Chapter 21
A/N: Hi guys! Thanks for stopping by!
I am most definitely not going to kill Sirius. I love him way too much 3 Just wait for the Ministry part guys; you could say it will have a lot of twists. Hopefully I won't disappoint!
Let's shake things up and actually start with Hermione's POV this time. It's going to be a gloomy Christmas for Whitney this year. Why, you ask? Well you'll just have to read to find out!
Hermione's POV
Oh what am I to do? How am I going to explain whoever's at the door why I'm not with Whitney? I can't exactly reveal Whitney's secret especially since she trusted me but I'm not a particularly good liar either.
My parents met me at King's Cross and we wished each other a Happy Christmas. I presented them with gifts, a book about teeth in the magical world for Dad and a nice pair of black heels for Mom. They gave me extra money and the latest muggle books being sold. Oh, I love my parents so much!
We had lunch together at a Swiss restaurant and then they dropped me off a block away from Grimmauld Place. I didn't really want to explain why I was going to enter a place they couldn't see.
Now here I am standing in front of the door, my trunk beside me and a backpack over my shoulder. I refused to knock though. I had to think before I acted. Harry always acted before he thought though, that's what got him to so much trouble. But he's obviously an amazing wizard so he always finds a way to get out of it somehow.
"Right, you can do this Hermione." I said softly, trying to encourage myself. I took a deep breath and knocked. It was exactly when I heard a clock chime six o' clock.
The door creaked open slightly and a few seconds later it opened wider to reveal a smiling Professor…I mean Remus Lupin.
"Hi there Hermione!" Professor said brightly and started looking around. Oh great, he's already noticed Whitney wasn't with me.
"Hi Professor, Happy Christmas." I greeted as I tried to haul my trunk inside.
Professor chuckled as he helped me "I'm not you Professor anymore, remember Hermione?"
He set my trunk at the foot of the stairs and started looking around again. I bit my lip. Merlin, why didn't Whitney tell them she was going for a while?
"Hermione," Lupin said slowly "Where's Whitney?"
"Um," I tried to rack my brain for an excuse. Oh why didn't I think of this earlier! "Oh, Whitney didn't tell you?" I smiled at him and he shook his head "Well she told me a few days earlier that she was going somewhere before she was heading here."
"And where did she go?" Lupin raised eyebrow.
I shrugged "I don't know. She didn't say."
Lupin stared at me, as if trying to decipher if I was lying. He just sighed "I'm going to call Sirius."
I sighed in relief. All I had to now was probably repeat my story to Sirius and my part of this would be over.
Oh Whitney, I do hope you're all right!
Bella's/Whitney's POV
I landed with a thump at Charlie's front yard. I brushed the snow off and I noticed it was probably around lunch time here. I couldn't really tell though since the days were now darker than usual. It is December after all.
Through the curtains of the kitchen window I could see that the lights were on and Charlie had guests. Time to change back to Bella Swan then.
I shut my eyes tightly and I changed my blonde hair to a mousy brown color and turned my gray eyes chocolate-y. I dragged my trunk and my bags to the porch and knocked on the door.
"Wait a second, I'll go get that." I heard Charlie say and I could make out faint footsteps that got louder as they neared the door. The door swung open and Charlie's face lit up when he saw me.
"Hello Charlie." I said softly, I wasn't too sure who was with him.
"Hey Whitney." He said equally as silent "The Blacks are here. Do you have a back-up story?"
"I'll just wing it." We both laughed "And I've got my American accent ready too."
"Great," Charlie nodded and stepped aside "Well, come in then."
He was about to get my things when I stopped him "I'll get it." I said and slipped my wand out of its hiding place in my brown boots "Wingardium Leviosa." My things quickly flew up to my room and I was satisfied when I heard a soft thwack.
"Right, wizard." Charlie rolled his eyes and I laughed. He led me to the kitchen where Billy and Jacob Black sat; two half-eaten pizzas were laid out on the table.
"Bella?" Jacob asked, his expression perking up.
"Yeah." I shrugged and grinned at him "It's me."
"Bells!" he exclaimed as he ran to me then engulfed me in a hug.
