Disclaimer, I regret to inform you that I do not own Harry potter or twilight.
Chapter 3
I almost drove past the school twice, because I was looking for a school and not a bunch of disconnected buildings. I decided as I pulled into the driveway of forks middle school that I hated the person who designed this school – they probably designed it this way just so outsiders couldn't find it.
Smug gits.
Perhaps I'm just paranoid this morning?
I was a bit late for class, having missed the school twice because they decided to camoflage it behind greenry and made it look like a bunch of brick work buildings. The parking lot was empty when I arrived, which made finding the classes a bit easier, because I could pull out my map without some helpful person popping and offering to show me along, all the while trying to pry my life story out of me.
It wasn't hard to find building three, the gigantic white '3' painted on the side of the building was a huge clue.
Can you tell I really don't want to be here?
When I entered my English classroom I was met by a positively friendly man who later introduced himself as Mr. Berty while pumping my enthusiastically in what he thought was a hand shake. I personally think he was attempting to take my arm off.
I don't care if I seem unsociable or not, but next class, I will not offer my hand!
"Hello, you must be Mr. Potter." Mr. Berty said.
"Yes sir."
"Well, welcome to forks high, I am Mr. Berty, you're English teacher." Mr. Berty. "Well, the class seating arrangement had already been set up, but I believe there is a spare seat beside Ms. Cullen, if you will." He said.
I glanced around quickly and found Alice sitting near the back. i made my way through the rows to the empty seat beside her and gratefully slipped into the offered seat, trying to ignore the staring of my classmates.
This was going to be a long year. Beside me Alice pat my shoulder, outwardly looking pityingly at me, while inside I could almost hear her laughter.
"Not funny." I muttered darkly.
"Is too." Alice giggled.
"Why do I put up with you?"
"Because you know if you're mean to me, I can convince Remus to let me take you shopping again." I shot her a horrified look.
"Earlier comment retracted." I responded.
"I thought so." Alice stated smugly. Mr. Berty shushed us and instructed us that today we will be taking notes. By the end of class I was fairly sure everyone had sore hands except myself – Mr. Binns had us write much more than that at my previous school. If you didn't take notes, you didn't pass. That was mostly because taking notes was the only way to actually remember what he'd said on the subject they were covering. The man had a tendency to sit at his desk and drone on and on about a subject of little significance.
"Hi, I'm Mike, you need any help finding your next class?" Mike asked. I shook my head, but was cut off from answering when Alice called me,
"Come on Harry, you have art now, right?" Alice asked. I nodded and quickly joined her.
"Thank you." I said gratefully.
"They're very welcoming around here." Alice warned.
"Just what I need, over friendly suffocating American classmates." I groaned. Alice's lips twitched as she again patted my shoulder comfortingly.
"Poor Harry." She said.
"Poor me." I sighed. She giggled, leaving me at my art class as she skipped off to her own class elsewhere.
--------------------
Art class was one word, boring. I didn't know art could be boring, but the entire period was covering art history on a boring piece from an artist I'd never heard of. I soon found out that this class was mostly written work, such a horrible idea.
Looks like I'd be limited to drawing at home, I think this time though I shall have to hide my art supplies. I don't want to chance coming home to find teddy covered in purple and blue paint splotches again.
Remus would have my head.
--------------------
I decided I didn't like trigonometry, not at all. I knew it, yes, but I hated it. and I certainly didn't like the teacher anymore when he said that one horrible sentence.
"Well Mr. Potter, why don't you tell us about yourself." The teacher asked. I inwardly twitched, wishing with all my might I'd taken the pepper spray. One quick spray and I could escape!
"What should I say?" I asked him tiredly.
"where you're from, why you moved to forks, what you like, dislike, and such." The teacher said. I sighed but began.
