CHAPTER THIRTY:

Hermione's POV:

A short giggle escaped Alice's mouth as she leaned back against the head of her bed, with me sitting up next to her. On my lap was a portable DVD player that she'd found somewhere, and in front of Alice was a pile of movies which I had given her the task of choosing one from.

Bella and Edward had left, around ten minutes ago, and Alice and I had decided to spend some more time together.

"What is it?" I asked her, and she turned and gives me an amused look. "In a few minutes Edward and Bella are going to have the 'sex' conversation." I laugh, trying but unable to picture Bella confronting her boyfriend about wanting to have sex.

"How does it go?" I asked.

"Well, a point in her favor he does end up agreeing to give it a try. Point in his favor, she's about to be engaged." I almost choked on my own saliva in my surprise.

"Engaged? Bella?" I ask, incredulously. "Bloody hell! I had no idea she was that desperate for a good shag!"

"I love it when you speak all British." Alice purred, kissing my cheek, before pulling a movie out of the pile. "This one?" she asks. I give it a quick once-over then shrug.

"Sure." I agree, before pausing and frowning. "She had better ask me to be a bridesmaid."

"She does. Well, maid of honor, actually." Alice corrects, with a small grin. I elbow her.

"Spoiling the surprise much!" I huff. Alice gives a wide-eyed, innocent look.

"What on earth are you talking about?" I laugh and kiss her forehead.

"You're lucky I love you, Miss Alice."

"I am." She agrees, curling up and laying her head on my shoulder as the opening credits roll over the small screen. "Now be quiet so we can watch the movie." I laugh and do as she says.

I've found that's usually the wise thing to do. Alice is the most adorably stubborn creature I've ever met.

-

After the movie, Alice and I wander down to the living room where Jasper, Maggie and Emmett have set up what looks like some kind of War council- large map of Forks, plastic, multi-colored counters and all. Edward had returned, and was talking with Carlisle, in a low voice.

"Where did you get the counters?" I ask them, genuinely curious.

"Board game." Emmett grins, looking anticipatory. I resist the urge to roll my eyes at him. Honestly, he's such an overgrown child.

I study the battle plan, a thoughtful expression on my face. "So do we know where the newborns are coming from?"

"We're not exactly sure which path they'll take, because they don't know yet." Jasper tells me, "but we do know they'll be coming from the mountains. The false scent Bella will leave to the clearing will excite them, and when they catch our scent, they'll split up and try to come at us from two sides."

"Half will come through the forest," Alice speaks up, "and that's where my visions disappear, so we can safely assume that's when the wolves intercept them."

"And the rest will come to the clearing, where we'll be ready and waiting." Jasper finishes.

"Will Victoria be in the battle?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

"No." Alice says, grimacing as she shakes her head. "I can't see her, not even flickers."

"So she'll be watching somewhere." Jasper surmises.

"Well, that's where I come in." I say, stepping forwards to examine the map. "If Bella was going to be present for the battle, where would you have stashed her to keep her safe?" I ask Edward. He examines the map, and then points to a spot on the map.

"Most likely there. It's a small spot I know, roughly nine miles away from the clearing. Why?"

"Well, I think we should set another trap, this one for her. We're going to need a way to disguise her scent until we get closer to the place you'd be stashing Bella, so the newborns don't pick up on it." I muse, "What do you think is the best way to do that?"

"You're the witch," Emmett speaks up with a grin, "know any spells?"

"I know one that can stick you to the wall upside down, naked and completely green." I warn him and he pouts. "But, I don't know one to disguise a scent, only to banish it, and that won't work over a long distance." I frown, dissatisfied.

We sit in silence for a few minutes, thinking, before Edward groans, turning to Maggie. "Really?" he asks. Maggie shrugs.

"What? I can't imagine any of us sticking our noses close enough to actually sniff it."

"Mind explaining it for those of us who can't read minds?" Alice asks, her voice laced with annoyance. Edward turns his disgruntled face towards Alice.

"We get one of the wolves to carry her."

"That'll work." I nodded, still thinking hard. "Jacob or Leah will be more then happy to do it."

"I bet he will." Rosalie sneered, from across the room. A small growl rumbles in Edward's chest and I sigh, deciding to ignore them.

