See the Light
thehedgehoglives
6th February 2009
The Year 7072
The screams and the wailing of the people outside have dimmed. I think it is nearly over. The shadows from the lantern in the corner dance on the walls of the cold, damp cellar I am in. I wonder why I chose to hide myself when I want nothing more than to be out there. Maybe it is because this cellar holds the ashes of my family. Maybe I want to end my existence on my own terms. I know that if I was truly suicidal (is it suicide when I am not taking a life?) I would be outside, screaming and wailing with the humans.
And I have once again survived.
Edward and I spoke of life after death, and the damnation of those without souls. He believed that our kind would be damned to eternal hell. We should live for eternity, so I always questioned if the life we lived was hell. He refused to see it my way, believing in his early Twentieth Century ideology. I believed that there was something after death, but those who experienced it never truly came back. The Resurrection Ring, one of the Deathly Hallows, was a dangerous object, bringing the dead back to a half life. They were never actually there, a veil blocking them from returning.
It sounded corny, but I believed that our souls passed on, into a light when we died. In our case, when our bodies were destroyed, we moved on. We would meet up with the people we had lost, living in a nirvana. Edward believed in eternal damnation, into the fiery pits of hell.
I hope, wherever he is, it is not there. He deserves so much better.
The Year: 2005
"Harry, we need to talk about your conversation with Edward." Said Malfoy once I had finished my pathetic sob session.
"I know, I shouldn't have said anything. And I'm sorry, it was yours to tell." I sighed. I had been entirely too trusting in Edward. Letting him near Rose, especially when I had doubts about his level of control, was a stupid thing to do. Telling him that I knew he was a vampire and that I happened to live with one was even stupider. And then covering my own arse, for no particular reason other than I wasn't sure if I wanted to be vampire or human; now that was just pathetic.
Malfoy sighed. "Potter, you have never been one to think things through. You are brash, bold and just blurt things out without thinking. You run headlong into situations that could get you killed, and your sense of morality is sickening. But what I want to know is why you did it. Any of it. I have told you, time and time again, that we should not trust Edward Cullen, or any of the Cullen's. They are a family of seven vampires. We are two. And even with our magic, I don't fancy our odds."
I huffed, knowing he was right. "Look, alright, alright. I know. I just can't stay away from him. You have never properly met him-"
"Because if I get within five metres of him, I can see him ripping me apart with his eyes." Interrupted Malfoy. "He finds me a threat to you; he is obsessed with you Potter. He is an incredibly strong, incredibly fast, and incredibly cunning vampire. You just don't understand what you are pulling yourself into. He desires you. How many times do I have to say it for it to get through your thick skull?"
I leapt up at that comment. "I fucking get it alright! Stay away from Edward Cullen. He desires me, he wants me, and he lusts for me. Every vampire does so I have to watch myself. I understand! Alright? But it's done, I've said it, and we're just going to have to deal with the fucking consequences!" I shouted, anger flaring.
"No you fucking-well do not! You keep going back, inviting him around, and introducing him to Ron, Hermione and Rose. What if he lost control around them. What if he lost control around you. Vampires are not invincible. And you can still be hurt to well past the mortal point of death."
"What are you, my self-preservationist?" I snorted.
Malfoy shrugged. "Somebody's got to do it. Or, think what will happen if Dumbledore gets wind of us being here. He's going interrogate the whole fucking town, and when its Edward Cullen's turn, he's going to find that the Golden Couple have been helping you. Do you have any idea of the damage it will do to them?"
I snarled, pushing Malfoy roughly. "Of course I do! But what do you propose we do about it?"
"Obliviate him, and anyone else he has told. Make him forget about you knowing anything. It is important that you stay a pretty little human. You have to distance yourself from him. We don't know their motives, whose side they're on, nothing. We Obliviate him."
"No." I said shortly.
"No?" repeated Malfoy incredulously. "In case you missed the whole argument, Edward Cullen has the potential to hurt you, your friends and me. You may have no self-preservation, but I thought you would at least care about your two best friends and their daughter."
"Of course I care about them. But I am not manipulating someone's memories so that I can get away Scot-free."
Malfoy growled out, making me unconsciously step back. "I have been telling you for nearly sixteen years Potter, the sun doesn't shine for you."
I turned away, jaw clenched.
