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HPOV
"Hermione, would you stay behind, please?"
Everyone gathered their textbooks. Hesitantly, I leaned over to Angela. "Got an idea?"
Angela just shook her head. "Careful though." She said, tossing her bag over her shoulder. "Mrs Miller doesn't take to kindly to back chat."
I pressed my hand to my chest in mock horror. "How dare you. Me? Back chat? Absurd!"
Angela just laughed. She moved swiftly out of the room – a talent for someone so clumsy – before turning back. "Good luck!"
I chuckled under my breath earning a scowl from the teacher. Her lips were pressed firmly together and her eyes scrunched back into her skull. Unfortunately, I didn't know if this was a good thing or not. Mrs Miller's face always looked as if was sucking on a lemon.
Mrs Miller sat on her desk. "Hermione," she started, gathering papers on the table. "How are you today?"
I frowned. That obviously wasn't what I was expecting. "I'm good, Miss. Nothing to complain about."
She nodded. "And your classes?"
"Nothing too hard." I shrugged. "Although," I scrunched up my face. "I don't see the point of computer typing myself. Pen and paper are far superior." Well… quill and parchment anyhow.
"Then why are you taking it?"
I shrugged again, this time hiking my bag higher up onto my shoulders. "It was better than ceramics."
Her lips resembled thin lines now, as if they weren't there but merely drawn on. Like her eyebrows. "I," she said firmly "took ceramics."
Oh sweet Mer… "I'm not saying it's useless. It's just I don't think it'll be useful. For me, that is. But I'm sure your pots are just fantastic."
Silence filled the room. It hung thick in the air like heavy fog. Two piercing, grey eyes drilled into my skull. But I couldn't look at her. Suddenly the sickly green carpet seemed very interesting.
Actually … I wonder what caused that stain in the corner.
"Tell me, Hermione." Mrs Miller said sweetly. "How much do you actually know about American History?"
"Honestly?" Mrs Miller nodded. "Not that much. Just what was relevant to basic British History. You know… World Wars, Boston,… just the main things. Why? Am I failing? I can do some extra credit, or do some more reviews. Did I fail a quiz?"
Mrs Miller shook her head. "No, you aren't failing. But I was wondering if you would like to get a tutor."
"A tutor?" I was confused. I've never had a tutor. I was the tutor.
"Yes. We Americans are known to be a proud people. We have pride in our country, in our freedom and our history. Although you are doing quite well, I feel like if you had someone to teach you more than the basic information you will definitely excel in this class. Perhaps it may even shame some of your classmates to actually open their textbooks for once."
I cocked an eyebrow. "I'm not allowed to leave unless I say yes, aren't I?"
A short huff of amusement left my teachers' lips. "You catch on fast."
Shrugging my bag off my shoulder, I let it fall to the ground with the dull thump. Quickly, I sat on of the student tables and crossed my ankles. "So," I responded. "Who you got in mind?"
GPOV
There was something oddly comforting about the quiet. Quiet was consistent. Quiet was reassuring. Quiet was reliable. And, most importantly, the quiet was relatable. The quiet didn't ask for someone to understand it, nor did people try to understand it. No, there was more of a silent acceptance between them. The quiet protected you, and in turn you gave it life.
It wasn't very often that Hermione was given such a gift. The last time she had truly been in quiet's tender grasp was while she was on the run with Harry and Ron. She had been keeping watch as the boys rested. Yes, it had been lonesome, tiring and she had been scared out of her mind every time an owl hooted; but oddly enough it was the safest she had ever felt during that time. There was no fighting, no plans to find horcruxes or spat induced stress. It was just her, her wand and the quiet.
But now the witch just sat, alone and unafraid, wrapped up in quiet's cold embrace.
She had only been out there for a few minutes when something was thrown down next to her. Hermione didn't even bother turning around. She didn't have to. Not when she knew who it was.
"I'm fine, Jasper."
The vampire sat down next to her on the green bench top. He gathered the thrown sandwich and pressed it into her hand. "Why aren't you eating inside?"
It was a valid question. It was lunchtime. Every day since she had started at Forks High, Angela had all but carried Hermione to their table. But the more Hermione sat there, the more disturbed she felt. Every day without fail Mike continued to stare at her. Jessica hated it and Hermione was becoming a frequent target of the pseudo Lavender's petty attitude. Just yesterday Jessica had 'nudged' her so hard that Hermione had almost fallen down the stairs. If it wasn't for Jasper…
That's why she was out here. The air was chillingly cold and the sky brought upon the promise of a thick storm. No one in their right mind would spend their lunchtime out here. Not unless they were desperate. Mike might have this mild obsession with her but he was still incredibly arrogant. He wouldn't dare think that Hermione was that desperate to avoid him that she would risk hypothermia.
"I prefer out here." She admitted reluctantly.