"We'll set up a camp site and Bella and Edward can stay the night, making sure the scent is especially strong. A few hours before the battle I'll apparate over and take Bella to England, then apparate back. I'll stay there with Edward, disguised as Bella."

"How can you do that?" Edward frowns. I grin.

"That's my secret."

"Even if you look like her, your scent will give you away." Maggie speaks up, shaking her head.

"I'll wear her clothes," I think aloud, "and Carlisle could give us a blood transfusion."

"That's... actually a really good idea." Maggie says.

"You could sound a little less surprised." I pointed out, and she gave me a sheepish look.

"Sorry."

"Forgiven." I say, with a half laugh.

"Do you really think Victoria will find you there?" Edward asks, a frown still on his face.

"She will." This is Alice, her face looking unusually somber, "everything goes blank."

"Okay." I nodded then stretch, wincing slightly as I hear the bones in my back pop. "Alice, can you give me a lift home? I need to shower and change." I tell her, looking down at my body, still dressed only in the too-small robe. She nodded, and then gave me a cheeky grin.

"I suppose, but I certainly do prefer you dressed in that." I smirk at her.

"Oh I bet you do." Emmett winked roguishly over the table, and Alice gave him a dirty look, before we walk over to the garage. Alice waits until we're in the car and speeding along the road before glaring at me.

"What?" I ask, surprised.

"I don't like the idea of you facing Victoria by yourself." she grumbled.

"I'll be okay, Al. Even if she brings a newborn with her, that's just two vamps. I can handle that." I tell her.

Alice sighs. "I still don't like it."

"I'll be careful, Al." I tell her, softly, "and one sign of danger, I'll be out of there before you can say abracadabra." She snorts slightly at this, her lips curving into a smile.

"You drive like a madwoman." I tell her, as she pulls to a screeching halt outside my house. She laughs.

"Charlie's going to be home in about fifteen minutes." She pre-warns me, after her laughter finally stops. "You better go clean yourself up and change into something presentable." I widen my eyes.

"You mean you don't want to join me in the shower?" I exclaim, in pretend shock. Her eyes darken in hunger, and then she literally carries me out of the car, blurring into the house, up to the bathroom.

-

I was entirely presentable when Charlie got home- fully dressed, hair decent and in the kitchen putting lunch on the table- lunch I'd prepared with a couple of handy spells Molly had taught me. I really wasn't the best cook, but magic could do amazing things.

Bella was slumped in her chair, rubbing her eyes, no longer hung over, but still looking exhausted, and Alice was sitting in the place where Edward usually sat, and this seemed to make Charlie's day.

"Howdy, Alice! How are you, hun?" he asked, as he settled down in his seat.

"I'm fine Charlie, thanks." Alice smiled.

"Everyone's talking about that party you threw last night- I bet you've got one heck of a cleanup job ahead of you." He smiled. I hid my smile, knowing that it was already cleaned up- being able to move so fast and not needing to sleep certainly could come in handy.

"Oh it was definitely worth it- such a wonderful party." Alice beamed.

"So where's Edward?" Charlie asked, a little grudgingly. "Is he helping clean up?" Alice let out a sigh, and her face turned tragic.

"No- he's off planning next weekend with Emmett and Jasper."

"Hiking again?" Charlie asked, trying and failing to hide his pleased expression. Alice nodded, her face forlorn.

"Yes. They're all going, except me. We always go backpacking at the end of the school year, sort of a celebration, but this year I decided I'd rather shop than hike and not one of them will stay behind with me! I'm completely abandoned!"

Her expression was so devastating that Charlie leaned towards her, automatically one hand reaching to, looking for some way to help. I eyed my girlfriend, amused, as I realized what she was doing, while Bella looked at her confused. "Alice, honey, why don't you come stay with us?" Charlie offered, "I hate to think of you all alone in that big house."

"Charlie, we don't exactly have the best accommodations here." I interjected, "I don't think Alice would want to sleep on my floor." Charlie pursed his lips, and Alice's devastated expression increased tenfold.

Honestly, she was amazing.

"Maybe my girls should stay up there with you?" he suggested, "just until your folks get back?"

And with just one easy conversation, Alice had cleared our schedule for the battle.

My girlfriend was a genius.

-

Bella walked into my room at around three o'clock in the afternoon. She looked tired and drawn out, and basically collapsed on my bed. "You okay?" I asked her, from over where I was sitting on my desk, reading.

