Forgotten Ghosts of Haunted Pasts
By: alexis in wonderland
Chapter Two
…
Rosalie felt the girl in her arms move to leave her embrace and she let her, stepping back to stand next to Emmett, her cool façade painting itself back over her face. "I… I'm sorry, my blood must be making you uncomfortable," Hermione said looking down at the small gash she had gotten from the first initial throw to the ground. She wondered why Dolohov hadn't succumbed to the smell when it was fresh but didn't ponder on it for too long, thankful that he had wanted to play some more before killing her. She looked up to meet the gazes of those she assumed were more Vampires. They certainly looked similar to Dolohov although they lacked the unnerving red eyes.
The eldest looking of the group approached her cautiously, nodding to the Russet-coloured Wolf in what looked like reassurance. "Hermione, correct?" he asked making her nod in response. "My name is Carlisle Cullen, and this is my family," he began stretching an arm out in indication, but catching the slight hitch in her breath and wince of pain, he hurried. "I'm a doctor and I could look over your wounds."
Hermione took a step back. "But my blood?"
The doctor shook his head. "It's okay, we don't feed on humans. You should be worrying about yourself right now." His cold hands helped her unsteady form settle back onto the ground for a quick check up. From the corner of her eyes, she could see the large wolves regrouping before all but three of them were left. "I need you to tell me where you're hurt and to which degree. If he hit you with any of those strange flares, describe any of the lingering pain. Can you do that?"
Hermione could only nod for a moment, her mind not quiet catching up with what was happening. She could hear someone asking if she was going into shock, but Carlisle was busy pulling up her sleeve to look at the strangely enough already slowly healing wound. As he did so, he couldn't help but notice the few scars that littered around the length of the rest of her arm. Before he could ask, Hermione gasped. "My car!"
The youngest of the Vampires, or at least, he looked like the youngest, assured her that one of the wolves went to check on it and will stay there until they were ready to move, making her sigh in relief. "I have a first aid kit in the back if that's alright?" she asked.
"I'll get it!" the pixie like girl said disappearing quickly, but not quite teleporting like the other man. The large burly vampire, Rosalie, one of the three remaining wolves and the other woman left, saying they were going to take care of the remains and check up on someone named Bella, but she didn't pay too much mind on it. When the pixie girl was back, she handed Carlisle the small box of first aid before gently placing a new sweater onto her lap. "I'm Alice by the way." She smiled brightly, pulling on the younger blonde male's arm. "This is Jasper, and that's Edward."
Nodding again, she replied, "Thank you, I'm Hermione Granger." She winced when Carlisle rubbed away some small pebbles and stones that had embedded themselves into her arm. The Wolf who made her feel safe whined lightly as if her pain hurt him too before coming to lay by her side, his head resting over his large paws.
"It was nice meeting you, Hermione," Alice said as she pulled Jasper along, "maybe we'll see you later." The two walked in the direction the Wolf, Rosalie and (she supposed) Rosalie's boyfriend did instead of the other woman who had gone in a different direction. Probably to check on the remains. Hermione shuddered at the thought.
She faintly heard Carlisle ask her if she could begin telling him about any pains she was feeling but her attention was caught by the new man who entered the forest. He was tall and deeply tanned wearing only a pair of ripped shorts and shoes. No one seemed to pay much attention to him except for Edward who spoke with him in hushed tones a few steps away. She was confused why they weren't fazed by his presence given the possibility that he was an innocent passer by. Unless… he was one of the wolves? Was that possible? She paused. Well, it had to be possible if Vampires were real. Her brows furrowed together. "Hermione?" Carlisle asked again.
"Oh, yes. I'm sorry," she apologized snapping her eyes back to Carlisle's, "I'm have difficultly concentrating."
Carlisle's face etched with worry but nodded nevertheless. "Yes, that's understandable."
Hermione took in a deep breath before telling him about the attack, the extent of her pains and explaining the pain she felt from the continuous flare. "I don't know what it was. But the man shouted 'Crucio'." She winced just at the memory and reminder that she still had some lingering pain. "I'm sure it derives itself from the Latin word Cruciatus meaning Torture. And it certainly felt like torture. Like every single one of my pain receptors were being stimulated or… something… of that sort." She blinked with a small jerk. "I don't know how I know that." Carlisle's own brows knit together slightly unsure of how to go about treating any of the pain for it. There was a minute of silence until Carlisle turned to Edward asking him if he could rush and get some painkillers. The younger vampire set off with a sharp nod.
