A/N: Since there is no school on the weekends, I will try to add new chapters every weekend if possible but that doesn't mean I won't post on weekdays! I might post on weekdays if I'm on break. Do any of you just read some of your old chapters and face palm yourself when you see all of the mistakes you made? I know I do. For the sake of the story, I'm placing Sam and Emily's house next to First Beach. I don't remember if their house was already near the beach or not but if it was, I am going to feel so stupid.
Chapter 7
Hermione walked into AP English with a mindset of ignoring anyone who tried to speak to her. However, upon sitting down, she was approached by a figure that she could not see as her head was down, but she already knew who it was. "Hermione," the figure called.
Hermione looked up to see Alice standing while looking down at her with eyebrows furrowed. Her hands were clasped in front of her and she looked slightly awkward. "Yes, Alice?" Hermione replied with her arms crossed. Hermione was ready to hear whatever reprimand that was to come after last night but none came. Instead, what Alice said next surprised her greatly.
"I would just like to apologize for what Bella said to you yesterday. What she did was totally out of line and we shouldn't have let it happen. So, I would like to make it up to you. Maybe we can go shopping after school in Port Angeles? I know this cute store there." Hermione stared, dumbfounded at the hopeful looking Alice. Is this her way of befriending me and getting information, Hermione asked herself. However, when looking into Alice's eyes, she could see the sincerity lying beneath them, making what Hermione was about to say even harder.
"I'm sorry, Alice. I would love to but I have to take care of some errands today." It was true. When she had grabbed Bella yesterday, Hermione had seen her flinch away from her cold hands. I can't believe I was so stupid, Hermione thought to herself, how could I expose my freezing body temperature when that would instantaneously give me away as a vampire? Therefore, to fix her predicament, Hermione was planning to create a heat potion, one that allows the drinker to become warmer. However, in order to do this, she would need the calid root, one only available in the wizarding world. Seeing as this problem was in urgent need of fixing, Hermione had prepared herself to go through the wizarding port in Seattle right after school to retrieve the root. "I have to go to Seattle right after school and I probably will not return for a couple of hours."
Alice's eyes widened at the mention of Seattle. "You can't!" She exclaimed loudly, catching the attention of some other classmates. Hermione looked at her with and eyebrow raised in the air and head tilted to the side. "I mean, there have been some mysterious disappearances and murders in Seattle. It's too dangerous. I don't think you should go." Ah, Hermione thought, the newborns.
"Alice, I'll be fine. I doubt I'm going to be murdered on the one day that I decide to go to Seattle. Besides, Seattle is so large and I am only one person amongst many." Alice still did not seem convinced and opened her mouth to retort again. However, the bell interrupted her sentence and Mrs. Smith entered the classroom.
"Alice Cullen!" Mrs. Smith yelled loudly, her voice reverberating in the classroom. "Sit down!" After taking one last worried glance at Hermione, Alice turned to walk back to her seat.
"What? Did you try to stop her? Alice, you know how dangerous it is for a human like Hermione in Seattle." Carlisle stated while pacing in the living room. The Cullens were all gathered to hear about Hermione's plans.
"Of course I tried to stop her, Carlisle, but she wouldn't listen. We can just have some of us follow her to ensure her safety." Alice looked around but stopped at Edward who was shaking his head.
"We can't do that. I already invited the pack over to practice fighting against the newborns. If some of us are missing or we cancel suddenly, they'll become suspicious. Also, we can't tell them about this because Jacob would find out with their ability to read each other's minds in wolf form and you know what Jacob is like when something regarding his imprint is kept from him." Alice looked at Edward, annoyed.
"Really, Edward?" Alice inquired with her arms crossed. "Of all days to invite the pack, you pick today?"
"Edward, I'm sure some of us can follow Hermione and we can give some excuse to the wolves. Emmett, Alice, and Rosalie can go." Carlisle interrupted before Edward could retort back. "Now, Alice, do you know where Hermione is?" Alice was about to answer but suddenly, she closed her mouth and remained silent, eyebrows furrowed, and finally, she groaned loudly. "Alice?" Carlisle inquired, worriedly.
