In This Life

Chapter 45

EDWARD HEARING VOICES IN HIS HEAD

Edward Asks Harry Two Important Questions

YAY! I'M BACK FROM SUNNY SPAIN TO RAINY UK ... nice haha! missed writing though so here you go! REVIEW PLEASE! :)

Edward paced silently up and down the end of Harry's bed, watching his little mate, which was rather ironic because Harry was almost outdid him in muscle. Although Harry was slightly smaller in height but not too noticeable though. So little mate wasn't exactly a correct term to be using, but regardless it was the term Edward was using. He had gotten so used to using the word that he wasn't sure he could stop now, his mate though would remain fragile and little until he was turned maybe then Edward would find a new name for his little human wizard. Again he was baffled at the difference in both twins; they were polar opposites of each other. Eric Potter was chubby and childish looking especially for a seventeen year old, he didn't think there was even one in Forks High School like him. Harry was muscular, his face skinny and angular and Edward preferred Harry to anyone. It might be because he was biased and this was his mate but he didn't think so.

Edward stopped suddenly and winced when two loud voices screeched at him from outside the house. 'Edward Antony Masen Cullen I am so going to kill you later on! Trying to propose without a ring! Get down here now and don't make me come up there!' snapped once voice. He knew that it was Alice without seeing her - her voice was very distinctive to him just like the other members of his family.

'Edward you fool! Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if he said no! Get your arse down here right now before he wakes up I'll torture your vanquish later!' said the only voice who would dare try and harm his vanquish and only said that when she was extremely pissed off at him. Rosalie.

Edward feeling rather foolish and contrite he knew they were right, he had not been thinking about that. Sighing softly feeling rather silly he jumped like a feline cat from the window and landed without a noise on the grass beside his two furious female siblings. They might not be his real siblings in blood but they were in every other single way. Although really he didn't have any blood rushing through his veins just venom, the same venom that ran through Esme, himself, Rosalie and Emmett. Unfortunately Alice didn't know who turned her and Jasper became closed off when taking about his -Marie. Although Edward had always wondered away from Jasper if she would have kept him had he not been an empath. Another funny thing, a war soldier becoming an empath in a vampire life. After the amount of killing he had done, empath was supposed to be a pure, light gift something Jasper wasn't. although Edward would give credit when it was due he knew how hard it was and he had only drank human blood for ten years before crawling back to Carlisle after realizing the damage he had done. Carlisle being Carlisle welcomed him back with open arms, claiming he always knew Edward would come back - that he hadn't been fit for that kind of life. He had of course been clean ever since and good job or he wouldn't have met his mate or rather he could have ended up killing an entire room full of students and his little mate without even knowing it. Drinking on animal blood made their bonds with other vampires stronger because they were less like predators, but it dulled other senses, which was why it took Edward so long to realize Harry was his mate.

"Here, use these." said Alice handing over the rings jumping up and down on the balls of her feet seamlessly. Her mind was going a mile a minute; with silly questions and squeals thankfully no visions were forthcoming.

"Asking him without a ring honestly Edward what were you thinking?" demanded Rosalie her arms crossed, shaking her head in dismay.

"I wasn't - obviously." said Edward dryly. Knowing better than to argue with two females - not that he would have because he knew they were right unfortunately.

"He will wake in two minutes go on!" said Alice who had by now stopped jumping and just started at Edward expectantly.

Edward hid his nervousness as he jumped back through the window without touching anything. Their senses were absolutely perfect, and it wasn't hard to get from place to place if they weren't hiding what they were. Then again they were free to do such things here; even if there were hikers they couldn't see anything through the protective shields around the manor. He noticed Rosalie and Alice had backed off, obviously heading home, giving him his privacy and he would have to thank them for that somehow. He smiled at the thought of them despite his nervousness; he could tell Harry was close to consciousness now and without pause slipped beside his warm mate.

Harry groaned slapping the alarm clock, turning it off wanting nothing more than to turn around and fall back asleep. He knew he couldn't - he had school today at least he wouldn't have to see the Potters. Yawning tiredly he shook his head attempting to wake himself up. He refused to get up out of his bed though; he wanted to remain warm and comfy for a few more minutes at least.

It seemed it wasn't to be - because someone began talking to him gaining his attention and wakening him up completely. He so loved Edward's voice it captured his attention immediately and he couldn't draw himself away. He was sure it was all a part of that vampire charm he'd bet his magic on that.

"Harry…I have something I need to ask you…" said Edward, for the first time being unsure since he came back.

