MoonDance

It's a wonderful night to dance under the moon. Under the protection of the October sky, the leaves fall to the sound of the breeze blowing through the trees. All the magic of the night seems to whisper and then fall silent as the soft light of the moon reflects on your pale complexion.

Mysterious and disturbing, Hecate insinuates herself into the dreams of men, invokes their inner specter and presides over funeral destinies, spells, and torments. Let us not be afraid, however, my love because its nature remains beneficial for wandering travelers in the darkness. Under the protective gaze of the one who shines from afar, we will dance until past midnight. Because yes, our history will continue to be written beyond these pages.

On this bed of thorns and moss, surrounded by columns of pines and spruces, we will defy all the laws of nature to love each other. Artemis will offer us her consent, for we will give her as an offering the fruit of our future hunts.

And our bodies go, come and rise ever higher. Do not be afraid to shine, my beloved because even if it sometimes happens to sink, the soul always tends towards the light.

*

PART I

*

As if preparing for a ball, the town of Forks was slowly covered in a white dress adorned with snowflakes. The snow swirled silently above the snow-covered pine trees, which, tossed about by the wind, seemed to join in the dance of this winter wonderland.

Edward entered the classroom with a bored sigh as he saw the blackboard and the math calculations on it. The vampire reluctantly took his place, assigned to him at the beginning of the year. He had lost count of the number of times he had attended this class. For decades, he had moved from one school to another, trying to maintain anonymity about his immortal condition. From Alaska to the United States via Canada, he and his siblings had to join the ranks of generations of students to blend in. Whether it was chemistry, mathematics, or literature, Edward excelled in all subjects taught from high school to university. So, it was ironic, to say the least, that he had to stick to a basic-level class with mostly illiterate seventeen-year-olds.

Tensions often erupted among his family members over school. Why couldn't they pretend to study at home instead of enduring the boredom of repeating a year tirelessly every time they changed towns?

However, Carlisle had been unwavering on the matter. The best way to keep their secret was to pretend to be as normal as possible. Esme had the brilliant idea of collecting their graduation caps to create some kind of artwork. This charade somewhat eased the tensions within the coven.

"Today, we will be studying the sign of a quadratic polynomial function given in factored form, and we will see how to determine quadratic polynomial functions that have two distinct real roots," the math professor announced with great enthusiasm.

A sigh came from Edward's right. His desk mate, Harian Black, seemed to be even more frustrated with this lesson than he was. It probably wasn't for the same reasons, as Black was not a strong math student. The boy seemed to struggle and lag behind in many subjects. However, that wasn't Edward's concern. He had other matters to deal with, such as the tensions between his family and the Quileute tribe, the local Native Americans. Edward didn't hold any grudges against them, but their relations had always been strained. It was already exceptional that they had received permission to hunt near their lands, and Edward wasn't going to push his luck by maintaining a friendship between a vampire and a werewolf.

Black's attention was focused on the professor's words. The boy was taking notes in his notebook, frowning with thick brown eyebrows in concentration. With nothing better to do, Edward took the opportunity to observe the boy closely for the first time. Black had a completely ordinary teenage scent. He seemed to be of mixed heritage, judging by the combination of Native American and European features in his face. His hair, black and curly, looked like it had never been familiar with a comb. As for his skin, it was as pale as Edward's, which was quite an accomplishment. The boy wore thick black glasses with rectangular frames, accentuating the square shape of his jaw. Black was small and slender for a seventeen-year-old, but that didn't stop him from being a great addition to the high school basketball team. Edward had even heard that Harian Black had received a scholarship thanks to his exceptional "dry relaxation," as proudly proclaimed by the other team members.

While having a short stature indeed had disadvantages in certain aspects of the game, such as physical contact or defense, Black had a talent for outpacing taller players and making great interceptions. He seemed to be a popular student in the school, despite his small size and questionable taste in clothing. Today, the boy was dressed in a hand-knit sleeveless red sweater, judging by the irregularity of the stitches. The letter "H" was sewn on the front, presumably referring to his first name. A poorly ironed shirt was tucked halfway into his worn jeans, completing his disheveled look. Finally, Black wore an old pair of sneakers that had certainly seen better days.

Edward wondered distractedly if the boy's family was so poor that they couldn't afford to buy him new shoes. He returned his attention to his notes, feigning interest in the lesson.

Edward's thoughts slowly drifted towards softer horizons. It had been over three months since the beautiful Isabella Swan had moved to Forks. In his long life, Edward had never encountered a more enticing scent than that of Bella. Her arms were pearly white, revealing bluish veins that Edward would have gladly sunk his fangs into. Whenever the human was around, the vampire savored her scent like a gentle spring breeze. He felt so alive in her presence, as if his heart had started beating again in his chest. The girl's skin, her hair, even her perspiration were like a bouquet of divine fragrances. Edward had always strived to hold onto his share of humanity, but the appearance of this young woman in his fragile world had shaken all his efforts.

The day he met Bella, he had come dangerously close to killing her in front of about twenty horrified students. However, thanks to Carlisle's teachings, he had managed to control his thirst. He had fled from the young woman's grasp and rushed out of the school as if the devil himself were pursuing him. But he hadn't stopped at the woods next to the school. No, he had run through Olympic National Park until he reached the border between Washington State and Canada. From there, he continued his journey to Alaska. Just one glance back, and he would have returned to kill her without hesitation to quench his thirst. However, such an act would have condemned him and his family to flee the country, and perhaps even the continent. Edward was proud that he had resisted the temptation. Isabella Swan was his singer, a being whose blood awakened the predatory instinct within him, but he had managed to control himself. He had defeated the beast.

Suddenly, the bell rang, breaking the vampire's train of thought. The other students were already getting up, hoping to avoid additional work.

"And don't forget!" the professor called out. "You'll have to work in pairs on the problems described in the Fibonacci books about methods of solving quadratic equations!"

A chorus of discontent filled the room as the teenagers' hopes were dashed.

"Merlin's beard, just my luck..." Black grumbled as he angrily stuffed his notes into his backpack.

Harian Black had a tendency to come up with strange expressions. Edward rolled his eyes, thinking about how torturous it would be to work with the peculiar boy. However, he made an effort to maintain a friendly demeanor as he approached Black. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he said in a polite but distant tone, "Don't worry about this assignment, Black. I'll do it on my own."

The boy looked at him puzzled for a moment before responding, "I know I'm not the brightest, Cullen, but we've been assigned to work together on this assignment, and I'll do my part."

Edward raised an eyebrow, surprised by the boy's attitude. He had always kept his distance from Harian Black, as he did with all the other high school students. However, the brunette seemed to have a sense of responsibility that Edward admired. It was clear that he preferred to work alone, but he couldn't afford to be disagreeable with one of his classmates.

"Very well," he said resignedly. "But I'm counting on you not to slow me down."

The boy replied with a big, victorious smile, and Edward couldn't help but return the gesture.

The vampire let out a silent sigh. Harian was nothing more than one of those neglected, drifting kids at school. But he was a nice boy nonetheless. With a curt nod, Edward greeted Black and hurried out of the classroom.

After equally boring lessons in Literature and History, Edward was relieved to head to the cafeteria.

Upon arriving, he quickly scanned the bustling hall, hoping to catch a glimpse of Isabella Swan. To his great dismay, he saw the young girl laughing with Harian Black and other members of the basketball team.

Growling in displeasure, he joined his family members who always sat at the same table, feeling like prisoners in this cursed school.

"Did your morning go well?" Alice greeted him with a big smile.

"If boredom could kill, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to enroll myself in this prison filled with hormone-ridden teenagers."

"You're exaggerating," his sister scolded him, taking a bite from her burger. "Do you remember my vision last night? Unfortunately, it hasn't changed. Tonight, Isabella Swan will be hit by..."

"Seems like little Black is making the news," Emmett interjected with a teasing smile.

Edward would have gladly twisted his brother's head 90 degrees if he had the chance. His family knew how much Bella affected him, and they took every opportunity to embarrass him about it.

In reality, their teasing was just a sign of general relief. Edward could hear their deep thoughts, and they were all happy to see him back from Alaska. Yet, despite the lighthearted atmosphere at their table, Edward remained tense. The day before, Alice had a vision about Bella. At exactly 4:36 p.m., Edward would have a choice. He could either save the girl's life by preventing a van from hitting her in the school parking lot or let fate take its course. In the first case, their family's secret would be at risk, potentially revealing their supernatural abilities. Rosalie had made her opinion clear. For her, the safety of their family always came first. But Edward found himself morally incapable of letting the human die knowingly.

Though the idea of getting rid of her intoxicating scent was tempting, Edward wasn't that cowardly.

When the sound of the woman of his thoughts laughing reached his ears, it was like the sweetest music to him. Unfortunately, the source of the laughter was Harian Black.

"I wonder what she sees in that Black guy," Rosalie muttered critically. "He lacks so much elegance and style that it becomes intolerable to my eyes."

"Not everyone can have your fashion sense," Emmett commented as he gallantly kissed his wife's manicured hand.

"The boy is in a cheerful and engaging mood," Jasper revealed in a distant voice, "which is why he attracts people like a magnet."

"Enough with the childishness!" Alice suddenly snapped. "I would like to point out that a human life is at stake here! And who knows? Could she be Edward's long-awaited other half?"

A tight knot formed in Edward's throat at his sister's words. He had already considered that possibility. And if Bella was indeed the woman he had been waiting for over a century, would he pass up his one chance at love just to keep his family safe? Or would he take the risk of saving the young woman?

No, loneliness had consumed him for far too long. He was tired of being the outcast, the one who had never found a mate. He had been merely surviving for too many years. The desire for a real life had faded, and he was nothing more than an undead creature haunting the woods of Forks. Perhaps a chance had been given to him to find happiness, and he was determined to seize it. This afternoon, in science class, he would strike up a conversation with Isabella Swan. For better or for worse...

*

His attempt at reconciliation proved disastrous. At least, in part because things had started rather well.

Bella was not one of those young girls whose vampire charm made her silly. To tell the truth, the human was hardly content to talk about the weather. She was smart, her abilities in science had proven it. Besides, Edward was unable to read her, which was something new for the vampire.

Never before had a person's mind remained closed to him. He had asked Bella about her life and why she moved to Forks. The human's responses, however, only served to heighten Edward's curiosity about her. Bella seemed to be a humble young woman, ready to make any sacrifice for the happiness of the people she loved. This almost Christlike vision of love was enough to thrill the heart of a man over a hundred years old. That's when things took a turn for the worse when Bella noticed the changing color of his eyes. Edward hadn't noticed her growing thirst as he chatted with the young human. The vampire had then fled like a child, caught in the hand of a bowl of cookies.

How ashamed he was to have been so rude! Bella's character appealed to him so much and her scent was so bewitching that he no longer took heed to his hunting instincts. What would Bella think of his behavior? He castigated himself for the rest of the afternoon for his clumsiness.

When class ended and Edward went to his car, his siblings were already all gathered in the school parking lot. Everyone seemed to be waiting for his decision about the human.

"I don't want her to die," Edward told them determinedly.

Rosalie growled at this announcement, but respected her choice. As for Alice, she clapped her hands playfully. Edward could already see scenarios in her mind where she and Bella would be great friends.

A screech of tires then caught his attention. The van from Alice's vision was there. Instantly, Edward was at Bella's side, protecting her from the impact. His hand hit the body with a metallic noise, but only the car was bruised. It was as easy as cutting butter for the vampire, and he only feared that the girl would be injured in the accident.

“Harry! Bella's terrified voice suddenly cried a few steps to her left.

Edward didn't understand what had just happened. Bella was standing behind the impact zone, looking like she had been miraculously pulled out of the van.In its place, a body lay beneath him.

The vampire looked bewildered at the boy he had just protected. His eyes lingered for a moment on the blood beading from a lightning bolt scar. The boy's jet-black hair fell over his electric green eyes.

"I didn't expect you to be so enterprising, Cullen…" Harian Black growled with a contrite smile on his bloody face.

The man's hot breath snapped the vampire back to reality, and he quickly pulled away from the body lying beneath him.

Instantly, screams of horror erupted around them and all the high school students came to their aid. Edward was too shocked to speak.

None of his vampire instincts or Alice's visions could have predicted this outcome. Bella rushed over to her friend, mopping the boy's open forehead as best she could with a tissue.

"I'm fine Bella, it's just an old scar that has re-opened “, Harian tried to reassure her.

An ambulance was called. Edward had no choice but to follow the injured people to the hospital. The paramedic had thought he detected a state of shock, which was probably the case because he was not used to a situation slipping away from him. All the way, he couldn't help but cast suspicious glances at Black. The vampire, however, had to wait until he finds himself alone with the boy. There were indeed too many people around them for him to be able to isolate the boy's thoughts from the surrounding hubbub.

If at the beginning, it seemed to him to hear a murmur in the head of the boy, a bubbling song of false notes replaced it immediately:

Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hogwarts

Teach us what we need to know,

Whether you're young or old or bald

Or that we have marshmallow legs...

The more the vampire tried to listen beyond this horrible song, the louder the melody became in his skull until it became unbearable.

We want to have a full head

Until you get a migraine

Because for the moment, it's donkey juice,

Who simmers in our skulls!

A terrible migraine suddenly seized the vampire, causing him to decide against attempting to read the thoughts of this peculiar boy.

"It's not polite to listen to people's thoughts, Cullen," Black remarked evenly, not bothering to make eye contact.

Lying on his hospital bed, the boy amused himself by tossing a small golden ball in the air and skillfully catching it.

"How...?" Edward muttered, shocked by what had just occurred.

"We all have our little secrets..." Harian evaded with a distracted shrug.

Never before had anyone been able to detect his presence when he read someone's mind. While Isabella Swan's mind was an impenetrable fortress, Harian Black's seemed to deliberately divert Edward's attempts to read it with a whimsical tune.

Whether it was Bella or Harian, these two humans remained enigmatic to Edward.

"How did you reach Bella so quickly?" the vampire demanded to know.

"I could ask you the same question, Cullen," the boy pointed out. "Weren't you on the other end of the parking lot before that van attempted to run over Bella?"

"You hit your head, Black. I was right next to you!" Edward replied, having prepared his defense in case Bella questioned him.

"Oh! So, you admit that I was indeed by Bella's side when the accident happened," the young human exclaimed, a victorious smile playing on his lips.

Edward couldn't suppress a groan. This boy was openly mocking him! Yet, just like that morning, the peculiar boy's smile disarmed him. He wasn't accustomed to being smiled at so openly, and Edward strongly suspected that Harian already knew he was immortal.

"Are you a werewolf?" he finally dared to ask bluntly.

The brunette burst into incredulous laughter, highlighting the absurdity of Edward's question.

"A werewolf?" Harian laughed. "The full moon is still two weeks away. What made you think I was a Night Howler?"

"A Night Howler?" Edward repeated. "Is that the nickname the Quileutes give themselves these days?"

"The Quileutes are shape-shifters, not werewolves," Harian deemed it necessary to inform him.

Before Edward could inquire further, the door to the treatment room swung open, revealing a bearded, disheveled man.

"Harry!" the man exclaimed as he rushed over to the brunette.

Edward wrinkled his nose at the sudden scent of wet dog that permeated the room. The man circled around the younger boy like a satellite, checking for bumps or any aftermath of the accident.

