Kaley laid in her bed still motionless contemplating in the early dawn on what she could use to plunge into Adrien's cold lifeless body. After what had happened last night she had to keep her guard up more fervently now. Adrien was a dangerous monster she couldn't let the safety of Hogwarts cloud her judgement. She knew what he was capable of, and if he even harmed one of the students here she would take great pleasure in killing him. She wanted to watch those dead eyes of his close forever. To watch his body crumbling in upon itself betraying him in his last moment. He was a conniving and devious vampire and she had to be cautious of him. He was simply playing, toying around with her. What else did a vampire decades old really have for entertainment? The silly little human girls of course she thought sarcastically rolling her eyes. She loathed every part of him, and she didn't just hate him cause of what he did to her. She just could never bring herself to really like him, even before the incident. His revolting strength that only served a reminder to Kaley how feeble and fragile she really was compared to him. His reflexes were faster then hers; his senses were acute enough to hear her blood pumping through her veins. Really what chance did she ever have in a one on one fight with him? Her body compared to his was pretty much made of pudding while his was a rock hard a sculpture. His strong arms could encircle her throat crushing the life out of her. One of her hands automatically moved to her throat grimacing slightly at the thought. She had a brief twinge in her thoughts as she thought about his hands stealing the life out of her.
She couldn't help it as petty and vain as it may make her look. But she wouldn't lie she hated him for his ravishingly good looks. He always knew just what to say to make her feel ugly and disgusting. She knew that she wasn't exactly the most gorgeous thing out there but still. Her whole life she'd always been around perfection, she wasn't surprised that she had some feelings of inadequacy comparisons. Not that it really mattered she thought sarcastically, who would ever like or even love someone covered in scars? Thanks Adrien probably was his plan to keep her alone and miserable for the remainder of her disgusting life. Grumbling she jumped out of her bed and went to her hanging mirror door she looked at herself or more so examined. She observed and took note of her dark circles her uncivilized hair, she always hated bed hair. Sometimes she wished she could be just a little bit prettier then she was. When she thought about it she really wasn't the whole prom queen type so really that beauty would've been wasted on her. Maybe God had seen what she would become and knew to make her ugly she thought bitterly. She knew that she was more the farm girl out back wrestling with a pig. She knew she couldn't be the spoiled brand name kind of girl who always went to daddy for everything. She looked at herself with a delicate look in here eyes as she examined features that were much her mothers in her. She had to admit that she favoured these features more so then any of the others. She had spent years examining pictures trying to figure out what her mother left her. Rolling her eyes she shook her head she had to get out of those depressing thoughts. She then turned sharply away from the mirror and went about her room.
Grabbing a pair of jeans she quickly zipped them up she quickly secured them with a black leather belt. Trading her formal shirt for a black t-shirt that said bite me. She couldn't help but smile a little as she thought what her new found students would think of this shirt. She slipped on last a teal zip up sweater. She ran about her room getting ready and working to get all her papers together for class. That had to be the only thing she always forgot were her stupid lecture notes. The other teachers always made fun of how scatter brained she was when it came to her classes. But in her defence sooner or later everything came together just in time for her students. She was beginning to become accustomed too well to bullshitting to her class on some occasions. Shoving all her papers and books into her little bag she smiled triumphantly as she was sure that she didn't forget anything. She knew well that when it came to teach she would remember what she forgot. Taking a long look out the window it wasn't even close to even go downstairs and have a little something to eat.
She knew that she had at least another hour or two before class actually began. She finally sighed and turned around to her bed. She took a look at all the scattered papers and knew she had to clean them up before she left. Unfortunately that stupid dream had startled her so that her papers were flung all over the place. She silently cursed herself for being such a child about the stupid dream. Crouching down on the floor she began to pick them up one by one sorting and filing them back away in the old suitcase. She leapt onto her bed and began to get the papers scattered here. As she went to grab one paper she realized that she had never seen it before. She should know she'd been through these papers so many times reminding her of the dangers of vampires. She turned it over and to her astonishment saw that it had her mothers beautifully scripted words on it. Her mother had written this for her. How long had it been in that suitcase? She took a look at the suitcase and saw that the top satin lining of the suitcase had been ripped. It must've ripped when she had jumped in her bed this morning.
