A Witch, A Wolf & A Vampire
Chapter 6: Bonfire
Athenodora, Didyme and Sulpicia stood outside awkwardly, having just received the ring from Iris and having a woman not much older than Iris appear in front of them almost instantly, not only that but the similarities was uncanny so much so that none of the three had any doubts that this was Iris's birth mother. None of them had any idea what to say, none of their instincts were being set off either as their instincts knew that Lily Potter was dead, yet here she was, and it left then perplexed.
"It's a unique kind of magic, you'll get used to it eventually," Lily said with a knowing smile.
"Can anyone else see you?" Sulpicia asked hesitantly.
"No, not even my daughter can see me without touching that ring. It's something of a powerful artefact and only one of it exists. But that's beside the point, I asked her to let us all speak about our daughter," Lily said, the three vampires looked surprised when she said, 'our daughter'.
"You acknowledge us as her parents?" Athenodora asked tensely.
"Of course, I do, I am dead, and I cannot be called back to this plane of existence for long. A few brief conversations to impart wisdom, sure, but to be a parent? No, the laws of Death will not allow it. But fate allowed my husband and I a hand in choosing who would stand beside our child for the eternity she has accepted," Lily said.
"Allowed you a hand?" Didyme asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, you see, bonds exist within the realm of fate. Much like how the three of you were destined to be mates, much like that Rosalie was destined to be one of Iris'".
"One of? You mean there will be another?" Athenodora asked looking troubled, Lily just laughed and nodded.
"Yes, she will have two eternal protectors and lovers. As fate has decided. However, as I was saying fate allowed myself and my husband a hand in her eternal existence. Claimed it was owed to use for allowing our child to become the one of prophecy. And it allowed us in the form of choosing the individuals and the type of bonds they would have to Iris," Lily explained.
"Are you saying you chose the three of us to be her parents?" Sulpicia asked shocked as a warm smile graced Lily's face.
"I did, we had various candidates to choose from. But the three of you stood out, each of your histories prior to becoming a vampire are similar to Iris' path, you are gentle, caring and kind rulers but you also make sure the laws are upheld. You love each other as the mates you are, and all three of you have desired motherhood both individually and together. I saw the best chance for Iris to have a loving family with you, siblings in the Volturi, and the life she rightfully deserves. There will be dark things coming, and you will be needed to be by her side, to protect her and to help her heal," Lily said.
"You chose… us?" Athenodora repeated, her mind was racing, again Lily nodded.
"Thank you for giving us this gift, we will love and cherish her for the rest of existence," Didyme stepped in, seeing her amazon wife was overwhelmed.
"I know you will, because I will personally find a way to take you to the depths of despair if you don't," Lily's emerald eyes bore into all three of them causing them to shiver.
"My time is up, take care of her for me," Lily added before she disappeared, and the ring went cold in Sulpicia's hand.
Victoria and Laurant arrived at their destination curtesy of a small trinket given to them by Aro before he left. It was an old looking manor that seemed broken down and yet the stench around the place was foul and both almost wanted to hurl. Together the two approached the front door but were met by a dark-haired girl holding a stick that the red head had used, both froze.
"Who are you and how did you get here?" She growled, both Victoria and Laurant held up their hands in surrender.
"Aro sent us, said that you could help us get out revenge," Victoria said, her gift was telling her to run but her instincts were telling her to avenge her fallen coven mate.
"Oh, he did? Very well, I suppose I could use the extra help. Perhaps you'll be able to aid Dr. Sarkov," the girl said, pocketing her wand and allowing them entrance.
"And who would you be? If I may politely ask," Laurant asked.
"I'm the Mistress of the Manor, the Dark Lady Delphine Riddle. Now come along, I have things to attend to," Delphine said gesturing for the vampires to follow.
Delphine eyed the two vampires sent to her, immediately she dismissed the red head as being suitable help, but she did remind her of Iris so perhaps she wasn't a waste to have around. However, her friend, or coven mate or whatever, he seemed like a suitable candidate for the Chimera project. She would let Dr. Sarkov determine whether or not he would be used. But first, she delved into their minds, without them knowing and was surprised to find memories of her beloved. She now had a location; she could plan and prepare for the next phase of her plan.
It was the next day when Luna and Jane came back down from Luna's guest room, the taller and older blonde witch hummed happily and walked with a skip while Jane followed with her usual stoic expression but a small smile graced her face whenever she looked at Luna who had begun making herself breakfast, and setting a pot of coffee for Iris and a cup of tea for Hermione and Ron.
"Good morning, Iris," Luna didn't even turn around as Iris walked into the kitchen.
"Morning Luna, how was your… night?" Iris asked awkwardly.
