A.N/:

LauRawrCait: I'll try to update as soon as possible. :)

Lady Luna Riddle: yes the truck is still there. And no Riley for now, he'll be there soon enough. The story takes place somewhat a little bit before Eclipse, New Moon have passed in this one. And about Seth, he wasn't a Vampire; he was a shape-shifter wasn't he? And thank you for the nice comments you gave me. :)

Dark Neko 4000: you will soon find out! :)

crazy-A7X-fan-13: thank you! :)

skydancer2ooo: yes they did talk, it will be mentioned in later chapters. For now it's just Hermione meeting new people. And I'll try my best to make it longer. :)

NorthernLights25: on it! :D

Here's the next chapter, hope you like it!

Lea

When they walked in, Charlie helped them out of their coats. The wet umbrellas were put away for later use. When Hermione let Crookshanks down, the first thing he did when his paw hit the ground was to patrol around the halls. Charlie raised a questioning eyebrow at this curious scene, but only to receive a shrug as a reply from Hermione.

"Does he always do that?" he asked curiously was he watched the feline sniffed around and move over each room, seeming to look for any danger.

"Not at first" Hermione said. Only after the war though, she added mentally.

When she had Obliviated her parents all those years ago and sent them to Australia, she had given instructions to the cat to watch over them. Make sure to no suspicious wizards or witches, especially the ones that wore dark robes and scull masks to get near them. To an outsider, it might have looked silly, but she believed in his judgments, especially after the incident in third year with Sirius and that rat, Peter Pettigrew. And it seems that after her request, he now adopts the habit of patrolling around any building they were staying at, or any new places for that matter. He's a bit too paranoid, but she's not one to talk since she herself is paranoid most of the time. Not to the extent of Mad-Eye mind you.

"So how is Bella, Charlie?" Jean asked as they sit on the couch. Thanking Charlie as he offered them a cup of tea. "Last time I hear, she was found unconscious in the woods. Just broken up with a boy" she said worriedly, taking a sip out of her cup.

"She's fine, and it seems to me like they're back up again." He huffed as he took his mug of coffee. Seems like Charlie's not much of a fan of his, Hermione noted.

"Though it seems as of late she's having a little bit of trouble with Jacob, She's a bit devastated." Charlie sighed.

That piqued Eugene's curiosity as he placed his cup down.

"Bill and Sarah's son… That Jacob? " He asked curiously.

"What happened with them?"

"I don't know. She won't tell me, that's the problem." He sighed again in frustration.

"She'll probably tell you in due time when she's ready Charlie." Hermione comforted.

"I hope you're right Hermione." He said as he slumped into the couch.

"Oh! Excuse me." Eugene said as his phone rang. He stood up and went to another room to answer the call, though a few moments later he returned with a frown on his face.

"What is it?" Jean asked worriedly.

"The guy who was managing the cottage just called, he said that we won't be able to use the cottage for at least a week. Turns out they forgot to renew the old plumbing's last year. It gave out and now the whole place is dripping." He said tiredly.

"You three could always stay here." Charlie piped up.

"There's a guest room upstairs and I'm sure Bella wouldn't mind sharing a room with 'mione for a while." Charlie offered.

"Are you sure about this? We don't want to be a bother. We could always go back and find a hotel in Seattle." Eugene said.

"Nonsense, you lot came all the way over here to visit us anyway. It's the least I could do." He insisted.

"Thank you so much Charles." Jean sighed in relief.

"Anything for you Jenny dear" Charlie winked playfully as they all laughed.

There was a sudden crash in the kitchen not soon after though, followed by a muttered 'crap'. Charlie quickly stood up, looking concerned, as did Hermione and her parents.

"Bella, are you ok? Need some help?" Charlie asked.

"No, dad, I'm fine! Just tripped on the cat!" she called.

Hermione wince slightly in guilt and stood up, placing her cup on the table. That cat will be the death of me. Hermione thought.

"Sorry, I'll go check up on her." She said.

"No, it's fine." Charlie waved off as he sat back down. "She always trips on thing, my Bella." He sighed again fondly as he shook his head.

"I insist. It was my cat's fault after all." She grimaced, and walked herself to the kitchen.

The sight that greeted her was a bit comical. Bella was flat on her back, hair askew, holding a wooden spoon with the ginger cat on top of her stomach sniffing her curiously and staring intently at her. Bella in turn was looking at the cat bewilderedly.

