For those of you in our facebook group - Bubbleybear & Pienuniek's Story Nook - this news will come as no surprise. But I recently lost a very dear friend to cancer who was also an unofficial Pre-Reader for the Under Her Spell Series. Leonie Price, I miss you, so very much but I hope that you are free from pain, wherever you are.

In her honour, I am dedicating this entire book to her. Her enthusiasm helped me continue to write on many days where I felt ... lost. In fact, one of the last emails she sent me was that she wished that these books had been on the big screen; that they were better than the originals. I know it will never happen, but the thought was enough to encourage me. Please keep her in your thoughts as we continue with this story. Cheers.

I'm so glad that I can finally give you the next in the series. Just know I've already read Book Six and have taken my notes. Now ... I can say that I've started to write!

Thanks must go out to my team. My pre-reader Pienuniek and my Beta Alice's White Rabbit. I would be lost without the pair of you, truly.

I don't own Twilight, or Harry Potter, I'd be a richer person if I did. But I do so love to create my own places for them out in the world. No copyright infringement is intended.

See you at the bottom ...

Chapter Eighteen – A Giant of a day …

Bella and I didn't even hesitate. We leapt forward, clambered over the railing, and launched ourselves toward the pitch. Jasper and Emmett must have been watching the game from the teachers' box because I heard the twin thumps of them hitting the pitch too, and then their footsteps as they raced toward where Fred, George, and Harry were, now, in an all-out brawl with Crabbe, Goyle, and the captain of the Slytherin team, Montague.

In seconds, we were attempting to pull them all apart. Bella reached out and grabbed hold of Harry, pulling him out of reach of Goyle. Jasper grabbed the back of Fred and George's robes and lifted them away. Emmett, Draco, and I all caught the Slytherin players as they launched themselves at the boys once more.

"That's enough," I growled as Montague continued to struggle in my arms. "You are gonna be bruised from my hands as it is. Don't make me squeeze too hard; you won't like what happens to you."

"Is that a threat?" Montague shouted at the top of his lungs.

I shoved him slightly, pulling his hand up behind his back a little more snugly. "No, it's a promise."

"This isn't going to stop!" Crabbe shouted as the boys continued to struggle. Not a single one was happy about their fight being interrupted. In fact, they continued to struggle right up until Professor Dumbledore arrived with Professors McGonagall and Umbridge.

We pulled the fighting boys to stand in front of the professors.

"What is going on?" Professor Dumbledore asked as he looked over all six of them. "Why are you fighting?"

All six boys started talking at the same time. There was so much being said that even I was having a hard time sorting it out.

"Enough!" Professor Dumbledore said loudly. He took another look around.

Bella, Jasper, Emmett, Draco, and myself were still holding back the six players. Goyle had blood dripping down his face from his nose Harry had broken. Harry himself had some scrapes and a black eye starting to swell. I looked at my brothers, glad I didn't need to worry about their bloodlust. Thanks to the potions Remus had developed for us, we hadn't suffered that affliction for years.

"This is not the conduct our quidditch players should have!"

Emmett snorted softly at Dumbledore's words, only loud enough for those with sensitive hearing to hear. Guess Dumbledore hasn't seen muggle sports. This is an average game over there.

I couldn't help but snicker softly, hiding my smile from the teachers. Emmett was right; it was a sight you could see in just about every single muggle sport on TV.

"The other students look up to all of you. I don't care what reasons you have; fighting should never happen." Dumbledore took a deep breath to calm down. "In saying that, the Slytherin team were out of line hitting the bludgers at the opposition after the game was finished. For that reason, Masters Crabbe and Goyle will have detention with me for the rest of the week."

Professor McGonagall stepped forward. "And as for you three on my house team, you will be serving detention with me until the end of next week for throwing the first punches." Fred, George, and Harry groaned out loud, as did Crabbe and Goyle. Montague smiled. He thought he had gotten away with his part of it. "As for you, Master Montague." There was a small 'hem hem' cough from Umbridge, McGonagall flicked her wand, casting a silencing spell without tipping her hand. McGonagall continued as if she hadn't been interrupted, "Due to the fact that Professor Umbridge has a sore throat and cannot talk, you will also be serving detention with myself and the Gryffindor players." She looked down her nose and over her glasses at all four boys. "I shall see you in my office tonight after dinner."

The glare that Umbridge sent in our direction was lethal. She hadn't appreciated that McGonagall had stopped her from talking. I wasn't sure if that was going to do more harm than good in the long run.

"Are you lot going to behave?" Jasper asked all six boys. After a few short seconds of struggle and internal debate about disobeying a professor, they all nodded. "Good." Jasper nodded. "Because if I catch you fighting again, I will add to your punishment, and it will be served consecutively, meaning that you will do one after the other."

Jasper, Emmett, and myself let the boys go none to gently. Fred, George, Montague, and Crabbe all fell on the ground, scowling up at us. None of them attempted to say anything though, especially when I let out a growl when Montague opened his mouth once more. Bella and Draco were a little gentler when they let go of Harry and Goyle. Not much though.

We stood there quietly as the stadium emptied. Draco declining to go with the Slytherin players when they descended into the lower parts to the dressing rooms.

"This isn't going to end here," Draco said, turning to face us.

I went to answer him, but Jasper spoke up, beating me to it. "No. It's not. Umbridge wasn't happy. There was deceit oozing from every part of her."

"Not a surprise really. She has a goal," Bella murmured.

