelievable bastard! That…that…no good son of a…I'll have his ancient arse in Azkaban!" Amelia raged.
Harry placed his hand on the fuming woman's shoulder to calm her down. "That's why I want to wait until Sirius' will reading. Dumbledore and the Weasley's will all be there and I want to confront them all at once. I will no longer allow these people to run my life or influence me in anyway. They have betrayed me in the most profound of ways and I want to make a clean break from them."
Harry sighed heavily feeling the sting once more of betrayal. Bella wrapped her arms around him and tenderly kissed his neck and then whispered in his ear comforting words of love. Harry hugged Bella to him tightly; grateful for the one person he knew for certain loved him unconditionally and knew without a shadow of a doubt that she would never betray him.
Amelia sighed and reluctantly agreed to keep silent on Harry's status among the living. "Harry I would like to ask for one exception."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yes, Susan is here with me. She's just outside in the waiting area. I know it would mean a lot to her to know you're alive." Amelia asked hopefully.
"I don't know auntie…can she keep a secret?" Harry asked not wanting to deny his godmother this one request.
"She is quite adept at keeping secrets. As the former head of the DMLE and as the acting Minister for Magic Susan has had to keep many of my secrets and has never let one slip even to her closest friends." Amelia responded.
"Does she have any occlumency training?" Narcissa asked.
"Of course, she is of a Noble house." Amelia responded with just a hint of indignation in her voice.
"What does being from a Noble House have to do with occlumency?" Harry asked.
"All pureblood noble houses teach their children from a very young age the skill of occlumency. It is a part of their upbringing to keep family secrets just that… a secret." Bella responded.
"Oh." Harry said. "Well if Susan has this training and promises not to reveal my secret I don't see why we can't tell her." Harry offered.
A grinning Amelia stepped out of the conference room and reentered a moment later with a confused looking Susan Bones. Bella had pulled her hood back over her face and had stepped back into shadow as Amelia and her young redheaded charge walked in.
Harry had his back turned toward the door as he stared into the fireplace that was in the conference room. Susan looked a little nervous as she recognized Narcissa Malfoy and had subconsciously stepped closer to her aunt.
"Susan let me introduce you to Andromeda Tonks, she is an old acquaintance from school and we have worked together often at the ministry." Amelia told her niece.
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Tonks." Susan stated and shook the older woman's hand.
"The pleasure is mine young lady." Andromeda smiled putting the young redhead at ease.
"And I believe you know Lady Malfoy?" Amelia asked.
"Lady Malfoy." Susan stated stiffly giving a small curtsey.
Narcissa smiled warmly at the pretty young witch. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Bones."
"And this young man over here…" Amelia moved her in the direction of the fireplace. "…is someone I think you at least somewhat know." Amelia smiled knowingly.
Harry turned around and gave a patented Harry Potter lopsided grin. "Hey Susan, how are you?" He spoke teasingly.
Susan let out of very unladylike squeal and launched herself at the raven haired young man throwing her arms tightly around his neck. "Harry!" The redhead realized to her embarrassed horror that she had just thrown herself at her first crush; if that wasn't mortifying enough she had also done it in front of her aunt and two other women.
Susan slowly unwrapped herself from Harry and took a few steps back her face matching the color red in her hair. "Uhh…sorry about that I guess I got a little over…"
"Excited." Harry offered chuckling.
Susan's blush seemed to intensify in color almost making the young girl glow. At hearing Harry's chuckle she narrowed her eyes and swatted him hard across his upper arm.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Harry asked rubbing the side of his arm.
"You prat! I thought you were dea…dea…" Susan began to tear up trying to form the word. "…dead. Everyone thinks you're dead! How...?"
"It's a long story Susan one I'm willing to tell you later, just not right now." Harry smiled apologetically. "But you're aunt has my permission to fill you in if you like. But I also must ask that you tell no one else that I'm alive at least for awhile."