"Bella, I'm so sorry, please forgive me." Hermione apologized as she took Crookshanks from her and helping her stand up.

"No, it's fine." Bella said hastily. "Um, your cat? Sorry, I mean Hermione right?" she stumbled awkwardly as she extended her hand.

"Yes, this is Crookshanks. And it's a pleasure to meet you again, Bella." Hermione said kindly as they shook hands, giving her a small reassuring smile. Bella seems to relax after this, and smiled back at her though timidly.

"I'm sorry I don't remember anything about you though" Bella apologized, looking a bit sheepish.

"It's fine Bella." She tried to assured the younger woman "No one blames you. You were too young to remember anyway. I'll be amazed beyond belief if you do." Hermione grinned.

"I guess." Bella shrugged as she grinned back at her, visibly relaxing.

Hermione could tell though. Even though she seems relaxed, she was still slightly cautious around her. She doesn't know why, but she shrugged it off and looked around the mess in the kitchen, noting the spilled dressing and salad on the floor.

"So, need any help?" Hermione asked.

"I just need to remake the salad." Bella shrugged.

"Well why don't you go and do that while I clean the floor and set the table?" Hermione offered. Bella seems to ponder about this, a bit uncertainly to let the guest do the cleaning.

"Um, how about we do them together instead?" Bella suggested uncertainly.

"Sure thing" Hermione grinned.

It took them only a few minutes to remake the salad dressing, but other than that the salad was ready. They've cleaned the floor with Crookshanks help, much to Bella's amusement. He seems to be a bit guilty over the mess and helped by eating the shredded chicken from the salad. He was already full by the time all the chicken was gone from the floor so there was no need to feed him later on till dinner. As they were setting up the table, they chatted lightly, asking little things about the other. They realized after a while they have many things in common, like their love for reading for example and finding beauty in simple little things.

"So…" Hermione started as she placed the plates. "You've got a boyfriend I heard?" she asked. She noticed Bella stiffened slightly but as quickly as it came, it was gone in an instance as she regained her composure.

"Yes. His name is Edward. Edward Cullen." Bella said calmly. "How about you?" she asked, changing the topic.

"Me? I haven't been that lucky I guess." Hermione shrugged.

"Really?" Bella asked doing a double take and looking at her incredulously.

"What?" Hermione asked, blushing slightly.

"Are you kidding me? There must have been at least a few people you dated! I mean, you looking like –like – like that!" Bella pointed out, looking disbelievingly at her.

"You don't need to be so hyped up about that you know." Hermione pointed out. While smiling amusedly as Bella blushed.

"Well, I guess I have dated a few times…" Hermione trailed off.

"I'm guessing there is a 'but'?" Bella grinned. All trace of embarrassment aside for later.
Hermione stuck out her tongue childishly at her and grinned. "But, that was a long time ago. Last time I dated was 6 years ago."

"How many people have you dated actually?" Bella asked curiously as she placed the bowl of salad and a roasted chicken at the center.

"Only three and they were all short lived." Hermione said simply as she placed the last plate.

"Wow." Bella muttered.

"Come on! Enough with these boys talk thingy. I'm starting to feel too girlie!" Hermione exclaimed.

"You started it."

"Good point."

And they laughed.

Supper was a great affair; they all talked and joked around, all in all trying to catch up on lost time. At first, when Bella meets her parents, she was quite a shy and timid. But looking at her now laughing freely as her father starts telling off embarrassing stories, she realized she was only shy around new people she met, its nice to know she opened up to her family now that they got to know each other better again.

The phone rang when Charlie served desert, and Bella stood up to get it. She returned a few moments later and sat back down.

"Who was it Bells?" Charlie asked as he took a bite out of his pudding.

"Just Alice, she was wondering if I could stay over at her house for tonight. Well at first I told her I couldn't because a few relatives are staying over. And then she told me I could bring Hermione over also so you three could catch up."

"What did you tell her next?" Charlie asked again curiously.

"That I'll call her later; I wanted to ask Hermione first." She shrugged. "So… um, wanna go Hermione?" She asked, looking a bit nervous.

"Well if it's ok with them, then I guess I'll go. But who's Alice?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Edwards's sister. Alice Cullen"