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 Twenty-Two – Christmas Part II

Arriving at Potter Mansion was interesting, to say the least. While Carlisle, Bella, Augustus, and I figured out how to create the antidote to maledictus venom in the lab, Esme and the others had gone ahead to prepare a room for Arthur to rest in once I had cured him.

No pressure, Mom.

Nobody at Potter Mansion had believed I could do it. Except Remus. And it hadn't been easy. It had taken a couple more hours, lots more experimenting with the antidote to poisons potion ingredients—as well as how they were put together—but eventually, the four of us had done it.

I snorted. According to Bella, I had done it. It was my last few ideas, experiments, and removal of specific ingredients that had helped to bond the dragon's blood and vampire venom to create a potion powerful enough to not only put the maledictus venom into stasis, but to eradicate it completely without turning Arthur into a vampire. I shrugged to myself. It was a group effort, as far as I was concerned. Although, I might be the only one to think so.

So, everyone at Potter Mansion was completely surprised when the fireplace flared green one last time after Molly had stepped through with none other than Arthur—in a wheelchair—wheeled out of the fireplace. He was still wrapped in bandages and still having to drink some blood replenishing potions to help him recover, but he was out of the hospital.

Apart from Remus, the only one who didn't seem surprised was Opi. Congratulations, Edward. You have created two potions in your time in the wizarding world, so far, that have plagued the magical community since the beginning of time.

I tilted my head, confused. How did he know I created a new potion?

Opi smirked in my direction. I have my ways of finding things out. Especially things that are as remarkable as yours. Well done. I'm glad you're using your newfound abilities for the betterment of magical and, dare I say it, muggle kind.

I frowned. How would something I created in the wizarding world help those in the muggle world?

Our potions aren't just used to help those in the wizarding world. Many of the medicines used today in muggle hospitals are a derivation of wizarding potions. We tinker, we adjust, and we develop additions to help the muggles create their own healing draughts. Opi smirked at the surprise on my face.

I never really thought about that before. But, much like shapeshifters, there would need to be people to interact with, to fall in love with, to create more witches and wizards; otherwise, the bloodlines would become too mingled.

It didn't take long for everyone to circle around and welcome Arthur back to the land of the living before dragging him off to the dining room, with the rest of us following. It was time to celebrate Christmas as only our large family could. We had large tables full of food, more people than we could count, and decorations everywhere. And under the large tree in the front room were piles of presents for everyone.

We spent the morning and early afternoon eating and opening presents. There were many gag gifts given, especially to Emmett, and plenty of more useful presents as well. Somehow, Carlisle had even managed to get some very rare, very old potion books that had some interesting applications. And now that I knew the wizarding world had a hand in helping the muggle world, I looked at any type of potion with a different mindset. I wonder how Carlisle would handle knowing that a lot of the medicines he put a lot of faith in were based in the—sometimes, okay most times—non-scientific magical world.

I sat back after all the presents were opened and watched as everyone intermingled. Laughter was abundant, but it was Molly who my eyes were drawn to. She was ever so grateful that Arthur was going to be okay. It was with that thought that Molly's eyes flicked in my direction. Thank you, Edward. I don't know what I'd do if I lost him.

I nodded to her but a stray thought caught my attention. Neville had been enjoying the atmosphere around us, but it made him wish for his parents. I understood that feeling. He leaned back into the chair that he was sitting in and looked down at his hands. This was one of those times he missed them with an all-consuming ache. But he surprised me when he reached into his pocket and pulled out the two watches that were left behind by his parents.

I hadn't spent much time around Neville, nor the watches, but it seemed he'd started to carry them around. There was something strange about them; I just couldn't put my finger on it. So, I cycled through the various channels that were in my mind as Cortesia had shown me so long ago. I didn't expect to find anything out of the ordinary. That's why I was surprised when I stumbled on something on an obscure channel in the back of my mind, one that I never really used because I had never found anything on there. Until now.

… Hello? … Can anyone …

… I hope someone … help us … Neville …

I frowned. Neither of them sounded like Neville, and nobody thought their own names like that. I wondered where they were coming from. Bella plopped down in my lap, distracting me from the thoughts I'd heard.

What's happening? You're a little too distracted for Christmas?

I leaned up and nuzzled against her ear. "I heard thoughts I hadn't heard before," I whispered softly in her ear. "I'm not sure where they came from, but they were asking for help." Bella pulled back suddenly and looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I pulled her back down so I could whisper in her ear again. "They were also thinking about Neville. I don't know what to make of that."

Bella slid off my lap and sat next to me with her legs draped over mine. I had one arm wrapped around her shoulders as she leaned into me, and the other was rubbing her leg. What's different about today? Bella asked as she looked around. Why are you hearing them today and not before?

I knew what she was asking, and the only item that I felt was out of place today was Neville's watches. Could they really be coming from there? What did that mean? "Neville has the watches that his parents left. He'd pulled them from his pocket right before I heard the voices."

Bella frowned slightly as she looked toward where Neville was sitting, the watches in his hands. Can you hear them now?

