Aunt Luna and Alice had insisted on taking a family photograph yesterday. I'd been placed in the middle of the photo with Edward behind me. Gemma handled the camera with a flick of her wand. It was a nice photo. I didn't even look out of place. Quin had transfigured Emmett's hair into a pink afro just as the flash went off. Emmett therefore looked ridiculous. He chased Quin around the living room, but Quin soon apparated. I am currently sat in my room writing a letter to Hermione and Ron. I am going to enclose a copy of the Cullen family photo, because Hermione wants to see these vampires.
Hey Hermione and Ron. Still alive. Haven't been bitten or had my blood drained. Edward scared me half to death yesterday by jumping out a tree with me on his back. I think he secretly likes trying to scare me. How's things in England? I'm coming to visit next weekend. Dad came to see me and he wants to meet Edward, so expect fireworks. Sorry about Gizmo Ron. She's Aunt Luna's owl and a little crazy. Her and Pig would get on great. I met Edward's 'parents' yesterday. They're really nice. Carlisle Cullen is a muggle doctor. Isn't that weird? I thought it was. He has amazing self control though. Muggle school is alright I guess. Hermione will tell me off but I've been using legilimency to pass all my exams. It's really hard and I'm not studying something I don't need to know. Ron. I hope Moony and Padfoot are speaking again. I'm sure Padfoot got his own back. I also hope the Ministry is in one piece when I arrive. I'm expecting reporters, but the ruins of the Ministry is not what I expect. I joke of course. I'm sure you're getting better mate. I hope Hermione is enjoying her job. I'll see you both very soon. Ooo... I sent you a picture of Edward's family. The big vampire doesn't always have a pink afro. That was Aunt Luna's son's idea. Miss you. Bella. x
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The Cullen's have gone 'camping' aka hunting. I had to order Edward to go. They'll only be gone Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: but Edward's certain I'll find trouble. I had promised to try and keep myself in one piece. The humour behind my promise didn't put Edward's mind at rest. I have to call him if I manage to find trouble. Okay... so Monday wasn't a total success. I'd taken a trip to the muggle hospital, because I fractured my wrist playing volleyball. I fixed the fracture instantly once I'd been released from the positively medieval muggle doctor. Edward will never know. Hmmm. Unless Alice saw me doing it. A fractured wrist is nothing though. I have had far worse injures in Quidditch. The benefits of a fractured wrist is that I escaped from Mike Newton. Mike seems to be taking advantage of Edward's absent. I am currently hidden in the school library, behind a stack of biology textbooks. Mike's certainly a persistent little muggle. 'There you are, Bella.' Damn. Mike found me again. I pretended to be interested in the textbook. Mit-o-sis. Hmmm. The muggles teach their children some weird things. 'No Cullen again?' I glanced towards Mike. 'No. He's gone camping with his family for a few days.' Mike nodded: half-heartedly pulling his notepad out of his bag. Great. He's not leaving. 'Have you finished the biology assignment yet?' I nodded, letting the textbook regain my attention. I had paraphrased Edward's assignment last night. I wouldn't be able to help Mike.
Mike began making notes on Mit-o-sis. 'You didn't fracture your wrist then?' I shook my head. 'Nope. Just bruised. I'm a tough little thing... used to falling over.' Mike seemed relatively amused: then suddenly his disposition changed. Talk about mood swings. 'So... You and Cullen? I don't like it.' I raised my eyebrows. My love life was none of his concern. 'Why not?' Mike shrugged his shoulders. 'He looks at you like you're something to eat.' I thought about how Emmett would have reacted to that comment. No doubt his booming laughter would have filled the silent library. Hmmm. I wish Edward was here.
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Wednesday was better. I got through the school day without running into Mike. Plus leaving school I found Jacob Black leaning against a shiny motorbike. 'Bella!' I grinned, wondering towards Jake. 'Jake!' The volume of my voice made that clumsy grin appear on Jake's lips. 'What's happening?' I hugged Jacob. It had been a while since we'd last seen each other: but over the last couple of weeks we'd become friends. I spent time with Jacob - mostly after school - when the Cullens were trapped by the sun. 'Your godmonster told me to come offer my company.' I laughed. Godmonster. That would be a suitable way to describe Aunt Luna sometimes. The afternoon with Jake, however, did appeal to me and I'm so glad I apparated to school this morning. 'This your bike?' Jake nodded, looking kinda proud. 'She's a real beauty. My godfather has a motorcycle: it's a little special though.' Jake laughed again, informing me that he'd heard about Padfoot's flying motorcycle. I accepted Jacob's offer of company, meaning Jake threw me his helmet. 'Gotta keep the human safe. Wouldn't want Edward ripping me apart.' I didn't argue and placed the helmet on my head.
Jake took the long route to La Push, giving me chance to enjoy the ride. Arriving at the little rusty red house that belongs to Billy Black, Jake jumped off the bike. 'Vampire Girl's here! She don't smell too bad today!' The wolves started to appear on the porch as I glared towards Jake. 'Don't make me hex you, Mr. Black.' Jared who had just emerged from the house laughed. 'Threatening the alpha. Gemma has taught you well, leech-lover.' I growled towards Jared, who took a step back. Jake chuckled. 'You sound ridiculous when you growl.' I childishly stuck my tongue out towards Jake. 'Very mature Bells.' We all wondered down towards the beach. I noticed that Sam wasn't with us. 'Where's Sam?' The guys all laughed. 'He imprinted.' I started at Jake. 'Imprinted?' Jake nodded. 'Yep. It's a mechanism for finding our soul mates. It's not like love at first sight, really. It's more like... gravity moves... suddenly. It's not the earth holding you here anymore, she does... You become whatever she needs you to be, whether that's a protector, or a lover, or a friend.' I nodded, not really understanding the concept, but I guess it's another complicated wolf thing.
