Dawn of the Phoenix: Cedric goes to Forks

Story and Characters owned by

Stephenie Meyer and JK Rowling

Story Adaptation by Erica K. Bailey

Chapter 7: The Driving Exam from… Carlisle

Write a paragraph describing five different types of turns… hmmm. I could only think of four. I listed each and gave a brief description on the piece of paper in front of me. I would just have to go back and see if I could remember a fifth later.

Explain three commonly used methods for parking and in what circumstances you would use each. Okay, at least I remembered three types of parking. I only hoped the three I remembered were the three common ones.

List ten things you would look for when doing a walk around before getting in your vehicle. Ten? There were ten? I was sure I was going to fail already and I was only on question 3.

Draw a picture of each of the following road signs using the colored pencils to ensure accurate coloring

I was frustrated with my level of uncertainty as I worked through Carlisle's exam. Even more infuriating were the confident stokes of Hermione's pen on the paper from her place across the table from me. She wouldn't even be getting a license. Why was she writing the test? Was it only to prove how much smarter then me she was? It was particularly embarrassing as she was a full two years younger then I. I briefly wondered at the humiliation if she passed and I didn't. I could manage a lower mark, but that would be too much. I was sure Emmett would never let me hear the end of it.

"Oh, yes…" she exclaimed as she started scribbling away on her paper.

At times like this I wished I had an impressive growl like Edward.

In all it took me two and a half hours to complete Carlisle's knowledge test. Hermione was done after an hour and a half. I checked it over once and then shuffled the pile of papers together. In some ways, using these uniform individual pieces of paper was handy. At least I didn't have to fight with the curling at the end as I worked through the exam. But then putting them together in a neat stack was much more difficult then letting a scroll roll up at the end of the exam.

"EDWARD ANTHONY MASON CULLEN" Bella's voice bellowed through the house. She sounded mad. I quickly grabbed my stack of papers and handed them to Carlisle who was standing at the door. Had he stood there the entire time?

I walked out of the library to where Bella was standing, cheeks flushed red, eyes flashing with anger. Edward descended the stairs with a bemused and yet hesitant look on his face.

"Yes love."

"Exactly what type of car did you buy me?"

"It's a black Mercedes sedan." He said calmly, "And I didn't purchase it – it's only on loan until… ah… later."

"Yes I know – that's what you said when you showed me this overly indulgent piece of machinery… what I want to know is – exactly what kind of car is this and why is it bullet proof?" she fumed

"A guardian. And it's not bullet proof, it's missile proof…" he tried to stifle his smile.

"Do you know how many people were staring at me as I drove through town to fill that thing with gas? A couple of guys at the station actually asked if they could take a picture with it. They thought I was someone special." She glared at him.

"You are someone special, love."

What came out of her throat was, actually, a fairly impressive growl, considering she wasn't a vampire. I tried to find my escape. I could retreat back to the library, or perhaps walk straight through the two of them and out the front door… I looked between the two of them… Um, library it is….

I could still hear the mumble of their voices, but at least I couldn't make out what they were saying… I wandered around the library killing time until I thought it might be safe to leave. I hadn't paid much attention last time I was here, as I stood in awe watching Alice and Hermione use that box in the corner to search the internet, whatever that was… The Cullens had a very impressive library – even a cabinet where some books were kept behind glass. It reminded me of the restricted section at Hogwarts.

Some of the titles looked like they were in Latin. That was something I at least recognized, though I couldn't read it. Finally, in my wanderings I came back to face the computer. Someone had left it on. The screen was mostly white with a large word at the top… Google and a box underneath. It looked familiar. I recalled seeing it when Hermione looked for the driver training book. I tried to recall the picture of the screen in my mind from yesterday. Yes, I was pretty sure this was it… and somehow she got the words Washington Driver Handbook in the little box. I looked down at the long flat box with buttons on it, each with a letter. That seemed obvious enough. If I pressed one of the letters it must put it on the screen. I looked around and found W and pressed it. Sure enough it appeared in the little box… I continued with the rest of the letters until the entire phrase appeared. That wasn't so hard.

