Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight and Harry Potter. All characters of both stories, along with their storylines, belong to their respective owners, Stephenie Meyer and J.K. Rowling. However, all unfamiliar characters and storylines do belong to me.

~O~O~O~

Chapter 3 – Of Goodbyes and First Meetings

Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Gardner Home

Year 2000

"'Mione, stop hugging me so tight or else you'll break my spine," Kaylee managed to say as she was being squeezed like they would not see each other again for the next ten years.

Hermione loosened her hold but did not let go. She was going to miss the first friend she ever made in her life. Hermione had been alone and was not able to make friends at the start of her first year in Hogwarts due to her attitude of being bossy. But then Kaylee came out of nowhere and for some reason she, taking Harry and Ron along with her, had befriended her from the rest of the first years and remained with her. From then on, Kaylee had soon become her best friend and later, when fifth year arrived, they grew more closer towards each other and their bond had turned into that of sisterly love.

Kaylee was her rock, the one she borrowed strength from when she was in her time of need and vulnerability and weakness. She was always there for her, sticking up and defending her from Malfoy and the likes of him. Like her very own protector. She had been with Hermione when she had used the oblivious charm on her parents to alter their identities, lending her strength so she could be able to protect her parents from the war that raged in the Wizarding World and the Death Eaters. And when she collapsed outside of her house, it was Kaylee's arms that had encircled her for comfort. "After the war, you can get them back, 'Mione. There's a charm that the caster can do to return their memories. This is not the last time you see them again because I promise you that I will help with the search." she had said. And that promise, she had fulfilled. They had found her parents in Australia and Hermione had given back their original memories.

Hermione would not know what could have happened if she had lost Kaylee in the war. She almost did but was able to bring her to Madam Pomfrey just in time. All she could fathom at that moment was that she couldn't lose her then. And she couldn't lose her now. Not ever.

"I'll miss you so much," Hermione whispered into her hair. "I'll buy a cell phone so I can call you and we'll also visit you from time to time."

Kaylee patted her softly on the back and said, "Of course. I'll visit as well, like I promised Mrs. Weasley."

Finally, she felt Hermione nod and she released her from her hold, stepping back to give the boys their turn. Ron came second.

"You take care of yourself now, Lia. We won't be there to save your arse when you're in trouble." Ron told her as he hugged her. Though she wanted to scoff at him, she refrained from doing so in favour of letting him have this moment.

"I will, Ronnie." she promised as she let go of him, then smirking when she noticed Ron cringe at the nickname she'd christened for him the day when Ron had overly irritated her. It had stuck to her even now.

Kaylee turned to Harry who immediately wrapped her in his arms tightly, which could almost rival Hermione's. "You better owl us every week and when you need us if something should happen here," Harry was saying while in Kaylee's mind, all she could think about was how they kept repeating the same phrase over and over again. "If we don't hear from you in a week's time from your last letter, two weeks will be the latest. And if we still don't hear from you, we're flooing in."

At least that one was new, Kaylee thought as she let go of him. "There'll be no need for that, Harry. I can take care of myself."

Her best friends smiled at her before nodding their heads. She watched sadly as Harry took the pot of floo powder from the top shelf of the fireplace. And while he did that, she suddenly realised that this was it. She will not be able to enjoy their presence everyday anymore like she used to when they, along with Ginny, had opted to live together in Grimmauld Place. No more morning teas with the girls or playful fighting and bantering with the boys for who knows how long. It all suddenly got too real. Though she will miss them, her deep longing for a quiet life reigned over choosing to stay with them. Besides, it will not be forever.

So, as Kaylee stood on the side, she watched one by one as her best friends left her living room and flooed back to Grimmauld Place.

~O~O~O~

Few days later…

She was stuck. And lost.

Kaylee really didn't know where she was going the next day as she drove around town, looking for one specific high school. Why she didn't explore after her best friends left was beyond her knowledge. Now, she regretted staying in her new home instead of familiarising herself with the town. But luckily, she still had about an hour to go before the first bell rings for class.

After turning left on a roundabout and no sign of a high school campus, she grew frustrated and tired of driving in circles. She parked in front of a house, a little ways away from its driveway before reaching into the side of her left ankle for her wand, which was hidden from the sight of everyone save for herself. Her wand was 14' in length, its straight and smooth wood were made of yew, and the wand itself was incorporated with dragon heartstring.