The wolf beside her growled lightly pressing his nose onto her knee. The new comer frowned as he came towards the small circle they formed. "You are surprisingly calm for a girl who was attacked by a man who said he'd tried to kill you twice before."
Hermione snapped her head up towards him surprised. "So you were a wolf," she replied instead. She could almost feel the alpha tone in his voice and she tried to think back on which wolf stood out as leader, but realized for him to know the man attempted to murder her twice before, he'd have to have been one of the first arriving wolves. She glanced back down at the Russet one for a second, if this one was here, he had to be the other large one who had first tackled Dolohov. "It's strange though, you're not what I imagined a werewolf would look like." At this, Sam blinked wondering how she had come to that conclusion so quickly.
Edward had returned by the end of her reply handing her two small pills, a small container of what she could assume were held more of them and a large water bottle. Hermione thanked him as she listened to Carlisle directions. "I'm unfamiliar with treating that man's strange powers but these are strong pain relievers. Take two for now and make sure to finish that water. If you still feel more pain tomorrow, I would suggest one pill for the following days. If it lasts longer, I'd like to have another check on you."
Carlisle looked into Hermione's eyes with slight confusion while Edward told him someone named Jacob wanted to know the verdict on her wellbeing. "None of her symptoms indicate that she's going into shock, but given the circumstances of what's happened, I think her delayed responses are mostly due to trying to wrap her mind around everything." He spoke to the wolf beside her before turning back to Hermione, "But I do have to agree. Your reaction towards everything," he motioned to themselves, "us included, is unusual."
It took a moment for Hermione to reply because by replying she'd be confirming her previous suspicions; suspicions about herself she wasn't sure she wanted to admit quite yet. Nevertheless, everyone present waited for her response, even the only other wolf present who seemed to be patrolling the area around them.
"This- everything," she stressed, "beings that aren't supposed to exist, to getting chased, tortured and almost killed…" she paused for a moment and the Russet Wolf brought his head to rest fully on her lap on top of her sweater. She stared at him as a tentative hand came down to brush his fur back, letting the feeling of comfort surround her. "It- it feels familiar."
She sighed despite not wanting to anymore and her free hand came up to rub her forehead. "I don't know how to explain it because I don't understand it myself." She frowned deeply because she didn't like not understanding things. "For weeks, I've been trying to remember something I knew I forgot. And this, this just feels right, like the supposed unnatural is actually natural for me."
Silence surrounded them as they took in her answer. However, Hermione on the other hand, turned her attention back to the wolf on her lap. "Assuming you can become a person too, I'll take a wild guess and say that you're Jacob," she said catching them off guard.
She was perceptive but the sheer speed of processing the information her heightened level of senses seemed to gather was impeccable and surprising to say the least. Jacob nodded but tensed when she asked if he'd be turning into his other form any time soon. Sam shot the two a curious look but frowned when Jacob didn't move to change. He rolled his eyes subtly.
"You don't have too," she said, "I'm just curious." This time she turned her attentions to Edward. "And I'm going to assume you can understand them?"
He shook his head. "Not quite. More accurately, I can hear their thoughts." Edward watched her expression form an understanding one.
"Only theirs or is it everyone's thoughts?" she inquired.
He tensed for a moment, caught off guard again. "Usually, it's everyone's thoughts. Thus far, I've only come across three people whose thoughts I'm unable to read."
At this Carlisle snapped his head towards his son. "Three?"
Edward didn't turn to look at his adoptive father, concentrating on Hermione causing Jacob to give a low rumbling growl. "One," he continued, "is my wife, Bella. The second was the vampire we just killed. And third," he paused. Hermione looked away in understanding as she resumed brushing back Jacob's fur to calm him. "Third, would be you."
…
Evening fell and Jacob flopped down onto Sam's couch waiting for the other wolves to gather for their discussion about the turn of events. Hermione had asked Carlisle to accompany her home, much to Jacob's dismay, just in case her parents were already there and she needed an excuse for being out late in an unknown place. Jacob had tried following them discreetly (but he was sure the vampires knew) just to make sure she was safe before heading back to the clearing.
