Oh hello. Enjoy this quite a bit longer than normal chapter.

For the rest of the day, Bella and Teddy decided to just hang out and watch a movie. Well, Teddy watched the movie and Bellona tried to keep herself from falling asleep. After a nice mid-afternoon nap that Teddy so graciously woke her up from with his squeals for food, she got up and made them both an early dinner.

"How would you feel about a run tonight?" she asked him. Her little wolf had been very energized as of late, and she figured they could both use some time to escape from reality a little.

Teddy gave a little sound that sounded very much like a yes, so she began to make the preparations. They mainly consisted of warding the house again and setting up her little magic-doorbell-camera-thing that would allow her to see if anyone came to the house while the two of them were out. She actually had no idea if Teddy could turn without the full moon hanging over them, but she figured they could give it a try. Since his mother was a shapeshifter, maybe he could turn at will.

"I guess we'll find out, won't we bud?"

Once they both had some food in them and she was sure all her wards were up, she took them back to her 'were-room', as she had begun to call it. She decided it was best to wait until the sun went down, so she decided to teach Teddy how to conjure some basic magic. She held her hands up in front of her mouth in the shape of an O and blew into them slowly. Closing her eyes, she imagined that she was blowing bubbles into one of those little bubble wands. When she opened them, there were bubbles floating everywhere and Teddy was trying to pop them with his adorable little hands.

"Now you try," she motioned to his hands.

He mirrored her actions from before and closed his eyes. Bella watched with pride as he blew into his hands and made large pink bubbles come out the other side.

"Good job T!" she said excitedly. If she was being honest with herself, she had been worried about Teddy and his magic. Usually, a magical child showed some kind of magical ability when they were a toddler. It manifested differently for everyone, and up to this point Bellona had just assumed he was showing it through his Metamorphosis.

The two played with bubbles for a while, making different shapes and turning them different colors and when Bellona poked her head outside again, it was dark.

"Alright," she said, taking off his shirt and putting him in a dirty t-shirt that she didn't particularly like. "Let's do this."

She left her sweater on, in case this was a failed mission, before taking his tiny hands in hers and sitting him down.

"Okay T. I want you to focus on becoming a wolf again. Really think about how it felt and turn that into reality."

She wasn't sure if he could understand her or not, but she let him mull it over. After a while when nothing happened, she took off her sweater and used her magic to turn herself into her wolf form. She sat down in front of him and gave a short bark that signaled for him to do the same.

They had a bit of a stare off and she could see that Teddy was focusing on her and her appearance. Then she blinked, and a smaller version of herself was sitting in front of her.

Huh, she thought. She turned back into her human form and sat there for a while, stumped. Teddy saw this and did the same before immediately falling asleep. Bellona smiled gently before picking him up and walking back into the house. She put him down in his bed and walked down the hall to her own room to do some quality thinking.

She lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling, letting all her thoughts consume her. So Teddy couldn't turn into his wolf on command, but he could turn into her wolf. Interesting. She couldn't wait to tell Ginny and Luna about it when she saw them tomorrow. And just like that, at 9 p.m. at night, she fell asleep.

She woke up to the sound of voices downstairs, and she shot up in bed with panic running through her body. It took her a moment to calm herself down and realize that it was laughter, and that it was probably Ginny and Luna taking care of Teddy. Still, she picked up the Elder wand from its box and tip-toed down the stairs with the expertise of someone who knew the shadows and silence well. Slowly and carefully, she peeked around the corner of the stairs, only to have relief flood through her when she saw the familiar red and white of her friends' hair. Chastising herself, she slipped the Elder wand into her back pocket and made her way into the kitchen to see her friends.

"Hello girls," she said with a beaming smile.

The two girls turned around and ran towards her with open arms. For a second they just stayed like that, forgetting about any and all of their other problems. They were together again, and that's what mattered.

But of course, Teddy wanted attention too, and he quickly grabbed it from Ginny and Luna who hurried back over to his side.

"How'd you sleep?" the redhead asked.

"Same as always," she replied with a forced smile. The two nodded. None of them really slept well anymore.

"Sorry, that was dismal. How have you two been?" Bella said quickly, hoping to rectify the mood.

"I've found an interest in gardening!" Luna told them excitedly. Bella grinned and shifted so that she leaned against the counter.

"Do you grow food or potions stuff?" Ginny asked curiously. "I could use some more practice in potions, now that Hogwarts is back in session."

"Oh, are you going?" Bella handed her some tea.

Ginny looked down. "Mum is making me go. Says it's 'important to receive a full education' or something like that." She sighed and looked down at her cup. "It's just… the whole building is full of reminders of what we went through. I'm not sure that she understands just how much it could affect someone." She took a sip of her tea and made a face. "Where's your sugar?"

Bella smirked and slid a plate of sugar cubes across the counter.