She took her wand and used the charm Hermione had invented, the four-point spell, also known as the 'point me' charm. Once the spell was chanted, the wand would become the compass directing anyone to their desired location, and afterwards, the wand would stay still. It was really useful and she knew Hermione had created it for both Harry and Ron during their Hogwarts years when they often became lost.

Kaylee uttered the spell, and only adding 'East Anchorage High School' at the end. Within seconds, the wand had shifted in a half circle, telling her to turn right at the end of the street. And for the next fifteen minutes or so, she followed the directions the wand gave her until she finally sighed with relief once she could make out the building of the school. She drove into the school grounds and parked first in the visitor parking area to get her timetable from the front office.

As she was parking, she thought she saw someone familiar run by but that must have just been her imagination when she realized she would not know anyone from this town. She was the new girl.

She got out of the car and walked at a leisurely pace towards the office, smiling at people who had turned to greet her warmly and in welcome. There was a soft bell that went off as she entered the office, alerting the woman at the front desk of her arrival.

As Kaylee approached her, the woman who was in her early twenties examined her closely, noting her sense of style and, of course, the beauty she had been graced with. She noted with jealousy the way her dark vibrant hair fell at the middle of her back in natural waves, the thick and long lashes that framed her blue-green eyes which were mixed as if it didn't know which colour to take on, and her slim hourglass body of which had the curves in all the right places. However, what she grew most bitter towards was this younger girl's ability to look flawless even though her right side chin was marked with a beauty spot. It only served to make her look even more beautiful, suiting her soft facial features. And she wasn't wearing any cosmetics at all. Unlike her, who used makeup to cover the ugly beauty mark that was situated at the side of her left eyebrow.

"Hello," the girl greeted with a smile, her voice delicate and smooth. The older woman's eyes widened in surprise as she detected her thick British accent.

She frowned. She couldn't help it. Is there anything else this girl didn't have? She thought with displeasure. First, her beautiful appearance and now the British accent?

"What do you want?" she snapped, unable to be civil with the girl. She had everything she ever wanted within her—she remembered all those times she tried to speak with that very accent which had become fruitless over the years. She just couldn't grasp it correctly. At least she was pretty.

Kaylee noted the irritation in her tone but did not comment on it like she would have done before. This was a new start, she told herself, and I don't want to make any enemies. If only she realised what her beauty could lead to. But of course, she would have to recognise how beautiful she really was first, seeing as she believed her appearance was just average.

"My name is Kaylee Gardner; a senior. I'm new here." she answered her.

The older woman rolled her eyes. "And what do you want me to do about that?"

Kaylee smiled pleasantly but should the woman look at her eyes, she would find a hint of reproach within those depths. "I'm here to collect my timetable and whatever things you would provide me, if that is not too much of a problem."

The woman sighed in annoyance before she began to shuffle through the papers inside the last drawer underneath the front desk. While she flicked through the transfer student files, Kaylee gazed around the room, hiding her frustration with the woman who seemed to be three years older. She did not even know the reason for her lack of respect towards her, and the least the woman could have done was to attempt to conceal her hostility. That was what every mature individuals would have done. The question was, she realised, was she even mature? Or was she just a rude teenager within the body of an adult?

"Here." the woman carelessly thrust a couple of papers towards her.

Kaylee took them carefully, slightly glaring at her attitude that had only become worse. "Thank you. I hope you a have a good day and—" bloody change your attitude, will you? she wanted to say. The woman raised an eyebrow, glaring back. Kaylee, however, smiled at her while inwardly rolling her eyes. "—and a less busy morning." she concluded before turning around and walking back out.

The clack-clacking of her high heels almost made the woman burst out in a yell. She actually wanted to reach for her shoes and beat the girl with it. She tried to calm herself when she saw her employer walk into the room but it was hard and difficult. Luckily, the girl was out before she could do anything drastic. However, the woman did not stop glaring at the spot where she had been a minute ago.

She had never hated anyone so deeply before until now.

