Chap 2
- Hermione POV -
"How you doing Mione?" Harry asked we drove towards our school. The night before, we had spent quite a long time at Jake's friend's house and I was extremely tired.
"I'm ok, the nightmares weren't as bad last night but they were not good," I said.
As I drove, my thoughts were drawn back to one of Jake's friends, Paul. He and I hadn't spoken much but the small conversations we had had made me realise there was something unique about him.
We pulled into the school and I smiled softly at the playfulness of Jake and his friends as they pushed each other around.
Harry and I slipped out of my car and grabbed our bags. When I turned around I let out a low shriek. Jake and Paul were standing behind me. Even with my keen hearing I didn't hear them.
"You startled me," I said.
"Sorry," Paul said and Jake looked shocked. We walked over to the large group of guys and I sat down at the table and smiled as Embry sat beside me.
"Can you help me with question 10 of the calculus work? I couldn't understand it," Embry asked.
"Sure," I said. I pulled out my books and a pen and so did he. I went on to explain how to do the problem and watched as Embry succeeded.
"I hate calculus," he said as we put our things away.
"I don't mind it. Probably because I like the challenge," I said.
Embry shook his head as the bell rang and we all walked into the school. I was almost at my locker when someone crashed into me. I hit both the lockers and the ground as three girls walked past me. I felt warm, strong arms wrap around my waist and when I looked up I noticed Paul looking down at me worriedly.
"Are you ok?" Paul asked.
"Yea. I've had worse. Thanks," I said as he helped me up. He checked me over quickly before glaring down the hall at the stunned girls.
"What the fuck are you looking at?" He said dangerously before they, and everyone else in the hall, ran to their classes.
"Thanks again," I said before walking off to my first period class. I could feel Paul's eyes on my back as I walked down the hall and into my classroom.
- Paul POV -
I watched Mione all the way to her class. Once she was safely inside, I turned and stormed off to my class.
"Mr. Meraz, you are late," Mr. Copeland my History teacher said.
"Sorry sir. I was helping the new girl," I said before moving to my seat beside Jared. Mr. Copeland didn't say anything before turning back to the board.
"You ok? The boys and I were slightly freaked you were gunna snap," Jared whispered to me.
"I almost did. I'm ok now," I said in reply. I kept thinking about those girls that had pushed Mione. Ashleigh, Dana and Kristy - the school's apparent It Girls. To me, they were just booty calls.
Class passed so slowly that it felt like hours before the bell rang. I caught a quick glimpse of Mione in the halls with Jake and Embry and it made me feel slightly calmer knowing she was safe (I would have been even more calm if she was with me).
At lunch the whole school was buzzing. I walked into the cafeteria with Jared and Leah and noticed everyone was super excited about something. After we grabbed our lunch we walked to the table where Jake, Em, Quil and Seth were.
"What is going on?" Jared asked as we sat down.
"Didn't you hear? Hermione broke Ashleigh's nose," Jake said excitedly before turning to the doors. I felt Mione's presence before I saw her and sure enough, her and Harry were walking into the cafeteria.
"That tiny slip of a girl broke Ashleigh's nose? She doesn't even look like she could swing a punch!" Leah said incredulously. I growled at her and she turned to me. "I'm not being cruel, just making a point."
Harry and Hermione grabbed their lunch and started to leave when Jake called them over. They looked at each other quickly before walking towards us. I moved over slightly and smiled when Mione sat beside me.
"How's your hand Slugger?" Quil asked with a grin. Mione smiled softly and so did Harry.
"Its fine. I didn't even hit her that hard," Mione said softly and I shivered internally as her accent and voice washed over me. Her voice was perfect - slightly husky but feminine, a tone many of my bed mates had tried to imitate.
"You sat her on her ass. Someone needed to do it," Jake said with a grin. Mione shrugged and took a bite of her sandwich.
"What did she do?" Seth asked Mione.
"Just talking shit to me. I got sick of it so I did the first thing that came to mind," Mione explained.
"That is so awesome!" Embry said.
"She has done it before," Harry said.
Before anyone could say anything, the doors slammed open and Ashleigh, Dana and Kristy stormed into the cafeteria. Ashleigh's nose was swollen and she had a black eye. They stormed towards us and stopped behind Mione who turned slowly.
"You owe me an apology," Ashleigh said. Mione stood up and looked Ashleigh in the eye (Mione was a few inches taller than Ashleigh).
"Yea, I don't think so," she said with a smirk (that I found extremely hot).
"You think that just because you are new you can get away with anything don't you? You need to learn your place," Dana quipped.
