I am so terribly sorry for the completely delayed chapter. I know I promised to deliver it sooner and as an author I should keep my promises to my readers, so please receive my humblest apologies for making you wait. Thank you so much for your devotion, persistence and reviews that have pushed me to finish this chapter. And of course, a big thank-you to my beta: femaleprongslet. Now without further ado, the next chapter…
Developing
When Rosalie left Forks it had been a spontaneous event that even Alice had not been able to see. But it had happened and the blonde haired vampire had trekked away from the Cullen house, with just a single backpack and the clothes on her back. She'd pointed herself in one direction and just kept running, and running. It was easier for her to concentrate on the path that she traveled rather than the past that she'd left behind. Not even an hour later and she found herself in the one place that she felt she had ever been happy in: the same clearing where she'd met Caroline and the children that she held so dear to her heart. It was here, surrounded by a mostly empty forest, that Rosalie fell to her knees and reached blindly for the mirror that she kept on her body at all times.
"Caroline Davidson."
Her voice was dead when she spoke and before she knew it, the surface of the small hand-held mirror rippled and another figure could be seen.
"Rosie?"
The worry was almost tangible and Rosalie could do nothing but heave dry sobs. No words were needed. One minute the figure in the mirror was gone and the next, there was a loud crack like lightning splitting a tree and all of sudden Rosalie wasn't so alone.
Two warm arms came around her and even though she could have, Rosalie did not fight when Caroline drew her closer.
"I just need to leave, Caroline. Please."
She whispers it dejectedly and Caroline doesn't ask. Simply hugs the vampire tighter and side-along apparates her away.
Of all the people in the world, Hadrian would have to say that Hermione Granger was the least prejudiced person he knew. Ron had a tendency to judge on first impressions, Sirius jumped to conclusions and Rosalie was the type that hated anyone and everyone unless it was proven that she shouldn't. Hadrian himself was not as prejudiced as his best friend or his mother, but sometimes, he did judge before he had the right to. Hermione though… Hermione was special. She fought for the underdog, always believed the best in people and never quit until there was hard solid proof telling her that what she was doing was impossible. It was because of this that there had been many spats between her and others who fought on the same side. She was adamant that all those captured received a fair trial, regardless of their crimes. It was a sore point to Hadrian who mainly thought that anyone aiming a spell at him deserved to die, but to Hermione there was a difference between killing someone in cold blood and killing them because someone else was threatening to kill your children if you didn't. There were many issues that Hermione had fought for, but the most predominant was the issue of hybrids.
When it was first discovered that Voldemort had managed to find and sway the hybrids to his side, the ministry had been all for having them culled. Hermione had fought tooth and nail against the proposition and had begged Hadrian to back her. He had, of course. After all, what were best friends for?
As the war had escalated though, it was not just the ministry that wanted all the hybrids wiped out. It was now parents, sisters, brothers… even children. As the numbers of the dead mounted up, it was becoming more and more obvious that the hybrids were becoming more of a problem. Of all the deaths during the war, the hybrids had contributed to 74% of them, despite the fact that they were a minority. Hermione though, was still persistent. She believed that if they could just talk to the hybrids, get them to see reason, they could be swayed away from the Dark Lord. She was adamant that all the hybrids needed was to be given a chance. It wouldn't be until after Harry had nearly died from a hybrid attack that Hermione Granger would realize just how very wrong she was.
"Where are they?"
The words are snarled out of the practically frothing mouth with such force that Kingsley is hard pressed not to cower. He refrains from the act though. He knows that this behaviour is only because the man is worried.
"Sirius, please, I…"
A rough hand slams itself against Kingsley's hardwood desk and the bottles of ink on the table visibly tremble at the force.
He looks pleadingly over the angry man and sends a beseeching look to the sandy-haired one at the back of the room, his nose buried in a thick tome plucked from Kingsley's shelves.
"Remus, please! Control him!"
A heavy sigh echoes around the room and there are deep gusts of inhaled air as Sirius tries to gather his control.
"I- I'm just worried. One minute they're here and the next minute they're not! Is Hadrian hurt? Is that why they left? Is something wrong with Rosie? I-"
Kingsley has to interrupt before Sirius' ramblings can further drill home the headache that is developing.
"They are both fine, Sirius. Really!"
He pierces the fidgeting man with such an intense stare that Sirius is hard pressed not to be reminded of the late Albus Dumbledore.
Sirius, knowing when to back away from a losing fight, sighs and looks away from the stare. He needs to know that his godson is okay, that Rosie is okay. He doesn't care for Kingsley and Remus' placating excuses. He needs to know and he'll be damned if anything stops him. He's Sirius Black after all. He's the only known convict to single-handedly escape Azkaban. Eventually, he'll find a way.
When Rosalie returns from hunting, she finds Hadrian once again, engrossed in the book that she had returned with.
"Any good?"
She flops down onto the couch beside her son and leans into his body, breathing in his scent carefully and reveling in it. Years after the blood adoption and she is still amazed that such a creature as perfect as Hadrian was created partly because of her.
"Yep. Nearly done, actually. I'm going to send it to Andy and ask her if she can pass it on to Hermione."
He finishes the sentence just as he flips over to a new page.
Her head shifts and she rests it carefully in the nook of his shoulder, eyes fluttering shut as Hadrian rests his head on top of hers.
"That's nice."
"Hmm…"
Moments pass and silence descends like the dawn of a new day. They feel no pressing need to break the moment that they find themselves in, but unfortunately, the outside world felt otherwise.
It is seconds after Hadrian has finished reading the last page that the phone rings. It is a split second later that Rosalie has the phone in hand and is answering it. To the human eye, the feat would have been amazing, but to a vampire, it was nothing special. She reclines carefully into the couch and adjusts herself to get comfortable. Hadrian carefully places his now finished book on the nearby coffee table and watches his mother intently.