"She left." Alice replied. Then, as if the weight of what she just said crashed down on her, Alice's eyes widened. "Oh no! She told me that she was going right after school. What do we do!"
"What! Are you stupid? How could you just let her leave for that newborn infested place? She could get herself killed!" Emmett exclaimed. Esme placed a hand on Emmett's shoulder.
"Now, now," Esme said in a calm manner, "Settle down. Since Hermione has no scent, it's obvious that we won't be able to find her. I think her non-existent scent might be able to keep her hidden from the newborns. Let's just hope for the best" Carlisle nodded in agreement.
"Yes, that's all we can do. Now, make sure the pack does not find out about this, especially Jacob." Carlisle stated authoritatively. After the meeting, everyone dispersed into their separate rooms.
Hermione placed the purse of galleons into her purple beaded bag and tightened the cloak around herself, making sure the hood covered her face. She had nearly forgotten her cloak at home but remembered before apparating to Seattle and quickly drove home to retrieve it. Although the war had not affected areas outside of Britain that much, the entire wizarding world was still aware of it and the part that the golden trio had played. Therefore, Hermione had to ensure that her face is not seen by any wizards as it could give her position away to Dolohov. Hermione placed her wand in the holster within her sleeve as usual and was about to apparate when she felt a disturbance in her secondary shields. These shields, placed farther away from her home, allowed the intruder to pass through but warned Hermione of their presence. Hermione silently casted a transparency spell on her walls, which allowed her to see outside but did not let those outside see within, and saw Jacob quickly approaching the primary shields which would not allow him to enter. "Merlin!"
Hermione began speaking the incantations needed to take down her primary shields and end the transparency spell, not caring if Jacob heard. Then, the doorbell rang. Hermione walked at a human pace towards the front door, making sure to make her steps loud as Jacob could hear, and opened it, revealing a smiling Jacob. "Hey, Hermione. What's up?" He said enthusiastically. Hermione couldn't help but smile at his excitement.
"I was just about to go do some errands actually. So what brings you here? And, might I ask, how did you find out where I live?" Hermione had just added in that last sentence for the fun of it but now looking at Jacob's embarrassed face, she couldn't help but feel slightly bad for the lad. Hermione laughed, "I'm just kidding about the last part, Jacob, but if you came here for a reason, you're going to have to make it quick. I'm a busy girl you know."
"Oh, uh, I was just wondering-," Jacob paused while rubbing the back of his neck, the red tint visible in his cheeks. "if you would like to come to this bonfire tomorrow. My family, friends, and their families all have this bonfire occasionally on First Beach. It's great!" Hermione furrowed her eyebrows and looked awkwardly at Jacob.
"I don't know, Jacob. Those kinds of things aren't really my scene and besides, we barely know each other. I don't think it's appropriate to invite me to such an intimate get together when we only met a few weeks ago." Hermione felt horrible when she saw Jacob's smile drop and wished that she could bring it back to his now solemn face.
"Well, this would be a way to get to know each other. I want to be your friend Hermione. I mean, come on, it's a Saturday tomorrow! Enjoy yourself! Besides, my dad tells these really cool legends about the "Quileute wolves." Jacob replied while placing air quotes at the last part. "They're not real, of course." He hastily added. The last part grabbed the attention of Hermione. Legends? About the Quileute wolves? Maybe I can find out more about the shape shifters and their story, Hermione thought to herself.
Hermione looked up at Jacob's anticipating face from her short height and hesitantly smiled. With a nod, Hermione answered, "Sure, Jacob." The grin on Jacob's face was large enough to split his face in half. It really was a miracle that it didn't.
"Great!" Jacob exclaimed while nearly jumping in place. "I'll see you tomorrow at 6:30!" Hermione gave a nod and Jacob walked away grudgingly from his imprint. After seeing and hearing Jacob leave far enough from her home, Hermione exited and shut the door behind her. Hermione swiftly recreated her primary shields and when she was done, she turned on the spot, apparating to Seattle.
"Where's Jacob?" Bella asked the pack after they transformed back into their human form and changed into their clothes.
