Previously:
As they started closing in, I crossed the street and tried to slip past them. They decided to give up the cat and mouse game and started coming for me. I planted my feet and squared my shoulders preparing to show these assholes they were messing with the wrong witch when we were all blinded by headlights. A shiny silver Volvo was speeding towards us, causing the thugs to scatter. Suddenly the car did a 180 and the passenger door flew open. "Get in." It was Edward.
Chapter 8:
I didn't even hesitate. We were speeding away before I realized what I'd done. What was I thinking? I could take the muggles without even breaking a sweat! But no, I jumped into the enclosed car with the vampire chauffer. I quickly put up my shield so that I would be protected if he lost control.
After my brief mental chewing out, I turned to look at my knight in shining Volvo. Swoon. He looks so sexy when he's mad. I mean, he looks really really mad. More like enraged. Furious. Irate. Livid. You get what I'm saying. The guy was pissed. If his heart was working I'd be afraid it would fail. As it stands, I'm more worried about the poor steering wheel that's about to crack under the pressure.
I decided to break the tense silence. "Are you okay?"
He let out a humorless laugh. "You're asking me if I'm okay? No, Bella. I'm not okay."
"Oh," was my brilliant response. I never know quite how to take Edward. He has been very hard to read ever since the van incident. He hasn't spoken to me, but I get the feeling that he's always aware of me in a way that goes beyond me being his singer. I know I'm always aware of him. Whenever I'm near him, I feel like there's this energy that runs between us. It's both weird and wonderful.
Mike has been walking me to biology since I started at Forks High. He's recently gotten comfortable enough in our friendship to sit on the edge of my desk and chat me up before class. I get the impression that this annoys Edward. I don't know why. He certainly doesn't want to talk to me. Why should he care if Mike does? When Mike asked me to the girl's choice dance, Edward's entire demeanor changed. He tensed up even more than normal and tilted his head ever so slight in my direction. I'm probably the only one who noticed the change in him. But then again, I notice everything about Edward.
"I'm okay, you know. I was going to tase their asses," I held up my transfigured taser, and prayed he didn't ask for a demonstration. I had already put my wand away. I had a special holster for my wand that allowed me to draw it and put it away very discreetly. All I had to do was let go of it and automatically flew back into the holster. Once it was back in place the wand became as invisible as the holster. It was damn expensive, but I could afford it.
He looked over at me with a raised eyebrow. "It's not funny, Bella. You have no idea what those men were thinking."
I think I can take a few guesses, Edward…Wait. "And you do?" He and turned back to the windshield and continued driving us Merlin knows where.
As I thought about his wording…You don't know what those men were thinking…memories quickly flashed through my mind.
I cast a finite to cancel the Notice-Me-Not and Muffliato after our conversation about how to make Lauren think she's going crazy. The girls both have huge grins on their faces, and they're undoubtedly thinking of more methods of action. I notice Edward looking at the girls with a curious expression and a slight smirk.
A few weeks later, Edward bows his head with a big grin and shoulders shaking in mirth for no apparent reason. I turn back to Angela and see she's doing the exact same thing. "What?" I ask her. "Nothing, I was just thinking of the look on Lauren's face when Mike told her he was waiting to see if you asked him to the dance before he could accept her 'invitation'."
I glance over to Edward and he's staring at me intensely. His eyebrows are furrowed and his face shows pure concentration. Like I'm a puzzle he can't quite figure out. It makes me uncomfortable, so I turn to away contemplating what this could mean. When I glance out the window I see Bella Italia. This is where I was supposed to meet Angela and Sarah. I didn't tell him we were meeting here.
Holy. Shit. Edward's a mind reader. He can't read my mind because of Occlumency. I'm suddenly very grateful to Voldemort for giving us the inspiration to study the practice.
I wonder if I can get him to tell me. "How did you know I was meeting Sarah and Angela here?"
His eyebrows shot up and he blinked back at me before shifting his gaze to something outside my window. I turned to see Angela and Sarah walking out of the restaurant. My door was suddenly opened and Edward gestured for me to get out of his car. I obliged and approached my worried friends. When they saw me their faces lit up.
"Bella! We were so worried! Where have you – Oh. Hi, Edward."
"Hello. I found Bella lost in the streets, and offered to bring her here. Do you all mind if I join you for dinner?" I scowled at him. Why does he always turn me into some weakling whenever he needs a convenient excuse?
Angela seemed very nervous to be conversing with the handsome boy. "Um, sure. Well – erm, we actually already ate. We were waiting for you, Bella, but they told us they had to take our order, and – "
I cut her off. "It's okay, Angela. I'm not really that hungry anyway."
"It's okay, Bella. I'll take you home. You really need to eat." I tried to be offended. I really don't need a vampire's input on healthy eating habits. However, my excitement that this beautiful boy wanted to spend time with me was overshadowing my ire.
"Sure, as long as that's okay with you, Bella." Sarah, bless her. Yes, I know that he basically just ordered me to go with him. I'm not complaining.
"It's fine, guys. I'll see you at school tomorrow."
Edward made sure the girl's made it safely to Angela's car before steering me toward the restaurant with a hand at the small of my back. I internally shuddered at his closeness. He smelled so lovely, and the electricity flowing between us was making me feel all happy inside.
Both the hostess and our waitress were obviously taken with Edward, and decided to ignore my existence. The waitress may as well have closed her eyes, stuck her fingers in her ears and started chanting "Na Na Na!" while I placed my order. She was staring at Edward expectantly when he said, "Nothing for me, thanks." Well, I hope not, Edward.