"It's nice to see you too, Jake." I was able to choke out. Jacob released me but kept his arm around my shoulders.
"It's nice seeing you again Bella." Billy greeted "What have you been up to?"
"Oh I've been in a boarding school at Phoenix, it's for special geniuses." I grinned wickedly and Billy and Jake shared a confused look. I could see Charlie trying to stifle his laugh at the back. "We're not allowed to have any contact with anyone outside the school unless it's through letters."
"Aah, well…good for you then, Bella. I'm sure it's a very prestigious school." Billy said but I knew he was lying.
"They sound pretty strict." Jake muttered and I giggled. Why would he care anyways? I mean yeah we were friends but we haven't seen each other for a long time. He's not exactly in my head a lot of the time. Usually it's about a certain chosen one, or an old toad, or a suspected mass murderer, or a supposedly alive dark lord. My Forks life has been completely out of my mind. Except for Charlie of course.
"─so what do you think, Bella?" Jake asked me and I blinked at him. Was he talking to me? Oh, I obviously didn't notice.
"Could you repeat that again please?" I giggled again and he looked at me weirdly. What? Is it wrong to giggle?
"I was wondering if you wanted to come down with me to the Reservation after lunch." Jacob repeated.
"Oh," I said and I shook my head "Sorry Jake, I don't think so. I'm only staying here until tomorrow then I'm off. I want to spend as much time with Dad as I can."
Jacob's expression suddenly looked urgent "So do you think we could talk now?"
I looked from him to Billy and Charlie. Jacob coughed and they turned to each other then back to us.
"Oh!" Charlie said suddenly "Billy, come on out and see my new rifle the Station gave me."
"Sounds good, let's leave Jake and Bella to talk." Billy said while staring firmly at Jacob. Jacob nodded at him and he and Charlie went to the back.
I sighed and turned to glare at him and he flinched "What do you want Jacob?"
Honestly, this kid was annoying me a little bit. What exactly did he want? Who did he think he is? I didn't really want to talk to him alone. Merlin, why the hell did Charlie leave?
"You've changed," Jacob said slowly "You've changed a lot."
"And so?" I snapped at him "Why does that matter?"
"Bella…I…" Jacob was a loss for words as I stared at him, waiting for him to come up with something "I miss you. Didn't you read my letter?"
"Of course." I rolled my eyes as I walked across the kitchen, towards the cabinets "But obviously, we've both changed." I glared at him before turning back to the cabinets to find a tea bag or something.
Jacob groaned and slapped his forehead "I was afraid this would happen if I told you. I should have listened to Sam."
"Yes, you should have." I said "I've had enough of mythical creatures from Forks."
"Bella, I'm still me. I'm still the little kid you made mud-pies with." Jacob suddenly got up from his chair and walked towards me "I'm still your friend. Bella, I need to protect you."
"Protect me?" I scoffed "I'm sure I can protect myself."
"Are you serious Bella?" Jacob laughed. No, that's my Dad you idiot. "You probably fall a hundred times every single hour."
"I wouldn't go that far even if we were still talking about the old me." I glared at him and shut the cabinet doors with a slam. Charlie had no tea or anything at all.
Jacob sighed "Look Bella, we're dealing with a vampire here. No normal human being can defeat one alone. You need us Bella."
"I don't need you." I said, sitting down on one of the chairs "As I said, I can take care of myself."
Jake angrily ran a hand through his hair then slammed a fist on Charlie's table "Why are you being so stubborn?" he seethed.
"You're the stubborn one," I said calmly as I grabbed a slice of pizza "I already said I was alright."
"But you're not alright!" Jake exclaimed "There is something wrong with you Bella! Something happened to you in Phoenix. Bullshit, did you even go to Phoenix? And you seem to act like you're British and pretend you have a fucking accent when you don't."
I sighed again "Yes, I've changed and I believe it's for the better really. "
"I'm fucking worried about you Bella." Jacob told me seriously "Even before you arrived I've been worrying about you every single hour of my life. What if the vampire found you in Phoenix or wherever the hell you went? What if you were already dead and I didn't even know it? What if I never get the chance to say that I love you?"