"Couldn't you stop getting into trouble? Your father had an adventurous spirit too, but he didn't give his family so much to worry about!" the man growled, appearing more worried than angry.

"A little adventure now and then can't hurt," the boy replied, amused.

"I'm serious, kid. You could have been killed instantly!"

"And I am Harry," the brunette countered, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

The older man relaxed a bit at the boy's response. Edward could even hear him stifling a laugh in his beard.

"You got me," the man admitted, laughing nervously. "But try to stay away from danger next time... Will you?"

The boy offered a warm smile to his godfather, Sirius Black.

Edward had heard snippets of high school conversations about Harian Black's family. The boy had arrived from England with his godfather three years ago. It was rumored that his biological parents had died in a car accident, and after years of legal procedures, his godfather had finally obtained custody. Sirius Black and his godson had then left London and settled in the peaceful town of Forks, USA.

Sirius Black appeared to be in his thirties, a handsome man with a touch of madness in his eyes, hinting at a life filled with hardships. Although he didn't have the physical appearance of the Quileutes, he emitted the distinct smell of a wet dog, which Edward could only attribute to some form of werewolf-human crossbreed. Harian, however, seemed to have been spared from inheriting this scent, much to Edward's relief.

"Either way," the boy continued, "Edward would have protected me from the van even if I hadn't managed to throw a shield around myself. Right, Cullen?"

Dark eyes observed the vampire with curiosity. After a quick assessment from head to toe, Sirius Black extended his hand towards Edward.

"Thank you for helping my pup," Sirius said, a genuine smile spreading across his bearded face. "He tends to jump into danger without assessing the situation."

Edward hesitated for a moment before shaking the man's hand in return, sensing no immediate threat.

Before Harian could take offense at this apparent betrayal, Isabella and her father entered the treatment room. The young girl rushed to her friend's bedside, searching for any signs of injuries, just as her godfather had done moments before.

"I... Dr. Cullen wants you to join him to sign some paperwork," Charlie said, giving Sirius an uncertain look.

"Ah," the interested party sighed with a touch of sarcasm, "I had hoped to avoid the joys of American bureaucracy..."

The sheriff seemed uncomfortable in the presence of Sirius Black, though the reasons for his unease escaped Edward's understanding. Nevertheless, he chose not to delve into the minds of the two men, fearing what he might discover.

After clearing his throat awkwardly, Charlie spoke again, this time addressing Harian:

"Bella told me that you pushed her just before the van hit her. That was very brave of you, Harry."

"Truly, I admit I was a bit rough in the process," the boy apologized.

"The stubborn kid," Sirius reassured him. "Besides, I'm sure his reflexes improved from your self-defense lessons."

"Harry already had excellent reflexes when I started training him!" Charlie exclaimed, his cheeks reddening with embarrassment at the compliment. "He certainly gets his quick thinking from his godfather. I remember when we were kids..."

"Do you mind showing my dear godfather the way to the office, Charlie?" Harian interrupted with a mischievous smile. "I have my doubts about his sense of direction, if you catch my drift..."

"Along the way, you two can exchange compliments on the successful upbringing of beloved Harry," Bella chimed in, playing along with a malicious delight.

The two men blushed even deeper at the obvious implications made by their two mischievous teenagers. They didn't need to be told twice to leave the treatment room, hand in hand, much to Edward's surprise.

The vampire couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of emotions in the face of this unexpected scene. In his time, homosexuality was considered a crime and a grave sin from a religious standpoint. He had always felt uncomfortable with the idea of its acceptance in modern times. Witnessing the sheriff, a symbol of traditional masculinity in the town of Forks, holding another man's hand was an unprecedented sight for him. It provided a better understanding of the almost brotherly bond between Bella and Harian.

Bella returned from the vending machine with a load of drinks, asking Edward and Harian what they wanted.

"A coke for me, please," Harian requested with gratitude.

"No, thank you, Swan. I'm fine," Edward replied curtly, eager to continue his questioning.

Bella shrugged and left the treatment room.

"Are you finally going to answer my questions, Black?" Edward pressed, his patience wearing thin.

"You seem rather uptight for someone of your kind," Harian retorted, the smile instantly vanishing from his face.

"Did I not save your life?" Edward countered. "You owe me some explanations!"

"I don't owe you anything, Cullen!" the brunette hissed in a dangerous tone. "If it weren't for your disastrous intervention, I wouldn't have hit my head, and neither of us would be in the hospital right now!"

"My disastrous intervention?" Edward exclaimed indignantly. "Do you think you could have magically avoided that van?"

"Absolutely," the dark-haired man retorted, "and I would also add that if you hadn't played the hero, nobody would have noticed the accident, and both our families could have avoided being in the spotlight! Did you even think about the school's surveillance cameras? I didn't know vampires were mindless creatures!"

"Take back what you just said!" Edward shouted, rising from his chair to tower over the brunette.

"Or what? Are you going to threaten me with your fangs?" the boy countered, straightening up to meet Edward's gaze.

Despite being a head shorter, Harian exuded a sense of danger. It felt as if an unknown energy was about to strike. There were mere inches between their faces. The sweat on Harian's face made his pale skin glisten. Edward saw a bittersweet sadness in the boy's eyes, as if a distant voice was desperately calling out his name from a green forest. Suddenly, there was a flash, and the room plunged into darkness. Edward instinctively moved away from the boy, feeling as if the sudden power outage was somehow caused by him. However, the light quickly returned. The sound of the storm outside could be heard, washing away the remnants of the early morning snow in a whirlwind of muddy water.

"Ta-da!" a voice exclaimed at the entrance.

Unfazed by the temporary power outage, Bella returned from the vending machine, arms filled with snacks.

"You're the best!" Harian exclaimed, quickly opening a bag of chips.

Edward noticed that the boy no longer sought his gaze. The vampire wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed.

Charlie Swan and Sirius Black soon entered the room with Carlisle.

"Let's see how our two heroes are doing!" Dr. Cullen said as he approached Harian.

An expectant silence filled the room as the doctor examined the young man. Sirius Black looked worried, as if he were accustomed to seeing his godson injured. His concern proved valid when Carlisle discovered two cracked ribs.

"I knew it!" Sirius exclaimed, holding his head in his hands. "This kid is going to give me a heart attack!"

"Harry, why didn't you tell us?" Charlie asked, clearly annoyed.

The sheriff seemed on the verge of leaving to confront the driver of the van responsible for the accident.

"I'm only starting to feel it!" Harian defended himself, raising his hands in surrender. "Adrenaline and all, you know?"

Edward bit his lip as he observed the dark bruises forming on the boy's chest. If he had been human, his stomach would have turned at the realization that he had caused the injury. The speed and force with which he had pushed Harian's body to the ground could have easily shattered mortal bones. Edward sent an apologetic glance toward the brunette, but Harian continued to avoid his gaze.

"I think we should leave you to rest," Charlie said, placing a hand on Bella's shoulder. "I have, so to speak, a license to retreat..."

"Are you okay, Harry?" Bella asked, watching her friend with concern.

"Count on it!" Harian reassured her, winking mischievously.

Once Charlie and his daughter left, Edward overheard Carlisle's thoughts, questioning how the human boy could have been injured.

Edward cast a pitying look at his father.

Carlisle seemed satisfied with that for the moment, as his attention returned to his patient.

"Can we trust you to keep the events of today a secret?" he asked, applying ointment to Harian's chest.

"Of course," Sirius Black agreed solemnly. "But in the future, do keep a better watch over your clan members, Mr. Cullen. Charlie mentioned that he had to erase footage from two security cameras in the school parking lot."

"And we are truly grateful to him for that," Carlisle replied calmly. "Please accept my sincerest apologies on behalf of my entire family. It seems that my children sometimes act without consulting me first."

"That's every parent's burden," Sirius smiled, surprising Edward with his lack of grudge towards the vampire, considering his family name.

"I'm going to prescribe some painkillers for you," Carlisle informed Harian. "You'll need to take it easy for a few weeks while your ribs heal."

"But the next basketball game is in a week!" Harian exclaimed, devastated by the doctor's recommendations.

"I'm sorry, my boy, but unfortunately, I don't know of any miracle cure that can regrow bones..."

Harian's eyes lit up at Carlisle's words.

"I think five beetles, a Chinese biting cabbage, and three hedgehog fish eyes will do..." the boy muttered to himself.

"I beg your pardon?" Carlisle questioned, concerned.

His father's worry mirrored Edward's own, fearing that Harian had hit his head too hard in the accident.

"Harry has been named bird-man by the tribe," Sirius reassured them.

Edward failed to see how this information was reassuring regarding the young man's sanity. However, when he glanced at his father, he saw a shocked expression on his face.

"It has been over 300 years since the Quileutes have had an active shaman," Carlisle replied, sounding skeptical.

"I received council approval a few weeks ago," Harian interjected. "I should receive my inheritance during the next moon."

The boy quickly averted his gaze at Carlisle's shocked expression.

"Congratulations, Mr. Black?" the doctor finally managed to say, still appearing surprised. "Will it soon be possible to... place an order with you?"

Edward discovered that Carlisle's mind was in a state of bewilderment, albeit in a positive way.

"I'll let you know as soon as I gather the ingredients," Harian replied with a benevolent smile.

"Of course... we'll let you go home now," Carlisle concluded, speaking reverently, as if addressing the Volturi King himself. "Have a pleasant evening, gentlemen."

When Harian began to get out of bed, wincing in pain, Edward found himself instinctively helping the boy to his feet.

"Thank you, Edward," the boy whispered.

Once the Black family had left, Edward turned to his father with anticipation.

"Carlisle, is everything all right?" he asked, concerned by the prolonged silence from their clan leader.

"Our lives are going to change, Edward," his father finally managed to reply, leaving Edward with a sense of unease.

*

A lively commotion filled the Cullens' living room as all members of the coven gathered to discuss the events of the past 24 hours. Carlisle had hurried to his personal library and retrieved an old travel journal. On the yellowed pages, there was a sketch drawn by the doctor's expert hand. It depicted a Native American adorned with bird's wings, dancing around a fire.

"I don't understand how one member of the Quileutes could change all of our lives," Rosalie impatiently remarked, expressing her boredom with the family gathering.

"He's not just any member of the Quileutes," their father corrected her. "He's the new shaman!"

"Does he have the ability to bring rain?" Emmett joked, injecting humor into the conversation.

"For the Native Americans, the shaman is the intermediary between the world of spirits and that of humans. Before the colonization of America, they were numerous in these forests. Their knowledge of plants and remedies bestowed them with almost miraculous powers. However, the rise of Christianity eroded their culture to the point where shamanic practices were nearly eliminated... or so I thought, until young Harian Black was honored with the title of Bird Man."

"How can this Bird Man help us?" Esme asked, her gentle face wearing a contrite smile. "It's not like any of us can get sick..."

Carlisle settled himself on the sofa, appearing weakened by the information he was about to disclose to the family.

"More than a hundred years ago, when I was negotiating the peace treaty with the Indian tribe on the reservation, one of the elders told me about a potion..."

"A potion?" Alice repeated, her interest piqued. "Like in witch tales?"

"Yes," their father confirmed, his voice now filled with uncertainty. "A potion that could quench the thirst of vampires, allow them to walk in sunlight without harm, and perhaps... enable them to conceive a child..."

*

In the early morning, the siblings silently made their way to high school. They were all still too shocked to dare hope for what they had mourned so intensely. Could the pain of thirst really be erased with a simple potion? Could they one day bask in the sunlight among a crowd of mortals? As for the possibility of having a child... Rosalie was certainly the quietest among them. The only sound in the car came from the radio:

"A fire broke out yesterday in the typically humid Olympic National Forest, located between Seattle and the Pacific Ocean. The city of Seattle has been engulfed in a thick blanket of smoke for several hours. With climate change, we anticipate an increase in burned hectares each year."

Edward feared that once they arrived at school, Rosalie would hastily leave the car to find Black and threaten him until he handed over the famous potion. The vampire wondered how such an ordinary boy could possess such miraculous abilities.

It was then that an old 80s sidecar entered the school parking lot with a raucous noise.

Sirius Black, his eyes shielded by large aviator goggles, was piloting the dreadful contraption. And his passenger was none other than his godson. Harian appeared unaffected by any pain as he jumped off the bike, wearing a smile. Under the bewildered gaze of the other students, he bid farewell to his godfather, who departed with a terrible racket.

"Discretion, you know, Harry?" lectured Bella as she approached the brunette.

"Coming from the girl riding in a 70s antique?" replied the brunette, leaning amiably on his friend's shoulder.

"Damn..." the girl responded, annoyance giving way to an amused smile.

Edward's attention was suddenly captivated by Harian's incredibly green eyes. The vampire felt a strange thrill as the boy left the side of his friend and approached him. When they were at eye level, Harian took two lollipops out of his pocket.

"These are for you and Jasper," he informed Edward, shyly extending the sweets. "I also wanted to apologize to you for the harsh words I used yesterday at the hospital. I was unfair to you. You saved me, and I behaved like the worst kind of jerk..."

"It... It's nothing. I was the one who was rude in the first place," Edward apologized in turn, surprised that the brunette regretted his previous behavior.

"So, no hard feelings?" the boy asked, handing him the lollipops.

Edward froze for a moment. Was Harian unaware that, to vampires, all human food tasted like ash, apart from blood?

"No hard feelings..." he finally replied, hesitantly accepting the peace offering.

The vampire's gaze wandered absentmindedly to the boy's ribs, which had been injured just the day before.

"Are you... Are you okay?" Edward finally asked, unable to hide a certain concern for the young human.

"I'm in great shape, Cullen. Don't worry about me!" the brunette reassured him, flashing a reassuring smile.

Then, abruptly turning his back to Edward and rejoining his friend, the boy shouted aloud:

"See you later, Edward! Don't forget to give the Blood-Pop to your brother! I noticed he hasn't been very comfortable around muggles lately!"

"Muggles?" repeated the vampire, furrowing his brow at the boy's incomprehensible jargon.

However, Harian had already slipped away. Edward's gaze fell upon the candy in his hand. Did the boy really call it a Blood-Pop, or was it just his imagination?

"What is this?" Alice asked when Edward handed her brother the lollipop.

"Harian gave it to me," Edward informed her. "He called it... a Blood-Pop..."

All eyes of his siblings then turned eagerly to the treat.

"It doesn't look like a witch potion," Emmett pointed out with a giggle.

Jasper didn't pay attention to his brother's remark, however, and after tearing open the wrapper, he cautiously placed the treat in his mouth. The vampire's eyes widened in surprise.

"Is it that bad?" Alice asked, worried and mistaking her husband's reaction.

But Edward, who could hear Jasper's thoughts, was surprised to discover the pleasure his brother felt while tasting the delicacy. So, he reached into his own pocket and drew out his Blood-Pop to taste the candy.

An explosion of flavors seized his palate, and an unknown sweetness filled his throat. Edward closed his eyes in pleasure, relieved by the sweet taste.

"Are any of you finally going to tell us if it's edible?" Rosalie impatiently asked.

With great effort, Edward tore himself away from his tasting to answer his sister affirmatively. Jasper, lacking composure, continued to enjoy the treat as if his life depended on it.

"It tastes like blood," Edward elaborated, "but I can't tell you exactly which animal it belongs to."

