Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the worlds of Harry Potter or Twilight

Summary: With the challenge set forth by Hera at the end of the last story, the citizens of Magical Britain struggle to discover whether change is truly worth the effort of having their savior fight for them. Meanwhile, Dumbledore is falling a bit further from grace.

Phoenix Rising 5 – Forcing Change

Chapter 1 – Hera's Ultimatum

The morning after the Cullens departed from Magical Britain, the wizards and witches who hadn't heard about Hera's tirade in The Leaky Cauldron were shocked at the story printed on the front page of the Prophet.

Our Savior Demands Change!

By Rita Skeeter

Just yesterday morning our chosen one, Hera Cullen, left these shores for parts unknown, sparking fear and panic in regards to the second rise of You-Know-Who. She did not leave silently, however. Many witnesses enjoying food and drink at The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Ally say that the spirited little phoenix appeared on top of the bar in a flash of flames, defending the honor of her family when one patron dared to insult their race. The instigator, identified as Leo Filtcher, had apparently made a loud pronouncement that all vampires should be killed.

Our savior took great exception to that, as well she should! Ms. Cullen's adoptive family, as we all know by now, are vampires. Though they brought the little phoenix here to attend the memorial service of her dear aunt and uncle, the Cullens have been caught up in a whirlwind of hatred and prejudice. Who could blame them, dear readers, should they choose to never return to our fair community? Not I!

But the strong little phoenix was not prepared to leave us without a shocking ultimatum. Hera Cullen said she would refuse to return to us unless all magical creatures gained equal rights with the rest of us. No, that wasn't a misprint… she did indeed mean all magical creatures. It seems Ms. Cullen is willing to fight for the rights of all races, not just those close to home.

One can't help but wonder if our community, which has remained stagnant for far too long, will be up for the challenges given to us by Ms. Cullen. In the wake of the upcoming war on our horizon, we can only hope so.

Foulclaw chuckled to himself as he set down his copy of the wizarding newspaper. Leave it to their little Dragon Tamer to give the magical humans a kick in the pants on her way out of the country. He knew the wizards were notorious for disliking change, but they could ill afford to rebuff the little phoenix. Perhaps now was the best time to aid Hera in her quest of bringing equality to all magical races. Minister Bagnold was soon to be retired from office, as the elections for her position were set for June of this year. Maybe the goblins could find a champion to fight the system from within the ministry.

Edward was deep in thought about everything that had transpired over the last month in England. He knew the troubling events that occurred there were only the tip of the iceberg and someday in the future Hera was going to have to face an evil, the likes of which she could, (nor should), be able to imagine. Even though he longed to scoop her up and run, Foulclaw had assured them all that one way or another the accursed prophecy would come true. Armed with this knowledge, the vampire decided he had two choices.

He could either sit back and let whatever was to happen play out on its own, or he could do everything in his power to prepare Hera for the dangers ahead.

The concerned vampire left his room and tracked Hera to her own from the sound of her beating heart. Knocking on the door, he was quickly granted entrance. The soon-to-be eight-year-old sat at her desk frowning over the arithmancy text laid out before her. "Hey sunshine, how's it going?"

The green-eyed cutie smiled briefly up at her mate before sighing and snapping the textbook closed. "This is so confusing!" She hit him in the chest with the book, causing him to grab it in reflex. "Do me a favor and read this so you can explain it to me in simple words! Whoever wrote that must be the same person who writes Jasper's books!"

Edward smirked when he heard his brother chuckle from downstairs. "You know he only reads you those books to help you fall asleep."

Hera snorted. "Well it works." In a voice meant to mimic Jasper's, the phoenix started droning, "In the year seventeen hundred and ninety-three this man who nobody has ever heard of built a house in a place no one has ever been and we will forever remember him because your brother needs to talk about him in order to bore you to sleep… hopefully you won't fall into a coma… ack!"

Apparently Jasper chose to take exception to the mockery of his passion because Hera was now upside down with her brother's arm clutching her around her waist. "I think we've got some rope around here… I could always tie you up and start reading you the really boring stuff Alice makes me keep hidden. She said the very sight of those books makes her sleepy… and if they can make a vampire feel tired, I don't think you want to know what they'll do to you!"