I decided to spend the time at the restaurant getting to know him, instead of trying to force him to try my mushroom ravioli. It turns out that we have a lot in common. We like similar music, and both love to read. We both talked a bit about our families. Everyone in his coven seemed really cool. Except maybe Rosalie. I told him as much about the Skirts and my life growing up as I could. Even though we were getting along really well, it kind of made me sad. Neither of us could be completely honest about who we were.
When I was almost finished with my meal he asked me a surprising question. "So, do you have any theories?"
"Theories about what?"
"At the hospital you told me you were going to figure me out. I just wondered if you have any theories."
"Hmm…I thought we were pretending like that never happened. At least I'm pretty sure you have spent the last month wishing it hadn't."
"What do you mean by that?" He sounded confused.
"The way you look at me sometimes. It makes me feel like you wish you would've just let the van crush me."
Okay, now he's pissed. "You're absurd."
I didn't want to argue with him. "Fine. I'm sorry I said anything. But yes, I do have some theories." While scanning through that book on Quillette legends I read about the "cold ones." Legend has it that the Quillettes are descended from shape shifting wolves capable of killing vampires. I wasn't exactly sure I believed that part. I'm pretty sure that without magic only a vampire can kill another vampire. I could tell him that I'd read the legend, though, and that there were many similarities between his family and the "cold ones".
He looked nervous. "Let's hear them."
"Not here. In the car." As soon as the sentence was out of my mouth the waitress walked up with our check. I tried to pay, but Edward snatched the ticket up before I could get my hands on it. He seemed like the old fashioned type, and Merlin only knows how old he actually is, so I let him take the check with a polite thank you.
On the way back to the car, Edward noticed me shivering. He gave me his jacket while chastising me for leaving mine in Angie's car. So worth it. I could just burrow into his jacket and stay forever. It smelled wonderful.
As soon as we made it to the highway, Edward started questioning me. I was nervous. This conversation could go many different ways. I fervently hoped that he would see that I didn't care that he was a vampire; I still wanted to be friends with him. Truthfully I wanted to be more than friends. I didn't want him to see that just yet, though. I checked my shield and let out an audible sigh.
"Well, I'm pretty sure you can read minds." He visibly relaxed. I'm not finished, Edward. "I'm also pretty sure you're a vampire."
He slammed on the brakes and pulled off the road. I mentally snorted. Some tell you've got there, Edward. Aren't vampires supposed to be stealthy? He was staring straight ahead gripping the steering wheel like his life depended on it.
"Edward?"
His lips were in a tight line. He didn't look at me when he finally responded. "What brought you to that conclusion?"
"Well, a couple of things, really. You never eat or drink anything. Your skin is pale white and ice cold. The first day in class you completely stopped breathing. For the entire hour. Your eyes change color. Um, then there's the whole crossing the parking lot in matter of seconds and stopping a speeding van with your bare hands thing. That was probably the most telling." Holding up the Quillette book, I added "I also read a legend in this book about the "cold ones", which were obviously vampires. You and your family have a lot of similar characteristics."
Nothing. He's still staring out the windshield. Gah, I wish I knew what he was thinking! I decided to let him know how I felt about things. "I don't care, Edward, if that's what you're worried about. I won't tell anyone, either."
That got him to react. He turned his head to me so fast I didn't even catch the movement. His face was incredulous. "You don't care? Bella, I'm a monster! How are you even sitting in this car with me right now?"
I couldn't help it. I snorted. "Edward, don't be so melodramatic. So you're a vampire. Who cares? It's a being's actions not their species that makes a person a monster. You've saved my life. Twice." He didn't technically save my life, as I didn't really need his help in either instance, but it's the intent behind the action. He thought I would die, and he'd risked exposure to save me. "You're driving me home after taking me out to dinner, Edward. If you were a monster you would have ripped my throat out a long time ago."
He grimaced. "I wanted to."
Wow, is he seriously going to be stuck as an emo teenager his whole existence? We're going to have to work on this self loathing thing he's got going on. "What's your point, Edward? I want to punch Lauren Mallory in her stupid face on a daily basis. I don't. You can't judge yourself based on your desires, Edward. Especially ones that are out of your control. Judge yourself based on your actions. That's how I've judged you. Do you know what I see?"
"No." He looked away shyly and my heart melted for him. He's so devilishly handsome, and now he's adding shy, insecure boy in to the mix. Not fair, Edward!
"I see a kind and compassionate man who is trying to do the right thing under impossible circumstances. A man who's denying his very nature to preserve human life. A man who risked exposing his secret to save a girl he barely knew. I see a tormented man, who can't look past what he is to see who he is. I can, though. I can see his soul, and it's beautiful."
Okay, I just really put myself out there. The words were out of my mouth before I even thought about what I was saying. They were absolutely true, though. I have been keenly aware of Edward since I first laid eyes on him. I just feel…drawn to him. When he started ignoring me, I deflected with sarcasm and nonchalance, but it did bother me. He is beautiful inside and out, and I really didn't want him to dislike me.
When he looked back toward me I could see the vulnerability in his eyes. "You really see that?"
I tentatively reached my hand to where his gripped the steering wheel. He allowed me to bring it down and hold his cold hand between my two warm ones. "Yes, Edward. There are only a few things in this world that know with absolute certainty." One, my father is innocent. Two, "You are a good man, with a beautiful soul. Of that, I have no doubts."
