Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the world of Harry Potter or Twilight. They both belong to JK Rowling and Stephanie Meyer, respectably. Lyrics are owned by The Fray.

Chapter 13 - You Found Me
Lost and insecure
 You found me, you found me

I finally found solace after that terrible meeting I encountered with Jacob Black, werewolf. Terrible for the mere fact of how I treated him. I should have known better. I'm still Hermione Granger, after all – despite what my American driver's license in my wallet says. I fought for the rights of house elves, I was the founder of S.P.E.W, and before all this madness happened, instead of training to become an auror like many people thought I would, I was planning on working for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to ensure that wolves, vampires, and other magical beings had the same rights as wizards. They are people, after all. But how I spoke to Jacob Black… it was unforgiveable. I gave in to my instincts and treated him how magical society treats wolves. I was beginning to lose sight of who I am. I would have never treated Remus Lupin like that, so why should Jacob Black have been an exception?

"Hermione?" A kind voice called from beneath me

I looked down from the tree I was currently hiding in and saw Carlisle, waiting patiently for me to allow him access to the empty tree branch beside me.

I nodded seconds before he sat by my side.

"I'm surprised you're here." I told him gently, "I thought maybe Jasper or Rose, not you."

"Oh, they both put up a big fight when I told them to stay behind; but if you prefer one of them here, I could get them for you."

"No," I answered, shaking my head, "I'm happy you're here."

"I am happy, as well." He smiled

Silence overtook us as we listened to the quiet that the Forks woods had to offer. The calm of the creek, the soft galloping of the deer nearby, and the wind as it rustled the leaves. It was relaxing.

"There's no reason to be upset, Hermione." Carlisle told me gently, "The wolves are our natural enemy. The way you described speaking to Jacob is not out of the ordinary. In fact, I believe you showed tremendous restraint in comparison to your brothers and sisters."

I sighed. "That may be so, Carlisle, but… He's still human and I know what it's like being in his position. He was nothing but kind to me and I treated him like he didn't deserve to be anywhere near me, let alone speak to me."

"What do you mean you know what it's like to be in his position? I thought witches and wizards were prized in the wizarding world." He asked me curiously

"Witches and wizards who are pure or half-blood, sure. But me? I was a muggleborn. I was on the bottom rung of the wizarding ladder. Purebloods called me mudblood, they teased me, and harassed me. It was terrible, but I never let them get me down."

"I will never understand prejudice and I am sincerely sorry for all your hardships. You are a stronger person because of that. I felt it the moment you told the family about your time in the wizarding world."

I smiled at his words, but I still was upset.

"You know one of my favorite professors was an actually werewolf, a true lycan."

"Really?" Carlisle wondered, "I don't mean to be rude, but wasn't it dangerous for the students?"

I shook my head, "No. Every month during the full moon, he would leave the castle and stay in a secluded shack to take his wolfsbane potion. It allowed him to retain his human mind during transformations. Professor Dumbledore would never put his students in danger."

"Fascinating." I knew his medical mind was reeling at this point

"Remus Lupin died in the war." I told him, "He was one of the most amazing people I knew, the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Hogwarts has ever seen, and a werewolf. Every time I think of how I treated Jacob, I think of how disappointed Remus would have been in me. I'm disappointed in myself."

"Hermione," Carlisle said inching closer to me on the branch, "I love your kind heart. You have been through more hardships in your eighteen years than most vampires and yet you still seem to find the good in life. You are truly admirable."

My eyes glistened with tears that couldn't be shed.

"You are my daughter, Hermione. And I love you. I hate to see you dwell on your encounter with Jacob."

"I know, I know. For a moment, I felt as if I was losing myself. Hermione Granger would have found his existence interesting and captivating, but Hermione Platt found his existence annoying and unnecessary."

Carlisle smiled a bit. "That's what your family is for. We are here when you need comfort. No matter what, we will always be here for you, Hermione. As for Jacob Black, a simple apology would suffice if you're up to it. Jacob has known us long enough to know not to take things too personally. He will be fine… but will you? Will you be fine?"

I thought about it for a little bit. I have never felt this much familial love in a long time.

