Sitting in his home office, Carlisle held the phone to his ear.

"Carlisle, how's things?" Carlisle could hear the tiredness in the Chief's voice through the phone.

"All's well, Charlie," he replied. "I hope things are well at your end?"

Charlie scoffed, "Still sorting out things, trying to close down all the investigations about Harry. Things should start ticking slowly again tomorrow."

Harry, yes. The reason for Carlisle's call.

"Harry is actually the reason I am phoning, Charlie," Carlisle began cautiously. "I am concerned about the boy." He heard Charlie sigh.

"What's happened to him this time?"

Carlisle thought for a moment; he had to put this delicately or else Charlie could become very angry towards Harry.

"After completing his medical examination yesterday evening, I had asked Harry if he would come by to my office this afternoon to tell me about his first day. He, however, had different plans."

Silence.

"He didn't turn up, did he?" It was hardly a question.

"No," Carlisle admitted. "He did not." He could hear Charlie grumbling incoherently though the phone. "I went to see him instead," Carlisle added in the hope of preventing an outburst.

"And? How is he?"

'How to put this,' Carlisle pondered.

"Well," he began, "not too well honestly. Harry wasn't very happy at all. He feels as though we are controlling his life far too much."

"He's a child, for God's sake, of course people are trying to control his life," Charlie retorted. "He's a seventeen year old kid in a new country with no relatives to look out for him. We're the best he's got. Kid's got to realise that."

'If only it were that simple,' Carlisle thought. He had already decided that he couldn't tell Charlie about what Harry had accidentally let slip to him that afternoon, for Carlisle had realised it had been accidental. Having been caught in a moment of raw emotion, Harry had unwillingly revealed some deeply troubling pieces from his past, things that Carlisle couldn't have imagined. The calm emptiness in his voice as he spoke of his parents' murder… Carlisle shivered remembering.

"I agree, Charlie," he finally answered. "I only hope that someday Harry will too."

"I'm going to ask the boy to come see me at the end of the week. With any luck he'll turn up, but I think I can guess what will really happen."

"I hope you're wrong, Charlie," Carlisle admitted.

"So do I. See you." Ending the call, Carlisle relaxed back into his home office chair, releasing the tension he hadn't even realised he'd been holding. He hadn't yet spoken to anyone about what Harry had said to him, though he knew that Edward would have the full story by now.

Carlisle was at a complete loss as to how to help the boy. As terrible as it sounded, Carlisle wished that Harry's only problem was that his parents were dead. But Carlisle knew that that was not what was bothering Harry now. When he was first at the hospital, while obviously a boy who had suffered great losses, Harry was happy. There had been a light in his young eyes, scared of his past but excited for the future. The Harry that was here now was a different man; darkness and hopelessness was all Carlisle saw in his eyes which had aged with the loss of their brightness. Yes, Harry was a young man with a dark and troubled past, but something he had seen or heard since escaping the hospital had shaken what little resolve he'd had. Only an empty shell remained, one whose surface Carlisle was only just beginning to scrape.

Carlisle was broken out of his thinking by a calm knocking on his office door.

"Come in, Alice," he called.

Alice wandered over and sat herself down in one of the other chairs by Carlisle's desk. She watched her father carefully for a while.

"I'm sorry," she said suddenly.

Carlisle blinked.

"Whatever for?"

"I can't see anything! I feel useless," she cried. "Just when we need my gift more than ever, it's gone. I hate not knowing, Carlisle." Alice stared at Carlisle mournfully, the tears she could not shed sparkling in her eyes.

"Oh, Alice," Carlisle stood up from his chair and went over to comfort his daughter. "No one here is upset with you or blaming you for anything. We know that whatever Harry is means that vampire gifts are useless," he soothed. "We've become reliant on you and Edward, especially. Perhaps it's time we learned to operate without them."

"I don't understand it, Carlisle. I can't see what will happen, not even possibilities. All I get is this… feeling. I know that Harry is important to this family, to you and Edward in particular. I get these strong feelings about the three of you, but whether it's positive or negative I don't know. All I know is that the three of you will greatly influence each other's lives." Neither of them spoke after this extraordinary pronouncement. Carlisle watched Alice, believing what she said was true. He had felt it himself; there was a connection between himself and Harry that he knew would never fade. Whether that link was leading them to friendship or destruction, only time would tell.

"I see. And you can't see anything further in the future, several years ahead?" How long did people like Harry live for?

Alice only shook her head sadly.

"So it would appear Harry will be around for a while," Carlisle mused.

"Or that his being here brings this family's downfall," Alice murmured. Neither of them wanted to think of that as a possibility.

"All we can do is take things one day at a time. I am hopeful that Harry will gradually find he can trust those of us looking out for him. He has a darkened past, Alice, such terrible things have happened to him. He needs friends. A family." Harry was hurting. Carlisle wanted to be the one to ease that hurt, the loneliness that Harry was feeling. Carlisle understood loneliness, and knowing Harry was experiencing it was what hurt Carlisle the most.

