Chapter 24: Unexpected Situations
August 19, 2007
Bella stared in the mirror at the dark spot on her neck with a frown. Of all the things she thought she'd have to hide in life, a "love bite" certainly wasn't one of them. She'd been so into the moment last night that rationality hadn't quite made it to her list of priorities, but now Bella wished she at least had a turtleneck sweater or a scarf.
She ultimately settled on a layer of foundation and powder that matched her pale skin tone and hoped for the best. Then she joined Neville at the gate to head to Hogsmeade.
"Excited to see your friends?" He said as they walked hand in hand along the road.
Her fingertips brushed against the skin of his knuckles, and she shivered involuntarily, remembering the events of the previous night. "Yep, that's me. All kinds of excited." All kinds that she shouldn't be thinking about at the moment…
He tilted his head with skepticism written all over his face. "You sure you're alright?"
She shook her head briskly. "I'm fine. I was just kind of distracted."
"Is that so?" he smirked with a knowing expression. "What about?"
Her eyes flickered to his lips, and her breath caught in her throat. "N-nothing..."
"Oh, really?" he laughed.
"Shut up," she smacked him playfully. "We're going to be late to Ron's brother's party."
"Percy's not going to care two knuts whether we're late or not."
"But it would be rude to keep Jacob and Leah waiting."
He groaned, looking at Bella with a hint of longing. "What have you done to me, Bella Swan?"
"I'm just teaching you basic etiquette!"
"You know, I used to be the responsible one! I just...feel reckless around you," he finished quietly, and Bella felt her pulse quicken.
"I know what you mean," she murmured in reply.
They were nearing the first shops around Hogsmeade, and she sighed, knowing that any of the distractions currently occupying her thoughts would have to wait until later.
Jacob, Leah, Hermione, and Ron were already waiting by The Three Broomsticks when she and Neville rounded the corner.
"See, I told you it was them," Leah burst out triumphantly to Jacob, who was scowling.
Bella stared at them, stunned. Had Jacob and Leah completely switched personalities? The she-wolf beamed brightly, whereas Jake looked like he'd swallowed something rotten.
"Amazing!" Hermione beamed as she turned to Neville. "Leah knew it was the both of you solely from the amount of pheromones each of you are exuding. It's absolutely fascinating what she and Jacob can do!"
Ron snickered, and Bella blushed fiercely as she realized exactly what Hermione was insinuating. Oh, Godric...
"Whatever, can we just go to the party now?" Jake grumbled, and she finally understood why he'd been scowling. Poor Jacob. Maybe he'd meet someone at the party...
They apparated to the borders of the Weasley property at the bottom of the hill and stepped carefully over a few new gnome holes as they neared the impending festivities.
"Now remember, don't mention Neville's portkey to anyone in the house!" Hermione warned. "If Percy gets wind that I created an unauthorized international portkey, he'll have my head. Oh, and Leah, do you remember everything I warned you about?"
Leah nodded. "Don't accept sweets from any of the red heads, and when in doubt – ask you first."
"Oi, I take offence to that!" Ron glared lightly at his wife.
"Oh, relax darling, it was simpler to generalize."
There were a few crashes heard from inside as they drew closer to the entrance, and Ron paled.
"Sounds like Mum's in one of her tempers."
Ron led them in through the front door, but Jacob stopped dead in his tracks, blocking the rest of them as a willowy blonde crossed their path.
"Jake, you okay?" Bella stared at him quizzically.
"That girl—" His eyes were wide, and his mouth hung open. "—I think I imprinted."
"Oh no you haven't!" Hermione stamped her foot to everyone's surprise. "Gabrielle, could you be a dear and bring this silverware to Molly?" She handed a parcel to the blonde, who stared back in dismay. "It sounds like absolute chaos in the kitchen."
Gabrielle sniffed shortly and disappeared, and Hermione folded her arms assuredly. "Still feel like you've imprinted, Jacob?"
He frowned for a few seconds. "No...but I don't underst—"
"Do you recall the information I gave you about veelas?"
"I thought they were birds..." he said, nodding vaguely.
"They are humanoids who can shift into avian form when they feel threatened." He just looked more confused, and Hermione threw her hands against her face. "They're like sirens, Jacob. Surely you've heard of those."
His eyes dawned with recognition. "Oooooh."
"Right, so let me assure you right now that none of the French speaking witches you meet tonight are your soul mate."
Leah snorted, earning a death glare from Jacob, but eventually he took a deep breath to prepare himself for whatever supernatural lures lay ahead.
Bella met several new faces throughout the course of the evening. First there was Percy, whose stoic demeanor strongly reminded her of Jasper, and his wife and two daughters. Then there was Bill, Fleur, and their children. Bella was sure she'd met everyone, when an elderly witch and a young boy with deep blue hair burst in through the fireplace.
"Oh, Andromeda! Teddy, darling! We're so delighted you could come." Mrs. Weasley bustled around the pair, helping them get settled.
"No bother, Molly. Teddy's been in and out of St. Mungo's. He's only just been released."
"St. Mungo's? Good heavens, whatever for?"
Leah strayed from behind Jacob and Ron and wandered to the boy with blue hair. "He's in so much pain." Then she looked right at the blue-haired boy. "How can you stand it?"
"I'm stronger than I look." The boy named Teddy shrugged away from Leah and back to the old lady.
"Oh, forgive me!" Mrs. Weasley threw her hands in the air. "Andromeda, allow me to introduce you to Leah and Jacob. They're the muggle shapeshifters staying with Ron and Hermione."
"Shapeshifters, dear me."
Jacob folded his arms proudly. "We shift into wolves."
Bella noticed Teddy flinch at Jacob's words and wondered what he was hiding.
"And Isabella Swan is their acquaintance, and Neville you know of course."
Andromeda shook Neville's hand and appraised Bella with keen interest. "An unusual choice, Mister Longbottom. I hear she obliviated young Polonius Burke."
"Let's all move to the kitchen, shall we?" Mrs. Weasley interrupted before anything else could be said.
Bella was grateful to the Weasley matriarch. It wasn't like she had meant to wipe the Potions Master's memory. She peered at the woman and then to the boy, whose hair had brightened to a shocking cyan.
For a group of beings so diverse, they certainly could be judgmental. She brought her hand to her neck, feeling even more self-conscious than before.