She took the paper gently and went to sit on her window's edge. Lightly with her finger tips she touched the words on the paper. They were really there; they didn't disappear after a single touch. Her mother had written this before she died; she wondered if maybe she had been under her mother's watchful gaze as she wrote this. What could've been going through her mother's head as she had written this to her little girl? A little girl that Kaley was sure had to have been playing outside at the time? All the emotions all the pain her mother must've felt trying to communicate one last time to her. The letter red:
My Dearest Daughter
If you are reading this letter then the worst has happened to your father and I. Please I implore you do not be angry with the Cullen's family for telling you the truth. We had wanted to tell you ourselves but we could never find the right words to explain it to you. Please forgive us. The Cullen's had tried everything in there power to keep us as long in your life as they could. We asked them to explain to you why it was our destiny to leave you. Trust me Kaley it was not an easy feat for your father and I to just give up and let go of you. But we both knew and understood that our own destiny would hinder yours. I can only imagine how you have grown into a gorgeous woman, strong and independent. I must admit that I fear that with your father and me no longer in your life that you may have already closed yourself off from the others. Kaley do not shelter that beautiful heart of yours from the world. I do not know what has happened in your life so far, all the trails and pain you must have gone through by now. Your loneliness and delicate feelings of getting close to another in your fear of losing them. Kaley you can't let that conniving power inside you twist who you are. You are right to be afraid of it, but don't hide yourself away from what is truly important. You do have family still Kaley, the Cullen's family would never leave you be until the day you die. They will always be there where we were not.
I want you to know that your father and I are proud of you no matter what has happened to you. If we had been able to share more of your life I believe we would have been the privileged ones.
Remember my beautiful daughter that your parents are always beside you
Love you eternally forever
Your mother and father
She was far too numb to think of really anything at the moment. She couldn't believe it; her mother had planted this letter in her suitcase knowing that she'd take it with her no matter what. Most likely Alice had told her mother where to hide the letter so that she'd find it at a later date. Her mother had thought of everything so beautifully. She couldn't believe that they could ever be proud of her. Her entire life she was sure that if they'd been alive long enough to see what she'd turned into that they would disown her. How could Kaley blame them really? She used to have such a kind loving heart that trusted everyone around her; she used to be that little girl who held onto her daddy when scared. But that girl had been before her incident with reality those long years ago. She wasn't stupid anymore, she knew now that not everyone was all sunshine and rainbows. What parent could possible be proud of a daughter like her? But something inside her screamed at her telling her that it didn't matter; she had her proof that they were proud of her. It was right here in her hands, at the moment she couldn't help but stare at the piece of paper. In all her life she had never thought that her parents would ever be proud of her. Though they didn't really say to her face this was just as good she thought especially if your parents had been taken away from you.
She finally got control of her emotions and carefully placed the letter back into the suitcase amongst the other papers of her life. A part of her didn't really want to let it go but she couldn't let herself become wrapped up in a time that was long gone. Kaley really sometimes wished that there was some spell to bring her parents back to life forever. Deep down she knew that even if there was, they wouldn't come back the same as they were. She sternly closed the suitcase and placed it back under her bed. This was going to be a great day she thought sarcastically as she grabbed her bag and ran out the door.
She really had no care that there would be no one up. She just really wanted to get out of her room. As she saw it she needed something to do anything to get her mind of her long dead parents. She'd go and take a walk around the lake get in a little exercise before her classes. Maybe a couple of the mermaids might pop up and have a conversation with her. That was a big maybe though. She exited through her classroom made her way down the millions of stairs. Kaley had always hated how many freaking stairs there was in this place. It was crazy ridiculous. A possible way to keep the kids in shape she thought, that would be something some crazy old wizards and witches might do back then. A way to make school even more of a torture experience she thought.
Walking down the grand stairs and out through the Great Hall. She made her way down towards the lakes surface. This had to be the nicest thing about living here at Hogwarts she got to spend as much time investigating the grounds then anyone. She walked around the lake a couple of times before she finally rested down on the ground over looking the lake. She marvelled at the stillness of the lake, how gorgeous it was as the sun continued to rise awakening everyone to a new day. She smiled briefly there was nothing more beautiful or gorgeous then nature. She loved living here, she loved being here.
"Don't you miss Forks a little bit Kaley?" Edwards clear articulate voice stated behind her.
She turned around to be greeted by Edward Cullen; the two of them had been very close before her incident before she went to school. She remembered he used to sing her to sleep when she was restless. Those couple of months that she had lived with the Cullen family unafraid of them all. She then remembered her mother's words in the letter, telling her that she would always have family. The Cullen's family was a part of her family that they would always be there for her. She had to admit that she missed being so close with Edward. She actually used to have a crush on him ironically. She had thought that he was a god just like her cousin thought. But he had his goddess her younger cousin Bella. At least someone got to end Edward's loneliness. She remembered very clearly all there conversations, how he had always felt like he was an outsider. Even amongst his own family each member of his family at the time had someone to be with. Now he had that someone her cousin. Ironically Kaley though had been her closet connection to normal through her entire life. But she knew that her cousin wouldn't see it that way. After all Kaley had pretty much been a mother to her all her life.
