"Which one is that?" Seth breathed, eyes wide as he stared at the tall, ginger wizard. Hermione had introduced them when he came off of patrol, but the moment he locked eyes with him, everything zoned out.
"That's George," his sister replied quietly. "Why?"
"He's-" Seth's breath caught in his throat when the older man smiled. "He's perfect."
Leah stared at her brother closely, analysing his every facial expression before she made a startled noise. It drew the attention of the surrounding Pack, vampires and therefore the wizards since everyone else turned.
"I can't believe it," she said. Part of her twinged with jealousy, seeing how everyone was just so sickeningly happy with their imprints, and she wanted that, but the rest was so fucking happy for her brother. "You imprinted," she accused.
Seth lowered his eyes, blushing lightly. He looked at George from beneath his lashes before looking away again. It was a move that didn't go unnoticed.
"Imprinted? Isn't that what happened to you Hermione?"
"Yeah," she said slowly, staring at Seth. "George, Seth, why don't we go have a conversation somewhere else?"
"Sure," George agreed, confusion still coating his voice. Seth nodded and remained silent, but followed the magical pair as she led them to a bench under a tree. They both sat down and she stood in front of them, before apparating away and leaving the two alone.
"That was a quick conversation," Fred pointed out when she came back to the group.
She scoffed. "I'm not getting involved in that. Seth should've had the time to get to know George all on his own but with everything that is going on and the underlying worry, we can't afford for him to be unnecessarily distracted. Besides, I know from experience that it is quicker to get it over and done with than waiting for weeks."
Paul looked into the trees nonchalantly, but everyone could see the blush on his cheeks.
"So, imprinting," George started, scratching the back of his neck. "'Mione explained it a bit when she visited with Paul. It doesn't always have to end with a romantic relationship," he commented, but the way he ended it made it sound like a question.
"No, Quil, he imprinted on a toddler. For him it just being a big brother, guardian, best friend. As long as she's safe and happy, then that is all that matter."
"I take it you imprinted on me."
Seth exhaled. "Yeah, I did." He looked at George. "Is that okay?"
"Okay?" George laughed. "If it wasn't, it wouldn't give me much of a choice but I am okay with it." George paused and Seth kept silent, seeing that he was needing to say something. "I'm gay," he finally came out with. "And Hermione told us about the Pack and I know you're way too young and honestly, I don't even look at you and think sex." A corner of his lips quirked up into a smirk. "Well, not all the time."
Seth laughed.
"But we can be friends. And if you grow to decide to that you want to be in a relationship with me, then we'll take it from there."
"I thought that I was supposed to be the most understanding and patient."
"Probably," he shrugged, "but I'm older and more mature."
"You run a joke shop," Seth pointed out. "I think that means I'm more mature."
"You imprinted on me for a reason. It probably means you're just as immature."
Seth grinned.
"Right," Fred started gaining the group's attention as they sat around a fire. The vampires were doing odd things indoors with Carlisle tottering around in his office, Esme cooking a bunch of food for the never ending stomachs that now lived with her, Edward and Rosalie were flitting around Bella, Emmett was watching football, Jasper was reading and Alice was sorting out a new wardrobe for Hermione. "I have questions and I want answers."
"I bet," Hermione replied, motioning her hand to indicate that he had the floor.
"You're a wolf now," he pointed out. "How is that possible?"
"We don't have a confirmed reason just yet," she said. Her tone indicated that she wanted the conversation to shift onto a different subject but Jacob made a distressed noise.
"That isn't true. Come on, Hermione. You're a wolf because it is in your DNA. One of your parents had the gene and it passed down to you. With your frequent exposure to the Cullens, the change was triggered, especially with the emotional upheaval of Bella's pregnancy."
"Parents? Gene?" George asked. He stared at the witch, his sister, and his face turned pitying which made her clench her jaw. "From your Mum or Dad?"
"I think we all know which one," she answered with a snap. "Nobody can come out and say it. My Mum cheated on her faithful and devoted husband and created me."
"It wasn't my Dad," Jacob told her. The Pack stared at their Alpha, startled and jaws agape.
"I hate to point this out, Jake, but it could be. Embry is in the same boat as me and let's be honest, there aren't a bunch of men that it could be."
"You're right," he agreed. "But I had Carlisle check my blood against yours."
Hermione's face settled into a blank mask as she stared at her oldest friend, her brother in apparently all but blood.
"It isn't my Dad, and I feel sick that I'm both relieved and disappointed. I wanted you to be my sister, but I didn't want my Dad to have cheated."