"Yes." I finally answered, "I think so." I added, smiling

Carlisle smiled, too. "Good. Because I can hear our family in the distance looking for us. What do you say we jump down and let them know you'll be okay?"

I giggled, "Sure." I said

"Hermione," Carlisle called before I jumped from my branch, "We are always here for you and we always have your best interest at heart, I hope you know that."

"I do," I answered, nodding, "I just needed a reminder." I added before my feet gracefully touch ground.

Before I knew it, I was being enveloped in two, strong arms. Rose's gripped on me was tight, even for a vampire.

"Rose, I'm fine." I told her, pulling away from her embrace

"You just had me worried." She told me, "I thought you might have wanted to leave because of that mutt."

"Rose," I began, shaking my head at her words, "I was upset with myself, not at Jacob. Hermione Granger would have treated him with kindness, but I gave in to my instincts and treated him like a 'mutt', as you say. He doesn't deserve that. He can't help that he's a wolf anymore than we can't help being vampires. We're all cut from the same magical cloth."

Rose was contemplating my words, much like the rest of my family. She seemed apologetic once she realized I was right.

"Hermione," Esme began, pulling me into a motherly embrace, "You are good down to your very bone. You heart is so kind, it's such a shame it doesn't beat. The world could do with more hearts like yours."

I don't know why, but her words made me smile. Such a motherly thing to say.

"Thank you, Aunt Esme."

"You're alright?" Jasper asked with the utmost concern, taking a gently hold of my hand

I nodded, "I'm okay." I answered him. "I'm sorry I had you all worried, I had no intention of worrying any of you."

"Aww, don't worry about it, sis. We're good." Emmett answered, nudging me playfully on my shoulder

"I hope Jacob isn't too upset with me." I stated

Bella shook her head,"I've known Jacob long enough to know he doesn't take the things we say too seriously. It's more of a love/hate relationship we have with each other. The tension is still there, but we were friends before we became what we are and I don't think he would let that get in the way. Besides, we've been through a lot with him and the pack. A little bit of an attitude from our new sister won't mean much to him."

"She's right Hermione." Alice added, "I've actually grown to tolerate him; instead of seeing him just as a 'mutt', he's more of a house pet to me now." She giggled, as the mood of the conversation changed. The rest of the family joined in on the laughter, before Alice added, "Come on, Hermione. I think it's time for us to eat."

"All of us?" I asked, realizing that I've never hunted with the entire family before

"Yes." Carlisle answered, "Of course, we'll still have to split up, though. There's too many of us to hunt together. Bella, Edward and Alice, why don't you come with Esme and I and Jasper, Hermione, Rose and Emmet can go together. We can meet at baseball field in an hour?"

"Sounds perfect" Alice squealed running with Bella, Edward hot on their heels

"Let's go, love." Esme said to Carlisle before running after their children

"Are you guys ready?" Emmett asked with a suspicious gleam in his eye

"We're not going to make a game out of this again, are we, Emmett? Last time that happened, Hermione embarrassed you." Jasper snickered

"Oh, come on! It''ll be fun!" He exclaimed

"I'm with Jasper, honey. Why don't we just hunt this time?" Rose added

I laughed at the pouting Emmett. "Come on, Em. Let's eat." I told him running in the opposite direction. I could hear Jasper, Rose, and Emmett behind me.

I heard the deer Carlisle and I noticed earlier and ran in the direction of their sound and scent. Not too long later, I tackled one deer to the ground and pierced my teeth into its neck. It didn't taste as good, nor was it as filling, as the bear I first had, but it sufficed. The warm blood the deer offered me slithered down my throat and created a sense of calm and ease within myself. I suppose I really did need to hunt. Although I was preoccupied with my own meal, I heard my brothers and sisters nearby feeding on their own prey.

Two more deer and one elk later, it was time to meet the rest of the family. Jasper, Rose, Emmett and I met each other before running to the field Carlisle told us to meet at. I have never been there, so I had to rely on my brothers and sisters to lead the way. I was still a newborn and substantially faster than the rest of them, so it was a bit of a slow run for me. Once the four of us made it to the clearing, we saw that the rest of the family had beaten us to it.