But then she did something to make a list of options appear. I looked over at the half egg thing. Yes, I recalled them swirling it around. Maybe it was like a wand – a little swirl activated the box. I swirled it around. Nothing happened. I tried again… still nothing. But this time something caught my eye on the screen. I tried again watching the screen, noticing that, this time, there was a little arrow that moved. I tried to purposely move the half egg in one direction. The arrow followed.

Okay, so this moves the arrow, so what do I do with it? There were two other boxes under the one with the words I had created. One said Google Search. The Other said, I'm Feeling Lucky. I certainly wasn't feeling lucky and I didn't know what that would have to do with finding the same thing Hermione had found. I moved the arrow to point at Google Search. I had no idea what Google was, but search seemed pretty clear. Still nothing happened. There was a larger button on the half egg that I recalled them pressing once in awhile. I tried that. In an instant the screen changed and there was a list of different items. I assumed these were choices. The first one looked like the one Hermione had chosen. I moved the half egg to put the arrow on it and then pressed the button. The manual flashed to the screen.

HA! I thought. And yesterday I had been so impressed with Hermione. I'll bet she read a book to figure that all out and here I just figured it out on my own… Well, I guess not totally on my own. I basically followed what she did. I wondered if this was how Jasper had obtained my drivers license. I looked back at the screen. How could I go back to the Google page? At the top of the screen there were two arrows. I tried putting the arrow on the one that faced back and hit the button. I was back at the page with the list of different items… hmmm. I hit it again to get back to the first page. I clicked on the box where I had put the words and started hitting the buttons, but it only added more words. I wanted to change them… I noticed a button on the long box that read Backspace. I tried that. Okay, this erases what I already did. I erased Handbook and replaced it with License and pressed Google Search again… Well there it was, right under Washington Department of Licensing – Getting a license.

The screen changed again and now there was a list of words that looked like options. One read "Steps to Getting Your First License"… Was it this easy? I put the arrow on it and pressed the button. I had expected some sort of page where I could put my name and print out a license, but I was disappointed to se that it was just information on taking the test the normal way. Some words at the bottom of the page caught my eye, "Practice Test". I wished I'd known about that yesterday. Maybe I should try it now, in case I didn't pass Carlisle's test. Maybe I could still do it the normal way, like a muggle.

I pressed the button on that Practice Test and read the next page…what? 20 multiple choice questions? This was what a muggle had to do to get their instruction permit? I recalled the two and a half hour, 25 short and long answer questions test I had just completed. Maybe the questions were really hard.

I pressed the button on take the practice test. The first question was "On multiple lane roads, the far left lane is used only for: A All traffic that wishes to use it, B Buses and car pools, C Motorcycles or D Overtaking and passing another vehicle… I couldn't believe it. It was easy – the answer was D… I pressed on in and, sure enough, I was right…

I continued on to the next question.

When I had finished the twenty questions without a single mistake I was more then a little upset…

"Hi Cedric" I hard Carlisle say as he entered the room, "I marked yours and Hermione's exams."

"And?" I heard the tension in my voice.

"Well, you were close… but you didn't pass."

"And Hermione?" My level of annoyance was increasing.

"Well, normally I wouldn't want to share another student's results, but since she already knows and told pretty much everyone else…" I cringed knowing the answer already, "she got a perfect score."

I felt the tension rise in my shoulders and knew my face was flushed red in anger and shame.

"I see you found the Ministry site. Quite impressive. I assume you've never used a computer?"

"No." I said curtly.

"And you've completed the on-line test… ridiculous really – multiple choice test to determine whether you have enough knowledge to learn to drive a car."

My level of anger rose… this was the test I had just aced…

"Well, I decided that all you need to do is redo the few questions you did poorly on. Would you like to try now?" He said politely.

"Mmm" was all I could manage.

"Okay, here are your pages. Take your time… I'll come back and check on you in twenty minutes." He left the room to leave me in my fuming, angry state… I wasn't one who normally got angry or lost my temper. I had never yelled at anyone. The angriest I had ever been was when I found out Edward had lied to me about his and Bella's relationship and, even then, I didn't yell…

I looked back down at the pages in front of me. He had circled five of the questions I had scored low on. The rest actually looked like I'd done well. I checked the total mark. 75/100… That seemed pretty good. I looked over the five questions he'd circled, recalling more facts from memory to add to my answers. After twenty minutes he returned.