"I'm freaking out." She admitted, pulling a pillow over her head, muffling her voice somewhat.

"About next Saturday?"

"Yeah." Although it was muffled, I still heard the sob catch in her throat.

"Bella," I say, getting up and walking over to her, "what are you worried about? We're going to win. I know we are. Jasper knows we are, and he spent around a hundred years fighting newborn armies. We can trust his word." Bella sat up, and I could see her face was streaked with tears.

"Am I a horrible person?" she whispered, and I frowned, confused by her question and the direction the conversation had taken.

"Of course not!"

"I don't want him to be in the fight." She whispered, looking dejected and ashamed. "I don't want Edward fighting the newborns. I just can't take it!"

I look at her, thoughtfully.

"You know, you've got a point." I tell her, and she looks up at me, confused.

"What?"

"Victoria's not going to be with the newborns during the Battle, Alice's vision told us as much. Chances are, she's going to be looking for you. She knows Edward will stash you away somewhere, and ultimately the army is a distraction. It's you she's after. And we're going to let her find you." I explain, "Except you won't be there, I'll be there. But... seeing you without Edward, that would set off alarm bells. She would never believe it; she'd know it was some kind of trap." I think aloud.

"So we need him with you." Bella says, her face looking equal parts guilty and relieved. Relieved because Edward wouldn't be fighting the newborns, and guilty because she was relieved.

"I feel like such a horrible, selfish person," she murmured, looking down at her lap, visibly at war with her own emotions. I sigh and pull her over into my arms.

"Bella, I can't even imagine what this is like for you. You're the only person who can't defend herself, and that's the truth. You have to rely on everyone else to fight for you. And that's the hardest thing in the world to do. But it's not your fault. And it won't be like that forever. I promise."

Bella buried her face in my t-shirt, and I could feel her silent tears soaking into the material of my t-shirt, and I held her close. "I love you. This is not your fault. None of it is." I murmured, hoping that eventually she'd believe it.

-

Edward wasn't too pleased about the new plan, when I brought it up, later that night when the Cullens were training together in the clearing that night.

"You want me to what?" He asked, incredulously, looking at me like I'd just grown an extra head.

"I want you to sit out of the fight against the newborns." I repeated. When his expression didn't change from disbelief, I sighed. "Do you really think that Victoria would believe you left Bella by herself?" I asked, "that would set off warning bells like you wouldn't believe. You need to be with me at the clearing." When he looked like he was going to continue to protest, I turned to Jasper. "Do you think seven of you will be able to take out approximately ten newborns?" Jasper didn't even have to think about it.

"Yes. Easily."

"So there's no reason why Edward should be there."

"That's right." Jasper shrugs, "we can manage without him. There's no logical reason why he absolutely has to be there."

"You want me to just sit out?" Edward repeated, his face upset. Bella stepped towards him and gently grasped his hand in her own.

"Please?" She whispered, looking up at him with wet eyes. I sighed, and lowered my Occlumency shields, replaying the conversation Bella and I had had earlier that day for Edward to see. His head tilted towards me surprised as he heard my thoughts for the first time, but he took it in his stride.

"If that's what you want." He told Bella, his face soft.

"It's not just what she wants," I interject, not especially liking his phrasing, "it's what's necessary." Edward nods, his expression having settled on acceptance.

"Yes, of course. I apologize, Bella."

Happy that that conversation was over, I wandered to the edge of the clearing and looked up at the sky, pondering whether or not I should go for a fly.

A familiar, sweet scent wafted towards me, notifying me that Alice was standing next to me. I turned to her and I'm surprised to see her scowl. "What's the matter?" I asked her.

"Edward is such a grouch when he doesn't get his way- do you know what it's going to be like living with him for the next few months?" she groaned, pulling a face.

"You're welcome at my place whenever you want." I told her, "besides," I added, with a wink, "Charlie's not home much and Bella's always over at your place. We'll have the house to ourselves."

Alice smiled hungrily, and licked her lips. "On second thoughts, it was a wonderful idea. You're a genius, darling." I laughed, and wrapped my arm around her waist. "What are you thinking about?" she asked, leaning her head against me.

"Flying." I told her, honestly. When she looked confused, I gave her a small smile, with small traces of amusement and teasing mixed in. "Have I not mentioned I can turn into a bird?"