"Not human blood, I hope?" exclaimed Alice.

"No, it's much sweeter," Jasper interjected, staring sadly at the remains of his Blood-Pop.

"How do you feel?" his wife asked.

"Strangely disgusted," Jasper replied with a grimace, "this stuff is so sweet it quells my thirst."

"It's amazing!" Emmett exclaimed enthusiastically. "Can we conclude that Black will be our official supplier of hemoglobin sweets?"

"He gave them to me as a sort of peace offering," Edward replied with a dubious pout, "I don't know if he'd be willing to give us more."

The day passed in slow motion after the discovery of these famous Blood-Pops.

Edward found himself pondering the making of these strange treats when a hand gently patted his shoulder. He realized he had been lost in his locker for a few moments, lost in multiple hypotheses.

Edward almost recoiled as he came face to face with Bella Swan's chocolate eyes.

For a moment, he feared he would catch the enchanting scent of the young girl. Yet, all he could taste was the lingering sweetness. Was it the Blood-Pop that had sickened him? The vampire was almost certain of it.

"Hi, Edward," the girl greeted him in a shy voice. "I have a free period. Would you like to come watch basketball practice with me?"

The vampire didn't know how to respond, too surprised by the human's invitation.

"The basketball team is practicing for regionals," she added, feeling the need to fill the awkward silence between them. "Harian will be there..." she added with a meaningful glance.

The mention of Harian's name stirred a strange feeling within the vampire. Bella was giving him a golden opportunity to learn more about the Quileute shaman. Perhaps he could take the chance to ask Bella questions about the Black family?

"Alright, let's go," Edward finally replied, forcing a flirtatious smile onto his usually composed face.

Naturally, the girl blushed as they made their way toward the gymnasium.

"So, do you like basketball?" the vampire asked in a casual tone.

"Not really," Bella confessed with a grimace. "I've always been more interested in reading and music than in sports activities. But I really enjoy watching Harian play. There's something very graceful about his movements."

"Have you known Harian for a long time?"

That's when Mike Newton, a chubby-faced, blond-haired kid, stepped in between them.

"Hello, beautiful!" he greeted, completely ignoring Edward. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

The vampire was tempted to nudge the blonde boy for his rudeness. He stood in Bella's way, his arm casually resting on the locker.

"You probably don't have anything to say to me that Edward can't hear," the girl replied, smiling innocently at Mike.

The boy's face contorted in a funny grimace as he pondered his next move.

"I was wondering..." he mumbled, gradually losing his initial confidence.

"Yes?" Bella urged.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go to prom with me!" he blurted out in one breath.

"Sorry, Mike, I'll be in Seattle that day," the girl replied apologetically.

"Can't you go on a different day?" the boy insisted.

"I already bought my ticket."

"Ah..."

The blonde looked crestfallen, and Edward couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He almost felt sorry for her...almost. When Mike walked away, tail between his legs, Bella picked up the conversation where she had left off:

"My father and Harian's godfather have known each other since they were little," the human said, a tender smile on her lips. “Sirius used to visit his father's family in Forks every summer. That's how he met Charlie. They were best friends until..."

"Until?" Edward repeated, intrigued.

"From what little Harry told me," Bella continued, her voice distant, "Sirius had some trouble with the English courts, which forced him to stay in Europe for many years. When he finally returned to Forks, twelve years had passed since his last visit. Charlie had tried, unsuccessfully, to make a life with my mother."

"So, if your parents' marriage didn't last, it's because..."

"Charlie had been in love with Sirius all that time. I won't tell you his reaction when his childhood sweetheart showed up in Forks again with a questionable criminal record and a dependent child..."

As they settled on the bleachers to watch the basketball practice, Bella received other prom proposals. However, she politely declined them all. The girl was quite popular in this small high school.

"Are you waiting for a specific request, one in particular?" Edward asked, puzzled by Bella's relentless rejection of her many suitors.

Bella shivered in disgust at his question, which surprised Edward even more.

"I'm not...let's say, interested in all that. The dances, the flowers, the moonlit declarations of love..."

"I'm not sure I follow..." Edward replied, growing increasingly confused.

This earned him a sigh from Bella.

"I don't feel an attraction to romance," she explained, her gaze fixed on the distance. "I can meet people and genuinely like them, even love them. But deep inside me, that desire for a romantic relationship, the yearning for hugs or tenderness... I don't have that."

"Maybe you just haven't found the right person yet," the vampire ventured.

"No, my capacity to love is linear. I don't like certain individuals more or less. I simply appreciate the many people I encounter along the way. But I love them without romance, without the need for physical intimacy. I just love them."

"Isn't that a bit sad?" the vampire asked, a pained expression on his face.

"Being in a relationship is not the be-all and end-all, Edward. Life offers other wonders, believe me. And what I can't feel, I can't miss."

Edward didn't push the conversation further because he thought he understood what Bella was trying to explain. She was aromantic. She wasn't interested in participating in the fickle games that filled the lives of other teenagers. She was driven by different passions, different dreams, but certainly not the desire to slow dance at the end-of-year ball with the love of her life.

"Maybe I'm like her," the vampire thought, reflecting on all the times he had turned down the advances of other women.

"But no!" he scolded himself. "I am, on the contrary, excessively romantic!"

For over a hundred years, he had saved himself for the right person, the one who would share his immortal life. So, he couldn't possibly be aromantic!

While Bella pretended she would be in Seattle on prom day, Edward immersed himself in the atmosphere of the gymnasium. Harian laughed among his peers, skillfully dodging larger and bulkier players to score hoops. Edward was impressed by the boy's skill, but also by Bella's obvious lack of interest in basketball.

"And suddenly, you and Harian are encouraging our parents to court each other?" he dared to ask when the girl finished rejecting her suitors.

"All we want is to see them happy," Bella said softly. "You can't imagine how melancholic they become when they're apart..."

"That's very kind of you," the vampire admitted.

Edward still struggled to understand how children could accept their parents' unconventional sexual orientations, let alone encourage them.

"When I arrived in Forks, I was a little confused about their relationship," Bella confessed, looking down at the floor with a hint of shame. "But Sirius and Harian brought so much joy into the house that I don't regret my choice. Harian is like a brother to me now."

Edward felt oddly relieved at this information. Perhaps it was because Bella didn't have romantic feelings for the boy?

"Finally done, Harry?" the girl exclaimed, raising her head.

Harian was at the bottom of the stands, breathless and his cheeks flushed with exertion. Sheepishly, he wiped his face with the top of his jersey. His sweat had created wild curls on his forehead, and beads of perspiration trickled down his neck. Edward's gaze lingered on the boy's finely sculpted torso, devoid of any trace of cracked ribs.

"I already told you, Bella!" the brunette replied without acknowledging the presence of the vampire. "Don't force yourself to come to practice just because Sirius asked you to spy on me. I know how much you hate basketball!"

"Not to be a spoil-sport," Bella countered in a concerned voice, "but you were in really bad shape yesterday. So don't be surprised that Sirius and I are worried about you."

"No need to worry anymore! The Poussos potion has..." the brunette suddenly trailed off, his eyes widening in surprise as he noticed Edward.

"Bella invited me to watch practice," the vampire explained, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Harian blinked several times, seemingly at a loss for words. He looked just as confused as Edward about why Bella had asked him to come to the gym.

"You'd be a real threat to the opposing team if you worked on your outside shot," Edward remarked, lightening the mood. "It would force the defense out of the key, opening up space inside and making it easier to shift, pass, and drive."

"Thanks for the advice," Harian replied, visibly relaxing. "Did the Blood-Pop work well?"

"They were amazing!" the vampire exclaimed. "Although I couldn't quite pinpoint the taste..."

"It's Chupacabra blood."

Edward wasn't sure what a...what was it? Chewbacca? However, he refrained from asking Harian the question openly, promising himself to do some research in Carlisle's library that evening.

During his brief interaction with Harian, Edward noticed Bella watching them with a satisfied smile on her face. What could the human be plotting?

Once Harian had changed, the three of them headed to their literature class. The other students' gazes followed them, unaccustomed to seeing Cullen mingling with ordinary mortals.

"We'll have to organize ourselves for the math homework," the brunette remarked, opening his locker to grab a few books.

"Are you sure you want to take on that task?" the vampire grimaced. "I saw how much math is not your strong suit..."

"Don't encourage him, Edward!" Bella scolded. "Harry will never improve at math if you do all the work for him!"

"I just don't see the point of quadratic polynomial functions in everyday life!" the brunette moaned.

"Because knowing how to throw a ball into a basket is more useful, perhaps?" his friend retorted.

"Touché," Harian conceded, placing a hand over his heart.

Smiling at the playful banter between his two companions, Edward suddenly had an idea. He only hoped that his family wouldn't disapprove of his initiative.

"Could you come to my house on Sunday afternoon?" he offered. "So we can work on the math homework together?"

"That's a great idea!" Harian exclaimed. "I can also bring some potions for your clan!"

Edward didn't know how to respond to this proposal. He was too surprised and delighted at the same time to find the right words.

Exiting the literature class together, the three friends decided to find tables close to each other.

The literature teacher was a short, gray-haired woman who always spoke passionately about the great English classics. A few weeks ago, she had assigned them to read "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

"Well, children, isn't theater marvelous when it delves into Greek mythology?" she exclaimed in a theatrical voice. "Did you not revel in plunging headlong into a magical and enchanted forest straight out of Celtic mythology? What did you feel in the moonlight, amidst that untamed nature? Did any of you spot the rich symbolism that William Shakespeare employs throughout the play?"

To Edward's surprise, his hand went up along with Bella's and Harian's.

"Yes, Miss Swan?" the teacher called, pointing to Bella.

"The dream," the girl offered in a shy voice.

"Excellent, but could you elaborate?" the teacher encouraged her.

"Shakespeare often employs dreams to convey the wonderful or terrifying feelings and desires of his characters," Bella explained, gaining confidence as she spoke. "Moreover, they demonstrate that we never truly control our passions; we only have the illusion of control."

"That's correct, Miss Swan," the teacher commended her, writing the word "dream" on the board. "Anyone else? Yes, Mr. Black?"

"Magic," Harian proposed. "The play takes place during a time when magic intersects with our reality. Thanks to Shakespeare, we can immerse ourselves in the tales and legends of the moor. On the night of Saint John, fairy beings bewitch poor mortals, locking them up in their magical palaces. At midnight, the water in the fountains turns to wine, pebbles transform into bread, and witches wander naked, gathering herbs with healing and protective properties."

"Yes, very good, Mr. Black," the teacher smiled, adding the word "magic" to the board. "Anything to add, Mr. Cullen?"

Edward cleared his throat before responding.

"Throughout the play, the actions of the hot-headed lovers create ongoing conflicts. The entanglement of affections that leaves Hermia excluded shows that love is often challenging and imbalanced. When the theme is carefully examined, the reader can see that there are multiple types of love at work throughout the play. However, the underlying message is that love is not always perfect or reciprocated."

As the word "love" was added to the board, Edward exchanged a knowing look with Harian and Bella. For the first time in decades, the vampire found himself enjoying a lesson. The Blood-Pop that Harian had given him earlier had temporarily subdued his hunting instincts. No longer constantly on alert, Edward found himself savoring the present moment with a lightness he hadn't experienced in a long time.

Furthermore, Harry and Bella seemed fully aware of his vampire nature. Yet, they treated him as an equal, without prying or making remarks or insults related to his condition. He didn't have to pretend to be human or vampire. He could just be himself, a feeling that was entirely new to him, as he had always strived to please others. Perhaps his ability to read minds had developed as a result of his deep-seated fear of disappointing those around him.

As the teacher gave them time to work on their essays, Edward overheard Bella reprimanding Harian for including the ingredients of the love potion used by Titania in his paper.

"Harry, you can't list the potion ingredients! This is a literature class, not potions!" she scolded.

Though the vampire didn't understand half of the nonsense these two fanatics were discussing, he had a feeling that little by little, they would let him into their world. He just had to be patient and, perhaps one day, earn their friendship.

With a radiant smile, he settled at the piano in the living room at the end of the day and played a cheerful melody.

Silence fell around him, and Edward found his clan members staring at him with wide, surprised eyes.

"What?" he asked anxiously under their persistent gaze.

"It's just weird to see you in such a good mood, man…" Emmett joked, his eyes shining with mischief. "Does that Blood-Pop have any other effects you haven't told us about?"

*

In the verdant landscape of Hoh Forest, Edward moved swiftly among the sprawling ferns. Above him, coniferous and deciduous trees formed a reassuring canopy. Moss draped every trunk and rock, as if Mother Nature had created a bed to rest upon. The sound of water and birds, like a gentle lullaby, added to the serenity of the place.

With no school today, the vampire could enjoy his freedom at leisure. He had witnessed the solitary sunrise from the summit of Mount Olympus, over 7,980 feet above sea level. From that height, he could see the dozen wildfires ravaging the region, turning the sky of the Northwestern United States into a hazy orange blanket.

The world had changed so much since he became a vampire. The nuclear threat had given way to a climate emergency. The forests of the American West were inexorably drying up, fostering the emergence of larger and longer-lasting fires.

Leaving behind this sad spectacle, Edward descended into the wetlands. It was then that a sweet fragrance imposed itself upon him.

There were approximately sixty species of terrestrial mammals in the park, but this scent was still unknown to his fragrance repertoire. Edward absentmindedly followed the trail, checking to ensure that his territory was not invaded by other vampires or, worse, a Chupacabra.

The day before, he had conducted some research in his father's library. That was when he discovered the existence of a more primal creature than vampires, which fed exclusively on the blood of farm animals such as goats or cows. Edward wondered how Harian Black had obtained the creature's blood. Turning it into a candy was even more astonishing. Lost in thought, the vampire heard a song through the muted ambiance of the undergrowth:

I met a troll, walking in the forest,
He dragged behind him a packaged elf!

Edward had a hard time believing his eyes when he discovered Harian Black, happily chirping in the forest, seemingly unconcerned about the dangers it held.

"I must be dreaming," sighed Edward, raising his eyes to the sky.

Couldn't he be spared even for a day from the presence of this strange boy?

Oh, how strong he is, oh, how handsome,
Oh, how great is my friend, the Chaos troll!

While continuing to sing, Harian seemed busy picking plants in the forest. Wasn't that a characteristic of shamans after all? Perhaps the boy was precisely looking for ingredients for the potion he intended to offer to Edward and his clan?

I said to him, my friend, what will you do with that man?
He replied, "I'll eat him, stuffed with apples!"

Would the Quileutes accept their shaman being in cahoots with a vampire clan? Sirius Black hadn't seemed repelled by his presence at the hospital. The man had even shaken his hand. But maybe that was simply because he wasn't a natural werewolf. Or a "Night Howler," as Harian had called them. Was there a real difference, by the way, between a shapeshifter and a werewolf?

Oh, how strong he is, oh, how handsome,
Oh, how great is my friend, the Chaos troll!

Was this idiot even aware of the ruckus he was making? Edward seethed internally. The musician within him was absolutely appalled by the dreadful melody. At this rate, Harian would scare away all the wildlife for miles! Perhaps the boy didn't deserve his title of shaman after all. After all, wasn't he supposed to create a kind of harmony between nature and humans?

He brandished his club and struck toward my head,
He wanted to add me to his plate without delay!