"well, I am originally from London England, I moved to forks to spend more time with my godparents, Remus and Sirius and my godson, teddy Lupin. I like playing guitar, talking to friends and music. I dislike annoying chits who stick their excessively long noses into other peoples business, excessive giggling and excessive staring. I dislike homophobes and shallow people all together." I looked at the teacher, feeling the amusement almost radiating off the man as he coughed to hide a snicker. There was a boy at the back of the class who had his head down, trying and failing to smother a grin. Everyone else seemed to have completely missed what I said, but were more paying attention to my accent.
"may I go sit down now?" I asked through grit teeth. I did not like the way girls were looking at me. so far today I'd so far managed to avoid speaking aloud, therefore not many focused on my accent.
I didn't like the attention the girls were giving me.
I might have to get Sirius to go to the knickknacks store and buy me a t-shirt saying 'beware girls – I'm gay' on it.
Of course that probably wouldn't be enough of a clue for them. Perhaps I'll just run them over?
I walked to the seat the teacher told me to sit down in and payed attention to the front, ignoring the girl leaning a bit to close to me for my taste. I gave her an irritated glare and moved my seat further away and towards the isle.
God, why couldn't some girls catch a hint?
If I'm leaning backwards to the point where I am near falling off my chair to get away from you – I'm fairly sure it means I don't want you to come near me. I'm certainly not sitting like this because it's comfortable.
"I don't think they took the hint." The boy behind me said with a grin. I sighed.
"obviously not." I replied. "apparently, subtly isn't their strong suit."
"you were being subtly?"
"apparently yes. They didn't seem to catch the message, so i must have been." I told him unhappily. The boy leaned back, snorting in amusement. "Harry potter."
"Emmett Cullen." The dark haired boy introduced himself.
"are you related to Alice Cullen?" I asked curiously.
"yeah, she's my sister, d'you know her?"
"went shopping with her." Emmett gave him a horrified look. "and shes my partner in English."
"and you're still alive?" he asked incredulously. "when I go with her my feet are almost bleeding by the time we stop!" Emmett exaggerated.
"I was with Remus and Sirius – my godparents, so I couldn't spend the entire day shopping." I told him.
"that explains it." Emmett grinned. He sat back in his seat and turned his attention to the teacher.
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Lunch came and I found myself in the lunch room, going along the line to choose and buy my lunch. The cafeteria was a long room with tables set in different areas all around, most full of loud students. I glanced around for a place to sit, easily ignoring invitations I got from other students until I saw it.
One table with a very familiar looking boy sitting at the table, his head bent over a book, distractedly eating his lunch as he ate.
Neville. I broke into a grin, making a B-line to Neville's table where I unceremoniously snuck up behind him, grinning madly.
"Neville!" I said loudly, causing Neville to jump in his seat, almost knocking over his drink. I burst into undisguised snickers which soon led to giggles as he turned around, looking terrified for a split second before he growled at me.
"Harry!" he growled, completely forgetting that he hadn't seen me in several years as he smacked me on the side of the head. I could stop giggling though – manly giggles of course.
I took a deep breath, still giggling quietly as I set my tray down on the table and dropped into the seat beside him. "nice to see scare ya' mate." I said with a wide grin. Oh how I loved sneaking up on him.
"You git." Neville said fondly, shaking his head as he took a few calming breaths. His grin didn't fade a bit though, no matter how hard he was trying to suppress it.
"Mind having a lunch guest?"
"You're already sitting." Neville pointed out as he closed his book.
"Good point. I'm afraid you're stuck with me then." I told his cheerily.
"Woe is me." Neville replied dramatically. "Well, since I am stuck with you, tell me, how is everyone back home?"
"Well as you can guess, Lavender and Parvati as still gossip mongrels. Ron and Hermione still have not gotten together, but fight constantly, so it's only a matter of time before the sexual tension explodes and they do get together." Neville choked on his drink, turning an interesting shade of red as he coughed. I clapped him on the back. "breath man, breath! Don't die on me now! You can not leave me to the American girls mercy!" I leaned over to the still coughing Neville. "I don't think they have any." Neville stopped coughing and promptly began to laugh.
"Anyways Hermione still hugs her books, Ron's room is still hideously orange. Luna moved –"
" –to La push." Neville added in helpfully.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes, she and her father are living out there. She stops by on the weekend."