"Morning Edward," Kaley whispered with a little regret in her voice, "What are you doing out here so early?"
He came and took a seat beside her she marvelled at how graceful he was, "Remember not the sleeping kind of person."
"Oh right it has been a long time since I've been around vampires." Kaley stated smiling fondly as she looked back over the lakes surface, "You didn't answer my question. What are you doing out here?"
"Adrien told Bella and me the story of you two last night." Edward whispered so softly that Kaley's human ears barely heard it, "I understand why you've distanced yourself from all of us now."
"Edward please do not take offence to the big mess of him and I. It was a long very long time ago; I've grown up a little." Kaley said looking over at him smiling softly at him, "I'm not that head strong girl fresh out of school anymore. I actually have a head on these two shoulders now; it's not full of hot air anymore."
"Why couldn't you trust us after it happened?" Edward asked a little twinge of sorrow was held in his eyes for her to see, "We all missed you so much, a letter here and there but never anything that told us what you were doing; or at least where you were. After all we only learned a little while ago about what you've been doing. Fighting and protecting for these students, for this magical world. All the stories that Albus told us he spoke about you with such pride in his voice. Everything that you've done and become. Why wouldn't you tell us that?"
"Look Edward I was really afraid after what happened to me." Kaley whispered feebly looking down at her feet.
"But you still fought to stay here at Hogwarts?" Edward protested, "Around all these magical creatures. There more dangerous then we…your family back home that is."
"But you're not my family Edward!" Kaley stated shaking her head, "Your just people who took me in when I had no one else. I will whither and die away soon while you all shall remain immortal forever! How am I supposed to call that a family?"
"Why would you fight to stay at Hogwarts but not fight against your insecurities to see us?" Edward asked his voice sounded so small and frightened of the answer.
"I was scared of everything after what happened with Adrien. I could barely come back here once I was healed and officially human." Kaley whispered softly her gaze returning to the lake so intent and serious on her memories.
"But you are so strong Kaley." Edward whispered pleading almost for her to see his side.
"But I wasn't strong back then!" Kaley said her voice was filled with disgust, "I hated myself after what happened I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror. Do you realize how much make up I put on my neck in order for these scars to not scare my students?
"Albus had to help me after I came back so much. He had so much patience with me. He had to pretty much re-teach me to go about without jumping when a broom fell down. You really don't understand how scary it is till you're on the other end of those fangs of yours Edward. It took me a long time to trust normal people, I wasn't just simply afraid of vampires after it happened. Vampires may be just monsters to other people but to me they were normal people. I had been around your family for so long I was used to vampires. I had been betrayed by the people that I had learned to fight for."
"So you blame my family for your pain?" Edward asked looking up at her with wide eyes.
"No I don't blame your family I blame myself. I have blamed myself for all these years." Kaley stated locking eyes with him she had no fear of Edward she knew he would never hurt her, "I knew the truth of vampires but I wanted to believe that all vampires could be like the ones I grew up with. But there is a very big difference between civilized vampires and well the others who laughed as I lay bleeding to death on that cave floor."
"I never had understood why you'd distanced yourself from everyone, even me especially." Edward stated his own eyes intent upon the lake, "I was really hurt when we stopped hearing from you Kaley. I think of everyone I took it the hardest, but I knew that something must've happened to you. Or something in your destiny had finally taken you away from our family."
"Edward I'm sorry, I know I should've explained to you all but I could barely even think about the situation let alone explain it." Kaley stated sighing she shook her head, "I know it's my responsibility that it happened, stupidest thing to ever happen hey. I almost get killed cause of a stupid paper cut. Lamest newspaper headline hey? Death by paper cut!"
"Do you think you will ever forgive Adrien?" Edward asked looking at her face for a reaction to his name, "It wasn't really all his fault."
Her face turned to Edward cold and hard her eyes filled with a fury he had never seen in her eyes before, "I can never forgive Adrien!"
"That's awful Kaley." Edward stated rising to his feet, "If you both could get over the past I believe that you two could be good friends if you let it."
"A human and a vampire being friends are like mixing oil and water." Kaley grumbled glaring at him.
"You and I do pretty well as friends I think." Edward stated walking away from her making his way back up to the castle.