"Hale residence."
There is a brief pause as Rosalie sighs and hands the phone over to Hadrian.
"Hello?"
This time, it finds their positions reversed as Rosalie watches her son and listens carefully to what is said.
"Hadrian. I trust I find you in good health?"
Hadrian smiles lightly and replies kindly, "Fine, thank you, Kingsley."
"Well-"
He can hear the hesitation over the phone and reflexively closes his eyes and sighs. Something bad is about to happen, he can feel it.
"Spit it out, Kingsley, what is it?"
On the other side of the couch, his mother raises an eyebrow in question and Hadrian shakes his head and offers her a small smile.
"A predicament has arisen that will not be to your liking."
Hadrian waits for Kingsley to continue despite his impatience.
"Sirius stopped by a few days ago and demanded to know where you are. Of course, I told him that it would be impossible for me to just hand out your location. He left quietly enough and I thought that was the end of that."
Apparently it wasn't.
"Someone broke into my office and managed to get a look at the documents detailing your location. I memorized the report and destroyed the documents."
Hadrian had to hand it to Kingsley; he knew how to fix his mistakes so that they never happened again.
"What makes you think that it was Sirius?"
"Yesterday Sirius purchased two tickets to Seattle, a connecting flight to Port Angeles, and a hired car that is to be picked up by the car-rental at Forks after his use."
Hadrian curses under his breath. It is bad enough that the Cullen's are here. He doesn't need Sirius adding fuel to fire by trying to render Emmett limb from limb. In his minds eye he imagines this and despit the situation, finds the images highly amusing.
"You said two tickets, correct?" Hadrian asks in exasperation.
"Yes."
He sighs and says a silent prayer to any listening deity, be it God, Krishna or le Atua.
"I can only hope that Remus is with him to make sure that Sirius doesn't do anything stupid."
"I can't believe you went over there!" Esme seems frustrated as she repeats the sentence again, seemingly to herself.
"Are you mad that we went or that we didn't take you with us?" Jasper's smile is easy going and it is clear that he is joking.
Alice has finally returned and she keeps her silence as she sits in a chair, her head turned away from the family, looking out the window.
"So how was it?" Esme leans closer in eager anticipation.
It has been days since Emmett and Jasper had been to see Hadrian, but they'd waited until everyone had been present before speaking of their little trip. It had taken this long to get Alice to show up, and finally, Esme's curiosity would be quenched.
Edward leans against the couch, Renesmee cradled in his lap as Bella relaxes into his side. Esme sits perched on the arm of Carlisle's chair and Tanya rests on the armchair beside them. Jasper sits on the last couch with Emmett at his side as they address the rest of the family. Despite the fact that she looks preoccupied, Jasper knows that even Alice is listening.
"Well, you were right Bella. Hadrian is in fact Rosalie's son."
"What?"
"Really?"
When Bella had recounted what her father had told her, Jasper had been the most cynical about it. He had assumed that they meant 'son' in the same way that he was considered the offspring of Carlisle and Esme. It was why he had been so surprised when he had discovered that Hadrian was in fact the actual son of Rosalie.
"It's true. He says that he's biologically Rosalie's son."
"How do you know that he's not lying?"
Bella's question is innocent enough. Jasper shakes his head though,
"The physical resemblance between them is too much to be coincidence."
This is disregarded for a moment as Esme asks the most pressing question.
"And his father?"
"According to Hadrian his father isn't human. It must be how it was possible for the man and Rosalie to…"
Jasper trails off and is unwilling to voice the words that everyone is thinking.
"What does he look like?" Esme of course. In her mind Hadrian is already practically her grandson.
"Like Rosalie. Almost exactly the same, actually. Just, a little different. Black hair, a little shorter, but… he looks so much like her."
"And his eyes?"
"That's what I couldn't understand. His eyes were amber when we met him, but in Alice's vision he had green eyes, and even when Charlie met him he had green eyes as well."
"Maybe it's his power?"
They turn to the quiet voice of Bella.
Carlisle nods his head in agreement,
"Yes, maybe you are right, Bella. The wolves, after all, can change their body structures; perhaps Hadrian's power is being able to change his eye colour?"
It appears that for now, Bella has chosen (or maybe in her usual way, has blundered in) to play the role of devils advocate.
"That's true. But what's to say he can't change his body structure as well? I mean, maybe he doesn't really look like that and he was just-"
This time it is Edward that answers her,
"There were pictures in the house. He looked exactly the same in all of them. I doubt that he would spend his whole life ensuring that he looked like someone else."
Edward of course had managed to see everything that had happened the minute that Jasper and Emmett had returned home.
There is a pause as they deliberate the question.
"Maybe we should just ask them?"
This time it is Tanya that speaks. She knows that it is the answer that everyone wants but most are hesitant to agree to. She says it though, for a completely selfish reason. She needs to see Rosalie to apologize, to atone and maybe, ask for forgiveness.
"Maybe. What else did you talk about?" Carlisle steers the conversation away from the question that refuses to be answered.
"Did he say who his father is?"
"Sirius Black."
"Is there any information on him? Maybe we can find out where Rosalie's been since she… left."
A pause as, unwillingly, they each remember why exactly it was that Rosalie had left.
"London, England. Hadrian told us. But I checked into Sirius Black. There isn't much on him, just vague mentions in some English tabloids. Apparently he's some kind of English Lord other then that there was nothing else. No birth record, no school listings, no paper trail whatsoever. It's like he doesn't even exist despite the papers that mention him."
"Do you know how old he is?"
"I could only find one picture, in it he appeared to be in his mid thirties, give or take a few years. He might even be older, considering he's not human."