"It's one of 'THOSE' kinds of secrets for now Susan." Her aunt stated knowing that her niece would understand her meaning.
Susan turned to her aunt and nodded but gave her a look that said you'll be telling me everything. Amelia chuckled and informed the feisty Hufflepuff that she would indeed tell her everything she could.
"Did you know Harry, that my aunt is your godmother?"
"Not until just recently I'm afraid. But I'm very happy about it." Harry smiled.
"So that would make us god-cousins you know." Susan said flashing a hopeful smile.
"I guess it does." Harry said. "So I guess that makes us family then." Harry said staring warmly at Susan.
"Yes it does." A beaming Susan offered. "And the first thing you should know about this family cousin, is that hugs are mandatory."
Harry chuckled again. "I guess I can live with that." Harry said playfully.
"Well then let me welcome you properly to the family." With that Susan approached Harry at a more sedate speed and wrapped her cousin in a warm hug which Harry returned with as much warmth.
"Thank you Susan." Harry was genuinely moved by the show of affection. "But I think we better let each other go before my wife gets upset."
"Wife?" Susan said breathlessly. "You're married?"
"I am." Harry said wanting to be upfront with his new 'cousin.' "I wanted you to know…Aunt Amelia told me that you had a little bit of a crush on me and…"
To Harry and Amelia's surprise Susan began to laugh, just a little at first then she broke out in giggles. Harry was looking very confused as was Amelia at the antics of the young witch.
Susan looked up at the two and tried to stifle her laughter. "S…s…sorry Harry." Susan snorted a bit biting back another giggle. "Well…I did kind of have a crush on you." Susan began. "But since the middle of last year I've kind of been seeing someone else?"
"Oh?" Amelia intoned. "And who is it you've been seeing? This is the first I'm hearing of it."
"Honestly auntie!" Susan sighed exasperatingly. "He is kind of shy and frankly auntie…you scare people." The redhead said placing her hands on her hips daring her aunt to deny it.
"Hmph…well I think I'm a very fair minded person if I do say so myself." Amelia whined with the hint of a smile on her lips. "So who is he then?"
"Neville…Neville Longbottom." She said.
'Way to go Neville!' Harry thought to himself.
"Augusta's grandson?" Amelia asked.
"That's the one!" Susan happily sung.
'And Susan thinks I'm scary, Augusta could frighten a dementor out of his shroud.' Amelia quirked to herself.
"Well I suppose we'll have to have young Lord Longbottom around for tea won't we?" Amelia offered.
"Sooo… who's the lucky girl that has captured the heart of the most eligible boy in school? Did Hermione finally pluck up the courage to ask you out?"
"No! I mean…I love Hermione don't get me wrong but as a close sister." Harry quickly responded.
"It's not Ginny Weasley is it? Oh Harry she is totally wrong for you! Oh…I'm sorry if you…I mean if she…oh blast it all!" Susan tried to back track.
Harry laughed congenially. "No it is most definitely not Ginny."
"Then who is it?" Susan asked not being able to think of any other girl that was close to Harry.
"Well, for now I'd like to keep that a secret Susan. I promise to let you know after tomorrow, you'll understand why the secrecy when the truth comes out." Harry promised.
"Is this one of 'THOSE' secrets as well?" She looked at Harry then her aunt questioningly who both nodded. "You know sometimes it really sucks being me." The Hufflepuff whined.
oooOOOooo
The meeting with Amelia Bones went far better than anyone had expected. Although still nervous Bella and Harry felt hopeful that things would work out. And if they didn't Harry was already developing a plan to bust his love back out and flee the country. The Mediterranean was a nice place he had heard.
Harry had wanted to see the Potter Vaults and so Harry, Bella and Narcissa made their way down into the bowels of Gringotts. The ride had been fast and furious Harry and Bella enjoyed the ride immensely but Narcissa had turned a most interesting shade of green and looked like she was about to redecorate the bottom of the cart.