"It's just a regular odd one out convention isn't it? you me and Luna all over again." Harry said.
"It's our ten year reunion." Neville said with a grin. I snickered.
"So whys she out in La push?" I asked.
"Her dads following a lead on something, crumple something I think." Neville said, frowning as he tried to remember.
"Wonder if he's found any yet." I said with no small amount of amusement. Neville flashed me a grin and shrugged.
"He hasn't." Neville said. "I can't believe you're here." Neville said with a sigh. "I certainly didn't think I'd be seing you again until I returned to England."
"Yeah, caught me off guard when Mione told me you lived down this way. How's your mum and dad?" Harry asked distractedly as he started to eat.
"Dads good. He's working as a police officer now, doing forest patrols in the wood surrounding the town. He likes it a lot." Neville said with a small smile. "Mums also doing well. She's a teacher here actually."
"Really? What does she teach?"
"Music."
"I have that last period." Harry said thoughtfully.
"Me too. I have Latin next."
"Me too." Harry said. "told you. You're stuck with me."
- -
Latin was one word, dull. It was repeating the pronounciation of simple terms and sentences. Surprisingly Neville and I were both ahead, so we ended up playing a latin version of scrabble for most the entire period and talking quietly amongst ourselves.
When the class ended Neville and I ended up walking together to the music class room. "your mums goin gto hug me, isn't she?" I asked Neville.
"hug, you? You'd be lucky if she stopped at that. I'll bet you she calls Remus and Sirius and asks if you can come over for dinner." Neville said.
"would she actually do that?" I asked, looking warily at the music room door. Neville nodded.
"most likely."
"bloody hell, I'm doomed." I whispered. Nevile chuckled, pulling me along by my wrist to the classroom.
"Hi mum." Neville greeted as he entered the classroom. "I come baring a nephew sized gift." Neville said.
"oh?" Mrs. Longbottom turned from her desk, a small smile on her face. Her jaw practically hit the floor when she saw me standing in the doorway.
"er, hi Aunt Alice." I said, waving slightly.
"Harry Potter?"
"Alice Longbottom?" I faked shock. Aunt Alice mock scowled at me, smacking me gently on the shoulder.
"Look how big you've gotten!" Mrs. Longbottom greeted, smothering me a hug. It would have been far more inviting if she wasn't my music teacher and wasn't hugging me in front of the class.
"I would hope so! last time you saw me I was eight." I said as she release me. "could you imagine a teenager the size of an eight year old walking around a high school?" I said with a disturbed look. Neville snickered at the mental imagine.
"How have you been dear?"
"I'll tell you after class." I told her. She nodded, apparently remembering that she was the teacher and I, the student.
"Yes yes, of course." She said with a smile. "please take you're seats, you'll be sitting beside Neville." she said.
"Yes ma'am!" I saluted and followed Neville down the isle to where he was sitting.
We sat down, turning our attention back to Aunt Alice as she began instructing the students to play the piece before them one at a time, correcting their mistakes. Harry found another Cullen within the class, an Edward Cullen, who sat by the piano, and was the only one to nail the piece before him.
"Now Harry you'll need to pick an instrument. I know you play the violin and some piano but those instruments are taken."
"I've been learning to play the guitar." I answered half heartedly.
"Well, we don't have anyone on guitar. Acoustic?" she asked hopefully. I nodded.
"Wonderful!" Aunt Alice said with a smile. She disappeared into a back room and game out moments later carrying an acoustic guitar and a book of sheet notes. She quickly handed me the guitar and the sheet notes. "if you could play that piece Harry, we'll see where you are and then move onto classical music identification." Alice said. Harry sighed and did as told, playing the cords of the guitar while reading the notes off. One mistake, that's all.
"Wonderful, now then, lets continue onto music identification." Aunt Alice said.
"Shes really enthusiastic about this job." Neville told me.
"I hadn't noticed." I said, staring as Aunt Alice practically bubbled with happiness. I was expecting a rainbow and unicorn to appear out of nowhere.