The change in his demeanor was staggering. His face broke into the most brilliant smile. It lit up his whole face. I couldn't help but smile just as brightly. I also really wanted to kiss him. I refrained, though. You should never take a vampire by surprise, especially when you're up in his grill.
He gently squeezed my hand and pulled the car back on the road. There were a few minutes of comfortable silence before Edward started teasing me. "So, you don't punch Lauren in her face, you just move her car around the parking lot, change out her lunch and gym clothes, and hack into her e-mail to make her think she's losing her mind?"
I smirked at him. "Not anymore. Sarah issued a cease fire. She had it coming, though."
He laughed. Sigh. What a lovely sound. "That she did."
For the rest of the trip we bantered back and forth like two regular high school kids. By the time we reached Charlie's house Edward seemed like a different person. Lighter somehow. He stopped me as I was getting out of the car.
"Bella?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sick of trying to stay away from you."
My heart started beating double time. "Then don't." It was barely a whisper, but I knew he heard me. Merlin, when did I turn into such a sappy school girl? Oh yeah, when I met Edward Cullen.
He rewarded me with another breath taking smile. I turned to leave, but he stopped me again.
"Bella?"
I turned to him with a wry grin but immediately sobered at the serious look on his face. He hesitantly reached his hand toward my face and brushed his fingers across my cheek. His eyes were so earnest as they stared into mine.
"Thank you," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
I swallowed. Hard. Then I met his eyes and smiled shyly. "You're welcome."
I ran up to my room and immediately owled my girls. I had already told them all about him, and they had teased me relentlessly, accusing me of being "in lurve" with a vampire. I had ardently denied the accusations, but I couldn't anymore. I was irrevocably in love with Edward Cullen.
The next morning I could be found flitting about the house with a goofy grin on my face. I may have gone a little overboard with the flitting, and I found myself running late for school. As I was racing to my truck I noticed a shiny silver Volvo in the driveway. Edward was leaning against the passenger door with a roguish grin on his face. "I thought you could ride with me today."
I smiled back and he opened the door for me. "Thanks."
We were definitely the talk of the school when we arrived. I think Jessica's jaw may even be in danger of permanent dislocation. I felt a bit bad for Edward. The mental voices must be deafening. I wonder if he could learn to control his power with Occlumency. I made a mental note to look into that.
Edward headed off to his first class after dropping me off at mine. Classes seemed to drag on even longer than usual, as I was anxious to get to lunch. Jessica had asked me a billion questions about me and Edward in Calculus. I knew he was probably "listening" to Jessica's thoughts, so I just told her that he took me to dinner after we ran into each other in Port Angeles, and left it at that. She was dissatisfied, but I didn't care. Angela and Sarah had only made sure that I was alright and that we had a good time before moving on to another topic. This is why they were my best friends here.
At lunch I sat with Edward and we chatted about his family. He was telling about their animal preferences. Apparently Edward loves mountain lion. I laughed out loud. I couldn't wait to tell Nic! Then I realized that he was waiting for me to explain my outburst and the smile slid off my face. Shit. I can't exactly tell him one of my besties' animal form is a mountain lion. I told him I just thought it was funny that he has characteristics of a mountain lion, and that's what he likes to hunt. Lame, I know. It was the best I could do in his dazzling presence. I'd like to see you do better.
He just shook his head at me and we kept up our banter. It was amazing how someone who was, for all intents and purposes, dead, could make me feel so alive. I realized that once he laid off the brooding, he was actually quite funny. Before I knew it the lunch room was thinning out and the bell was about to ring.
Edward said he was ditching class and asked me if I wanted to join him. I didn't particularly care about class, but I knew it would disappoint Charlie if I was caught skipping classes with a boy. As I sat in class I realized that I really should have skipped. I was staring out the window day dreaming about beautiful bronze haired vampires, and hadn't heard one word of the lesson. I was startled out of my reverie by catching sight of Caelen flapping wildly outside the window. I turned back toward the teacher just has he was pricking Mike's finger to demonstrate the blood typing lab. Perfect.
I wandlessly placed a mild glamour over my complexion to make me look a bit peaky. I then started swaying a bit on my stool, catching Mr. Banner's eye. "Bella, are you feeling alright."
I groaned. "No sir, I have an aversion to blood. Can I please be excused?"
"Of course. Do you need someone to escort you to the nurse?"
"No, sir. I just need some fresh air."
"Very well. Feel better."
I made my way to the empty girl's bathroom and opened the window. Caelen came in moments later and extended his leg. The girls must have told him it was urgent if he was interrupting me at school. They must be really freaked out that I'm in love with a vampire.
I unrolled the scroll and realized they sent me the morning newspaper. There was a sticky note on the front page that read:
That's great about Edward, but you need to read this.
– The Skirts
The main article was titled, "Sirius Black breaks into the Gryffindor Tower at Hogwarts!"
The article went on to state that my dad had broken into the castle again, and had managed to get in the tower that housed Harry Potter. There was more speculation about how he was trying to finish Voldemort's task of murdering Harry. Idiots, the lot of them. He was standing over the bed of Ronald Weasley with a knife. If he was after Harry, why wasn't he standing over him? If was truly a madman, he would have massacred Harry straight away. Why was I the only one to see this? I followed the article where it continued on page 3B, and found another note. It read:
Idiots, the lot of them. Why was he standing over Weasley's bed if he was after Harry? Do they even read this rubbish before they publish it?
– The Skirts
I had to laugh at that. We thought so much alike. He's giving us some clues here. I needed to think on this. I also needed to talk to the girls. I sent Caelen back with a letter asking them to look up any news articles published featuring the Weasleys. I told them I'd floo call them at 1:00 am in our floor's common room.
