BELLA

I feel bad. Really, I do. Draco usually can handle my friends from Gryffindor. But then, he has never had to spend this much time with them in close quarters. Aside from that one 'training' session, we have only had stolen kisses and cuddling time. We are both frustrated. We are both very frustrated. In a desperate attempt to keep the bloodshed at a minimum, I am dragging Draco out for a walk. His fingers entwine with mine. I smile up at him as he brings our hands up to his mouth and brushes his lips along my knuckles.

"Well, well, aren't we just adorable," croaks a voice in the trees.

"That's what I keep telling him," I respond. We stop where we are and wait for the toad-like witch to show herself.

"Have you thought more about our offer?" she croons as she steps out from the tree line along the path.

"I don't think I want to work with the Volturi. They are beyond my level of tolerance." I look right at her. Draco tightens his grip on my hand, but he lets me take the lead here.

"Honey, no one wants to work with them. Perhaps you need a little more time and a small demonstration of our capabilities," she muses. She disapperates right then and we are left wondering while we wander.

ALICE

I have a vision of a visit from Aro. Why would he visit us? He did not look happy at all. Carlisle is worried about it. You don't have to be Edward or my husband to know that. We decided to greet him as a family. The weird thing is that he is going to be alone. I mean, really alone. Who knows when the last time that could be said was?

"I have a bad feeling about this," Emmett announces like he's the one that can see the future play out.

"No one thinks that this will end well," Edward informs him, rather harshly I might add. The knock at the door stops any further bickering.

"Hello, Aro," Carlisle greets him cordially enough.

"Hello, Carlisle. It has come to my attention that you live near a witch and wizard." He cuts right to the chase. Huh. I was unaware that he could do that.

"We do. Why is that interesting?" Way to play it cool.

"We have been having some dealings with the magical world as of late," Aro hedges.

"Have you? How has that gone?" Carlisle is really killing this whole 'play innocent' thing. I'm not surprised really, but it's still impressive.

"Not well, I'm afraid. To be honest, we turned a few to see if magic would transfer to the vampire world. It does, but the ones that changed want nothing to do with us. They are going after the Elite Guard. The members that caught them have already fallen. Do you think that you could get me an audience with the witch and wizard, and their friends if they so desire, in order to discuss the matter with them?" Aro looks nonchalant. However, we can all see that he is very worried about this development.

"We will have to discuss it as a family first, of course. However, I should mention that we do not spend any amount of time with them. Aside from school, we really only bump into them around town," Carlisle says, diplomatically. Aro takes that in stride. He had to know that would be the way things would go. He simply inclines his head and leaves as abruptly as he entered.

"They want us to draw out those who have both magic and a grasp of what the word loyalty means," Jasper says.

"That is what he was thinking," Edward adds.

"He was open with his thoughts?" Carlisle looks at Edward.

"Yes. I was not expecting it," Edward responds.

"I don't think that we should approach them at all." Emmett crosses his arms over his chest.

"Seconded, it would only serve to betray their trust," Jasper agrees.

"We can't ignore Aro's request without consequences," I point out.

"That's true, but we can't take the risk with their safety without discussing it with them either," Esme contributes.

"Sarah might be able to help with that." It had to be suggested, I can only hope that Edward does not fly off the handle with me.

"That is an excellent point. We should see if she would be willing to act as a go-between for the time being." Carlisle makes the decision before Edward pipes up with his own two cents.

We talk further and come up with a letter for Bella and Draco…and company. Sarah is supposed to be here soon for a date with Edward anyway, we are planning on asking her then. Okay, Carlisle will ask her in his office. Edward will be there, of course. But the rest of us will be elsewhere. Jasper promised me a shopping trip and I plan on really cashing in so to speak. I can feel his eye roll from across the room. The only recourse is to smile sweetly and then drag his ass to our car.

EDWARD

I can't believe we are about to ask my girlfriend to run messages on the sly for us. Carlisle is snickering and making snide comments in his head. So what if I'm pacing? There is no actual hole in the floor. Sarah is important to me and I don't want to risk her. But I can't really just say she can't do it. This is an impossible situation.

"Edward, she can decide for herself. You cannot seriously think that you can make a decision for her," Carlisle interrupts my musings. His thoughts echo his concern perfectly.

"Well, she doesn't know how dangerous this can be…" Shouldn't he know this?

"Dangerous for her to run messages or for her to be around vampires?" Carlisle's eyes narrow at me in an accusation.

"Come on, Carlisle…" I start to reply.

"No, you listen. Sarah can make the decision herself. It is her life to live. You will only be supportive of her right to decide or you will end the relationship. She is not a pet," Carlisle interrupts. He looks pissed. His thoughts are pissed. I know she's not a pet, right? Right. It's the whole letting her be in danger thing that is my concern.