"He went to Hermione's house. He said he had to ask her something. Seriously, he is so whipped." Embry replied while laughing. Sam looked at him disapprovingly.
"Embry," Sam said, "you know what imprinting does to you. It completely consumes the imprinter and makes them want to be with their imprint at all times. They want to do everything for them." Embry rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Face it, Sam. You're only saying that because you're whipped too." Those in the pack who have yet to imprint all laughed with him while the imprinters began to defend Sam. Through all of the bickering, the pack had not noticed the Cullens' worried faces at the mention of Jacob visiting Hermione.
"All right," Jasper interrupted while stepping forward, stopping the commotion, "let's get started. Emmett, shall we?" Both men smirked at each other, "Don't hold back."
Emmett's smirk widened. "Not in my nature." Emmett ran towards Jasper, faster than the human eye could see, but slow enough for a vampire or shape shifter eye to see. When they met contact, Jasper held Emmett back, causing the former to slide backwards. Suddenly, Emmett wrapped his arms around him and threw him across the field, making Jasper land hard on his back. Bella gasped audibly at this. However, Jasper was soon on his feet and both men ran towards each other again. Emmett aimed a punch and Jasper's face but Jasper, who was one step ahead, ducked and pushed Emmett to the ground.
Jasper smiled slyly at Emmett who was lying on the ground. "Never lose focus."
Hermione landed in an alleyway, one that was hidden from humans. She was facing a brick wall that ended the ally. Quickly, she removed her wand from its holster and placed in the correct order of bricks needed to enter Cryptic Ally. The bricks separated to reveal a long road filled with shops of all sorts, similar to Diagon Ally. However, Hermione realized that it was not as magnificent as Diagon Ally, especially without Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. She also noticed that the area was not as crowded as Diagon Ally and for that, she was grateful. Hermione entered the Cryptic Ally and briskly walked far down the road towards the apothecary she had in mind. Upon reaching it, Hermione entered and pulled off her hood. The shop smelled of herbs and spice, much too strong for Hermione's senses. "Hello." A kind, old voice belonging to the grandmother in the store stated. "How may I help you?" There was a reason Hermione had chosen this specific apothecary. She looked to the grandmother who had her eyes closed. The woman was blind.
"Calid root, please. Twenty five bundles of six each." The lady turned her head towards the sound of Hermione's voice and tilted her head.
"That's quite a lot of calid root." The grandmother replied slightly suspiciously. Nevertheless, she turned towards her shelf of herbs and began smelling the air, touching each box of herbs as she walked across. Finally, she stopped in front of the correct box labeled "Calid root" in neat cursive. The woman leaned down and sniffed vigorously before smiling. "Ah, here it is, here it is!" She pulled out twenty five bundles and while struggling to hold all of them, walked over to Hermione, placing them on a counter. "7 galleons, please!" Without uttering a word, Hermione picked out seven galleons from the change she had in her coin purse and placed them on the counter. She placed all of the calid roots into her bag which contained an undetectable extension charm before pulling the hood back over her head and exiting the shop.
Hermione began walking towards Cryptic Ally's exit, wishing to leave the place as quickly as possible. However, right before she could, Hermione's arm was grabbed by a strange woman in peculiar clothes, similar to Professor Trelawney's. "Oh, beautiful girl! Come into my shop for a quick reading, eh? Only two galleons! Find out what your future holds, just pay the coins and it will be told!" Suddenly, Hermione was dragged into the shop but she could see the woman was having quite some trouble because of her vampire strength.
"Let me go, please. I do not wish to learn of my future." Hermione had just turned to exit when a very loud, audible gasp was heard from the lady. Hermione turned around to see the women with glazed eyes, standing completely still. She was neither moving nor staring at particularly anything. Hermione cautiously began to walk towards the woman and when she was a foot away, she slowly moved her face towards the woman, inspecting the strange look in her eyes. Suddenly, the woman grabbed tightly onto Hermione's shoulders, her grip tightening as she spoke.