Draco nodded. "And that goal is power. To what end … we'll have to wait and see."

~*~UHS~*~

Unfortunately, Draco's prediction had proved to be true. Even before we made it up from dinner in the Great Hall, there was a new notice on the board inside the common room.

Bella sighed as she read the new educational decree. This isn't going to be good.

EDUCATIONAL DECREE NUMBER TWENTY-FIVE

By order of the Ministry of Magic.

The High Inquisitor of Hogwarts,

Will henceforth have supreme authority

Over all punishments pertaining to

the students of Hogwarts.

The Inquisitor will have the power to

Alter all punishments and sanctions

Henceforth.

Signed Deloris Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor.

I had just finished reading the decree when Angelina stormed into the common room, calling out for Harry, Fred, and George and brandishing a piece of parchment in her hand. "You three! What the hell were you thinking? What did you think was going to happen when you threw the first punch against, not only an opposition, but a member of the Slytherin team?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Fred threw his hands up and took a few steps backward in the face of Angelina's tirade. "What are you talking about?"

Angelina slammed the parchment down on the table between the three boys, who had been commiserating on their detention, and growled. "You three have been banned from playing quidditch. FOR. THE. REST. OF. THE. YEAR!"

"What?" they all yelped, leaning forward to read the letter from Umbridge. "She can't do that!"

"Apparently, she can," Bella said from next to me. She had spun to face the boys, arms crossed, and a glare on her beautiful face. "She must have come back from the quidditch match and written to Fudge straight away." Bella pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. "In the short amount of time between quidditch and dinner, they'd pulled together a vote and had a new educational decree made, giving Umbridge the supreme authority over all punishments at Hogwarts."

I snorted with a shake of my head. "And between your 'attitudes', the fight, and Professor McGonagall's stunt at silencing her, she's fighting back. You three are her first victims. But I doubt you'll be the last from Gryffindor House."

Silence reigned over the common room. I could see from all the thoughts that they were wondering where this was going to go and how far Umbridge would push her need for power. I had a feeling that even being headmistress might not be enough for her.

"What do we do now?" Harry asked.

"Now …" Angelina glared at the three boys, who now looked awfully shamefaced. "Now, you get to sit on the sidelines and be spectators. Ginny will step in as the new Gryffindor seeker. Neville will become the keeper. I'm not sure what we're going to do for beaters. We have backup chasers but not beaters." Angelina sighed. "I'll have to sleep on it and see if I can figure it out." Her shoulders slumped, and she made her way to the stairs leading to the dormitories. "I'll see you all in the morning."

Not many Gryffindors lasted after Angelina made her way up to bed. It had been a day full of emotions. From winning the first quidditch game of the year, to the fight between Gryffindor and Slytherin, to this latest development including Umbridge. The students were wiped out, and I didn't honestly blame them. Even Bella was looking a little tired.

By midnight, every single one of them was in bed, leaving me to my thoughts. What else would we have to endure from this woman? Only time would tell.

Angelina's outlook didn't change much overnight. She was overwhelmed by what Umbridge had done and was quiet—as was most of the house—on our way down for breakfast.

I had been listening to the thoughts of the teachers as we made our way down the grand staircase. It seemed that most of them weren't happy at all with the decree that had been placed on Hogwarts the day before. They had felt, for some time now, that the ministry was overstepping their bounds by placing one of their own in a teaching position, and that had only been amplified when Umbridge had been given the position of High Inquisitor. But now? Now, they were furious at this turn of events. They were also wondering how far the ministry, and subsequently Umbridge, was willing to go to keep Dumbledore under control.

What are you smirking at, Smirky McSmirkison? Bella asked, peering up at me.

"Smirky McSmirkison?" I laughed. "You've been hanging out with Emmett too much."

Bella burst out laughing. "When? We've been at school!" She giggled again. It was a sound I lived for. "Regardless, what were you smirking at?"

I kissed the top of her head in view of the glare of Umbridge and helped her into her seat at the table. "Just watch Angelina and Madam Hooch."

Ooookay, Bella thought as she kept an eye on both of them while serving herself breakfast.

It didn't take very long. As soon as breakfast was served, Madam Hooch made her move. She stood from her seat at the teachers' table and strode through the Great Hall to the Gryffindor table. "Miss Johnson?"

Angelina's head shot up. She hadn't been paying attention as she'd been pondering the beater problem for the team. "Yes, Madam Hooch?"

"I hear you are in need of a couple players for the Gryffindor team?"

"Yes?" Angelina asked instead of stated.

By this time, most of the school had come to a standstill. They were wondering what Madam Hooch was going to say. She had never—at least, according to the older students—gotten involved in who was playing on the teams.

"Well,"—Madam Hooch hesitated, then smiled secretively—"why don't you use your reserves?"

As soon as the words left Madam Hooch's mouth, Bella's hand clamped down on my arm so hard I thought she was going to leave nail marks in my impenetrable skin. Bella wasn't the only one surprised. There were several gasps, but it was Angelina my eyes were glued to.

Angelina's eyes widened ever so comically as her eyes flickered in our direction. She stared for just a few seconds before turning back to Madam Hooch. "But …" Angelina's question broke off as her eyes flickered back to Madam Hooch, only to see her shake her head almost imperceptibly.

"I trust they'll use their restraint. And I would suggest that they don't play seeker." With that, Madam Hooch turned and smirked in Bella's and my direction. "Good luck." She nodded and walked out of the Great Hall.

