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

Chapter Note: Luna Lovegood was introduced to the story line through the one-shot called "A New Friend," which can be found inside "Phoenix Rising – Extras." You won't be missing anything if you haven't read it… just know that she's a magical creature as well and Hera's best friend since they were ten (I've chosen to age the blonde up a year).

Phoenix Rising 6 – The Toad and the Bumblebee

Chapter 1 – Red Letter Day

Hera Cullen was so excited. She was sitting at the head of the dining room table with a "My Little Pony" party hat on her head and a flaming birthday cake shaped like Rainbow Dash before her. Rainbow Dash was the girl's favorite one of all the colorful little toys and she was super thrilled when her mom brought the cake out. Her family and Luna stood around her, also donning hats and were singing "Happy Birthday," causing the phoenix to blush in embarrassment.

She halfheartedly glared at Emmett as he substituted the regular words of the birthday song with something a little ruder… she certainly did NOT look and smell like a monkey! The now eleven-year-old took a deep breath and blew out her candles, wings quivering with joy when she managed to get all of them with the same breath. Everyone cheered for her as Alice took pictures.

"Ack," she exclaimed as Emmett picked her up. "Emmett… put me down! I'm not a little girl anymore!"

The vampire chuckled before obeying his sister's orders. "I know… you're a grown woman of eleven now. But no matter how old you get, Hera, you'll always be a munchkin to me." He punctuated the statement by ruffling her hair.

The phoenix growled and tried to straighten the mess he'd made of her locks. Turning to Luna she said in a mock whisper, "Brothers aren't all they're cracked up to be."

The blonde haltija giggled and straightened her best friend's hat, which had gone askew from Emmett's actions. "I'll take your word for it since mummy and daddy simply refuse to give me one."

Emmett harrumphed. "I don't see why I should stand here and be insulted. I'm the best brother any girl could ask for, right Alice?"

The small vampire raised an eyebrow before returning to her task of cutting the cake for the two girls. When Emmett realized she wasn't going to answer him, he turned to the little phoenix. "What have I ever done to warrant this reaction?!"

Hera giggled before counting reasons on her fingers. "You put purple hair dye into my shampoo."

"You love the color purple… I was being nice."

"You tied Jasper's shoelaces together and made him fall down the stairs."

"He's a vampire… it didn't hurt him." Emmett crossed his arms and pouted. "He should have noticed me doing it anyway."

"You took the spark plugs out of yours and Rosalie's cars and hid them so she wouldn't take you shopping with her last week."

Rosalie nearly dropped the platter she was carrying when she spun around to face her husband. "That was YOU?!"

Eyes widening in sudden terror, Emmett backed up a few paces. "It's not… I didn't… I mean you were going to…." He glared at the little girl. "You promised not to say anything!"

Green eyes narrowed. "Three words… purple hair dye."

The sudden movement of Rosalie vaulting over the table had Emmett shrieking and disappearing outside, his wife right behind him. The rest of the family plus Luna were laughing uproariously inside.

Edward, beamed at his mate. "Come here you little stool pigeon!" He pulled her into a huge hug and kissed the top of her head. "Happy Birthday, Sunshine."

"Thanks Eddie!"

The vampire was about to exact retribution for the hated nickname, but was interrupted when a large owl swooped into the room with a red letter. It landed on the back of a chair and held it's leg out to Hera. Edward stopped her from grabbing it, worried that the gray bird could be delivering something dangerous like a portkey or curse, but then another owl flew through the window with a similar letter for Luna.

"It's okay, Edward," Hera said. "There's no magic residue on them." She relieved the bird of the envelope as Luna did the same and read the return address. Her stomach clenched in dread, which caused Jasper to approach her. She shook her head at her brother. "It's okay, Jasper. It's just our letters from Hogwarts."

Professor Fredrickson had come by a month before to let her family know that due to all the changes Frank Longbottom had made under his "Equal Rights for Magical Beings Act", he had approached Ardaigh Institute with a proposition. The minster offered to build another school onto the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry which would strictly house magical creatures, and would be run by the Irish school however they saw fit. The students would be sharing meals and some classes with the magical humans. Though Minister Longbottom assured the Ardaigh headmaster that the students would fall under his purview, they would also become a part of his new vision for Hogwarts.