"I understand. I haven't decided if I want to go or not," Luna piped in. Bella nodded understandingly and handed her a cup of tea as well.

"Sugar?"

Luna shook her head and took a small sip.

"My father just wants me to be at peace with what's happened. I don't know if I can do that at Hogwarts."

The three of them were silent after that, letting everything sink in. They knew that everything would change after the War, but she was sure that none of them saw it to this extent. Hogwarts had always been their home, and the idea that it was now a place where their friends and family had died was jarring.

Their thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. In unison, all three heads snapped up to look at the entryway. Bellona was sure that if she had been watching from another point of view, it would've been comical. But after the conversation they had just had, it only made her heart ache. She waved her hand and the door turned clear from their side. In front of it stood Damon, rubbing his hands together anxiously.

"What the hell," she muttered.

"Ooooh, he's a looker," Ginny said, elbowing Luna. Bella rolled her eyes and got up to open it.

"Would you calm down," she said shooting them both a look that said keep it in your pants. The two girls giggled and made kissy faces.

Bellona opened the door with an exasperated look on her face.

"How may I assist you today, Mr. Salvatore?"

Damon grimaced.

"I can't believe you just said that out loud. Now invite me in. We need to have a chat."

Bella blocked the doorway with her body. "No can do. We can talk perfectly fine out here."

He gave her a look that said are we really doing this right now? And she shot back with oh absolutely.

"You could cut the sexual tension with a knife," she heard Ginny whisper to Luna.

Closing her eyes, she vowed to kill them both. Damon on the other hand, poked his head around to see who had spoken.

"Why hello," he said, wiggling his eyebrows. Bellona made a throwing up motion and groaned.

"Let's take a walk, shall we?" She guided him around her house and to the backyard, where she was sure Ginny and Luna would meet her.

"Did you need something? Or were you just feeling lonely and decided to pop by?"

He put a hand over his heart and feigned insult.

"Firstly, good morning to you too. And secondly," he dropped his hand and his face got slightly more serious, "This is about Stefan."

Bella straightened up slightly but didn't change her facial expression from exasperated. She didn't want to clue him in on her guilt that she couldn't stop him from leaving with Klaus. If he caught on, he would surely use it to make her do whatever it was he needed her to do.

"What's happened?" she asked cautiously. She could feel the auras of her friends getting closer, and she mentally rushed him to spit it out. She would much rather explain this town to her friends on her own accords, rather than having to share that explanation with Damon.

"He's leaving a trail of bodies. Elena's looking for him and I keep telling her that they're from Klaus, but I'm not sure how long I can keep it up. I need you to help me find him before Elena realizes that he's gone full Ripper."

Bellona was silent for a moment, digesting everything that was just forced at her.

"Right," she began. "Well for starters, I think that Elena should know by now that she's dating a vampire, not the romanticized version of one. The sooner she gets that through her thick skull, the better."

Damon rolled his eyes. "Yes, well, we already know that's not going to happen so what happens after that?"

"Secondly, I do have a child, and he is my top priority at all times."

She crossed her arms to make sure that he knew that she was serious.

"That's why you have friends!" he said, gesturing to the two girls staring from the window with Teddy in their arms.

Creepy, she mouthed to them. Luna grinned and Ginny winked.

"I'll consider it Salvatore. Right now, I want to catch up with my friends that I haven't seen in months, if that's alright with you."

Her green eyes flared, and Damon reminded himself that he was asking this girl for a favor.

"I suppose so," he said as she led him back out her front gate. Bella rolled her eyes and shoved him out.

"I'll let you know what I decide," she said, before turning her back on him and walking back into her house.

"Who was that?" Ginny said, batting her eyelashes.

"He had such pretty eyes!" Luna added with a dreamy smile.

Bellona groaned and dropped her head into her hands. "We have a lot to talk about."

They could agree on that, at least, and they gradually moved from her living room towards her library. Teddy trailed behind them, making bubbles as he went.

"He's very good at summoning his magic." Luna noticed. Bella beamed proudly and nodded.

"That's actually one of the many things I wanted to get your opinion on," she looked at both girls.

"I was thinking… since Teddy is part werewolf, part witch, and a metamorphosis, he might have slightly different powers than the rest of us. I figured that maybe he could learn to change into his wolf form on his own."

"Without the moon?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah. So, we went to the shelter I have set up for him and decided to give it a try. I ended up turning into my own wolf form to get him to copy me, thinking that he would see it and make the connection in his own way."

"But?"

"But, instead of turning into his own wolf image, he turned into an exact mirror image of my wolf. Like, exact. He looked like me, but small."

The three of them were silent for a minute, thinking.

"My guess is that he used his metamorphosis side to turn, and that the only reason he didn't turn into his version of a wolf is simply because he saw you in front of him," Luna offered reasonably.

"So, what you're saying," Bella paused to pick up a stack of books that were sitting on a coffee table to the right of her favorite reading chair and proceeded to begin putting them away, "is that you believe that he can shift on command, he just doesn't know how."