"What is he though?"
Silence as everyone considers the question.
"Did Hadrian say why his father didn't come with them?"
"He mentioned something about space. Rosalie and that Black character might be at odds right now."
"Did Hadrian say when Rosalie would be back?"
"He said a few days. Apparently she's in Seattle at the moment."
"What for?"
"He didn't say."
More quiet as they consider their choice of options. It is Edward that speaks to break the silence.
"We'll give it two days. She should be back by then."
When the phone rings again later that day, the bottom of Hadrian's stomach seems to drop and he can't help but feel that there will be more bad news to make him even more irritated. He doesn't rush to the phone to pick up the receiver, instead waiting until his mother picks up and listens intently to one side of the conversation
"Hale residence." He hears his mother answer in a strong voice.
She had been surprised when he'd admitted to her that Sirius was most likely on his way to see them, probably with Remus in tow, but she'd shrugged it off as she was wont to do. They would deal with it when Sirius eventually showed up. It was her usual way of dealing with Sirius, and for now, it was the only plan of action that they had.
"Well, well. Congratulations sweetheart. He's right here."
When she tosses the phone to Hadrian, there is an excited smile gracing her features.
"Hello?"
"Hadrian?"
"Hermione! How did you get this number?"
"I didn't! I'm calling you from Andy's. But, guess what?"
Hadrian smiles at the exuberance of her voice. He has missed his best friends incredibly since he has last seen them, and to hear Hermione's voice is enough to cheer him up for the next few weeks.
"What?"
He thinks maybe that she has been promoted in her job in the Department of Creature Welfare and Wellbeing.
He is wrong.
"I'm pregnant!"
The squeal that he can hear in the background can only belong to Andy and Hadrian is hard pressed to stop smiling.
"That's amazing, Hermione! Congratulations! How's Ron taking it?"
Her laugh tinkles down the line and already Hadrian can imagine the rosy glow of pregnancy settling over his best friend.
"I'm not quite sure, he's still unconscious. He fainted the minute I told him."
A rolling of eyes and Hadrian knows that thousands of kilometers away, Hermione is doing the same thing.
"Typical."
"Yes, I know, Anyway, I just wanted to ask you a favour."
She sounds nervous for some reason.
"Name it and if it's within my power, then I'll be happy to oblige."
"Well, I was wondering if you would consent to being Rose's godfather?"
"Rose?"
"Yes! The healer told me that she's a girl. I already know her name. Nymphadora Rose Weasley."
In honor of the two women that Hermione essentially owed her life to. It is left unsaid, but it is there.
Rosalie had been a force to be reckoned with during the war. It had been from her that Hermione had learnt the finer points of blood-lust and war and the training had saved her life on more the one occasion. Tonks on the other hand, was the reason why Hermione was still alive. The pink-haired Auror had given her life to save Hermione and a group of other fighters that had been surrounded by a horde of Death Eaters. She had saved them, but in return it had cost her her life. And in a towering rage, her husband, Percy Weasley, had torn to shreds the Death Eaters that had killed his wife. He lost his own life however, when McNair had cast a severing charm at his exposed back.
In late February of 2004, Rosalie had discovered the prone form of Tonks at a battle site that the Order had been too late in arriving to. She had been a mere shadow of the vibrant woman that was known to the Order, and in the days following her healing, she had been practically catatonic. No-one had understood what had happened, or why she kept her silence even weeks later. Until Madame Pomphrey had discovered in early March that Tonks was pregnant, and that the unborn child was showing traits of being a werewolf. No-one needed to know anymore. The day that Tonks had been found was exactly the day after the full moon, and there was only one werewolf that would be so sick as to rape a woman whilst she was hurt. It was one of the contributing factors as to why Rosalie herself had sought out Fenrir Greyback weeks later and released the bloodlust that would later make her known as one of the most feared Order members.
During Tonk's pregnancy, it had surprised everyone when Percy Weasley of all people had been the one to piece back the pieces of the shattered Tonks and revitalize the woman. Two months before the birth of Teddy, they had married at the Burrow with Albus Dumbledore overseeing and when Teddy had been born in December of that same year, it had been Percy that had signed as the father.
"Umm… Shouldn't Ron have an input on this as well?"
A pause and Hadrian knows that this is something that Hermione has already decided on. And really, when Hermione had her mind set on something, pretty much nothing could change it.
"You know I'd love to, Hermione. I'm honored that you even asked me."
More squealing in the background and this time, even Hermione joins in. He doesn't want to know how many girls are with her at the moment. He just feels sorry for Ron. Sort of.
Ron and Hermione had married a week before the final battle. Yes, they were young, but in a time when the love of your life could be ripped from your side in a split second, it was a step that they felt they were more than ready to make. The ceremony had been small, only attended by immediate family and the closest of their friends, but it was more than enough for the couple.
"Thank-you, Hadrian! I'm only two months at the moment, but I know that Ron will agree with me. We'll hold the naming ceremony until you and Rosalie get here."
"That sounds great, Hermione. Thanks for waiting."
"Oh don't worry about it! Okay, I need to go now! I still haven't told Molly yet and Ron's still unconscious."
She hangs up before Hadrian can even say goodbye.
He meets the eyes of his mother over the phone and despite the fact that he cannot read minds, he already knows what she is thinking. He sighs, even as he fishes his car keys from out of the pocket of his jeans.
"It'll be a whole year before it's even needed, Mom."
She waves off his words as if they were inconsequential.
"Darling, the sooner we find a present for the baby, the better! Anyway, we need more than one. First present is for the baby shower that we'll be missing, no doubt. This means that it has to be perfect since we won't be there to present it ourselves. And then we need a present for when Rose is actually born, and then of course comes the gift for the naming ceremony. See, Hadrian? Much better if we go shopping now."