"I understand," she said softly. Her smile was sweet and he didn't feel too bad about going behind her back to get the results.
"Wait, hold up," Jared blurted loudly, disturbing the soft peace that had settled over the group. "You had a test done? To see it Hermione was your sister?" Jacob nodded. "I want to do it."
"Me too," Seth added.
"And me," Quil piped up.
"I better not," Paul muttered. "Don't want to give myself nightmares if it ends up positive."
Hermione laughed and pressed a kiss to his dimple.
"Carlisle is already running mine," Embry said.
The Pack were silent for a moment before most eyes shifted to Leah.
"What?" she scowled. "If Seth is being tested, then I hardly see why I have to be tested. We're siblings after all." The men looked sheepish, Seth more than most. "But come on then Granger, let's all head to the good doc and have this test done."
Hermione blushed and looked away from the group, her hands scrunching the hem of her top nervously.
"About that," she started before clearing her throat. She glanced at the group before quickly looking into the flames so she didn't have to look at anyone. "I've already done a test for most of you."
They were silent for a beat, before Jacob spoke for the group.
"Done a test for who?"
"Leah, and by extension Seth, Quil, and Jared." She flicked her eyes to her imprint, praying to see anything but disappointment. She was relieved when his warm eyes settled on her in return, a smile on his lips.
"And I take it they're all negative?"
"Obviously," she drawled, rolling her eyes. Fred and George stifled their laughter at her wonderful Snape impression. "I hadn't got round to getting blood from you and Embry but even if Embry's come back with a match, that doesn't tell us who our sperm donor is."
"No but it does narrow it down to two: Littlesea and Uley." Hermione nodded at Jacob's observation but didn't say anything. Her shame at going behind her Pack's back was festering and she felt like she was going to be sick. The only reason she hadn't ran away was because of the heavy weight of Paul's arm around her shoulders.
"How did you even get our blood?" Jared asked, baffled.
"When I bit you, when you first arrived," she replied straight away.
"Mine?" Quil asked.
"When you cut your finger when we were preparing food."
"Ours?" Leah asked, eyebrow raised.
"When we fought. You spat it out."
Leah nodded slowly. "Resourceful. That's cool." The rest of the Pack murmured their agreement before settling down, leaving Hermione gaping next to Paul.
"That answers one question," George said after a short moment of silence, "sort of."
"Quite right, Gred," Fred said eagerly, lowering his drink to the ground and leaning forward eagerly. "What spell do you need us to work on?"
"Oh here we go," Leah muttered, moving to lay down on the ground, her head resting in Jared's lap. She closed her eyes but didn't fall asleep, but she still missed the look of pure horror and confusion on Jared's face. The normally stoic and distanced she-wolf had never been this close to him and he didn't know what the limits were before she freaked out and tried to bite his head off.
"When we shift, our clothes rip. They don't survive the change like clothes do on an animagus so what I need is-"
"The clothes to stay with you but not get in the way," George finished. His fingers were already tapping his knees and his look was unfocused as his mind whirred with the possibilities.
Fred slapped the back of his hand against George's arm to get his attention.
"A charm on the clothes would prevent them from ripping," he pointed out. The frustration on his face indicated that he was aware how that didn't really solve anything.
"Wolves don't have pockets," the one eared twin muttered with a scowl.
"You also can't charm every item of clothing," she pointed out.
"Quite right," Fred agreed, leaning back in his chair and staring at the stars. "Challenge accepted."
Sam cried that night. He buried his head in Emily's stomach, arms holding her tightly to him as he sobbed, neither quietly or softly.
"Shh," she cooed, running her fingers through his hair. "It'll be okay."
"It won't," he argued. "I've lost everyone. Brady and Collin are thinking of leaving too. They hate the idea of hurting the others and so do I. Quil and Jared and Embry left because of how enraged I became. Paul and Jacob, Seth and Leah never got to experience it but they've seen it and they won't appreciate it."
"No," she agreed, "but Hermione will come back and make them see the light. She went through a war, she probably has half a dozen reasons for why you've acted the way you did, and she'll be the first to hug you when everything is cleared up." Sam wiped his eyes on her shirt, the soft material and her scent bringing him more comfort than she probably knew. "Now, come on," she said, patting his head. "You're going to help me clear some of your boxes that your mum left you. I want to see baby Sam."
We're nearing the end of Part 2 and I'm really excited for what's coming up. It'll finally answer questions.