'Has anyone else imprinted?' We'd reached the beach by now. Jake answered, because the other guys had made a beeline for the ocean. 'Gemma imprinted on Dave Cullen. Her imprinting mechanism was kinda weak though. We assume it was because of her unusual transformation. It took Dave a few years to feel the imprint. Zara has imprinted on Austyn O'Connor from the Goodwin Coven... but none of the human pack members have imprinted, except for Sam. It kinda scares us to be honest. Sam has changed a lot since he's imprinted.' I interrupted. 'Who did he imprint on?' Jake frowned. 'Leah Clearwater's second cousin.' I was completely speechless. Sam imprinted on his girlfriend's cousin. 'It's not something we can control Bells.' I took a second to think about a response. 'Do you think it'll happen to you?' Jake shrugged his shoulders. 'I hope not. I don't want to be some brainless protector.' I chuckled. 'Jake. That's what love is.' He grinned taking my hand, dragging me towards the ocean.
I screamed as the pack threw me into the ocean. The water was freezing and tasted disgusting. I emerged from the water, spluttering. 'I'm so going to hex you all.' The pack all laughed, joining me in the water. I splashed Jake and Jared. They splashed me back. Not sure how long the water fight lasted: but ultimately we all climbed out the ocean. I was shivering: Embry spoke. 'Oops. Think we've frozen the witch.' Jake chuckled, wrapping his arms around me and I began to protest, but Jake interrupted. 'We've got to get you warm, Bells. Come here.' Hmmm. Jake's so warm. I rested my head against his wet tshirt. 'See. One personal storage heater. That's me.' I didn't complain anymore, letting Jake hug me. I took a few minutes to warm up, before drying off with my wand.
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That evening the pack and I sat around a driftwood fire, eating marshmallows and BBQ food. The pack messed about and I spoke to Jake. I had eventually fallen asleep against Jake's shoulder. I became semiconscious after an unknown amount of time. My eyes fluttered open to find that Jake had taken me home. Jake worn his signature clumsy grin. 'Hey Beautiful.' I grumbled. 'What time is it?' Jake chuckled. 'Half 2. Don't worry. Go back to sleep.' Jake tucked me into bed and left through the window. Wait. Did Jacob just call me beautiful?
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I was ready for bed, wearing what I call pyjamas: yoga shorts and tshirt. I am reading a complex set of incantations involving the human transfiguration. I have recently taken interest in becoming an animagus. I haven't exactly told anyone about this sudden interest, but I've started reading the theory behind it. I was midway through the section on summoning the transformation when Edward materialised through the window. I smiled. 'Hey Edward.' Edward crossed the room slowly and sat opposite me on the bed. I closed the heavy transfigurations textbook as I gazed into Edward's eyes. 'Wasn't expecting you tonight?' I thought the Cullen's had gone hunting: Edward corrected my assumption. 'We just got back.' I nodded. 'Good hunt?' Edward's golden eyes and the crooked smile when I asked, answered this question perfectly. Though I'm pretty sure there was a certain anxious edge to his expression. 'Something troubling you?' I couldn't be sure, because we hadn't seen each other for a few days. 'Um... I want to try one thing.' Edward expression was deeply firm. I watched Edward move towards me: very slowly. 'Just stay very still.' Edward continued to move close. I could feel Edward's icy, sickly sweet breath rush across my lips. Edward was going to kiss me. I moved my head slightly - titling it - so our noses wouldn't bash together. Edward's velvet voice interrupted my sudden movement. 'Don't move.' I froze.
Edward continued to move closer. It seemed like time had stopped. A lifetime must have passed, and as Edward's lips came within millimetres of mine, I felt him hesitate. I fully expected his hesitation, because he was testing himself. Making sure he was still in control. I knew he wouldn't hurt me. I wasn't scared of the consequences, because I definitely wanted him to kiss me. My lips had parted, but I'd completely stopped breathing. If Edward didn't kiss me soon I'd faint. I could now smell his wonderful scent: that alone was sending me slightly light headed. And then his cold, marble lips pressed softly against mine. It was like being zapped by lightning: like being hexed, but in a good way. I cautiously moved my lips against Edward's, hoping that he wouldn't withdraw. The kiss must have only lasted a minute or so. Edward's velvet voice knocked me back to reality. 'Bella, breath.' I let out a deep breath and blushed a deep red. Ooo... Now I've done it. I've kissed a vampire and I liked it.
A.N. Eep... Next Chapter is in London with Moony, Padfoot and Prongs. Can't wait to start writing. Hope you enjoyed this next chapter. I felt that Jake and Bella needed to be shown as friends before New Moon happens. I'm still trying to work out the story line for New Moon. This chapter was longer than I'd planned... Oops. Keep reviewing please. I love reviews :) Love RoxannetheLaugh.