… hope we haven't been … how long has it …

… need to get back … have to help …

I nodded as I looked back at Bella.

Do you think that maybe there's more to those watches than meets the eye?

"Maybe," I whispered. I looked over at Opi. "I think I know who to ask though."

Fill me in later?

"You got it." I kissed Bella on the head and stood up, plopping her back on the couch. As I walked past Opi, I tapped him on the shoulder and lead the way out to the back patio. I sat and waited for Opi to join me.

"What's up, Edward?"

"Is it possible to upload your consciousness into say"—I waved my hand around as I tried to put my thoughts into words—"an inanimate object for safe keeping?"

Opi opened his mouth to argue against the idea but closed his mouth just as quickly. Instead of answering, Opi slumped back in his chair and stared out across the yard, thinking. "I have seen many things in my long life." Opi sighed. "So I cannot immediately dismiss what you are asking. Nor can I say yes either." He looked over at me, speculating, wondering. "Why do you ask?"

I explained what I'd heard inside. How it sounded like something—or someone, someones—were trapped inside something. I told Opi what they had said, and how they thought about Neville. The more I explained, the more Opi's mouth dropped open in surprise.

"You think the Longbottoms consciousnesses are, somehow, trapped? And possibly inside their own watches?"

I shrugged. "It makes sense really."

Opi frowned. "How so?"

"Well … if you'd been tipped off that Voldemort, or some of his minions, were coming for you, what would you do?" I asked metaphorically. "Would you want to give away secrets from the order you were in to fight the forces of dark? Would you want to die and never see your family, your friends, or your newborn son ever again? Or would you do everything in your power to keep your secrets and your life by giving the dark wizards just an empty shell to torture?"

"I …" Opi paused, a frown on his face as he thought over my questions. "I had never thought about it like that before. You really think they managed to do that?"

"I don't know. I'm not the expert on Earth magic, nor any sort of magic." I shrugged again. "Could this be possible? Could we, potentially, save Alice and Frank and give them back to Neville?"

"I have no idea if it's possible. But I am going to find out. I'll let you know if I find anything." Opi stood and made his way inside with me following. I knew I'd just put the best mind, the most experienced person, on this. And I had hope that he would find a way.

That would certainly explain why the watches kept coming back home, back to Neville. Because if I was a parent, I'd want to stay as close to my child as possible, Bella thought, looking at me as I walked over to her.

"Me too, Bella, me too."

~*~UHS~*~

The last few days of Christmas break were spent working with Harry and his occlumency. We wanted to make sure there was absolutely no way Voldemort could access Harry's thoughts unless we wanted him to. That was the trick that was going to take time to master. We wanted Harry to be able to block him out but still feel when something changed Voldemort's emotions. That way when something big happened, Harry would know and would be able to read Voldemort's mind.

By the time we returned to Hogwarts, Harry had a firm handle on what he was supposed to practice and how to achieve the results we wanted, but until he felt something from Voldemort, we weren't sure how effective it would be.

The resiliency of children never failed to amaze me, and it was no different once we returned to Hogwarts. It was like everything that happened before Christmas with Umbridge was almost forgotten. The children just seemed to look forward to the next big thing in the calendar year. It seemed that love was in the air; even with Valentine's Day being over a month away, the students of Hogwarts were pairing up at a fast rate. Partnerships were being formed and dates were being planned for Hogsmeade for Valentine's Day weekend.

What I found hilariously funny was that every time something like this happened in front of my Bella, she would roll her eyes, huff at their insistence of not being alone on such a day, and walk off with a shake of her head. She couldn't believe that children were so worried about it. As far as she was concerned, we should all wait for the one person who made our hearts flutter, our stomachs drop, and to feel the completion of being with our mates.

"Not everyone is as lucky as us, Bella," I said to her as we made our way to the library to meet up with everyone for a study session. "We can't all find our mates, our loves, at school."

"That's preposterous!" she argued back. "Just about everyone I know met their soul mate in school. Molly and Arthur, James and Lily, you and me!"

I snorted a laugh, tugging her along when she wanted to cross her arms in anger. "Okay, fine. Some people have. But"—I held up my hand when she went to argue—"but had I not been turned into a vampire, we would have never met, so we wouldn't have met in school. And it doesn't happen for everyone. Your dad didn't meet your mom in school."

Bella's mouth had dropped open only to snap shut. Fair point. But … "Harry and Hermione, and now Ginny and Draco. They all met at school and are perfect for each other."

"And while that's true, most humans date around before finding their mates or settling down with someone. This"—I waved my hand around at all the new couples—"is normal human behavior. They don't feel what we feel."

Bella's shoulders slumped. "I know. I get that. But regardless, settling for a someone who doesn't make you special is just silly."

"But this is what normal human teenagers do." I wrapped my arm around Bella's shoulders and pulled her through the library doors. "Not everyone will pair up, Bella; some are just not ready."

Bella nodded as she walked along with me, quiet now as she thought about what I said. I knew she just wanted everyone to find who they were supposed to be with. To be happy. Just like she was.

"Love you, baby."

Bella smiled up at me. "Love you, too, Edward."