"Fine, but I'm pretty sure that you won't find what you're looking for in Port Angeles."
She gives him a quizzical look.
"Port Angeles? Sweetheart, we're going to Seattle."
"How long will we be there for?"
"Not sure, why?"
"Sirius' flight gets in the day after tomorrow."
"Oh don't worry darling, we'll be back home by then." She pauses momentarily,
"Or we could stay longer, I mean, it would serve him right if he showed up and no-one was here."
Another sigh as Hadrian treks out of the house and makes for the garage.
"Fine, whatever."
And even though his body language speaks otherwise, a small smile plays over his lips and it is obvious that he is happy.
Days earlier finds Jacob Black sprawled in a forest clearing. He hasn't transformed in days and he knows that the wolves of his pack are worried about him. It can't be helped. How can he willingly share his innermost secrets when he can't even reconcile them with himself? How is he meant to face them? He knows he is being unreasonable. Leah had endured the link despite the fact that the other wolves had known all of her deepest feelings. But he justifies his fear for being reasonable. None of them have imprinted on a member of the same sex. None of them have imprinted on a vampire. And in all honesty, Jacob is unsure which of the two he finds more overwhelming.
He is shirtless, as always, and his eyes are closed as he leans back into the embrace of the grass beneath him. Jacob has never understood meditation, doesn't understand anything to do with it, but he knows that in some way, this is his own form of meditation. His own way of centering himself and clearing his mind, or whatever it is that is usually meant to be done.
Slow breaths in. Slow breaths out. He closes his ears against the world and listens only to the beating of his own heart. The thump, thump, thump of blood being pumped through his veins, rushing through his body. And slowly, he loses himself. Away from the world and away from his problems, it's-
-CRACK!-
The sound of a snapping twig is so loud that it is in sharp contrast to the silence within Jacob's own mind. He leaps to his feet in an instant and has centered his body and bared his teeth at the threat before he can even gather his mind around any of it. It's an instinctual thing to defend territory that is strictly yours, and this clearing has always been Jacob's.
"Calm down! Geez!"
The scent hits him before the words have been processed.
"Leah?"
He is dazed slightly and Leah's laugh is testimony to how obviously clueless he looks.
"What the hell is your problem?"
Typical of his Beta to ask how he is in the most insulting way possible. Odd, but typical. He lays back down. Arms crossed beneath the back of his head, eyes fluttering closed. He is safe here in his clearing, with Leah settling cross legged beside him.
He shuts his eyes again and evens out his breathing as he calms down.
"I'm serious, Jake. What the hell is your problem? You're worrying the rest of the pack."
He'd know that this would come sooner or later. He can't spend an eternity avoiding his pack, no matter how much he wants to.
He considers lying and telling her that nothing is wrong, but this is his Beta, his second in command and he knows that she of all people deserves to know the truth.
"I did something stupid, Leah. Really, really, stupid."
She studies his face carefully. His eyes are closed but she knows that even if they were open they would show pain. It is tangible in his voice. There are creases marring his youthful face and Leah knows that despite the words that she'd like to say, this is no place for her cynicism or her sarcasm.
"Jake?" her voice is worried and it is this more than anything else that lets Jacob know that it is time to come clean. His pack will find out eventually. Better that they hear it from him then from anyone else, or from the link when they next phase together.
He has had his speech planned for a while and it spews forth from his mouth. It is nearly word for word the same thing that he confessed to his father. It has been a few days since the imprinting, but the shock is no less evident in his voice.
Leah is silent as she processes the words. What to say, what to say? What can she say? She chooses silence and instead waits for her Alpha to continue speaking. She knows that he has to work through this himself.
"I… I don't know what to do, Leah. I imprinted on a boy! A vampire for God's sake! What the hell am I meant to do about that? I mean… Dear God, has this ever happened before? Ever? I just… God, why couldn't I imprint on someone normal!"
He finishes with a final frustrated sigh and Leah can't help but at least set him straight with at least one point.
"Normal? Jake, like you can talk about being normal? So what, it's a boy! Who the fricken' hell cares!"
"Leah, you don't-"
"Don't what, Jake? Understand? Well, you're right, I don't understand! I've never imprinted before, remember? I've never met someone that was Nature's own choice as the other half of my soul. I've never met my bleeding soul mate, so no, I wouldn't understand!"
Her voice is bitter and harsh but she knows that this is what Jake needs right now.
"What the hell do you have a problem with, anyway? The fact that he's a boy, or that he's a leech?"
"I… Both."
She hits him upside the head and glares down at his face.
"Try that again, and this time tell me the truth. What's your problem with him?"
Jacob sighs but is hesitant to speak more.
"The Jacob Black I know wouldn't have a problem with what gender he imprinted on. The Jacob Black I know would just thank God that he even imprinted on anybody at all! He would be thankful that he'd even found his bloody one in six billion! So try that again, Jacob. What the hell is your problem with your imprint?"
There is a muffled reply as he rolls over on his side and starts playing with the grass leaves between his large fingers. For the first time in a long while, he is acting his age and Leah smiles at this. The shifting has forced so many of the boys to grow up faster than they should and it is nice to see Jacob as the boy he should be as opposed to the man he is expected to be.
"What?"
More muffled words as he turns away from her and this time she sighs.
"Jake!"
"He's a vampire! I just… God, I spent so long hating them and warning Bella away from Cullen and then I go and-"
He stops abruptly as if he is contemplating before he continues.
"I know we're good with them now but… Look, I don't mind making nice with the vamps because my best friend is one. I just- never thought I'd end up imprinting on one."
"Is that it?"
"And… I've- never had feelings for a guy before! It's like, one minute I'm chasing after Bella and the next I realize I've gone and fallen in love with a boy I've met once for a total of 5 minutes!"