After Madam Hooch walked out of the Great Hall whispers broke out around us. It took Angelina a few seconds to come to her senses, but once she did, she called out in a pitch higher than normal. "Team meeting in the common room!", quelling the whispers.

Bella smiled before diving back into her breakfast. All hell is going to break loose when we walk out onto the pitch next game. Umbridge will shit a brick.

I couldn't help but chuckle. Hearing Bella use muggle curse words was just funny.

My humor faded as Angelina stood from the table. "Team meeting after breakfast!" she shouted over the noise. Cheers rent the air from the Gryffindor table. They knew what Madam Hooch meant. As did most of the teachers. But Umbridge … while she knew that our team had reserves, and that Bella and I helped with training … she wasn't sure who the reserves were apart from Neville and Hermione.

Excited chatter governed the rest of breakfast. There were secretive smiles, laughter, and congratulations. And through all of it, Bella and I ate our breakfast and kept to ourselves. Occasionally, I would kiss the top of her head or lift her hand to my lips. A few times, I even gave her a kiss on her lips. Nothing would stop me from showing my girl affection. Especially a grumpy old woman who wouldn't know happiness if it jumped up and bit her on the ass.

Once breakfast was finished, every single Gryffindor stood from the table. I couldn't help but laugh as I read the thoughts of all of them. They were showing solidarity, and they were hoping to confuse Umbridge all the more. They were having fun messing with the woman who was making our life hell at school this year.

Everyone waited until we were in the foyer outside the Great Hall before we all split in different directions. Most going outside to enjoy the rare bit of sunshine we were going to receive as we moved into winter. While our quidditch team members, reserves, and Bella and I made our way for the moving staircase to head to the common room. Harry, Fred, and George followed as well; they figured even though they were banned they were still part of the team.

I don't think any of the Gryffindor's have ever made that run as fast as our quidditch team did. The poor Fat Lady almost jumped out of her skin as Katie made it to the portrait first and shouted the password at her.

"Merlin! What's going on?" The Fat Lady asked with her hand on her heart.

Because the rest of the team were puffing from their run up the stairs, Bella took over. "We're having an emergency meeting. Madam Hooch gave us some news we weren't expecting."

The Fat Lady smiled. "Is that right? Well … you better go in then." She swung open and let all of us through the door.

I chuckled as we all took a seat around the fireplace. "I have a feeling she knows what's happening. The gossip chain in this castle is unbelievable."

Bella laughed. "It could be that each of the paintings' inhabitants can move between the paintings. It's a little like Chinese whispers, only usually true."

I nodded in agreement. I found that the paintings were in the know before the people involved sometimes. And while they were good at gossip, they were also good at keeping the secrets until it had all been revealed.

Bella and I sat and waited for the rest of the team to catch their breaths. It took them several moments.

"Think we should be working on their stamina?" Bella asked teasingly once all of them had stopped breathing so hard.

"What? Are we going to have them running drills? Actually running?" I smirked.

"Why not?" Bella snickered. "Seems to me it isn't just their flying that could use a workout."

I went to open my mouth to reply, but Angelina beat me to it. "Why don't you two shut up?" She laughed. "Although, you may not be wrong." Groans rang out through the air when they realized that Angelina might be serious. "It couldn't hurt. But that's not what we're here to discuss." She paused and looked around at everyone. "As we know, Harry, Fred, and George have been removed from the team for the rest of this year—at least—depending on if Umbridge is here next year."

"Not if I can help it," Bella and I muttered together, causing the others to laugh.

"Now," Angelina continued, "Ginny has been moved from keeper to seeker to replace Harry while Neville has been moved into the position of keeper." She sighed. "I had no idea on what to do about our beaters. That was until Madam Hooch approached our table this morning."

Fred and George cheered before George spoke. "The only people I'd want replacing me in a time like this."

Angelina nodded. "That's right. Madam Hooch has given her approval for Bella and Edward to play on our team for the remainder of the season." Here Angelina snorted. "Barring any more unforeseen circumstances or pressure from Umbridge, of course."

Chatter broke out among the team for a few moments before Angelina called for quiet once more. "I'm positive we're going to play them in the beater positions—as long as they promise not to hit the balls too hard—but we'll put them through their paces with the other team members during training tomorrow afternoon to see where they'll work best. Although, I have absolutely no doubt that it will be together. Their connection will work best when they work together."

As always, Bella and I thought together.

~*~UHS~*~

Later that day, we were all sitting outside enjoying the sunshine and the lack of homework from our lessons. It wouldn't be long before we were neck deep in it once more. The twins were horsing around with each other, testing new merchandise before selling it to the greater public of Hogwarts.

Bella was leaning against my chest with her eyes closed, enjoying the sun, and I had closed my mind as much as I could to the thoughts of others. We were just relaxing when I heard the rustle of feathers, and then a thump as Hagrid's owl Lilly landed next to me.

Bad … bad … very bad. Lilly looked at me meaningfully but held out her leg. Hagrid …. Help. Please?

I frowned and reached out for the letter she had tied to her leg. "What do you mean, Lilly?"

Just … see. She hooted with that cryptic remark and flew off. Whatever it was, she felt all out of sorts because of it.

"What's going on?" Bella asked softly. The others weren't concerned about the owl. They were used to me getting them at odd times.

I shrugged as I unfolded the parchment and read what Hagrid had written. At first, it looked like it was written in code, but I soon realized that it was because Hagrid's handwriting was messier than normal.