"You'll be there for him, Carlisle, just like you're here for all of us." Alice gave Carlisle a warm embrace, hoping her father wouldn't dwell on his own dark history. "Just be there for him. No one can resist the fatherly love of Carlisle Cullen."

Carlisle smiled at his daughter and returned the hug. "Let's hope Harry isn't the exception to the rule."


The gravel crunched under her feet as Bella made her way across the parking lot to her Chevy. It was Friday afternoon, the end of her and Harry's first week at Forks High, and Bella was relieved that it was finally the weekend. There was little work ahead of her, as half her classes were covering content she had already studied in Phoenix. She was looking forward to a nice, quiet weekend spent at home reading. Such was Bella's favourite way to spend her time.

Privately, Bella was also thankful that she didn't have to worry about befriending Harry for two whole days. While she knew how terrible that sounded, it was an exhausting, fruitless task. It did not seem to matter how Bella approached him, whether it be to join him at lunch or offer a passing 'Hello' in the corridors, Harry remained just as stubborn as always. The best she had gotten from him was a grumbled 'Hi' once, but Bella knew that he only relented because Mr Varner had been standing right beside him.

As far as Bella could tell, no one else in the school had made any attempt to befriend the boy either. Nobody had approached him at lunchtime to sit with him, and her friends told her that no one spoke to him in any of his classes. Even Mike had given up on getting to know him in Biology. Harry was watched from afar, slowly fading into the background already, a feat which should have been impossible in a school like Forks. The only people who paid him any attention were Bella and the Cullens.

Bella had come no closer to finding out anything more about Harry and his relationship with the strange family. They never spoke, but rather seemed to communicate through hateful glares sent across the cafeteria or classroom. At least Harry and Rosalie did. The other four watched Harry with something more like caution, as though they weren't entirely sure what to make of him.

Bella sighed. There was nothing more she could do for now. Maybe over the weekend she could think of some better ways to approach the situation, though what that could be Bella had no initial inspiration. She rolled down her window and put the key in the ignition.

"Bella."

She shrieked. Jumping in surprise, Bella accidentally slammed her hands on the steering wheel, blasting her horn through the parking lot.

"Jesus Christ!" She turned to berate the person who had appeared from nowhere at her driver's window, and almost jumped again when she saw the bespectacled English boy staring at her strangely. Was he laughing at her?

"Harry, don't do that, please!" Getting her breathing under control, she quickly added, "What's up?" She didn't want to get angry and make him leave, not when this was the first time he had willingly approached anyone all week. She was also very aware that every set of eyes in the parking lot was on her car.

Harry didn't speak for a long time. He simply frowned and chewed his lip, as though unsure of what it was he wanted to say. Just as Bella was about to ask him if he was alright, he spoke.

"I was actually hoping to ask a favour," he said very slowly. He spoke with the same lack of emotion he had the other day. It still gave Bella chills.

"Sure, Harry. What do you need?"

"I was wondering if, perhaps – if you weren't too busy, that is – whether you might possibly consider thinking about maybe, um, helpingmewithschoolwork." After stumbling around slowly, he finished at such a speed that Bella had no idea what he had said.

"If I could what, sorry?"

Harry took a deep breath. "I was wondering if you could help me with school work," he repeated calmly, his face flushing.

Bella knew Harry had been struggling. In Biology he always seemed to be several paces behind the rest of the class, and he hadn't been able to answer any of Mr Banner's questions when he was called on in class. Bella had considered offering to help, but hadn't quite built up the nerve to do so; she figured Harry wouldn't be too happy knowing someone else had noticed his trouble.

This could also be Bella's best chance at getting to know Harry properly. Perhaps away from school in a quieter environment he would be happier and more willing to make friends. Maybe if he began to trust her enough, he might tell her more about the Cullens.

"Yeah, sure," she said with a kind smile. "I'd be happy to help."

"I don't intend on becoming your friend, mind you," Harry declared. "I just need help to pass, graduate, and leave this place." It wasn't said unkindly, just… matter-of-factly.

"Oh," murmured Bella. How do you respond to that? "Um, would you like to come over tomorrow morning, then?" Hopefully she could convince him to be friendly anyway.

Harry screwed up his face. "Will your father be there?"

Bella sighed. Great, he's still scared of Charlie.

"No, he goes out fishing on Saturday mornings. It'll be just us," she added, hoping that should be what he was after. "Do you want a lift home and I can show you my place on the way?"

'Make it sound like it would benefit him to come with you,' Bella thought strategically.

Harry hesitated for a long time before finally nodding in acceptance and walking around to get in the passenger side. This time Bella did start the engine, the roar of the Chevy doing nothing to deter people from staring. Harry now settled in his seat, they pulled out of the lot leaving the school and their gawking classmates far behind.