"And that's how imprinting works. So what? Sure you've got a slight problem, but you'll get over it eventually, and do what's right."
"The pack-"
"Will understand. We're your friends, Jacob. Your family. Your sword when you need us to fight for you and your shield when you need protection. It's sorta like we're all married. You know, in sickness and in health so long as we all shall live and all that other crap."
Laughter erupts from the both of them as they let their imagination roam with the idea of marriage between the pack members, and even though Jacob still has reservations about his imprint and what he's going to do, it's okay. Because he has Leah and the rest of his pack and he knows that he should have realized this sooner. His pack will understand. Now all he has to do is figure out if he can.
Forks is the kind of name that Sirius can appreciate. It is the kind of name that Sirius himself would have named a town if he had ever been given a chance. Heck, even Remus can see the joke in naming a town after an eating utensil. Yes, Forks is the kind of name that Sirius can appreciate. The place itself though? Not so much.
When they touch down in Port Angeles it is drizzling outside and Sirius is far from being pleased. The flight (or flights to be exact, due to the fact that they'd had to take 4 different connecting flights to get here) had been far too long, his seat neighbours far too noisy, the flight attendants far too hospitable. All in all it was a trip that Sirius refused to take again. And as if to mock his ever growing headache, it was raining outside. He didn't even think about it as he grabbed the keys from the woman manning the desk of the car rental company at the airport, simply snatched the keys from her hands, threw them over to Remus and started trudging over to where the car was parked. The sooner they found his godson and Rosalie, the sooner they could leave and be back on good old British soil. Screw this 'New World' crap. America had officially made it to Sirius' list of places he hated more than Azkaban, right alongside Number 12, Grimmauld Place.
Returning from Seattle is anti-climatic. Rosalie had ended up buying out most of the stores that they'd been in to and Hadrian was hard pressed to stop laughing. The first clerk had almost had a heart attack when he'd rung up the final price. They'd decided to forgo taking all the purchases back with them and had instead sent all of them through freight to Andy. Hadrian had tried to convince Rosalie to buy less, but the argument had been like talking to a brick wall. His mother had decided that quality over quantity was a stupid argument and that she liked 'a quantity of quality goods' better. Hadrian hadn't known what to say to that. They'd thought to spend a few days in Seattle, but Aurors in the area seemed to be cracking down on vampire activity and so they had settled for leaving as soon as they had finished buying the last diamond encrusted baby rattle. Over the top, yes, but it was a style that Rosalie was known for, and of all the people in the world, she was the only one that could pull it off.
The car is silent as Hadrian drives them back home to Forks. Home… Odd that in such a small space of time he is already considering this place as home.
The drive is shorter then humanly possible, but it helps when the driver is a vampire with quick reflexes and a complete disregard for both his life and his safety. By the time they get home it is nearing twilight. The light is still muted and mostly hidden, but in Hadrian's eyes, the forest surrounding the house is still beautiful.
Rosalie, still on her natural high from shopping and spending excessive amounts of money flits into the kitchen and grabs two crystal wine glasses and a bottle of Zabini's finest. She leaves them on the counter for Hadrian and instead turns to the fridge. It is as she is appraising the empty fridge that Hadrian walks in and seats himself at the counter. Noticing the bottle and the glasses, he can only assume that his mother has decided to forgo hunting this day and he settles for popping the bottle open and pouring a generous amount into both glasses.
"We need food."
It is abrupt, the way she says it.
Hadrian is tempted to ask 'Why?', but he holds his tongue. He knows that Sirius will be here soon with Remus and even though Rosalie would be tempted to just lock them out and let them starve (Sirius more than Remus), Hadrian also knows that Rosalie loves cooking more then she loves tormenting Sirius.
He sighs though and wonders why they didn't buy the ingredients on their way back from Seattle. Again though, he decides not to voice his questions. Best not to ruin the good mood that his mother is in, especially with what he knows will be coming in the next few weeks.
He drains his glass and pulls out his phone swiftly. Opening a 'Memo' he waits patiently for his mother to close the fridge door. When she does, he finally asks,
"What do we need?"
The list she rattles off is extensive, but Hadrian's fingers fly seamlessly over his mobile phone and moments later he has saved the list into his phone memory.
"That all?"
He rises to leave.
His mother nods happily and Hadrian leaves the house once again with a smile playing over his lips.
"You should have just told us you know." Seth says playfully to Jacob as he slams himself into Quil and runs past the older youth to the parked car. Quil's shout is drowned out by Seth's laughter as the boy practically throws himself into the front passenger seat and locks the door. Fuming, Quil climbs into the back seat,
"I called shotgun you little runt!"
"First come, first serve, slow poke. You know the rules."
As Seth breaks out into louder peals of laughter, Leah climbs into the backseat with Quil and rolls her eyes at the words that the other boy seems to be muttering under his breath. Finally, Jacob settles himself in the driver's seat and soon they are speeding out of the Black front yard.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Sorta, needed to get my head around it."
"Understandable." Pipes up Quil from the back.
Leah settles for closing her eyes and leaning her head against the cool car window.
"But still! We're your pack! You shoulda just told us."
It is this that reminds Jacob yet again that Seth is the youngest of the wolves. His easy nature, his unfailing trust, his acceptance.
"So what's he like anyway? You never said."
Quil pokes his head through the gap between the driver's seat and the passenger's and he leans forward eagerly.
"Yeah, Jake. What's he like?" he says as he wiggles his eyebrows at the driver.
"Knock it off you two!" Jacob replies as he switches gears, all the while smiling.