"Everyone have a good meal?" Carlisle asked once we reached them

"Yes, sir! I'm definitely full." Emmett answered, while rubbing his belly. The rest of us answered with a nod

"You should be." Jasper added, "You took down a bear, an elk, and two deer. You were about to sack your third deer, but time wasn't on your side."

"I'm a growing boy, Jasper." He replied, "I need my nutrients."

Rosalie just rolled her eyes and shook her head at her husband's childish behavior, while the rest of us had a good hearty laugh.

"Well," Carlisle began, "now that we've all had our fill, shall we run back to the house?" He asked

But before anyone could answer, the trees rustled behind us. The quiet sound of a four-legged animal could be heard. Jasper, Rose, Emmet and I turned around to see the creature that found us. I squinted my eyes. I knew what I was seeing, but I didn't quite believe it. Then, the wind turned. A scent that was I vaguely familiar with inhabited my senses. My memory was clouded. It smelled like freshly cut grass, or more specifically, it smelled similarly to what the Quidditch Pitch on beautiful, sunny day would smell like. I knew that smell. It was Harry.

But it couldn't be. Harry was thousands of miles away, lying in a bed at St. Mungo's. What would he be doing here? It didn't make sense. Could this stag really be Harry?

Then, quicker than I realized I heard Alice crouch down in a defensive position. The scent assaulted her senses, much more than my own. Before I could even use my power on her, her tiny feet leapt from the ground beneath her. I didn't have time to debate whether or not this stag could or could not be Harry, because my dear sister was ready to tear into this animal… And if it was Harry, he was about to die.

Before I could even think, I jumped from where I stood and with a thunderous clap, I tackled Alice to the ground. We both rolled around in the dirt a few times, pushing each other away, before my newborn strength kicked in. I roughly kicked and pushed Alice off, sending her sailing through the air and landing a few feet in front of the rest of the family. Unfazed, Alice stood up and resumed her defensive position. I, too, crouched in front of the stag, protecting it from predator Alice.

"Get out of my way, Hermione." Alice told me menacingly, baring her teeth, "You know better than to get in the way of a predator and its prey. That stag smells delicious and I'm not quite yet full."

And then I did it. It felt as if I was covering myself and Alice with a blanket. A warm feeling overtook both of us and my power to control bloodlust overpowered Alice. She slowly stood up, removing herself from her defensive position.

"Wow! Hermione is a badass!" Emmett exclaimed, before Rose slapped him on his arm

"Hermione, Alice… what are you two doing?" Esme pleaded, "You're sisters. You shouldn't be fighting."

"Hermione." Jasper whispered softly, obviously concerned for my sudden attack on my sister

I ignored them.

"Can I trust you enough to withdraw my power from you, Alice?" I asked, warily

"I don't understand why you stopped me, Hermione?" She asked, ignoring my question, "It's not a human."

I shook my head. "I don't know. I feel like… but it can't be." I muttered more to myself than to anyone else. I couldn't quite find words to explain why I did what I did... why I decided to protect this animal.

I turned my head to get a look at the stag. He looked frightened, but he was still there. It seemed as though he was watching and understanding the entire exchange between Alice and I. No ordinary stag would have stuck around for this. Animals naturally feared us.

I slowly started making my way towards the animal. Inch by inch, I was that much closer to his scent. The stag back away some, but I put both hand up in surrender to show I meant no harm. His scent was now overpowering, but I was still in disbelief. It wasn't until I was face to face with the animal that I noticed the stag's eyes and I gasped. If I wasn't a vampire, I would have fainted.

The stag's eyes were green.

Just a little late
You found me, you found me
Why'd you have to wait?
To find me, to find me

AN: A new chapter so soon? YAY! Consider it a gift for how I ended it. I know I promised that I would bring Harry into this chapter, but I didn't realize how long this was going to be until I actually wrote it. I'm sincerely sorry for this cliff hanger, but I felt this was a good place to end the chapter. In fact, I love it. This was a relatively easier to write compared to others, but it didn't come without difficulty. I struggled with the characters. For example, I didn't know who should say what (if they should say anything at all). I hope I pulled it off, though.

I would absolutely LOVE some feedback on this chapter! :)

The Fray - You Found Me