CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX:

Hermione's POV:

Alice walked into my bedroom, slowly. Neither of us spoke as she kneeled beside the bed we'd made love on, in the space Harry had occupied just moments ago. Still silent, Alice dipped her hand into the handbag slung over her shoulder and pulled out the long, slender stick of wood I know so well.

She held it out on her palm, and I accepted my wand, gratefully, stashing it under my pillow, before reaching back to Alice and gently grasping her still outstretched hand in my own two warm ones.

My beautiful pixie-vampire looked unkempt, something shockingly unusual for her. Her normally carefully styled hair was hanging limp around her face, her eyes were black with Thirst, as if she hadn't fed for days, the circles under them a deeper, more bruised-looking purple then I'd ever seen, and her designer clothes were rumpled, as if she'd worn them for days. I spoke up first.

"Are you angry?" I ask her, timidly, and I'm terrified of her answer. Alice sighs, and looks down at our clasped hands, our fingers entwined, locked together tight like we'd never let go.

"I was a little," she admits, "but mostly because you scared me so, so much. First you looked so terrifying, like some kind of terrible, beautiful goddess of fire, but then you just collapsed and you were bleeding and bruised and all cut up, which was my fault, and I couldn't get you to wake up. A couple of hours after Carlisle put in the stitches you woke up for a few minutes, but you didn't even remember what happened at first. And then you went to sleep and didn't wake up for three days. The longest three days of my life. And I swore to whatever deity that may exist that if I got you back, if you woke up again, I wouldn't waste even a second been angry at you. All I wanted was to be in your arms and for you to be in mine so I could tell you I love you."

Tears were flowing down my cheeks as she spoke, as her words registered. She loved me. Alice still loved me. And she wasn't angry. Alice's mouth pressed against mine, cold as snow, so strangely inhuman, and yet still the purest touch I'd ever felt.

I really, truly understood kissing in that moment for everything it was, the intimate, trusting sharing of affection in the closest touch.

There were stone arms wrapped around me, holding me up. At some point I'd dug my nails into Alice's back, clinging on to her with a desperation that frightened me. But I shouldn't have worried, didn't need to, because Alice never pushed me away, just let me kiss deeper, let me revel in the contact. Kissed me back with the same desperation to be as close as physically possible until I was breathless. And even then she kept holding me, kept kissing me as I drew back for air, planting soft, affectionate pecks around my mouth, my cheeks, my chin until I was almost drowning in the love offered up to me.

It was being screamed at me without words, enough to fill the room, the kind of love that could not only not be denied, but eradicated the idea that it could have ever been in doubt.

I was crying, I realized, but Alice kept holding me close, kissing me deep before pulling back to rest her forehead to mine.

"I'm a witch," I tell her, the words practically spilling out of my mouth, almost without any conscious thought. "I've known since I was eleven, and I was notified that I'd been accepted into a school for witchcraft and wizardry called-" A cold finger presses against my lips, silencing me.

"I made you a promise," Alice says, softly, "you don't have to tell me anything until you're ready. I'm just so glad you're okay." Her perfect, chiming voice cracks slightly, and I take a deep breath, pulling my forehead back from hers so I can look her square in the eyes.

"Alice," I say, in a voice I'm proud doesn't shake. "I'm ready."

For nearly an hour we talk. Well, I talk, mostly. I tell her about Hogwarts, about the different classes, the people... and then I tell her about Voldemort, about the War, touching on it as briefly as possible, not going into any major detail, just telling her he was a very powerful wizard with very powerful followers. Alice picks up on my reluctance to talk about this particular part of my past, and doesn't press, for which I am grateful.

When I finally finish, Alice shakes her head, looking shocked. "I knew you were hiding something- something big, but... never in a million years did I think it would be something like this." She admits and I nod, a short laugh that's only slightly a sob escaping me. "So every time you use magic... does that happen? Do you pass out?" she asks and I shake my head, and look down at my hands.

