Thank you all so much for your continued positive reception of my story! I really have enjoyed writing this one, so I am happy it is being well received.
Don't forget to review/follow/favorite! And enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of the Harry Potter or Twilight series.
The next class was Music. This class I shared with the copper haired boy who I now knew was named Edward after hearing it in the hallways. The only one who wasn't part of a pair already. Apparently he had already turned down quite a few of the girls who approached him.
He was a looker though. Strong cheekbones along with the damaged soul vibe he was working with. His eyes were a touch darker than the rest of his family. Plus his hair was positively sinful. He dressed well, they all did, but his clothes fit his frame beautifully. I never really paid attention to boys so of course this vampire is what catches my eye.
There were about 13 other students in this class. Including Lauren and Tyler. Lauren I could understand but Tyler confused me. He didn't seem like the music type, but looks can be deceiving.
Ms. Clark was the Music teacher and looked every bit of the ones I had seen in different television shows. And she seemed to float in the room as she addressed the class.
"Class! I am so delighted that we get to share our year together. We have two new students in Forks High with us today. If you both could stand and introduce yourselves...Name, where you came from, your favorite music, and your preferred instrument." she said.
I held in the sigh. Edward stood quickly, looking like he wanted to get it over with.
"My name is Edward Cullen. My family and I recently moved from Alaska. I prefer classical music. My preferred instrument is the piano." he said, very eloquently before sitting back down. Most of the girls were staring dreamily at him. It made me chuckle to myself.
"Wonderful Edward! Oh, we haven't had a piano player in too long!" Ms Clark said in excitement. She then looked at me and I stood, suddenly nervous again.
"I'm Dahlia Black. I just came from London, England. I guess I prefer a lot of Indie stuff...'' How the hell could I explain Celestina Warbeck to them? "...And my preferred instrument is my voice...I guess." I trailed off. Ms Clark still looked thrilled.
"Dahlia Black! How exotic! I am sure you have a simply lovely voice dear" she gushed.
"Emphasis on simple" I heard Lauren whisper to Tyler. But I just ignored it and sat down, head held tall.
Ms Clark wasted no time.
"Students to celebrate a new school year, let us entertain! I want everyone to come up here and perform for the class. I want to see how you have grown and flourish! As well as see the level our newer musicians are at."
She even dragged out a karaoke player for those who needed backing. Lauren instantly shot up, flicking her hair, and pranced onto the stage.
She chose a rendition of some type of Britney Spears but very...overtly sexualized. I think she kept going back and forth from eyeing Tyler and Edward. She did think she was something. She had a nice voice, but I guess she let it get to her head. I could only imagine the look on Edward's face right now. Poor thing, wonder what her thoughts were saying. At one point she was leaning on the piano and flipping her hair, like she was all that and a bag of crisps. I had to put my hand over my mouth to hide the laughter trying to come out.
Next was a trio, two guys and one girl. I guess they were a band. Both boys had guitars and the girl was the singer. They did a song called "Stacy's Mom". It was pretty cool. I'd have to listen to that song more. Should I be writing this stuff down?
Next was a violinist. Then Tyler who turned out to be a drummer. Then Ms Clark called Edward up. She threw the piano covering off very dramatically and it caused most of the students to laugh.
Edward first seemed to be testing some of the keys.
"We haven't had it tuned in so long. Principal Figgins needs to call in a technician" Ms Clark explained nervously. Edward gave her a polite smile before he began playing.
And he was good. Really good. It was soft, but very moving. It had a dream-like quality to it. I didn't realize I was swaying in my seat a little, but the song called to me. Like an old friend.
He played for a few minutes before ending. Ms Clark looked in tears at the prospect of a real piano player. He got the loudest claps so far from students.
Then Ms Clark set her sights on me. Oh no.
"Dahlia! How about you go next?" she suggested. I was now beyond nervous but I shakily stood up and walked over to the machine.
A machine I had no clue how to work. With Ms Clark's help she got a Muggle song I actually knew going on the monitor and speaker system. It was an older song. Sirius showed it to me. The beat started pumping and already got a few raised eyebrows. I didn't care. The music relaxed me and made me dance in place. I made sure my left arm was the one holding the microphone. That way it could just basically stay there and I wouldn't have to worry about moving it.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world
And the seven seas,
Everybody's looking for something.
Some people started sitting up in the seats more as I sang, but I tuned them out. I was just enjoying the music. I knew I had a nice voice, it had a low timber quality to it.
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused.
During this part I had been parading myself on stage and leaning across things dramatically. Including the piano, but unlike Lauren I leaned on my back rather than sideways and there was no hair flipping. I felt like an actual teenager for once. The trio seemed to be super into it.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world
And the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
When the chorus started again I raised myself from leaning against the piano and my eye caught Edward's. He was staring at me very intently. I couldn't stop the playful little smirk that came across my face.