"Darkness is to shadow your year! Death, hurt, angst, all shall divide and conquer at a time of stress! But through the darkness will come light! Light of love! You will find love in the most unexpected of places! The light shall reign!" Hermione stared wide eyed and speechless as the woman was removed from her trance and the glaze in her eyes disappeared. The strange lady focused her vision back to Hermione who was still looking at her, shocked. "That'll be two galleons." She said with her right hand held out. Hermione awoke from her reverie and quickly handed the impatient looking woman two galleons from her pocket before running out of the shop and Cryptic Ally as fast as humanely possible.
As the bricks closed behind her, Hermione sat down on the ground, breathing heavily even though it wasn't necessary. "What the bloody hell was that?" She asked herself quietly. Briskly, she arose and began walking as far away from the brick wall as possible.
Hermione had been strolling in downtown Seattle underneath the now dark sky when a strong smell hit her nostrils, one she could never mistake for anything else. Blood. Hermione turned towards the smell and followed the trail that her senses led to. The scent brought Hermione to a gruesome sight. Three newborns crowded around a woman who was quivering under their ravenous eyes. A man, who Hermione guessed was the woman's husband based on their similar rings, lay dead and discarded in the middle of the abandoned street. The newborns were approaching the woman slowly, smirks adorning their faces. Hermione was surprised that they had waited this long before feeding on the woman. Probably for the fun of the kill, Hermione thought to herself, anger consuming her. Before they could get any closer to the unknown woman, Hermione ran to her, blocking her from the predators. The newborns, surprised by her presence, slightly flinched away from Hermione before bringing glares to their faces. "Who are you?" The newborn in the middle, whom Hermione guessed to be the leader, spat.
Hermione smirked before glaring back at him, "Your worst nightmare." Before any of the three could react, Hermione casted a shield to protect the woman while grabbing the throat of the newborn to her left. She bit into the vampire's neck, successfully ripping his head off. The vampire to Hermione's right bared her teeth at Hermione.
"You bitch!" The vampire ran towards Hermione, hands outstretched to grab her. Before she could, however, Hermione jumped onto the windowsill of a nearby building and beckoned at her with her finger, taunting her. This only angered the newborn even more and she ran to Hermione as fast as she could, hatred burning in her eyes.
Hermione pointed her wand at the swiftly approaching vampire. "Confringo!" In a matter of seconds, the newborn exploded into millions of pieces. Hermione looked back to the leader who was standing sessile, looking quite frightened. She began playing with the tip of her wand, all the while looking down at the newborn from the windowsill. "Hmm, I wonder who's next. You?" Hermione pointed her wand at him casually, pretending to be bored. The vampire's eyes widened and he began to run away. However, Hermione was able to catch him in time. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Pointing her wand at the newborn, Hermione lifted the vampire towards her, allowing him to levitate not too close yet not too far from her. "Now tell me, newborn, what is your name?"
The man quivered under Hermione's gaze. "Jason." He stated with a shaky voice while closing his eyes. "Please don't hurt me!" Hermione pursed her lips at Jason.
"Oh, such a coward. You're an immortal for goodness sakes! Well, at least until I say so. Now, if you do what I say, I won't hurt you." Hermione replied seriously. "Who is your leader?" Hermione peered at Jason who seemed hesitant to speak. "Well?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't tell us." He replied, facing Hermione this time. Hermione furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"Who's "he"?" Jason seemed, once again, unwilling to respond. Hermione sighed before dropping Jason to the ground and creating a ring of fire to surround him, growing larger by the second.
"Wait!" Jason screamed. "Riley! His name is Riley!" Hermione lessened the fire causing relief to take over Jason's expression. Hermione dropped down from the windowsill and began nearing Jason.
"I won't kill you." The relief shown on his face grew even further as Hermione said this. "No, I still have a use for you." Hermione ceased the fire and came towards Jason, wand pointed. "Obliviate." Jason's relieved look disappeared and was now replaced by a far-away one. "You will not remember this. You will only remember that your friends are dead. Tell Riley to end this, to end this stupid game. This is my warning. Now go." Jason turned and slowly began walking away, still dazed from the obliviation.