"What a day," Embry said with a grin, "I hope her pip-pip cheerio accent doesn't annoy you too much."
The newly imprinted wolf sharply nudged the other boy in the gut with his elbow. "Coming from her mouth? Never." Jacob heard Paul snort a 'whipped' comment as he entered the room.
Jared snorted. "Got that right," he said with a huge knowing grin. "The sly dog didn't change back to human form so he could continue to lay his head on her damn lap." He hit the back of Jacob's head in good fun as he continued to laugh louder. Leah rolled her eyes as she entered, boys will always be boys she supposed.
"And did you see that Rosalie girl? I've never seen her so… un-bitchy before," Quil cut in as he leaned over the back of the couch between his two best friends.
Jacob laughed heartedly when Embry asked, "You mean nice?"
Quil smirked. "Nah man, the words Rosalie and nice don't belong in the same sentence unless it's being said in a way to show that she's the complete opposite." Some of the gathered wolves couldn't help but snicker at the comment having seen Rosalie's cold attitude first hand more than a few times before.
Sam just calmed them all before settling in his own spot. "As interesting as the conversation is, we are gathered here for another reason," he said. Giving Jacob a stern look he continued, "That vampire was not a normal one and he assured us all that there'll be more."
"He did?" asked Seth with wide worried eyes. He slumped down onto the armrest next to Jacob trying to think back on when this was revealed.
Leah sighed. "Didn't you hear what the leech said? There's going to be more of them and they're going to be after her," she told her brother sparing a glance at Jacob for a moment before turning her attention back to their alpha.
Sam nodded at Leah's statement. "The question is though, are these people going to be Vampires with other strange abilities or just regular people with strange abilities?" he asked referring to the man's stick and Hermione's apparent repelling ability.
There was a moment of silence until the Chief of the tribe, who normally was silent during these meetings, spoke, "In my time, I've only encountered one other Cold One with a similar disappearing reappearing ability who also carried a stick. I believe he called it a wand and it was a weapon he used in his human life." His voice was raspy but still held the strong tone of leadership behind it.
"So there are more people with this kind of stick wielding thing?" asked Jacob in confusion, "What are they exactly? And is Hermione one of them?"
Sam was quick to reply, "We're not entirely sure what they are exactly because there are many possibilities. And if Hermione is one of them, we can't be certain."
Again, silence took over the gathering crowd. This change in everything they knew about their type of supernatural beings brought along too much confusion for their liking especially when they didn't know how to handle something like this. "Maybe Hermione's just one of the special humans with advanced DNA? Something like the X-men," Jared suggested trying to lighten the mood. But as they thought about it, it still didn't make a clean connection.
"It only makes sense that she's one of these wand wielding people," Paul said, speaking up for the first time since the meeting started. "I mean, if she apparently survived two of his previous attempts at killing her, she has to have some powers."
Unsure whether it was a good thing or not that his girl was one of them, Jacob nodded at this observation. "It would also make sense that Edward Cullen couldn't hear that man's thoughts or even Hermione's. He even said it wasn't like how he can't hear Bella's," he explained. "Those two both had some sort of barrier blocking him out."
"And, the man did say something like 'you've been forced to forget us'," Embry continued.
Jacob's frown deepen as the conversation continued down its path and he heard Sam exhale a heavy breath. Things were getting complicated and fast. These unknown factors were going to bring along more trouble and who knew how to possibly handle them?
"Do you think it's possible for one of their kind to erase memories? I mean, if they can teleport and throw flares that cause pain or fire, someone must be able to do it, right?" Quil asked. His question hung in the air. The possibility was high, and the realization that someone had deliberately erased a person's memory in an attempt to keep them safe meant that they were in severe danger. However, that wasn't the real question they wanted to ask. The question that brought upon this meeting in the first place… Was this apparent threat a danger to them as well?
"If there's more of them coming, they're not only going to hurt this girl but anyone else who's unfortunate enough to get in their way," Sam finally said, having been a wolf the longest. "Since this one vampire's arrival here a week ago, his victim count is nearly off the charts and all of them more brutal than what we've seen today. I wouldn't even be too surprised that if we didn't arrive in time, it would have been much worse for the girl with his obvious grudge and obsession in needing to end her."