"Oh, it was very good, Jane and I spent hours having sex. And the way she does this little curling thing with her tongue while it was inside me…" Luna sighed dreamily as Jane spluttered intelligible nonsense, Iris just nodded used to her friends openness, the rest of the vampires in the house chuckled at Jane who would be blushing and embarrassed if she were human, of course she couldn't use her power on the Queens to make them shut up.
"I will have to talk with you about keeping our sex life private," Jane mumbled as she wrapped her arms around Luna.
"But this is Iris, she already knows everything, and I talk to her about everything as well. Like the time we had a three way with Ginny, and I was sandwiched between two of their strap-ons," Luna said dismissively, Iris choked on her coffee as Jane growled at Iris and the Queens growled at her in response.
"Luna!" Iris almost shouted.
"What? It's true, we were like… 15 at the time? And that was a wonderful night, I remember how rough you were and the bruises I had… I couldn't walk the next day!"
"There will be no more threesomes, my love," Jane growled possessively.
"Oh phooey… I was going to try and get Iris and Rosalie into our bed together!"
"Oh my god…" Iris's wand dropped into her hand, and she silenced Luna.
"That'll wear off in an hour or so…" Iris said as she poured herself another cup of coffee.
"What's this about a threesome with my sister?" Ron asked walking in behind Hermione.
"Don't worry about it, Ron," Iris said.
"But I want to hear about it!" He protested; Hermione smacked him on the back of the head earning an 'ow! What was that for!' from him.
"My dear, I believe this belongs to you," Sulpicia entered the kitchen and held out the ring to Iris.
"Oh yeah, thanks… did you erm… have a good chat?" She asked.
"We did, Lily was a lovely woman. She told us many things," Didyme added as she sat next to Sulpicia in a seat at the kitchen table where Iris was sat having her morning coffee. Athenodora was leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.
"Resurrection stone?" Hermione asked, buttering herself some toast and sipping her english breakfast tea.
"I wanted to ask Mum some things and she insisted on talking to the Queens," Iris replied, Hermione nodded in understanding.
"Just don't tell anyone else about the ring, we've managed to keep it a secret and… RONALD! Don't shove food into your mouth like that! We have guests we're not at the Burrow or Hogwarts anymore!" Hermione began before she started berating Ron for his eating habits.
"Alright, well I'm going to get Teddy ready for daycare and I have school today. What are you guys going to do? When are you heading back to the Ministry?" Iris asked standing up.
"Ron and I will be heading back this afternoon to report to Minister Shacklebolt. We'll tidy up all our paperwork and maybe put in some leave time so we can come back and spend more time with you," Hermione said, Iris nodded before looking at Luna.
"I'm going to stay here long for… diplomatic reasons," Luna said after Iris unsilenced her, she was giving Jane a cheshire cat grin.
"We will also be staying for a little while if you don't mind? We would love the chance to get to know you more. But at some point, one or all of us will need to return to Volterra to continue doing our work," Sulpicia said, clearly annoyed about having to leave.
"There's only so much we're willing to let Aro and the other elite guard handle for us," Didyme sighed.
"Though even if we do leave, we will have Jane and other elite guard members stay behind to protect you, we will not leave you vulnerable," Athenodora added, Iris snorted in amusement a little.
"You find your safety amusing?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I think you're just forgetting that I'm a Witch," Iris mumbled, she quickly found herself in the arms of the amazon woman who looked down at her with concern as she was hugged.
"A witch you may be, but it's our job as your mothers to keep you safe and we hope you don't mind us doing so. For our sake, little one," Athenodora murmured as she placed a gentle kiss on Iris's forehead. Iris blushed at the action and couldn't help but snuggle into Athenodora's arms, they felt safe and warm despite the vampire's cold body.
"Y-yeah, okay. That sounds good," Iris managed, pulling away and quickly focusing on needing to get ready and take Teddy to daycare.
"You're not alone anymore Iris, you have us, the guard, Rosalie and Teddy," Didyme said quietly as Iris passed her, Iris paused for a few moments nodding stiffly before continuing on.
"She never was very good at expressing her emotions, that's why she never ventured out of our friend group except when Daphne asked her out," Hermione explained.
"Not to mention those Dursley's abhorred anything they deemed abnormal or freakish," Luna added with a frown, Jane's arms tightened around her sensing her mate's sadness.
"What was the company the uncle worked for called again?" Sulpicia asked with keen interest.
"Grunnings or Something like that," Ron said, mouth full of food much to the vampire's disgust, not that they would ever say anything about it.
"Ron, swallow your food before you speak!" Hermione chastised.
"Yes Mum!" Ron grunted; Hermione rolled her eyes.
Sulpicia slipped out of the kitchen and dinning room phone in hand already making a call, Didyme and Athenodora knew exactly what she was doing and approved of it while the other two remained silent listening to Hermione and Ron bicker while Luna ate her breakfast with Jane sitting right next to her.