I gaped at him and he stared at me firmly "Well, at least I got that out. Great going Jake." He threw his arms in the air and started pacing around.
"Jake…" I said slowly but I never looked up "How could you love me? We don't know each other very well."
"I know you enough." Jacob insisted as he came closer to me.
"Now you don't," I shook my head "You don't even half of me."
"It doesn't matter." He said and I backed away as he continued to come closer, to the point that I already stood up "I love you. And I want to be with you."
"Jacob," I looked at him "You're still a kid."
"And that still doesn't matter." Jacob said as he pinned me to the wall.
"Please Jacob; I don't like you like that." I shook my head.
"I'll make you like me. Whatever I need to do Bella, I'll do it." His breath was hot against my face. I took a deep breath before slapping him in the face.
Wham!
He stumbled back a bit and I glared at him.
"Don't you ever dare do that again, Jacob Black." I hissed at where he stood, a few feet away from me.
"I don't love you Jacob, and I doubt I'll ever return your feelings. There's someone else okay? And I love him, a lot." I exclaimed. Harry popped into my mind but I immediately tried to forget. Why is everything so heartbreaking now? Does someone up there like seeing me suffer?
"Is it the Cullen guy?" Jacob glared at the wall behind me.
Another pang shot through my heart. It was so unfair. Didn't I go through enough already? Didn't I deserve a peaceful life?
"No!" I exclaimed "I have no feelings for him anymore!"
Jacob seemed to sigh in relief "That's good then."
"Good? Good?" I exclaimed "Is that all you care about? Defeating the Cullens? And if not defeating them at least being tied? What is wrong with you?"
"Bella, I didn't mean it like that," Jacob groaned as he hit himself on the head "Why do I always mess things up."
"I'm sorry Jacob but can you please just leave?" I said and gestured my head towards the door.
"And so the poor parent's kids come by the Station every weekend, just to see if he's there─oh." Charlie stopped talking when he and Billy saw me glaring at Jacob.
"Well," Billy stated "It's about time for us to go Jacob. Thanks for the food Charlie. It was nice to see you again Bella."
"Nice to see you again, Sir." I nodded as Jacob pushed his Dad's wheelchair out.
Charlie and I remained silent as we listened to Jacob start his car. We didn't say anything until we couldn't hear the purr of the engine anymore.
"Alright Whitney, what happened?" Charlie asked me, acting as calm as ever.
"I think Jacob and I just fought…" I said, still a bit dazed. When he was gone I just realized what an idiot I was for getting so mad at him. And now I lost the chance I ever had to have a proper goodbye to him. But it was a bad habit of mine, pushing people away. Just like me lying.
"It's okay kiddo." Charlie ruffled my hair in a fatherly manner "Things will get better."
"I hope so Charlie, I really do hope so." I said, resting my chin on my hands.
Charlie smiled at me sympathetically before checking his white wall clock which hung over the refrigerator "Sorry Whitney but I've got to go the Station. I received a call while I was out with Billy. And I still have to do the grocery shopping." He muttered and moved around the room, trying to look for his shopping list.
"I'll do it." I said, eagerly pushing myself out of my chair.
Charlie gave me a confused look "Are you sure, Whitney? I thought you didn't want much people to know you were back in town for a few days."
I shrugged then grinned "Oh it's okay, I'm sure I'll enjoy the attention." Lie "Besides, I really want to do something muggle-ish." Not really a lie.
"Muggle-ish?" Charlie raised an eyebrow and I gave him my sweetest smile "Oh fine." He rolled his eyes and gave me his shopping list. What can I say? Blacks do have a certain charm, good or not.
Right now I don't even know if I'm good or bad.
"Right, well I'm off Whitney. Let's eat out for dinner tonight, eh? Then tomorrow morning you can whip up a yummy breakfast!" Charlie said happily and I laughed.
"That's a deal Charlie!" I called as he went out the door.
I looked at the yellow crumpled piece of paper in my hands.
Eggs
Bacon
Milk
Sugar & Salt
3 bottles of soda
Apples
Strawberries & Nutella (for Whitney)
I smiled down at the last two items. That was so sweet of Charlie to remember! I love almost anything chocolate.