"In the Magical World, there is Light magic and Dark magic." I explain to her, not able to look her in the eye. "Fiendfyre... it's Dark magic. Very Dark magic. I would have never have used it, but my magic reacted instinctively to the threat. I was very lucky I managed to put out the flames- if I'd lost control, they could have easily burned Forks to the ground." Alice stares at me, wide-eyed, then her gaze flits down to my forearm.

She reaches out, gently, and the tip of an ice-cold finger traces the pearly, raised scar tissue. "What... what does 'mudblood; mean?" she asked, softly. I flinch at the word, coming from her mouth, sounding so unbelievably wrong in her voice.

"It means dirty blood." I can't help the bitterness in my voice as I tell her this, "it's a derogatory term for Muggleborn witches and wizards. People with no magical blood in their family tree." Alice frowns.

"Is that a bad thing?" I give a short, harsh laugh that sounds a touch unhinged even to my own ears.

"Many older Wizarding families place great emphasis on blood purity and reject association with Muggles and Muggleborns, both of whom they consider greatly inferior to themselves."

"Why was it done to you?" Alice asks. I close my eyes again, not wanting to see her reaction to what I'm about to say next.

"I was tortured for information, and while I was been given a breather, my torturer decided it'd be fun to carve my 'station' into my arm." Alice freezes beside me, her entire body going stiff, a vampire's reaction to stress.

"Why were you tortured?" I open my eyes and look at my girlfriend through a veil of tears.

"Please... can I explain that part later? I just... I came here, to Forks, because I needed to get away from everything. I didn't tell you because I wanted a fresh start. I wanted you to get to know Hermione Granger-Swan the student, not the War heroine."

"War heroine?" Alice squeaks, before she visibly takes a few calming breaths, inhaling and exhaling oxygen she doesn't actually require. "Okay. Okay, I understand. We can... we can talk about that later." She says. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Alice." I tell her, and she bends over and kisses the scars along my forearm.

"You are beautiful, Hermione." She tells me, and I give her a shaky smile.

"Thank you, Alice."

-

"So, the witch is out of the bag." Bella states as I walk into the living room with Alice hovering anxiously beside me.

"First, that was awful, Bella, second- she took it better then I expected." I say, before turning and smiling warmly at Alice. She smiles back and stands on her tiptoes to kiss my nose.

"I did, now sit down before you give me a heart attack. I'm expecting you to collapse any second." She informs me, and I give a weak laugh, but sit down beside Bella, who's lounging back on the couch, absently watching the cooking channel, trying to disguise the fact that she'd been waiting anxiously for the outcome of my talk with Alice.

"I'm fine now, Alice. Harry healed me." I tell her. Alice gives me a stern look.

"I don't care. Unless you want to drive me to an early grave, you're going to take it easy for the rest of the day."

"I'd listen to her- vampires are stubborn." Bella tells me, seriously. I shoot her a mock-glare.

"Et tu Brutus." I mutter, under my breath, which causes Alice to let out a delighted peal of laughter.

"So, tonight's the second training session with the wolves and the Cullens." Bella says, after giving us both a miffed look. "It might be a good place for you to tell everyone what you are, Hermione." I cringe slightly at the thought, and then let out a long sigh.

"I- I suppose it's time." I agree, reluctance clear in my voice, but there's also an acceptance.

"Are you sure you're okay to go tonight?" Alice frowns, "you were in a coma for three days." I wrap an arm around her shoulders, and plant a kiss on her cheek.

"I'm fine, sweetheart. I promise." I tell her, seriously. Alice sighs, and slumps into my arms.

"Early grave." She confirms mournfully.

-

Bella cooked dinner, and Charlie arrived home at around seven. The official story for my absence was an emergency in England and, after asking me if everything was all good and sorted now, Charlie settled into his usual, easy routine of dinner, beer, game, and then goodnight.