Harry felt his heartbeat surge with dread; letting out a breath he tried to calm his racing heart. Sitting up in bed duvet still wrapped around him and for the first time he could remember in months Edward wasn't wrapped around him. Edward looked worried and very deeply conflicted. Harry's first thoughts was that the Cullen's were maybe leaving or the Potter's had done something to a member of his family.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry trying and failing to keep the dread from his voice.

"I want to ask you…how you would feel about being turned? Maybe in the next year so we remain the same age?" asked Edward his voice thick with hope. Jasper and Rosalie usually went a year higher than them, and it annoyed Alice and Emmett to no end when they couldn't remain with their mates. He wanted Harry and him to be the same age, and he was reaching seventeen years of age the same as he was when he was turned by Carlisle.

Harry instantly calmed down, his heartbeat slowing to its regular rate, and relief flowed over him. Everyone was fine, the Cullen's weren't going to leave him again all was well. As for the question Harry didn't even need to contemplate it, he would do anything for Edward. Even if it meant becoming a vampire and struggling with the rest of them - his second family. His first would always remain the Anderson's the second in his life was the Cullen's and the third was his newest family.

"Of course I would Edward," said Harry as soon as he got his mind into gear.

If Edward was human he would have closed his eyes and slumped on the bed in relief. As it were he was a vampire, all he did was cross the room and bring his mate into his arms emotions he hadn't been aware he could feel a year ago washing over him. Edward hadn't been more relieved or in love than he was at that very moment, it compared to nothing in his practically solitary life he had led for one hundred years. It wasn't over yet; he had still to ask one more important question, the question he had originally meant to ask.

"Harry you know I was turned in 1918, the world was a very different place. In my time we married before having sexual relations, not only that but the man intending on asking the woman's hand had to ask their father permission. If he didn't find you acceptable then that was it. I kept my mothers rings intending on giving it to someone special one day. I had never contemplated that I would love a boy, it wasn't done in my time - I'm not against it I'm just trying to explain how things were. For the past hundred years I feared I would never find my mate, then you came along and I didn't even realize you were my mate for the longest time. What I am saying Harry is - will you marry me?"

Harry listened to Edward rambling on, and Harry truly wondered where on earth this was going. When he got to the end Harry's breath was caught once more in his throat Edward wanted to marry him. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to be feeling, he just felt numb with shock, just as he thought he wouldn't be able to feel anything excitement crept up on him. He would be a real Cullen soon if that's what Edward truly wanted. It must be what he wanted after all Edward wouldn't have asked if it hadn't been what he wanted. No he knew Edward, Edward wouldn't ask for any trivial reason he thought about things thoroughly.

"Yes Edward, I will." said Harry with admanance that even stunned him.

The arms around Harry tightened noticeably as Edward buried his nose in the crook of Harry's neck. Edward hadn't been as happy before in his life hearing his mate's voice, he was so sure his heart would have burst if it had been beating so much love he felt. His little human wizard was willing to become one of them and marry him and for the simple reason because he loved him. Edward hadn't felt so blessed before in his mortal or immortal life.

One of them, he couldn't even say the word any longer not without implying his little human wizard was going to become one too. Monster. Finally Edward Antony Masen Cullen realized the truth in what Carlisle, his father, had been trying to tell him for one hundred years. They truly weren't monsters, or they wouldn't feel as they do - they wouldn't respect human life if they were monsters. The Volturi and most other vampires might be but his family and the Denali clan - weren't.

Edward was finally free. His life was worth living.

"Thank you," said Edward, and even Harry had a feeling that the thank you was more than just for accepting his hand in marriage.

"We must get ready for school," said Harry reluctantly, he hadn't wanted to move before he wanted it even less now!

"Yes I suppose we must," said Edward smoothly, his normal voice back.

Harry just grinned as he cheerfully got out of bed and got himself dressed, unaware of Edward fingering the rings in his hands. As he was reaching for his jacket a hand drew him back, Harry looked around curiously at Edward and his eyes widened. In his perfectly sculptured pale white hand were two rings. He let Edward take his hand a soft sweet smile spreading across his lips as the ring was put on - fitting him like a glove.

He returned the favour to Edward, and was blessed with a long sweet kiss Edward only pulling away once air was desperately needed for his human wizard. Strong pale arms wrapped around him once more, Harry just nestled himself against that rock hard un-beating chest feeling truly blessed. Finally life had been good to him again and he rather hoped it would remain that way.