The beloved Deputy Headmaster, Professor Fredrickson, was then given the task of combing through the rosters and choosing students he thought would be most accepting of the change. When the leprechaun had asked the Cullens to allow Hera to take part in the program Edward refused. He angrily stated that there was no way he would ever allow his mate anywhere near Albus Dumbledore. Unfortunately for him, Hera felt it was her duty to go since it was her demands that got the proverbial ball rolling to begin with. Carlisle and Esme had reluctantly backed her up at the time and her name was added to the list.

Even though she still believed her decision to attend Hogwarts to be the correct one, she couldn't help but feel terrified with the prospect of actually going there. For one thing, Hogwarts was a boarding school and she would only be allowed to flash home on the weekends once there. That was as far as the Board of Governors was willing to bend in regards to the new influx of students. They claimed that to do more would be grossly unfair to those who were incapable of commuting in such a manner and Ardaigh had chosen to back down. She was lucky she was getting the weekends with her family.

Edward placed a hand on her shoulders and said determinedly. "It's okay, Sunshine. I promise you that Albus Dumbledore won't lay one finger on you, okay?"

Eyes narrowed in suspicion, Hera asked, "What did you do?"

The vampire blinked and tried to look innocent, but the phoenix wasn't buying it. "I don't know what you're talking about, Hera. Why do you think I did something?"

"Because just last week you were still fighting this and now all of a sudden you're sure that everything's going to be okay." Her eyes widened in horror. "Oh Edward… please tell me you didn't get a job there just to keep an eye on me!" Hera's face grew red in a mixture of anger and mortification. "I swear to you here and now, Edward Anthony Mason, that I'd better not see you in my school or I'll attach you to the roof with a permanent sticking charm for the entire year! You'll still be cleaning the bird poop out of your hair at the turn of the century!"

Emmett, who had just come back inside with Rosalie in time to hear his little sister's declaration, let out a booming laugh. Edward had briefly frozen in horror at the thought of Hera following through with her threat before putting his hands up in supplication. "Hey… calm down, would you? I swear on my car that I didn't get a job with your school and I won't be showing up there unless you want me there, okay?"

"You swear on your Vanquish?" The last thing Hera needed was an overprotective mate shadowing her in the hallways, threatening to beat up anyone who crossed her path. She shuddered in horror at the thought.

Edward glared at the eleven-year-old. She knew him well enough to know that if he swore on his precious Aston Martin Vanquish then she could trust him to keep his pledge. "Yes, you crazy phoenix!" He placed his right hand over his silent heart and raised his left hand. "I, Edward Anthony Mason, do solemnly swear that I will not set foot upon the grounds of Hera Jasmine Cullen's school without her prior knowledge and permission except in the event of an emergency. Should I break this pledge I will happily forfeit my ownership of my custom made and super rare Aston Martin Vanquish to Hera Jasmine Cullen, who will not be driving it in the miniscule chance that I do break my vow until she's legally licensed to do so… satisfied?"

Hera still eyed him in distrust. "I don't know… maybe we should find a Notor Republic."

Everyone burst out laughing both at Hera's mispronunciation of Notary Public, and Edward's aghast expression when she suggested the possible need for one.

Albus Dumbledore had just conducted an interview for the recently vacated position of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Thanks to the irritating Minister Longbottom, he was left to fill a great many spots where the previous teachers were found lacking. Binns had been the first to go, followed quickly by Trelawney and Burbage. What's worse was the fact that not only did he have to contend with filling those positions, now he had brand new classes that needed professors as well.

Dumbledore internally scoffed. Hogwarts had done just fine until now without a class to help muggleborn students integrate into the wizarding world!

"Well my dear," he exclaimed as he beamed up at his newest teacher. "I can see that you certainly have the qualifications to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. I can see no reason why you wouldn't make a wonderful addition to our staff."

The aged headmaster reached out and shook the hand of the witch dressed head to toe in a garish shade of pink. "Welcome aboard, Madam Umbridge!"

Thanks for reading and reviewing.

I wanted to get this posted yesterday because it was my birthday too and I've always wanted a My Little Pony cake, but my fingers refused to cooperate, LOL!