-~-
It appears Neville was correct. Aunt Alice somehow found the time to call Remus and Sirius and tell them that she was kidnapping me for the evening. Neville's house was a nice old yellow house with blue shutters and a white porch with a blue door.
We'd decided to take my car to Aunt Alice place, Letting her drive, since I didn't know the way. She was more than happy to drive, especially when my car was keeping her from getting soaked.
Aunt Alice pulled up in the driveway, and right into the covered parking space beside the house. "Aha! Beat him home!" she cheered. I exchanged looks with Neville, who seemed entirely too used to this as he climbed out o the car, grabbing his backpack as he went.
Aunt Alice was already inside, leaving the door open for us. "don't forget to wipe your feet!" Aunt Alice called from the kitchen.
"Yes Aunt Alice." I called back, wiping my feet carefully before following Neville up the hard wood stairs to the second level of the house.
"This is my room." Neville said, pushing the door open. I glanced around and felt my lips twitch upward.
"Still into plants I see." I said as I followed him inside. It was a decent sized room, not at all over stuffed. The walls were panted a soft light brown, with plants panted onto the wall, most likely done by either Neville or Aunt Alice. The room contained only a bed against the wall which was neatly made, and a large corner desk by the window, which was cluttered with plants and book about plants.
"Homework first?" Neville asked reluctantly.
"Best get it out of the way. if I go home and it's not done, Remus will lecture me." I said. Neville grinned at the thought, taking enjoyment in my torment.
"homework it is." Neville said.
Not much homework actually got done, due to Neville's computer being ever so alluring. We ended up on the Internet, logging onto one of my usual chat rooms where I could usually find a Weasley or two.
As soon as my name came up I was assaulted by several Pm's from everyone, asking how things were and what it was like down here. I replied mostly that it was just as wet and had taller trees and hills, much to Neville's amusement. Hermione would throw a fit at the non-informative reply.
Neville and I were soon called down to dinner and went and sat down across from each other. I was thankful to have a familiar meal of fish and chips on the table.
"So Harry, you're living with Remus and Sirius now? Did they teach you to play guitar like that? How are your parents?" Aunt Alice asked in quick succession.
"Er, no Severus snape did." I half answered. "and they're fine."
"Oh, who's Severus?" I cringed as I answered, knowing her reaction.
"My mothers boyfriend." Aunt Alice and Uncle Frank choked on their meals. I eyed the two warily.
"Boyfriend? Lily is cheating on James?" Alice asked.
"And fathers got a girlfriend." I added unhelpfully. "their getting divorced." I explained. "so I'm here, with my godfathers."
"Harry, whats going on?" Neville finally asked. I paused, looking up at him, then his parents.
"After you guys left, things kind of went downhill. I kind of became non-existent not long after." I started, fiddling with my napkin, which suddenly seemed fascinating. "Mother and father began to fight some, and then more and more, and in the last year their so focused on hurting each other that they forget I exist unless I can be used a leverage in a fight." I said.
"Oh dear." Alice whispered.
"Then at Christmas this year Sirius and Remus came down, and everything fell apart, or maybe it came together for a change – I don't know.." and so I told them, everything. Every little detail about what they'd missed and didn't know. I told them about my home life, and about my parents and their significant others and the divorce and about everything that happened at Christmas.
Aunt Alice was horrified at what had happened after they'd left. "and then, I just came to live with Sirius and Remus and teddy." I shrugged, my eyes fixed on my plate. I continued to eat my dinner, trying to ignore the pitying look Aunt Alice was sending towards me.
Uncle Frank coughed, "so, whats Severus like? And how are things at the Weasley' household?" I shot him a grateful glance, welcoming the subject change.
~*~*~*~
When the night ended I went back home and found Sirius in the kitchen, with splatters of baby food on him and the floor around him. teddy was wielding a spoon covered in what looked like apple sauce. Behind teddy an amused Remus watched the scene, his shoulders shaking with laughter as his son shot spoonfuls of food at the dodging Sirius.