As Edward imagined giving the boy a little scare to teach him some manners, an owl swooped in out of nowhere and perched calmly on his shoulder. Edward stood frozen in place as the owl's large yellow eyes stared at him. It appeared to be a Snowy Owl judging by its plumage. It was the first time an animal showed no fear in his presence, leaving the vampire speechless. As calmly as possible, Edward reached out his hand to lightly stroke the white feathers of the magnificent creature. After a few minutes of silent exchange where the owl seemed to critically assess him, it suddenly emitted a piercing cry and flew away.

Concerned that the animal might have alerted others to his presence, Edward scanned the surroundings. The boy seemed to have vanished. Even his scent was gradually fading, as if he had never been there in the first place. Only the bird remained, perched on a branch of a thicket, leisurely preening its feathers, unconcerned with the vampire's presence.

Edward decided it was time to bid farewell. There were too many mysteries surrounding Harian Black, and he wasn't sure he was up to facing them today. Thirst was starting to gnaw at his throat anyway. He needed to feed at all costs. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in a suitable state to properly welcome Harian the next day. None of his clan members had complained about his initiative. They had even been delighted to have the famous thirst-quenching potion so quickly.

For safety's sake, Edward ran several kilometers to distance himself from the young man, wherever he may be. It was nearly impossible for a vampire to interrupt his hunt. It was best that no human scent tempted his killer instincts.

As he ventured deeper into the forest, he eventually caught the enticing scent of a puma. It was twilight, and the vampire followed the trail to a large rock near a stream. The puma was there, calmly drinking water. Edward hid behind a tree and observed the feline. He knew the puma was a formidable hunter, but he was faster and stronger than it. Silently, he approached slowly, ready to pounce on his prey.

Then, the scent he had detected earlier in the morning awakened all his senses. The monster lurking within him stirred, and he abandoned the large feline. His new victim was much more appetizing. Edward salivated in anticipation, his mouth frothing with venom. The vampire savored the fragrance of flowers and mingled sweat. In less time than it takes to say it, Edward leaped onto his victim. He reveled in the sensation of losing himself in the nape of their neck, their hair, and the opening of their shirt. The vampire adored the scent of his prey. He had never felt so alive. He was about to sink his fangs into the pale flesh when a hand gently landed on his arm.

"I'm truly sorry, Edward. I didn't realize that the Cullens' territory extended so far north," Harian calmly murmured.

Deep within him, the vampire recognized the boy's voice. But the monster had too strong a hold on him for Harian's words to have any significance. The monster howled with pleasure at the prospect of finally being satiated with such fragrant blood.

As he finally pierced the nearly translucent flesh of the human, the vampire drank greedily. Never, ever had he feasted like this. The boy's blood was incomparable to the more insipid blood of ordinary mortals.

"That's enough, Edward," warned Harian with a gentle but authoritative voice after a few minutes.

The monster obeyed without hesitation, not out of coercion, but simply because it wanted to. The boy with green eyes gave him a cheeky smile before gently pushing him away. Once again, the vampire allowed it, too preoccupied with licking his lips.

Taking a few steps back, the brunette blew into his hands. A soft blue light illuminated the darkness. Edward would have been surprised by this phenomenon if the monster within him hadn't had such a strong hold. But drinking human blood had amplified the strength of his dark side, and his consciousness was now a faint glow lost in the depths of his being. With his thirst finally quenched, the vampire fully embraced his condition. Sounds and scents were less overwhelming. He also didn't feel the need to run, simply enjoying wandering through the woods in the company of the mortal.

He walked alongside Harian throughout the night in serene tranquility. Edward would only have vague memories of what transpired during that nocturnal vigil. The shaman had guided him through the forest, pointing out hidden wonders and sharing ancient tales. The details remained elusive, like fragments of a dream slipping through his fingers.

As the first light of dawn began to paint the sky, Edward felt a sense of peace settle within him. The encounter with Harian had brought a brief respite from the darkness that consumed him. With a final nod of understanding, the vampire bid farewell to the boy and disappeared into the shadows, ready to face the eternal night once more.

Edward woke up abruptly in a clearing at daybreak. The sun had already begun its ascent on the horizon, and the birds were singing with all their might. Had he really slept? The night he had just experienced felt more like a dream than reality. And yet, here he was, lying on a bed of lilies, with a clear and rested mind.

Gradually regaining his bearings, Edward sprinted towards the family home. As he ran at an unnaturally fast speed, flashes from the previous night assaulted him. He didn't want to believe that the monster within him had won the battle that night. However, this sudden strength and acuity could only mean one thing: he had succumbed to his thirst and drunk human blood.

The window of his bedroom was still open, and he entered the dimly lit room as quietly as he could. Finally in front of his mirror, the vampire widened his eyes in horror. His reflection showed him, as he had feared, a vampire with ruby red eyes.

What would the members of his family think when they discovered the truth? Edward had violated the most sacred law of their coven. Carlisle would likely exile him from the Cullen clan for this grave offense.

As the sun continued its journey across the sky, Edward remained paralyzed. He couldn't believe he had succumbed to his darkest instincts. He was unworthy of his father's trust, of his entire clan. Last night had proven that he had no control over the monster lurking within him.

The vampire suddenly jolted when someone knocked on his door.

"Edward? Was the hunt successful?" asked Alice's delicate voice.

"Yes, everything's fine," Edward curtly replied, not wanting to confront the seer at such a moment.

"Harian has arrived," his sister sang, "he's waiting for you in the kitchen."

"Send him back where he came from!" Edward spat with fury. "And tell him that if he dares to set foot in this house again, I won't hesitate to kill him this time!"

"Did something happen?" his sister suddenly worried from behind the door.

"And if you minded your own business for once!" the vampire bitterly snarled.

Without responding, Alice turned around and walked away. Edward hoped she wouldn't insist any further. Hearing the boy's name had ignited a smoldering anger within him. How could Harian Black still be alive at this hour? The monster should have drained him of all his blood, so what could have stopped it?

Edward then thought of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. Perhaps the shaman was akin to those fairies who cast illusions to sow chaos around them.

A body hurled itself savagely from his window to pin him against the wall, gripping his throat. It was Jasper. His newfound vampire strength allowed him to hold Edward in place. The blond must have sensed his despair and hatred through the walls of the house and concluded that something terrible had happened.

"Who do you think you are, speaking to Alice like that?" Jasper growled between his lips. "Is that how you talk to your clan sister? She was just worried about you!"

The bedroom door behind them broke with a loud crash as Rosalie stormed into the room.

"Our lives are about to change because of this Black, and you send him away?" the blonde roared, destroying everything in her path.

"What is happening here?" Carlisle intervened, rushing into the room with Esme to separate them.

"Look at him!" Jasper growled, lifting Edward's chin so that his face was visible to all.

Alice made a choked sound when she saw the redness in his eyes.

"Traitor..." Rosalie hissed, pure hatred dancing in her amber eyes.

"And what if we let Edward explain before jumping to any conclusions?" Carlisle intervened with his usual stoicism. "Jasper, would you please release your brother?" Then, addressing Edward: "Son, what happened?"

So, and only then, Edward told everyone about his strange misadventure in the Hoh Forest. While narrating his encounter with Harian, the vampire could grasp the thoughts of his family members. They alternated between anger and surprise, following his story with great attention.

As usual, Rosalie only thought about herself. All she wanted was for Harian to offer them the potion that would allow her to have a human life. The rest didn't matter to her.

Emmett, on the other hand, had been strangely silent since the beginning of the dispute. Edward knew, however, that his brother was restraining himself from striking him with all his might. All that mattered to him was fulfilling his wife's dreams.

Alice and Jasper, meanwhile, were worried about Harian. The boy didn't appear injured to them a few minutes before he left.

Finally, Carlisle and Esme were simply relieved. It didn't matter that Edward had consumed human blood, as long as his victim hadn't been killed. They were convinced that Harian Black wasn't a threat in himself because he would keep their secret safe from rumors.

Later, after Edward had apologized to everyone for his behavior, especially to Alice, she asked him in a lighter tone, "The winged creatures you saw under the trunk of the spruce tree, they were fairies, weren't they?"

The sky was a brownish color and the sun red as Edward drove his siblings to school. The wildfires were still devouring the surrounding forests. Unfortunately, Forks was not spared from the toxic smoke. A voice on the radio expressed concern about the situation:

"The NASA has reported that the smoke is so thick it can be seen in images taken from space. A slight increase in the number of patients with respiratory problems has been observed in hospitals..."

Although this news was troubling, Edward had other concerns. Just the thought of seeing Harian Black again awakened the animalistic thirst within him that he feared so much. Did that idiot really think they would do their math homework after what happened in the forest? Why had he come to his house without fear?

Even though he wasn't thirsty, Edward had forced himself to hunt all night to regain amber-colored eyes. However, this hunt had left him painfully unsatisfied, as if animal blood held no nutritional value.

"Hey Edward, did you have a good weekend?" Bella called out, bestowing upon him her most beautiful smile.

The vampire, however, turned away from the girl and continued walking through the hallways of the school without saying a word. He no longer intended to associate with the young human. Anything related to Harian Black was now to be banned from his daily life.

He almost thought he had succeeded when he saw the object of his torment heading straight toward him during their lunch break. The irresistible scent that the boy had in the forest had completely vanished.

"You're really an idiot, and I hope you realize it!" Harian exclaimed vehemently.

Instantly becoming the center of attention for all the students in the cafeteria, Edward shrunk in his chair.

"In that case, why bother talking to me?" the vampire replied with a bitter tone.

"We're supposed to turn in the math assignment tomorrow, remember? And Bella doesn't deserve the way you treated her this morning!"

"For Bella, it's better this way, believe me. As for our assignment, I prefer to do it alone," Edward responded, indicating that the subject was closed.

There was a long silence before the boy, looking shocked, replied, "You're angry at me... Is it about Saturday night?"

"Of course it's because of Saturday night!" the vampire exploded. The stupidity of this human never ceased to astound him.

"Boys!" Alice intervened, standing in front of them. "What if you continue this conversation somewhere else? I think you've managed to fuel the school gossip for quite some time..."

The vampire glanced around the cafeteria. Indeed, all the students in the school seemed to be hanging on their words. Especially the girls, whose imagination, so fertile at that age, had already recreated that famous Saturday night in their unrestrained minds.

"Follow me," he said to Harian, heading toward the exit of the building.

Knowing that the boy was on his trail, he sought shelter under a canopy. A curtain of water dripped from a gutter as thunder roared overhead.

"Edward!" Harian called out, joining him. "I'm really sorry about Saturday. It's true that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but everything turned out fine, didn't it?"

"You're making fun of me, Black?" the vampire growled, annoyed by the boy's light tone. "Do you realize that I had no control over the monster that attacked you in the forest? It could have killed you, and I wouldn't have been able to stop it!"

"You speak as if you are two separate entities..." Harian remarked, grimacing.

"Because we are!" the vampire shouted, on edge. "For over a hundred years, I have been striving to maintain a semblance of humanity, to redeem my past sins and crimes. I am damned, don't you understand? I refuse to let the vampire win, and that's why I want all contact between us to cease. In your presence, the wall between me and that beast has never been thinner!"

"Edward... that wall is just an illusion. You and the one you consider a monster are just opposite sides of the same coin."

"Ah, so now you're an expert on vampires?" Edward scoffed.

"I became a shaman in the hope of helping beings like you embrace their nature!

"Is that your job description?" the vampire mocked in a humorless tone. "Therapist for serial killers and werewolves?"

"Shapeshifters," the boy corrected him.

"What's the difference? Here you are, babbling, preaching, and pretending to know everything about me. But who do you think you are in the end? Some kind of messiah? As if the suffering of my kind is just trivial to you, and you offer them salvation with magical potions. I vowed never to touch human blood again, and you offer yours on a silver platter while asking me to embrace my true nature! Well, you know what? You can go fuck yourself, with all your beautiful words. I won't be tempted by the easy way out, do you hear me?"

"So what? In your eyes, am I the devil here to test you?" the boy murmured, dangerously approaching his face. "And what if you stopped believing that the whole world wants your demise for a moment? Wouldn't it be worth it to enjoy a bit of the eternity that is offered to you? Because let me tell you something, you're here for a long time! The only paradise you can taste in your condition is right here, on Earth!"

Edward pushed the boy away from him, his inhuman strength sending the frail body crashing to the ground. He hoped the boy would finally realize his own strength.

"Never come near me again, Black! That was my final warning!"

With those words, Edward walked away to join his family in the cafeteria, leaving the arrogant little human to himself.

The vampire tried to ignore the stream of insults Rosalie had reserved for him. This girl was the epitome of narcissism. She cared nothing for selling her soul to the devil if it meant reclaiming a human life. All that mattered to her was that Harian finally give her his miraculous potion.

She wasn't the only member of his clan who disapproved of his behavior. However, none of them dared to confront him as Harian had just done.

Closing himself off, Edward fell into deep silence for the rest of the day. When evening came, he didn't bother to go home. Instead, he hunted all night in the hopes of tasting animal blood that wasn't bland.

In vain. Harian's blood haunted him. Why was fate so relentless against him? Perhaps it was time to leave... The cold of Alaska would surely be able to chain the monster.

However, no radical decision was made that night.

The next day, he resembled more of a zombie than a vampire as he returned to school. Harian didn't show up for math class, which was expected after their argument the previous day. Edward turned in the assignment to the teacher, who accepted it without asking any questions.

After lunch, where he also didn't find the boy among the crowd of students, he dutifully skipped his biology class. It went without saying that it was not recommended for a vampire to attend a class where students had to prick their own fingers for a blood type test.

As Edward headed toward his car to listen to a CD, he discovered a collapsed body in front of the lockers. The hallway was deserted, and Edward had a bad feeling when he recognized Harian on the muddy floor. The vampire instinctively approached the boy with concern.

"Hey, are you okay?" he couldn't help but ask, squatting down to the boy's level.

Harian's head lifted heavily to give him a feverish gaze. His complexion was even paler than usual, and his skin gleamed with an unhealthy glow under the yellowish neon lights. The boy's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Edward by his side, and his lips parted, releasing a silent plea.

"Harry?" Edward expressed his worry. "Are you sick?"

"No..." the boy lied, shamefully lowering his eyes to the ground.

The idiot then tried to lean on the locker behind him to get up. However, he failed miserably, and Edward was almost certain that the boy was crying.

"I'll go get the nurse," the vampire declared, standing up.

"No, please!" the panicked boy exclaimed, grabbing Edward's hand to hold him back. "No human should see me like this!"

Concerned about the boy's condition, Edward placed his hand on his forehead. It was unusually warm, almost burning. Harian instinctively leaned towards him, and the vampire's icy skin seemed to bring him relief.

With his keen hearing, Edward thought he heard the bones of the boy breaking beneath his skin. Seeing Harian suppress a cry of pain, the vampire finally realized the situation: the Quileute was transforming right in the middle of the school. Without further thought, the vampire lifted the human in his arms and carried him to his car.

"Is this your first transformation?" he asked the brunet, carefully laying him on the back seat of his Volvo.

"Yes..." Harian murmured, writhing in pain in the passenger seat. "I...I didn't think it would happen before the full moon..."

"Give me your address," the vampire ordered, a worried crease forming on his forehead.

