Hi! This chapter has been rewritten. ^^
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Hello! I'm back again. I have one note to make-Renesmee was born in this story, but Jacob never imprinted on her. Obviously. :)
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Jacob was beat. He wasn't sure he'd be able to make it the rest of the way home. Tonight hadn't just been a little meeting to rearrange times and such. It had been full-blown fighting practise. Sure, it had been loads of fun, but piling that on top of the fact that he hadn't slept in nearly five days because he'd been spending so much time with Bella and Renesmee meant he felt like curling up in his bed and sleeping like a rock for the rest of his immortal life. He trudged down the street alone, having left Quill, Seth and Embry off at their houses. He was nearly to his yard when he saw Charlie's police cruiser in the driveway.
It wasn't that strange, but it was nearly ten, so he was a bit concerned that something might have happened to him. Or maybe Bella, as he hadn't been able to see her that day.
He jogged to the door, using up the last of his strength before slumping inside.
"Dad, what's Charlie doing here?"
There was a strange tingle in the air, one he didn't understand, but one he sort of liked. It was like the room was pulling him in, in a strange sort of way.
"He was bringing over that ministry girl, the one who's going to be living with him," his dad replied as he took a few steps into the room. "I invited them over for dinner. Say hi to Hermione Granger."
It happened. The world was gone, and she was there. He couldn't even remember her name, wasn't sure he was even able to pronounce it, but it didn't matter, because it was the prettiest name ever introduced to this planet. There came the steel bonds. He could feel them. She was there, he was here. As long as she was there, he'd stay here. He wasn't going anywhere as long as she was here, and if she was ever gone, so would he be, too.
She started speaking, but he didn't understand. All he could concentrate on was her beautiful voice, the name she introduced herself as-Hermione-and the beautiful way she said his name, with that wonderful accent of hers. Her hand was in his. It was so soft, the softest thing he'd ever felt.
He finally realised that he should say something. He looked at her face. "I too am-"
That didn't make any sense. He realised he should probably make a better impression if he ever wanted this thing he was feeling to go anywhere. He snickered at how stupid he was being. So this was what it felt like. He shook his head. "Sorry," he replied, sounding a little more competent. "I don't know what came over me. I'm Jacob Black. It's very nice to meet you, Hermione. I'm sure we'll get along nicely."
Her smile was like being struck be a rainbow. "Quite."
Jacob couldn't seem to look away from her big, wonderful eyes.
"Well, we really oughta be going." Charlie stood up from his seat. "Thanks for dinner, Billy."
Jacob's heart went with her as she pulled her hand away from his. She turned away from him, towards Billy. "Yes, thank you," she said in that pretty voice as Jacob shoved his empty hands into his pockets. "It was delicious."
"Wonderful talking to you, Hermione," Billy said. "Feel free to stop by any time you want. I'd like to hear more about this great Black family."
Hermione nodded and Jacob noticed how crazy her hair was. It was gorgeous. "Sirius Black would be flattered to know you want to know more about him." She turned back to Jacob and her gaze was like being punched in the stomach. "Goodbye, Jacob."
He sighed, smiling stupidly, he knew. "Goodbye, Hermione."
She watched him a moment or two before she followed Charlie out the door.
"Dad, I'm going to marry that girl."
Billy grinned. "Go for it, son."
...
Hermione stayed up nearly all night that night. She told herself it was so she could begin reading all of the information given to her by Mr. Brock, but most of it just went through her brain without comprehension. She'd been reading the same sentence on shape-shifters for ten minutes before she, with a sigh, finally decided to leave this task for morning and go to sleep. All she could think about was that boy, that Jacob Black, and the fact that she knew she was never going to get away from him. He'd imprinted on her and that meant trouble for her. How was she going to explain this to Ron?
She shook her head and lifted her blankets, curling up beneath the quilt Mrs. Weasley had given her for her birthday last year. It smelled like the Weasley home still, and her stomach clenched. She was all alone in America, and about to be pursued by a shape-shifter she barely new. She sighed. Here we go.
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It was the middle of the night, but it didn't matter. Leeches don't sleep.
Jacob trotted towards the big house in the middle of the woods and was greeted at the door by Edward.
"She's in the cottage," Edward said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "She's not going to be very happy about this."
Jacob smirked. "She knows she won't be able to change it. Why do you think I'm telling her?"
Edward shrugged. "You don't even know why you're telling her."
Jacob shrugged, too, and looked away. "I guess I kind of owe it to her."
Edward nodded.
"I'm gonna go talk to her."
Jacob ran around the outside of the house and paused before entering the cottage. He ran his hands through his rapidly re-growing hair.
"Come in, Jake."
He smiled to himself. He couldn't sneak up on her anymore, could he?
He slowly opened the door and entered, closing it behind him. Bella was sitting in a rocking chair, slowly rocking Renesmee back and forth.
"Hey, Bells," Jacob said, taking a seat in front of her.
She smiled, then frowned. "What's wrong, Jake?"
"I've got some news..." he replied, not looking her in the eye. "I'm just not entirely sure how you're going to take it."
"Oh?" she said, standing to place Renesmee in her little cradle. "You can tell me anything, Jake. Go ahead."
"Well...I kinda..." he sighed. "Did Charlie tell you about that girl from the ministry of magic?"
"Yeah, he asked if it was okay if she used my old bedroom," Bella replied. "She's apparently a war hero from wherever she's from."
It didn't surprise Jacob. Hermione was amazing.
He nodded. "Right. Well, I met her today."
"Is she nice?"
"Oh, incredibly!" Jacob exclaimed. "And beautiful. And that voice...wow..."
A hand flew to Bella's mouth, her eyes were wide.
"What?" Jacob asked, staring at her from the floor.
"You imprinted?"
Was he really that obvious? He got to his feet, still refusing to look Bella in the eye. He shoved his hands into his pockets. "Yeah."
"I want to meet her."
"Now, Bells-"
"I'll be nice," Bella replied, placing her hands on her hips. "I just want to make sure she's worthy of you."
"But it's not like-"
She laughed quietly. "Calm down, Jacob. I know you can't help it, okay? I just want to know her."
Jacob nodded. "Okay. But keep in mind...I've said a total of 29 words to her."
"You...counted."
"I keep going over every last word..."
Bella rolled her eyes. "Go visit her or something!"
"It's 3 am," Jacob replied.
"In the morning, then," Bella replied. "But I think Edward wants to come back in now..."
Jacob nodded. "Fine. Bye, Bells." He waved at the sleeping Renesmee. "Goodnight, Nessie."
He bolted from the room, then, glad Bella took it well, and hoping that when he dropped by Charlie's tomorrow that things would go well.