"Aren't you going to stop him?" I asked. Remus grinned, watching as Sirius dodged again.
"No, not yet. It'll be good for Sirius to get more exercise."
"And I'm sure this has nothing to do with your personal amusement?"
"No, nothing at all." Remus eyes were laughing as Sirius dodged again and slipped on some of the apple sauce on the floor, falling to his butt. Teddy, with still target to aim at managed to land a score on Sirius face.
"Hey Remus, how many Cullen's are there?" I asked. Remus glanced at me.
"Well, their Doctor Carlisle Cullen, and his wife Esme Cullen. Their children Emmett Alice and Edward, and then theirs the Hales, who live with the Cullen's and are twin niece and nephews of Esme named Rosalie and Jasper Hale." Remus explained.
"Oh." I jumped on the topic, "Why does everyone seem to avoid them?" I asked.
Sirius joined the conversation, coming to the counter while using a towel to remove the apple sauce. "Everyone seems to have it in their heads that the family is unapproachable." Sirius shrugged. "They also spread a lot of rumors about the family, due to jealousy I should think." Sirius said.
"But Alice is nice, and so is Emmett." I frowned.
"they're apparently the most approachable ones, but people fear Emmett because of his size, and everyone thinks Alice is insane." Remus explained. "the towns people spread a lot of rumors about the family, I ask you not to buy into them Harry, they're made my cruel minds."
"What rumors might I hear?"
"Well the teenagers are fond of saying that Esme Cullen is barren. They say it as if it's a horrendous act as well." Sirius frowned as he dropped into the seat beside me.
"But that isn't right." I muttered. "Even if she were, don't they realize that only makes her all the more generous? Taking in her nephew and niece?"
"That's jealousy for you." Sirius murmured.
"She didn't just take them in, all the Cullen children are adopted Harry." Remus further explained.
"But, that just makes her more generous. Is she a mean person or something?" I asked.
"No, Esme is a very nice woman, as is her husband Carlisle. Esme works as an interior designer, and is an artist on top of that. She's very nice." Remus responded honestly. "There are no reasons for the rumors Harry, people are just jealous. Everyone in that family has physical attributes that draw attention, and not all of it is good. Try and remember not to buy into that cub." Remus forewarned.
I won't." I promised with a half smile. "I've already met Alice and Emmett, and they seem nice enough." I told them. "and what are the other siblings like?"
"Rosalie is a bit vain, She's distant from other people, as is Jasper, but he isn't vain, he's just not as sociable. The last is Edward Cullen, who can be approached, but isn't very forth coming." Remus tried to explain. "the five usually just stick with each other, I suspect that moving around so much has made them a little cautious about making friends." Remus explained.
"Well, I guess that is understandable. It's hard for Neville to make friends for the same reason, the same with Luna as well. Did you know she moved to La Push?" I asked him.
"No, I didn't know that." Remus said in surprise.
"Well she and her father did." Harry nodded. "Neville told me, maybe I can get Neville to get a hold of her and we can hang out sometime."
"Ah, the original trio back together again." Sirius quipped. I rolled my eyes, getting up from the table.
"Anyways, I'm headed up to my bedroom."
"Any homework?" Remus asked.
"Did it at Neville's." It was surprising I'd managed to finish it after dinner.
"Great!" Remus said. "Have a good night, be in bed on time."
"Only if you are." I shot back, grinning as I made my way out of the main house to the guest house where my room was located. I really needed some sleep!
Hey everyone, first i'd like to apologize for taking so long to update, but it's been hectic lately. I'm trying my best to atleast update twice a month, if possible. Unfortunately I still have small children in the house who love computer power buttons, and a new baby here as well, so I've got to work my schedule out a bit. Just hang in there, i'll try my best to update as often as possible.
thank you everyone for the reviews, they are appreciated. I like good comments and bad, it gives me an idea of what I am doing wrong and right.
I also apologize to everyone if this chapter is not up to my usual standard, i've been writing this bit by bit after 2 am. I wouldn't recommend it.
- Devils-Divide