Edward,

Please come to me.

I could use your help.

Bring Bella and no one else … for now.

Hagrid.

"Well, that was cryptic," I muttered quietly. Before Bella could ask, I handed the letter to her. I could see her frown as she tried to work out what Hagrid was asking.

Guess we better go see. How do we leave this lot behind?

"Leave that to me," I whispered in her ear. "Bella, do you want to go for a walk?"

Bella nodded. But Harry glanced up as we stood, a questioning look on his face. "Was that Hagrid's owl? Is he back?"

"It was Lilly, yes. But no, Hagrid isn't back," I said, wrapping Bella's hand around my arm. Much like my father would have my mother's back in the day. "He was just letting us know that he was fine and on his way back. He wasn't sure when he would arrive and not to worry."

Ginny sighed. "I hope he comes back soon. I've missed his more extravagant creatures."

Everyone laughed. Because she wasn't the only one. We had all missed Hagrid's unique brand of teaching.

We waved goodbye to our friends and took a circuitous route to the path that led to Hagrid's hut. I froze ever so slightly once we were in range. It was enough that Bella was able to pick up on it and silently ask me what was happening.

"I smell blood."

She looked up at me sharply. "What?"

"Hagrid's bleeding. I'm sure of it."

"Then let's go." Instead of me walking Bella, she started to pull me along.

The closer we got, the stronger the smell of blood became. So much so that it became a little overwhelming. I pulled Bella to a stop just as we reached the edge of Hagrid's garden. "I can't go in there just yet. I need a minute."

"But you don't suffer …"

"No, I don't. And that's not what this is. There just seems to be a lot of it."

Bella nodded. "Okay. You wait out here until you're ready. I'm gonna go in and make sure he's okay. I'll keep my mind open so you can see what I do."

Bella didn't wait for me to respond; she simply turned and continued on her way to Hagrid's front door. She knew I would be paying attention, and she knew I would join her when I could. I watched through her eyes and listened as she knocked on the door and spoke softly. "Hagrid? Are you there? It's Bella and Edward."

We both heard the heavy footsteps of our half-giant friend. But they were uneven. Like he was limping or injured. Bella couldn't hold in her gasp, and neither could I, when Hagrid opened the door.

"Oh, Hagrid, what happened?" Bella breathed, reaching out for Hagrid's hand. He was shocking to look at. His hair was matted with congealed blood while his left eye was nothing but a puffy slit. I wasn't even sure he could see through it. The hand that Bella reached out for was covered in cuts and bruises as well as his face. And if his breathing was anything to go by, he may have had broken ribs too. I'd have to take a look.

"Why don' yeh come in, and I'll tell yeh." Hagrid grimaced as he spoke. He stepped aside to let Bella past but looked to me. "Edward, are yeh comin'?"

It was my turn to grimace. "Give me a minute, Hagrid. Tell Bella what happened. I'll hear."

With a nod, Hagrid turned to follow Bella, shutting the door behind him. He went to boil a pot of tea, but Bella waved him off and told him she'd do it. "Sit, Hagrid. You look like you can barely stand." Bella set the kettle on the fire and got the tea cups ready. Even going so far as to put out some of Hagrid's rock cakes. Once the kettle was whistling, she made the tea and took the seat opposite him. "Now, what's happened? Where have you been?"

Hagrid let out a humorless chuckle. "I 'ave no doubts 'hat yeh have yer suspicions. Wha' 'as yer little network told yeh?"

Bella giggled. "Our 'network' did tell us that you were on a mission for Dumbledore, for the Order." Bella sighed. "Rumor was that you were going to see the giants."

"Once again, yeh rumor mill's correct," Hagrid said as I finally moved from my position in the garden and through his front door. "Professor Dumbledore did ask me to go visit the giants on me summer break. Me and Madame Maxime made the journey together."

"How did you find them?" Bella asked.

Hagrid snorted. "They ain't that hard to find, on account of them bein' so big," Hagrid replied, to which I chuckled, earning an elbow from Bella. "But that wasn' the only reason. The tribe we were goin' to see was me relatives."

Bella and I were stunned silent. Hagrid had never really spoken about where he had come from, only that one night during the Triwizard Tournament to Madame Maxime, which hadn't been received well that we overheard.

"Yeh, yer seein' where I'm goin' wit this, right?" Bella and I nodded to Hagrid's question. "Anyway, it was a rough trip. I mean it was fine until I reached the Polish border." He went to scrub a hand over his face but stopped when he bumped one particularly large cut. "Yeh've seen a troll?"

Bella nodded. "First year. Quirrell let one in when he was trying to get the Philosopher's Stone."

"That's right. Well, we came across some crossin' into Poland. They were some mean ones. Didn't hesitate to attempt to take what was ours. The dumb critters even followed us for a while." Hagrid shook his head. "We thought it weird that they didn't follow us into Belarus. That was until we stopped for the night in Minsk. The pub that we stopped at … was run by one of your kind, Edward. Went by the name Dracula."

"No way!" Bella and I gasped out on a laugh. We knew Dracula existed, the proof being that I could become an animagus thanks to a journal he had written that McGonagall gave me.

"What?" Hagrid asked. "You know him?"

"We know of him. He's a bit of an enigma in muggle mythology," I said, covering up the real reason Bella and I knew of him. "He was supposed to be a mythical vampire."

Bella huffed, rolling her eyes. She knew we couldn't tell Hagrid the real reason either. "Aren't we all just myths?"