Hermione spun to look behind her where the unidentified muggle sat, cowering in fear away from her. Hermione's eyes softened. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you." However, she noticed that the woman's eyes were not trained on her, but instead and something behind her. Turning around, she saw the man lying on the ground, dead. Turning back to the woman, Hermione said, "I'm sorry for your loss." as she began to walk closer.
"Don't come near me! You're a monster, like them." Hermione's face dropped and she did not even try to hide her pain as she did with others. Instead, she began walking towards the man and healed the crescent shaped bite marks on his neck.
Hermione picked the man up and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sorry I have to do this." She said quietly to the empty body. Hermione squeezed her arms tightly around the limp figure, hearing three ribs crack. She reached into her purple, beaded bag and took out a small vile filled with blue liquid. "Blood replenishing potion." Hermione gently opened the mouth of the man and poured in the vile's contents before laying the man back onto the ground. Quickly, she returned to the woman, removing the shield that was around her. Then, Hermione performed her second obliviation of the night. Pointing her wand at the woman, Hermione said weakly, "Your husband was hit by a car while the both of you were walking back home from dinner." Hermione paused, unable to continue before gathering strength again. "You saw him get hit in this hit and run and you ran to him. You laid his head on your lap and he wiped your tears away. He told you that he loved you and that he will always love you. He told you to not worry and to be happy because he will die happy while looking at your beautiful face. You leaned down to kiss him one last time before he drew his last breath." While the woman was still in her trance, Hermione took this chance to pick her up and carry her towards her husband who lay in the middle of the road. Carefully placing her down and lifting her husband's head onto her lap, Hermione looked down solemnly at the couple. "I'm sorry." She turned to walk towards the decapitated head and body of the first vampire she had killed. "Incendio." The body burst into flames and began crumbling into ash. With a heavy sigh, Hermione turned on the spot, apparating to her home.
"There you are! Where have you been?" Riley yelled at the approaching Jason. The rest of the newborns stood behind Riley, watching the scene that was to unfold.
"I-I don't know." Jason replied while stuttering. He clutched his head, confusion etched in his face. Suddenly, his eyes widened. "Rebecca, Thomas, they're dead." Gasps were heard from the newborns.
Walking towards Jason, Riley said, "What do you mean they're dead?" Riley was now inches away from the former vampire's face and seething. Jason stared back at him, frightened.
"I can't remember anything. I only remember that someone killed them. A girl. I can only remember her voice. She said-," Jason bit his lip. "To tell you to end this "game". She said that this was a warning." The army began whispering to one another until Riley held his hand up for silence.
He turned to look at the worried looking newborns. "We are an army of newborns! We can take down a single girl in a heartbeat. If that girl was of the Cullen clan, we needn't worry. Soon, we will end them! We will end them and finally, we will be able to feed freely!" The crowd cheered loudly in agreement. Riley looked up to the highest balcony on the building to his right. There, a figure with fiery red hair and glowing red eyes stood, looking down at Riley. Through the commotion, the newborns were unable to hear his faint whisper to the watching vampire. "We will end them. I promise."
"Emily, Sue, Kim, do you think you can add one more plate to the table?" Jacob asked the three girls as they quickly tried to prepare enough food for the bonfire. When Jacob said this, all hubbubs ceased and the women of the room turned to look at him.
"Why? Did you invite a friend over?" Emily inquired curiously. Jacob grinned victoriously at them.
"I invited Hermione." Suddenly, the stomping of seven pairs of feet came from the stairs of Sam and Emily's home. Emerging from the staircase were, Sam, Paul, Jacob, Quil, Embry, and Seth.
"You what?" Jared yelled at Jacob. "You invited the leech!" Kim picked up a bread roll from the cooling rack and chucked it at Jared's head who promptly caught it before it made contact.
"Jared Cameron! Don't you ever say that again. You heard what the Cullens said. She ate their food and enjoyed it! She is not a vampire. I see nothing wrong with inviting Jacob's imprint." Kim exclaimed at an ashamed looking Jared. The others laughed.
"That still doesn't excuse the fact that you didn't consult this decision with us, Jacob." Sam said. At that moment, Leah casually walked in through the front door, grabbing a bread roll on the way.