Confessing to the pack had to have been the most nerve wracking moment of his life. But Jacob had done it, and despite the disbelief, the shock, they'd managed to pull through it as a pack. After the initial confession, they had shifted together for the first time in a long time, and the pack had managed to glimpse their first look at their Alpha's imprint.
He was beautiful. Even for a vampire, he was beautiful and the way he held himself was strong and capable. The pack only had a second to glimpse the image before it was gone and Jacob had phased back, blushing all the while. They hadn't minded though. Jacob still needed time to deal with his imprint and that was fine with them.
"Why are we going shopping anyway?" Leah's voice breaks through Jacob's line of thoughts.
"Because you guys ate all of our food and Rachel said the only way we're getting fed is if we go and buy the food so that she can cook."
"Either that or she just wanted some alone time with-"
"What was that, Leah?" Jacob asks over Leah's mutterings.
His Beta shakes her head with a roll of her eyes,
"Nothing."
"Thought so." He answers back with a smirk and Leah pokes her tongue out at him in the rearview mirror.
"But why aren't we going to the shop at the Rez?"
Quil this time.
"Because the supermarket in town is the only one that sells in bulk and if you haven't noticed, we tend to eat a lot."
They go quiet at that because they all know that it is true.
When they pull up to the parking lot, it is mostly empty. Parking is easy enough, and grabbing four trolleys and filling them all to the brim is even easier. It is as Jacob is reaching for the last item on his sister's list that he stops.
The scent hits him like a head on collision and he is powerless to stop as his whole body seems to freeze.
"Jake?"
"… Jacob?"
" Hey, Jake?"
Faintly he is aware that Leah, Seth and Quil are asking if he is okay, but his mouth doesn't seem to want to work, and his brain doesn't seem to want to function. For now, there is only this heavenly scent.
When he walks around the corner, mobile phone in one hand, brows creasing in annoyance as he glares at the small technological wonder, Jacob feels every breath in him leave. It's like being back at that clearing all over again, but this time it is so much stronger, so much more raw. Jacob's head spins as his whole world reorients itself. It is no longer gravity holding him down to the Earth, but this wonderful creature walking carefully towards him. This perfect creation that is now his own personal sun that his own world will revolve around for the rest of eternity.
His mouth goes dry and palms sweaty as he tries in vain to say something as his imprint draws ever nearer.
"You look like you could use some help."
The words are out before Leah can even think of them. She knows though, that she is doing this for Jacob, her Alpha, and her friend whose brain seems to have shut down beside her. It's a funny situation that they will all laugh about when they get home, no doubt (maybe not Jacob, but the rest of them anyway).
The scent that he gives off is definitely different from any vampire scent that has graced her nose. It's not the disgustingly cloying scent of the Cullen's. The kind of scent that used to make her want to tear at their throats instinctually. She can smell lavender and vanilla and roses, and holding all those scents together seems to be the faintest trace of honeysuckle and something else that she can't quite put her finger to. Something that makes her mind flash back to sunsets and the feeling of being alive.
She shakes her head lightly as she tries to concentrate on the young man before her.
"Why, are you offering?"
His face is blank as he stares back at her.
"Yes I am." She smiles warmly. Holding out a hand she offers, "The name's Leah Clearwater."
When he takes her hand, it is cool against her skin and once again, she wonders again why she does not feel compelled to attack.
"Hadrian Hale."
And then she becomes completely shocked when the dark haired youth raises her hand to his mouth and gently brushes his lips over the back of her hand.
"Pleasure to meet you." He drawls.
In his mind, Hadrian knows that it's not a common practice amongst the teens of this age, but his mother had raised him as a perfect pureblood Lord. There was no way he was going to disgrace those teachings.
Beside her, Leah can feel Jacob tense, anger and killing intent reeking from his body. Carefully she retracts her hand back to her side and wipes the back of it against her shirt, trying unobtrusively to rub away the scent. Better to be thought of as rude then have her Alpha rip her apart for being too close to his imprint.
Indicating her friends beside her she says carefully,
"This is Quil Ateara, my younger brother Seth, and -"
"Jacob Black." Hadrian says neutrally, inclining his head in greeting.
Not knowing anything better to do, Leah elbows Jacob in the ribs. It is not as discreet as she would have liked, but it works its charm as Jacob clears his throat and answers back hesitantly,
"H-Hi."
Insert long awkward pause as Jacob stares quite intently at Hadrian Hale's face.
In desperation Leah once again speaks, without actually thinking,
"Oh, you know each other?"
When Hale raises an eyebrow and answers with a, "Yes we do, as I'm sure your Alpha has already told you." Leah almost wants to hide her head in embarrassment. Instead, she settles for asking another question.
"So what do you need help with?"
Hadrian looks down the aisle and then peers over his shoulder, back the way he came.
"I don't know the difference between Olive Oil and Vegetable Oil." He levels a steady look at her.
"Well it depends what you're cooking doesn't it?" Seth interjects as he pushes his way to stand in front of his sister.
"What are you cooking anyway?" He asks earnestly as he peers closely into Hale's face.
"Chicken, steak, beef, lamb… Meat."
"I thought leeches didn't eat normal food?" The question is out of the younger boy's mouth and Leah wants to smack the boy over the head.
Hale smirks at the youngest wolf as he replies,
"We don't, but we have a few people dropping in later on, who do."
"Hmm, in that case… Olive Oil, definitely!" her younger brother says it with such conviction that it's almost laughable.
Turning around the younger boy rushes to grab a bottle off of the shelf and runs back to shove into the hands of Hadrian Hale.
"Well… Thanks."
"No problem." Seth replies with an easy smile.
It's such an infectious grin that Hadrian can't help but smile back in return. And without another word, the youth turned his back on them and was gone, his scent lingering lightly on the air.