Bella sat down across from Iris, next to Rosalie at lunch with a grin and what appeared to be some pleading eyes. Iris raised an eyebrow at her.
"So…"
"No."
"But you haven't even heard me out!"
"Still no."
"But please! You haven't even heard my idea," Bella pouted, eyes wide in her attempt to be a puppy dog.
"Ugh… fine, what is the idea Bella," Iris asked.
"Jacob invited me down to La Push for a Bonfire with them, I was thinking that since Edythe can't come with me. Why don't you come? We get to hear some legends, eat some food, have a good time. Besides I told Edythe that if you were with me, I would be fine! And then she and Rosalie could go hunt while we have our girl time," Bella said.
"You want me to sit and listen to the shifters?" Iris asked perplexed.
"Yes! Please! Jacob was like my friend when I was a kid. He, Leah and I used to make mud pies all the time," Bella grinned, and Iris rubbed her eyes before looking at Rosalie.
"What do you think?" She asked.
"Look, I don't like it. Those mutts aren't very good at controlling their anger. But I know you can take care of yourself, and I'm not going to stop you if you want to go just… make sure you shower when you get home, so you don't smell like wet dog," Rosalie sighed.
"Yes! Thank you, Rosalie!" Bella said hugging the girl, Rosalie scowled while Iris frowned.
"I didn't even say yes!"
"But you will! Won't you? Please? Pretty please?" Bella begged; Iris groaned.
"Okay, fine, yes, I'll come. Happy?"
"Yes! This is going to be the best! Can't wait to introduce you to Jake! And Leah!"
'And she smells like lemon grass and sleep… she tastes like apple juice and peach…' Leah had no idea why this song was stuck in her head. Perhaps it was because of the scent she smelt around the blonde Cullen that one day. She noted that the blonde one no longer smelt foul or bad to her enhanced senses but rather she smells… well, of rose and jasmine, of the forest which is strange for a vampire. Not long after that day she discovered this song by Dodie and for some reason she had been obsessed with it.
"Leah, you're needed at Sam and Emily's to help them before the Bonfire tonight," Sue said calling out to her.
Leah hated how her mother had taken Sam and Emily's side citing that she would understand one day, she hated Sam, her fiance, her love, for betraying her for her cousin. She hated them both for so long. And then she shifted, she shifted, first female shifter of their tribe. And then she understood what it means for a wolf to meet an imprint. That doesn't mean that she still wasn't hurt by it, what hurt her the most was that Sam and Emily both lied to her about it. Sam had tried to stay away from Emily and be the man Leah wanted, Emily had tried to keep her distance out of respect for her cousin and the man who was supposed to marry her cousin. Yet, it all came to a culmination one night at a pre-rehearsal dinner. Leah found Sam and Emily in the throes of passion when she had come back from a dress fitting to check on where Emily had gone concerned. It wasn't the best way to find out for sure.
"Is that an order from Sam?" Leah shouted back.
"No, but it is one from me! Jacob said that Bella is coming and bringing one of her school friends with her since the Cullen's aren't allowed on our land," Sue called back, Leah grumbled, her mother was a member of the council, and her dad was as well and they knew everything about the tribe and its shifting ability.
"Yeah, okay, whatever!" Leah got up and tossed her clothes on.
'Oh, you would find her… in a Polaroid picture… and she… means everything to me' Leah hummed along as she barged out of her house and started to run in human form towards Sam and Emily's.
"Oh, good you're here, come help carry these to the bonfire," Sam said as Leah appeared, half the pack were already there helping carry and set up the bonfire.
Leah rolled her eyes and walked over to the pile of silver bbq oven trays filled with meat, vegetables, salads, all those kinds of meals that Emily would make for the pack. Jacob and Seth were helping with the firewood and actually getting the bonfire started, many of the other tribe members were already there including some of the other imprints. Paul had imprinted of Jacob's older sister Rachel and Quill on a girl named Kim. Aside from them and Sam and Emily they were the only imprint couples. Jacob had hoped that he would imprint on Bella, the boy was like a lovesick puppy whenever he spoke about their old friend and honestly it disgusted her at some points always hearing him go on and on about Bella and how he couldn't wait to see her now he had controlled his emotions enough.
Emily had tried to apologise, she always tried to apologise whenever Leah was forced to be around. Leah understood, in some way she knew that she should forgive her cousin and her ex, it wasn't their fault, they didn't choose to be imprinted. She had felt Sam's guilt and regret in his memories of when he first shifted and looked Leah in the eyes, he was devastated she was not his imprint. Sam never ordered her to be around Emily, Sue was the only one who was willing to do that.