"No, but I bet you think that because I am new you can push me around. Well honey, I won't be pushed around by a pack of prissy bitches like you," Mione said firmly. Leah and the boys snorted back laughs.
Instead of commenting, Ashleigh turned to me with a pout.
"You're on my side aren't you Pauly? That bitch shouldn't have hit me right?" She shot me some killer bedroom eyes but she just looked desperate. I noticed Mione cast me a quick look but didn't even turn towards me.
"Actually, I'm on Mione's side in this argument," I said. Ashleigh made this loud noise between a snort and a squeal before turning to Mione. She raised her hand to slap her and before anyone could react, Mione had Ashleigh on the ground with her knee driven into Ashleigh's shoulder blades.
"Try and touch me again and I'll snap your wrist," Mione whispered harshly. Ashleigh nodded quickly while Dana and Kristy looked on frightened. Mione stood up and Ash sprung up.
"You're crazy," she said before the three girls raced out of the room. Hermione turned sharply and grabbed her bag. Harry jumped up with his bag and grabbed Mione's hand. The pair walked out of the room quickly, leaving behind lunches that had barely been touched.
- Harry POV -
I watched Mione as we sat on the cliffs looking out at the ocean. We had been here since we left school at lunch. She seemed tense as she hugged one leg to her chest and let the other drop over the side of the cliff.
"Wanna talk?" I asked after a while. Mione sighed and rested her head on her raised knee and looked at me.
"I'm just tired," Mione answered softly. "I guess I was just hoping for some quiet time at school but I've already made an enemy."
"Oh Mione. It will all be ok. Just think, she's a simple high school girl. You've faced scarier things," I said with a grin, hoping Mione would do the same. I wasn't disappointed when a small smile lit up her face.
My phone started ringing and when I looked down I saw it was Dad.
"Hey dad," I said.
"Harry, where are you and Snowflake? The boys just came over and said they couldn't find you," Dad said.
"We're fine dad. Just hanging out by the cliffs. Snowflake needed a breather," I answered as I looked at Mione. Her head was now turned to look out at the water.
"As long as you two are safe. Come home soon though. Billy said there have been some funny things happening in the woods," Dad said. He seemed like he wanted to tell us more but couldn't.
"Ok dad, we'll be back soon. See ya," I said before I hung up and slipped my phone back in my pocket.
"It feels nice having a parent again," Mione commented softly.
"I know bub. I agree," I replied. Mione stretched out her hand to me and I tangled our fingers together.
We sat at the cliffs for a little while longer before going back to the car. Mione drove us home and the car was silent.
"Hey kids," Sirius said as soon as we walked into the house. We smiled at Billy and the other men who we last night learnt were the tribal Elders.
"Hey, sorry we cut school," Mione whispered painfully. Paul seemed to be conflicted as I looked at him and I swore I heard him whimper.
"Hey Snowflake, it's ok. The boys explained what happened and I can understand it. Just tell me if you plan on skipping next time ok?" Sirius said with a grin. He pulled Mione into a hug before she walked over to the fridge and grabbed a small bottle of juice.
"So, only you Snowflake could walk into a school on your second day and make an enemy," Dad said with a grin. Mione shook her head and sat down in the free seat beside Paul and Jared.
"Not my fault I seem to attract the psychos," Mione said softly.
"It's a talent," Dad said and Mione threw her bottle lid at him with surprising accuracy. "Damn Snowflake, you're violent when you are angry."
"Dad, stop taunting her. She is the one who feeds us remember," I said with a grin. The boys in the room all laughed at the shocked look on Sirius' face.
"You wouldn't stop cooking would you Snowflake?" Sirius asked with puppy dog eyes.
"Who knows what I'm capable of," Mione said with a grin. Dad shivered slightly and we all laughed again.
"Did we miss anything in our last few lessons?" I asked Jake, Embry and Quill.
"Nah. Just in gym we will be doing boot camp and endurance stuff tomorrow," Jake explained and Mione and I shared a look. Any boot camp a simple gym teacher could come up with would be easy.
"Did he say if he was dividing the class?" Mione asked.
"Yea. He said the girls' one would be slightly easier but if any of the girls wanted to try the guys one they were welcome to. Why? You gunna do it?" Embry asked.
"Sure. I mean, how hard can it be?" Mione said with a grin. She was obviously thinking on the same wavelength as I was.
"You obviously don't know Mr. Richardson then. Trust me Mione, his girls course is gunna be a shocker so I shudder to think what our one will be like," Jake said.
"What's wrong cousin, afraid I'll get hurt?" Mione said with a grin.