"Oh, lay off him. You guys are just being stupid." Leah stated before biting into the bread in her hand. All occupants of the room gaped at the girl, surprised. Leah quirked an eyebrow. "What? I have a heart. But seeing the way you all are acting right now, it seems like you guys are the ones who don't." Leah glared at the pack. "Suck it up and stop being so paranoid." Paul had just opened his mouth to retort when the sound of tires on cement interrupted. Jacob ran to the window in excitement, just in time to see Hermione's Bentley pull into the beach parking lot. He quickly rushed out of the house and went towards the car, helping Hermione who was stepping out.
"Hey, Hermione. Glad you could make it!" Jacob said with the same ear to ear grin he wore before. "Right on time too." Hermione smiled.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Hermione replied while walking alongside Jacob on the sand.
"Come on. Let me introduce you to the group." Jacob stated while grabbing her hand. Hermione looked down at the linked hands. She had felt a spark run through her body and knew that she wasn't the only one who noticed, judging by Jacob's face. She also noticed that Jacob did not flinch when they made contact, proving that Hermione's warming potion worked. Jacob was now pulling Hermione towards a large group of people gathered by a campfire which succeeded in brightening the darkness that was consuming the sky. They had finally reached the group and all eyes were on them, some faces were not as kind as others. Great, Hermione thought to herself. "Everyone, this is Hermione." Jacob introduced while gesturing to Hermione. "Hermione, this is Sam, Jared, Paul, Leah, Embry, Quil, Seth, Emily, Sue, Quil's grandpa, and my dad, Billy Black." He said while they all nodded to Hermione. Hermione couldn't help but notice the scars that ran down Emily's face. She knew that they were wolf scars; the only question that remained was which of the wolves did it to her?
When the introductions reached Billy, he wheeled away from his spot around the fire and neared Hermione. Smiling kindly with a glint in his eye, he held out a hand which Hermione shook. "Hello, it's so nice to finally meet the girl that my son could not stop talking about." Billy said with a hearty laugh. Hermione looked over to Jacob who was now jokingly wrestling with Seth and the pack.
"He talks about me?" Hermione asked, surprised. Billy smiled and nodded.
"Only every single day. Now tell me, Hermione, is my son being clingy? He has a tendency of doing that."
Hermione once again looked to Jacob and without looking away, replied, "Not at all. He is kind and genuine. He acts as if we have been long-time friends and treats me well, one of the few in Forks to do so. Jacob is a great man, Mr. Black." Billy grinned warmly.
"Call me Billy." Hermione turned to the fatherly voice and smiled back, genuinely. "Well, I think it's time to begin the story-telling." With that, he began to roll towards the campfire while whistling to the boys.
When all were gathered, Hermione and Jacob sitting beside each other, Billy began. "The Quileutes have been a small tribe since the beginning, but we have always had magic in our blood. We were great spirit warriors; shape shifters that transformed into the powerful wolf." Hermione looked to her right to see Jacob looking down at her with a look in his eyes that she could not place. She turned back to Billy who was continuing the legend. "This enabled us to scare off our enemies and protect our tribe. One day, our warriors came across a creature that looked like a man but was hard like stone and cold as ice. Our warriors' sharp teeth finally tore it apart, but only fire could completely destroy it. They lived in fear that the cold man was not alone," Billy paused and looked down at an object in his hands. "-and they were right. She took her vengeance out on the village. Our elder chief, Taha Aki, was the only spirit warrior left to save the tribe after his son was killed. Taha's spirit wife conceived that he would lose. The third wife was no magical being, with no special powers but one: courage. The third wife sacrificed to distract the cold woman long enough for Taha Aki to destroy her. She saved the tribe. Over time, our enemies have disappeared, but one remains. The Cold Ones. Our magic awakens when they are near and we sense it now. We feel the threat in our blood. All of us." After the legend ended, everyone sat in silence, not daring to interrupt it.