Outside, Kaylee was making her way back to her car and had used legilimency to probe the woman's mind for a bit without having to use her wand. She caught the last of her thoughts and smirked slightly. She would not even be able to touch anything on her person should she try. This woman who called herself Katherine would never get the chance to hurt her. If there was one thing Kaylee prided herself with it would be her ability to fight, not only in a wand duel but in a physical combat.

She closed off the connection and made her way back to the car, while wondering how this day would turn out.

In the students' parking lot, a family of seven vampires, made up of two different covens, waited around their cars for the first bell. They chatted amongst themselves quietly, even though Emmett always seemed as if he was talking loud. However, Edward did not join in on the conversation as he searched for someone he was expecting much earlier to arrive.

His best friend. Daniel Antonio Lewis.

It had been a surprise to his entire family, save for Alice, when he befriended a human boy last year, who he had already grown close with within three months. When he revealed the cause for such actions, that he wanted to be prepared before his mate comes, the family had been proud of him for taking that decision, which was out of his comfort zone. As expected, Rosalie did not take it well but after seeing the changes in Edward's demeanour, how he had become more happier and easy-going, she had finally grown to trust Daniel. She did not regret it at all for Daniel was a very decent guy, with compassion, fairness, loyalty and with good judgement. When he figured out that there was something amiss with the Cullens and their extended family, no one was against the idea of revealing their secret. The family had expected him to run away and fear his life but he stayed. And that was, in their books, someone worth keeping. Or turning.

Daniel did not really show any desire for wanting to be a vampire but Edward had been able to read his mind and he knew that he would only become one if it was completely necessary. On that same day he read his thoughts, Alice had foreseen a vision of him as a vampire and Daniel had been happy. He had been made a Cullen.

Speaking of the guy, Daniel appeared beside them with a grin. "Guess who got an A for their English assignment?"

"Me," Alice replied, chirpily.

He gave her a deadpanned stare before rolling his eyes. "You should stop using your visions, Ally, that's really unfair for some of us who's trying to keep a secret."

"When has she ever listened to any of us regarding her abilities?" Edward muttered in mock distaste. Alice slapped him none too gently. Edward chuckled and pushed her softly towards Jasper.

"It's not only me who got an A though," she declared with happiness. "Daniel received an A as well." she smiled at him. "Well done."

The Cullens, Tanya and Kate broke into happy murmurs and some respective applauses while Daniel, being the guy that he is, soaked up all the attention. Emmett, Jasper and Edward bro-hugged him with a slap on the back for added measure.

"Thanks, guys." Daniel said.

"Of course," Rosalie started. "You've been working hard for this, Daniel, you deserve your mark. We should go out some day and celebrate."

"We should!" Alice intercepted before Daniel could say a word. "We could go watch a movie or go camping out in Denali."

"Or we could just stay here and have a party. Just us." Tanya suggested.

Edward turned to her, seeing as her suggestion wasn't that bad than what she would have originally put in. Though their relationship was rocky at the start of last year, they had fixed their issues after his mate had been brought into the picture. And if there was anything Tanya respected, it was the bond of a true mate. Though Edward's mate was not exactly with him at the moment, she could understand his desire for her to stay away and stop with her advances towards him. Because of that she and Edward had been able to mend their relationship before it had been too late.

"Tanya's suggestion is not bad." Edward said.

"Why, Eddie-boy? Are you scared of something as mere as camping?" Emmett asked with a smirk and laughter in his eyes.

Edward narrowed his eyes at his brother. "I am not scared, Emmett. Unlike you, I am actually thinking about the others wellbeing." One of Emmett's eyebrows rose in question. "Okay, fine, we can go camping."

"I…" Daniel started to say. "…didn't even get the chance to say anything."

Alice, Rosalie, Jasper and Tanya laughed at him while Kate nodded in agreement to his statement. "And that's exactly why I want to bring up my question," she told all of them. "This is Daniel's achievement so shouldn't he be the one to choose how we should celebrate?"

"You're right," Edward realised before turning to Daniel. "What do you want to do?"

"Since Ed's manliness has been brought up, I think it's best we stay with camping. That's what best friends do, right? Rescue each other?" he replied, "I mean, as his best friend, I would hate for Emmett to tease Ed for all of his immortal life."

Emmett laughed. Edward glared. Daniel didn't care either way as he turned to Alice. "Say, Alice, can you see any of my future grades?" he asked her.

