Ch3: The Journey Begins

It had been a week since Professor Dumbledore had come with her letter. Renesmee sat on her bed in her room listening to her CD player. She couldn't wait until her escort came for her. Jacopo was curled around her leg, his head resting on her thigh and his eyes riveted on the face of his mistress. Her family made him nervous, so he generally stayed in her bedroom unless he was somehow wrapped around her. "I can't wait until my escort comes! The day after tomorrow is when the train leaves. We're all packed, Jake. I'm almost sick of waiting because the anticipation is nearly killing me."
"Patienccccce missstresss, for it won't be much longer." She stroked his head lovingly as she replied, "I know, Jake, I know. I just wish he would hurry."

Renesmee could hear someone walking towards her room. She thought it was her mother but she wasn't sure. "Reese!" Bella called. "Your escort is here."
Smiling, Renesmee got up, and Jacopo slithered off of her into her purse. She put the purse on her back, pocketed her wand, and exited the room. Bella walked her daughter up the path to the main house, hand on her shoulder. They went through the back door and walked into the living room. Her trunk, which had been waiting by the door, was gone. In its place stood a portly little man with rumpled gray hair who wore a pinstriped suit and held a lime-green bowler in his hands. He looked up when they entered, his eyes showing his relief at seeing Renesmee. "Miss Renesmee Cullen, I presume?"
"Present, sir," she enthused. He nodded slightly and explained, "I am Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic. It is my duty to escort all exchange and cross-continent students. You will stay at the Leaky Cauldron tonight and leave for King's Cross tomorrow. Now say your farewells." She turned to look at everyone, scanning their facial features. "Bye, momma, bye daddy," she said. She hugged everyone in the room, as all the Cullens had assembled to see her off. Even Seth was here. The question was, where was Jacob? She put her hand to Esme's arm since that who was hugging her when the thought occurred to her. Esme pulled her to her again and said quietly so the Minister wouldn't hear, "He didn't come sweetie. He said he couldn't bear it."
Renesmee's lip trembled involuntarily, but then she composed herself. Walking over to the man, she said, "I'm ready to go now, sir."
He took hold of her hand as Dumbledore had, and they were off.

Because this was her third journey using this particular method of travel, Renesmee didn't feel any aftereffects. She was about to ask Jacopo if he was all right when her instincts warned her now was not the time. They had arrived in a dark, shabby, grubby-looking pub. The bartender was an old man who was quite bald and reminiscent of a toothless walnut. "Afternoon, Tom," Fudge called. "Is the room ready?"
"Quite," was the answer he received. "Private suit, just like you asked." The Minister turned apologetically to Renesmee. "I do apologize, Miss Cullen, but I can't stay. Plenty to do you know. Me being the Minister and all, I have other business and it just wouldn't be proper. But I'm not leaving you completely alone. Someone from the Ministry will come to pick you up. You can visit Diagon Alley while you wait. Good afternoon."

He shook her hand, then Tom's, who he also thanked accordingly. He turned and disappeared so quickly that if she had not known better, she would have thought him a figment of her imagination. Sighing, she turned to Tom. The grin he gave her was toothless but genuine. "You'll be staying in room thirteen, miss. Here is your key. I'll show you where it is. Diagon Alley is through the back door. I trust you have all of your things?"
At her nod, he continued, "If you need help, I'll show you how to get in."

He began walking in the opposite direct, glancing over his shoulder to ensure that she was following. Tom led her up the stairs to a door with a brass numbed thirteen on it. "Your key, Miss."
She stuck the key in the lock and turned, using her weight to open the door. The room was surprisingly cozy. It was furnished with highly polished oak pieces and a comfortable-looking bed. There was no fire lit in the grate, however, there was a sufficient supply of wood. "Thank you, sir."
Tom bowed and backed away saying, "If you need anything, miss, just ask." She nodded once more, and then he was gone. A good quality she noted about Tom was that he didn't hover. She closed and locked her room door before kicking off her shoes and flopping onto her bed. She opened her purse on the bed and stuck her hand in. Jacopo immediately twined his body around her arm and crawled onto her shoulder.
"Sorry, Jake, but you can come out now since we're alone. Are you okay?"
"Yesss, Reessse, are you?"
"I'm Fine. I'd rather stay in here for today, but I'll go out if you want to. How do you feel?"
"Fine, jussst fine. Whatever you wisssh."
"If you're okay, maybe I'll practice some more."
"Term hasssn't even ssstarted yet."
"I know, but I don't want to go unprepared."