I laughed again. "I'll give you that, but in muggle mythology, Dracula was a vampire in Transylvania. He led a bloody rampage against a vampire hunter by the name of Van Helsing."

"What was the non-myth?" Bella asked, getting into the story.

"Vlad Dracul, or Vlad the Impaler as he was better known as, used to impale his enemies on a pike. It's why he gained his name. And believe me, he had a lot of enemies. Over the centuries, the story morphed and changed, as they usually do, and he became a vampire of legend." I shook my head at myself. "The story changed and morphed until he was an immortal man who drank the blood of his victims. And as such, he became a vampire of legend."

Bella looked toward Hagrid. "Huh. So, the story had some truth to it after all? Vlad Dracul is actually a vampire?"

Hagrid nodded. "That he is. Bu' he was a nice fellow, running an inn for mythical creatures. Much like Aberforth in Hogsmeade. He let us recuperate for a coupla days before we moved on."

"So, not so much like his legend then?" I grinned.

Hagrid chuckled. "Maybe not. But who knew what he was like when he was younger?" He sighed once more. "Once we 'ad recharged, we continued on to where I knew the tribe was. What you mus' understand is that giants don't last long, even though they live in tribes. They fight too much."

"Always wanting to be the alpha?" I asked.

"Exactly," Hagrid agreed. "When we arrived, we watched the goings on from a distance. The women would cook and look after the kids while the men fought for domination. When they were full from eating, Maxime and I made our move down to the tribe. The Gurg …"

Bella and I tilted our heads. That was a word I had never heard before. "What's a Gurg?"

Hagrid sighed. "The Gurg is the chief of the tribe. At that point, the ugliest giant was the Gurg … Karkus." Hagrid snorted. "He may have been the ugliest, but he was also the biggest at twenty-two, twenty-three feet and weighing in at around the size of two bull elephants. I swear his skin was as hard as a rhino. He was damn lazy too. He had all of the women waiting on him hand and foot."

We all took a sip of teas as Hagrid stopped to breathe for a moment. But he started talking again as soon as his cup hit the table. "We walked into camp, pulling a cart."

"What was the cart for?" Bella interrupted. I couldn't help but snicker because she was as into this story as she had been mine. "Shut up, Edward!" She laughed, smacking my arm.

Hagrid let out one of his deep laughs but stopped when he grimaced, rubbing his side. "It's okay, Edward. Don't make me laugh."

"Let me check you out, Hagrid," I said as I stood. "I have a medical degree."

"Not yet." He shook his head at me. "I want yeh to; it's why I asked yeh here. But I need to get this out first."

"Okay … okay," I placated as I sat down. "As soon as we're done."

"Yup. Anyway." Hagrid turned back to Bella. "We had a cart full of gifts. It's the only way ter get giants ter stop and listen. And they did. Well, they took the gifts right away and said we'd talk the next day. We were expected to spend the night. A gesture of goodwill. We were given a cave at the farthest end of the compound."

I took a bite of rock cake as Bella asked what gifts Hagrid had given to the giants to get them to stop and listen.

"We gave them a Branch of Gubraithian—um … an everlasting fire," Hagrid explained when Bella and I must have looked at him confused. When we nodded, he continued. "We also gave them an indestructible, goblin-made battle helmet. Tha' was the other reason they wanted to wait until the next day."

I nodded. "They wanted to inspect the gifts?"

"More like squabble over them," Hagrid rebutted. "Bu' yeah, essentially. Olympe and I went to the cave they had given us and spent a restless night, listening to everything going on in that tribe, before making our way out for breakfast."

I placed my hand over Bella's mouth as she went to ask what they had eaten for breakfast. Hagrid's mind had opened up ever so briefly with the memory, and it was something I wish I could forget. "You don't want to know, Bella, trust me on this."

"Mkay," she said, muffled from behind my hand. Bella and Hagrid laughed when I pulled my hand back with an "Eww, that's gross" because Bella had licked my hand when I hadn't removed it fast enough.

Hagrid chuckled for a few more moments before pointing at Bella. "As funny as that was, he's right. You don't want to know. Anyway, over breakfast, I reminded them how Dumbledore was the only one to treat them right after the last wizarding war. How most of the community shunned the giants, and because of that, I have to hide what I am."

"I'm sure they weren't happy to get the reminder," I said softly. "Most people aren't happy when they're reminded of something like that."

"No … they weren't." Hagrid shook his head. "But it got their attention. They wanted to know why we were there. I took the time to explain that he-who-must-not-be-named was back. That we would need them on our side in the upcoming war. That we had people, good people, working to get them the rights they so deserved from our ministry." Here Hagrid smiled at us. He was one of the first to buy a badge for S.P.E.W. Our Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare, and although it was named in the hopes of getting better treatment for our house elves, it was also working toward better deals for all of the sentient creatures in our world. "They asked for time to think it over, so we went back to our cave to rest."

Bella eyed Hagrid critically. "I take it by all of this"—she indicated to his cuts and bruises—"that it didn't go well?"

"Oh?" Hagrid pointed at his face. "This isn't … doesn't matter." He waved a hand in dismissal. "But, no, it didn't go well. Because that night, there was a coup, and Karkus was killed by a smaller but meaner giant, Golgomath. It took me a while to convince Olympe to come out of the cave the next morning, but by the time we stepped out, they were being visited by someone else, someone far worse."