By the time everyone on the Res started to arrive the sun was going down and the bonfire was roaring as everyone sat around, joked and spoke with one another. The pack all sat together, mostly, Leah preferred to be on the outskirts of the bonfire not exactly happy about being there at all. She heard it before she saw it, the sound of a Motorbike coming into the Res and looked with some interest as two individuals on a bike turned into the parking lot.
"Park here Iris!" The girl on the back pointed and the one driving did so, parking the bike with practiced ease as the one on the back got off, followed by the driver.
Isabella Swan really hadn't changed all too much in Leah's opinion, sure she was 18 now, or almost 18 much like Jake. She had long hair and had grown into being a woman, that much was true but from the way the other girl caught the stumbling Bella she was still the clumsy girl she knew from childhood. Then her nose smelt the other woman, it was a smell unlike anything she had ever scented before. 'She smells like lemongrass and sleep…' the words echoed in her head.
"Bella!" Jacob said excitedly, jumping up and running over only to pause as a frown came over his face for a few moments, he was disappointed that Bella was not his imprint, Leah snorted.
"Jacob! Hey! Wow look at you! What kind of steroids are you on dude!" Bella said as she threw her arms around Jacob in greeting.
"Steroids! I'll have you know Bells that these are all natural!" He protested, mood picking up after a few brief moments.
"Sure Jake, sure. Oh! Let me introduce you to my best friend. This is Iris Potter, she's my neighbour the one across the road," Bella said. 'So that's her name' Leah thought taking some interest, mainly because of the smell.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Iris," the girl, no, woman said as she held out her hand to shake Jake's own.
"Jacob Black, pleasure to meet you. Why don't you guys come over and I'll introduce you to everyone," he said.
"Lead the way Jake," Bella said with a grin.
"Hey guys, you all remember Bella, right? and this is her best friend and neighbour Iris Potter," Jake said coming over to the pack.
"Bella, Iris, this is Sam and his wife Emily, Paul and my older sister Rachel, Quill and his partner Kim, Seth, Jarred, and the one with her tail between her legs is Leah," Jacob gestured.
"Pleasure to meet you," Bella and Iris said, greeting each and every one of them.
When Iris got to Leah, her nose was immediately assaulted by the smell of lemongrass and sleep, of roses and the forest, of jasmine and comfort. Leah's brown eyes met Iris's emerald ones and Leah felt it. Her entire world shifting, her heart felt full, like she had just met the one person who she would give anything to. So, this is what imprinting was like? 'She smells like lemongrass and sleep… she tastes like apple juice and peach… oh, you would find her, in a Polaroid picture… and she… means everything to me…'
"Leah just imprinted," Seth whispered amazed. Sam and Emily looked over; both gave a small smile.
"Uh, hey, Hi, I'm Leah and I'll be anything you want," Leah stammered as she held her hand out, Iris giggled, her emerald eyes dancing with mirth.
"Noted, it's lovely to meet you, Leah. I've heard a lot about you from Bella," Iris said looking over at her friend.
"Hey Iris, the foods over here! Let's go get some!" Bella called from the tables where the food was all piled.
"You hungry?" Iris asked Leah.
"I could eat," Leah said with a grin, Iris rolled her eyes.
"Come on, let's go make sure Bella leaves some for everyone else," Iris walked over to where Bella was already filling her plate, taking a plate and handing it to Leah before taking her own.
Iris filled her plate with a little of everything, not commenting when Leah piled food onto her own plate much like the other wolves. She smiled at the she-wolf and received a beaming one in return; she would have to think about just how she felt about Leah. For some reason meeting the girls' eyes made her feel like she was looking at Rosalie. That troubled her only a little bit, she would have to speak with Rosalie about it later. Or maybe even the Queens, yes, that would be a better idea. She sat back down next to Leah who was scoffing down her food, a smile on her face as she sat with the pack, Bella sat next to them as the Elders began to tell their stories. Iris didn't know when it happened but at some point, Leah's arm had snaked around her waist, and she was leaning on the warmth the wolf had to offer feeling calm and content. Perhaps she could get used to this.
Summary of the Pairings:
Fem!Harry (Iris) x Rosalie Hale x Leah Clearwater
Athenodora Volturi x Sulpicia Volturi x Didyme Volturi
Bella Swan x Edythe Cullen
Emmett Cullen x Maggie (Irish Coven)
Edward Cullen x Laura Cullen (OC)
Alice Cullen x Jasper Hale (Cannon)
Esme Cullen x Carlisle Cullen (Cannon)
Ron Weasley x Hermione Granger (Cannon)
Luna Lovegood x Jane Volturi
A/N: As Always, Pat. r30N is a fair few chapters ahead. I will be uploading chapters on fanfiction as I upload a new chapter on Pat. This way I continue to cycle new chapters through and as noted on "This is War" my best writing method is to write multiple stories at the same time so hopefully you enjoy all of them! If you do wish to follow Pat. it's /zyrakenzi