All of our friends had gathered there, including Ginny and Draco. It seemed that they had become old news since the beginning of this year. They were accepted as a couple; although, Draco had lost quite a few friends over it. Not that he seemed all that worried about it.

I couldn't help but smirk at who was now sitting at the end of our table. It seemed that our friends hadn't escaped the love bug either. I always thought that Neville and Luna would be late bloomers. In fact, I had thought they wouldn't be ready until we had all left for school. I chuckled quietly to myself. Guess I had been wrong.

Bella tilted her head as she sat at the table. Are they? she asked as she looked at me.

"Yes, Bella. It seems Neville finally realized his feelings." I smirked at the squeal she unleashed in her mind. "Oh … I see how it is. It's ridiculous when it's everyone else in the castle, but when it's your friends, it's okay?"

My girl's head fell back as she laughed out loud, only to be shushed by the librarian. With her head leaned back on the chairback, she turned to face me. No! she laughed again, only in my head this time. I've been rooting for this to happen since I saw this. Bella's mind opened up like a flower in bloom.

Bella was walking around the gardens at Swan Manor. It was one of the beautiful summer days between our fourth and fifth years, and every single one of our friends was here with us. We loved it like that, having everyone here. It wasn't only for fun, but they were safer when they were surrounded by vampires. Not only that, but we could all be ourselves, including Draco.

Bella had been out in the field, working with Cortesia. She liked to keep up her skills for helping so that her Veela side remained under control. Fleur and Gabrielle joined her occasionally, but on this occasion, she had been there by herself.

She watched the happenings going on at the table on the verandah. I was sitting with Fred and George, making plans and going over what they wanted to make for their joke shop. Not that anyone knew that but Bella, Harry, and me. Harry and Hermione were sitting on either side of Gabrielle, helping her prepare for her first year at Hogwarts, all while smiling at each other over the top of her head. Bill was talking to Draco while Fleur and Ginny were talking about the different shops of Diagon Alley and the little district in France where Fleur and Gabrielle used to live.

But it was Neville and Luna who her eyes fell to. The pair of them were so shy around each other that we forgot to take notice of them. Neville had been reading a book about the many different plants that grew in magical greenhouses while Luna had been looking through some of her grandfather's—Newt's—journals about the many, many beasts he had encountered throughout his lifetime. That wasn't what had caught Bella's attention about them though. No. It was the passionate discussion they were having about the food to grow in the greenhouses to feed Bella's puppies—that weren't really puppies anymore—the owls, and as a supplement for Cortesia and her family.

Bella smiled. She could see what the rest of us weren't paying attention to. Luna and Neville had a spark. A spark so bright it would burn and sustain them for all the days of their lives, if they just admitted their feelings and let it out. Bella had no idea when that spark would ignite, but she was hopeful that one day soon, it just might.

Bella let go of the memory, bringing me back to the present in the library. See?

I chuckled again. "I see, sweet girl. So, maybe some of wizard kind are lucky to find their one while still in school. We'll have to wait and see."

We started pulling out our books and study materials, our friends still not aware that we were studying ahead and continued to learn what we could. But Bella looked up at Luna and Neville one last time.

They'll make it. I have all the faith in the world. Wouldn't it be nice if we could give him back his parents in time for their wedding?

"If it's even possible. But one can always hope."

~*~UHS~*~

Things were quiet over the following weeks. We were still waiting for the first quidditch match. Bella and I were on tenterhooks to play in our first game.

Umbridge and Snape, while setting copious amounts of homework, had also backed off. I'm sure they meant it as reassuring, but to us, it was like waiting for the other shoe to drop. We knew they would start being nasty again; we just weren't sure when.

Voldemort was also being quiet. Harry's occlumency lessons had evolved. Jasper was now helping to build up Harry's stamina when strong emotions were involved. Harry was getting better and better at remaining calm while also accessing the inside of Voldemort's head. As far as we were aware, Voldemort was no longer aware of Harry's intrusion. We just didn't know if he knew about the connection to Harry and whether he could still influence Harry's thoughts in any way.

So, while things had been relatively quiet and decidedly not busy, we had not been. We were well into researching other possible items that Voldemort had turned into horcruxes, as well as where these mythical items had ended up being hidden. Anything from Rowena Raven's diadem to Helga Hufflepuff's famed cup. And this was all on top of our schoolwork and the extra work Bella and I were doing.

Plus, Bella and I were getting to know each other as well. I smirked to myself; that was the best thing about being what I was—I never got tired. Bella did, but she was requiring less sleep now that her body wasn't changing quite so much.

What's that secretive little smirk for? Bella asked, looking at me out of the corner of her eye. We were all coming down from the Room of Requirement, heading for the Great Hall. There was a range of conversations going on around us, so we were skating under the radar.

I smirked again. A little bigger this time. "Thinking about where my tongue was last night."

Oof. Really? Now? Bella stumbled a little as her thoughts pictured in crystal clear clarity me looking up at her from my new favorite place: between her thighs. Ugh.

