The Safe Wizards

16: The Truth

"Harry, Harry is my son-in-law and Teddy is my grandson," she said quietly.

Jasper felt frustration at first at the thought of Harry being with someone, but then he realized that Andromeda's emotions had changed when she had said he was her son-in-law. Stress and sorrow had emanated from her at that moment, but not when she had said Teddy was her grandson. The baby inspired nothing but love. He suddenly understood, she had this stress spike when she wasn't telling the truth.

"Liar!" shouted Jasper suddenly on his feet, shaking with anger.

She was there to tell them what was going on, she was positioning herself as a teacher and she was allowing herself to be dishonest.

Emmett and Edward were on him immediately, holding him by the arms, making sure he wouldn't attack. He had no intention of doing so, though; all he wanted was to know what was going on.

"Jasper?" asked Carlisle in his calm voice, but he was stressed.

The only person who wasn't was Andromeda, she was curious.

"Andromeda Smith is not her name and Harry is not her son-in-law," he belched, still shaking. "I felt it, Edward may not be able to hear her thoughts, but she can't hide her feelings!"

"Oh, I see... an empath," said the witch, delighted. "Now that's interesting. If you'll just sit down, I'll tell you what I can."

Jasper was exasperated by her tone, her posture so haughty. She had what it took to rival Rosalie on her bad days! He couldn't regain his composure, yet he needed to know, to hear this story, which he hoped would be true this time.

"I'll walk you out for two minutes," Edward whispered in his ear.

He tightened his grip on his arm and led him outside. They ran for several yards once outside until their gifts subsided. Only Edward's anxiety for him remained.

"What are you worried about?" thought Jasper.

"You," the telepath whispered. "There's something strange about your reactions and thoughts towards Harry."

"I know," the blond answered mentally with a gasp. "That's why I need her to tell me the truth."

"As soon as you're back in control, we'll go back. Carlisle told me he was going to ask her to wait until we got back to speak."

Jasper nodded silently and lost his gaze in the white expanse before them. They had run up into the mountains this time. Before them lay the snow for miles, then the pine forest and finally the main road. From the main road a small side road led away. Jasper followed it with his eyes until he came upon a cottage. The windows were lit, the fireplace was smoking. Harry was there.

"Yes, that's their house," muttered Edward, whose anxiety was subsiding.

"Let's go," whispered Jasper, whose need to know was now the strongest. "I'm in control."

Edward didn't say anything, just got up and started running back to their temporary home. Jasper followed suit after one last look at the lonely house. In less than a minute the two vampires were back in their living room, sitting up and ready.

Andromeda put down the cup of tea she had started to drink while waiting for them.

"Let me start by saying that you won't know everything. To Teddy, Harry is his father and to me he is like a son. I won't tell you more about that for safety's sake. You see, our world has been shaken by a horrible war in the last few years. We've lost a lot of people," she said as sadness washed over her. "Harry... Harry has been directly involved in several battles. He's a very powerful wizard despite his young age."