Quickly looking over my new answers he exclaimed, "Ah yes, much better… this puts you over the 80 mark – you pass!" he said handing me the paper that was my official Instruction Permit.

"Thank you" I mumbled. I knew it would be a little while before my anger dissipated. Fortunately, I was quite sure it was now safe to escape the library.

I hadn't realized how much time had passed until I noticed the smell as I walked into the living room. A delicious sort of small was drifting in from the kitchen. "Lunch is ready" Esme called and I followed the scent into the dining room where I was joined by the other "humans" Bella, Hermione, Dumbledore and Sirius, as well as Edward and Alice.

"Hi Cedric – did you get your instruction permit?" Hermione asked brightly.

I held it up unenthusiastically. "Well, I passed but, of course, they didn't have a permit ready for me, but still, I was thinking – it might be good to learn while I'm here. It would be ever so much easier here then on the streets of London. The traffic there is mad." She chattered on.

"But I thought we would go shopping this afternoon." Alice pouted.

"Oh, well I only have another day before I have to Port Key back to London. I'm going to visit Viktor's family and then going on a mini-break with mom and dad before I come back here…" Hermione looked disappointed, "I would really like to see if I can learn to drive. Could we go shopping tomorrow?"

"I suppose." Alice pouted. Knowing Hermione, she would take all of twenty minutes to master the ability to drive and she would be taking us shopping.

"Well you can use my car to learn." Bella offered, "Apparently it's indestructible." She shot another glare at Edward…

"Well then, that's perfect" Alice suddenly perked up, "I need you for some fittings and measurements anyway. You'll work with me while Hermione and Cedric take lessons with Edward…" she grinned at her impromptu plan, which appeared to appeal only to Hermione.

I actually was anxious to give it another try after my Go Kart breakthrough, however I wasn't excited about demonstrating my ineptitude in front of Hermione.

"Hermione, since Cedric has already had some practice, why don't we start with you." The sides of Edward's mouth twitched as he tried to hold back a smile. I suppose you heard all that? He nodded slightly.

"Great!" she exclaimed, "I'm all done, can we go now?"

"Sure, Cedric?" He looked at me. I had just finished drinking back the last of my drink and got up to join them in response. Alice dragged a not terribly excited Bella off up the stairs for her fitting.

Once Edward had us all settled in the car, Hermoine in the driver's seat and me in the back, he began the same instruction he'd given me.

"All right this is the…"

"Steering wheel – yes of course. If I turn it this way" she twisted the wheel clockwise, "I'll turn right. The other way, I'll turn left… and that is the brake and gas peddle down there. I should only use the right foot to avoid jerky motions and over-revving the engine. This is the gear shift to take it from Park into Reverse, Neutal or Drive and those instruments up there are the tachometer and…"

"That's quite good," Edward cut her off, "all you really need to worry about right now is putting it into drive and easing it out of the driveway."

"Absolutely," she smiled as she pressed on the brake and put the car into drive. She was already miles better then me. I cringed in the back seat, hoping she'd want to keep driving until it was too late for me to try. I didn't need to embarrass myself further.

Then she eased her foot off the brake. The car started rolling forward and she must of slammed her foot down on the brake again because I flew off the front of my seat and hit the back of Edward's.

"Opps" She said.

"That's alright." Edward said calmly. "Just take it easy. Gently removed your foot from the brake – don't worry about the gas yet, the car will move very slowly on its own." His voice was so calm it was almost hypnotic.

I saw her swallow and concentrate hard. The car started moving forward very slowly. Then stopped instantly as she must have slammed on the brakes again. "Sorry"

"That's alright… next time, though, if you want to stop, just ease your foot back down on the brake peddle, okay?"

"I'll try." She didn't sound nearly as confident.

She gave it one more go. This time the stop wasn't nearly as sudden, but still hard enough that it wasn't comfortable and we hadn't even moved off the driveway onto the lawn.

"Maybe we should try you on a simulation game first…" he mused, "I think maybe MarioKart for the Wii might be more your style."

"Oh, a Wii? One of my cousins has one of those…" her voice picked up in excitement, but I no longer found her enthusiasm annoying. Truthfully, hadn't ever found Hermione annoying until this morning's exam…

Edward put the car back into Park for her and shut off the engine. We headed into the room with the large TV. He pulled out a piece of equipment similar to the PlayStation I had played on, but this was white. The image on the screen included a little pudgy guy in a go kart.