"Alice probably already knows." grumbled Harry half good naturally half petulantly. Harry had yet to truly appreciate Alice's gift and until it came to saving a member of the family he never would. He could see where Harry was coming from, he had felt it half an hour ago when he resisted with all his willpower not to see the outcome of his question.

"The others and Severus know." confessed Edward hesitantly.

"Severus? Oh I see." said Harry when it dawned on him, that was why Edward had told him about marriage and asking the 'fathers' hand in marriage. He stopped himself giggling at the sight of Edward asking Severus if he could marry him. It would have been a sight to see; no doubt Severus had been shocked.

"I hope that's okay." said Edward hiding his worry.

"It's alright Edward, I understand." said Harry although he was put out there weren't many people he could tell now.

"What are we going to get Eric for his birthday?" asked Lily, it was tomorrow and they had been so occupied they hadn't thought about it. When she had remembered she had almost had an all blown out panic attack.

"Why not give him his share of the Potter money and a nice piece of jewellery with the Potter coat of arms? It's what I got on my birthday!" beamed Dumbledore happily. He didn't mention he bought it himself, his mother was already dead and father in Azkaban. His little sister had been in his way as was his young brother Aberforth, he had been too enamoured with his boyfriend Gellert and his search for the Deathly Hallows. He still had the chain he had bought with the deathly hallows on it, Gellert had received one too. The sign was actually pretty similar to the all Seeing Eye just the lack of line through the triangle.

"Oh we cannot just get him that!" said Lily clearly appalled.

"Why not Lils? All I got for my birthday was the Potter fortune and my first professional broomstick." said James confused.

"He wouldn't be very happy with just that," exclaimed Lily looking deeply troubled.

"What did you receive?" asked James.

"I got tickets to my favourite band, three hundred pound and some Muggle music." she said eventually trying to remember what she had received for her seventeenth birthday. Her parents had actually gotten the tickets expecting Lily and Petunia to go, but Petunia had gotten even more vicious when she knew her sister could use magic when she turned seventeen and avoided her like the plague. So Lily had gone with the only friend she had in the Muggle world since falling out with Severus. Her next door neighbour Stephanie who liked the same band as her.

"Then get him tickets to his favourite Quidditch game, a broom and a Potter chain then." said James. They couldn't afford to splurge like they used to, the Potter money had been divided into three. James' money, his son Eric was getting some and Harry already had his share which James hated. There was nothing he could do about it either, he doubted anyone would send Eric things this year since he had been…denounced the boy who lived. People weren't happy that they had been praising the wrong savior all those years. They were now expressing their displeasure and calling him an attention hog and a fake. James and Lily had shielded him from most of it so he had no idea what people truly thought of him other than the fact his school mates weren't happy.

"I think that's exactly what I will do!" beamed Lily happy to finally have something to do.

Dumbledore had to refrain from rolling his eyes behind the American wizarding paper. They were too indulgent with the boy, Albus felt; he should never have been allowed to become so spoiled. He had always believed that but he had been unable to do anything about it without alienating them. Instead he had alienated many children who could have come very powerful and part of his order instead. That list included Severus Snape who seemed to adore Draco Malfoy the no doubt soon to be Death Eater.

"Excuse me I shall contact Remus now," said Dumbledore he didn't want to wait until it was day light in the UK. He needed Remus now, a simple pepper up potion will perk him up for the day or rather er, night depending on how the werewolf looked at it.

"I'll come!" said James hyperly.

"Oh no, you sit and eat your breakfast he will be here in five minutes no doubt!" beamed Dumbledore seriously.

"Of course" said James interpreting it as an order it actually was - considering how thick James Potter could be that was saying something.

Remus had just settled down for the night, when a persistent voice kept yelling from his fireplace. With his sensitive hearing there was no way to ignore it, when he realized though who it was he rolled his eyes and quickly went to answer it. He hadn't been able to risk sending any more letters just in case the Potter's were 'casing the joint' as it were. He had disturbing news to share with Severus, Sirius and Harry as well as the rest of the Cullen's he only hoped he was wrong.

"Albus what is the matter? How are things? Shacklebolt told me you were taking to him is he ready to come?" asked Remus playing ignorant.

"Can you come through?" asked Dumbledore kindly.

Remus frowned "Right now?"

"Yes it's urgent." said Dumbledore his voice changing slightly he hated being questioned.

"Of course, what's the name?" asked Remus.

"The Order Master bedroom forks Washington lemon drop," said Dumbledore quietly just in case of eavesdroppers.

"Very well," said Remus waiting impatiently for Dumbledore to move aside and floo.