After sending Caelen back, I read the article a few more times. I decided I really could use some fresh air and went outside to think. I pulled my knees to my chest when I sat on the curb and rested my forehead against my knees. Why was he going after Weasley? I read about their family in the genealogy books, and they were a respectable lot, strongly ensconced on the side of the Light. Ronald was a third year like Harry. That's so young. What would he have that would help my dad?
I was deep in thought, and didn't notice Edward's approach until he was directly in front of me. "Bella?" He sounded worried.
I looked up in shock. "Edward, I thought you were ditching."
"I was. I was sitting in my car waiting for my next class."
I cocked my head to the side. "Why didn't you tell me we were blood typing?"
He laughed out loud. "Can't handle a little blood, Bella?"
I couldn't very well tell Edward that I needed to escape from the room because my owl was about to start making a scene, so I just smiled sheepishly. "I guess not."
The next thing I knew, I was in Edward's arms. Ooo, I like it here. But this was abnormal. "What the hell are you doing, Edward?"
He smiled mischievously and said, "I'm getting you out of gym, now hush."
Eh, who am I to argue? I laid my head on his strong chest and allowed his scent to envelop me. Before I knew it Edward was setting me down in a chair just inside the office. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted.
I heard him speaking to Mrs. Cope. He convinced her to let him take me home as I was feeling sick after the blood typing. She was putty in his capable hands. When we got back in the car I asked something I'd been curious about since I first saw him.
"How old are you, Edward?"
"Seventeen," was his deadpan answer.
I rolled my eyes. "And how long have you been seventeen?"
"A while."
"Come on, Edward," I whined. Then pouted.
He sighed. "I was born in 1901."
I let my eyes travel up and down his body, surveying him. When I made my way back up to his eyes, I could see that he was waiting expectantly. "You look good for 94."
He grinned and shook his head. "You never respond the way I expect."
I smiled smugly. "Just trying to keep you on your toes, Cullen."
After he dropped me off at Charlie's, I decided to floo to New York. The largest US wizarding library was located there, and they have archives of old newspapers from around the globe. I sat for a few moments contemplating where to begin. I knew I would be looking through old copies of the Daily Prophet, but I didn't know when to start.
I decided to start with the day that my dad escaped, and move backward. Perhaps the reason he was trying to get to Ron was the catalyst behind his escape. I skimmed through all the headlines trying to find something that would have motivated him to risk slipping past the Dementors. The Weasley's were on the forefront of my search, but I didn't want to limit myself.
About an hour after starting my search, I hit pay dirt. Peter. Fucking. Pettigrew. There was a picture of the entire Weasley clan smiling and waving to the camera. The little bastard was sitting on Ronald Weasley's shoulder, missing toe and all. He is hiding as Ron's pet rat. Holy mother of Merlin! Harry's been sleeping in a room with the bastard who betrayed his parent's for almost three years! I quickly approached the librarian and paid for a few copies of the article.
My mind was all over the place as I waited for my 1:00 call. I had to tell someone. This was bigger than my father. This was Harry's life, too. Peter is dangerous. There is just one problem. Who is going to believe me? The only people that knew about Peter's animal form are either dead, presumed dead or on the run…Wait. No. Remy. He knows about Peter. I have no idea what happened to him, though. Merlin, what was his last name? It started with an L. Lincoln, Lisbon…no…Lupin!
WAIT! I remember seeing an announcement of the placement of a Remus Lupin at Hogwarts this year. Perfect! I can send the article to Remus anonymously and he will recognize Peter. My dad will have an ally!
It was with great excitement that I placed my head into the fireplace to call the girls. The three of them looked just as excited as I was. They had found the same article as me. It was with great joy that we discussed my plan to contact Remus about my dad's innocence. They thought it was excellent. Remy was in a much better position to help than we were. He was in the castle, and could keep an eye out for Peter while making sure Harry was protected.
With that discussion out of the way, the girls moved onto Edward. They squealed at the look on my face upon the mere mention of his name. "You've got it bad, girl." I didn't try to deny it. It was true. I told them I'd send a memory of Edward so they could see him. They were most pleased with this idea.
After we concluded our conversation I made my way upstairs to write the letter to Remy. I really wanted to tell him who I was. I was scared, though. It had been seven years. He had turned his back on my father. How did I know if I could trust him with that type of information? I decided to continue to keep my secret for now, and penned the letter anonymously.
Dear Remus,
Attached to this letter you will find an article from this past summer about the Weasley family's trip to Africa. Please note the rat sitting on Ronald Weasley's shoulder. Pay close attention to his front paw. I believe you will see that it is missing a toe. That's right, Remus. Say hello to your old friend Peter.
Sirius Black is not breaking into Hogwarts to get to Harry. He's trying to keep Harry safe from Peter. I mean, come on Remus, do you honestly think that the man you knew would sell out his best friend, his brother, to the man who ordered the death of his own daughter? That he would allow any harm to come to his own godson? If you really knew him at all you'd know he'd have the complete opposite reaction to Isabella's death. He wouldn't betray them; he would completely disregard his own safety in order to protect them.
That is exactly what he did. He used the muggle magician's greatest weapon, Remus. Misdirection. The Potter's needed a secret keeper. They secretly chose Peter while Sirius made the enemy think it was him. It's as brilliant as it is selfless. Sirius took all the danger upon himself. Even if Voldemort was able to capture Sirius and question him under Veritaserum, the secret would remain safe. The only kink in the plan was the fact that Peter Pettigrew is a dirty, rotten, treacherous little parasite.