"Not just now." I snickered. "Always. Part of my thoughts are always there." I lowered my voice some more, bringing on that seductive quality I knew she loved. "Like you are any different, my naughty girl. I know what goes on in that brain of yours."

This time, it was Bella who giggled. A positively beautiful sound. You mean like when I'm daydreaming like this?

This time, it was me who stumbled when Bella showed me a fantasy of hers that we finally lived out the other night. I never knew that having Bella on her knees, taking my cock in her mouth as I held her head and thrust in and out, would be so … erotic. I thought having her in that position would make her feel degraded, unloved, and used. But she'd wanted it. Especially once she got comfortable giving me a blowjob. Her dreams had been running rampant with it, and it was so bad that last night her dreams had me so hard that I woke her up to help me. I had been eating her out when the fantasy had slammed into my mind, so hard, with a longing so great, that I couldn't not give it to her. And, oh my god, it had blown my mind.

But not only that, it had turned Bella on so much that she had tentatively started exploring herself while she allowed me to control her. When I had realized what she was doing, I completely lost it, orgasming so hard that I nearly fell to the floor. Once I'd recovered my equilibrium, I pushed her back onto the bed and finished the job for her.

I heard Bella snicker in her thoughts at me tripping over my own feet.

"You can't do that to me, Bella," I whined at vampire pitch. "You know what seeing those visuals does to me."

Bella's mouth dropped open. Like hearing you whisper dirty things that you want to do to me doesn't do the same?

I laughed. "Fair point. Yours is easier to hide."

Bella pushed me. That may be so, but I don't appreciate walking around in wet undies. Maybe I should just take them off?

"Ugh." I grunted, dropping my head back in defeat. Bella had gotten really good at teasing me. I loved every second of it. "Don't do that, please? I'll lose my fucking mind."

That was something else that had developed recently. I used to believe that profanity was uncouth, something to be avoided at all costs. But I've learned, recently, that it's also a wonderful way to express myself. When standard words just aren't enough to show what I'm feeling, adding in a profanity, or two, helps to emphasize it.

That, and when I drop it unexpectedly like I did just now, it just helps in turning my girl on. I found that out when we were being intimate one night, and I let out a "fuck" when she did something that felt particularly good. Her body flooded with arousal at that one word, and she moaned hard around me, bringing on my orgasm.

Unfair, Edward. Stop.

"Only if you do."

Bella snickered, kissing the underside of chin. Truce, baby.

What I loved was that Bella and I could hold these types of conversations around the others, and they never seemed to pick up on it. Well, most of the time. We have been caught out once or twice. But it seemed we may have gotten away …

"Are you two finished seducing each other?" Fleur asked with a smile on her face. "Some of us don't need the dinner show."

Snickers broke out as I looked down, embarrassed, and Bella's face flamed. We didn't get embarrassed about much, especially when it comes to our—recently—wonderful love life, but this time was because we were in such a public place: the corridor leading to the grand staircase.

Bella and I looked at each other out of the corner of our eyes before we broke out into laughter, too. There was nothing to be embarrassed about really. It was just a natural progression of our relationship.

I was about to make some witty comeback, that I hadn't even thought of yet, when I was interrupted by an argument happening in an unused classroom.

"You can't keep it to yourself, Albus! The order needs to know what Tom is after!" I heard the first voice whisper loudly. I had heard the voice before, but I wasn't sure where.

"I'm unsure what you mean," Albus replied in a tone that we all knew too well. It was the one where he knew something but wasn't ready to share it yet.

"Edward, what are you hearing?" Bella asked. We had come to a stop on the staircase.

"Albus is arguing with someone downstairs." I looked around at where we were. "C'mon. Let's go see what they're talking about."

Everyone nodded. They followed me as I led them out to the grand staircase. I continued to listen as Albus and the other person continued to argue without revealing specifics. I was grateful that they kept it that way until we reached the corridor that led to the classroom Albus and his friend were in.

Fred and George were with us, and they had one of their extendable ears on them. I reached out. "Here, give it to me." Once Fred had pulled it from his bag, he handed one to me. I carefully snuck down the corridor and placed it at the doorway, just out of sight before sneaking back to the others so we all could listen.

There was a huff because the person who was arguing with Dumbledore was getting frustrated with the fact that Albus was shutting down on him and not fighting back against what he had to say. "Damn it, Albus. Your need to keep everything to yourself, to keep things close to you, hoping that you can control everything, is going to come back and bite you in the ass! We all know that he only heard part of the prophesy. Tom knows that he only heard part of it! Those of us who know what's going on can see the connection." I finally remembered who the voice belonged to. It was Aberforth who was arguing with Albus. "He's going after the prophesy in the Hall of Prophesies. It's what Tom is going after in the ministry! The order needs to know!"

Aberforth was a strong wizard in his own right. He was smart. And he knew what buttons to push. "He's not helping us, Albus. Why can't you see that? All the information that's been given to us, not once has it been from him. I cannot be the only one who doesn't trust a word that comes from his mouth!"

"He has redeemed himself to me!" Albus shouted. "I know he can be trusted, and he tells me things."