It was comforting, in a way, the normality of the routine. After dinner, Bella and I retired to her bedroom, where we both curled up on her bed and engaged in my favorite pastime outside of kissing Alice- reading. Bella was going over for the billionth time her favorite book in the universe- Wuthering Heights, while I flipped through one of the thick tomes on vampire hunting that Harry had sent over from the Black library, as I'd already finished all the volumes I'd bought from Flourish and Blotts.

When midnight rolled around, Edward and Alice came in through the window, both dressed casually in jeans and sweaters, but still managing to look like supermodels.

Alice wrapped her arms around me and scooped me into her arms. "Nervous?" she whispered, as Edward jumped out the window with Bella cradled in his arms.

"Yes." I admit, my hands brushing against the wand, stashed in my coat pocket. "Everyone is going to freak out."

"Vampires, werewolves and witches- oh my!" Alice says, with a small giggle, and I can't help but roll my eyes at her. Alice bounds gracefully out of the window, and we raced after Edward and Bella through the black, quiet forest, the wind rushing against my face, tangling my hair. It was exhilarating, a little bit terrifying and I absolutely loved it.

When we reached the big, open field, the rest of the Cullens were already there, talking casually, all of them looking relaxed. Alice placed me back on my feet and laughed at me as I wobbled for a few seconds. I shot her a halfhearted glare, and she wrapped her arm around my waist, supporting me slightly as we walked over to join the others.

The wolves arrived around ten minutes later, ten pairs of eyes gleaming in the shadowy darkness. "Welcome." Carlisle greeted them, and a large black wolf stepped forwards and dipped his head.

There was some slightly uncomfortable talking, with Edward being the wolves' mouthpiece, and then Maggie and Jasper got ready to have a demonstration fight while the wolves watched. I decided now was as good a time as any, and stepped forwards, clearing my throat.

With their enhanced hearing, the sound drew the attention of everyone except Bella, whose attention was drawn by everyone turning towards me. "Hello everyone," I said, with an entirely faked bright smile, "I have a small announcement to make. I'm a witch."

I felt oddly smug, almost, as I watched the shocked expressions on the vampires' faces. Beside me, Alice let out a soft giggle. "Nice job, Hermione." She said, stepping forward to link her arm in mine.

"Is there truly any better way?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"It's called easing them into it." She informed me. I opened my mouth to reply, but our banter was interrupted by Emmett.

"What?" he asked, golden eyes wide. "You're joking, right?" Maggie was staring at me, her eyes wide and shocked.

"No," she said, bewildered, "she- she's telling the truth."

"She's telling what she believes to be the truth," argues Edward, staring at me with disbelief.

I pulled my wand out of my pocket and swished it through the air, picturing Alice's smile, her laughter, the feel of her cold lips on mine. "Expecto patronum!" 

A shimmering otter consisting of silver light burst out of the end of my wand, and swam through the air around the clearing, throwing of shining light. Wide eyes tracked its movements, as it swam through the air back to me, nuzzling my cheek before fading back to nothingness.

There was a long stretch of silence, which was broken by- surprise, surprise- Emmett. "That was SO cool!" He literally shouted.

His exclamation having broken everyone's speechlessness, I was instantly accosted by rapid-fire questions, and I had to wave my wand in the air, letting it emit several sharp bangs, to get everyone to be quiet. "I know this is a surprise, but one at a time please." I said.

It was Edward who spoke up first. "How?" he asked.

"I was born with magic." I answered honestly. I didn't elaborate because not even I knew how or why it had happened.

"Is that how people become witches?" This time it was Carlisle, leaning forwards and looking intrigued. "Are they born that way?"

"Actually, no- it's actually not that common. Most witches and wizards are born into families of other witches and wizards." I explain, "I'm what's known as a Muggleborn- someone born to a muggle family. Er, muggles are the name given by magicals to those who don't have magic."