"A death eater." I sighed.

Hagrid nodded. "McNair."

I snarled. I couldn't help it. McNair was the executioner for the Ministry of Magic. He'd been tasked with killing Buckbeak when Lucius Malfoy had put in a complaint a couple years ago. The complaint had gone to trial, not that it mattered because the ministry had made up its mind, and Buckbeak was sentenced to die. I knew then that McNair was a death eater. I should have killed him when I'd had the chance.

I hadn't realized that I'd closed my eyes or fisted my hands until I felt Bella's warm one on top of mine, and my eyes flew open to meet hers. "He'll pay, Edward. Every single one of them will pay."

I nodded and started matching my breathing to hers to calm down. It took me a few minutes and leaning over to breathe in Bella's scent, but eventually, I was able to look up at Hagrid and apologize.

Hagrid shook his head at me. "None needed. I feel the same way."

"What happened next? Were you seen?" Bella asked quietly.

"No. Olympe and I snuck out of the tribe's encampment from where our cave was located. But to be sure, when we were a few hundred kilometers away, we split up. I haven't heard from her since. I sure hope she's made it home safely."

I could see that Hagrid was beginning to tire. In fact, he was listing to one side, trying to favor his ribs. "All right, Hagrid. That's enough for now. Let's get you into bed, and I'll make sure you're okay."

The big guy nodded and leaned on me as I led him to the other room in his hut. Once I had him situated, I checked him over. "You have a pretty nasty bump on the head, and your eye is almost completely shut. From the bruising on your torso, I'd say you have at least three broken ribs. I can get Carlisle to send you some pain medicine if you want, or I can ask Bella to come in and try using her siren powers to heal you. Which would you prefer?"

"Carlisle, please," Hagrid replied quietly, his cheeks turning a muddy red. I assumed he didn't want Bella to see him without his shirt on.

"No problems. I'll head to the owlery and send Athan straight away."

"Thank you, Edward." Hagrid rolled over and fell into an exhausted sleep.

I covered up his torso with the large blanket he kept on the end of his bed, Fang jumping up to keep him warm, and then made my way back to the room where Bella was finishing cleaning up. "Why wouldn't he let me help?"

I pulled Bella into my arms, giving her a warm hug. "I think he was embarrassed. He didn't want you to see him like that. Weak, I suppose would be what he was thinking."

Bella nodded. She was about to ask another question, but we were interrupted by a knock at the door. I tuned into the thoughts waiting outside. How had I missed her approach? I couldn't help the evil smile that curled at my lips. I couldn't wait to see what she thought about us being here.

"Wait here, Bella." She had seen the smile. She had heard the knock on the door. Of course, my clever girl had figured out who was on the other side. Although, the perfume she was wearing was strong enough that we could smell it with our sensitive noses. I stalked to the door and flung it open like it weighed nothing at all. "Can I help you, Professor?"

Umbridge, in all her pink glory with her toad-like face, took a step back at my forceful greeting. She was so shocked that it took her a few seconds to gather her wits. "What are you doing here?" she asked when she'd finally gotten herself somewhat together. "And where is Rubeus Hagrid?"

"Professor Hagrid's inside," I said as I crossed my arms and stood in the doorway. There was no way in hell I was letting her cross the threshold while Hagrid was unconscious. Nor when he looked like death warmed over.

"May I come in to see him?" Umbridge asked with forced politeness before she frowned once more. "Again, what are you doing here?"

"Professor Hagrid returned from his time away today, and he sent his owl to us, asking if we could visit. Not that it is any of your business, Professor."

"Edward," Bella chided softly as she stood at my side. She wasn't scolding me for Umbridge's sake but for my own. "I'm sorry, Professor, but Professor Hagrid is unavailable at this time. His travels have taken a toll on him, and he's retired to bed. Is there anything we can do to help you?"

I couldn't help the soft growl that erupted from my chest when Umbridge realized that the "us" I had referenced was Bella and myself, and she rolled her eyes. Her thoughts wondered why I never went anywhere without my girl, or vice versa. Didn't we do anything on our own? I huffed with my own slight eye roll. Of course, we did, but I found the older we got, the more our connection solidified, the more I didn't want to do anything without Bella. I wondered if we ever would.

Bella reached out and patted my arm. She had seen the eye roll and heard my growl. But she wasn't going to let it affect her.

Professor Umbridge just looked from Bella to me for a few seconds before huffing a rather put out sigh. "Just tell Professor Hagrid to come see me when he wakes up. There have been changes, and he needs to be aware of them."

In an almost synchronized move, Bella and I took a step backward. With a wicked grin, I said to Umbridge, "We'll certainly let him know you want to see him. Good day." And with that, I slammed the door in Umbridge's face.

HOW DARE HE? Umbridge's thoughts were completely outraged. She was stunned. Who does he think he is that he can do that to me? TO ME?

While Umbridge stood outside the door, almost too outraged to move, Bella and I were inside falling all over each other, trying not to burst out laughing until the horrid woman left. In fact, even after she left, I'm not sure we made it until she was far enough away before we let our laughter loose because she faltered on the first steps of the climb up to the castle.

Only time would tell.

~*~UHS~*~

"Welcome, welcome!" Angelina called as we made our way out onto the pitch for the first training session where Bella and I were actually part of the team and not just honorary members. "We have a lot to get through and not much time to do it tonight." We had all gathered at one end, and Angelina was looking over all of us. "I know what Madam Hooch suggested with Bella and Edward taking the places of Fred and George, but I wanted to try them out in other positions first. Both together and apart. First, let's try them in the beaters spot. We're going to do the flying V against our new reserves."