Griphook smirked at the swaying blonde as she nearly fell face first after exiting the cart. "I hate those bloody carts!" Narcissa griped.
Harry and Bella both chuckled at the loss of composure from the prim and proper Narcissa Malfoy. The small group approached vault number seven, the three humans marveled at the huge circular door. The door looked as if it opened in the middle parting the circular door in two. In the middle of the door was the crest of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter.
There were no visible key holes or handles. The Potter crest was the only raised surface on the door that they could see. Harrry turned a questioning look at Griphook who rolled his eyes at the young human and approached the door.
"You must place your hand on the middle of the crest. The innate magic within the seal will identify you as a Potter, once it has identified you the door will open. Be warned though…" Griphook stated looking at Narcissa. "…that only Potters can enter the vault unless they are allowed by the head of house."
"And how do I do that Griphook?" Harry asked the tiny goblin.
"There will be a book on a pedestal somewhere in the vault. That book is tied to the ambient magic in the vault. Once you write the name of the person you are wanting to allow in, you must then lead the person in, they must be touching you at the time." Griphook growled as if it were common knowledge.
"Will they be allowed in anytime after that?" Harry asked.
Griphook rolled his eyes and looked at the young lord. "You would not need to write her name in the book anymore, but she must be in company of a Potter to gain access. If you no longer want that person to enter simply cross out their name in the book."
"Well. Ok then, sounds simple enough." Harry smiled. Griphook turned around and mumbled something about mentally slow humans.
"Well love, would you like to do the honor of opening OUR vault?" Harry asked his blushing bride.
"I don't know Harry." Bella's voice nervously cracked. "It may not recognize me as a Potter.
"According to magic we are husband and wife and you are the Lady Potter." Harry spoke soothingly but confidently to his wife.
Bella smiled at him and then stepped in front of the Potter crest. She raised her hand and gingerly placed it flat against the middle of the crest. An electric blue light began to illuminate the Potter crest. Bella then felt a warming sensation envelop her hand and then a prick in the middle of her palm that drew a sample of her blood. She tried to remove her hand from the seal but found she could not move it.
Bella was about to panic with the light began to subside and she heard an audible clanking sound. She found that she was able to remove her hand from the crest which was now separating in two as the door began to slowly swing outward.
The door opened to reveal a Romanesque archway a few feet inside the doors. The vault appeared to be a massive cavern carved out of living rock. At the keystone location of the arch was a large portrait of an elderly couple dressed in apparel that would not be out of place for nobles in the sixth century. The man in the portrait bowed low and the lady a deep curtsy.
"Welcome Lord and Lady Potter to the vault of House Potter. Allow me to introduce ourselves the elderly man began. This lovely creature by my side is the Lady Boudicca and I am or was (chuckling) Lord Cadeyrn." The two images smiled.
"It has been sometime since we've had any visitors." The Lady Boudicca stated. "So we are ever so pleased to have company again." The Lady said excitedly.
"So who are you… exactly?" Harry asked smiling at the animated lady who seemed to be bouncing on her toes with happiness.
"We are the guardians of House Potter my Lord. We exist not only to protect the Potter House vault but we are also the Potter historians and guardians of the Potter family magic." Lady Boudicca stated proudly.
"Potter family magic? You mean we have our own magic?"
"Well of course we do Lord Potter. Within these walls you will find the family grimoire. It holds within its pages almost fifteen hundred years of Potter family history and magics. Our line has had many talented spell crafters through the centuries, many with an affinity toward battle magic." Lord Cadeyrn stated bemusedly
"Battle magic? Is that somehow different from regular magic? And please call me Harry." Harry asked somewhat confused.
"Very well then… Harry, and please call me grandfather, many of your forbearers have done so . Battle magic is a branch of magic that has fallen out of use. In centuries past there was constant warring here on the Isle. There was constant conflict between the Island clans and the invading Romans, but also between the individual clans themselves. The clan system eventually turned into what you know as the House system."