"That is what I'm getting at, yes." The blonde replied.

"What was the other thing?" Ginny asked. "I assume whatever it is, it's a tad more serious than Teddy's shape-shifting."

Bellona slid the last book from her stack into its spot on the bookshelf.

"It's better if I show you."

She led the girls towards the back section of the room, where a stone basin floated off its pedestal and headed towards them.

"It's a bit… intense, so prepare yourself," she warned them as she pulled out her wand.

The girls nodded and watched as Bellona put her wand to her temple and slowly took out the glistening memory stream before putting it into the penseive. Luna stepped forward first and lowered her face into the liquid without hesitation. Ginny was next, taking a moment to breathe in through her nose and prepare herself before following Luna.

"We'll be back in a moment," Bella told Teddy comfortingly. Then she stepped up to the basin and dipped her own face into the cool substance.

She was back to where it all began…

Bellona shook her head. She couldn't get lost in the memory now. She looked to her friends who were standing to the right of her, staring at her memory self bending down to look under one of the benches. Bellona was forced to watch along with them but stopped them before they too could look underneath.

"You don't want to see it. Trust me," she placed a hand on Luna's shoulder and turned her around to face where Death would be showing up any minute now.

"Where are we?" Ginny whispered.

Bellona looked her friend in the eyes and tried to keep any emotion out of her expression or voice when she spoke.

"This is where I went when I died."

She turned away quickly so she wouldn't have to see the expressions on her friends' faces. She didn't want their pity, or even their sympathy. Well, maybe she did need their sympathy but if they gave it to her right now, she would surely break down and none of them needed that.

She was saved from having to explain anything else by a dark, hooded figure stepping out from behind one of the many white pillars. Memory Bella walked right through Ginny and stopped in front of said figure. Now that she was looking at herself from a different angle, Bellona thought, lifting her chin did indeed make her look more confident and- dare she say it- taller.

Bellona Lily Potter, the raspy voice reverberated all around them. Luna shut her eyes tightly and squeezed Ginny's hand that was clasped tightly in her own. Ginny herself looked like she might be a bit ill. Even Bellona, who had heard the voice before, had to fight the urge to pull them all out of the memory.

It is time we conversed about your new title that has been bestowed upon you.

"Uh, what now?" Ginny and Luna both turned their heads to look at her.

"You never told us anything about a new title," Luna said looking slightly hurt and Bella winced internally. Whoops.

"I suppose so," memory Bella responded.

The three girls watched as Death began to speak.

Many think that to become the Master of Death, one must obtain all three of the Deathly Hallows. However, this is only a part of the title. One must make peace with their death in order to truly "cheat" me. You have done this, and therefore you are now a Master of Death.

Bellona couldn't find the strength in herself to look at her friends, even though she could feel them both staring at her. Gently, Luna reached out and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. Bellona blinked her suddenly watery eyes and squeezed back.

I have watched you throughout your life, Bellona Potter, and I have observed you in different situations. I believe that you have a greater potential than just living out your days in solitude with the wolf-child. You have accepted your death, yes, but you have not accepted your resurrection. If you do not do this, you will never unlock your true potential. And trust me, you will need it. There are trying times ahead.

"Why do you care? Wouldn't you just like me to join you in death?" Memory Bellona asked.

They watched as the figure hesitated before answering with a tilt of its terrifying head.

One of the… gifts… of living so long is being able to see different patterns repeating themselves. Yes, a war has finished, but I can see another one brewing. And even though the beings here may seem adept at fighting off their enemies, a new enemy is coming, and they are bigger than they have ever imagined. I will give you what you need to slay this enemy, but you must find the power inside yourself to wield them.

They watched as memory Bellona stared at the figure and the figure stared back.

Death would be great at staring contests, Bella though idly before being jerked back to reality as the memory shifted. The white walls of the dream shifted into those of Teddy's bedroom where they watched her check on Teddy who was fast asleep, before following her as she walked down the hall and into her own room.

"Very nice design," Luna remarked.

"Thanks, a lot of it was passed down from Sirius."

They quieted, however, as memory Bella waved a hand over her closet, causing a wooden box to appear on the ground in front of them. Bellona tensed as her memory self opened the box, showing the three girls the contents. Luna gasped quietly and Ginny muttered a small "holy shit".

Bellona didn't have time to look at their faces before the familiar tug appeared at her navel, and the scene around them dissolved.

They appeared back in her library in front of Teddy, who immediately went over to Bellona for a hug. He could sense that her emotions were off-balance, so he offered his services as a professional hugger for the moment.

"So," Bellona began, arms wrapped securely around her little wolf, "what do you think?"

There you are. Feel free to let me know how much you liked/disliked it by leaving a review or if you have particularly demeaning comment, perhaps a PM. Thank y'all for being so patient with me about my very scattered updates!