"So what's going on?" asked Remus closing his eyes temporarily at the blinding gold and red the room was. It reminded him of Gryffindor tower only ten times worse the red and gold had faded spectacularly there here it was as bright as ever. There was no doubting who Dumbledore liked the best - Gryffindor's.

Which was ironic as the Order member who had been the most useful was a Slytherin.

Severus.

"Harry is being protected by Severus and Sirius," said Dumbledore phrasing it wrong without even thinking.

"Excuse me?" demanded Remus wide eyed.

"They have adopted him," said Dumbledore.

"Snape and Sirius? Adopted? Harry? Harry Potter?" asked Remus his amber eyes huge and he looked faint. Severus Snape would have nodded his head in Remus' direction if he had been there - impressed with his acting abilities. As it were he wasn't and it was a good job he had a little spy to show him afterwards.

"Indeed," said Dumbledore "We are hoping you could perhaps go and talk some sense into him."

"Into Sirius?" asked Remus his face showing his incredulity.

"Yes," said Dumbledore feeling exasperated.

"But he's adopted…Harry and not told me I obviously didn't mean the same to him as he meant to me. I would never have done such a thing without telling my best friends, he hasn't been in touch for a long time Headmaster…he obviously doesn't care," said Remus swallowing thickly.

"I'm sure your opinion matters…" ventured Dumbledore kindly inwardly wanting to roll his eyes at the dynamics of grown men.

"I can try…but if Harry doesn't want to come what are we going to do?" asked Remus desperately, he wanted to find out just how far they were willing to go. So he could warn Severus and the others of something happening.

"We shall take him back to Hogwarts one way or another," said Dumbledore grimly believing Remus wanted the same as him.

"Okay when shall I visit Sirius? And where is he? I cannot see him living in a Muggle house." commented Remus offhandedly.

"He's staying in the Black manor not far from here," explained Dumbledore.

"Alright" said Remus grimly as if working up the courage to do what he must.

"We shall go after lunch, why don't you get a few hours sleep?" suggested Dumbledore as if he cared about the werewolf.

"That sounds fantastic Albus thank you," said Remus smiling gratefully at the old fool as if he lived and breathed for the kindness of one Albus Dumbledore.

"No problem, no problem!" beamed Dumbledore kindly.

"Good morning," said Severus smoothly as if it was any normal day, Harry didn't see Severus' eyes going straight to the rings before his eyes were firmly on his coffee once more.

"Morning Severus, me and Edward are engaged!" said Harry unable to help himself stating the obvious.

"Congratulations" said Severus a small smile on his face the smile only Draco and Harry were ever bestowed it. Leah's breath was caught in her throat when she saw it; Severus had yet to smile at her like that. Instead of feeling jealous like most would have been, she became adamant that she would make Severus smile like that at her. She knew both Draco and Harry was important to Severus, he mentioned them the most.

"Thank you," said Edward and Harry together as one as they both sat down. Harry the only one eating a bowl of cornflakes Edward just sitting there. He no longer worried he was making them uncomfortable. Severus hardly ever ate breakfast so it didn't look so bad that he wasn't. He tended to leave for a while when they ate lunch and dinner, let them eat in peace when Harry actually let him go. They all ate lunch and dinner so he usually excused himself. As he let Harry eat he listened to the others getting up, Draco was in the shower and Sirius was still sleeping.

It wasn't long before both Edward and Harry were making their way to school meeting the rest of the Cullen Clan in the parking lot. Needless to say Harry received lots of cuddles from both Alice and Rosalie, thundering knee bucking pats on the back from Emmett and a handshake from Jasper.

"The Potter's are going to see Sirius at lunch time," said Alice to everyone as they stood around the cars. They never entered the school early; they preferred to stand around their cars - not that they made a habit of coming early.

"This will be entertaining," said Edward grinning wickedly. Dumbledore truly thought that Remus was on his side, oh he was so glad he could read Remus' mind or he would have thought the worst of the moon wolf as he had taken to calling him.

what did you think? will harry be turned in the next year? a set date thats interupted by harry dying or extremly hurt? with no wizard around or consious to help? or too far gone for even a wizard to be able to help? will edward be able to ask harry what he wants or will he have to decide and live with it? feeling guilty for turning his mate without letting him know? will bella come back into it? remain in a coma? or will Jasper use his gift to make her go even further into one so their life couldnt be interupted again? will alice see something and share it with jasper and they take action to avoid it without letting the others know? knowing Carlisle wouldnt approve? R&R please