Jasper's face darkened. Gone were the amber eyes Hermione had gotten used to seeing. Instead, they seemed to be replaced by a deep, dark black. It made Hermione shiver.
"You could sit with us."
It was valid. Although the Cullen's seemed to be the ones the others wanted to be, no one seemed to go near them. Plus, Emmett was there. Emmett was fast becoming someone she could rely on. Even Rosalie seemed to have warmed up to her slightly. But whether that was because of Hermione's friendship with her boyfriend, she didn't know. And then there was Jasper. There was just something about him that made her feel … real. Hermione knew she would be safe with him around.
The only problem was Edward.
His resemblance to Cedric Diggory was uncanny. Not only his face, but some of the quirks Hermione had seen in Cedric in the last year of his life. The way he tapped his pen twice before he used it every time without fail. The way he tugged on his earlobe when he was bored. And, that intense look he got on his face when he looked at someone, as if they were a puzzle to solve. Everything down to the last minuscule detail screamed Cedric.
Hermione couldn't deal with that again. She had already lost one Cedric. She doubted her heart could take the loss another one.
"Another time." Hermione said instead, ripping open the sandwich and taking a bite.
"You know…." Jasper said. "We really aren't that bad. We don't bite."
The sandwich caught in Hermione's throat as she laughed. Jasper thumped her softly on the back. "It's not that I think your family is bad. It's just... I need to work on some things right now."
A sigh was heard beside the witch. Jasper sat beside her, his hand running through his blonde hair. Strangely, Hermione watched him, her own hand twitching against the table. She wanted to replace his hand with her own. Feel his locks between her fingers. Something told her it would feel like cool water against her skin. But just as quickly as the feeling came another quickly tapped it down.
"Look. Give me time. Moving here, leaving home; it's a big change for me. Letting go of who I was and the people I left behind isn't going to be easy." Jasper opened his mouth to say something but Hermione's finger moved to hush him. "But I must admit. Emmett, Rosalie, and even you are making it a lot easier for me. Just don't rush me."
Jasper nodded and Hermione retracted her hand. Instantly he wanted it back. Just a touch – that's all he wanted. He wanted her hand of his shoulder, in his hair and in his own. But his mate wasn't ready for that and he was patient. Jasper had all the time in the world. He just hoped that she would too.
Instead of wallowing, Jasper picked himself off the seat and thrust his hands into his jacket pockets. "Well just yell if you need me." He had just turned around when the sound of her golden voice pulled him back.
"Jasper, wait." Hermione whispered, her eyes looking everywhere but his. "There is something you can do."
Jasper's heart leapt. If it could beat, it would've been the soul of a drumline. His mate wanted him. His mate needed him. "Anything." He said. And it was true. If she wanted the moon he would pluck it from the sky and place a piece in her hand. It didn't matter. All that mattered was that his mate was depending on him.
"How good are you at American History?"
AN: Hey Hey Calendar Kids!
So not only am I proud to give this chapter (short and unfulfilling it may be), I am also pleased to announce that the Luxwell part 1 is going to be turned into a short trial run internet show. I am SOOOOOO excited. And... I've been given script and casting privileges as well. Now I can literally make my passion come to life and create my little puppets and make them dance. Whahahahaha.
Also... it was great meeting two of my readers during the little meet and greet last wednesday. One of which (**cough cough Alice cough cough) actually came up to me and said "Soooo Hermione and Jasper hey." Again... I am so sorry for sputtering my water over you. And the heated glances my editor through at you. I don't think she approves of this little fan fiction of mine. But it's not like the Luxwell series is written like this. This is more of a break should I say. One I struggle through and muster the courage to post. Even my master copy of the entire document has got my little notes berating me for such crappy chapter endings.
Anyway... this chapter was reviewed by the wonderful meldz again. She did a fantastic work on the chapter and gave me a few comments. Although... I have to admit... the classes mentioned above (computer typing and ceramics) I got from are actual American high school class lists. Are you serious? Not knocking it but do you guys only take classes like that for a semester during high school? Man... we keep the same subjects for the last two years of high school. No changes.
I was asked if there was something going on between Cedric and Hermione. Well... the answer is yes. Nothing major really... but I wanted Hermione to show a bit more a crush during her school years. Not on Krum (he may be mentioned later, idk) and heck no to Ron. Plus... I wanted her to have more of a personal reaction to the return of the Dark Lord. Sooooo who better than to pick someone who he killed and who's double she now goes to school with.
Also... I am looking for a beta. As much as I would love to ask for a beta officially... I won't have a clear schedule of release dates. Soooooo if you feel you can give me harsh feedback, have something worthy to bring to the story and is VERY good at editing (cause I sure aren't) please send me a PM. Don't worry though... people who PM or review still get a chance to pre-review.
Thanks again for the continued support and hope to see you again sometime soon.
'Til next time.
April June May