After obtaining the information, he drove even faster than usual toward the reservation, unable to help casting anxious glances in the rearview mirror to check on the boy's condition. Edward could hear the brunet's bones breaking like thin twigs. Time seemed to slow down as he pushed his car at an unreasonable speed.

"Will your godfather know what to do?" Edward asked, glancing in the mirror with growing concern.

"Even though Sirius has never experienced anything like this, I believe so..." Harian informed him in a lifeless voice.

This response only confirmed Edward's suspicions about Sirius Black's nature. The man seemed unaware of the joys of transformation.

"Is there anything I can do to help ease the pain?" he inquired, unable to bear his own helplessness.

"Distract me..." the boy weakly replied, his eyes closed as he tried to endure the pain.

"I...I find great pleasure in playing Debussy's Clair de Lune in my free time," the vampire said, his voice unsure. "From the beginning, it's a swaying of eighth notes, thirds, two notes that travel parallel and never meet, like the moon and the sun. But it sways, the eighth notes suspend, forming duets. And then, this left hand..."

Edward suddenly stopped, embarrassed by his pointless rambling.

"Continue..." the boy unexpectedly pleaded, his breathing becoming more and more erratic.

"This left hand..." the vampire continued, his throat constricting, "as it descends, it sinks into depression, finally finding its depths, those bass notes that resonate, giving a profound foundation to the pleading chords of the right hand, which become more insistent, then flourishing... The moon is at its zenith, mistress of the night... It spills over... The eighth notes become sixteenth notes, the movement becomes Un poco mosso, and it takes us toward that divine candelabrum that wants to illuminate our dreams."

A sudden fit of coughing shook Harian's body. The vampire was horrified to smell the scent of blood filling the car.

"Harry?" the vampire called out with alarm.

"I'll be fine... Just keep talking," the boy requested.

Taking a deep breath to remain calm, the vampire continued, "Intoxicated, rising, D-flat becomes D-sharp, what audacity! But before there's time to be indignant, the vibrations calm down; they still rumble, softly, like a purring cat. We nestle into it, deep within the moonlight, reveling in it. And despite those persistent sixteenth notes, we sense that the ending will bring a return to the alpha. Some harmonic colors acidulate our senses, but it's an eternal beginning again that the final arpeggio promises..."

"What a marvel Clair de Lune is," Harian murmured weakly.

Edward feared that the boy would lose consciousness, so he decided to keep him talking until they reached their destination.

"Do you have a favorite song?" he asked casually.

"It's funny that you ask," Harian replied, growing more exhausted. "I...never tire of listening to Moondance by Van Morrison..."

"I'm sorry, I don't know that song," Edward admitted, as he rarely listened to modern music.

"It's a somewhat cheesy jazz melody," Harian revealed with a sheepish smile. "Sorry... I don't have as much vocabulary as you do to describe that song."

"It doesn't matter, I'll listen to it later and form an opinion," Edward reassured him.

The Volvo now embarked on a sporty journey through a rocky road. When Edward spotted the sidecar in front of a small cottage, he sighed in relief. They had arrived!

By the time he parked in front of the tree-surrounded cottage, the door had already swung open, and a panicked Sirius Black rushed out to meet them. Edward quickly lifted Harian out of the car. In his arms, the feverish boy had fainted.

"What happened?" Sirius exclaimed, horrified at the sight of his unconscious godson in the arms of a vampire.

Following him, Quileute chief Billy Black hurried over with a young boy.

"I think he's in the middle of transforming!" Edward informed them, unable to contain the fear he felt for the boy. "I found him almost unconscious in a hallway at school. Luckily, no one saw us leave."

"I thought he couldn't transform before the full moon!" the young Quileute cried out, looking lost.

"Harry is a shaman, it's different for him," Billy explained, observing Edward warily.

Sirius then snatched Harian from Edward's arms. The vampire had to fight against his protective instincts, nearly biting the man. He would have given anything to stay by Harian's side, but he knew it was impossible. The Quileutes didn't allow his kind on their territory, and he needed to leave the area as soon as possible.

"Thank you, Edward. I can handle the situation from here," Sirius dismissed him, taking the boy to safety in their house.

"Did something specific happen?" Billy Black demanded to know.

Regardless of his physical condition, the former alpha of the Quileutes hadn't lost an ounce of his composure and presence since his tragic car accident.

"Our paths crossed in the forest two days ago..."

"And?" the man insisted.

Under the scrutinizing gaze of the Quileute chief, Edward could only avert his eyes, biting his lip.

"He offered himself as a chalice!" Billy exclaimed horrified.

"Chalice?" Edward repeated, not understanding what the man meant.

But Billy was already maneuvering his wheelchair to join the others.

The vampire mustered all the restraint he had to resist following the Blacks into their house. Instead, he forced himself to leave without looking back.

*

As the sun finally honored Forks with its presence, the vampire clan was excused from attending school the day after these events. The forest fires had been extinguished by the rain, and it was good to see the blue color of the sky again.

Edward told his family how he had escorted a sick Harian home. He didn't go into details, but they could all see that he was worried about the boy and eagerly awaited news of his condition.

To keep his mind occupied, Edward decided to focus on his family members. He played chess with Alice, who declared a cheerful "checkmate" after several hours of intense play. He also lost an arm-wrestling match against Emmett, which boosted his brother's ego. He even helped Rosalie with her car engine. Although she still didn't speak to him, she had stopped unleashing a barrage of insults, which was encouraging. To please Esme, Edward played her favorite melody on the piano. Carlisle invited his wife to dance, and the two of them twirled to Tchaikovsky's Valse Sentimentale all evening. As for Jasper, his brother smiled contentedly. The empath was grateful to him for creating such a serene atmosphere in the house.

However, nothing seemed distracting enough to make Edward forget his concern for Harian. Exhausted from seeing him pacing back and forth, Jasper organized a large hunting party to take his mind off things. The members of their clan were invited, and they set off for the mountains at dusk.

Suspended from a tree, Edward patiently waited to catch the scent of a puma. However, his heart wasn't in it. Had Harian completed his transformation? Would he now have the characteristic scent of the reservation wolves? Would he, like his kind, harbor a fierce hatred for vampires? Once again, all his questions remained unanswered.

He absentmindedly watched the sun disappear on the horizon. The sight was breathtaking. Well, at least for a mortal.

A movement in the branches signaled that a family member was approaching. It was Carlisle, who had a confident smile on his lips as he came to admire the sunset by Edward's side. In peaceful silence, the two vampires enjoyed the last warm rays on their cold bodies.

Edward's skin shimmered like the thousand facets of a diamond. It seemed to the vampire that he was discovering the beauty of this phenomenon for the first time. How could such a splendid envelope contain such a monster?

"If there is a diamond in the chest, it shines on the face," Carlisle declared, noticing Edward's interest in the play of light on his skin.

Edward lowered his eyes to the ground, suddenly feeling ashamed. He had always condemned vanity and refused to indulge in his appearance like Rosalie did.

"You know, Narcissus is the most misunderstood and mistreated myth of our time," his father said lightly. "If it has become synonymous with a fault today, it is actually the name of redemption. Anyone who has had the chance to see a field of narcissus cannot help but be captivated by its splendor. If being narcissistic were a fault, the Greeks wouldn't have named Narcissus that way. They would have chosen another name, darker, more terrifying. Yet, to give life to this myth, they chose the name of rebirth."

Surprised by the conversation topic his father had brought up, Edward tried to recall the myth.

Narcissus was a hunter, the son of the nymph Liriope and the river god Cephissus. His mother, having been warned by a seer that her son would live a long life as long as he 'never knew himself,' forbade Narcissus from looking at himself in a mirror. Thus, the boy grew up without being aware of his own beauty. Although he garnered admiration from all men and women in Greece, he rejected all suitors. Then, one day, during a hunting expedition, he finally discovered his reflection in the calm waters of a river. From then on, he spent his time admiring his image. Consumed by love, he suffered from being separated from the reflection he believed to be external to him. Unable to fulfill this passion, he eventually died and transformed into a magnificent flower.

"Narcissus grew up in ignorance of himself," his father continued, observing his own skin shimmer under the sunlight. "Those who meet him fall in love with him. But he does not respond to their love because he does not believe in it. In fact, he doesn't believe them for a simple reason: until we have seen our own beauty, no one can show it to us."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Edward asked, furrowing his brow in confusion.

"Because you remind me of that Narcissus," Carlisle confessed with a sad smile. "You adapt to others to meet their expectations, no matter your deep desires and needs. All I hope for you is that one day you will manage to listen to yourself. I look forward to the moment when you will metamorphose, like Narcissus, into that wonderful white flower with a golden heart."

"Narcissus wasn't a bloodthirsty monster," Edward joked somewhat bitterly.

"You will never escape this hell if you try to suppress the vampire within you," his father murmured, placing a comforting hand on his back. "Only when you have taken the time to truly respect your needs, desires, and discover the beauty within you, will you be reborn."

The vampire contemplated Carlisle's words for a moment. Harian had tried to make him understand the same thing under the awning. The only paradise he would ever know was on Earth. That was the demand of his immortal condition. It wasn't about embracing his dark side, but simply reaching for the light. To enjoy the life Carlisle had given him.

A puma finally entered his field of vision. His father signaled that the prey was his, and Edward didn't hesitate.

Later, alone in his room, Edward stood in front of his mirror. Would he ever be able to accept that reflection? He wasn't certain. The creature in the mirror only inspired fear and disgust in him. His beauty was merely a weapon to lure human prey, skillfully concealing the darkness of his soul.

Turning away from that image, the vampire sought distraction. The day had been peaceful, and he didn't want to spoil it by tormenting himself with dark thoughts. Remembering his promise to Harian, he searched for Moondance by Van Morrison to form his own opinion of the song.

Moondance blended the warmth of folk music with the elegance of swing jazz. The lyrics were not as cheesy as Harian had claimed. Edward felt like he was hearing an anthem to love.

Lying on the sofa in his room, the vampire began daydreaming with his eyes open. He danced under an October sky. The magic of the night seemed to whisper and then fall silent as the gentle moonlight reflected on the pale complexion of...

The vampire suddenly sat up, feeling nauseous.

"Against nature," a voice screamed in his head.

"Sin."

"Crime."

"Perversion."

It kept shouting at him.

Then, a memory he thought was lost forever from his human life came back to him.

His face was violently struck by a man reeking of alcohol. The man hurled insults at him and rained down blows. A woman, his human mother, pleaded with the man to stop, but in vain. Then Edward saw himself doing everything in his power to enlist in the army. That way, he would prove to his father that he wasn't weak. That he could serve the country and fight like a man! A real man!

Edward suddenly groaned, feeling a dull pain in his chest.

"Edward?" Jasper's concerned voice called out. "What's happening?"

His brother had once again entered through the window to join him. The rest of their clan followed behind him. They all looked at him in shocked silence, and Edward only understood the reason when he caught his reflection in the mirror.

He was crying. Blood was flowing abundantly from his eyes, staining his face and clothes.

"I... I..." the vampire stammered.

Then, he curled up on himself, overcome with uncontrollable sobs.

Jasper's arms came to embrace him tightly. Then the others joined in: Esme, Carlisle, Alice, Emmett, and even Rosalie.

"We're here, Edward," Carlisle whispered in his ear. "We love you. Unconditionally and for eternity."

*

For the first time in a long time, it wasn't Edward who was driving. He sat in the passenger seat at his sister's insistence. The vampire felt uncomfortable with all the little attentions from his family in recent days. Ever since he had a flashback of his human life, Edward had barely spoken a few words to them. Piecing together his past had created a bridge between his present self and the broken teenager he had once been. "Monster," his father had kept shouting at him in his mind. Edward had done so much to try to please him. Joining the army, becoming a soldier, proving that he was a man, a real man! But no, nothing had been enough in the end. When the Spanish flu struck, his father disappeared without a trace. He left them, him and his mother, to face the disease alone.

"Dad," Edward called out as fever made him delirious. His mother had already succumbed to the flu two days ago, and he would soon join her.

"Dad," he called desperately as the smell of burning bodies filled his nostrils. He needed to ask his father to bury his mother's remains. She deserved a proper burial, not to end up burned in a mass grave with the other victims! She was a pious and hardworking woman!

"Dad," he called, his voice breaking into restrained sobs.

But no, he wouldn't cry. Real men didn't cry. That was what his father had taught him.

Then, an angelic face leaned over him.

Later, Edward would associate that face with his adoptive father. The only one in this world who had answered the call of a son on that tragic night. Carlisle. He had offered him a new life, a home, and a family.

For all that, Edward was grateful to him. However, he wasn't ready to tell his family about his past life. What he had was. He needed to familiarize himself with that long-forgotten part of himself first.

The vampire gazed at the scenery outside the window with a dull eye. Alice had planned a surprise for him and was acting as the chauffeur to take him to this mysterious destination.

He couldn't read the mind of the clairvoyant who kept her thoughts focused on what outfit she would wear for the prom.

"Since when have you been interested in prom anyway?" Edward asked, his tone wary.

His voice creaked a little, unused for several days. Alice, however, had the decency not to appear shocked that he was finally breaking his silence.

"Since I know that someone I appreciate is going too!" Alice replied, relishing in teasing him.

Abandoning the battle, at least for the moment, Edward shifted his attention to the passing scenery. He thought he recognized the path the Volvo was taking. Sitting up in his seat, he saw Alice give him a mischievous smile through the rearview mirror.

"We're entering Quileute territory!" Edward remarked.

"That's right!" his sister confirmed cheerfully.

"Alice... Where are we going?"

"Don't you guess?"

Edward could perfectly guess.

"But... How?" he managed to ask with a hoarse voice.

"I told Bella that you were really worried about Harian," his sister explained. "So she gave me Sirius' address."

"And...?" Edward grew impatient.

"And then Sirius said that it would certainly make Harian happy to have visitors. So we're invited for tea at the Black's house at 4 pm. Surprise!"

Edward couldn't believe his ears. If he still had a heart, it would have suddenly started beating rapidly in his chest.

The Volvo parked in front of the small cottage, reminiscent of a fairy tale. Knocking on the rustic birchwood door, the vampire felt like he was playing the role of the big bad wolf. However, it was a smiling Sirius Black who opened the door to welcome them.

"Hello, Alice, Edward, welcome," greeted the Quileute with his British accent, stepping aside from the threshold.

"That's very kind of you to receive us, Mr. Black!" Alice warmly replied, shaking the man's hand.

"Call me Sirius, please. I've also invited Bella and Charlie, they shouldn't be long."

Looking around, Edward was surprised to find that the house was much more spacious on the inside than it appeared from the outside. The living room was decorated in warm colors, mainly red and gold. Edward's shoulders sagged in disappointment, as there was no indication of Harian's presence in this place.

Above the fireplace hung a large coat of arms depicting a creature that was half-eagle, half-lion. A griffin, Edward believed. In the hearth hung a huge boiling cauldron containing a scarlet substance. The smell alone made the vampire's mouth water.

The two vampires were invited to sit on a large, worn but very comfortable sofa. It was a shock for Edward and his sister when Sirius Black waved a wand, and the teapot on the coffee table came to life, serving them drinks in three porcelain cups.

"Drink," Sirius urged them, taking a sip from his own cup. "My teapot is a bit temperamental; it's better not to keep it waiting," he added in a confidential tone.