Kaley muttered, "You and I are different."
Rolling her eyes she bit on her lip a little annoyed at Edward. She had always had a theory that if her and Adrien had never had there little incident that they could've been friends. Even possibly they could've been allies in that fight back then. She had always known that he had supported her ideas back then, but now was a little different. But as it stood now, Kaley was too afraid of him to even try anything. She couldn't let go of the fact that he had almost killed her. Even worse, he had almost turned her into a vampire. How do you forgive that? Not that eternally being a teen would be that bad…but she wasn't ready to let go of all her human needs. She actually quite enjoyed being human. All the fleeting emotion that everyone went through, it was something to feel at least she thought to herself.
She made her way back up to the castle grumbling and cursing Edward a little for bringing up the stupid conversation. He did always know how to rub her the wrong way if he felt like it. But she knew the only reason that he did it was to try and help her. How could she ever forgive Adrien? Maybe Edward was right, maybe it wasn't his fault completely. She stood in the doorway looking at all the children running to get there food laughing and screaming. They were all so blissfully unawares of the danger that was within these halls now. But they were always ecstatically unawares of everything she thought sarcastically. Just wait till they actually have to pick up those wands and point them onto another human being. She smiled and waved hello as some of them saw her wishing her good morning. They were all excited to be back with there friends, she knew that excitement would vanish when they got to class. Deep down in her heart she knew that this was going to be a hard year as much as she didn't want it to be. Stupid years always had some new threat coming around, and this time it had to be connected to her didn't it? Maybe this was some way the universe was telling her grow up and get over your problems. Rolling her eyes she kept her smile purposefully in place as she continued to watch the children. She knew something was going to happen and as soon as it happened a new year would come and bring more trouble. It always happens, especially with her three little troublemakers still in school. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were magnets to danger.
"Good morning Kaley," A well-known voice whispered beside her his voice brought shivers up her spine.
"Go away I'm having a good morning." Kaley snapped not bothering to look at him.
"Come on now Kaley we have to be polite to each other at least for a little longer." He said staring ahead not bothering to take a look at her either, "How are you this morning?"
"I was great until you had to bring your ugly mug out of what decrepit coffin you crawled out of!" Kaley snapped turning to glare at him.
"There are those lovely eyes I like to see!" Adrien stated laughing at her, "With the same glare they always give me."
Kaley rolled her eyes shoved him away from her and walked furiously on into the Great Hall. She stormed up to the teachers table and plopped herself grumpily in her chair pulling food towards her. She took a look up and saw Adrien at the doors to the Great Hall smiling at her. He gave her a little wave and a gesture that infuriated her. The bastard blew her a kiss from across the Great Hall. What was this some sick sort of game he was playing on her? What was he thinking? Wait did he ever think about his actions? Probably not why would he? For one he was male why should he think even if he was breathing alive body? She glared at him wishing beyond anything that she could plunge a stake into that cold ass heart of his. No one would miss him…she just had to keep telling herself that. He might look like a handsome human but he was a corpse, a walking pretty corpse and that was all. She shook her head and looked over at Albus who from the way his eyes were was watching what was going on between them. He took a look at her his eyes a little narrowed in suspicion. He thought that she was with him in a more meaning full way. Her eyes widened and she snapped back to Adrien who was still grinning at her nodding his head.
She snapped back to Albus jumping to her feet and stated, "It's not what you're thinking he's obviously unstable and should be told to leave!!"
"Kaley I don't even want to know." Albus stated shaking his head he returned to looking at his food.
"No Albus honestly he's not safe to be here! Look at the way he is behaving now! He shouldn't be allowed to be stay here." Kaley stated desperately trying her best to get rid of the annoyance and the embarrassment, "You know I would never sleep with a dead body!"
"I really don't want to talk about this with my food still in front of me Kaley," Albus stated looking up at her with pleading eyes to stop, "He's staying no matter what you say to me about him. He's going to be teaching Drama, it's about time we had a bit of theatre around here. Should be interesting to see our students put a play wouldn't you say?"
"Oh you have to be kidding me…" Kaley whispered shaking her head.
"Go on and teach your classes." Albus stated waving her away, "It wouldn't do well for the professor to be late on her first day back."
"We all know I'm going to be late anyways." Kaley grumbled rolling her eyes at him glaring a little bit.
"Have fun in class Kaley." Albus stated to her as she stormed away from him.
"You used to say that when I was a student here it's just creepy when you it and I'm on your staff!" Kaley called over her shoulder still glaring a little at him.