"Fine." I hissed, anger still blazing. "I'll Obliviate him. But you have to do the rest. I am not turning into Dumbledore."
I stormed out of the house and into the forest. I was really, really, thirsty.
When I returned home, Malfoy was still fuming. I spent the rest of the night trying to fix up the motorbikes. I decided to strip them apart, and combine the working pieces. The bits that didn't work on either I could fix with magic.
I sat for hours using Reparo on each individual piece of engine, until I realised I could just repair the whole thing. And enhance it quite a bit. I lightened a few parts, remodelled the brakes a bit, added a cylinder or two and increased the power of the engine substantially. I was in the garage for hours, spanners and jacks scattered amongst the pieces of motorbike.
Malfoy came in several hours later, huffing about me being too loud.
I grunted unfazed. "Pass me that sprocket." I said, arranging the chain drive with a spanner sticking out of the corner of my mouth.
Malfoy looked at me. "Potter what the hell is a sprocket?" he asked, nudging the radiator with the toe of his foot.
I snapped the last two pieces of chain together, casting a quick Reparo for longevity. "Looks a bit like a gear."
"A gear?"
"The thing at your bloody foot. Looks like a wheel with teeth." I said shortly. My mind was focused on how the chain drive would fit to my enhanced engine.
"Oh this?" said Malfoy lightly, holding up the rusty sprocket. I rolled my eyes and he handed it to me.
"Well, I'm out. I'm thirsty, and I know you went earlier so I'll leave you to it." He said, backing towards the door.
I shrugged, trying to piece together my drive chain. "Yeah, sure. See you later." I said, waving a hand in his general direction.
I put my hybrid bike back together, muttering to myself about stupidity and Pure-Bloods. The bike looked a bit odd; there were bits of the other bike here and there, but with a good clean and a coat of paint, it would be good as new.
I glanced again at the crooked handlebars and the patched up seat.
Maybe not as good as new, but it would go. I only wanted it for fun, not for everyday use.
I committed myself to buying some car polish and a car detailing kit the next time I went into Port Angeles.
I got my seat back in biology, but Edward ignored me. When we had to work together, he ignored me, and when I accidentally brushed my hand against his he pulled back with a hiss. Sitting in such close proximity to him, thinking back on the tentative friendship we had, I almost lost my internal battle to slap him one. His mood was changing like strobe lights.
I finally snapped. "Edward." I whispered halfway through the lecture. He turned slowly to look at me.
"I want to apologise for whatever I did to offend you. I want to be your friend again."
Edward shook his head imperceptibly. "Not a good idea."
"Why not?" I whispered back, a bit too loudly. Angela turned around and gave us a look.
Edward grinned a bit. "Yes Harry, be quiet."
"Mr Cullen do you have something of biological relevance to add to my lecture?" barked Mr Banner.
Edward glared at me. "No Mr Banner."
"Then kindly keep your conversations out of my classroom." He returned to his lecture.
I smiled apologetically at Edward. "Sorry!"" I mouthed. He nodded stiffly.
When class was finished, Edward cornered me. Alice was behind him, waiting a way off.
"It is not a good idea for us to be friends." He said slowly.
I raised an eyebrow. "Edward, I highly doubt it. Unless you have something against being my friend then I don't see a problem."
He sighed harshly. "But there is. You just cannot see it."
Students flittered past us, and we started walking towards to car park.
"Oh hello again Harry!" Alice said excitedly as she approached us. "Are you coming with us?"
"No." said Edward shortly.
I grabbed his hand, yanking him out of the stream of traffic in the hallway.
"Edward, what the fuck is your problem?" I hissed.
"You Potter! It's you!" he snapped back. "Everything about you is-" he broke off with a groan. "I cannot stand to be around you."
I stepped back, hurt. What a tosser. One minute he wants me for desert, the next he hates me, then he wants to be my friend and now he finds me repulsive. I wondered if he was manic-depressive. Alice must have seen the hurt in my eyes, because she stepped forward to comfort me.
"No Alice, I'm fine. Edward has made his point. Loud and clear." I glared at him.
He glared back. "Good," he snapped. "Maybe now you will leave me alone."
"Edward…" said Alice, warningly.
"If that's what you want." I knew I was drawing it out. I knew Malfoy would be pleased. I also knew that this was payback for meddling with him.
