Chapter Five
Meadow
2 months had passed since Hermione come to Forks and there had been no further development with Victoria or the Deatheaters. Edward had managed to overcome Hermione's scent and she was rarely seen not in the company of the Cullens. A growing attraction had sprung up between Hermione and Edward and the Cullens and Bella dreaded the day Hermione found out about Vampires. But, unfortunately, it was about to come all too soon.
Hermione walked down the Cullen's Manor after Bella had dropped her off at the top of the lane. She rounded the corner and ran into Edward and his infamous silver Volvo.
"Let me guess, Alice said I was coming?" Hermione grinned. Edward laughed. "Something like that." He replied. "So, where you off to?" Hermione asked. Edward smirked. "We are going somewhere I want to show you." He replied. Hermione practically skipped over and got into the car.
A matter of minutes later, Edward pulled up a little way from his meadow. He walked round to Hermione's side and opened the door for her. Hermione flashed him a smile and Edward was sure his dead heart skipped with joy. "So, where are we going?" Hermione asked. Edward grinned. "A place I like to go to think." He replied, holding a hand out for her. Hermione took it and Edward lead her into the forest.
Half an hour later, the two finally arrived at the meadow. "It's beautiful." Hermione breathed. Edward shot a crooked grin at her. "I know. I love coming here." He sighed. "Hermione, I had an ulterior motive in bringing you here." He sighed. "Oh, how so?" Hermione asked, sitting on a rock.
Edward momentarily forgot what he was going to say as he stared at Hermione. She looked more beautiful in the sun. Her honey curls caught the light and her eyes shone. They glittered with mischief, joy and curiosity. Her long sleeved top was modest, yet showed some cleavage, and her jeans were tight. Edward may have been a vampire, but he was a man first. Hermione's voice broke him out of his thoughts. "Well?" She asked her voice soft and innocent.
Hermione watched, amused, as Edward's golden eyes raked over her body. She took the opportunity to look him over as well. His light blue top clung to his muscles and his jeans hugged his lower body appreciatively. "Well?" She asked after a while, a soft smile playing on her full lips. Edward jumped and thought over why he had brought her there.
Edward was racked with guilt. He wanted so badly for Hermione to be his own, but knew it could never be because he was a Vampire. He looked down, avoiding Hermione's chocolate eyes so full of concern and worry for him.
Hermione watched as Edward's face became pained and he began to avoid her gaze. She bit her lip nervously, wondering what was going through his mind. His unnatural eyes were unfocussed and he was staring unblinkingly at a fixed point. "Edward? Are you okay?" She asked gently.
Edward looked up quickly and met her gaze. "Are you okay?" Hermione asked again, gentle humour in her eyes. "Oh yeah. Hermione, I really, really like you. More than I have any other girl." Edward smiled, his eyes going warm and soft for a moment. Hermione shot him her own dazzling smile. He sighed mentally and his eyes went blank again. This was going to be extremely tough on both of them.
"I hear a but." Hermione teased lightly. "But…I can't be with you." Edward finished, looking away from her eyes. Hermione's heart fell. "Why not?" She asked, frowning. Edward sighed again. "I'm dangerous. You should stay away from me." He told her.
"Why?" Hermione asked, confusion written on her face but her eyes shone with a secret. Edward stuttered, trying to think of an excuse so Hermione would leave him alone, for her own good. "I…I am not good for you. You have no idea how dangerous I really am." He told her. Hermione sat back, looking coolly at him. She suddenly gasped, causing Edward to frown. "Oh, it's because you're a Vampire, right?" Hermione asked. Edward's eyes snapped to hers. "What?"
Hermione listened to Edward stutter over an excuse to feed her so she would go and leave him alone. She knew why he was doing it; it was obvious if you knew what to look for. She had known for months and, like Bella, she just didn't care. After all, she hadn't cared when she found out about Remus being a Werewolf. A vampire wasn't any different.
Finally Edward got his excuse out, even if it was just the same as he had said before. Hermione sat back on her hands and kept her face cool. She was playing with him before she dropped the bombshell. "Oh, it's because you're a Vampire, right?" She asked casually. "What? Edward gasped.