The man kept casting nervous glances at his tea set, as if it would attack them at any moment. In almost religious silence, the two vampires obeyed, too bewildered to even consider refusing.

Thus, Edward savored a rich and spicy blood. Alice herself emitted a moan of pure pleasure as she tasted her drink.

"It's gnome blood," Sirius felt the need to inform them. "The garden has been infested with them since we moved here."

Neither Alice nor Edward knew quite how to react to this information. They increasingly felt like they had stepped into a witch's cottage, unsure whether to worry about the accumulating evidence before their eyes. However, before any of them could ask a question, the sound of a car alerted them that Bella and her father had arrived.

After animated greetings, Charlie finally asked the million-dollar question: "How is Harry?"

"Weak," Sirius replied, his good mood seeming to vanish at the mention of his godson. "I told Billy it was too heavy a burden for a seventeen-year-old... There's a reason why the Quileutes haven't had shamans for over three centuries."

"Can we see him?" Bella intervened.

"He's resting in his room," Sirius confirmed.

The young human promptly got up and, with a nod of her head, invited Edward to follow her. Edward, glancing at Alice, received a reassuring wink before following Bella.

Once on the stairs, Edward felt the need to apologize to the girl for his behavior at school. Bella stopped abruptly, looking him straight in the eyes.

"I really thought we were becoming friends," Bella remarked in a stern voice. "Why would you suddenly act like a complete jerk?"

"I... I care about both of you a lot," the vampire confessed, embarrassed by his admission. "But being around me is dangerous, and I preferred to distance myself from you rather than take the risk of hurting you."

"That's very chivalrous of you, Edward, but next time, before making such a drastic decision, take the time to discuss it with those involved!"

Without waiting for a response, the young girl continued on her way upstairs. Edward felt grateful to Bella for being so forgiving.

Harian's room was filled with dim lighting. The vampire was astonished to find a hundred dreamcatchers hanging from the ceiling. The room was adorned with earthy colors, predominantly red, yellow, and orange. Various trinkets and plants created an ineffable chaos around a large carved wooden bed.

Without fearing to disturb his friend, Bella went to sit next to his body buried under a cozy nest of pillows and patchwork blankets.

"How are you, Harry?"

"Mffrr…" a voice grumbled under the covers.

"Don't be grumpy," Bella scolded him playfully. "That's not how you welcome our charming guest."

"Hello, Harian..." Edward murmured uncertainly.

A terrified gasp escaped from the bed, accompanied by a curse. Timidly, Harian's head emerged from the covers and turned towards the vampire.

Edward couldn't help but laugh at the disheveled appearance of the Quileute. His thick brown curls were going in all directions, and he had the imprint of his pillow on his cheek.

Green, still feverish eyes observed the vampire with apprehension.

"Hey, Edward," the shaman replied in a hoarse voice.

Relieved, Edward couldn't help but smile at Harian's sheepish expression. He had been so worried about the boy's health that he now felt as if a tremendous weight had been lifted from his chest.

Then, the vampire felt faint once again when the blankets around Harian came to life behind the boy.

"Damn things!" Harian grumbled, as if struggling with an imaginary enemy.

"Wait, let me help you!" Bella intervened, untangling the sheets that imprisoned her friend.

A bird wing, and then another, extended on the mattress.

"It has grown since last time!" the young girl exclaimed in awe, gently caressing their pearlescent white feathers with her fingertips.

Time seemed to stand still for the vampire, who simply couldn't believe his eyes.

"Harian, you... You're..." he could barely bring himself to utter the word burning on his lips. "An angel?"

The two teenagers gave him a deeply puzzled look, as if horns had sprouted on his head. Then they burst into laughter together.

"Harry is the birdman of the Quileutes, not an angel," Bella responded, struggling to contain her amusement. "All shapeshifter tribes have shamans, and all shamans have bird wings."

"So, you don't transform into a wolf?" the vampire asked stupidly.

"No, Edward, I don't transform into a wolf," Harry reassured him with a smile.

"Can I...?" the vampire asked, enchanted, as he reverently extended his hand toward the boy.

In response, Harian seemed to make a titanic effort, flexing his back muscles and stretching his right wing toward the vampire.

Edward's fingers touched the soft feathers in a reverent manner. He, who thought he would forever be deprived of paradise, now found himself fraternizing with angels, as he believed, despite Bella's protests.

"It's incredible..." Edward whispered, a childlike smile dancing on his face.

His eyes met those of the shaman, who was also observing his reactions with great attention.

The vampire vaguely heard a door slam behind them. Bella seemed to have chosen that moment to give them some privacy.

"I suppose you have questions," Harian declared, patting the mattress next to him.

Indeed, Edward was bursting with questions and could no longer contain himself.

"What is a chalice?"

Harian appeared destabilized by the question.

"Where did you hear that term?" he asked with surprise.

"Billy mentioned it when I brought you home last Monday."

"A chalice is a human who willingly offers their blood to a vampire," Harian explained slowly, genuinely open to answering all of the vampire's questions. "They become the vampire's sole source of sustenance. This allows the vampire to embrace a more human-like life. There's a kind of chemistry that occurs between the vampire and their chalice. The vampire can better control their thirst and drink the necessary amount of blood without affecting their chalice. They can eat human food and even sleep. In return, the chalice's body develops natural defenses and can more easily combat the ravages of time and illness."

"Are you my...?" Edward tried to ask, but couldn't quite formulate the full question.

"Noo!" Harry exclaimed suddenly, his cheeks flushing. "There's a whole ritual to follow to become a vampire's chalice, I assure you!"

"Ah..." Edward sighed, unable to determine whether he was reassured or disappointed by the news. "However, the night I bit you, I thought I slept for a while."

"It was just a simple magical lullaby," the shaman explained with a contrite smile on his face. "I'm sorry, I was just trying to calm you down that night. My blood intoxicated you. It's the effect of magical blood, you see? After drinking it, you seemed to be swimming in molasses. I thought a good walk and a nap would refresh you. I thought I could take care of pack matters while you rested. But I was wrong. When I returned, you were already gone."

Edward shook his head, barely believing all the information the young man was openly sharing with him.

"How do you know all these things?" he asked, giving Harian a piercing look. "Even Carlisle isn't aware of all these details about vampires."

"There are magic schools all around the world," the boy replied, shrugging as if he were talking about the weather. "As for me, I learned about the existence of magic when I was eleven. I was able to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in England, where I was taught, among other things, the art of potion-making, spells, and even how to fly on a broomstick. Then, at the age of fourteen, I left school to go to Forks with my godfather, where I received a more unconventional education with the Native Americans on the reservation."

Silence hung between the sorcerer and the vampire for a few moments. Edward found it difficult to digest the news.

"If wizards truly exist, why haven't we heard about them?" he finally asked, still perplexed.

"That's what we call the magical secret," Harian explained. "Wizards have created institutions and laws to protect themselves from external threats. Since the witch hunts, it has been strictly forbidden for us to interfere in the affairs of non-magical people, or 'Muggles' as we call them in England. Wizards do everything they can to protect the secret of their existence from humans, and that includes protecting magical creatures. My best friend's brother, for example, works in a dragon reserve, ensuring their preservation away from human greed."

"If these wizards are protecting magical creatures, why aren't vampires included in this secret?" Edward wondered, finding less and less sense in all the explanations.

"Firstly, because vampires are considered dark creatures," the brunet replied, seeming to have an answer for everything. "Wizards are far from perfect and have just as many prejudices as normal humans. Vampires, werewolves, centaurs, goblins, and even giants live on the fringes of our society. Sirius' friend is a true werewolf, and let me tell you, he had to go through a bureaucratic circus just to have a normal education. However, all these creatures have an advantage that you and your family don't."

"What is it?" the vampire impatiently asked.

"The magical blood that runs through their veins since birth. They weren't born human, like you and your family. Muggles turned into vampires cannot claim the magical world just because they have extraordinary abilities. That's how communities like the Volturi or the Quileutes came to be."

"This makes no sense..." Edward groaned, holding his head in his hands. "By leaving muggle-born vampires in the wild, you're putting your own secret at risk!"

"Wizards are terribly communal, even racist, I'd say!" Harian sighed, slumping against his cushions, looking sorry for his own kind. "They have an awful ideology of pure-blood and rarely mix with Muggles or other magical species. Until recently, marriage between a wizard and a non-magical person was forbidden. My mother, for example, was a Muggle-born, and it wasn't easy for her to integrate into the wizarding world."

"Your mother?" the vampire repeated, calming down a bit in the face of Harian's confession. "This is the first time you've mentioned one of your parents. What were they like?"

"They're, unfortunately, dead before I could get to know them," the brunet answered bitterly.

Edward inwardly chastised himself for asking the question, but Harian continued his explanations.

"In the 1980s, a dark wizard took power in England. His name was Voldemort. He and his followers wanted to break the magical secret and dominate the Muggle world. They also had this horrible pure-blood ideology. Many half-bloods and Muggle-borns suffered because of it. My parents died trying to oppose him."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Edward grimaced, placing a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. "I'm starting to believe that being excluded from this secret might not be such a bad thing."

A crystalline laughter greeted that statement.

"Yes, indeed," the brunet replied. "That's also why I didn't finish my studies at Hogwarts."

"Because of that dark wizard?" the vampire guessed.

"Voldemort tried to kill me when I was barely a year old," Harian revealed, his voice suddenly turning dark. "My parents were just collateral damage. I was his true target. There was a prophecy that I would eventually defeat him. When he tried to kill me, the curse rebounded on him thanks to my mother's magical protection. She gave her life to save me..."

Edward reached out to hold Harian's hand in a sign of support. He couldn't imagine the trials the boy had gone through.

"Voldemort's ghost, however, is still out there somewhere, thirsty for vengeance..." the sorcerer confessed, his empty gaze fixed on the wall in front of him. "He tried multiple times to reach me during my time at Hogwarts. But I managed, with the help of my friends, to thwart his plans each time. Then, during my fourth year at school, I was involuntarily entered into a very dangerous tournament for wizards. The tasks were restricted to students aged seventeen and above, and I was only fourteen at the time. My headmaster suspected a setup orchestrated by Voldemort to reach me. He made the radical decision to send me out of the country. Sirius had family in the United States. So, we started a new life here in Forks, and that's how I became the shaman of the Quileutes."

"I have a vague feeling that it would take at least seven books to fully recount your crazy adventurous life," the vampire remarked to lighten the mood.

"And eight movies!" Harian laughed, regaining his good humor.

"Is Bella also a witch?" Edward asked, still curious about the young girl.

"Unfortunately, no," Harian grimaced. "In wizarding jargon, she's what we call a Squib. Her mother is a witch, but she didn't inherit any magical powers at birth. Bella is like Charlie, a simple Muggle."

"If wizards are so keen on keeping their world a secret, are you breaking the law by telling me all this?" Edward wanted to understand.

"That's the beauty of my profession," the boy replied. "A shaman is the only person authorized by magical laws to create connections between all beings, magical or not. We are a bridge between magic and the earthly world."

"Carlisle said you were the first to join the Quileute tribe in 300 years. Why aren't there more people like you?"

"When the magical community became secret, that position was eradicated for safety reasons. But with climate change and all the environmental degradation caused by humans, the American magical government decided to train new mages for the protection of nature."

"Do you think there will be more bird-men like you in the future?"

"That's what the American magical government hopes for. But I haven't even been officially introduced to the congress yet. The ceremony is in two moons. I'll have to learn how to use these two anvils if I want to become a worthy bird-man," the boy concluded, casting a discouraged gaze at his inert wings.

"You mean... you can't fly yet?"

"I can barely lift a wing!" the boy protested with a pout. "And you expect me to fly?"

And so, the vampire and the shaman talked for hours, unaware of the passing time.

*

"I'm going to fall!" Harian exclaimed.

"You can do it!" Emmett encouraged him, holding the boy by the waist.

Harian flapped his wings frantically in mid-air while the vampire held him. Edward closely watched his brother, fearing that he might injure the bird-man.

It had been over a month since the Blacks had shared their secrets with the Cullens-Hale. Since then, the vampires had improved significantly. Sirius brewed potions for them using gnome blood, which was much more enjoyable compared to the blood of regular animals. Jasper was particularly grateful for this. In the distance, Rosalie could be seen watching her swollen belly. Vampire gestation was much faster than that of humans. If the blonde already had a character similar to that of King Kong, she now equaled Godzilla since becoming pregnant. Alice had learned to use a crystal ball to share her visions with those around her.

"It hurts..." Harian suddenly cried out, looking exhausted.

Edward rushed to his aid as soon as he heard the boy's distress.

"That's enough for today!" he intervened, separating Harian from his brother.

"Relax, Ed," Emmett retorted. "The kid needs to strengthen his wings if he wants to learn how to fly!"

Harian responded with a weak smile, dark circles forming under his tired eyes. The shaman had been undergoing intensive training with Emmett for over a month, yet he still hadn't seen any significant progress.

"Are you both okay?" called Carlisle from the porch of their house.

"Harian got hurt during the exercise," Edward informed him, still concerned.

"Let me take a look," the clan leader replied, making his way towards them.

Indeed, Harian's back was bruised and swollen. His wings seemed too wide and heavy for his small body to bear. Edward growled at Emmett for pushing the boy beyond his physical limits.

"I'll apply the cream that Sirius prepared for your back," Carlisle announced.

"I'll do it," Edward said, taking the vial from his hand.

"I'm not fragile, Edward..." Harian sighed, blushing at being the center of attention.

"You look like a mother hen with her little chick," Emmett teased, giving the young sorcerer a friendly pat on the back.

The boy winced in pain at the vampire's roughness.

"Get out of my sight, Emmett!" Edward exclaimed. "You're just a big brute!"

Offended, the giant walked away with his head down to join his beloved.

"You're too hard on him!" Harian defended him, looking distressed. "He's only trying to be helpful."

"Stop defending that idiot and turn around!" the vampire ordered, exasperated.

Harian complied grudgingly while Edward carefully applied the miraculous cream. Within minutes, the bruises faded, leaving behind rosy skin. Edward continued to massage the boy's back, hoping to help him relax.

"Thank you..." Harian sighed, his eyes closed in relief.

Edward was about to tell the boy that it was nothing when the atmosphere suddenly changed around them. The vampire wasn't sure if his senses were playing tricks on him, but he had the impression of seeing a slender figure in the undergrowth. Another witch, perhaps?

The vampire felt the woman's gaze weigh heavily on him. Then she abruptly turned her attention away from the vampire and towards the shaman.

Harian let out a surprised exclamation before regaining his composure and turning to the vampire, looking apologetic.

"May I leave you alone for a moment?" the shaman asked timidly.

Although Edward's mind was already buzzing with questions, the vampire simply smiled reassuringly at the boy.

"I'll wait here for you," he promised the sorcerer.

With a nod, Harian approached the mysterious woman to greet her with a bow. They talked for a while, and Edward was surprised that he couldn't hear their conversation. The beautiful lady had an ethereal aura, as if she didn't belong to this world. Her long blonde hair seemed to float in the air, and her movements were filled with inhuman grace.

When Harian finally returned to the vampire, he appeared melancholic.

"Who was that?" Edward asked, curious about the strange woman.

"She is the mother of magic, better known as Hecate," the shaman answered wearily.

"She's a goddess?" the vampire exclaimed, searching for the woman's silhouette in the undergrowth.