"Yes it is."
I turned sharply and left the school.
I went home and told Malfoy about my encounter.
"Edward Cullen is a crazy psychotic nut." I said exasperatedly when I got home. I flopped down on a sofa in the living room.
"I told you so." Malfoy said childishly from the desk in the corner.
"I know you did. But you don't have to say it. Anyway, I deserved it." I snapped.
Malfoy turned in his chair and stuck his tongue out at me. "Nah nah nah nah nah nah."
My eyes widened comically and I shook my head. "Malfoy what the hell are you doing?"
He mumbled something and I grinned. "What was that?"
"I said, Rose taught me it."
I burst out laughing. "Honestly Malfoy you take your comeback tips from a three year old?"
"What Potter? I had to be sure you could understand them." He shot back. My grin grew wider. I enjoyed this kind of bickering with Malfoy. I decided that Edward Cullen really was a waste of my time. He was nothing but trouble. I would go to school, obliviate him, ignore him and just be Harry.
"See Potter. You just spaced out. I could practically hear you blowing the dust off your brain, hoping it would start functioning. After twenty-five years, I'd say you're pretty much stuck with your dud." Malfoy rapped his knuckles against my skull for emphasis.
"Sod off Malfoy." I said, good-naturedly.
He held out the brown bag of blood pops.
I took one and sucked on it eagerly.
"Anyway," I said, mouth full of blood pop "I have decided that he is not worth my time. He can be a hormonal, moody teenager, but I am done. I finished being sixteen a long time ago. It's time for me to start acting like a man."
"What are you going to start shaving now Harry?" asked Malfoy in mock seriousness.
I rolled my eyes. "Prat. I'm trying to have an epiphany, and you spoil it."
"Of course. It's what Malfoy's do best."
"What, spoil every happy moment in life?" I said sardonically.
Malfoy hummed. "Pretty much." He flopped onto the sofa.
"You git."
I was tired. And while that was a fairly normal state for a person to be in, I was not a human. I was yawning my way through English, and it wasn't out of boredom. My eyes were heavy and drooping, my muscles felt weak and my legs did not want to support me.
I had no idea why I was tired. I should not need to sleep, but right now, it sounded absolutely blissful. I tried to stay awake for the day, stumbling around the school like a zombie. Malfoy noticed, but probably put my lethargy down as due to our talk last night. But when Edward saw me, he insisted he take me home. Another mood swing.
"But I can't go home! And I'm not tired!" I protested, yawning. I felt like a toddler.
Edward gave me a look that said he agreed.
"Oi! Keep out! You can't take advantage just because I'm sleepy!" I said, knowing that I was probably broadcasting my thoughts. I was too tired to Occlude.
He smirked at me. "I thought you weren't tired?"
I groaned. "Alright, so I'm a little tired. But I do-don" the rest of my sentence was cut off by a yawn.
Edward grabbed my forearm. "I am taking you home."
I grumbled, knowing he would, even if it meant carrying me home like a kid.
"Okay, okay! I'll go. Let go of my arm." I gave up.
Edward smirked at me. "Thank you. Now, I'll just let Alice know I won't be in classes-"
"Oh no you won't! I can take myself home and put myself in bed and sleep! It's not like I haven't done it in years." I said, giving him a pointed look.
He raised an eyebrow. "You aren't driving. Not after what happened yesterday."
I just stared at him. Did he honestly think, after the shouting match I had with him yesterday, that I would let him coddle me?
"That was a fluke. And anyway, I'm alive aren't I?" Sort of?
I closed my eyes but I could still tell he wasn't buying it. "Harry," we were at the car park "Just get in the car. I'll drive you home. You should not drive; you are falling asleep where you stand."
I cracked one eye open to glare at him balefully.
"Oi Cullen! What are you doing with Harry?" I groaned. Malfoy had showed up. Edward also seemed annoyed.
"Harry? I thought we talked about this?" said Draco softly when he reached me. Jessica was following him and she put a hand on my shoulder.
"Harry? Are you okay?" she asked, voice full of concern.
I nodded. "I'm fine! I'm just really tired! I can sleep tonight! Stop pestering me!" I snapped.
Jessica looked hurt, and I immediately regretted snapping at her.
"Jess, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I think I'm going to go home." I said apologetically, and she gave me a small, crooked smile.