Sirius was framed, Remus, and has spent the last 12 years in hell for a crime he didn't commit. I have always believed him to be innocent, but I had no proof until I saw this picture. The problem I face is that this picture will convince no other. Only you, Remus. Please help him. Find Peter. Sirius deserves to be exonerated. Lily, James and Harry deserve to have the one truly responsible for their suffering brought to justice.
Please.
- An old friend
I attached the letter to Caelen and promised him a long vacation if he would deliver it as quickly as possible. I also asked him to make sure that Remus is alone when the letter is delivered. As I watched him fly away I realized just how angry I was at Remy. How could he believe that my father was guilty? How could he believe it for one moment? He was my only hope, though. I just had to pray that he would be able to help.
The next few months flew by. There were no more sightings of my dad, and I had to pray that Remus was able to help him. I'd never forgive Remy if Sirius received the Kiss. It might not be fair, but that's how I feel.
Things in Forks were amazing…for awhile. Edward. There are just no words. He's funny and intelligent. Kind and protective, if a bit possessive. I don't mind though. I don't care if I'm betraying my gender, or whatever. That boy owned me. I had no doubts that he was my soul mate. I loved him. So much. He completes me in a way that I didn't know was possible. And the way he looks at me. I see nothing but adoration in his eyes. He tells me he loves me every day.
I had also gotten close with his family these past few months, sans Rosalie. She had a real problem with me. Whatever. I don't much care for her, either. I have no idea how she and Emmett ended up together. He is warm teddy bear to her ice princess. It's weird. He's awesome, though. He's like a giant kid. I sooo want to prank him. I would have to use magic, though. I haven't told Edward that I'm a witch, and it's killing me.
I feel like I'm betraying him. He's so open with me, and I am keeping such a huge part of myself from him. I'm just so torn. Vampires aren't supposed to know the secret. If I were to tell them, they'd need to have the charm placed over the knowledge. I wasn't equipped to do that myself. There were specially made potions and Legilimency involved when placing it over a vampire. After what Eleazar told me of Aro Volturi, I couldn't risk them knowing without the charm. If Aro found out, he would likely drive a campaign against our kind, since we know their secret. I'd have to contact the ministry, and tell them I'd illegally informed a coven of seven vampires about the magical world. I'd probably be arrested. I'm not sure if claiming that they were my family would work in this instance.
I sought advice from the Skirts, and they weren't exactly sure how to handle things either. Though they did think it would be awfully convenient for us to have the aid of seven vampires in our search for Pettigrew. I couldn't argue that. They thought I should wait a little while, though. I had only been dating him for a few months, after all. We had been together ever since the Port Angeles incident. It was kind of funny how I found out that I had a vampire boyfriend.
It was the Friday before the dance and Mike was sitting on my desk chatting me up before Mr. Banner started the lesson. He had been ignoring the fact that there was obviously something going on between me and Edward, much to Edward's annoyance. He finally decided to lay his claim on me when Mike asked me to reconsider coming to the dance, stating he'd be sure to save plenty of dances for me. Edward responded for me. "I'm sorry, Mike, but my girlfriend and I already have plans tomorrow night." The look on Mike's face was priceless.
More than having vampire help on the hunt for Peter, I wanted to tell Edward because I wanted him to know me. All of me. Finally the girls and I agreed that I should wait until my birthday to tell them. We'd have my annual party at Harley's on the fourth (you can share this once, America) and I could bring the Cullens. I had sent the girls a pensieve, so they knew what Edward looked like, but they really wanted to meet him and his family in person.
Speaking of his family, I seem to have gotten off track. Where was I? Oh yes, I want to prank Emmett. It will be one of the first items on my agenda once they all know I am capable of magic. I'm sure Alice will help me. She can see the future, but she can't see through magic. It blocks her vision. She has been frustrated with her gift since she met me. I hope our friendship makes up for it. She is the most excitable little pixie you'll ever meet in your life, and I absolutely love her. I talked to the Skirts about inducting her, as she's a master schemer. They were all for it.
Her mate is Jasper. He's an empath. I think that my reactions puzzle him sometimes. He is always asking why certain things about vampires don't frighten or confuse me. I just shrug in response. I don't know what to say. I'd seen much stranger things that a bunch of vegetarian vampires in my day. Jasper also has the most difficult time with his blood lust, and he mostly keeps his distance. I went to the book store in New York and bought every book on vampires I could find (Since Edward spent practically every night with me, I placed a charm on them so that he would be reading a Jane Austen novel if he tried to read it). I now probably knew more about vampires than they did. I was currently working on finding something to help them with the burn of their thirst. It would take some research, and some invention on my part, but it would be worth it.
Esme and Carlisle were also amazing. They were both so loving and compassionate. It was interesting to see the dynamic of their family. Carlisle and Esme weren't that much older than their "kids" at the ages they were turned. Hell, Edward had a decade on Esme as far as total years on the Earth. The "kids" all viewed them as parents, though. It warmed my heart. The vampire nature is aggressive and territorial. It's practically unheard of to have a coven the size of the Cullens. There is too much infighting. They end up killing each other. But the Cullens truly love each other. Looking at them, I realize that even as vampires, they are more human than Voldemort ever was.