I guess I should change before leaving. I went upstairs and opened one of the bags that were filled with muggle clothes. I chose black skinny jeans, a light blue long-sleeved v-neck, and my black Converse that I wrote on back in 2nd year. The words Gryffindor Pride and Hogwarts is my home were written all over in red and gold ink. I smiled a bit before heading to the bathroom Charlie and I used to share.
I splashed a bit of water and wiped it off a few seconds later. Drops of water splashed on the water and for some reason it's like I could actually read the figures it made.
He's Dead.
I gasped sharply, who's dead? What the hell! I ran to my room and just like before Deciphering What's Coming lay on my bed. I picked it up and blew the dust off. Since when was the book dusty? The pages were empty, just as I thought. In the middle the words were actually inked on the pages.
Young Dragon, his time has come. There's nothing you can do. Just accept the inevitable because you can't stop it.
And just as quick this all happened, it all ended. The book was gone again and there was no more water on the window. Merlin, what the heck is going on?
I returned to my bad and just sat there. I took deep breaths just to calm myself.
It's fine.
Nothing bad's going to happen.
No one's dead.
Yet.
And that one word, that blasted word, rang through my mind. I couldn't stop it? Heck, I don't even know who 'he' is!
All right, I should really just calm down now. I forced myself to get up and get dressed. I'm sure I can stop anything bad that's going to happen. I did it loads of times.
But I'm mostly the cause of these problems.
OH WHEN WILL I SHUT UP.
I ran down the stairs and picked up the key where Charlie usually hid it, in the empty pot by the door. I locked the door behind me and I walked to my car.
Ugh, it's this old thing again.
Wait a second, do you think the Ministry would mind if I Mr. Weasley-fy this Chevy? You know, make it a flying car like Harry and Ron drove back in second year? I told them to go through the stupid barrier already but they wouldn't listen!
I took out my wand from my sleeve and did a few spells I found in some of Mr. Weasley's papers. I thought they were useless but obviously I was wrong. It would be so fun to drive a flying car! I wouldn't even be driving it, I'd be flying it! And I can't wait to show Charlie!
Half an hour later the old thing was ready. I just wasn't sure if it would work, I've never actually tried the spell before.
I started the engine and loads of memories came rushing back to me about my old life here in Forks. The first time I drove to school, the first time I drove to the Cullen's house…
Stop thinking about that already! Geez! I'm supposed to forget that all ever happened. It didn't matter anymore. I was free and I was a Black again.
I didn't notice I was already driving in a main road until I almost hit some motorcycle. Merlin!
I looked around, there were no muggles anymore. I smirked and pushed a new button I installed and shut my eyes tight. And when I opened them again I was up in the clouds.
"Haha!" I laughed then started flying faster. It was like flying on a broom, a big metallic broom that is. The wind rushed behind through my ears and I haven't felt so free in a long time.
Suddenly the engine died out and I was falling. Oh Merlin, you've got to be joking.
"Shit!" I cursed loudly as the Chevy bumpily landed on the ground. At least I was still in one piece. Alright, I probably wasn't showing this to Charlie anytime soon.
"Evanesco." I said, waving my wand before putting it back in my sleeve. I didn't want the American Ministry after me as well.
Good thing the grocery was just around the corner. Merlin! My heart was still pounding at the rush. I'm not sure if it was while flying or when the car landed. I should probably stick to brooms.
I walked into the store, the automatic doors sliding open for me. There were simple Christmas decorations on the window and a few places around the shop. I smiled; it felt nice to actually feel a bit of the Christmas spirit. Maybe I can make a few decorations for Charlie before I leave tomorrow. Perhaps that could be my gift to him instead of an old, busted, supposed to be flying Chevy.
I quickly found everything on the list and luckily it all fit into two paper bags. It would be kind of suspicious if I left the store being able to bring all the paper bags with me if they were like 20.
I quickly used a simple spell to send the bags flying back home. Hopefully no muggles would see them while they were airborne.
"Bella?" a surprised voice asked behind me and I turned to see Mike, Jessica, Angela, and Ben. Mike and Ben were gaping, Jessica looked annoyed and Angela looked happy to see me. I knew Angela was the best one out of all of them.