She went to her trunk and rummaged through her school books. She had already read them all, and knew them too, because of her ability to learn quickly and retain with perfection, but maybe she could practice. She went through a few basic charms and spells before going through the motions of making a few simple potions. All the while, Jacopo was curled atop her pillow watching her with interest, for all that she did captivated him. The sky outside began to darken until finally the sun set.

Growing hungry, Renesmee went downstairs, leaving Jacopo on her bed and locking the door. Tom fixed her supper, which was leak, turnip, and potato soup with fresh bread, followed by vanilla ice-cream with nuts and strawberry syrup. Once she was full, she went upstairs to her room and locked herself in again before showering and falling into a peaceful slumber. That night, she had a strange dream that would evade her understanding until much later. Renesmee was in the forest. The light was as clear as midday, though the sky was midnight blue. Every surface was bathed in a strange silvery light though no moon, nor any stars, was visible. Instinct told her that she was not alone, and that if she just kept going, all would be revealed. She began walking, slowly at first but then faster as she traveled farther. Eventually, she ended up at a water meadow.

She leaned down towards the water when something strange caught her eyes. Just as she neared the edge, a pale, white hand lunged out of the depths and wrapped its fingers around her wrist. She pulled hard but the hand pulled harder, and before she knew it, she was hitting the surface of the water. She struggled, but to no avail. Renesmee was drug down deeper and deeper yet, until quite suddenly, she saw a light. Its bright radiance increased as she sped towards it. Mere moments later, she lay gasping on different land in a different water meadow. It was like none she had ever seen or heard of before. A strange plant with tantalizing berries thrived around the edges of it. Honeysuckle was one of the many flowers present. A beautiful flower she had never before laid eyes on too grew in abundance. Somehow, though someone had just attempted to drown her, she was dry. Standing up, she came face-to-face with the owner of the hand in question.

The figure was completely clothed in white. It was an albino woman whose hair was pale silver. Her eyes were a deep violet, her face was heart-shaped, and she wore a circlet of white Easter Lilies. Soft, white wings glimmering with specks of frost were folded softly against her back. She smelled of ice, ash, and the wild places of the night. "Greetings, daughter of both worlds, of Cold and Flesh, Angel and Witch."
Renesmee scrambled to her feet. "Who are you and where have you brought me?"
The stranger eyed her calmly, then answered, "I am the angel Celestia. You are on my lands, to which I have summoned you as you slept."

"Why?" Renesmee asked. "And how do I know you are an angel?"
"I had two gifts for you, Renesmee. As for my being what I say I am..."
She came forward and took Renesmee's hand lightly in hers. An image of the brightest light, mingled with a feeling of total peace and music of praise washed over her. Her heart told her what her rational mind was denying; she had just been given a peek at heaven. Breathlessly, she asked, "What did you wish to give me?"
In answer, Celestia touched her long, white, index finger to the inner part of Renesmee's upper left forearm. There was a cold, numbing, shock followed by a burst of white-hot warmth. The spot pulsed even after the angel had removed her finger from the hybrid's flesh. Her immediate response was to clap her hand over the place, eyes tearing up angrily. "A small sacrifice," the angel said. "Take this, daughter." In her outstretched hand lay a gold ring. The band was made of slender strands of metal twined together. The centerpiece of the band was a sapphire in the shape of a crescent moon with a star cradled in its belly. Renesmee picked it up, fingers trembling slightly. She slipped it onto the middle finger of her right hand. Raising her eyes to the angel, she thanked her. "When you are in need, whatever and wherever that may be, kiss that ring and I shall come. But remember this, daughter; I will only come when the need is unselfish and is truly a need, otherwise, you will go unanswered. I have marked you with a blessing from the Father, for He has great things in store for you. Never lose faith, and the path shall remain clear. Good bye now. The journey begins."

The world around her began to dissolve into a swirling vortex of color, light, and scents. She was thrown into darkness, suspended by nothing. Her experience rang through her head as the blood pounded in her ears. Then she opened her eyes to a beautiful day. Renesmee got up, got dressed, and spent the day mastering techniques from each subject. Her day went by in a rush as her excitement mounted. She fell into bed, this time sleeping dreamlessly. When she arose, she showered and changed once more, ready for all to come.