Funnily enough, it was through the Cullens that I found out what has been keeping Jake so occupied. Edward and I were relaxing in a meadow he found when we were approached by six giant wolves. I wasn't scared or anything, but these wolves were freaking huge. Edward was looking at them intensely, almost like he was having a mental conversation with them. Yep, he just nodded. I looked back to the wolves and realized they must be shape shifters. I then noticed that they had clothes tied around their legs. Ha! They couldn't keep their clothes when they transformed.
Animagus 1. Shape Shifters 0.
They suddnely turned around and sprinted back into the trees. A few seconds later three boys I didn't recognize, along with Jacob, Quil and Embry came walking out of the forest. My eyes nearly popped out of my skull. Then I smirked at him. "Shape shifter, huh?" He smiled sheepishly at me. "Yeah." The three other boys were then introduced as Sam, Jared and Paul.
Jacob explained that he wanted to tell me, but that Sam, as alpha, had ordered him not to. I was just a regular human after all. I internally snorted. I could see the apology in Jake's eyes. I wasn't mad at him, though. He couldn't tell me their secret anymore than he could tell them mine.
Sam explained that when they're in their wolf form they have a collective pack mind, so he knew how desperate Jake was to tell me. I finally understood why Sandy said that it was imperative for Jake to have the charm. His mind needed to be protected from the pack. And Edward, it turns out. Anyway, after the Cullens told him that I knew about vampires, he decided they could trust me with their secret as well.
All the wolves, sans Jacob, were surprised at how well I was taking the news. Paul told me I handle weird really well. You have no idea, my friend. It turns out that their pack is natural enemies with vampires. I looked to Edward, but he seemed at ease.
Sam explained that in the past vampires had killed many people in their tribe. It was their job to protect their people from future attacks. Jacob's grandfather had made a treaty with the Cullens that would keep peace between them as long as they didn't kill humans and stayed off Quillette land. When Sam first turned, he was a lone wolf, with no pack. He had come across the Cullens while they were hunting and his reaction was visceral. It didn't matter than it was 7 against 1. His instincts were screaming "ENEMY!"
The Cullens had managed to subdue him without killing him. Afterwards Carlisle had made sure that he healed correctly. Sam's view changed on the Cullens that day. They would have been within their right to kill him. He had ventured outside the treaty line, and he'd attacked them unprovoked. The Cullens had helped him adjust to his life as a shape shifter, and he was grateful to them. They had become good friends. I was skeptical that a wolf, no matter how large, could kill a vampire. Edward informed me that they were more than capable. Humph.
Animagus 1. Shape Shifters 1.
They should probably get more points for being capable of killing a vampire, but I reserve the right to be stingy with my mental points.
After the pack's secret was out, we spent a lot of time hanging out with them. They were a lot of fun. One day they decided to play baseball. Apparently there was storm coming, and that was the only time the vampires could play. All the wolves joined, except Sam, who stayed back to protect the reservation.
It was an amazing sight. I paid rapt attention, and planned on sending the memory to the Skirts. When one of the wolves would bat, they would shift into their wolf form to round the bases. They wore a towel around their bits when they were in human form so they could keep their modesty without destroying all their clothes.
Alice was winding up for a pitch when she got a faraway look in her eyes. We all knew what that meant, and the group immediately met in the center of the field to find out what was going on. Apparently the three vampires that the Cullens had been helping the wolves track were making their way to investigate the game.
I was suddenly surrounded by my vampire and wolf family. The three vampires came gliding out of the trees on the opposite side of the clearing. Their easy gait faltered at the site of the wolves. This was what vampires were supposed to look like. They were wild. Feral. Red eyed. Even though they were outnumbered almost 4 to 1, I was scared. I didn't want anyone to get hurt. The man with crazy eyes and long blonde hair leaned over to the woman with a mass of untamed red hair, and whispered something in her ear. She took off, and Edward growled. The others looked to Edward enquiringly, and I figured they didn't hear what the blonde vampire said, either.
Edward murmured something that I couldn't hear and everyone growled. Paul then took off toward the reservation while Jared, Embry and Quil ran off behind us. Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Jasper and Emmett took off after the two males while Edward and Alice stayed back to protect me. I looked back up at Edward and his expression was lethal. I tugged on his sleeve and asked what was happening. He looked down at me with barely controlled rage.
"The blonde could see that we all gathered to protect a human. It presented a challenge that excited him. He was also curious about the wolves. He knew we would protect you so he's decided to make a game out of killing you. He sent the redhead out to circle around and try to snatch you from behind while we were concentrating on the two of them." Ah, good old misdirection. How do you trick a vampire like that, though? Even without Edward's ability it's very difficult to sneak up on a vampire. "Paul went back to the reservation to help Sam protect their people if the vampires ended up getting that far. The rest of the pack went after the redhead, while the rest of our family went after the two males."
Wow, this is…intense. About ten minutes later I saw a plume of purple smoke off in the distance. Alice and I looked to Edward and he said that the two males were dead, but the redhead got away. Just as he said this the wolves came back into the clearing with their heads hanging low.
Edward reassured them. "It's not your fault. We didn't get close enough to them for me to hear their thoughts before. The redhead has a gift. When she is under attack she finds the best escape. It's how they've been evading us all along."
Everyone was very subdued after the attack. We were also worried. If you kill a vampire's mate, they get revenge. Period. They don't care that their mate may have had it coming. That is not the last we will see of the redhead, who Edward later told us was Victoria. Edward was very upset. He kept telling me I could have died. How it would have been all his fault. I tried make him see the flaws in his logic. "Edward, I could have died when Tyler lost control of his van. I could have died when those thugs tried to assault me in Port Angeles. I am alive because of you." Again. Not really. He needed to hear this, though. He still remained convinced of his culpability.