"Oh, hi there." I greeted them as they walked closer to me.
"Bella!" Jessica faked being happy as she hugged me "I haven't seen you in like forever! Where have you been?" Angela hugged me as well when I was released.
"Haha," I laughed in a slightly sarcastic way while running a hand through my hair "I got accepted into a special school for geniuses in Phoenix. I'm only staying here for two days to visit Charlie."
"That's great! We should totally hang out today!" Mike said a bit too eagerly and I couldn't stop the disgusted look that came across my face. Mike's smile faded and I swear I could see Angela and Ben trying to see their laughter.
"Sorry," I smiled a bit "It's just that I want to spend most of my time with Dad. I haven't seen him for a long time and I'm going to take off again soon. He's already at the Station so we're going out to eat later. Plus, I have loads of homework from school."
"Homework?" Jessica scrunched up her nose "Don't we usually do that at the end of break?"
I fake laughed again "Well I just wanted to get started as soon as possible."
"It's so great that you're in such a nice school Bella!" Angela exclaimed.
I smiled at her and Ben, the two genuine people in this group.
"Right, so I better head back now." I said and left them. I'm sure this will be all over the town by tomorrow. Oh well, I did expect this.
"And then Ron just spit everything out of his mouth right after Fred and George told him!" Charlie and I laughed, receiving a lot of curious looks from the other customers. It was already night time and as promised we were having a lovely dinner together.
"Poor kid!" Charlie was able to blurt out before another fit of laughter. Soon we quieted down and an awkward silence hung around us.
I sighed "Dad, I need to tell you something."
"What is it Bells?" he asked while gobbling up some pasta.
"I want you to move to Phoenix." I said plainly.
"What?" Charlie asked, a bit surprised. Why would he be, I just asked him to move to where his ex-wife lives.
"Dad," I sighed "It's not like you're going to be living next door to Mom. Phoenix is a big place, you know. And it will be only temporary until I can find you a better place."
"Why?" Dad asked.
"I'm worried about Victoria, Dad. I'm worried about what she'll do to you" I said "I know I said I would kill her or something but right now I just want you out of this town."
Dad nodded slowly and I was glad he understood "And what about my job?"
"Well since you'll be moving to a bigger city there'll be more Ministry action. I'm sure they could use Squibs in the Muggle Relations department." I said and he nodded. Here in America wizards weren't as discriminating about muggle-borns and half-bloods and squibs. Mythical creatures were more of a problem, obviously.
"Alright Bella, I'll do it for you." Charlie said finally and I grinned at him.
"Thanks Dad, that makes me feel so much better!" I exclaimed, reaching over to hug him.
It's weird how he has to call me Bella and I have to call him Dad. Sometimes I wish we could just act normally but that would lead to too many weird questions from nosy people. And I hate nosy people.
"Thank-you for dining with us, please come again." The hostess said as we walked out of the restaurant. I got into the passenger seat of Dad's police car. It was a good thing Dad didn't mind when I told him I 'blew up' my car.
Our car ride was quiet while old music played from the radio. Dad had turned off the sirens so it felt a bit normal.
And it all just happened so fast.
A blue van crashed into us while driving with intense speed. It caused the both cars to fall hardly to the side. I heard a cracking noise and I saw that Charlie's head was bleeding.
"Charlie!" I exclaimed, trying to reach over to him with my left hand. It was stuck between the seats and it hurt badly. My head also hurt because I banged it on the window.
I looked at the other car and through the side-view mirror I could see Mike Newton.
Bloody Merlin.
"Charlie!" I called desperately again, trying to reach over with my good hand. I was able to get a hold of his face and it was too cold.
He was gone. He's Dead.
Before blacking out I heard another car screech to a stop and the slamming of the doors.
A/N: Sorry if it's rather short this time! I have a retreat tomorrow and I haven't even packed yet!
So since it's an overnight thing I'll only be able to see your reviews the day after tomorrow. Wish me luck in my retreat please!
And as usual, 10 reviews please! We've only come upon our first Christmas twist.