Harry knew that visiting the Cullens without some sort of peace offering would be awkward, especially given the strained history between them. And though the Cullens were wealthy and could afford anything money could buy, Harry had something they didn't—access to the magical world. He decided that a unique, magical gift would be the perfect way to bridge the gap and show them that he was coming in good faith.
After some thought, Harry settled on blood pops—a delicacy among magical vampires. These treats were made from the blood of magical creatures, enhanced with ingredients that intensified their flavor and magic. Dragons, hippogriffs, griffins—each provided a different and highly sought-after type of blood. Magical vampires found them irresistible, and just one blood pop could satisfy their cravings for days. But the Cullens were not magical vampires, and Harry wasn't entirely sure how they would react to the gift. Still, he figured it was worth a try.
Harry made a trip to the magical district of Seattle, a hidden part of the city where wizards and magical creatures mingled discreetly. His destination was Shadow Alley, a small, shadowy lane known for its specialized shops. One of those shops was infamous for selling blood pops of all kinds, each crafted with a different creature's blood and enhanced with potions to give the flavor a magical kick.
When Harry entered the dimly lit store, the scent of various potions and magical ingredients hit his nose. The shopkeeper, a short, hunched witch with silver hair and sharp, piercing eyes, greeted him. "What can I do for you, Mr. Black?" she asked, recognizing him instantly, as many he visited the shop many times for magical candies for Teddy.
"I'm looking for a gift," Harry replied. "Blood pops, specifically."
"Ah, for magical vampires, I assume?" she asked knowingly, pulling out several small glass cases filled with an assortment of the crimson-hued candies.
"Not quite," Harry said, glancing at the display. "For non-magical vampires. But I thought they might appreciate something... different. Something they can't normally get."
The shopkeeper's eyes gleamed with interest. "Non-magical vampires, you say? Hmm. Fascinating. Well, these blood pops are made from the finest magical creature blood—dragon, hippogriff, even nundu. Very powerful. Very potent. I've never sold them to non-magical vampires before, but I imagine they'd enjoy them just as much."
Harry inspected the blood pops. "I'll take a mix of them," he decided. "A little bit of everything."
The shopkeeper nodded and began wrapping up the candies with care. "I'll add a note about their potency, just in case they're too strong for your friends. It's always good to be cautious."
Harry thanked her and paid for the blood pops, leaving the shop with a small, elegantly wrapped package. He was curious about how the Cullens would react to the gift. He didn't know much about non-magical vampires and their tastes, but he hoped this gesture would be enough to start things off on the right foot.
While Harry was in the magical district of Seattle, he decided to make the most of his trip. After picking up the blood pops for the Cullens, he wandered through several other shops, driven by a mix of curiosity and the desire to stay updated on what was happening in the wider Wizarding world. It had been a while since he'd actively participated in magical society, and this visit offered him a chance to reconnect.
The first shop he entered was dedicated to enchantments. He'd heard whispers that new types of enchanted items had been released recently, and he was eager to see what innovations had emerged. Inside, he found everything from self-stirring cauldrons to quills that could translate any language in real-time. One particularly interesting item was a "Mundane Masking Charm" that could hide magical properties from Muggle detection, a tool Harry thought might be useful given his new life in Forks.
He purchased a few of these items, intrigued by their potential uses. As the shopkeeper explained how each one worked, Harry found himself reminiscing about his time at Hogwarts and all the magical discoveries he'd made back then. The Wizarding world was always evolving, and he wanted to keep up, especially for Teddy's sake. Teddy was growing fast, and one day soon, he'd need to know all about magic and its advancements.
Next, Harry visited a bookstore, eager to stock up on newly published books on magic. He always had a love for learning, and with all the wealth from both the Potter and Black family vaults at Gringotts—as well as his secret Black family island—he had more than enough gold to splurge on whatever he wanted. He bought books on advanced spell theory, magical creatures, and even a few rare tomes on ancient magic. One book caught his eye in particular: Enchanted Horizons: The Future of Magic. It discussed the emerging trends and the magical world's direction, a topic Harry found fascinating given his growing responsibilities.
