Chapter 19: A Tribe of Shapeshifters

"Oof, what the..."

"Whoa, what's going on?"

"How did Bella get here?"

"Why is there a strange, white guy sitting on me!"

Quil chose that exact moment to enter the room holding a sandwich, and his eyes widened with an expression that clearly said, "What did I just walk in on?". So the wolf took his sandwich and promptly turned around, exiting the way he came.

Bella and Neville extricated themselves from the pack, but Leah and Sam Uley could be heard carrying on a heated argument of their own from the front porch.

"You hate Bella. Why would you want to go after her now?"

"She defended us...she saved me. We can't leave her alone out there."

"The Cullens won't harm her—"

"You didn't see what happened! That blonde leech was acting crazy!"

"Then show me what happened," Sam growled, and Bella could hear the pair stalking toward the woods.

Apparently Jacob had been standing outside as well, because he came in a moment later and immediately beheld the chaotic scene.

"Bella?" He eyed her with confusion. "How did you get in my house; who's that?"

"Um..." A cluster of complicated thoughts shot through Bella's brain. How was she going to explain everything? "...It might make more sense if you saw what happened to Leah. Then I could tell you what happened to me when I went missing."

He looked back and forth between Neville and herself for several seconds; then his eyes narrowed.

"Everyone follow Sam and Leah. Tell them Bella's okay, and I'll meet you when we're done here."

The pack departed immediately until only Jacob, Neville, and Bella remained.

"Now tell me who this guy is and how you both got in my house."

Neville peered at Bella, a thousand questions in his penetrating eyes, but he said nothing.

"I found out...that I have a...gift...of sorts."

Jacob folded his muscular arms. "What, like magic?" he scoffed.

"Yes."

"Wha—" he seemed to choke for a second. "You're joking, right?" Then he looked back and forth rapidly between Neville and herself. "And him too?"

She didn't want to implicate Neville, so she turned to him with uncertainty.

"My name is Neville Longbottom," he stepped in to Bella's immense relief. "A friend and I found Bella unconscious outside the forest near our school. There are enchantments designed to keep folks without magic from entering, but Bella—"

"—waltzed right in like she owned the place," Jacob rolled his eyes. "Damn it, Bella, won't you ever learn?"

She blushed and peered at the floor as Neville continued the discussion.

"It was a surprise to all of us that she had magic, but now that we know, we're teaching her how to use and control it."

The werewolf shook his head. "So that's why you've been gone." Then he peered at Bella with a hint of hurt, while he motioned toward Neville. "And you two are together, I'm guessing? You don't need to deny it, Bella. I can feel the pheromones a mile away."

Realization dawned in Neville's face. "These are the tribal wolf-shapeshifters Hermione mentioned?"

Jacob instantly got defensive. "How do you know about us?"

Finally a question Bella was able to answer. "There's actually hundreds of supernatural species, Jake. And nine different species of vampires too—"

"Nine?" He seemed shocked and unnerved.

"I could see what the limitations of the Wizarding Statute of Secrecy are, but I bet you guys would be allowed to learn about everything else if you wanted."

"Oh, we would want to." he agreed without hesitation. "We deserve to know what we're up against." He stood there for another minute, taking in all this new information. "Sam needs to know about this. Stay here."

He ran from the house, and Neville and Bella were left alone for the moment.

"So...I guess that means you're staying for lunch," she chuckled nervously.

Without warning Neville took Bella in his arms and held her tightly.

"You have no idea how many thoughts ran through my head when that bloody boot started glowing. And when I saw that blonde vampire trying to kill you...Bella, it was all I could do not to use an unforgivable."

Bella tensed suddenly. She did use an unforgivable curse. And not just any unforgivable, but the one that had destroyed Neville's family.

"Neville, you know I don't know that many spells." Their locked eyes, and she wasn't sure how she could possibly go on. "W–well, there was a point when Rosalie – the vampire you saw – broke through my shield. I didn't know what else to do, I was just trying to stay alive..." She couldn't finish. She couldn't bear to see his face when he realized what she was saying.

"So you used an unforgivable curse."

Bella nodded desolately.

He was silent for several seconds before replying. "And I suppose you used the one you've heard the most about."

Again she nodded, and tears began to trickle down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Neville. I saw your face after I started, and then I stopped...I just didn't know what else to do—"

"I would have killed her, Bella." She immediately fell silent with shock, trying to process his words. "I wouldn't have even hesitated." Neville took Bella's chin, lifting it until she could see into his hardened gaze. "When it's the difference between living or dying, you have nothing to apologize for."

She felt her heart thrum beneath her chest, and they were about to kiss when a familiar voice rumbled outside the door, causing her draw back with a gasp.

"—so that's when Sue said the punch line of the joke, and I laughed so dang hard I started choking on the fish, and she had to use the Heimlich — well, hey Bells, you're here early. Game doesn't even start for a good half hour." Charlie came in, wheeling Billy Black into the living room. Then he stopped short, realizing they weren't alone. "Who's your friend?"

Jacob suddenly popped in the door behind them, looking out of breath but relieved. "This is Neville Longbottom...and he's welcome to stay as long as he wants."

(If I had timed this better I would have had this finished before April Fool's Day and done something horrible like having one of the wolves imprint on Neville in a fake chapter. Bahahaha, oh well, it's probably better this way.)

Intrigue! Why is Jacob so suddenly welcoming? So much plot to cover!

I feel like the bar has been raised with all of your reviews. So much so, that I just hope I can measure up to all of your expectations! You guys are the best, and although I'm a bum and hardly ever reply to people, every single review has helped motivate and inspire me with this fic. Thank you so much for your feedback and favorites! -V