"Um," Hera said while smiling sweetly at the blonde, "no, that's okay. I love you Jasper… have I told you that lately?"

"No. I don't think you have."

Face turning red from the blood rushing to her head, Hera gave a Cheshire cat grin. "Well I do… very much."

Jasper rolled his eyes as he righted her. "Just watch what you say about my books or I'll follow through on my warning."

Once he'd left, Hera turned to Edward and whispered, "Just between you and me… I think Jasper may be a little crazy."

"I'm starting on 'The Catcher in the Rye,' for you tonight, darlin'," drifted from Jasper's room, causing Hera to giggle.

Edward rolled his eyes and sat down on Hera's unmade bed, shoving various books and items of clothing over to make room. "You are such a slob!"

Hera smiled unashamedly at him. "We can't all be neat freaks like you, Eddie!"

Groaning at the hated nickname, the vampire grumbled out, "Call me 'Eddie' again I may just have to help Jasper tie you down." He patted the bed beside him, prompting the little girl to jump up onto the mattress and stare at him in an expectant manner. "Hera, I was wondering… you liked taking sword lessons from the goblins, right?"

"Oh my gosh yes," The girl exclaimed.

"Well how would you like to continue with the lessons… and maybe have some on fighting techniques as well."

Green eyes widened in amazement. "You would let me? You… Edward Anthony Mason Cullen, the same vampire who had a major freak out when Alice let me drive?!"

Edward scowled at the reminder. "You're a child! That was extremely dangerous and irresponsible of her."

With a deadpan look, Hera said, "We were in the driveway and the car was going less than five miles per hour. I didn't even have my foot on the gas pedal."

"Only because you couldn't reach it – meaning you also couldn't reach the brakes… ugh, forget the car!" He sighed and ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "I can see no harm in you learning how to defend yourself. If you want to take on the extra work… I know how busy you are with your magical schooling as well as homeschooling."

The phoenix started bouncing in place. "I can do it Edward, I promise."

Smiling softly at the girl's excitement. "Okay. I'll set something up for you, but promise me that you'll tell me if it gets to be too much, alright? Mom and dad will kill us both if your grades start slipping because you're pushing yourself too hard."

Nodding solemnly, Hera promised.

Once James Potter's trial came around, no one was surprised that he was found guilty of both casting a deadly curse in a packed courtroom and the murder of his wife. The wizard, who had so passionately fought the court's ruling in favor of vampires, had nothing to say on his own behalf. In fact many could contest to the fact that, ever since his wand slaughtered Lily, he'd had nothing to say to anyone. Not even his own son Charlus could break him out of his catatonic shell. It was heartbreaking to know that the young child had so suddenly lost both parents.

After James had been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in Azkaban, the goblin handling the Potter estate came across an interesting fact as he was tidying up various odds and ends. Knowing that Foulclaw had taken on Hera Cullen's estate, which she had inherited from the Flamels, he grabbed the item which held his interest and made his way to the vice director's office.

Once he was bid to enter, Caverneye quickly shuffled over to take a seat. "Vice Director Foulclaw, as I was going through the Potter records now that the former head of house has been stripped of his titles and rights, I discovered the report submitted to Gringotts by the healer who attended the birth of his and Lily's children."

Foulclaw raised an eyebrow and made a gesture for the other goblin to continue.

"It seems Hera Potter was the first born twin."

"And? Don't make me demote you for wasting time, Caverneye. I hold little fondness for those who make the attempt." Foulclaw had just continued penning the letter he'd been writing when his associate's next words caused his hand to completely stop in shock.

"And the Potter family isn't patriarchal. Hera Cullen is in line to inherit the entire estate!" Caverneye quickly handed over the documents as Foulclaw held out a hand to take them.

After reading through the information, Foulclaw deduced that the young goblin was correct. Of course Hera Cullen hardly needed the money, but the voting rights this would give whomever she chose as a proxy, not to mention those she inherited from the Flamels…." He dropped his quill in shock. With a stunned voice, he instructed the now former estate manager for the Potter account to bring the entire file to him to look over.

Hera had set out to change the magical world, and she may have just achieved enough political power to pull it off.

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