Hermione looked at every single pack member, each individual looking to the ground. They were so young; they are so young, and yet, they are forced into lives of the supernatural. Hermione's heart could not help but break for them, teenagers who could not live their adolescence because they must protect their loved ones. The story seemed so familiar and that made Hermione hurt even more. They're like us, Harry, Ron, and I. Luna, Ginny, George, Fred. Hermione could create a list of thousands of names but stopped because the pain was too much. They all pretended that it was okay and that they were finally happy now that Voldemort had been vanquished, but Hermione knew the truth. Every single one of them hid their agony well, but not well enough.
Billy clapped his hands together, catching the attention of everyone around the fire. "Let's eat."
Hermione looked at the members of the pack in shock as the gorged down plates upon plates of food without break. She never thought someone could eat more than Ron but the eight of them, including Leah, had proved her wrong. Jacob nudged her side, causing Hermione to look at him. Pointing to her uneaten mashed potatoes, he asked, "Are you going to eat that?" Hermione shook her head and Jacob scooped up the entire pile with his spoon, practically inhaling it in one bite.
"So, Hermione, why don't you tell us a little about yourself?" Sue Clearwater inquired while swatting Seth's hand, which was reaching for her bread roll, away from her plate.
"Well, there isn't much to tell. My life isn't quite as interesting as the Quileute legends." What a lie. "But I guess no one's is as shape shifters bring much more excitement than school. Do you think such supernaturalism could actually exist?" Hermione replied, trying to change the subject. Everyone else at the table looked at each other awkwardly or down at their food. "Oh, what am I saying? As if such a thing is possible. I'm sorry, I really don't think I'm in my right mind at the moment." The group laughed in a relieved manner.
"So, where are your parents, Hermione?" Billy asked. Hermione faltered but soon faked a smile. Why is everyone so curious about my parents?
"They're in Australia. I came alone, you see." Hermione replied before placing a piece of sausage in her mouth and reluctantly chewing.
Jacob looked curiously at Hermione. "Why did you come alone?" Hermione turned to stare back at him, silently cursing him for his inquisitiveness.
"I simply wanted to continue my education in America while my parents wanted to move to Australia. I will most likely go to Australia when I finish my education." Jacob dropped his cutlery while some others at the table gasped quietly.
Jacob was now looking at Hermione, wide eyed and afraid. "No! You can't go!" Hermione frowned. It's Alice all over again. Billy cleared his throat loudly and looked over at the two.
"Jacob, maybe you and Hermione should continue this conversation over by the beach." Billy said in a voice that could not be questioned. Jacob nodded and offered his hand to a confused Hermione who took it. They exited to the beach where they began walking in silence. Jacob seemed unwilling to look Hermione in the eye as he would only looked at the sand beneath his shoes. Overall, it was beginning to become a very awkward stroll.
"Jacob," Hermione said, causing said boy to look at her. "Is something wrong?" Jacob stopped walking and held Hermione's hand, holding her back.
"Please don't go." He said weakly, surprising Hermione greatly. She furrowed her eyebrows and looked Jacob in the eyes. Suddenly, her mouth moved of its own accord.
"I won't."
"I'm bored." Seth said as he hung upside down from the couch. Having put out the campfire, the elders had retired early and now, only the pack, Hermione, Emily, and Kim remained. They had been surrounding the TV for the past 20 minutes and Embry had already fallen asleep in his seat.
"I have an idea." Hermione said to the group who were all now looking at her. "Why don't we play that game? What do you Americans call it? Ah right, soccer." The pack looked at each other and shared a sly smile.
"You're on." Paul challenged. "Kim, Emily, you playing?" The said girls were quick to shake their heads. "An even split. I'll let the lady pick first; you're going to need the best player if you think you can beat me." Hermione narrowed her eyes at Paul, who was smirking back, before looking around at the pack. Jacob was grinning hopefully at her.
"Leah." Hermione stated while pointing a finger at the skeptical girl.
"Me?" Leah questioned.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Is there any other Leah in the room? Your turn Lahote." Leah was now standing beside Hermione at the opposite end of the room.
Paul did not hesitate and pointed his finger at the Alpha. "Sam." Both males high fived as though they had already won the game. This continued on until Paul had Sam and Jared on his team and Hermione, Leah and Quil. "You're dooming yourself for failure. Come on, pick Jake. It won't be a fun game otherwise."