"So House Potter use to be clan Potter?" Harry asked.
Lord Cadeyrn chuckled. "Well the Potter name is rather new only within the last twelve hundred years or so. Our line is actually descendant from the Gaul wizard king Vercingetorix who fought the Romans in 52 BC. There were actually many different families who existed under the Potter banner through the centuries and eventually most took the Potter name and so it became one of the great Houses early in the tenth century."
Bella was stunned at the information. Not only did the Potter line predate any other in the wizarding world that she knew of, but was truly a Noble house being descendant from royalty.
"Now where was I…oh yes Battle Magic. As I'm sure you know a wand can only be used against one to three people at a time and still be effective. Battle magic was used to defend against much larger numbers. The drawback to battle magic is that it is wielded through incantation which takes longer to cast than a simple spell. It also requires several witches and wizards simultaneously chanting the incantation for it to be used at its most powerful level." The portrait instructed.
"So in other words you sacrifice speed for power." Harry stated.
Cadeyrn nodded. "Yes but when you look at the amount of the enemy you can stop with one single incantation it is well worth the time it takes."
Both Harry and Bella began to see the advantages that this type of magic could have in the upcoming war and decided that it would be worth reading up on.
"Grandfather, I was told that there would be a book here within the vault that I would need to use in order to allow a non-Potter in. Can you tell me where that is?"
"Of course Harry, just to the left of our portrait you'll find a stone pedestal. On it, you will see a large leather bound book. Just write the name of the person in the book then escort the person into the vault with you, as you walk under our archway the persons magical signature will then be recorded and then be allowed to enter the main vault. However every time they come they must be escorted by a Potter."
"Is there any way to get around that grandfather? Say if I wanted to send a house elf or a close friend of the family to retrieve something." Harry asked
"In the case of the house elf it must be a bound elf to our house. A bound elf is considered to be part of the Potter family and may enter at anytime. Anyone else must be a blood relation or magically adopted into the family. And only the head of house…in this case you Harry…is allowed to bring visitors here.
The failsafe to this is even if the head of house is forced to bring an enemy to the vault only the family can pass under the arch unharmed. If your enemy walks with you under the arch the defensive magic will stun him or her. You'll notice that the book is behind the arch. So in theory the head of house can stay safely behind the arch and his enemy cannot touch him." Cadeyrn explained
Harry walked over to the book and wrote the name of Narcissa Malfoy. The book pulsed a bright gold color and then faded. Harry returned to the vault entrance and took Narcissa's hand and walked with her through the archway. There was a feeling of walking through a curtain of magic as they stepped through to the other side.
On the other side of the archway was another large picture frame where Grandmother Boudicca and Grandfather Cadeyrn appeared.
"Welcome Lady Narcissa Malfoy to the vault of House Potter." The elderly couple offered.
"Thank you my Lord and Lady. It is an honor to be here." Narcissa curtsied to the couple in the portrait who gave her a nod of their heads in recognition.
Harry, Bella and Narcissa walked around the large vaults main area, they saw many suits of armor and chainmail that lined the walls bladed weapons of every kind on the opposite wall were dozens of large curio case with dozens if not hundreds of wands, one case in particular had the wand of each head of house dating back to 950 AD. Each wand had a corresponding name plate listing the name of the witch or wizard it had belonged to.
"Apparently women were allowed to be head of house at times." Bella commented as she looked at a wand of a distant relative whose name happened to be one Eirwen Carys Potter-Black born May 1, 1269 AD died December 31, 1380 AD.
"Maybe you should see if one of the wands here will work for you Harry." Narcissa offered as she was looking at all the old pureblood names and Ancient and Noble Houses that had married into the Potter line.
