* * * Endings and Beginnings * * *

On their way through the house (ultimately to reconvene in a room free of any warding restrictions against apparition), Alice smoothly locates every ex-prisoner's wand and correctly distributes them – whole and intact, but without explanation – to their startled and confused, absolutely nervous, and yet most grateful owners. Upon her suggestion for the Forks' party to be promptly sent home by portkey, a member of the Order amenably offers to obliviate Charlie's memory (not wanting to do so without the vampires' consent). Before Charlie has time to ask what 'obliviate' means, approval has been given and the spell has been cast – and all but Edward and Alice are stunned to realize that it only partially works on Bella's father. His mind is not without some protection of its own.

Still, it is enough that with a little creativity (Let's make the portkey out of a broom, why don't we! That could seem like an everyday magical object to him, big enough to transport us all…), an anxiously apprehensive good luck from every friendly wizard (each human still in their party is definitely gonna need it!), followed by a temporary stunning spell to his person just before departure – the entire Cullen party can be transported as one into Charlie's living room… where, setting him to later wake up on the couch to a magical TV show on the screen and the remote in his hand (plus a perfect alibi for Bella's absence), he will imagine the whole encounter to have been merely a really strange dream.

Meanwhile, back in the wizarding world: it doesn't take long for reports of this unbelievable deliverance to reach Albus Dumbledore… who most gratefully becomes able to review the experience through the medium of more than one incredulous observer's pensieve thoughts. Naturally, he is fascinated, and very pleasantly so – which prompts him to revisit and study the whole scenario again and again, from every angle and with his own senses supernaturally enhanced (via a timely dose of 'Doolittle' potion, making it possible to overhear animal conversations) in order to observe their ultra-quick movements and hear their otherwise inaudible communication.

Right off he notices that only two of them were breathing when they arrived – the two Bella suggested were the most controlled of all – and that the rest of them didn't start breathing until after Emmett's announcement that the smell was no longer fresh. It tells him that: 1) they knew there was likely going to be blood before they arrived, and 2) they didn't want to be tempted! As well, he recognizes that they were completely unaware of the magical world at first… but that Edward was able to tell of its quite specific reality rather quickly – more so than the rest of them. How did he do that? And furthermore, how did Alice know whose wand was whose? Plus where to find them all? Then, that their charade wasn't entirely going to work with Bella's father, before it was true?

This is all so remarkable. The only answers he can come to suggest some rather impressive psychic talents in both of them, which coincidentally also explains her missed-opportunity comment about the costume. However, not the mohawk question, in regards to the only other type of magical being in their group. Hmm. So should their comments be taken to suggest that this shape-shifter turns into a wolf? And what about the inexplicable degree of calmness every human experienced – even considering the danger of the situation – that abruptly disappeared along with them when they left?

They act like a very real and loving family, he's interested to note. Including, Albus is amused to catch, Edward's eyeroll in response to Emmett's 'little brother' designation. Could he in fact be the older of the two?

And what is with their beautiful golden eyes? This feature alone makes them stand out starkly from every vampire legend he's ever heard. As well as their friendliness. What does it mean?

But most extraordinary of all, is every interaction between one of them – the youngest looking one of them all – and the muggle girl who invited their summons. She knew. She had to have known. Edward must truly be the vampire most dangerously attracted to her blood. And yet, she's marrying him?! Absolutely without fear. This is so huge, it's unfathomable. They treat her like one of their own… not so unlike, by extension it appears, they do for all the rest of her species besides. And she's happy. Bringing Albus again, more thoroughly this time, to notice the ring on Bella's finger. I've seen it before! he suddenly realizes in amazement. Incredible and inconceivable!

Following up on this thought, he visits the Masens' castle portrait (in the Muggle Studies corridor) and discreetly inquires about their son's story in such a way as to confirm that the Dr. Cullen and Edward Jr. of their story are in fact two of the vampires in question. The most controlled, no less! And it sounds like, first of the family. It's wonderful to be able to finally pass on news to his parents, after so many years of not knowing (though in portrait form they live forever in the present)… that he is 'alive' and well enough to be getting married. They are truly thrilled to hear it.

Simultaneously, this gives him a grand idea for both a wedding gift and a token of deepest gratitude (plus, admittedly, perhaps an excuse and means to keep in contact) : a copy of the Masens' animated portrait, in a format suitable for placement in an immortal's living room. Carefully he finds a way to introduce the truth to Edward's parents, in the process of securing the ability to offer it: he gives them a private viewing of everything he's been seeing in the pensieve. Truly their excitement has no bounds.

At last, he prepares to attend their wedding celebration (having learned of the details by scouring the news – and local legends – around where they returned home to; they prey on animals! Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! he realizes their hints now, for what they were)… with a few grateful Order friends also willing to visit in complete disguise (and risk being called certifiably insane for doing so). Charlie, after all, cannot be allowed to be reminded of magic, or to recognize anybody… though it will be interesting to see how quickly the vampires do. Of course, he doesn't forget his dose of Doolittle potion.

In the end, once the initial scare of the lingering rogue vampire scent surrounding Albus is nervously addressed (courtesy of the Deathstick he carries, and a very enlightening discovery it is) – not to mention the headmaster's ability to hear their clandestine conversations, while being distinctly in company with some very familiarly scented companions – it is an instant no-brainer for the Cullens to recognize him for the wizard he is. Nevertheless, Edward's expression of shock is unprecedented when the wrapped gift between them is turned to face toward the vampire groom as it is presented beforehand. Suddenly, the focused telepath is hearing his biological parents' recognition from within the packaged portrait; surely they can see him through the magical one-way wrapping.

Having never experienced the wonder of an animated portrait before… let alone one whose long-deceased residents truly know and love him, Edward is shocked into stillness for a protracted moment, catching the attention and triggering the concern and curiosity of everyone in his family. Finally, wide-eyed with awe, pleased disbelief, and a sense of immense gratitude, a stunned whisper passes his lips. "How?"

As the whole story comes out… at first playing out only in the groom's mind, but containing the promise of much more where that came from should any of his family wish to pursue it (and they will!, as soon as Edward can manage to properly relay the gracious invitation) – with joy, a placement for the magical gift is found that allows his parents to be there with him throughout the beautiful ceremony. And every countless year thereafter.

Needless to say, this supreme token of thoughtfulness instigates much friendly interaction with the grandfatherly wizard… with whom a beneficial working relationship ultimately develops. Before long, Albus' animated portrait similarly becomes a much-valued and permanent addition to the collection in Carlisle's study.

A/N: That's all folks, for this one! Hope you enjoyed this fun jaunt with me. Just in case you are not familiar with the phenomenons of the vampire-scented Deathstick or the Masen's Hogwarts portrait, further details may be found on these topics within my story Essentially Magical.

Finally, as always, thanks for reading and sharing!