"So... Bella's not a witch?" Edward again, his eyes now glued to his soul mate. Bella gives him a gentle smile, and answers for me.

"No, I'm not a witch. Neither are Charlie or Renée or anyone else in our family."

"Your coma, did that have anything to do with being a... witch?" Carlisle again, ever the doctor.

"Yes, it was the result of severe magical exhaustion." I explained, "Alice and I were attacked by a newborn," surprised looks from the Cullens at that revelation- apparently it was something Alice hadn't shared with them. "My magic reacted instinctively to the threat, and the curse was... not one I would have willingly cast. Magic can be taxing, the more powerful the spells, the more draining they are. The spell I used... if I had the choice, I certainly wouldn't have."

"You destroyed a newborn?" This is Jasper, his eyes bright with interest and consideration, "you can do that?" Giving myself a brief internal scan, I decided my magic was restored enough for simple spells, and I pointed my wand in the air. "Incendio!"

A stream of fire shot out of the tip of my wand, and I swirled it around before letting it vanish into smoke. "Yes, I can destroy vampires, but not groups of them." I explain to the leonine soldier, "that's why I didn't speak up when we found out about the army. I can take on one, maybe two, but any more then that I'm useless against. And with the speed of the battle, I would never be able to cast my spells fast enough, and even if I could use any magic before a newborn killed me, chances are I'd hit one of you instead."

"Hermione was the one who found out about Victoria." Bella spoke up, directing most of the gazes towards her. "She captured the vampire who was trying to invade our house and... persuaded him to talk to us. He explained how she was creating the army to destroy the Cullens, and how he had been sent to retrieve items with my scent." Bella turned to Edward, and placed a hand on his chest. "I'm sorry for lying, Edward, but... it wasn't my secret to tell." She said, and even I could her the genuine upset in her voice as she looked up in his eyes. Edward nodded, looking unhappy but accepting.

"Is Harry a wizard?" This is Maggie, and I nod.

"All my friends are. The school I went to in Scotland was for witches and wizards." I explain to her, and by proxy the entire clearing. "The Magical Community is very large; it's spread all over the world and is run by Ministries. We have schools, prisons, governments... and amongst other things, we supervise the different magical species on this earth. For example, the Volturi coven is carefully monitored by the Italian Ministry, although the coven have no idea we exist. That's the way it has to be. You can't tell anyone about this, about what I am or the world I live in, or you could honestly be imprisoned, disposed of or, most likely, your memories will be wiped."

"She's telling the truth." Maggie says, and now there's a rather somber tone in the air.

"Sharing time is over for now." I say, feeling too drained to keep spilling my soul to all these people. "I can answer more questions later, but right now you should probably get started with the practice." It's Jasper who nods first, pulling himself together the quickest, and quickly instructing the others.

"Good job. I'm proud of you." Alice smiled, kissing my cheek, before joining the others. The fake fighting vampires were a blur of white, with the sound of light snarls and growls ripping through the clearing.

Bella made her way over to me, and we sat together on the grass. After around ten minutes or so, we were joined by an enormous russet wolf and a slightly smaller grey wolf. Edward and Alice both froze from where they had been sparring, and I almost rolled my eyes- I didn't bother holding back my sigh of exasperation.

Such ridiculous prejudice, I thought, before reaching up and running a hand through Leah's thick fur. How would Alice react when she realized I'd ridden on Leah's back? I suddenly wondered, the thought leaving me amused.

Leah settled down next to me, while Bella giggled and laughed as Jacob licked her face and she patted his fur. "Bloody hopeless." I muttered, loud enough for them both to hear. Leah let out a barking laugh, as well as Emmett, Maggie and Alice.

Edward didn't look amused in the least.

Over an hour trickled by before the Cullens decided to wrap it up. Maybe it was because Bella looked like she was about to pass out. That was my guess. The wolves slipped away, back into the shadows, all except Jacob, Leah and two others I assumed were likely Quil and Embry.