"I guess it couldn't hurt anything." Harry concluded
Harry began to run his hand over the various wands hoping that one would call to him. He had been at it for only about fifteen minutes when a wand literally jumped into his outstretched hand. The wand sent rushing warmth throughout Harry's body and then seemed to hum in his hand.
"Now that was unexpected!" Grandmother Boudicca said in a surprised voice.
"Why so grandmother? Harry asked.
"That wand belonged to Morgana Le Fey." The painted witch declared.
Bella and Narcissa looked at the wand with awe and reverence. "You mean to say that this wand actually belonged to THE Morgana Le Fey!" Bella gasped out trying not to hyper-ventilate.
"Yes dear, but legend and myth painted her in such an unflattering if not downright deceitful manner. She was not the dark witch that she was portrayed. She was very powerful and jealous wizards who envied her natural talent besmirched her name."
"So she wasn't a dark witch?" Narcissa asked
"No dear she was not dark, she was more…uhmm…gray with dark edges you might say." Boudicca chuckled. "But she was extremely powerful.
"So she was a Potter then?" Harry asked.
"Not exactly Harry dear. However she came to owe the House of Potter a life debt. You see she was ambushed by a group of wizards intent on killing her, a claim to fame you might say to increase the prestige of their own house. She was gravely injured and apparated away from the scene.
She appeared near a forest stream bloodied and unconscious. A young wizard by the name of Gwain Artemis Potter came across her unmoving form and took her back to his home. He bound her wounds and nursed her back to health. Gwain fell in love with the beautiful witch and the two maintained a quiet affair for many years.
Morgana's magic recognized that a life debt had been formed between her and Gwain of House Potter. Years later Gwain sat next to her on the death bed of his lover. Not having fulfilled her life debt in this life she spoke an incantation and infused her magic and life force into her wand. She told Gwain that in a time of great need her wand would answer the call of the Potters and bind itself to the witch or wizard in need.
It is unknown however exactly what the wand would do for the bearer. It has been silent since it was given to Gwain. You are the first person to get a reaction Harry. The wand will bind itself to you." Grandmother finished smiling proudly at Harry.
"Just when I thought my life couldn't get any stranger, I get chosen by the wand of the most famous witch in history." Harry groaned
'I will serve you well young master.' A voice whispered in Harry's mind. Bella also heard the voice being connected to Harry through their bond. Harry and Bella looked at each other each displaying a look of shock.
oooOOOooo
It was eight that evening when Harry, Bella, and Narcissa made it back to Black manor. It had been an awe inspiring time spent in the Potter family vault. They had promised the portrait that they would return another day when they had more time to explore.
Hermes was waiting at the door as the trio dragged themselves in and took seats in the parlor. Harry and Bella collapsed into a love seat where Bella immediately curled up into his side laying her head on his shoulder and wrapping an arm around his waist.
Narcissa chose the long leather couch and fell back on to it stretching out and throwing her arm over her eyes and sighing deeply as she let weight of the day began to melt away into the soft supple leather beneath her.
"Master Harry." Hermes the ancient elf called as he entered the room. "Excuse me young master but there is a rather hostile white owl that has been here since you left this morning. She has been in your bedroom and growling at the house elf staff when we'z tries to enter."
"Hedwig?" Harry jumped up from the love seat much to Bella's displeasure and headed up to his bedroom closely followed by the ebony haired witch. Harry opened the door and was immediately dive bombed by the angry owl.
"Hedwig! Stop tha…" Hedwig dived at him again cuffing the top of Harry's head with her wing. Hedwig landed on the mantel of the fireplace and looked sternly at her wizard.
Harry cautiously approached the snowy owl, she had all her feathers puffed out and ruffled showing her displeasure to the apologizing young man.
"I'm so sorry Hedwig, the past few days have been a little…overwhelming and I'm sorry I haven't been able to call for you. I wasn't sure if you would even be able to find me with all the wards covering this place."