However, she had vanished, leaving as silently as she had come.

"In a way," Harian admitted. "On the night my mother protected me from Voldemort, she invoked the protection of the goddess. Since then, Hecate has been very protective of me..."

"She wants me to become her disciple..." the boy added in a whisper.

"Wouldn't that be a good thing?"

"I would be bound to her by a magical oath. It would make me more powerful and almost immortal. However, it's a life separate from society, closer to nature than the company of men. Like Merlin before me, I would have to abandon my life and my loved ones, and that's out of the question!"

Edward now understood why Harian was uncomfortable in the presence of the goddess. The vampire had to admit that he himself was relieved that the shaman wouldn't be bound to the deity. Life in Forks would become quite dull in his eyes if Harian were to leave.

Over the past few weeks, they had formed a strong bond. The vampire had spent countless hours sharing his long life with the sorcerer, and the boy had done the same. Although the boy's taste in music was questionable - "Seriously? Do the Hippogriff?" - Edward loved everything about Harian. His sense of humor, his laughter, his eyes...

The vampire's happiness would have been complete if he hadn't been suffering from strange memory loss. It had started when he had a flashback of his human life. Since then, Edward had been unable to play a single note on his piano.

Noticing his sudden gloom, Harian placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay, Ed?" the shaman asked, concern furrowing his brow.

The vampire cleared his throat, unsure of how to explain the phenomenon to the boy.

"I... I can't play the piano anymore," he murmured, refusing to meet the sorcerer's gaze. "A memory from my human life came back to me a few weeks ago, and it feels like I traded it for all my musical knowledge."

"I might be able to help!" Harian exclaimed, giving him a reassuring smile.

In shock, the vampire gave the boy a skeptical look.

"How could you?"

"Don't forget, I'm a shaman. It's my job to help solve these kinds of magical problems. Let's meet at your place tonight, and I'll assist you."

*

The setting sun filled the Cullen house. For hours, Edward had refused to think about the evening that lay ahead. His family members had gone into town, taking advantage of their newfound freedom to go shopping. Edward had spent his afternoon playing the piano and was more than happy to hear the chime at the door, a sweet melody that had become familiar in a household that rarely received visitors.

"Good evening, Edward!" greeted Harian, his back covered by a large leather coat to conceal the bump formed by his wings. Just below it, Harian wore a sort of magical cloak that rendered his wings invisible. "A family heirloom," the shaman had revealed, without further explanation about this strange fabric.

"Hey, Harry," the vampire replied, gesturing for him to come inside. "How's your back?"

"Completely healed, thank you," the shaman smiled timidly before adding, "you have golden hands!"

Edward nearly choked on his own venom at that last comment. However, the vampire managed to compose himself quickly by changing the subject.

"How was your day?"

"I managed to free myself for the evening," explained the brunet.

"May I offer you some tea or a hot drink?" Edward asked.

It shouldn't be too difficult to heat up some water. Esme had cooked for Harry and his companions on several occasions, so he could do the same.

"No, thank you. I'd rather get right down to business," objected the shaman, dropping onto the sofa, looking weary.

Slightly disappointed, though he couldn't explain why, Edward sat down in the opposite chair.

"Where do we begin?" the vampire asked, curious about the process.

The boy clasped his hands, suddenly serious.

Edward had a vague feeling of being in one of those therapy sessions that had become so popular since Sigmund Freud started the trend in the late 19th century. He felt rather uncomfortable in the face of Harian's professional demeanor.

"Did you know that vampires lose their memories of their human life because of a component in their venom?" the shaman asked, his head bent over his notebook.

"Carlisle has indeed hypothesized something similar," Edward conceded.

"Sometimes, buried memories can resurface following a stressful situation."

The vampire simply nodded, not trusting his voice as he thought back to his last flashback.

"We had a conversation about self-esteem with Carlisle. Since then, I can barely play a few notes on that cursed piano."

"Do you mind showing me?" the shaman asked timidly, making his way towards the famous piano that stood in the middle of the living room.

The boy let his fingers run randomly across the keys, demonstrating that he couldn't play the instrument.

"I don't see how it will make a difference to prove that I've lost my mastery..." sighed the vampire. "It's as if I've forgotten all those thousands of hours of practice in the blink of an eye..."

"I'm not asking you to play 'Clair de Lune,'" the brunet tried to reassure him. "Just play a few notes or a melody that represents the thoughts going through your mind."

"I'm not sure it's a good idea," Edward warned, nervously twisting his hands.

"Just try. Trust me," Harian murmured, giving him a pleading look.

How could Edward resist that gaze? I ask you.

As if carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, the vampire reluctantly got up and placed his hands on the piano keys. Heavy minutes passed before he produced a dissonant and unpleasant melody for the ears.

"By Godric's underpants!" the shaman exclaimed.

"I warned you!" grumbled Edward, ashamed of making a fool of himself.

"It's worse than I thought..." muttered the shaman, massaging his temples.

The boy then went to retrieve his large coat and put it back on his shoulders. The vampire realized then that the shaman was leaving.

"Take your coat! Tonight, we're going out!" Harian exclaimed, opening the front door.

"I... I beg your pardon?" stammered Edward, unsure if he had heard correctly.

"We're going out," the brunet repeated firmly. "You've been locked up in your misery for too long. You need some fresh air. Now, come on, follow me!"

"And if I refuse?" the vampire grumbled, crossing his arms.

"Then I won't be able to do anything for you!" the shaman replied.

Edward didn't really have a choice. Either he decided to follow the boy in whatever madness he had in mind, or he condemned himself to lose the only gift God had left him from his human life.

"Since it's necessary..." he finally agreed, putting on his coat. "But I'm driving!" the vampire demanded.

"I wanted to introduce you to the joys of apparition..." Harian sighed.

"Appa... What?" the vampire repeated, bewildered.

It turned out that Harian had his own definition of "this will be the best night of your immortal life."

They walked a few blocks in Seattle, which helped Edward ease his headache after apparating.

Edward quickly made the decision never to travel through magic again. The experience was far too unpleasant for his heightened senses, and he had almost vomited all the gnome blood he had ingested during their landing in a dark alley.

And so, Harian led him to a large two-story pub. Edward absentmindedly observed the chandeliers, candelabras, and the grand piano in a decor that seemed frozen in the 1950s. A woman in her sixties, smiling but dressed eccentrically, warmly welcomed them. To the vampire's great surprise, she hugged Harian as if he were her own son.

"Harry, darling! It's been so long since you last paid me a visit!" she cooed, with a noticeable English accent in her voice.

"Good evening, Mrs. Figg! You're still as radiant as ever, I see!" Harian complimented her, punctuating his greeting with a kiss on the hand.

"Stop charming me, young sorcerer, and introduce me to your handsome friend here," exclaimed the old woman, casting a curious glance in Edward's direction.

"This friend's name is Edward," the boy informed her, his charming smile still in place, "and he needs a bit of attention... if you catch my drift..."

Understanding flashed in the woman's eyes, and the vampire suddenly felt very uncomfortable. In fact, he began frantically searching for an exit. However, Mrs. Figg pulled him along with her further into the pub.

"I'm sure his problem will be quickly resolved," she chuckled, amused by the timid behavior of a creature categorized as "dark" by the wizarding world.

"We're going to need disguises," Harian pointed out.

"I can arrange that for you, my dear..." the sexagenarian replied, her eyes sparkling.

*

"Absolutely not! I will never do that!" Edward tapped his foot, feeling increasingly overwhelmed by the situation. Harian handed him a pink feather boa scarf, a proud expression on his face.

"It's part of the healing process, Edward!" the boy insisted.

"I thought you would solve the problem with a magic spell or something!" the vampire grumbled. "Not by making a fool out of me!"

"Magic doesn't solve everything, Edward. Trust me, I know what I'm doing!"

As the vampire seemed determined to stay in his corner, the brunette sighed and focused on his own costume. Without any modesty, he undressed in front of the vampire's shocked gaze.

"What... What are you doing?" the vampire choked, trying not to look at the boy's muscles and the brown hair on his chest.

"I'm getting all dolled up, and you should do the same!" Harian replied, slipping into a sparkly, revealing dress.

Well aware that the vampire was eyeing him, the shaman took his time putting on sheer stockings. He seemed to take delight in flustering a dark creature over a century old, which was absolutely intolerable!

Angry at the brunette's behavior and his own underlying desire, Edward reluctantly removed his pants as well. Something he should have thought about more because he wasn't wearing any underwear under his jeans.

The vampire didn't even get the satisfaction of making the brunette blush. Harian must have long been accustomed to nudity. After all, he spent time with men running naked in the forest every full moon, for heaven's sake!

Edward was scandalized to discover the devilish grin Harian shot him from afar.

"I hate you..." the vampire growled while randomly selecting a top from the pile of costumes.

"You adore me," countered Harian, blowing a kiss in his direction.

When the vampire saw his ensemble in a mirror, he was wearing a black and white striped suit reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Harian, with mischievous eyes, came over to help him with his makeup, delicately tracing eyeliner under his amber eyes. Meanwhile, the brunette shimmered and pranced around like a peacock. Cross-dressing seemed to come naturally to him.

"Shamans are known to be of both genders," Harian informed him, seeing the vampire's bewildered expression.

Finally ready for the show, they made their way to the stage. Harian moved with a feline grace, and Edward timidly followed alongside him.

"You both look magnificent, my darlings," Madame Figg exclaimed, punctuating her compliment with a wink.

Edward replied with an uncertain thank you. Voices rose from the crowd, and the vampire felt a fear like never before in his immortal life. The pub was filled with strange creatures whose names he didn't even know. A shiver ran through him under the gaze of these legendary beings.

"What a terrible introduction to the world of magic," he thought to himself as he stepped onto the stage.

"Hello, everyone! I'm Harry, and this is my friend Eddy. Tonight, we'll be singing 'Runnin' Like a Hairy Troll' for you!" Harian introduced them to the cheers of the audience.

That's when Edward realized what kind of trap he had fallen into. It was a karaoke night. Harian had brought him to a damn wizarding karaoke of all places in the magical world he could have shown him.

Runnin' like a hairy troll

Learnin' to rock and roll

Spinnin' 'round like a crazy elf

Dancin' by himself

Boogie down like a unicorn

And no stoppin' till the break of dawn

Put your hands up in the air

Like an ogre, just don't care

Edward wasn't really singing; it was just playback. No need for words, exaggerated facial expressions were enough to entertain the audience. No one seemed there to criticize or ridicule. Harian danced to the absurd song, and the crowd applauded him enthusiastically. It was the first time the vampire had engaged in such an activity. He initially thought he would learn from Harian, but the boy was certainly not a role model. Edward strongly doubted that imitating a duck was a glamorous way to dance. The brunette clearly had no fear of looking ridiculous. The vampire even came close to bursting into laughter several times at how absurd his imitation was.

Can you dance like a hippogriff?

Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma

Flyin' off from a cliff

Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma

Swoopin' down, to the ground

Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma

Wheel around and around and around

Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma

The truth?

He was having the best time of his immortal life...

So it was almost natural that Edward settled at the piano as the other guests took turns performing. Unbeknownst to him, his memory had returned, and he was no longer just playing for himself. He adapted to how people felt the music. He synchronized the piano's sound with their voices, their personalities, their souls. He no longer felt detached from the world.

Edward didn't realize he had closed his eyes as he played. Madame Figg couldn't stop praising Edward's performance. She even gave her business card to the vampire, who noticed a slight smudge of lipstick on the cardboard.

Later, as Edward and Harian walked through the lively streets of Seattle under the moonlight, the brunette declared triumphantly:

"You see! I told you to trust me."

"I can't thank you enough," the vampire replied, a smile on his face.

The shaman had indeed been right to get him out. Edward felt comfortable in his own skin.

"I want to give you something, Edward," the hesitant voice of the shaman suddenly announced.

He then pulled a red ball of yarn from his pocket.

"What is this?" asked the intrigued vampire.

"I... Um..." stammered the wizard, his face turning as red as the ball of yarn in his hands. "Let's just say it's symbolic... like a... a thimble, if you catch my drift..."

"I'm sorry, I don't understand," Edward apologized, not understanding the sudden turmoil in his friend.

At that moment, the city began to erupt into panic. Smoke could be seen beyond the buildings, and distant fire truck sirens blared.

"The fires have started again!" Harian exclaimed, furrowing his brow in worry.

"What are you going to do?" Edward asked, hearing the boy's heart racing.

"My shaman duties, of course!" Harian replied, his voice filled with panic. "I have to go; it's my duty to protect the forest and its inhabitants!"

"I'm coming with you!" Edward decided, determined not to leave Harian alone in the inferno.

The brunette gave him a grateful look, and they both headed toward the scene of the fire.

Throughout the night, the shaman attempted to fight the fire with his magic.

"Aquamentis!" he shouted as powerful jets of water burst from his wand.

His spells, however, had no impact on the raging forest fire, which had already grown too large.

"You can't do anything on your own," Edward finally shouted, growing increasingly concerned for the boy's safety. "It's up to the firefighters to handle this now!"

" No! " Harian persisted, " I have to protect the forest! The Quileutes are counting on me! "

" It's madness! " Edward tried to persuade him.

But Harian didn't care.

That's when a shadow appeared behind the blazing flames.

"What's...," the vampire exclaimed.

Before them stood a massive figure with long limbs. The fiery glow illuminated the face of a man with red eyes and gray hair. His hands were dirty, and his nails were yellow. Edward could sense from his scent that he was more of an animal than a human. A powerful blend of earth, sweat, and blood emanated from his body, a mixture of man and wolf.

"Greyback," Harian growled, taking a step back. "He's a werewolf."

"Come with us, Potter, and your little leech will be unharmed," the creature sneered, his voice resembling a hoarse bark.

Edward was about to step in between Harian and the man when a new presence made itself known in the woods. A man had appeared by the side of the werewolf, pointing his wand at the vampire.

"Edward!" Harian warned.

Before he could make a move, the vampire suddenly felt his muscles freeze, and he fell heavily to the ground, completely immobilized. A face leaned over him. His assailant was a man with grubby skin, small moist eyes, and a pointed nose that reminded Edward of a rat.

"He belongs to the Dark Lord now," the man declared in a high-pitched voice. "Give my regards to Sirius."

Harian's voice continued to call out to him in the distance.

All the Death Eaters left behind was the deafening sound of the flames and a red ball of yarn...

*

Edward was found by his family and the Quileutes at dawn. Not seeing them return, Sirius and Carlisle had organized searches. Thus, the Black and Cullen clans gathered in the quaint, fairy-tale-like cottage of the Blacks on this full moon evening. Now, over thirty individuals orbited around Edward, bombarding him with questions to which he had no answers.

When Bella and Sirius finally joined them in the living room, they carried trays laden with steaming cups of tea.

"Why did the English think they could solve everything with a cup of tea?" Edward couldn't help but think.

"Tell me again what Pettigrew said," demanded Sirius, placing his tray a little too forcefully on the table.

"He said that Harian now belongs to the Dark Lord," Edward repeated in a monotone voice.

"I told you that the boy would attract attention by becoming a shaman!" one of the Quileutes exclaimed in frustration. "He should have stayed under our protection!"

"What's done is done!" Billy Black interjected firmly. "The most important thing is to find Harry before the Death Eaters use him to bring back their master."