-THUNK!-
-THUNK!-
-THUNK!-
-THUNK!-
-THUNK!-
-THUN-
"Jacob Black, you stop that this instant before I take a frying pan to your head!"
-NK!-
At the table, Jacob rests his much abused head against the table that he was previously slamming his head against.
"I can't believe it…" he mutters dejectedly to no-one in particular.
Across the table, Quil and Seth are hard pressed not to laugh. In the kitchen, he can hear Rachel cooking and Paul laughing and joking with her. Leah, beside him, pats him on the back lightly,
"It's okay, Jake, maybe next ti-"
A low predatorily growl escapes from Jacob's mouth as his lips draw back in a snarl. She flinches at the sound and withdraws her hand away from her Alpha. She's already scrubbed her hand raw trying to get rid of the scent of Hadrian Hale, but she's positive that despite it, her Alpha can still smell the scent on her. Either that or he was still jealous about the incident.
A sigh escapes him and Leah gives him a hesitant smile in return,
"Sorry, it's just… I can't believe I froze like that! I-"
-THUNK!-
His words failed him and apparently Jacob thought hitting his head against the hard surface of the table would perhaps jog his memory.
"Jake!"
Rachel's screeching from the kitchen was enough to make him cringe as his head lay against the surface of the table.
"He probably hates me now. Probably thinks I'm an incompetent idiot. Probably thinks I'm fucking retarded! I bet he won't want me now. I bet he finds someone else and-"
-SLAM!-
Jacob's chair cashes back against the floor as he flings himself upwards, his hands flying to his aching head where, just seconds earlier, it had been violently intimate with the frying pan in Rachel's hand.
"Just shut up already! So what? Get over it! If you're so upset about it then go over and change it you overgrown idiot! Now stop sulking and get your head off the table I'm about to set for dinner!"
It is as Hadrian is packing away the groceries into the cupboard and fridge that his mother walks in.
"Get everything?"
"Yep."
She wrinkles her nose as she draws further into the room. A single eyebrow rises in question as she walks around the room, lightly sniffing at the air. When she stands behind Hadrian, she notices that the scent seems to be wafting from his body. Surreptitiously she sniffs at his hair.
"What are you doing?"
Or maybe not so surreptitiously.
"Why do you smell like wet dog?"
"I ran into the La Push wolves at the supermarket."
"Oh really? What did they want?"
"Nothing. I think they were shopping. Ms. Clearwater and her brother helped me choose the oil."
"Is that so?"
"Mhm."
He puts away the last of the cans and Rosalie smiles at the domestic picture before her.
"I hope you were-"
"Fear not, mother dearest. I was every bit the gentleman you have raised."
"Good. Manners are-"
"What makes the difference between us and them. I know that, Mother. I honestly wish that sometimes you would heed your own words."
"I'm your mother, and a Lady at that. I have no need to waste my manners on those beneath me."
He chuckles loudly at the words and throws a loving smile at Rosalie. It's nice to be able to banter so freely again. To be able to be themselves again.
"What do you say we-"
Thump
Thump
Thump
Thump
Rosalie stops herself mid-sentence and cocks her head to the side as her hearing picks up on a beating heart drawing ever nearer. There are two sets, one beating almost twice as fast as the average human, the other beating at an odd rhythm that has no uniform beat. In the background, she can make out the crunch of tires on stone and she shudders. She knows exactly who these people are, and she's not sure if she should be happy or not that they are here.
Hadrian smiles as his mother goes quiet. He too knows who is coming, but he likes watching the conflicted face of his mother as she tries to decide between being happy that he's followed her here, or being annoyed that he'd even think that she'd want him here. All the while, Hadrian's thumb runs over the small star-shaped scar on the inside of his wrist. He has few scars littering his body, but those that he does have are mementos of the fiercest of his battles.
The faded lightning bolt on his forehead from where Voldemort had hit him with a failed Avada Kedavra, thrice. The perfect circular scar on the side of his neck from where the Carrow twins had almost drilled a three inch piece of steel through his neck. The three claw marks from when a rogue werewolf had almost mauled him to death when he'd been a child, before the blood adoption. And of course, the star-shaped scar from when a group of hybrids had attacked him at once and set themselves to trying to rip his body limb from limb. It was quite amazing that he'd even walked away with his life. Well, sort of life, anyway.
Even in the wizarding world, hybrids were a curious creature. Not quite part of one world and not quite part of another. They were too alive to be considered vampires, and yet at the same time they were too 'dead' to be considered human. It was a perilous line that they attempted to tread as they sought to find a place in the world for themselves. Hybrids by nature had been blood-thirsty and without morals. They had thrived in the thickness of battle, had craved for the deaths of any and every living thing. Without a doubt, every single one of them had been the same, no exceptions.
As the war had escalated and Voldemort had started actively recruiting them, hybrids became even more feared by the general populace, more hated. And they in turn, gave as good as they got.
It was by complete accident that Hermione had discovered how hybrids 'ticked'. They'd managed to capture a rogue hybrid during one of the skirmishes against the Death Eaters. The hybrid had suffered damage during the altercation and it was Hermione that had demanded she do the healing to ensure that no-one tried to actually kill the prisoner. Because of a hybrid's dampened immunity to spells, she'd had to forgo the usual diagnosis spell and had instead had to make do with a muggle blood test. Getting the blood from the unconscious body had been the easy part. It was the diagnosis that had been mind-blowing.
Hadrian had lost count of the number of tests that Hermione had put the blood sample through. What he did know was that when Hermione was finally willing to talk, she'd been none too pleased with her findings.
"How sure are you of this?"
"100 per cent. I completed over a dozen tests, Hadrian. I wish I was wrong, you don't know how much I wish I was, but I'm not. The tests were all conclusive."