Hermione crossed her arms and looked at Jacob who was practically whimpering. She smiled at him and Hermione could see hope etched in his features. "Seth." Jake's face fell to a point where it was hilarious to look at. Seth did a fist pump into the air and tapped Jacob's back.
"Better luck next time, buddy." Seth taunted to Jacob while laughing. Jake scowled at the younger shifter's retreating figure as he began to walk over to Paul's team.
Hermione smirked. "Why don't we make this even more fun. Let's turn this into a bet, shall we?"
Paul quirked an eyebrow. "What do you have in mind?" Hermione began to think before an idea suddenly came to her and she smiled deviously.
"Well, my house could use some tidying up. When I win, you and your team will be my house maids for a week. Perhaps I'll buy you those skimpy maid outfits." Hermione grinned at the horrified looks on their faces.
Quickly, Paul composed himself. "Deal. But when I win, your team will do everything we say, when we say it."
"Get ready to lose, Lahote."
"In your dreams."
Hermione picked up four large sticks and planted them into the sand an equal distance from each other, two on each side of the "field". "We all know the game of soccer, yes? Get the ball in between the two posts and it's a goal." The two teams were standing opposite halves of the playing area, facing each other. "Soccer in the dark; even more fun." Hermione knew they didn't have to worry though as everyone was able to see in the dark. Hermione held out her hand for Paul, the other team's captain, to shake. "Game on." They smirked. Kim dropped the soccer ball between the two and the game began.
Hermione began kick-off and passed the ball to Seth who quickly intercepted it and began dribbling towards the opponent's goal which Jacob was guarding. (A/N: I don't really know much about soccer since I'm a nerd and I'm allergic to the outdoors so sorry if the info is inaccurate). Paul swiftly ran towards Seth and kicked the ball away from him, making his way over towards Quil at the opposite goal. Leah, who was defending, roughly pushed him away and kicked the ball over to Hermione who was a few feet away from the other team's goal. She briskly chest-trapped the ball and after seeing an opening to the left of Jacob, kicked the soccer ball into the goal. "Yeah, Hermione!" Seth yelled as he ran towards her, high-fiving on the way back to their half of the field. As Hermione's team celebrated the first goal, Paul's stood speechless while staring at said girl as if she had two heads.
"You guys are in for one hell of a ride." Hermione said while smirking.
"Wow, 7-to-1. I never knew it was possible to lose so badly." Hermione taunted at Paul's scowling team as they entered Sam's house. "I'm going to have to know your guys' dress sizes." Seth, Leah, and Quil laughed loudly at her comment.
"Whatever." Paul replied bitterly. "When do we start the stupid maid service?" The group all crashed onto the available furniture and floor.
Hermione laughed, surprised that she was able to laugh and smile so genuinely today. "Graduation is next week so I'm free from then on. Come the week after the next. Oh, and bring cleaning supplies." Hermione caught a glance at the clock and saw that it was already 2:45 in the morning. "Oh bollocks!" The pack looked at her, amused.
"Bollocks?" Jared asked, attempting to stifle a laugh.
Hermione glared. "It's a British thing. Anyways, I have to go now. Actually, I should already be asleep by now so I must go." Hermione arose from the couch and went to leave after saying her goodbyes. "Oh, and close Embry's mouth, he'll catch flies." She said while staring at the now drooling boy.
"Wait, Hermione! Let me walk you to your car." Jacob called as he walked towards her. Seth, Jared, and Paul began catcalling at the pair as Jacob rolled his eyes and quickly shut the door. "You know, they've all taken a liking to you, even Leah and she doesn't like anything." Jacob said while grinning as the two walked towards the parked Bentley.
Hermione smiled back. "Well, they've grown on me as well. It's great that you all are such great friends."
Jacob nodded. "So, what about us? Are we friends now?" They had now reached the car and Hermione had the driver's door open, reluctant to enter and leave.
Hermione stuck out her right hand and Jacob shook it. "Friends." With that, she entered the car and revved the engine before backing out of the parking lot and making her way down the dark road. She looked in her rearview to see Jacob watching her car leave. "Friends. Just friends," but Hermione had a hard time believing her own words.