Edward walked over to Bella, and took her hand in his. "Ready to go?" he asked her, but before she could answer, he was turning to look at Jacob. "I've not quite figured out all the details yet," he said, answering a question Jacob hadn't said out loud. Jacob grumbled sullenly. "It's more complicated then that," Edward sighed, "don't concern yourself; I'll make sure it's safe."

I was getting frustrated listening to this one-sided conversation, and was beginning to debate the pros and cons of using Legilimency on one of them when Bella spoke up, also looking annoyed. "What are you talking about?" she demanded.

"Just discussing strategy." Edward answered, carefully evasive. Far too carefully evasive. I narrowed my eyes at him, Bella doing the same. Jacob's head swiveled back and forth between Bella and Edward, before bolting off. Beside me, I had the feeling Leah was snickering.

"Wait!" Bella cried out, before turning to face Edward, a hurt expression on her face.

"Why did he leave?" she asked. Edward just looked annoyed.

"He's coming back. He wants to be able to talk for himself." He told her, in a slightly disgruntled voice. I leaned back against Leah, and Alice walked over, from where she had been talking to Jasper and Maggie in a hushed voice. I caught the glare she gave Leah and this time didn't refrain from rolling my eyes as she cautiously sat down on the forest ground beside me, being careful not to even brush up against the female shifter.

Jacob loped back into view, on two legs this time, wearing only a pair of shorts. "Okay bloodsucker," he said, when he was a few feet away, evidently continuing the conversation the rest of us had missed. "What's so complicated about it?"

"I have to consider every possibility." Edward stated, unruffled. I had to admire him for that. "What if someone gets by you?" Jacob snorted at the idea, and I started to get an idea of what they were talking about.

"Are you talking about where you're going to stash Bella?" I speak up.

"Hey!" Bella exclaimed, looking annoyed. I rolled my eyes.

"Bella, love, I adore you, but I'm telling you right now- you won't even be remotely near the fight. This isn't a protecting you thing, you'll be absolutely no help and probably get Edward killed as he's trying to protect you." I tell her, sternly, before turning to face Jacob and Edward. "Do we have any idea when the fight's going to be?"

"I'm not sure, but soon. Sometime after graduation." It was Alice spoke up, looking frustrated. "I still can't get a clear picture." I nod at her.

"Okay, here's what we'll do. A few hours before the fight, Bella will leave a false trail to the location where you decide you want the fight to take place, and then I'll disapparate her to England where she will wait with Fleur until the it's over." I inform them. "And incase Victoria decides to show up herself, we'll have another false trail leading her straight into a trap."

"What trap?" asks Edward, confused, "and what do you mean 'disapparate'?"

"Disapparation is the process of magically transporting oneself to a different location in a matter of seconds." I tell him, "Basically, it'll take me a minute, at most, to drop Bella off at my friend's house in England then return back to Forks. And the trap, well, let's just say there's a handy potion called polyjuice I know how to brew. And I have an excellent idea how to use it. After all, while fighting an army of vampires is not a potential possibility for me, only one, possibly two, is."

"You're a bit of an evil genius." Bella states, looking admiring, as she's the only one who actually knows what polyjuice is, and what I'm hinting at, before her face settles into one of discontent. "I don't like it." She says, bluntly. "But... I understand. I'll let you take me to England, but you come get me the second it's over." Her expression is fierce as she tells me this, and I nod, at once.

"I wouldn't dream of waiting." I tell her, "Now you look like you're about to pass out. I'll take you home." I lean over and kiss Alice then give Leah a brief hug. "Goodbye Jacob, Edward." I farewell the boys, before standing up and helping Bella to her feet. I then twist on the spot without warning, apparating both my sister and I back to her bedroom.

"Show off." Bella yawns, and I give her an innocent look.

"Why, I'm nothing of the sort! I just felt they required a practical demonstration." I tell her, loftily. She laughs.