That night I floo called the girls before Charlie went to sleep and Edward returned. I placed a Muffliato so that Charlie and the vampires outside my house couldn't hear our conversation. The girls were very upset. They knew that Victoria would be back. They were afraid that she would eventually find a way to get to me. Over the course of our conversation they convinced me to study Fiendfyre. I didn't have to practice using it, but I could at least get comfortable with the theory on how to control and banish it. You can't put out a Fiendfyre, so you have to banish it into non-existence. Before you can banish it you have to be able to get it under control. It is not an easy task, but then again, I'm no ordinary witch. I told them I'd study so that I'd have a back up to the shield I can erect. They told me they'd get the books and floo them over while we were in school.
When the shield was up no vampire could touch me with their person, but it didn't protect me from weapons. A vampire could make just about anything into a weapon. It would be possible to fight their weapons, but vampires are quick. How to conjure and control a Fiendfyre is definitely a good thing to know when you have dalliances with vampires.
My relationship with Edward became strained over the month leading up to my birthday. He was obsessing on Victoria, and I didn't know how to bring him back. I tried to soothe him by reminding him that it was thirteen against one, but he was inconsolable. While he spent the month brooding, I spent the month learning about Fiendfyre. I practiced by controlling regular fire using the methods of controlling the cursed variety. I had Charlie kick Edward out for about two to three hours a night so that I could practice. By the time my birthday came around, I was completely solid with banishment spell. I was also pretty kick ass at controlling regular fire.
I was going over to the Cullens to celebrate my birthday. I was going to ask Edward to take me to the meadow after the mini party. I would tell him first. Then we would come back and tell the rest of his family. I was hoping that Edward would feel better when he knew that I could potentially take out Victoria on my own. He wouldn't have to worry about me all the time. I wanted my Edward back. He was acting so distant all the time, and it was breaking my heart. He was with me almost all the time, but he wasn't emotionally present. Every time I would ask him what was wrong, I'd get the same answer. "Don't worry about it, Bella. Everything's fine." Obviously not, Edward.
Alice had gone all out for my birthday. She had tons of decorations and a huge cake. The wolf pack was there and we were having a good time. Then I got a paper cut as a slid my finger under the paper of one of my presents. Everything suddenly went very, very wrong. Jasper lunged at me and then Emmett and Carlisle grabbed him. All the wolves phased in an instant and Edward threw me back into a table covered with crystal. It all smashed upon impact, and sliced my arm open.
The wolves were frantic. These were their friends, but they were also vampires in a room with a bleeding human. They were able to get Jasper out, and all the vampires, sans Carlisle and Edward followed him. When Edward turned back around he had an empty look in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Bella," he'd said.
I tried to reassure him. I'd had worse injuries, after all. I wasn't his fault, anyway. I should have had my shield erected. I had become lax with the Cullens because I trusted them so completely. It was a stupid mistake. There can still be accidents, as we'd just proven. If I had the shield up, Edward wouldn't have been able to move me when he tried to push me out of the way, and I would have been safe from Jasper. I told him it wasn't his fault, that I needed to talk to him about something and he'd understand. He told me that he was going to go after Jasper, and to let Carlisle patch me up.
After Carlisle stitched me up Edward returned and took me home. The detachment in his eyes when he said he was going to hunt with Jasper terrified me. He assured me that the wolves would watch the house tonight, and that I didn't need to worry about Victoria. He needn't worry. I wasn't concerned with Victoria right now, I was concerned with him.
I asked him to come back in the morning, as I had something I really needed to discuss with him. He promised he would and then drove away. Ugh, that was the worst birthday ever.
I was really nervous to see him today. I didn't know what he was feeling after the horrible events last night.
When he arrived he asked me to take a walk with him. I obliged and he walked me a little ways into the forest. I could still see Charlie's house. Some walk. My entire being was filled with dread. What was happening?
"Bella, we're leaving."
Well, that's not terrible, I guess. I wonder how they feel about Massachusetts. If they could move near Salem I could still see them. The girls and I sneak out as our animal forms all the time. "Okay, I'll just need to talk to Charlie. How do you feel about Massachusetts?"
He looked pained. "No, Bella. I mean I am leaving with my family."
I could feel my heart shattering into a million pieces. I could barely choke out, "I thought I was a part of your family."
His jaw tensed. "Bella, you're not good for us. For me."
A hole started forming in my chest where my crumbled heart used to reside. Tears were streaming down my cheeks as I struggled to speak. "What are you saying, Edward? You told me you loved me. You said that vampires mate for life. If I'm your mate, how can you just leave me here? I need you, Edward. I'm not whole without you."
He bowed his head and his shoulders slumped. He stayed that way for a few moments before he straightened back up and his eyes found mine. I saw a new emotion in them. Resolve. "I'm sorry, Bella. I tried to convince myself you were my mate, because of your mental silence. But over the last month I realized that we aren't meant to be. I tried to make it work, but it just isn't. I'm sorry if I hurt you, but it's for the best. You'll never see me again; it will be as if I never existed. You'll get over me, and live out your life like you're supposed to."
I was pissed. "You're sorry? Do you do this in every town, Edward? Find some poor little human girl, make her fall in love with you and then just abandon her to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart? When I tell someone I love them I mean it, Edward. This isn't some school girl crush. You don't just "get over it" when your soul mate suddenly decides you're not good enough for him." I was all out sobbing now. I couldn't control myself.