After making his purchases, Harry sat down at a small magical café to reflect. Nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be happening in the Wizarding world, which was a relief. The quiet allowed him to focus on his life in Forks without worrying about another Dark Lord rising or some hidden conspiracy.
With a stack of books in hand and various enchanted items packed away, Harry felt ready for whatever came next. His trip to the magical district had been productive, and as he made his way back home, he couldn't help but feel that the visit had refreshed his connection to the magical world. Now, all that was left was his meeting with the Cullens, and perhaps these new magical items might come in handy in unexpected ways.
Hermione's eyes lit up when Harry returned home with bags full of magical items and books. She was just as eager as Harry to see what the Wizarding world had come up with recently, and she spent the evening carefully examining each enchanted object. "These are brilliant," she said as she flipped through one of the spell theory books, already planning how they could use some of the items around the house.
Teddy, on the other hand, was overjoyed with the magical candies and toys Harry brought for him. He promised, as he was told, not to show them to any of the other kids or visitors who might come by. But for now, he was excited to play with the new toys and enjoy his magical treats.
The next morning, with excitement and a bit of nervousness in the air, Harry, Hermione, Teddy, and Leah prepared to visit the Cullens. Harry's new vintage Dodge Challenger gleamed in the morning sunlight, its sleek black frame giving off a nostalgic yet powerful vibe. Harry had repaired the car recently, and he felt like it suited him—classic, understated, but powerful.
As they drove through the misty woods toward the Cullens' residence, the atmosphere inside the car was a mix of anticipation and calm. Harry had spent a lot of time thinking about this visit and what it could mean for his family. He wasn't worried about the Cullens themselves; he knew they weren't a threat. But he was still unsure of how Leah would react, and whether they could truly build a peaceful relationship between their families.
When they finally arrived at the Cullen household, they were warmly greeted. Carlisle Cullen stood at the entrance with Esme by his side, both smiling kindly. Behind them, the rest of the family appeared, waiting to welcome their visitors. The Cullens had always been polite, and today was no exception. There was a sense of ease in their demeanor, as if they were happy to move past any tension from before.
"Mr Mrs Black, welcome," Carlisle said warmly. "We're glad to have you here."
Harry stepped forward, extending his hand. "Thank you for having us."
As they all exchanged greetings, Esme invited them inside, and the family entered the Cullens' elegant, modern home. Harry noticed that Leah, though still quiet, seemed a bit more relaxed than he'd expected. Maybe the warmth of the Cullens' hospitality was working on her too.
As the family settled comfortably in the Cullens' living room, the mood became light and relaxed. Teddy, with his boundless curiosity and innocent charm, became the center of attention. The Cullens, who had seen so much over their long lives, found his pure, unprejudiced view of the world refreshing. Teddy, with his tousled hair and bright eyes, was too adorable for anyone to resist.
Teddy, eager to contribute, shyly stepped forward and handed Esme a neatly wrapped gift. His face lit up with excitement as he watched her take the box with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Teddy. How sweet of you," Esme said, her voice warm and sincere.
With all eyes on her, she unwrapped the gift, revealing a box of red-colored lollipops. For a brief moment, her expression faltered. Vampires couldn't taste food the way humans did, and eating anything that wasn't blood felt like ashes in their mouths. But Teddy's eager expression melted any hesitation she might have had. His wide, expectant eyes seemed to say, Please like it!
Esme, determined not to disappoint him, smiled kindly and said, "Oh, Teddy, these look wonderful!" She pulled out one of the blood pops and, with a quick glance at the rest of her family, placed it in her mouth.
Esme Cullen let out a deep, unexpected moan as the complex flavors from the blood pop exploded on her tongue, filling her with a sensation she hadn't experienced in centuries. Her eyes widened in amazement, and she looked at Teddy with such adoration, as if he had gifted her the most precious thing in the world. She took the lollipop out of her mouth for a moment, savoring the aftertaste, and then quickly put it back in, letting out another contented sound.