"I don't know about you," Bella began bravely, "but I'm so glad that week is over."

"You have no idea," Harry muttered into his window. The rest of their drive passed in near silence, Bella only speaking to point out her own house before turning around to follow Harry's directions to his.

As they pulled into the sweeping drive, Bella's jaw dropped at the mansion before her.

"Oh hell," Harry whined.

Taking her eyes away from the tall gabled roof, Bella found the cause of Harry's distress.

"Were you supposed to see my dad today?" Bella asked, for sitting in the driveway was a police cruiser, against which was leaning a very angry looking Charlie Swan.

"He wanted me at the station." Harry's reply was a whisper, whether it be of fear or anger Bella could not be sure. Whichever it was, it was with definite trepidation that Harry opened the Chevy's heavy door and stepped out into the firing line. Knowing all too well the look on Charlie's face as he stormed down the drive to where Harry was standing, Bella got out as well in case things turned nasty.

"So," the Chief began, "you think the rules don't apply to you, eh son? That you can just ignore what I tell you to do?" He was talking quietly, a definite warning sign. Bella gazed uneasily at Harry who had the gall to stand his ground and stare evenly in return. Privately, she was impressed.

"I forgot, sir," Harry said through gritted teeth.

Charlie gave a cruel laugh.

"Forgot, eh? Just like you forgot to see Doctor Cullen the other day? That's convenient." The nasty smile fell from his face as he prepared to give Harry a proper berating, but Bella stepped in.

"Dad, he really did for–"

"Bella, thank you for dropping Harry off but I think you should go home now," her father said without removing his gaze from Harry.

"But Dad –"

"Home, Bella. Now. I need to have a bit of a chat with Mr Potter." Bella knew his tone was final and there was no point arguing. Sighing in annoyance she turned back to her truck.

"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow, Harry." And with that she got behind the driver's seat and backed out of the drive.

The pair watched her drive away, confusion etched upon the older man's face.

"Why are you seeing my daughter tomorrow?"

'Please tell me they're not dating,' Charlie thought to himself.

Harry gave one of his bitter frowns.

"I asked her for help with schoolwork, or is that going against your rules as well? Maybe you'd prefer I just suffer in silence on my own?" The hostility in the boy's voice concerned Charlie. He sighed, wiping his hands slowly down his face. God he was tired.

"I'm pleased you're asking for help actually," he admitted, trying to remove most of the anger from his voice. "It might be good for you two to become friends."

"Of course, that'll make it nice and easy for you to hear all about what I get up to every minute at school, won't it sir? You won't have to send Bella to spy on me all the time if we're friends, she can give you daily reports anyway." It was a cold and callous smile Harry gave as he echoed the sentiments Charlie had heard from Carlisle earlier. So the kid still wouldn't trust anyone?

"I didn't send her to spy on you, kid. I sent her to look out for you. Sometime you've got to realise, Harry, that all these annoying people taking up your time and asking to see you, are doing it because they care for your wellbeing."

Receiving nothing but a glare as response, Charlie sighed. How were they ever going to make him understand?

"Look, how about this?" Charlie said slowly. "If you come to our place to get help from Bella three times a week, I won't make you come and see me at the station. I'll just be in the background, if you need or want to talk to me."

Charlie was pleased to see that Harry was actually seriously considering this arrangement. The coldness from his glare had dissipated, leaving a calculating look as he stared off into the trees, thinking. Hopefully offering the boy the help he had requested would be the main selling point for him, and that he would see the insistence of Charlie being in the background as a tolerable extra.

"Fine," Harry said after almost two minutes. "But if I pass this silly test that you seem to be setting, if I still need help Bella can come to my place too. Without you."

'I've got a feeling that's the best we'll get.'

"Agreed."


Dearest one,

He is here. Just as you said he would be. I have seen him. I have even spoken to him, and of course he is none the wiser as to who I am. Everything up until now has gone off without a hitch. He escaped as you knew he would, and I am sure you have fulfilled your part in regards to that as he has since returned to us here.

I have not seen him for a few days, however I hear people speaking of him often. From what I have gathered, he is as much of a recluse as you hoped. He does not seem willing to integrate himself into the society here, something that will only make our work easier. Of course, there could be some satisfaction to be had were he to lose more of his pesky friends. We shall have to wait and see.

What I do not understand is how he is able to present himself to the public at all. You had told me, and I had agreed, that upon hearing of his most recent losses the boy would tear himself apart. I have seen no evidence of this. Distancing himself from people is insignificant compared to how he should be behaving. Perhaps he is a broken man behind the walls of his home, but nothing is obvious.

I will continue to inform you of the situation. I have played my part well. The boy, nor his associates have any knowledge of my motivations, and that is, of course, how it shall stay until the final moments.

We have longed for this time. It is finally within sight and we must not lose focus. I trust that you will continue your work as I have done. Shortly, the boy will no longer be a hurdle and we will have our time.

The Chosen One will burn.