Bella snickered from next to me. Angelina had felt it only fair that she call up some of the players that had come to the tryouts for keeper to become the reserves for the other positions. Our reserve team now included the original reserves that played with Bella and I, Dean and Seamus who had taken Neville and Bella's positions, and none other than Cormac McLaggen. And boy was he not happy to play "second fiddle" to me.

His words, not mine.

"Everyone, mount your brooms and take your places!" Angelina called as she did that.

Bella and I followed suit, taking off before any others were ready. It didn't take long for both teams to fly into position. Angelina, Katie, and Alicia joining Bella and I. We had Jasper down on the pitch again acting as referee. He had wanted to see if we would be able to play with the team or if we would be a hinderance.

With a blow of the whistle, Alicia took off toward the quaffle Jasper had thrown, as did her opposing player. Alicia reached the quaffle first, and each of us flew into position behind her.

Coming from the right! Bella thought to me, noticing a bludger coming at me that I missed because I was making sure my speed matched the others. Instead of using a bat, I smacked at the bludger with my hand. Not sure that's allowed, Edward.

I smirked. Jasper didn't pick up on it, although I'm sure that Madam Hooch would. "I'll keep that in mind!"

It amazed others how in tune Bella and I were with each other, dodging players, beating the bludgers, and passing them between the two of us all the way down the field. Not one bludger got even close to the girls passing the quaffle. When we reached our goals, Dean was doing everything he could to guard the posts. He was watching as the girls passed the quaffle to each other. Katie took aim as if she was going to throw it, causing Dean to move in her direction to defend, before she threw it off to Angelina, who then threw it through the undefended rings.

Angelina smiled at Bella and me as we gave each other a high five. We'd managed to defend our players and keep the other team from getting close. Plus, we enjoyed pandering to the crowd—being Fred and George. She thought we were a lot like the twins, who coincidentally were cheering as loud as they could from the stands. Bella even managed to balance on her broom long enough to offer a bow.

"Good work, guys," Angelina stated as she pulled her broom to a stop near ours. "Now, let's really test you out. Bella, I want you in a chaser position. Edward, into keeper. Neville," she shouted down the pitch. "Come and take Edward's position."

With a thumbs up from Neville, he and I flew toward each other, swapping places, while Katie took up Bella's previous position.

That's how we spent the next couple hours. Changing positions and redoing plays, trying to figure out where Bella and I would work best, together and as part of the team.

"All right, everyone, gather round!" Angelina called after the last play. Bella had begged to play seeker just once, even if it was at practice. She had caught the snitch so fast that we hadn't had a chance to score any goals. While we would win a game, it kinda defeated the purpose if it was over as fast as it began. "We've put in a really good practice today, and we've gotten a feel for what it will be like to play with people who can win without batting an eye. But I think that Madam Hooch was right." She paused to look at me and Bella. We were grinning from ear to ear, just happy to be part of the team. "You two work well apart, but you truly work best when you work together. So that's what we're going to do, and you'll be playing in the beater positions. Congratulations, guys."

The team cheered. Flying past us, giving us high fives, and slapping us—well me—on the back in congratulations.

Angelina whistled, catching our attention. "Settle down. We still have some time, so why don't we have one last match. Professor Whitlock, are you ready?"

"Ready!"

"Then let's play!"

With a quick indication of what play Angelina wanted us to run, we were off in the air without hesitation. Granted, it didn't matter too much which play we ran because the reserves knew all of them and the hand signal that preceded them. Bella and I flew to opposite sides of the pitch and waited for the bludgers to come flying.

Once we were all in position, Jasper kicked the box, sending the bludgers and snitch flying once more. He reached down and lifted the quaffle into his hands. With a sharp, shrill blow of his whistle, he threw it into the air. The match had officially begun, and there were no holds barred. Bella and I were going to give it everything we had.

It was going to be very interesting.

~*~UHS~*~

"Merlin," Katie groaned, lying on the pitch after landing. "You guys can move. How are we ever going to keep up?"

Alicia landed and plopped down next to Bella. "We don't have to." She panted. "As long as we can score the goals, that's all that matters." She took a deep breath, then let it out. "Though, I do think you've been holding out on us in training."

I smiled while Bella held up her thumb and pointer finger only slightly apart. "Maybe just a little. But we won't be using it against you during matches."

"Thank Merlin for that. Could you imagine being the opponent?" Ginny asked, plopping down next.

The other members of the team landed and sat down with us. All in varying states of breathlessness. All except for McLaggen. He landed and stormed off the pitch. I hoped he wasn't going to do anything stupid, or I may have to find a way to gag him.

We sat and made small talk for a few minutes while everyone else caught their breath. Jasper had joined us but wasn't saying anything. He was just enjoying the atmosphere around so many happy people.

"So, I think we have our team. The next game should be very interesting," Angelina said after she had caught her breath. "I have no doubt we'll wipe the floor with them." She smirked as she looked around at all of us. "I think I'll have to come up with some new plays. It'll be shocking to the other team to see you with us; we might as well give them something else new too."

I couldn't help but laugh at her devious mind. "Sounds like a good plan to me."

~*~UHS~*~

"Oh, God," Bella moaned against my neck. "There … there … don't stop."

