Savin' Me

Chapter 1

Rain pelted the windowpanes of the dark vehicle. Hermione watched emotionlessly as the rain created tears that streaked down the glass and disappeared from view. It was strange in the UK she never minded the gloomy weather and the persistent rain. But now she dreaded getting wet, she knew she could easily wave her wand and dry her clothes but the thought of doing magic, especially on herself, terrified her.

It terrified her to the point that Hermione didn't even carry her wand with her anymore.

The box was left deep inside her trunk, which was buried beneath boxes in the basement of their new house. Inside the trunk were all the things that reminded her of magic, pictures, books, robes, all lay attempting to be forgotten.

She yearned to do magic again, but she couldn't bring herself to mutter even the simplest of spells. While they were still in the UK and she was still dating Ron Weasley before she was diagnosed with anything; when anyone raised their wand to perform any magic near her, panic would swell within her chest, her heart rate would climb and send her into a panic attack.

Once at the Burrow her pupils dilated and she collapsed into a fit when Mrs. Weasley attempted to mend the broken zipper on her jacket. It has taken nearly two hours to convince her that she was safe.

Her fear of magic grew to a point that it drove a wedge between her and Ron. The red haired young man felt confined with the strict no magic around Hermione rule, and ended their extremely short-lived relationship. This did nothing to help her condition. It installed a fear of complete abandonment within her. She began to believe she would be left with nothing but the cold memory of Bellatrix's cruel laughter, and the pain the night at Malfoy manor caused her.

It was soon after her break up with Ron that Hermione was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Soon after that, her parents decided that it was best that their daughter escape the magical world, and the UK in general.

Now three months later, Hermione was 18, in Forks, Washington, USA, starting her senior year of high school and entering the life of a muggle. Everything happened so quickly that Hermione barely had the time to register her world, her life crumbling before her very eyes.

"Forks High School, home of the Spartans."

The large red sighed was barely visible through the sheets of cold rain.

"This is a new start Hermione, a chance to get better."

Her father smiled catching his daughters empty gaze in the rear view mirror.

"You'll be able to make new friends and concentrate on your health."

Her mother added turning around to look her daughter in the face.

"This is what's best."

Hermione merely nodded, though she had trouble believing any of what her parents were saying. Harry had sought out the best magical PTSD specializing therapist money and the UK could offer and they did nothing but make everything worse. The hopelessness, the despair all seemed to double in the months after she was diagnosed. If they couldn't help her how could Fork, Washington, the must muggle place on the face of the earth?

The vehicle came to a halt in front of the school doors, in the student parking lot. There were students hanging around their cars and talking to their friends. This was scarier than boarding the Hogwarts express, at least there she knew there were others like her. Looking around at the faces of these young adults Hermione knew none of them had seen war, death, or torture. She was the only one of her kind.

The moment she stepped out of the car all eyes fell on her.

It was safe to say that Isabella Sawn felt bad for the new girl. Yesterday had been the technical first day of school, and it started off with an assembly, which toward the end turned strange. It was announced by the school psychiatrist that the new student, who would be arriving the next day, had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The entire school had been briefed on how to handle, talk to, and approach people with PTSD. It was eerily silent in the auditorium as the school psychiatrist explained what they were supposed to do in case this person suffered an episode at school.

It had been frightfully embarrassing and Bella was glad that the girl had not been present, though Bella believe that had been the purpose. As Hermione Granger moved slowly across the school parking lot everyone stared at her as if she as the main event in a freak show.

Bella had complained endlessly about being the new girl when she'd arrived in Forks a little under a year ago, but nothing she experienced, short of falling in love with a Vampire, would top the experience Hermione Granger was going to have.

Eric didn't rush to help Hermione with her schedule nor did he rush to her side to offer her a lunch date or a tour guide. Mike actually jumped out of her way as if PTSD was contagious.

All of it was rather sad. Bella had never felt so much pity for one person in her entire life.

"What are you thinking?"

Edward's low soft baritone invaded Bella's thoughts of pity.

Shrugging Bella grabbed up her bag and rushed pass Edward and across the parking lot. Before she reached the young woman she slowed her pace and called her name.

"Hermione Granger, right?"

Yes she was center stage, and by the looks of it the entire school knew she had PTSD. Sighing she resigned herself for a year of solitude, not as if she expected more. The soft calling of her name caused her to stop her trek across the student parking lot. Who ever called her stopped, allowing Hermione to step forward one last step before turned around to face them.

"Isabella Swan, but everyone calls me Bella."

Her hand moved clearly into Hermione's range of eyesight. Hesitating a bit, Hermione grasped the out stretched hand.

Bella smiled, taking a few more steps to come up beside Hermione.

"Don't worry about them, they're really nosy but harmless."

The look in Bella's eyes told Hermione she was serious.

Taking a deep breath she started toward the front doors again, this time with Bella in tow and unbeknownst to Hermione the entire Cullen family.