"I'll make sure you're clear for classes, and I'll send your homework home with Draco okay?"
I smiled at her.
"Well, come on Harry, I'll drive you home." Said Draco.
Edward coughed pointedly. "I was taking him."
"No," I said, drawing it out. "I am taking myself home." I glared at the two, and they seemed to realise it was time to back off.
"I'll be home at three okay? And we're going to talk about this." Said Draco, giving me a meaningful glance. I knew he was curious as to whether I was putting it on, or if I was actually tired, and why. Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to answer any of his questions.
Edward hummed. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then Harry."
I nodded to them both, and smiled at Jess. "See ya." I wandered over to my car, waving as I left.
I turned around, suddenly remembering. "Oh Edward, can I have a word?"
Draco nodded at me and started to lead Jessica back inside. Edward looked curious. He jogged over to me. I gestured for him to get in the car with me. Edward looked suspicious but followed me.
"Yes?"
"Did you tell anyone what I know?" I asked.
He shook his head.
"Not even your family? Nobody at all?"
He shook his head again. "Harry what is this all about?"
I looked up at him sadly. "It's dangerous. People who know me could find you, and if you know what you know, there's bound to be trouble."
Edward looked alarmed. "People Harry? What people? I swear I will not tell anybody. Why would I incriminate myself and my family?"
"It's not a question of whether you would day something. You know that I know about Draco, but more importantly, you know that I am still in contact with Ron and Hermione. I can't let them get hurt." I whispered pleadingly.
"Harry, I don't understand what you are talking about. Of course I know about Ron and Hermione, I was there last night. It is not as if you can wipe it from my memory." He said, thoroughly confused.
"I'm sorry Edward, but I really have to do this. Obliviate" I whispered.
Edward got a dazed look on his face and when he came to he looked at me oddly. The memories of the past month would show us as friends, me being in the dark about everything.
"Harry, what am I doing in your car?" asked Edward, confused.
I quickly scrambled for an excuse. "Oh, I was getting you your jacket; you left it at my house last time we did study." He nodded, although he still seemed a bit confused.
"Are you alright Harry? You look a bit tired." He said once his eyes had cleared.
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm just heading home early. You should get to biology. You're going to be late." My voice was hoarse; I was in moral turmoil. I hated manipulating people, and after the fuss I put up, it was a bit hypocritical.
"Yes, I suppose I should. Goodbye Harry." He said, shutting the car door.
I sighed, and rested my head against the steering wheel, nearly falling asleep. I reversed slowly out of the car park and drove home; my eyes were incredibly heavy, and I started nodding off halfway there.
I was furious with myself. I had just done the one thing I couldn't stand, and suddenly, after ten years of wakefulness, I decided I needed a sleep.
When I finally got home, I crashed on the sofa, and fell asleep instantly.
I didn't wake up until two the following day. Seeing as I had missed most of school, I decided to spend what was left of the day finishing my bike. I Apparated into Port Angeles and wandered around, window shopping.
I was walking down a back street when I noticed a local bookstore. Normally, books would not interest me, but Hermione's birthday was coming up and I needed to get her something. A book about another culture would fascinate her.
I went in, inhaling heavy incense and eying the rows of books. I started down the shelves, looking at the different categories. There weren't many books, but the section that caught my eye was the mythology of the Quileute's. I flicked through, stories ranging from the Quileute's past battles with opposing tribes, their affiliation with wolves and the treaties made with the people and the 'Cold Ones'.
I ended up buying the book, intending to read it before I gave it to Hermione. A bit cheap, but they only had one copy.
About an hour later I had finished and I was ready to head home. I spotted Jessica's truck before I saw her; she was stood outside the cinema with Angela, Lauren, Mike and Eric.
"Harry!" she called when she saw me. I waved, and jogged across the road.
"Hey Jess!" I smiled at the rest of the group. Eric huffed.
"Where were you today? You just took off home yesterday and Draco wouldn't tell us anything." I could tell she was a bit put out at that.
"Oh it was nothing." I shrugged "I just wasn't feeling very well. I'm fine now though."
Jess smiled. "We're just going to see House of Horrors 4." She shivered. "It's supposed to be, like, really really creepy."
Mike grinned. "That's why we're here, hey Eric?" He made a mocking Hercules pose. "Keep the ladies safe."