"This is the steering wheel, but what I want you to worry more about is starting and stopping – getting used to the idea of movement." Edward showed her the controls on the small white steering wheel and let her start.

Even for me, it was painful to watch. Each time she'd get going, she'd suddenly freeze up and either crash or stop all together.

"Nothing is going to happen here." Edward said calmly, "Just try to move the character around the track."

After the fifth crash she looked back at him speculatively with a slight glance my direction before turning back to the screen and trying again. This time she crashed right away and sighed deeply.

"You know what, Hermione." Edward said, "I think Jasper would be more of a help here. Jasper?" He appeared instantly. "Hermione needs to get used to moving a vehicle. I am just having her work on stopping and starting… but I also want to take Cedric out for a drive. Do you have some time to work with her?"

An unspoken conversation seemed to pass between them, Jasper giving Edward a knowing look and Edward moving his lips quickly, but I couldn't hear what came out of his mouth.

"Alright, Hermione" Jasper smiled, standing slightly away from her, "Let's give this a try."

Edward led me out of the room and back to Bella's car. "She was nervous with me in the room, wasn't she?" I asked.

He glanced at me in surprise, "Yes, actually." He looked like he wanted to say more but stopped himself. "And Jasper is better at settling people's nerves."

I smiled, yes he was… Edward tossed me the keys as we got to the car.

"Alright Cedric, give it a try."

Surprisingly, what had seemed extremely awkward the other day, now felt much more natural. Seemingly with ease, I put the car into drive and eased it out of the driveway on to the lawn, circling the house once as I had before.

"Now, don't you want to try something new?" He asked with a smile on his face.

"You mean – go out on the actual road?"

"I think you're ready." He smiled, "There shouldn't be much traffic this time of day and we can head into town and practice in a parking lot if you feel you need to."

I nodded and headed down the driveway. Even this wasn't nerve-racking. When I got to the end of the driveway I stopped.

"You can go on the highway." He encouraged.

"I know – but which way?" For the life of me I couldn't remember which direction we always turned.

He laughed, "Of course, sorry. Turn left."

I checked for traffic. The road was empty in both directions and eased out onto the highway, speeding up gradually as I felt comfortable until I was hovering around 10 miles per hour below the speed limit. Before I knew it I was back in Forks.

"Turn right here… now left… and another left…" I followed his directions. He only had to remind me to use the turn signal twice before we got to the school they'd pointed out before. "Now we can use the lines on the parking lot to pretend we are moving on a road and practice a bit to help you feel more comfortable.

We spent some time driving up and down the pavement, pretending to make turns onto other roads, but it wasn't much different then driving on his lawn.

"Cedric, I think you are ready to move past this. Let's go back out and drive around Forks."

He guided me through town, reminding me to stop at a stop sign and once I ran a red light, but over all I was feeling much more comfortable… This was actually fun. I glanced over at Edward, noticing he was grinning. I smiled too and enjoyed the drive. It was beginning to feel like flying a broom, though the motions were still far from automatic.

After about twenty minutes he guided me back to the highway and we headed home. This time I sped up and went the posted speed limit, feeling much more confident. It seemed much too quick that we were driving back up his driveway and parking in front of the house.

"That was fun… I was really starting to get it, I think" I said as I took the keys out of the ignition.

"You certainly were. You just needed to get the idea of moving a piece of machinery as large as a car around with you. You're used to something much smaller and, I would imagine, less complex."

"I'm not sure about less complex, but definitely more responsive to my own natural movements…"

We walked into the house to see a haggard looking Jasper and an exasperated Hermione walking out of the TV room.

"I just don't understand the purpose of all this… It is so… so… unnatural!" Hermione exclaimed as she ran up the stairs.

Jasper just gave Edward a look and walked out of the house. A slight smirk played at the sides of Edward's mouth.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"Jasper's never found someone so resistant to his attempts to be calmed."

"His gift doesn't work on her?" I was surprised. I thought it worked on everyone.

"Oh, it works, alright… Hermione just seems a little more.. um… high spirited then Jasper is used to."

Again, I got the distinct impression there was a lot more left unsaid.