"Then those things need to be shared with everyone in the order, with those in this castle, so that we can effectively fight the war that's coming."

Hall of Prophesies, Hall of Prophesies. I wonder if that's in the Department of Mysteries where Arthur was attacked, Bella thought to me as she leaned her head against my shoulder.

I shrugged gently. "I'd say that's a damn good possibility, Bella."

"It's need to know, Aberforth, and right now, they don't need to. I give them what they need to know when they need to know it."

Aberforth snorted. "You are going to get people killed, Albus. You might as well cast the Avada Kedavra spell yourself and trap their souls in the objects around them."

Oh shit. Bella's head shot up, her eyes wide and shocked. It seemed I wasn't the only one to have picked up some profanity as of late. Shit, shit, shit. Is that what they did?

"What, Bella? What who did?"

Frank and Alice. She looked up at me, wide-eyed. They must have used Earth magic to do it. That's the only way because, otherwise, it would have killed them.

I reached out and grabbed Bella's shoulders, turning her to face me because she had looked away. "What are you talking about?" I was careful about saying any names. I didn't want to give anything away. I knew we had the attention of everyone around us even though they were still paying attention to the discussion that Albus and Aberforth were having. Not that there was much being said now.

I think Frank and Alice were using Earth magic. I think they used the Earth magic equivalent of a horcrux spell to put their consciousnesses into those watches. Bella's hands shot up and grabbed a hold of my wrists, her eyes still wide, but there was a determination filtering in. She now had a theory as to what had happened to Neville's parents. I think we can get them back. There must be a reversal. But I need to talk to Opi.

"I always knew you were brilliant." I leaned forward and kissed her forehead, and then her lips. "Go. Go and I'll fill you in."

Bella didn't wait to be told again. She turned and fled the corridor as fast as her legs would carry her. She was so fast she'd have to watch out she didn't bowl anyone over on the staircase, otherwise someone might get hurt. I knew she would be heading up to the Gryffindor common room because it was empty right now. It would be the perfect place to send a letter undetected. Hopefully, Bella would remember to use Athan because he would be able to outfly someone determined to read her letter better than Saffy could.

"What was that about?" Hermione whispered.

I focused on our surroundings once more, only to hear that both Dumbledores had finished arguing and were now glaring at one another. I knew that no more would be said so it was safe for us to leave. "Not here, and not yet." My eyes cut across to Neville. While he knew Bella and I had been communicating, he hadn't realized just how significant it was. So, as such, he was busy inspecting the Extendable Ear. Hermione nodded at my words. "Let's get out of here. Aberforth is getting ready to leave."

"I think I need one of these," Draco said, pointing at the ear once we'd pulled it back in and made our way out to the staircase. "Listening to conversations around Malfoy Manor would be so much easier."

Fred and George shook their heads, but it was Fred who spoke. "Not yet. We came across a kink with the design a couple years ago, and we're still trying to work it out."

"What could you possibly have left to do with it?" Ginny asked.

George patted his little sister on the head, a little condescendingly if you asked me, but I let it go when Ginny didn't object. "We want to make it completely wireless. It'll make it a lot easier to hide if there isn't a cable joining the two ears together. We just have to figure out how to make it work."

"What you need to do is create a spell that links them together." Harry spoke without thinking. "That way, you might be able to hide many around the place but only have them connect to one in a secure location. Possibly have a distance limit on it so you can't put one, say, in another house, but you're over three kilometers away."

We all snickered when Fred and George's mouths dropped open. It seemed they had tried just about everything mechanical with the ears but had forgotten to add the magical element to them. "Seems like Bella isn't the only one who might be missing dinner."

Fred snorted while George bellowed a "hell no!", causing us to laugh at them. But George continued making us laugh that much harder. "We wouldn't miss dinner for the world."

Fleur rolled her eyes as Gabrielle giggled from next to her. "Goodness no. I see what I'm going to have to put up wiz when Bill and I get married." That comment made all of us stop and stare at Fleur. "What?"

"Something you want to share with the class, cuz?" Bella asked as she caught up with us, startling us into moving once more.

Fleur flushed almost a crimson color before shaking her head. "We've talked about it, but he haz yet to ask. Hopefully soon though. One can hope, right?"

Bella wrapped her arm around Fleur's shoulders. "Right." She winked in my direction. "One can always have hope."

Did that mean Bella was open to the idea of getting engaged? Even though I gave her a promise ring at Christmas. I mean, she's only fifteen, and that's early for this day and age. In my time, sure. But … I looked around, it seemed that things were similar to my time. So … maybe? Guess I had some plans to make.

I heard a giggle and turned to see where it came from, only to see Luna laughing at me. I think Bella just made your day, Edward. Your smile could light up all of London.

I hugged Luna to me. "She did. I thought I might have to wait another year."

"Getting engaged doesn't mean you have to get married straight away. Besides, you guys know you're forever." Luna shrugged but couldn't help a glance in Neville's direction.

I chuckled softly before leaning down to whisper in her ear. "I think you guys have a pretty good shot at forever too. But, don't rush it, okay?"

