So, I forgot to put a disclaimer on the prologue, since I was so excited to just post. So here it is. These characters are not mine. No copyright infringement intended. Now, hope you guys enjoy this update, a little bit of look at before the events in the prologue.
I can't get over how well this story has been received so far, so thank you so much, guys! And just so you know, this chapter is kind of based on my first dealings with entering the fandom.
Thanks to Kyla713, Packy and Heather.
Enjoy!
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Fandom.
I never gave much thought to what being in a fandom could be like. It never crossed my radar. Sure, I loved Transformers, G.I Joe, Star Wars growing up, but not once did I consider myself to be in an actual fandom. Not like how it was when I gave in to all things Harry Potter.
You see, I was completely late on the Harry Potter train. Medical school didn't exactly give me much free time in between studying, labs and then working my hours at the hospital. My free time mostly consisted of sleep, whenever and wherever I could get it.
But three years ago, that all changed. Three years ago, I knew just how special being in a fandom could actually be. I was forced to take a vacation; I apparently was working too many hours in the ER. I had about two weeks off, all to myself and no clue what to do with it.
I got home late that evening after finishing my shift, turned on my television and came across the first Harry Potter movie. I sat there and watched, completely enthralled. After it was over, I was hit with the craving for more. I needed more.
The next day I found myself, a thirty three year old man, in a bookstore with my arms full of all of the Harry Potter books, all in hardback, of course. I didn't even bat an eye at the price tag of the box set. I just knew I needed them.
I felt like a kid in an arcade with how much excitement was coursing through me as I picked up the first book. I read it in less than six hours. I found that somehow Harry, Hermione,Ron and Hagrid had all wormed their way into my heart.
The first week home, I had devoured the first 4 books, and somehow survived the death of Cedric Diggory. I was surprised how such a secondary character could have such an impact on me. But I think it was the manner in which he died that got to me. It simply wasn't fair.
With books five and six and countless deaths -I'm not even ashamed to admit that I cried my eyes out when Sirius died in The Order of The Phoenix. I raged to myself that Rowling could have kept him in. After all, he was the only one close to family Harry had left. But no death would have an impact on me as Dumbledore's did. I simply wasn't ready for it. I didn't want it to happen, even though deep down, I knew that it was bound to happen.
And with every book, my hate for Voldemort grew and grew, though I had an inkling to just how it would all end, and my own theories on the horcruxes. The last book just about ended me. I had become so attached to the characters, that each new death brought on heartache and tears as if I was losing a dear, close friend of mine. And in a way, I was. Especially when Hedwig died. My love for animals made it harder to come to terms with the death of Harry's owl.
In the space of a week, and many lost hours of sleep, the books had become a part of me. So, when I turned that last page in The Deathly Hallows, my heart was bursting, but felt empty at the same time.
I needed more. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Harry or Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and even Malfoy. I laid the books down and pulled my laptop on to my lap and Googled alternate endings. I was struck with curiosity each time fanfiction kept coming up. I have heard of it over the years, but never truly read any, and was oblivious to just how popular it was.
One link in particular: Through The Mirror of Erised by Browneyedgirl. I clinked on it. And it was the click the changed everything for me. I stayed up well into the night reading every chapter she had posted, and then I took the plunge and made myself a fanfiction account.
In a way, I felt kind of foolish. I felt way older than I should have felt, and I was probably reading the words that some high school kid wrote. But I had to send her something, anything just to let her know how much I really enjoyed her words.
To: Browneyedgirl
From:ECullen
Hello,
I feel like I have to message you after reading all that you have posted of your newest story. I haven't even slept yet, nor have I reviewed, but I do plan to. Your words grabbed a hold of me and refused to let me go. Is it wrong I just want to beg for another update?
This fanfiction is my first, and I'll be honest, I just finished the books as well, but you have such an amazing skill for storytelling. I just wanted to let you know that I am glad I came across this, and I will be reading everything you have posted.
Thank you for writing.
E. Cullen.
Surprisingly, it didn't take long for her to reply. I had just crawled into bed at four in the morning when my phone pinged with a reply.
To: Ecullen
From: Browneyedgirl
Hi!
I can't begin to tell you how much this message made me smile, and the fact that I was your cherry popper into the fandom! * laughs* So, Ecullen, welcome to the fandom! I am so glad you are enjoying what I have posted, and I hope you continue to enjoy the rest! I even have a new Dramione fic I am working on. Hopefully, that is something you will be interested in.
Thank you so much for reading! And if you ever need recs, I can send you a lot of them. Also, seeing as you're new, have you joined twitter? A lot of the fandom is on there, and its easier to find authors and new stories, among lots of other things.
Feel free to message me anytime.
B
Thus, began our interactions. I emailed her back, asking for recommendations for new fics the next day. I was hungry for more, and she gladly supplied. She even schooled me on the different pairings and genres. I quickly found myself immersing in the Harry Potter fanfic world and joined Twitter, which led me to meet more people in the fandom. I also watched all of the movies before my vacation was over.
Every time my cell phone pinged when I went back to work, I found myself sneaking to see who updated what, or who messaged me. It quickly became an obsession.
Through our conversations that followed over the next few months, I quickly learned that Browneyedgirl was Bella, an 18 year old college student studying literature in Washington State. What her favorite books were, what authors she liked and fic authors she adored. She was constantly recommending me new things to read. I could barely keep up with her. I enjoyed every interaction we had. It was nice to know that despite distance and it being through the internet, I had friend who had the same amount of love and passion that I had for the books.
We talked just about every day, and if there was a day we didn't get to speak, one of us usually emailed the other.
To: Ecullen
From: Browneyedgirl
Where are you? I know it's only been a day, but it feels like it's been longer!
B
I would always smile when I got messages like that from her, and I usually sent her the same when I didn't hear from her.
To: Browneyedgirl
From: Ecullen
You see, B, I have this thing that's called a job. *wink * But really, I got called in at two am for a major accident. I'm just coming off of a 24 hour shift now.
Read me to sleep?
E
I usually said read me to sleep when I wanted a rec, and usually she would give me something to read. It just became our thing. Now, three years later, we've slowly switched out emails and tweets with text messaging. We had become so comfortable with each other, and shared everything, that our friendship just grew.
Our first phone call was... awkward, to say the least. Bella was so shy, and me? Well, I simply had no idea what to sayto her at first. But we ended up talking for hours, well into the morning, until our yawns are what forced us to hang up. We now talked at least once a week on the phone. But I'll never forget her first hello.
I was walking into my apartment when my phone went off. I had told Bella she could call anytime after we exchanged numbers. There was just something exciting about finally putting a voice to her name.
"Hello?" My voice, even to my own ears, sounded shaky.
"H-hello. Edward?"
Bella sounded so nervous, but completely adorable at the same time. After all the months and years that we've talked online, she had no reason to be shy, but putting her voice with her name did something to me deep inside.
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Thank you for reading! Also, if you'd like, you can find me on twitter. I'm myheroin1 on there.