I snorted. "Mike, you're scared of spiders." I said earning giggles from the girls; particularly from Lauren.
"So did you want to join us?" asked Jess, moving forward to keep up with the queue.
"I can't." I smiled apologetically. "I'm supposed to be doing my English project now." I leant in to whisper in her ear. "Plus, it sounds way too scary for my fragile nerves."
She giggled. "Well, if you're sure..."
I nodded. "Yeah. Another time maybe?"
She smiled hopefully. "Yeah. Well, I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Yep. See you guys tomorrow," I said to the rest of the group. "Bye Jess!"
She waved as I walked away. I couldn't stay with them. They would be in the movies, eating popcorn and lollies, and then they'd all go for dinner and it would look suspicious if I didn't eat.
I wandered past a shady looking pub. The worn and peeling sign proudly identified it as the Royal Hotel. Royal my arse, the place was decrepit. I stopped across the road, debating whether to go in. I hadn't had a drink in ages, and I still had my British Drivers license for a Harry Potter born in 1980.
I shrugged and shrunk my shopping, putting it safely in the inside pocket of my coat. I cast a quick and simple glamour on my face, aging it by a few years. I hoped I looked twenty-five, and if not, the dim lighting of the pub should cover me.
I entered the dingy and hazy pub, ignoring the curios glances sent my way. One overweight businessman with a moustache like Vernon Dursley's eyed me like a hawk while I crossed the floor and took a seat at the bar.
The bartender gave me a grizzly smile. "If ya aint got ID, you can get out." He said roughly.
I stared at him nonplussed. Underage kids must have tried to pull the wool over his eyes one too many times. I calmly laid my ID down on the bar. He picked it up, inspected it then gave me another grizzly smile.
"You gotta watch them kids." He said by way of an apology. "So you're a Brit then?"
I nodded. "Yeah, from London."
He nodded, having read it on my license I supposed. "So what d'you lot drink over there?"
"Bacardi and Coke for the fag Jim!" called out one of the men playing pool. What was with everyone thinking I'm gay? I'm not.
"I'll have what he's drinking." I said, loudly.
The bartender, Jim gave me an amused look. "You sure about that?"
The guy who spoke was walking over. He plonked himself on the barstool next to me. "I tell ya what Jim. If this guy reckons he can drink like me, I'll give him a go at it." He turned to look me straight in the eye. His greying hair and beard looked like they hadn't been washed in weeks, and his shirt was covered in oil and grease. He was big, tough and menacing. "We'll have a drink each. First to give up owes the other a hundred bucks."
People were crowding around now. I raised an eyebrow. "Two hundred." Someone gasped and a guy grabbed my upper arm.
"Mate, that's Johnny Blackthorne. He drinks the most out of everyone, never lost a drinking competition yet. I'd pull out now if I was you."
I snorted. Tough guy or not, it still took a lot of alcohol to get a half-human, half-vampire drunk. I should know.
"Two Hundred." I repeated, holding my hand out. Johnny grasped it, seemingly unperturbed by the coldness of it.
I smirked. "So what are we drinking?"
An hour later and Johnny was wearing down. His shots were sloppy, his movements sluggish and he was about ready to give up. I was faring better, although I knew I would have a killer headache in the morning. I was drunk, very very dunk, but I was good at hiding it.
"Gentlemen. It's time to test your sobriety." Jim came from around the bar. He pointed towards a dull line in the middle of the floor. "Walk the line!" the patrons cheered. Over the course of the hour, several had defected from Johnny support, and were putting their money on me.
Johnny stood up, sawing and staggered over to the line. He got halfway down before he toppled over and passed out. A couple of his mates helped him up and over to a booth, and watched me.
I knew I was swaying around a bit as I walked over to Jim. I smirked; knowing vampire speed and agility would help me here. If I did step out of line, I could always pull myself back in before anyone noticed. I knew I shouldn't use my non-human ability to win money, but the bastard challenged me. It's not like I went looking for trouble.
I stepped up the line confidently, and walked briskly down it. When I reached the end, I walked over to Johnny.
"My winnings please." I said, holding out my hand. His mate grudgingly dumped the two hundred in my hand and I gave one last look around the pub. "Important lesson here kiddies. Never underestimate your enemy."
I ignored the stares and the questions of the people in the pub and walked out.