"Okay." We stepped into the Great Hall behind the others, only for Luna to walk over to her housemates. She'd finally made friends with one in her dorm, and that meant the girls didn't pick on her so much. Gabrielle and Fleur also made their way to the Hufflepuff table while Draco went and sat with the Slytherins. He'd also changed friend groups in his house. He still kept an eye on the likes of Crabbe and Goyle, but because he was now in a relationship with a Weasley, they kept him at arm's length. He was a blood traitor, according to them, even if he was "spying".

I walked over and sat down next to Bella, kissing her gently. "Love you."

Bella sighed. Her head resting on my arm. "Love you, too, Teddy."

~*~UHS~*~

"Bella, you beautiful, brilliant, terrific, fantastic, did I say brilliant yet, girl. How did you think of this idea?" Opi crowed as we walked into our defense lesson a few days later.

Bella had been disappointed not to hear back from Opi regarding her revelation straight away. In fact, this was the first we'd seen or heard from him as he was unable to make our lesson earlier in the week.

"Oh? You're speaking to me now?" Bella asked as she plopped on a chair. "I was hoping to hear back from you before now."

"Bella," I reprimanded. "Opi is busy."

"I know, but I thought this was something important."

"And it is, dear girl," Opi agreed, sitting on the desk in front of Bella. "I am sorry about not getting back to you before now, but your idea gave me pause. I wanted to do some research. I wanted to see if your idea had merit before I shot it down or gave you hope unnecessarily. It just took me a while, that's all."

Bella sat back up. Something we heard in his voice made her pay closer attention. "And? What was the verdict? Possible or not?"

"Given the reception you received when we walked in here, I think totally possible." I snorted.

"Edward's right," Opi agreed, only to break out into laughter when Bella stood up to do the ridiculous happy dance Emmett had taught her. "But …" That stopped Bella in her tracks.

"But what?"

"But it's going to take some careful Earth magic and complex spells to put them back into their bodies. And then they're going to have to have extensive care to even get better. It's a good thing Carlisle and Rosalie know so much about the human bodies because there's only so much magic will be able to help."

Bella smiled even though the news wasn't great. "Doesn't matter how long it takes or even if they have to have a lot of care. The best part about all of it is that Neville is going to get his parents back. Do you know when?"

Opi shook his head. "I don't know, so let's not go telling Mr. Longbottom just yet, okay?"

"Okay," we both agreed.

"Good." Opi nodded. "Let's get to work."

~*~UHS~*~

It seemed with a new year; the twins had come up with new ideas for their store. Their Skyving Snackboxes had been a huge hit once they'd started marketing them right. Many of the younger students had becoming willing participants for their testing, the older ones not so much.

Some of Fred and George's inventions were brilliant. The extendable ears, the cordless prototypes of which we had tested over the summer, for one. But some of them, like the lollipop wand, didn't seem to have a purpose—unless you were looking to prank someone—because the twins were able to get them to look like anyone's wand.

But it was their latest one that seemed to have the castle in an uproar.

We had all been studying in the library, Fred and George noticeably absent, when there was what can only be described as a scream of terror. There was a pause as everybody froze in thoughts and words at the sound. But as others got up to run in the direction of the person still screaming, our group all looked to me, wondering what the hell was going on.

"I don't know," I whispered. "I can't get a good read on what their thoughts are. Something to do with being headless?" I shrugged. Their thoughts were so jumbled I couldn't even make out who it was. "We should go check it out though."

"There's gonna be heaps of people out there looking," Neville murmured. "It might be easier if you and Bella go."

The others were nodding, but Ginny spoke up. "You can fill us in when you get back."

"Fair enough. Let's go," Bella said, reaching for my hand as I stood with her. We waved at our friends as we walked out of the library. It didn't take us long to find our way to the commotion as everyone had gathered in the entrance hall. I really wish she'd stop screaming, Bella thought as we tried to make our way through the gathering of students.

I snorted once we'd pushed through to see what poor Pansy was screaming about, only to burst into laughter. It seemed that Fred and George had created something brilliant.

"Oh, my goodness," Bella whispered in a giggle before she, too, burst into laughter.

The other students around us weren't only stunned at the sight before them but at Bella's and my reaction to what was happening, none more so than Pansy.

"What the hell are you laughing at?" Pansy screamed in our direction. "Can't you see the headless bodies walking around?"

I couldn't help the bark of laughter. "You think they're headless bodies?"

"They're missing their heads!" Pansy shrieked while waving her arms around.

I shook my head before using my speed to race past the supposedly headless bodies, only to stand back by Bella in a second flat.

"Aww, Edward," Fred and George exclaimed, "what did you do that for?"

"Because as much fun as you were having freaking out our resident bully"—there was a huff from across the hall as Pansy crossed her arms—"I couldn't stand her shrieking anymore. She was giving Bella and me a headache." I held up the items I'd collected only to see that they looked like hats. "What are these?"

"Headless hats, of course!" George exclaimed as Fred held out his hand for one of the ones I was holding. I placed them both in his awaiting hand. With a flourish, Fred flipped one of the hats around in his hand before placing it back on his head, making his head disappear once more, at least to the human wizarding population. Unfortunately for Bella and me, we could see a shimmer around where their heads still were.