Alice smiled. "I have already seen them but I would not share them with you."

"What? Why?" Daniel cried.

"You're the one who did say I needed to keep secrets, right?"

Before he could say anything, everyone that were in the the student's parking lot became quiet, their voices diminishing. Only the sound of a car pulling up was heard. Alarmed, the Cullens, Kate, Tanya and Daniel looked around with confusion. From what they can see, everyone's attention had turned towards the white vehicle, their eyes watching closely. For what, they didn't know.

Edward used his mind abilities to read some of the thoughts around them which was the only way to get answers.

She's here.

The new girl.

I wonder how she looks like.

What was her name again? Kylie…Katie…No, Kaylee.

And suddenly it all made sense, for both Alice and Edward. The new girl that had just turned up was the same girl Edward and the rest of the family, including Tanya, Kate and Daniel, were waiting for.

"She's here." Edward breathed as he focused closely on the car, which was darkly tinted. He really couldn't see anything from inside, not even his family could.

"Who? Your mate?" Kate asked.

Rosalie suddenly faced Edward, her eyes questioning. But Edward couldn't speak, his eyes remained on the car, unmoving. It was Alice in the end who answered their question.

"Yes, that's Edward's mate. Kaylee Gardner." she said softly with a smile.

Rosalie smiled too for she had begun to wonder when she would see her again. She could not really explain why she felt this way towards a human girl but there was just something about Kaylee that made her want to get to know her better. Not only that but she felt slightly protective towards her. Since the time they met, she has tried to figure out why she would feel this way towards someone she did not even know, but she always came up blank. However, her instincts had never failed her and she was not about to turn her back on it. Now that she is here, Rosalie will try to befriend her and maybe get the answers she sought after while doing so.

It was not only Rosalie that reacted after Alice's reply. No, because the moment those words had left her mouth, Daniel caused himself a whiplash when his head snapped towards her. It couldn't be, he thought to himself, shaking his head. There are probably millions of girls with the same name as someone he loved dearly. But what if it was her?

All thoughts were halted as the door of the driver's car began opening with everyone holding their breaths in anticipation. One leg came first into view, which was covered within a black heeled boots, and then her whole body came into sight.

And everyone was floored. She was a vision worthy to be in the easel of a painter's artwork, that much was certain.

Edward was mesmerised. Sure, he had seen her in Alice's vision and Rosalie's thoughts but this was the first time he had actually seen her for himself, and he was completely blown away by her beauty. If he did not know any better, he would have thought her a vampire as well. And that beauty mark on her chin had only added towards her flawlessness, contrary towards what other people might believe. Already, Edward could feel her knocking down the secured walls around his heart until it was left bare. Such was the magic and bond of a true mate.

Meanwhile, Daniel was gazing at her in disbelief. It was her. The same one. But Ed…he said she was his mate.

From the moment she first came into the school grounds, she knew that she would attract a lot of attention. However, as she stood beside her car, it did not really come to her mind that it would be everyone's attention on her. She slightly panicked at their scrutiny.

After taking a deep breath, she began walking towards the first school building she can see, the crowd instantly parting from her. Though this was not the building she was in for her first class, all she wanted was to escape from all the attention. She wished they would stop staring at her but even she cannot gain that.

As she was walking passed a group of people wearing designer clothing beside their equally expensive cars, she heard a nickname she hadn't heard for a long time. And a voice she would always remember.

"Kaya?"

As soon as she heard it, she stopped and then turned around, searching for that familiar face who always called her by that name. And there she found him, standing beside Alice, Rosalie and Emmett.

Daniel.

Her eyes immediately filled with tears and before she knew it, she was within the arms of the first person she had ever loved outside of her tight-knit family. "Danni," she whispered into his chest, her arms wrapping around him so tight. Daniel hugged her just as tight. They had both missed each other so much. "I wondered when I will see you again."

Daniel smiled at her familiar British accent. He had also missed that about her. "It's been too long," he said, letting her go only to kiss her forehead. He hugged her again, he just could not resist it. "I missed you."

Kaylee chuckled. "And I, you."

"Come on," he said, finally letting go of her though he held her hand. "There are people I want you to meet."