Jacob clenched his hands into fists, anger filling himself straight to his center where the wolf laid in wait to attack anything that would hurt his imprint. No one seemed to have anything to say and the meeting was called to a close. The wolves were quick to return to their routine a few running back towards the forest for their patrolling shift.
The Alpha clasped a hand over Jacob's shoulder as he left the small home. "Jacob," he began coming to a pause unsure of what to say. "We'll help keep your Imprint safe, so don't think you have to do it by yourself. She's a Wolf's girl now, she's one of us, pack-mate." His hand lifted slowly as Jacob turned to look at Sam with an appreciative nod.
"Thank you," he replied as he turned away again.
Sam pursed his lips together in thought. "But I have to ask," he called again causing the other boy to halt in his steps, "what are you going to tell Isabella."
Jacob's eyes darkened for a moment. "She's married now so it doesn't concern her." When he glanced to look at the pack leader, he recognized the hurt and knowing expression on his features.
"You still love her though."
The Russet wolf turned away again this time continuing in his steps. "Maybe. But…" Jacob took in a deep breath exhaling it heavily. "But I have Hermione now. Whether she wants me or not, I'm hers." A smile lifted the ends of his lips. The idea was going to take a bit of getting used to, but it was still a nice thought. Soul mate. The one person in the world that would forever have a connection with him. He might love her now, but his heart, his human heart that couldn't fully be controlled by the imprinting, told him that once he really talks to her and gets to know her, he'll be in love with her fully, through and through, and unconditionally. And when that day came, he knew he'd be the happiest man alive.
…
Nearly a week had passed since her attack and she considered herself extremely lucky when it turned out that her parents hadn't arrived home yet. Thanking Carlisle again, she promised to see him the next day with her parents; although for them, it was under the pretence of wanting a new doctor to check up on her because of the accident rather than because of the assault.
She stood by her door looking around her new bedroom. The walls were still a bare white color, there was only a bed for furniture and her beloved books were still packed away in boxes piled away in the garage. Her hands held up a few color cards as she squinting trying to picture what the room would look like in a pale grey or a bright red. But try as she might, her eyes just wanted to stare out at the mostly empty space and not really take in the room like she planned too. Dropping her arms and resting her hands on her hips, she sighed.
Taking the short four strides to her bed, she flopped down onto her stomach in defeat. Her attention had diverted itself to her exposed arms, a free finger running down her newest addition of scars. It was small and already faint in color, like it was years old and faded. Shaking her head she rolled onto her back to stare at her ceiling this time, one hand coming back up with a few more color cards. Hermione tried to get her thoughts to onto the direction of wondering whether stores still sold those glow in the dark stars that you could stick on mostly anything, but they wandered back to that day in the forest.
She knew she was far from normal, no matter how much she had tried to convince herself otherwise, she just wasn't. Those dreams, some of them of the boy named Harry and others about a large castle that was her home for the most part of her life. Those dreams, she knew, couldn't really be dreams, not anymore. Every time she would close her eyes, she could see that man, Antonin Dolohov, hear him cackle in those last few moments of his life. His voice echoing in her mind. Words both promising her that her death was coming and confirming her suspicions of a possible forgotten past.
There was a knock at her door and her father entered with a large smile. "Good morning, honey," he greeted brightly.
Hermione looked up with a returning smile. "Morning, Dad. Late start this morning," she said as she glanced at her alarm that noted it was ten-thirty.
"Well, we had a late night with all the last minute planning, no?" His smile didn't fade. Sitting at the edge of her bed he looked around her room. "So, choose a color yet?" he asked curiously. He and his wife were going to go buy the paint later that day so they could start painting.
His daughter sighed softly. "No. I thought I had one, but the more I think about it, the more it just doesn't feel right."
William just chuckled. "I guess we could keep your room for last if you'd like?" he suggested, "Do you have any particular theme you want? Maybe we could look through some books or something to help you out?"
Hermione pursed her lips for a moment. "I've been thinking I wanted to get some glow in the dark stars," she said looking back up at her ceiling.
Her father laughed loudly. "Honey, you might be too old for that," he commented but his daughter just rolled her eyes.
"I'll be eighteen soon and that isn't too old!" she insisted, "Besides, I just want to get the night sky onto my ceiling. I think I'd like that as a theme."