I apparated home and was faced with a pissed Draco Malfoy.
"Where the fuck have you been?" he snapped angrily. I giggled madly. He sounded like a housewife. I spread my arms wide.
"Honey, I'm home!" I cheerfully and loudly exclaimed. I grabbed him and tried to snog him, like they did in the movies.
Malfoy pushed me away and screwed his nose up in disgust. "Potter, are you drunk?"
I shook my head seriously. "I'm not drunk. Just slightly inerbriated."
"Inebriated." corrected Malfoy. "I can't believe you! Do you know what happened tonight? Death Eater uprising in Kent."
My eyes widened. "That's bad isn't it? Very, very bad." I said seriously, frowning. Then I giggled. I had no control over what I was doing. Before I knew it, I was laughing out loud, Malfoy glaring at me.
"You tosser!" he yelled. "You fucking prick! Who lives in Kent? I was out there, fighting my arse off, risking my hide, to protect your best friends, and you were out getting drunk! And Ron kept saying you'd be there, that you'd never abandon them when they needed you. Nice work Potter. They were always there when you needed them, then the first time it's them in danger and not you, you're off, having the time of your life! You need to sort yourself out. And fast. Or I'll send you to Dumbledore myself."
He stormed off, slamming the kitchen door as he went. I collapsed into a dining chair and let my head fall onto the table.
"Oh cock."
Life passed in a mechanical blur. After my little eighteen hour nap, I found myself feeling refreshed and full of energy. Days after, I didn't feel the need to sleep, and I figured it was probably just a one off thing.
I did have a massive headache in the morning, Malfoy refused to talk to me, as did Ron and Hermione once they found out where I had been while insurgents had been attacking their home. I felt like shit, and with good reason. Hermione and Ron had always been the best friends a person could have, and when they and their daughter needed protecting, needed me, I was nowhere to be found. What if Rose had been hurt? What if Ron and Hermione had been hurt? What if Aurors hadn't shown up or the Order? The first person that they sent the Patronus to was me, and I never showed.
To make matters worse, Draco and Jessica's relationship was getting serious. And when Jess found out why Malfoy wasn't talking to me, she was pissed off as well. Of course, she only knew that I had been out and came home drunk, but she was still insulted that I had blown her off. I tried talking to her, thinking that the people at school wouldn't know.
"Don't talk to me Harry." She snapped.
"What?" I was shocked. She had seemed fine the night before.
"You told me you had an English project to finish. If you didn't want to hang around me last night, why would you want to tonight. Why don't you just go back to your over age friends? I'm obviously not good enough for you." She snapped, but I could see she was hurt.
I reached out, but she slapped my arm. "Jess, please, listen."
"No. Leave me alone."
Fantastic. Everybody hated me.
I didn't stay at school during lunch. I hadn't eaten alone at break time since primary school, and I wasn't about to start the tradition again. Instead I went home to Flood Ron and Hermione. Their Flood was blocked. I knew the Ministry could track it, but I apparated home anyway. Number Twelve Grimmauld was still the headquarters of the Order, but hardly anyone visited anymore.
It was still as dreary and dusty as it was ten years ago when I first arrived here. I had apparated straight into my old room here, being recognised as Sirius' legal heir.
A loud crash and a voice I recognised as Tonks' came from downstairs. I froze. I had no idea what Remus had told her, or if she was one of the ones out for my blood. Pun entirely intended.
I couldn't stay upstairs until she left; lunch break was only forty-five minutes long and I had spent fifteen getting here.
I crept downstairs as quietly as I could and thankfully avoided her. I continued to the front door, and silently opened it. I had almost crossed the threshold when a young voice called out to me from the top of stairs.
"Uncle Harry!" a blue streak rushed at me, grabbing my legs. Tonks ran out of the kitchen, wand out.
Bad Teddy! I untangled him from my legs and ran.
Behind me I heard Teddy yell "Uncle Harry?"
I apparated to Ron and Hermione's house in Kent.
After my jaunt to England and return to school Edward Cullen seemed out to get me. When Alice wandered over to talk to me, he pulled her back, muttering about staying away from me. Did he have some odd need to protect people?
I should have known that he would notice something wrong in his head. He was cleverly in tune with the minds of people around him, why did I fool myself into thinking he wouldn't notice my meddling.