A new voice breaks in, completely serious and with a slight tinge of disgust,
"Let me get this straight… You're telling me that hybrids are programmed to be the way they are. Bloodthirsty killers without any conscience whatsoever."
Hermione nods at Ron's words.
"Hybrids have an extra chromosome that makes up their DNA. In humans, it would usually mean that the person would be autistic or something similar, but the gene in hybrids is directly related to their behavioral patterns. I can conclusively say that it is this extra chromosome that makes hybrids act as they do. Without morals, without prejudices, without distinction when they kill."
Hadrian, at the head of the table nods carefully. Making eye contact with Ron, they nod seriously at the same time.
"Is there any way that the extra chromosome could be removed? What would happen if we did that?"
"It'd kill them."
"So there's nothing that can be done for them?" Ron this time.
She shakes her head dejectedly.
"Hermione… You know what this means."
She lets out a shaky breath but nods all the same. Steeling herself for what is to come, she meets his eyes unwaveringly.
"I know."
Following that, the Ministry had enacted a new species law refusing to give hybrids a place in the wizarding world. They'd been actively culled and systematically destroyed. The hybrids hadn't taken well to that and had fought back hard. Deaths had escalated to millions thanks to them, and there was no love lost when the hybrid body count started climbing high. By the end of the war, Voldemort's hybrids had either been killed or were in hiding from wizards.
Hadrian's encounters with the not quite vampires, not quite humans, had only fueled his dislike towards them until it had flared into a burning ember of hostility. Rosalie had had to watch as her son almost died because of them and she'd hated them with the fury of an enraged mother-bear ever since.
They were going to see Rosalie tomorrow.
Alice wasn't sure if she should be happy about that. Rosie had seemed so happy in her vision. So content with her life, for the first time since, well… forever. Alice didn't care that this Hadrian was Rosie's son. She didn't care about some man named Sirius Black and what his relations with Rosalie might have or might still be. Alice just wanted her sister happy, and after the debacle with Emmett, if that happiness lay somewhere else, she was willing to step back and let that happen. After the way Rosalie had been hurt, she deserved that happiness more than anything.
Downstairs, Alice can hear the tinkling of piano keys as Edward plays Renesmee's lullaby for the child that is resting in Bella's arms in a nearby couch.
It is as she is making her way out the window to feed that it hits her. At the distress of her emotions, Jasper dashes into the room, a soft "Alice?" on his lips as his arms find themselves around her waist. She screws her eyes shut and starts reciting the Pledge of Allegiance backwards in Tahitian. After the disaster with her last vision, there is no way she was letting Edward see this one.
The scene is an odd one. Half of it fuzzy and unclear, like looking through a misted window, and the other half startling in its clarity. Even with this though, they make an almost otherworldly picture.
He (with his blurred stature and physique, Alice is positive that it is a man) is sprawled on the couch, one arm stretched over the back, stretching around the beautiful blonde statuesque (and clear) woman that is curled into his side. Her head is tucked into the crook of his neck, their heads bent together like two flowers reaching for the same sun, her golden threads mixing with his ebony strands. In her hand, she lazily swirls a wine glass with crimson liquid flowing within it. They look like the perfect picture of contrast. Light and dark so intimately close.
A teenage boy sits on the floor before them, leaning his back against the legs of the older man that he looks so much like. He tunes them out, instead focusing on the small mobile phone that keeps him occupied.
The woman ("Rosie…" Alice breathes out, non-existent heart clenching at the sight) finally drains the last dregs of the liquid and unconsciously the young man before the couple reaches blindly back, grabs a hold of the glass and places it beside him on the floor.
Rosalie smiles at the act and ruffles the boy's hair affectionately from behind.
With his blurred features and bright amber (how odd, Alice thought) eyes, he looks like the perfect combination of the couple seated on the couch behind him.
When Rosalie speaks, it is soft and lilting, but in the mindscape of Alice, the words echo like raging thunder.
"You didn't have to come, Siri."
She says this as she lets her eyes flutter closed. The man (Sirius, Alice notes) tightens his hold around the blonde and kisses the top of her head.
"I didn't have to, but I did anyway."
He pauses as he stares down at her, small smile playing over his lips,
"I love you, Rosalie Hale. I would have followed you to the ends of the Earth."
And just like the vision came, it leaves just as quickly, leaving behind an even more depressed Alice.
It was bad enough that Alice hadn't wanted to upset Rosalie's happiness before. Now though? Now Alice would feel like a complete tool if they destroyed what was so obviously a loving family.
In a car speeding through the forests of Forks, Sirius Black shivers in the passenger seat at the ominous feeling that rushes through his body. Maybe it is omen of what is to come?
He considers the fact that he'd followed after Rosie without her consent or approval. He considers the ferocious temper she is known to have and the fact that she probably wouldn't appreciate this act of kindness (selfishness is what she'd probably call it).
"I'm so fucking screwed." Sirius laughs. Sure the odds areagainst him, but he'd always liked gambling with high-stakes.
Maneuvering the car with ease, Remus rolls his eyes at his idiotic best friend,
"You only just realized?"
Next Chapter: Escalating – The Cullen's plus Sirius can only equal disaster. Throw in Jacob Black and Hadrian's about to get more than he bargained for.
I bet you all thought that I'd give up on this and it'd be on hiatus indefinitely... Well, you're wrong! :) I promise that no matter how long it takes me to upload, I will finish this fic, have no fear.
There's a flashback there with Ron, Hermione and Hadrian, I hope you all got that.
Anyway, please review. Give me what you thought, what you like, what you hate, whether Rosalie will end up with Sirius or not, whether Hadrian and Jacob will be together, anything you're thinking, let me know.
Thanks again to everyone that reviewed, added as a favorite and put on an alert.
- Des.