Hold your head up
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up
Thankfully the track supplied me with the "movin' on" so I got to show off a breathy high quality of my voice. I just walked across the stage slowly during that part. I even spun around myself here and there. My gaze kept connecting back to Edward.
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused.
I took this section to really just feel it and I did. I felt this part because it reminded me of how a lot of people did treat me back in England. Even my closest friends at times.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world
And the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
This time, with a cheeky idea in my head, I slowly walked off the stage and to this chair that wasn't facing the rest and sat down on it, my back to them but I angled myself so they would see my profile.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world
And the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
In this part there wasn't really much of a beat in the music. So I cocked my foot out to be parallel to the side of the stage and leaned myself and the chair backwards. I had a little bit of magical aid to keep me balanced, but there was no harm in that. I was having fun. It reminded me of when Sirius and I would rock out in the Black library.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world
And the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world
And the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
The last two times I was just acting like a loon. Throwing my head around and dancing, my hat went flying. It made me laugh at myself in the end and the music ended with me laughing. Merlin it felt good to laugh like that again.
I got a loud steady bit of applause and Ms Clark looked very pleased.
"I didn't realize you were such a performer Dahlia!" she exclaimed please.
"I'm not." I said, a little out of breath. "I was just being cheeky and having a bit of fun" I explained, nerves settling in again. I shakily got the microphone back on its stand and quickly fetched my hat to sit back down in my seat. I tugged off Sirius' coat, needing to cool down a smidge, my left arm getting caught for a moment, but I was able to relax it more into my lap. Thankfully the back of my dress didn't reveal anything to wandering eyes.
I felt Edward's eyes on me still. I felt them on me for the rest of the class.
We got through nearly everybody before the bell rang. Lauren practically stormed out with Tyler rushing after her. I stood up and went to grab my jacket just as it fell off the chair. But luckily it got caught. By Edward. I looked up to him, and yes up because he was VERY much taller than me. He had that intense look on his face again.
"Good catch." I said softly, nonchalantly moving my left arm down so it was straight. He slowly held the jacket open for me. With a soft blush I turned to have him put it back on me. I tugged on it for good measure and turned back to him with a smile.
"Thanks" I said, picking up my bag and slinging it over my right shoulder.
"You are welcome. That was quite the performance." he said, his voice calm and soothing to hear. I saw a little bit of a smile peeking which I considered a win. Vampire boy was too uptight.
"Thank you again...I've never performed in front of anyone other than my godfather." I admitted.
"You would never know." Edward replied, causing me to chuckle. And to turn to the side to hide the continuing blush. This never used to be a thing.
"Well...I better get going. I'm heading to the library." I said, walking out of the classroom. I realized I didn't actually say goodbye but I would have to worry about that later. He did something to me, made my magic all fuzzy.
I ran into Jessica on the way.
"Hey! Shouldn't you be heading to P.E?" she asked. Oh right.
"Uh...I have a free period. Until further notice, I am not allowed to do a lot of physical stuff due to an old sports injury. So off to the library." I said. She nodded her head.
"Ugh I'm so jealous. I hate PE. Thank goodness most of our friends are in the same period as us. Oh I see Mike! Mike!" she interrupted even her own train of thought when she saw Mike and raced after him.
Funny girl.
I made it to the library and signed in with the librarian before sitting down at a random table. I didn't really know what to do. I didn't have much homework. Guess I'll find a book?
Or I could write letters to Ginny, Andromeda, and Fleur. Yes that will do. I spent the whole period writing out my letters. I finished Ginny's and Andromeda's before the bell rang and made a mental note to do Fleur's tonight.
I misjudged how far the Chemistry classroom was from the library so I made it just as the bell rang. Jessica was already sitting with Mike and shot me an apologetic look. The only seat left was next to Edward. And he had his bag on it.
Perhaps Mr Weasley if I transfigured you or Miss Potter into a pocket watch, one of you would be on time!
No sooner had Edward seen me, he moved his bag off the stool.
I chuckled before walking over and dropping my bag at the stool. I fixed him with a raised eyebrow and he gave me a playful smirk.
"What is this? Fresh meat sticking together?" I joked. His smile widened. He had a nice smile.
"We're sophomores actually." he quipped. I held up my hands in surrender before sitting down.
"My apologies" I teased back before our teacher, Mr. Banner started class.
Class passed by just fine. Another run through of a syllabus. It dragged a little, but that was because it was the end of the day. When the period was over Edward gave me a polite goodbye before quickly leaving. Probably to find his siblings and get out before another girl asked him out.
Jessica practically skipped over to me.
"Lauren was practically steaming in gym today. Apparently you gave quite the impression in music." she teased, causing me to laugh.
"I guess I did" I replied, secretly thinking of the impression I had seemed to make on Edward Cullen. The vampire. Oh boy. Ginny's going to have a field day.
I walked with Jessica out to the parking lot before heading over to my own car and quickly heading out of the school.