Bella snickered. "See, Pansy, nothing to fear. It's just Fred and George. They have their heads; you just can't see them."

The glare that Pansy set on Bella would have been scary had it been directed at anyone else, but considering she was trying to stand up to one of the only, truly immortal beings on the planet, Bella did nothing but laugh even harder. Bella's laughter eventually pulled everyone else into the hilarity of the situation, and soon after, Pansy screeched at the top of her lungs before storming off.

"These are brilliant, boys." I grinned at them. "I have no doubt many a parent will find headless children in their beds over the summer." I looked down at my Bella, who was nodding along. "Come on, Bella. Let's head back and fill the others in on what happened."

"Oh, they're going to love those."

I snickered. "So will Emmett."

~*~UHS~*~

I was resting in my recliner after we'd finished our study session and had dinner in the Great Hall. Bella and I had been right; the others had found the twins headless hats to be an ultimate hoot, and they agreed that Emmett would have a ball with those. In fact, we made bets as to how long Emmett would take to prank someone within the family, namely Esme.

I had to snicker. Bella wouldn't bet on Emmett, as far as she was concerned, that was a sure thing. She, instead, bet that it wouldn't take but two weeks for Molly to find out what Fred and George had made, and from there it would only take a few days for her to find that they had purchased a store in Diagon Alley for their joke shop. She also said that she would flip her lid. It was a bet nobody wanted to take. We all knew Molly would absolutely hate that the twins were going ahead with their dreams instead of her wants for them working at the ministry.

Most of our fellow Gryffindors had gone up to bed, but Bella was down in the bottom of my trunk. Often, she slept in there rather than in the dorm. She said it was quieter and more peaceful. But I knew differently. We were getting quite good at taking care of each other, and we looked forward to doing so … every night. In fact, I was just waiting on Bella to be ready before I joined her in bed to continue looking after her.

Edward, are you coming? Her sultry voice rang through my head.

"Not yet," I murmured back, making Bella giggle. It was as I stood from my chair that I noticed a shift in Harry's thought processes. Like they were interrupted or influenced by something he was feeling. It was something that I couldn't grasp, and as he stayed mostly asleep, he couldn't tell me. I hoped I would remember to ask him in the morning. For now, I had something much more interesting to play with. "Ready or not, Bella, I'm coming for you."

Mmm, you better be.

With a dark chuckle, I vaulted over the side of my trunk and dropped to the floor, landing with my knees bent and a fist planted on the ground. I was going to make some dark comment about eating Bella when I looked up to find my girl already naked and splayed out on the bed, waiting for me. But it wasn't just the fact that she was naked that had my mind going completely blank, it was that it seemed she had started without me that had me pause. I was struck dumb as I watched her hands run up and down the sides of her body only for her to bring them back up and cup her gorgeous breasts before her fingers pinched her nipples, causing her to moan shamelessly.

It wasn't until I caught the barest hint of a smirk when she looked in my direction that I unfroze. A growl rumbled in my chest. "What do you think you're doing, Bella?"

Her smirk widened as she watched me slowly stalk toward the bed. "You were taking too long."

"Oh, really?"

"Oh yeeaaahhh," Bella moaned as one of her hands had reached down to cup her pussy, her fingers moving to rub her clit.

When I made it to the bed, I crawled up on it, much like I did in my animagus form the last time we shifted. Bella, it seemed, had the same thought as she watched me. That is so hot.

"You're touching my pussy, Bella." My voice came out in a dark, grumbling growl. "Did I give you permission to touch it?" I finally finished crawling up the bed, standing on all fours directly above her.

"Oh, God," Bella moaned as she looked up at me as I eye fucked her from her head all the way down to where her fingers were still rubbing her clit.

"You didn't answer my question," I said darkly, my eyes still on her hand as she rubbed herself harder. "Did I give you permission to touch my pussy?"

"No-o-o." Bella shook her head, but she continued to get herself off. And she was close too. Her breathing was becoming more labored; her eyes were starting to glaze over. I inhaled as sweat started to break out all over her. It was going to be a strong orgasm.

Pity I wasn't going to let her have it yet.

Quicker than she could anticipate and right as she was about to explode, I reached out and snatched her hand away, causing her orgasm to stop dead in its tracks. "Then you shouldn't be touching it. It's mine to pleasure, mine to please, and you aren't going to touch it without me."

B-b-but I was about to come! she pleaded, looking up at me desperately.

I leaned down and ran my nose along her hairline, down the side of her face and neck, right to the valley between her breasts. "I know you were, my naughty girl, but you aren't going to do it without me," I grumbled, still inhaling her skin while licking at parts of her skin so I could continue building her up. "I had plans for tonight, and you are seriously trying to derail me." I could see the moment that what I had said clicked with her because her hands reached up and started running over the top of my clothes.

"What are they?"

The smirk I let loose was evil, she decided. "First, you will undress me."