Emmett, who had been watching in stunned disbelief, decided he couldn't be left out. He grabbed a blood pop for himself and, after a hesitant lick, his expression mirrored Esme's. "Oh… wow," he moaned, overwhelmed by the rich, magical taste.
One by one, the other Cullens followed suit. Soon, all of them were engrossed in the unexpected pleasure these blood pops offered. They had lived for so long, numb to most worldly pleasures, but now, for the first time in ages, they felt truly content—more than that, elated. For a moment, they even forgot that Harry, Hermione, and Leah were sitting in their living room. The Cullens were entirely absorbed in savoring every last bit of the blood pops, like they were experiencing something divine.
When the Cullens finally finished, the atmosphere in the room shifted, and Edward, still basking in the lingering taste, turned to Harry with curiosity. "Where did you get these?" he asked, his voice filled with awe. "I've never tasted anything like it."
Harry smirked a little. "That's a secret I'm afraid I can't reveal. But, if you ever want more, I can get them for you."
The Cullens, still reeling from the experience, immediately showed their interest. "We'll pay whatever it costs," Emmett said eagerly. "Seriously, we'll give you all the money we've made over the centuries just for a steady supply."
Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't think that's necessary. I'll gift them to you when you need them. Just… try not to get too attached. They're hard to come by, and once I'm out of the picture, you won't be able to get more."
The Cullens exchanged looks, a mix of gratitude and a bit of wistfulness. They understood what Harry was saying, but they also knew they wouldn't forget the extraordinary sensation of the blood pops anytime soon.
Harry and his family spent the entire day with the Cullens, sharing stories about their pasts, exchanging laughter, and learning more about one another's unique lives. Teddy was a constant source of entertainment, and the Cullens, especially Esme and Alice, doted on him. Even Leah, who had been initially resistant to the idea of befriending vampires, found herself softening as the day went on. Watching the Cullens interact with Teddy without malice or hunger, she realized they weren't as dangerous as she had imagined.
As they were all playing together, Teddy accidentally bumped his hand on the side of a piece of furniture, causing a small scratch. The room tensed for a moment, expecting the familiar pull of bloodlust to overwhelm the vampires. But to everyone's shock, the Cullens didn't feel anything. The blood pops they had consumed earlier had somehow dampened their predatory instincts, leaving them in control in a way they had never experienced before.
Esme was the first to react, crouching down to check on Teddy's hand with the gentleness of a concerned mother. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" she asked, more worried about the boy's well-being than anything else.
Teddy nodded, wincing a little but grinning up at her. "I'm fine. It doesn't hurt much."
The Cullens exchanged surprised looks. Carlisle, ever the scientist, commented, "This is remarkable. The blood pops have not only satisfied us, but they seem to have tempered our reactions to fresh blood."
"That's... amazing," Edward added, his brows furrowed in disbelief. "I never imagined something like this could exist."
The rest of the day passed in an unexpectedly light and carefree atmosphere. There was a growing sense of understanding between the two families—one that neither had expected when the day began. Even Leah, who had entered the Cullens' home with her usual suspicion, left with a grudging respect.
As the sun began to set, signaling the end of their visit, Harry, Hermione, Teddy, and Leah said their goodbyes. The Cullens stood outside their house, waving as the Blacks got into their vintage Dodge Charger. As they drove away, Harry glanced in the rearview mirror, seeing the Cullens' figures fade into the distance.
"That went better than I expected," Harry said with a relieved smile.
Hermione nodded. "They're not what I imagined either. I think this could be the start of a new chapter for all of us."
Leah, seated in the back, sighed but didn't argue. "Yeah, maybe. I'll admit... they're not as bad as I thought."
Teddy, clutching his magical toys and a new stuffed animal Esme had given him, looked out the window with excitement in his eyes. "Can we visit them again soon?"
Harry smiled at his son in the rearview mirror. "We'll see, kiddo. We'll see."
With that, they drove back home, leaving behind a day that none of them would soon forget.
Author's Note:
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