Hedwig hooted indignantly as if to scoff at her wizard's lack of faith in her ability to find him. Harry stepped closer to the beautiful owl who turned her back on him. Softly he began to scratch the top of her head in the place he knew she loved to be scratched.
"Come on girl…if it makes you feel any better I've missed you terribly."
As bad as she wanted to continue to be angry at her Harry she was extremely grateful that he was safe. She had been out hunting when the Dursleys had attempted to kill Harry. When she returned from her hunt she discovered the house in charred ruins.
She knew that he was alive somewhere, her connection to him as his familiar let her know that he had not died. But it had taken a week to finally locate him and as the days went by she became more and more upset. When she had finally located where he was staying she had just missed him when he disappeared with the two witches.
Hedwig turned to face her wizard and hopped up on his shoulder and nipped his ear affectionately. She then rubbed her head against his cheek.
"Thank you girl, I promise I won't leave you like that again." She gave a throaty bark and then flew back to the mantle and buried her head under her feathers and drifted off into a well earned sleep.
Harry turned around to find a smirking Bella staring at him. "Well I see who wears the pants in that relationship." Bella said losing her composure and chuckled at her husband.
Harry smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, well what can you do?" Harry laughed.
Bella walked over to her husband and wrapped him in her arms and kissed him tenderly on the lips. "Never change Harry, you are just too sweet." Bella cooed.
Harry turned somber as he looked at the woman who had come to mean so much to him. "I'm worried love…" He paused. "…I don't want to lose you so soon after I found you."
Bella looked deeply into his eyes, amazed to see the depth of his love being reflected back to her, it was breathtaking.
"I have faith in us Harry…" Bella whispered. "… I don't believe that magic has brought us together just to tear us apart."
"I love you so much Bella that I feel at times my heart will explode from being so full of emotion."
"I love you too dearest. You've owned my heart even before I admitted to myself that it was yours."
The young couple stared longingly at each other; their bodies reacting before their minds even began to process the situation. The kiss was deep and lingering, filled with desire and need. The lights seemed to dim on their own as the young couple subconsciously moved toward the large canopy bed.
Each knew in their minds that this could be their last night together if things went badly the next day. So their hearts conspired to make it an evening that would live in their dreams for a lifetime.
Years later they would still look back on this night with awe and nostalgia as the night that their love became something more than worldly but something that could only be measured on an eternal scale. Magic had brought them together but their willing souls united them for eternity.
The young couple removed every piece of physical barriers between their bodies and slid between the heavenly textures of silk sheets. The diverseness off the cool sheets and the warmth of their pressed together bodies created a wonderful sensation of opposites.
They took their time in exploring every wondrous and mysterious part of each other's anatomy. For Harry it was unlike anything he had ever experienced, every moan every gasp and mew coming from Bella was like a musical masterpiece and he was the conductor.
Bella reveled in the unsuppressed love that Harry was lavishing upon her. Never in her life had she experienced the true meaning of making love until her Harry. His touches were so gentle and innocent that her skin tingled every where he touched, kissed, and caressed.
When they finally came to that moment of complete surrender where two bodies become one it defied all description. The young lovers became lost in each other's mind as they approached their grand finale. The intensity of two minds locked together at the moment of each other's release was beyond comprehension and left the couple complete drained of all strength and consciousness.
Unbeknownst to the bonded lovers a golden aura surrounded the pair forever locking their souls together in eternal unity. Tomorrow would bring what tomorrow would bring, but tonight the night belonged to Harry and Bella.
A/N2: I know I said that the trial would be in this chapter but what ya gonna do? It will definitely be in the next so don't worry. I hope you weren't too disappointed in the love scene; I much prefer imagination to a graphic scene and thought it came out rather well.
Thanks to all of you who continue to read my little story. Any suggestion and/or ideas are always welcome. If you do have a criticism that's fine just don't be nitpicky. I believe you always leave a little good if you leave a little bad. Just a thought.
Please Read and Review!