"What?" Emmett blurred over to my side in less then a second, looking absolutely gleeful. I laughed, rolling my eyes.

"So much for a private conversation. Next time remind me to put up a silencing charm." I told Alice, before an idea struck me. I pulled my wand out of my pocket and pointed it at Alice, murmuring the featherweight charm. She shivered slightly as the spell washed over her.

"What was that?" she asked, looking down at her arms.

"Forget about that!" Emmett whined, "I want to see her turn into a bird!"

"I'm getting to that, you berk." I groaned, handing Alice my wand. She accepted it, gingerly.

"What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Can you hold it for a second?" I asked her, before closing my eyes, breathing in deeply and holding my arms out beside me. I could feel my body shift, and I let out a screech of joy, as I flexed my powerful wings, and then flapped them down, powerfully, surging up into the air.

The other vampires have all stopped their practicing to come over and watch, and I swooped down and gripped Alice's arm with my claws, a wandless sticking charm ensuring that I won't drop her, and then I flapped my wings. Alice let out a surprised shriek as I pulled her up into the air. The featherweight charm basically means that she weighs... well, as much as a feather, making it easy for me to carry her. I flapped powerfully, soaring through the night sky.

"Are you mad?" she laughs from below. I let out a loud caw, flapping my wings until we're so high off the ground, even my keen eyesight as an eagle can only pick out the Cullens as pinpricks.

"This is amazing!" she shrieked, over the sound of the wind. I let out a small squawk of agreement, then flattened my wings to my sides as I nose-dived towards the ground. Alice let out a loud scream, and I let out a shrieking caw of laughter as I pulled up, just before we hit the ground, and then gently set her down, releasing the sticking charm.

I landed on the soft forest floor and closed my eyes, concentrating for a handful of seconds to shift back. Everyone, bar Bella, was watching me with wide eyes. It was Emmett who broke the awed silence.

"That was so fucking awesome!"

"Language!" Esme scolded immediately, smacking him lightly on the arm. Emmett gave her a sheepish look.

"Sorry mom."

"How could you pick me up?" Alice asked as she blurred over to me and ran her tiny, slim hands up and down my arms, looking at me with amazement.

"A featherweight charm." I explained, wrapping my arms around her then lifting her up. She let out a giggle, and then I set her back down.

"That's really cool!"

"It is." I agreed, before holding out my hand.

"Can I have my wand?" Alice looked sheepish.

"Er, Emmett took it." I turned to Emmett and raised an eyebrow.

"Fine," Emmett grumbled, "I pinched it."

"Well an I have it back?" I asked, dryly.

"Sure!" he said, whipping it out of his pocket and brandishing it dangerously. Big mistake- wands don't like it when someone else uses them.

"Shi-!" I caught myself just in time, lunging forward as my wand let out a stream of angry red sparks.

"Fuck!" Emmett swore, dropping it, and cradling his hand to his chest. "It burnt me!" I caught my wand and glared at Emmett, as Esme smacked his arm again for his language.

"Are you daft?"

"What? I didn't know it would do that!" He protested, a sheepish look on his face.

"Wands aren't toys- they're dangerous," I groaned, turning to Alice and flicking it at her, muttering the countercharm.

"That feels weird." Alice twitched, as a stream of blue light rose off her.

"You know, you've never told us what spells you can do." Emmett pouted, still holding his hand tightly.

"I wasn't joking about upside down, naked and green," I warned, "a very good friend of mine invented it."

"They sound cool," Emmett nodded, "can I meet them?" It felt like I'd been punched in the gut, and I actually let out a gasp, like I was winded. Lately, things had been wonderful. I was sleeping better, smiling, laughing and enjoying life. The War was no longer on the forefront of my mind.

I'd actually been... happy. I actually managed to not forget, but begin to move past.

And now, for the first time in what felt like a small stretch of forever, I'd been reminded again. Reminded of those I'd lost. Fred...

"He's dead, I'm afraid." I said, managing to keep my voice was cracking, though it was lower then normal.

"Sorry." Emmett apologized, and Alice wrapped an arm around me.

"You didn't know." I murmured, before turning to Bella. "Can we go back now? I'm tired."

"Sure." Bella nodded, and she stepped toward me, and clasped onto my hand. "I'll see you later?" she asked Edward and he nodded, blurring over and kissing her.

"Of course."

And then I disapparated us away.