magic • j. hale [✓]

Chapter 29

"Yes." Edward, Ariella and Jasper says. Bella remained quiet about all of this. Ariella noticed her sister's silence and walks towards her. The strategizing of the Cullen family didn't stop.

"Hey." Ariella nudges Bella slightly. Bella looks up at her. "You alright?"

"I don't know." Bella sighs. "I don't want to part with Edward. I love him, I really do. And – and, we don't even know how long this wild goose chase will last. I don't want to lose Edward."

"Well, nice to know you care about me." Ariella joked. She looked around, making sure that no one was looking at both of them. "Listen, Bella. I've cast a spell on you. It's a tracker for me to know wherever you are and whoever is around you. I don't want you to rush off in danger, do you understand?"

Bella looked creeped out by the information that her sister just shared with her. "I understand, Ariella. I'm really glad you came back."

Ariella looked surprised, but smiled at her sister. "Thanks, Bella. I'm really glad I came back as well."

Bella smiled at her sister. Edward stepped forward and looked at Ariella. "Hey, Bella. Do you mind if I talk to Ariella for a bit? I believe we have some . . . matters to clear up about."

Ariella's heart started to raise. "So you are Cedric Diggory then?"

Edward remained silent. Ariella continued. "Whatever you have to clear up with me you can do in front of my sister. I'm not going anywhere with you."

Jasper slipped to Ariella's side and held her hand tightly, staring at Edward. Bella remained quiet as well, not quite understanding what was happening between her sister and her lover. Ariella huffed. "I'll only repeat my question once. Are you Cedric Diggory of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry? The seventh year Hufflepuff that's been my best friend for nearly six years? The Hog –"

"Yes, yes, yes, I am." Edward groaned. Ariella's eyes teared up with unshedable tears. She looked down, a shadow passing over her eyes. Edward felt sorry for lying to her. "Listen – Ariella, Ari, please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I was afraid –"

"Afraid?!" Ariella screeched. Bella winced at the yell of her sister. The rest of the Cullen family glanced at each other, before leaving the garage room. Only Ariella, Bella, Jasper and Edward remained. "Afraid, Edward, afraid. You say you're afraid. Do you have any idea how Harry felt? Seeing you 'dead'? He's a child! He's fourteen. He's witnessed your 'death'. He'll be bothered by the threstrals."

Edward's face full of sadness soon morphed into anger. "So what did you expect me to do? If I had been there, I would have died!"

Ariella sighed. "I already knew you were what you were back then, Edward – or rather, Cedric. With your golden eyes and whatnot. Imagine my shock when I see you with my sister. Your death left the Wizarding World in chaos. They're even labeling Harry Potter – a mere fourteen year old, mind you – a murderer."

Edward looked confused. "Chaos?"