"I thought Voldemort was... well, dead!" Emmett chimed in, not having followed Harian's adventures very closely before he moved to the USA.

"It's possible that Pettigrew has found a way to bring the Dark Lord back to life using Harian's blood," Sirius informed them. "I suspected a plot back then, which is why I kept Harry away from all this mess. But it seems that the Death Eaters have found our trail..."

"They can't Apparate beyond the state of Washington," Bella declared. "There are magical protection barriers in place to prevent wizards from traveling between states."

"It would still be like finding a needle in a haystack," Alice sighed.

"An elusive needle that teleports to a different spot in the barn every time you get close," Rosalie concluded.

They exchanged worried glances with Edward, as if apologizing for shattering their hopes of finding Harian.

Edward didn't hold it against them. He knew all too well that wizards were adept at remaining invisible to ordinary mortals.

Then, the words of his sisters echoed in his mind.

"He gave me some sort of thread a few days ago," the vampire announced, pulling the object out of his pocket.

"Is it what I think it is?" Billy exclaimed, giving Edward a puzzled look.

"Am I right to think of the myth of the thread of Ariadne when I see this artifact?" Carlisle asked, his eyes shining with admiration as he gazed at the red ball of yarn Edward held in his hands.

Everyone regarded the object with a circumspect air.

"It's ancient magic, I can feel it pulsing through this object... I underestimated the kid," Billy admitted. "He's more thoughtful than I thought..."

"What exactly does this thing do?" Jasper asked, looking perplexed.

"It's a kind of magical artifact that allows the person who spun the yarn to find the one it belongs to," Edward explained.

"Perfect! What are we waiting for to use it?" Alice applauded, already unable to contain her excitement.

"It's not that simple to operate!" Sirius interjected. "Usually, the thread protects its creator from any ill intentions. Only someone who intimately knows Harry would have a chance of being guided to the right destination."

"Is this a joke?" Rosalie sighed, her patience being put to the test.

"Unfortunately, no," Bella grimaced. "The thread is designed to test its bearer. Like the myth of Theseus, the one who uses it must face trials."

"You mean we have to fight a cow-headed monster and escape from a labyrinth to find Harian?" Emmett asked eagerly. "Where do I sign up? I volunteer to join this quest!"

"Only one person can follow the thread, unfortunately," Sirius declared. "The one to whom it was given."

"But I've only known Harry for a few months, why would he have given me such an object?" Edward questioned, finding it hard to believe that Harian would offer him such profound trust.

"Believe me, I'm willing to do anything to find my godson," Sirius replied. "But he gave the ball of yarn to you, not Bella or me. Harry seemed convinced that if something happened to him, only you would be capable of using this ancient magic. The question is how to activate it..."

A heavy silence fell upon the living room for several minutes. Then, Bella exclaimed in a burst of lucidity:

"Hecate! It's a full moon tonight! Harian is her protégé, isn't he? She will certainly help us find him!"

Alice suddenly clutched her temples, and Edward understood that his sister was having a vision.

"I see you, Bella, Sirius, and you, Edward, in the middle of a clearing. A strange blond-haired woman is holding a cup in her hands..."

*

Hecate awaited them, as predicted, in a moonlit clearing. Edward approached her hesitantly, under the pale light of the moon. The woman was beautiful but unnaturally pale. Her blond hair was tied in an ancient Greek-style high ponytail. Her sleeveless dark robe seemed to ripple like ink diluted in water.

"I come to you, Hecate, seeking your protection to save Harian," the vampire whispered.

"Do you truly love him?" the goddess asked him.

Edward recoiled at this sudden question. "I don't understand," the vampire apologized.

The goddess's eyes filled with anger. The pale white of her eyes turned black, and Edward heard Bella let out a small fearful whimper behind him.

"I could have shielded Harian from the greed of men," Hecate raged in a dark voice. "I could have made him my disciple, but he chose you. It is to you that he gave the thread. So, I repeat my question one last time: do you truly love him? If your love is unworthy of him, I will make him mine. Whether he likes it or not. His mother entrusted him to my care, and I consider him my own son. Do you understand, vampire?"

Edward simply nodded, bewildered by the goddess's admission. He still didn't know why Harian had placed his trust in him. One thing was certain for the vampire; he wanted to prove himself worthy of that trust.

"What power would my words hold when my actions will speak for themselves," Edward finally replied, daring to look straight into the goddess's black eyes.

Hecate smiled satisfactorily before offering the vampire a cup of wine. Or perhaps it was blood? Edward had to taste it to be sure.

Casting a final glance at Sirius and Bella, the vampire accepted the cup with a polite bow. As he drank every last drop of the bitter elixir, the blood of the goddess understood the vampire, and Edward recited the incantation that Sirius had taught him. It was a strange poem of French origin that flowed from the vampire's mouth like a solemn oath:

Comme Hécaté tu me feras errer

Et vif, et mort cent ans parmi les Ombres :

Comme Diane au Ciel me resserrer,

D’où descendis en ces mortels encombres :

Comme régnante aux infernales ombres

Amoindriras, ou accroîtras mes peines.

  Mais comme Lune infuse dans mes veines

Celle tu fus, es, et seras DÉLIE,

Qu’Amour a joint à mes pensées vaines

Then, the thread unraveled from Edward's hands and tied itself around his wrist. After a seemingly endless few seconds, Bella, Sirius, and even Hecate vanished from his sight, and he felt as if he were floating in the warm atmosphere of the cosmos. He saw his essence twirling into energy particles resembling microscopic comets.

Finally, when he regained a physical form, Edward realized his feet were immersed in mud. He widened his eyes to search for potential danger in the thick darkness. The red thread seemed to disappear into the darkness. As he moved forward, the tunnel expanded into a maze of corridors with numerous dead ends and multiple choices. The principle of finding the way out of a labyrinth usually involved continuously following a wall, keeping one's hand on the same side without ever removing it. However, Edward knew he was in a different kind of labyrinth: the maze of his mind.

*

It was about reaching the center of the labyrinth to confront his inner monsters. Edward walked for a while before catching sight of the slender silhouette of Hecate in the distance.

"Give him to me, Edward..." murmured the dark voice of the goddess. "The world is dying, can't you see? How much longer until humans ravage the last forests, the last streams? Renounce your love for him. Renounce Harian, and the Earth will be saved. I will make him an immortal being, equal to a god. He will be my disciple, more powerful than Merlin ever was. With his power, nature will find the strength to rebel against the greed of men. Give me the thread, Edward, and not only will Harian be saved, but so will the Earth."

The vampire stood speechless for a moment, weighing the words of the goddess in his mind before finally declaring, "No, I will not give you Harian because he doesn't belong to me. Nor to anyone else, for that matter. If he gave me this thread, it's because he knew I would respect his freedom. You all expect him to fix your mistakes, to sacrifice himself for your noble causes. But people need to stop believing that a hero will come to save them once and for all. For this world to function properly, we all need to pitch in. We are all heroes of our own stories."

At his words, the goddess offered Edward a satisfied smile before disappearing in a swirl of whitish smoke, resembling a moonbeam.

Edward breathed a sigh of relief now that the goddess had left him in peace. Or perhaps she was just a creation of his mind? He wasn't certain. The vampire didn't have to walk for long before facing another of his inner demons.

At the end of the endless corridor he traversed, he heard footsteps echoing. A massive shadow approached him, whistling a macabre tune. Even though he hadn't heard that whistle in a long time, the vampire instinctively recognized its owner.

"You're a constant disappointment, Edward..." spat the voice of a man, disapprovingly staring at the vampire. "I hoped for a brilliant military future for you. That of a soldier, a child of the nation, and look at you now... Just a little weakling hiding in your mother's apron. A filthy pervert who prefers the company of an effeminate boy. You shame me, so much so that you don't deserve to bear my name. You're not my son, just an aberration, a mistake of nature."

"You were never a father..." Edward interrupted suddenly, his throat tight with grief. "Just a brute incapable of feeling."

The more Edward spoke, the more his voice gained assurance:

"If you had even an ounce of empathy, you would have never struck your wife or your son. You were afraid of what you didn't understand. Your heart was so devoid of love that you died alone and hated. But that's not the case for me. Love knocked on my door, and life gifted me with Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Jasper, Bella, and Harian. Thanks to them, I feel richer than any man because I love and am loved in return. I pity you, poor man, for you died without tasting that richness."

Edward thought he saw a sneer on the face of the deceased, and the man seized his bayonet and charged toward the vampire with a piercing cry. Edward stood his ground, facing the shadow of the man who had once been his father. When they collided, the ghost disappeared in a cloud of ash. Edward had confronted one of his greatest demons.

But the worst was yet to come, as the last person he saw at the end of the corridor was the boy he was in love with. However, it could only be an illusion. Edward was convinced of that. An eerie halo glowed around Harian. His features seemed too smooth, too perfect, and unreal to be of flesh and blood. And his scent... the vampire's instincts suddenly awakened, and he felt his venom mixing with his saliva.

"You're nothing but an animal driven by base instincts..." Harian sneered, a cruel smile on his usually gentle face. "You want me to be your chalice, don't you? Your source of rejuvenation? To make me your toy and drink the blood in my veins that makes you salivate so much? Why would I accept being bound to you? You disgust me, Edward, and I want nothing more to do with your kind."

Slowly, the vampire approached the boy. Up close, Harian appeared even more unrealistically beautiful. His pale complexion made his green eyes stand out, eyes in which Edward had always believed he could drown.

"I would never impose anything on you, Harian," the vampire declared with conviction. "Drinking your blood is the least of my concerns. The last of my desires. However alluring it may be... If I have come to meet you, it's because I care for you in a completely different way. I only desire your happiness and safety."

The vampire gently took the boy's hand.

"Sharing moments of camaraderie with you, singing, playing the piano by your side, admiring the sunrise, seeing you smile—these are the things that truly fill my heart."

Harian looked at him for a long moment before placing his hand on the vampire's cheek and finally replying, "I knew you would make good use of this thread..."

Then, the illusion transformed into a thousand butterflies that vanished into nothingness.

When Edward finally reached the end of the corridor, still following the red thread that stretched out before him, the vampire entered an open-air space. He moved with the utmost discretion amidst the macabre scenery of graves adorned with Celtic crosses. The cemetery was overrun by vegetation, and the vampire almost cried out Harian's name when he saw the boy held captive by the statue of a reaper on a tall tombstone.

A creature then lunged at Edward. Its face was covered in thick, white fur, and oversized fangs attempted to tear at the vampire's neck. "Greyback," Edward understood as a threatening growl rose from deep within his throat. This werewolf had been involved in Harian's abduction, and deep down, Edward knew he would show no mercy to his enemy.

Just a few meters away, he could hear what seemed to be an incantation:

"May the bones of the father, given in complete ignorance, bring forth his son! May the flesh of the servant, given willingly, revive his master..."

"Edward!" The voice resounding in the night suddenly gave the vampire the strength of a hundred men, and with a violent gesture, he pushed the creature away. The werewolf's body soared through the air for a few moments before impaling itself on the cross of a tomb.

Rising quickly, the vampire discovered a rat-faced man threatening Harian with a knife.

"You again?" Pettigrew grimaced, casting a fearful look at the vampire.

Edward didn't hesitate and rushed toward the man. The man's end was swift. The sound of broken vertebrae was the sweetest melody to Edward's ears. Then, the vampire climbed onto the tomb to free the boy from the reaper's grasp.

"Harian! Are you okay?" Edward asked, frantically palpating the boy to check for any injuries.

"Certainly better than him," the boy murmured, looking over the vampire's shoulder.

Below them, the pitiful groans of a creature drowning in a cauldron could be heard.

"It's him... It's Voldemort. The one who murdered my parents," Harian said distantly as Edward tore the boy's bindings from his wrists.

Both of them silently watched as the Dark Lord sank to the bottom of the cauldron, never to resurface again.

Edward allowed Harian to savor the moment. Then, he placed a reassuring hand on the shaman's shoulder, urging him to leave the place.

"I used your thread," the vampire announced unnecessarily, showing what remained of the red yarn. "However, the connection broke when Greyback attacked me. I'm not certain I can find my way back home..."

Harian turned his gaze away from the cauldron and offered a calm smile to the vampire.

"Do you remember how Icarus and his father managed to escape the labyrinth?" he finally asked.

*

"It's sad, though, that the two most handsome boys in school are together," Jessica Stanley remarked, taking a stroll with Bella and Alice.

"Are you leaving already?" Bella called out suddenly, noticing her two best friends trying to make their escape.

Caught in the act, Harian and Edward swiftly turned to face the sheriff's daughter.

"We're just going for a drive, we'll be back," Harian promised innocently.

"Yeah, right, as if!" Bella chuckled, throwing an object at them, which the vampire caught reflexively.

Harian blushed bright red upon seeing the object that his boyfriend had caught. Edward was equally uncomfortable.

The vampire and the shaman then left without further ado, leaving Bella in the company of Alice. By the way, did I mention that Bella didn't have a date on this beautiful summer evening? She had come alone, and she was quite content with that. Who said that every human being (or supernatural creature) had to find their "better half" somewhere on this Earth to be complete?

"Damn you, Plato!" Bella would retort. "We must stop promoting romantic relationships as the ultimate goal of life! That ideal is a social construct, and human realities are much more diverse!"

Anyway, let's get back to our lovey-dovey couple and their love story to conclude this narrative:

Laughing together, the two boys stepped out of the car, and Edward cheerfully turned on his radio. Van Morrison was singing his anthem to love as the two boys began to waltz under the silver glow of the moon.

Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance

With the stars up above in your eyes

A fantabulous night to make romance

'Neath the cover of October skies

And all the leaves on the trees are falling

To the sound of the breezes that blow

You know I'm tryin' to please to the calling

Of your heartstrings that play soft and low

You know the night's magic seems to whisper and hush

You know the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush

By the time a shooting star streaked across the sky, Edward had already made a wish.

With closed eyes and ears attuned to whispers, the vampire heard the boy's heart pulsing in his chest, seemingly saying, "I'm here, with you."

The white moon shone in the grove. Below them, a small pond reflected their two silhouettes, partly hidden in the shadow of a black willow. The tree seemed to weep tears of joy, its leaves bathed in silver light.

Could Edward truly accept that reflection? When the sun rose tomorrow, would he finally become that white flower with a golden heart? Would he accept rebirth? To love himself and know how to love in return?

In the realm of dreams, he knew he was awake. A vast and tender serenity enveloped his entire being. The forest exuded its intoxicating fragrance.

First, there was a gentle stroke on pearly white plumage, then a firmer hand along a satin back. Sighs climbed the dark azure as lips, blood-red flowers, collided. Edward had dreamed of that mouth. A cup of love, a desired chalice. The intoxication continued its course, and the vampire feared drawing from it. He became a delicate drinker. Slowly, with ecstasy, he captured his lover's spring breath.

Their fingers intertwined as they tasted each other's souls. With half-closed eyelids, Edward wondered why he had feared such great pleasure. Their tongues played, frolicked, and entwined with gentle passion.

Why had he been afraid of this joy? Would God truly punish him for loving?

Instead of a fall, he found himself soaring to other spheres. This was his heaven, in the arms of this boy.

"Paradise truly is on Earth," Edward thought absentmindedly, continuing to avidly kiss Harian Black's lips.