Edward was immobile, his jaws clenched from anger at Daniel. His eyes read of betrayal. How could he? He knew she was his mate. Yet, here he was, witnessing the love Daniel has for his mate. He wished he could read his mind at this moment like he could sometimes, and he wished he could read hers! But that was not to happen as their minds were completely blocked from his intrusion. Protected.

The others had begun to look at him in sympathy. How could Alice not have seen this? How could she have not seen that Kaylee had a lover? Though no one blamed her for her inability to see this turn of events, she blamed herself for the heartbreak that was raging inside her brother.

When both Kaylee and Daniel stood before them, Edward tried to control his anger when he saw their hands linked together. Because of his expression, Daniel placed himself in front of her slightly, glaring at his best friend for his behaviour.

"Edward," Daniel said, happily. It made everyone sick. Emmett. Jasper. Rosalie, who was eyeing him with sudden contempt. Tanya. Kate. "I want you to meet Kaylee." he continued with pride. "My cousin."

At this, everyone's sympathy or anger vanished away into nothingness, and everyone suddenly understood his affections for her. Edward kicked himself over for how he reacted towards his best friend a moment ago. Rosalie looked at Daniel with no more scorn, her trust in him returning, if not more. The others just sighed in relief.

As for Kaylee, she stared over her cousin's shoulder at everyone, taking account their reactions after Daniel introduced her. Then realisation dawned on her. "Oh, bloody hell, mate!" she swore, snatching her hand back from Daniel's. Her cousin glanced at her in surprise but she only had eyes for the others. "You did not think that… oh, bollocks, you did! You're all barking mad! That's…that's… I can't even finish that bloody thought. Yuck!" she shivered.

While everyone had begun to smile at her, Emmett being the biggest, Daniel just stared in confusion. "What's going on?" he asked, tentatively.

Kaylee turned to him. "You can be so thick sometimes, you know?" she told him. "They had thought we were lovers!"

Daniel spluttered, eyes wide with sudden realisation. The Cullens and the others began to laugh and Kaylee had to refrain herself from staring outright at them. They had such enchanting laughter that quickly drew you in and made you want to laugh with them.

The girl with the pale, curly blonde hair stepped forward, smiling. "I like you. My name is Tanya." she said before gesturing to another girl with blonde hair which was slightly darker than hers. "This is my sister, Kate."

"Nice to meet you," Kaylee smiled and then focused on Alice and Rosalie.

"Oh, you know us already but welcome to East Anchorage High." Alice greeted her.

She was surprisingly friendly, Kaylee thought. Last time, she had not said anything to her.

Rosalie smiled and stepped forward. "It's nice to see you again, Kaylee."

"Same to you, Rosalie."

"I hope you still remember me." Emmett said when her eyes went and met his.

Kaylee chuckled. "I don't think I can forget someone as big as you, Emmett."

Emmett smiled back. Then Kaylee's eyes landed to a quiet guy with wavy honey blonde hair, who looked at her cautiously. "What's your name? You don't need to stay so quiet, I don't bite." she did not see it but the rest of the vampires, except Jasper, along with Daniel were smiling amusingly.

Oh, the irony! They all thought.

The guy finally smiled. "'Name is Jasper Hale, ma'am." he replied with a Southern accent.

Kaylee's mouth dropped in surprise. "You have an accent. That's bloody wicked."

"Wicked?"

She backtracked, realising they would not understand some of her British dialect. "Meaning awesome, the likes."

Edward who had been watching her the whole time was pleased to see that she was getting along with everyone. He could not help but think she fit right in, even Jasper was beginning to warm up to her. Her scent had helped the case. Though she smelt deliciously amazing—a mixed smell of freshness and the candy-like smell of freesias—it did not stir the beasts within them.

When Kaylee glanced at the last member of the group, the one Daniel had called Edward, she found she could not look away. He was…she couldn't describe him without getting his appearance right. But he was captivatingly beautiful. Intoxicating. Edward had tousled hair the colour of bronze, his nose was straight and his lips were a perfect pink. Shockingly, she found that just gazing at him was entertainment enough. She would not be bored by just gazing at him all day long.

Her staring was interrupted, however, by the sound of the bell, which immediately put her into action. "And you're Edward." she murmured softly. He smiled, and at that small movement, Kaylee found she could not get enough of it.