William shook his head as he stood from his spot patting her foot affectionately. "Would you like the Aurora Borealis too?" he teased as he caught the pillow she threw at him. "Anyway, your mother is just about to start cooking breakfast. Why don't you go freshen up before we head down to the store for the paint?"
Hermione sat up with a nod. "Okay, what's for breakfast?" she wondered while she walked over to her closet to prepare her clothes for the day as her father had walked back to her door.
"Oatmeal I believe."
"Yum," she replied with a grin, walking passed him towards her personal bathroom.
William shook his head as he made his way downstairs to the kitchen. "Did she pick a color, Will?" asked his wife, Jane as she cut some fruits for their breakfast.
He shook his head as he settled down by the table with a mug of coffee. "Nope. She has a theme though, so you know how she'll get once we're at the store." His wife laughed lightly. "She'll have her vision all picked out before we know it."
Jane smiled brightly as she prepared the pot over the stove. "Yes, I suppose she will."
The rest of the morning passed quickly for the Granger family. Hermione's mother enthusiastically went on about the different color schemes she had planned for each room and her father's new projects he wanted to get done around the house. By the time breakfast was done and they were out the door to head to the store it was nearly noon.
Hermione looked up at the greying sky with a slight sigh wondering if it were ever going to be sunny while she lived here before walking around the car to the back while her mother settled into the front passenger seat. She glanced at the forest across the front yard just as her father was locking their door. A small grin broke out on her face when she caught sight of a familiar large Russet Wolf hidden within the trees. Bringing a hand up for a wave, she blinked and he was gone.
"Who are you waving at, Darling?" Jane asked, her head peeking out the window, staring curiously at her daughter who stood by the opened car door.
Blinking again in surprise that her mother caught the small motion she looked down at her before getting into the car. "Oh, I- uh, I thought I saw a wolf," came her honest response.
Her father laughed at her while getting into the car as well, having it come to life with the roar of the engine. "And you thought you'd wave at it?"
"Him," Hermione unconsciously corrected as they drove off. The rest of her parents' conversation passed over her head while she wondered why the wolf was quick to disappear. Did that mean he hadn't wanted her to see him? Lingering on those thoughts for a few moments more, she shrugged them away when they arrived at their destination.
With a nod, her father who pointed to the section of the store that held the planks of wood for flooring while her mother who said she was going to look at the gardening tools. Hermione watched them go their separate ways for a moment before heading over to the wall of color charts again.
Every color of the rainbow in all shades and textures filled the large shelf that was mounted onto the wall. Seeing that it was organized in a manner where the right side started out bright before moving down in bold then soft colors, she headed to the far left. Hermione must have been standing there for a while because someone startled her from her deciding thoughts.
"You know… staring at the palettes won't make it change or anything," an unfamiliar deep voice said.
Hermione, being a girl who prided herself on her observation skills, swiftly turned to her right. There beside her, stood a boy. He was taller than her by at least a head with tanned skin and dark messy short hair. He gave her a grin with a curious look in his familiar eyes. She stood there, her thoughts racing like it usually did when she analyzed things and in barely even a minute- it clicked.
"Jacob?"
…
To Be Continued
…
alexis in wonderland:
FIRST OFF! I Have to give a HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE! MEGAAAAA HUGEEEE THANK YOUUUU! To all my readers! I have to honestly say I wasn't expecting this thing to get so many hits, but little did I know, you lovely readers you, managed to fill my inbox in just a week! So THANK YOU SO MUCH! I really appreciate that you took the time to drop a line or two to let me know how you think! :D I sent a reply to all reviews. But those anonymous ones, or the ones who've blocked the PM settings, that thank you message was for you too! I hope it'll be the same for the coming chapters because I'll admit, it made me write faster than ever to get this done haha. Hint hint.
ANYWAY, this chapter in my opinion, is mostly a filler, but don't worry the whole Jacob and Hermione friendship/relationship building will be starting in the next chapter (That's why I ended it where I did :D)! Someone asked how old our dear main characters are, so for the sake of this story, both of them are born in the same year. Jacob, being born in January is already eighteen, and Hermione being born in September will be turning eighteen during this story. Having warped time, I'll be explaining the time frame of the actual twilight verse in my note in chapter three.