"Yes actually. No offence but you look like a stiff wind will knock you over," Jake said. I held back a laugh at the look on Mione's face and I noticed Sirius was too.
"Wanna test that theory?" At Jake's confused look, Mione stood up and continued. "Come outside."
We all walked outside and Mione pulled Jake out onto the back lawn.
"What is she doing?" Paul asked me.
"She's going to prove herself," I replied.
"Attack me," Mione said. Everyone looked stunned.
"What? No," Jake cried.
"Jake, just come at me. You want me to show you I'm not weak so just do it," Mione demanded.
"I'll hurt you," Jake protested.
"We'll never know until you attack me will we? Just do it, I'll be fine," Mione said adamantly.
Jake looked worried as he looked between us and Mione.
"Fine, but, know that I am doing this under extreme protest," Jake said. Mione nodded and stood in her fighting stance.
Out of the blue, Jake lunged.
- Paul POV -
I was torn between helping my imprint and watching her fight. Jake lunged at her and I winced waiting for the impact. The only sound we heard was a loud crash. Jake was sprawled out against a tree and Mione was a few feet away.
Jake got to his feet slowly and went at her again.
"Jake, fight properly. I'm not a girl in this fight," Mione demanded. Jake took a deep breath and when he opened his eyes, they held a fierce determination only reserved for when we hunted bloodsuckers.
He flung himself quickly at Mione and caught her slightly off guard. She slid a few feet and as Jake went to jump, she kicked him in the ribs while he was mid air. She flipped up onto her feet with two sticks in hand. Once Jake had regained his footing, she tossed one at him and he easily caught it.
Mione swung and Jake had just enough time to block the head shot. As he swung back, I made to run to Mione to help but Harry put his hand on my arm.
"She'll be fine Paul. Just watch," Harry whispered, his eyes firmly locked on the duel.
Mione ducked Jake's swing before stabbing him in the gut with the stick. She then hit him on the back and he hit the deck like a sack of flour. She put the stick to his neck like she was going to stab.
"I win," she panted. Jake nodded and held his hands up in defeat. She put the stick down and helped Jake to stand.
"See boys, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover," Mione said.
"Damn," Jared said quietly.
"That was incredible," Sam said incredulously.
"I had good trainers. You don't need to be afraid for me. I can take care of myself," Mione whispered before walking inside.
"Snowflake hates being told she can't do something. She is very adamant that she won't be treated like a fragile doll," Sirius said.
I listened hard for my imprint and I heard her walking up the stairs and closing her bedroom door.
"Well, we've imposed long enough. Will you be at the bonfire tomorrow night?" Billy asked.
"Sure. Sounds like fun," Sirius said whilst Harry nodded. We waved to them and with one final look at the house, the boys and I walked down to Sam's place.
"I've never met anyone who could fight like that!" Jake commented once we were inside.
"It was almost like she was a trained soldier," Colin commented.
I shook my head and tried to clear any images of Hermione fighting in a battle. I said my goodbyes and headed home. My mum was asleep on the couch and my little brother Liam and sister Nina were sitting in front of her watching cartoons.
"Hey kiddos," I said.
"Hey Pauly," Nina said as I pulled her into my arms. Nina was only 5 but she was adorable. Liam was 7 and a handful (thankfully he hadn't gotten the wolf gene). Both Nina and Liam were really my half siblings but I loved them all the same. My dad had bailed just after my 5th birthday. Nina and Liam's dad Chris had adopted me when I was 10 and I had taken on his last name after he and mum got married. One year later Liam was born followed two years after by Nina.
"Paul honey, how was school?" Mum asked as she slowly woke up.
"Good. You can go back to sleep if you want. I can cook dinner," I said.
"I'm alright. I just needed a nap. Something's different about you Paul," Mum said as she stood up.
"Different?" I asked. Nina went back to watching cartoons and I walked into the kitchen with mum.
"Calmer, at peace. You've met a girl haven't you?" Mum said. She had a huge grin on her face as she spoke.
"Her name is Hermione," I said and mum squealed.
"You'll have to bring her over for dinner," Mum said.
"Mum, we only started talking yesterday. She's Jake's English cousin," I explained.
"Ah yes, I know her now. The whole town has been talking about their arrival," mum explained as she started cooking dinner.
"Mum, um, I think she has come from an abusive household," I whispered. Mum turned and walked over to me. Mum had also been abused so she knew firsthand the signs of it.
"What is she like?" Mum asked quietly as we sat down at the kitchen table.