My body was craving a nice long hot shower. I got home in record time and quickly cleaned up. I changed into an oversized blue sweatshirt and black sweatpants paired with some sparkly silver slippers Fleur had seen in a Muggle store and "had to get for me."
A quick glance out my window saw Charlie wasn't home. I knew he was coming in late tonight. And would probably eat pizza. Not today. I don't know why, but already my neighbor was very dear to me. He just reminded me so much of Remus. He had an energy that made you want to be around him.
I dialed the office number for the police station and in a couple of rings it was answered.
'Forks Police Department, Flo speaking." a woman said through the phone.
"Hi Flo. My name is Dahlia Black, I am Chief Swan's neighbor. What time is he off tonight?" I asked. She paused a moment before answering.
"Today the Chief is off at 8:30 Miss Black."
"Good. Could you do me a favor and tell him he better not order any pizza for himself tonight and his dinner is covered...And tell him resistance is futile." I added after a moment. It caused Flo to laugh.
"Well I certainly can relay the message." she said with a finishing chuckle. We said our goodbyes before we hung up.
8:30. Gave me plenty of time to do homework before preparing dinner. I only had the math to do. And while I struggled a bit with it, I think I did a decent enough effort for the first day.
I even got to do Fleur's letter before I started dinner. I made sure to put all three letters in a little tray of the coffee table to remind myself to send them through Floo.
Once all that was done I started on dinner. I made a classic English meal I was sure Charlie would love. Fish and chips. I made thick cut chips because those were obviously the best. By the time it was 8:25 I had everything ready to go. I had a picnic basket full of food under stasis charms as well as a couple of root beers, tartar sauce, and treacle tarts I made yesterday.
I left my house, locked the door and walked across the street to his house before sitting on the porch to wait for him. I had a grey throw blanket wrapped around me and I probably looked homeless.
Soon enough, Charlie pulled into his driveway in record time. I waved as he exited the vehicle.
"What are you, my mother?" he joked, walking up. I laughed before standing up and brought the picnic basket to my chest.
"You work hard. I simply go to high school. Why not treat my neighbor?" I teased as he unlocked the door and let us both in.
It was a small and quaint house. But matched Charlie. It was very homey.
"Let me just get washed up." he muttered, a tad awkwardly as I saw him pick up a couple of shirts on his way up the stairs.
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly before going to his kitchen table and setting up our meal. I did it quickly so I could unfreeze and refreeze my arm before he came back.
"Is that cod I smell?" he shouted from upstairs.
"It's fish and chips!" I answered. He gave a whoop from upstairs before hurrying down.
"Smells delicious Dahlia. Thanks for this." he said, sitting down, eyeing the food.
"Don't let me stop you Charlie, dig in." I urged which he immediately obeyed.
At the first bite he let out a groan.
"Damn it's cooked perfectly," he praised. I gave myself a proud smile.
"Cooking's practically the one thing I can do." I said.
"You can do a lot Dahlia, don't sell yourself short." Charlie corrected. My smile turned softer and I nodded.
"I need some ketchup. Mind grabbing it from the fridge? Got a new bottle." he asked.
"For sure." I said, getting up and opening the fridge.
"I think the seal is still on it. Can you check?" he asked. I froze in place.
If I wasn't around a Muggle, taking off a seal would be easy. But my left arm is currently frozen. And I couldn't quite get the opening things and their seals yet. I couldn't get the amount of pressure right and whatever I was holding would fly out of my hands usually. I took the bottle out of the fridge and opened the cap. Sure enough the seal was still on and you could see it through the caps opening.
"Something wrong Dahlia?" Charlie asked, concerned from the table. I looked up at him, not knowing what to say. Do I tell him? It was Charlie, he wouldn't say anything. But would he treat me differently? I didn't want him to think I was an invalid. I couldn't bear that. I'm not an invalid.
"Um...nothing. Seal's still on." I said.
"Oh alright, rip her open then." Charlie said with a smile, not knowing of the conflict inside of my head. Taking a deep breath I walked over and placed the bottle on the table and sat down.
He looked at me confused before I slowly peeled off my gloves, using the under arm of my left arm to grab onto the right glove and then using my right hand to take off the left glove.
When he registered the artificialness of my left hand he froze in place, his eyes wide and shocked.
"My old school got bombed...in February. I...I lost my arm. Only the school knows, records and all. I'd like...to keep it that way? For now?" I said hesitantly. He looked up at me for a second before he gave me a sad smile and nodded.
"I'm so very sorry for what you went through. My friend, Billy? He was paralyzed about 10 years ago. The change in him...I can understand wanting privacy. Your secret's safe with me Dahlia." he reassured.
I couldn't help the tears that welled up in my eyes. Never doubt Charlie Swan.
"You need anything, let me know. Ok kiddo?" he said. I nodded.
"Promise." I said softly before we continued eating, this time with Charlie opening the bottle. The conversation turning lighter while we ate. It reminded me of when Remus and Sirius were alive.
Forks was turning out to be a really good decision. I really really hope this will last.