He squeezed his eyes closed and when he opened them back up my eyes were too watery to notice the look of pain that flashed through his. "I'm sorry, Bella. Just please, promise me you won't do anything reckless or stupid."
"You're in no position to ask anything of me, Edward." I couldn't promise him that. If Peter wasn't found in the next year, I was fully intending on doing things that were both reckless and stupid to find him.
I turned my head and didn't notice the look of agony and desperation etched into his beautiful face. "Please Bella, I'm not worth it."
"Why are you still here, Edward? It's not like you or your family really cares what happens to your little human pet. Did you bring me out here so that you could feel like you were dropping me off at the pound? Don't worry; I was already dumped in an orphanage when I was four. It's not like being left behind is new to me."
With that I turned around and sprinted back to Charlie's house. I completely missed the way his face crumpled in agonized devastation.
After slamming the door shut, I leaned against it and then slid to the floor. As I realized that a huge part of my world just decided to step out of it, my anger started seeping away to be replaced by waves of grief and a bit of guilt. I may have gone too far with that last bit, but I was distraught. Justifiably so. I don't understand how someone can tell you that you are they're sister or daughter and then just leave you behind without so much as a parting "fuck you." How someone can tell you he loves you every day for months and then tell you he was just trying to force himself to love you because it was convenient he couldn't read your mind?
It reminded me of Peter. Remy, Jamie and daddy were like his brothers. They loved him. If their situations had been reversed, they would have died trying to protect him. Ten years of friendship meant nothing to Peter. He threw it all away. And for what? I cruel master who cares nothing for him? It makes no sense to me.
I felt like I was losing myself. I could actually feel myself going numb. Now that actually is ironic, Alanis.
No. I couldn't let that happen. Just because the Cullens didn't love or want me didn't mean there weren't people who did. My father spent 12 years in prison after he believed his daughter and best friend to be murdered. After being betrayed by one of his other best friends in the worst possible way. He survived. He saw that Harry was in danger and he broke out of Azkaban bleeding Prison to try and protect him. When my father loves, he loves fiercely. I am the person that he loves most in the world. He always told me so. I would not allow myself to become disconnected. I would stay strong for my father.
My Skirts also loved me. They were my sisters, my family. They stood by me when I told them that a man widely believed to be a mass murderer was my father. And I believed him to be innocent. I had no proof to offer them other than the memories of a four year old and my belief in my father. They accepted it. Accepted me. They are willing to risk their lives to help me find the man who destroyed so many lives. That is what you do when you love someone. You stick by them.
Right now I needed to be around people who loved me. People who accepted me. I ran up to my room and quickly packed my belongings. I left a quick note to Charlie to say that I was going to stay with the girls for the rest of the summer and then head back to Salem. I promised to owl. I scribbled out the same note to Jacob and went to the back yard to call Caelen to me. I asked him to deliver the letter to Jacob and then meet me at Harley's. He looked at me worriedly and then rubbed his face against my cheek. It just made more tears fall. My owl loved me. "I love you, too" I sniffed.
After he flew away I ran back inside, pulled out my wand and apparated on the spot. Everyone was already at Harley's house when I got there. Upon seeing my red, puffy eyes and running nose my friends crowded around me, asking me what happened.
I started sobbing. "Edwa…Ed…Eh…The Cullens, they l-l-left me. He said that he never l-l-loved m-me, that he j-j-just liked that he couldn't read my m-m-mind." I wailed. "They all j-j-just left. The rest of them didn't even say g-g-goodbye!" They looked murderous, but I couldn't shut my stupid mouth. "H-h-he s-said I wasn't g-g-good enough f-f-for him!"
Nicole lost her temper and her angry magic was swirling around us all. "That's bullshit, Bella! You're one of the most loving, loyal people I've ever known. He was lucky to have you in his life!"
I gave her a weak smile while the three of them hugged me and cooed comforting words in my ear. "It's going to be okay, Bella. I promise it will be okay."
A/N:
Big thanks go out to Termia, vivs-chan, and carj89 for your reviews! I really appreciate them!
This was a long one people. I know I changed around some things, and the timeline didn't really follow the books, but I didn't want to just retell Twilight. I had them go ahead and kill James and Laurent because…one – I never understood why they didn't just go ahead and do it in the book, either, and two – the wolves knew that they were human drinkers. With them present, there was no choice but to go after them.
I also know that Bella's reaction is very OOC. I had her react this way because I don't think it's believable for a girl who's been through as much as my Bella has been through to have the same reaction as Meyer's Bella. My Bella has had horrific things happen in her life because a friend turned his back on her and her friends and family. Because of this Bella takes these bonds very seriously. Like she said, when she tells someone she loves them, she means it. It's not just lip service to her. She also loves fiercely. She doesn't hold back. She's seen how easy it is to have people ripped out of your life by outside forces. It was very painful for her to have Edward just walk away. So often in her life it would have been easier for her to just let go and walk away, but she stayed loyal. Like to Sirius, for instance. It would have been so much easier to just forget about him. The only person who knew she was his daughter was Sandy, and she wasn't telling anyone. She didn't do that, though. She's stuck by him, even if just in spirit. She's also been trying to come up with ways to help him. That is the only way she knows how to love someone. She doesn't understand (nor do I, truth be told. I never liked that he left. I found it cowardly) that by leaving, Edward was showing that he loved her in a way that he understood.
No worries, though. I plan on this being an E/B HEA.
Anywho, I hope you aren't too disappointed with the way it turned out. Please let me know what you think! I love hearing from you guys and I'm a bit nervous how this chapter will be received.