It took him three days to realise something was wrong. It took him four to realise everything.
He found out it was me.
He had no idea what I had done, and when he cornered me about it I protested any knowledge.
I was the last one in the gym changing rooms. I was always the last one to get changed as I didn't want anyone to see the state of my body.
I walked into the locker room and pulled open my locker door. It was soon slammed shut by Edward, who I knew sped into the room with the intention of scaring me.
Too bad I knew his secret.
He slammed me up against a locker. It seemed to be a favourite move of his.
"What the hell did you do to me?" he snarled. He lifted me up and forced me against the bench.
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Let me go." I said, enunciating each word carefully.
The pressure eased. "You did something to my mind." His voice was low, and it sent shivers down my spine.
"I don't know what you mean." I said, eyes comically wide, hoping he would believe it.
He didn't. Instead, he threw me across the room, and I collided with the opposite wall. A human would have been knocked unconscious but not me. I was furious. Now he was fighting with vampire strength, I wasn't going to lie down and take it.
I stood up, a little disorientated but intact. "I told you I don't know what you mean." I narrowed my eyes, glaring at him. I could feel magic bubbling with my anger, and I knew if I didn't calm down there would be more obliviating on the menu.
Edward wasn't deterred. "Do not lie! I know it was you! My memories are hazy and when I try to remember certain things I can't. It all revolves around you. What are you?" he shouted the last part.
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer." I snapped, clenching my fists and trying to get a hold of my temper. I turned away, hoping he would leave before someone got hurt.
The next thing I knew, I was pinned to the floor, winded. He had me pinned down, and I couldn't move. I tried moving my arms, but he held them. I tried kicking out with my legs, but he predicted that and stopped me.
"Let me up you fucking bastard!" I shouted.
"Edward, that's enough." I turned my head towards the door, where Jasper Cullen stood. "You are attracting attention to yourself. Let it go."
Edward snarled, and pushed roughly against my chest. My magic lashed out and the temperature in the room dropped. I hoped I was the only one who noticed the icicle form on the leaking tap.
When Jasper led Edward away without a single glance at me, I hated myself. I knew I had royally fucked up. The guilt monster reared its ugly head again, and I had nowhere to go.
I beat Malfoy home and so I decided to take the bike out for its first test drive. I had registered it with the local police, and I had a permit to drive it on sealed roads. I donned a helmet, skipped a jacket and started her up. The engine roared to life, and for several minutes I sat on it thinking about the last time I had been on a motorbike.
I shook myself of those depressing thoughts and backed the bike out of the garage. I knew exactly where I was heading; there was a strip of road with plenty of good corners and long straights.
The wind whipped at my skin; I probably should have worn a jacket. As I raced past the greenery I cast my mind back to earlier today. I was so caught up in thinking, that I hardly noticed how fast I was going. Due to my magic enhancements, the bike went much faster than it should. I was doing a hundred miles an hour, coming up to a tight corner.
I was going to lose it when I had a brilliant idea. I cast a silent Accio at a thick tree at the centre of the corner. The bike was pulled towards it, and when I got close, I cast another Accio at a tree across the road. The bike righted itself and before I could plough into that side of the road, I cancelled the charm with a wicked grin.
I felt like fucking Spiderman.
An easier corner was coming up. I decided to slow down a bit this time, but still ended up taking the corner too sharply, ending up on the other side of the road.
I regretted this when I saw the shiny silver Volvo coming towards me. I had no time to react, or to brace myself for the impending collision. Time didn't slow this time.
The memory of Edwards face, panicking as he tried to swerve in the same direction as me, and of Alice's horror struck face as she saw what would happen, seconds before it did. That memory would stay in my mind forever I was sure.
The car and bike collided, a bang over the squeal of brakes, and my world exploded in a haze of pain.
It just wasn't my lucky day.
AN: Firstly, I apologize for the crappy length. I just feel it's such a wonderful place to stop. Secondly, I want to apologise for the lack of flow; I had real issues writing this chapter, and it seemed that no matter what I do, I just can't get it to go. Thankfully I'm up to the bit I've been hanging out to write, so I should (Notice the should) be able to write a bit better next time.
Thanks to every one of the 78 reviewers, 116 Favourites people and the 292 people who put See the Light on their alerts. I wasn't expecting such a response! :)