"Well, she is incredibly thin. I'm pretty sure we could snap her in half. She's extremely quiet and very reserved around people she doesn't know but she seems to know how to fight. She freaks out when a loud noise occurs and becomes heaps tense. Her brother is the same," I said. Mum nodded and sighed.
"I'm going to say they have probably been abused but whether it was emotional or physical, I couldn't say," mum said. She kissed my head and hugged me. "All you can do for her now is be there baby. She may eventually open up but until then, just be someone that she knows she can trust."
"Thanks mum. I'm gunna head upstairs until dinner," I said. Mum kissed my head and I walked up to my bedroom. The first thing I smelt on my sheets was the fading smell of Marissa. I wasn't paying attention to it yesterday but I smelt it today. I frowned and ripped the sheets off my bed.
"I'd better find all those girls and tell them I'm off the market," I whispered to myself as I walked to the linen cupboard and grabbed some new sheets.
"Pauly?" Nina's little voice said and I looked down to see my little sister grinning up at me.
"Yea sis," I said.
"What'cha doing?" Nina asked as we walked.
"Changing my bed," I answered.
"Is it cause of that girl from yesterday?" Nina asked innocently and I swung around.
"When did you see her?" I asked.
"Yesterday. I woke up and saw her walking out," Nina said.
"Yea baby it's because of her. You can't tell mum that she was here though. I promise she won't be back," I said. I was speaking the truth. The only woman I would be sleeping with in the future was my imprint.
Nina nodded and sat on my floor while I changed my bed.
"Is your new girl pretty?" Nina asked. I smiled at the thought of Mione and sat on my bed. Nina jumped up next to me and grabbed my hand.
"She's beautiful Neen," I answered honestly.
"I can't wait to meet her," Nina said before she kissed my cheek and ran out of my room. I took my dirty sheets down to the laundry before walking back up to my room.
I flopped down on my bed and closed my eyes. Just as I was dreaming about Mione, my phone went off in my pocket.
Baby wanna play?
Below the text was a photo of Marissa lying on her bed naked, looking seductively at the camera. I shook my head and deleted the message.
Come on Paul. I'm hot and ready. ;)
The next text was much the same and I sent back a simple message.
Fuck off Marissa! I'm off the market now!
I deleted her message and then went through all my other messages and deleted all the ones from my ex-bed buddies. I then went through my phone contacts and deleted all their numbers.
Once that was all done, I took a deep breath and rested my head on my pillows. I shut my eyes and felt myself falling into dreams of my incredibly beautiful imprint. I was looking forward to the bonfire where I hoped to get the opportunity to talk to her.
- Ginny POV -
"What do you mean he's gone?" I yelled at mum. Harry hadn't been at the Burrow for a while and I wanted to know why.
"Apparently that irresponsible prick who took them in has taken them away," Mum explained.
"How dare he! Harry and I are supposed to get married!" I cried.
"I know baby girl and when I find them, you will be married and you will be rich. In fact, let's head down to Gringotts now and check on your assets," Mum said. She grabbed my hand and we apparated to Gringotts.
"Can I help you?" The goblin at the desk asked.
"Yes, we would like to see some files on the vault of one Harry Potter," Mum said. The goblin looked us over and led us into a room before leaving.
"We will check on the assets and maybe take some money to buy you something nice," Mum explained.
"Mrs. Wealsey, Miss. Weasley, my name is Ragnok," another goblin said. Mum and I nodded at him.
"We request to see the assets of Mr. Harry Potter," Mum said importantly. Ragnok gave a toothy smirk and shook his head.
"I'm afraid I cannot approve that request. The vault for Mr. Harry Potter no longer exists and even if it did, only family can access it," Ragnok explained and mum and I gasped.
"I am Harry's fiancé. What do you mean it doesn't exist?" I demanded of the goblin.
"Mr. Potter's vault no longer exists because it was been melded with the others in his family. Also, you are no longer his fiancé. Mr. Potter's new guardian voided the contracts on both Mr. Potter and Miss. Granger," Ragnok explained with a smug smile.
"WHAT?" Mum and I shrieked.
"Enough. Leave now please or I will have to get you removed," Ragnok said.
"I am not leaving until you tell me who their guardian is. No one is able to cancel a marriage contract unless they are the person who created it," Mum demanded.
"Wrong. A person's legal guardian or parent can void the contract. Now, you have ignored my request so," Ragnok snapped his fingers and a group of Goblins walked in. They grabbed our arms and led mum and I out of the bank.
"When I get my hands on Sirius Black, I am going to kill him," mum hissed before we apparated home.
How dare he take my Harry away? When I find out where they are, I will be the new Lady Potter before anyone knew what hit them.