"I won't, sweet girl," I groaned back. Having Bella's hand wrapped around me would never get old. "But you gotta be quiet. They'll hear you all the way to the top of Gryffindor Tower."

"Can't … can't," she breathed. "Feels so good."

I growled long and low when she scraped her nails along my shaft. I could only imagine what having her teeth there would do.

We had come a long way in our physical relationship since our fight earlier this year. Over the past few months, Bella and I had built our intimacy up slowly. If you can call a few months slowly. When we were feeling amorous enough, we took the time to build our intimacy. We had started with kissing and hands over clothes before that morphed into our first dry hump.

Bella experiencing her first orgasm was a sight to behold. Slowly over the coming weeks, we explored more of each other both over and under our clothes. Eventually, hands and mouths started to explore every inch of skin we could find. Well, my mouth had. I had—finally—tasted Bella from her pussy. That would go down in our history as one of my favorite days.

I moaned, thinking about tasting Bella for the first time. Bella hadn't quite gotten up the nerve to place her mouth on me, yet, although her thoughts were getting closer. She wanted to taste me but was a little intimidated by the whole process.

"I know … I know. God, Bella, your hand. Squeeze tighter." I growled again when she did as I asked. "Yes … yes."

We were open about what we wanted and what we could say when we were together like this. There was only one thing not allowed and that was Bella saying Merlin. The first time it happened, it completely threw me off. I couldn't comprehend that Bella had said another man's name in our space. I had to take time away, refocus, before I could come back. Instead, she had practiced using God. It didn't take long for her to say it because she knew it would be a while before she would get her orgasm if I had to fight through a haze of madness to give it to her.

"So close … a little more, Edward, harder …"

I moved my fingers inside of her faster and a little harder, giving her what she wanted. "That's it, Bella. Give it to me. I want to taste you." I pulled her hand away from my dick and moved down the bed. I loved to taste her right as she peaked. It was a heady feeling, and the taste was sublime.

A low, keening moan came from the back of Bella's throat as I helped her reach the edge of her orgasm. I was just about to tip her over the edge when another set of panicked thoughts barged their way into my consciousness.

EDWARD, HELP! Please … I need you.

"Noooo … what are you doing? Don't stop … please?" Bella groaned out when she realized that my thoughts had been diverted.

I need you more. This is important, Emmett pleaded from outside the portrait.

"You can wait, Emmett. I never interrupt you," I growled out angrily as I began moving my hand inside Bella once more. I was lucky. She hadn't come out of her pre-orgasm haze long enough to hear me talk to Emmett once I started pressing her toward that edge once more.

Okay. Fine, Emmett thought sulkily. I'll wait lower down.

Ignoring Emmett, I focused back on Bella. "That's it, my girl. I want you to come for me. I want to taste it." I leaned down and placed one long lick on her pussy. I couldn't help the groan that I released when her flavor exploded on my tongue. She was tangy, and tart, and all things Bella, right from her very core. It only took a few more passes of my tongue, and one well-placed deep growl, for Bella to release for me.

Once she was relaxed back on the bed, I pulled away from her. "Where are you going?" she panted as she watched me stand.

"Emmett needs me. Apparently, it's urgent."

"But you need me," Bella said as she looked me over from head to toe, lingering on my still hard cock.

I lunged forward and kissed her hard. "I do need you. And when I come back, you can have your fill. Gives me incentive to get rid of him faster."

Bella licked her lips and looked me square in the eye. "You'd better. I was gonna …" As she trailed off, the most erotic image I had ever seen exploded into my mind. Bella was down on her knees, her mouth and hand wrapped around me as I'm standing above her with my hands in her hair and my head thrown back.

"Holy shit, Bella," I whined, raking my hands through my hair. "You can't throw that at me!"

She smirked. "I just did. Hurry back, Edward. I want my taste. I'm ready."

Instead of answering her, I rushed to pull my clothes back on. I never thought I would have need to get dressed that fast. I left her—the hardest thing I've ever had to do—with one last hard kiss and jumped out of my trunk and headed to the portrait.

"Good night, Edward?" The Fat Lady laughed as she opened up for me.

I growled. "Not yet, it's not. Emmett better be dying when I find him."

The Fat Lady's laughter followed me down the stairs. "Don't kill him, Edward!" she shouted out as I made it down the first of the moving staircases.

"I make no promises," I said under my breath as I rounded the next lot of stairs. I ranged my hearing out so I could locate Emmett only to find him at the bottom of the staircase, waiting for me. He was actively not thinking about what he needed me for, and that just frustrated me all the more.

I had been perfectly happy in my little bubble, exploring Bella's gorgeous body, which was filling out right in front of my eyes, and making her come six ways from Sunday with just my mouth and hands.

But Emmett had to go and interrupt us—when I had never, ever done that to any of them before—and all before I got Bella's hands to finish me. Or her mouth as I had found out. The fact that he was trying to keep me from knowing what had happened and why he needed me caused my anger to spiral.

In fact, I had built quite a head of steam by the time I made it to the top of the last staircase only to come to a complete stop halfway down. The view before me was as hilarious as it was confusing.

I tilted my head to the side, not only to try and comprehend what I was seeing but to try and figure out what Emmett was trying to keep from me.

"Emmett, what the hell happened to your arm? Why is it not attached to your body?"

~*~UHS~*~

I wonder what kind of trouble Emmett has gotten himself into? And what do you think about the progress Bella and Edward have made? Are we happy about it?

See you in a fortnight!