Bella didn't even hesitate. Her hands went right for the button of my shirt, undoing them all, then pulling it from my arms as I lifted one hand, then the other to take it off. Both going back to their place on either side of her shoulders when she was done. Without more prompting, she reached down and undid the button and zipper on my pants. Her hands slid up around my sides, then into my pants and boxers at the back and pushing them both down together. When she could no longer reach them with her hands, the little minx pulled both of her feet up, hooked her toes in the waistbands, and finished the job.

"Now what?" she breathed as she looked at me above her.

I stopped for a moment just appreciating the view below me. "You are so beautiful," I whispered as I ducked down to kiss her. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Her hands snaked around my neck so she could pull me down into a kiss. "You'll never have to find out," Bella whispered back. She released me with a smirk. "Now, what next, sir?"

I huffed out a growl at the words she used. It was something Bella had discovered. My vampire could be a little possessive, and I loved it when Bella called me sir. It appeased the dominate part of me. "You," I growled lower, darker, "need to spin around in the other direction. Head at the other end, baby."

"Oh …" Bella groaned as she maneuvered herself underneath me. I stayed on all fours above her as she pulled her legs up and tucked herself almost into a ball and spun around. "What are we … ugh …" Bella trailed off once her face came level with my dick. "We're doing this together?"

"Uh huh." It was the only reply I could think of because the scent of Bella's arousal slapped me in the face. I couldn't wait to drink from her. In fact, I breathed deeply, only to let out a rumbling purr. "Get ready, baby girl; it's going to be a long night," I said as I leaned down and licked from her clit to her opening.

"Ugh … Edward." Bella panted before she reached up to me. One hand snaking around to my ass, the other wrapping around my cock.

I couldn't help the moan I let loose when Bella wrapped her lips around me along with her hand. I dropped to my elbows as I snaked my hands under her ass, only to grab a hold of her legs to pull them apart. I was able to open her up wider, giving me better access to her pussy.

Why have we never done this before? Bella asked as she moaned around me.

I growled at the vibrations from her moan, which caused Bella to moan again.

God, Edward … oh, God.

"I know, Bella; this feels so good." I leaned forward more, burying my face farther between her legs, fucking her with my tongue. I pulled one of my hands out from under her ass, running my hand around her thigh only to slide it between her folds to rub her clit.

Bella started sucking harder as she ran her teeth along my cock. I was so overwhelmed with the feel of it that I started thrusting my hips.

Yes, Edward, yes. That's it … fuck my face.

I growled again, my hips moving faster. "Bella … ugh …"

I'm … oh … Edwaard.

I sucked Bella's clit into my mouth as I slid two fingers inside her. Her orgasm began just as I reached for that spongy spot that made her orgasms that much more intense. "That's it, Bella, come for me."

Bella moaned long and low, but just as her pussy squeezed my fingers hard, she thought, You too, Edward. Come with me.

"I'm there … I'm there … I'm there …" I growled through a few more thrusts to her mouth as I came down her throat. I rolled off to the side, panting, once she'd swallowed all I had. "That was …"

Intense. Bella finished as she laid there panting, top to tail. We are so doing that again.

I chuckled breathlessly before I rolled and spun around, putting myself at the end of the bed. I pulled Bella into my arms. "We'll do that again. Don't you worry."

"I'm glad." Bella tilted her head up and kissed the underside of my chin. "Will it always be this intense with us?"

I nodded as I pulled her tighter to me. "Yeah, but it will probably be a little more intense for a while once your final scent change happens. At least, until we get a handle on it."

"Mmm, sounds good."

I chuckled softly as I ran my hand up and down her back. I could feel myself getting hard again.

Again?

"Just ignore it, sweet girl. I'm always like that around you. It doesn't help that you're naked in my arms."

We relaxed together. Slowly coming down from our high. I thought that Bella would fall asleep, but she pulled her head back once more. "I noticed a hesitation earlier before you dropped down into the trunk. Did you hear something?"

I shrugged. "Not something, per se, just a change in Harry's dreams."

"What do you mean?"

"His dreams were just the normal ones, but when I stood up, they changed. Something influenced them." I shrugged again. "I'm not sure what."

"Voldemort maybe?"

I looked down at my girl and kissed her on the forehead. "Maybe. I'm gonna ask him in the morning." Bella let out a yawn. One that made her eyes water. "Sleep, baby. We'll talk to him in the morning."

"Mmkay."

I laughed softly only to stand up, pick up Bella, and turn her around so her head was at the top of the bed. I reached down to grab the quilt, only to pull it up and over us as I slipped back in next to Bella.

I ranged out my hearing just to make sure all was okay around the castle. I couldn't hear anything out of the ordinary, and Harry's dreams had settled into ones he'd had before. For now, all was okay within the walls of Hogwarts, so I relaxed into the bed next to Bella.

I would ask Harry about his dreams in the morning. I just hoped it meant nothing, that nothing had happened with Voldemort. Although, I had a feeling something big was about to happen.

~*~UHS~*~

So ... they are starting to come into their own with their sexual exploration. Things are getting hot in here!

Let me know what you all think. See you in a fortnight!