AN: Hi guys! Thank you for your continued support. Finally, another chapter. I hope it was worth the wait. Enjoy! And for those who need it in writing my story is AU.

Grimmauld Place

Harry Potter has been lost ever since Hermione left for the States. It was like a numbness had settled inside him, and everything he did was mindlessly done. Ronald was oblivious, and Ginny was too busy planning her big outrageous wedding, her mother being her main supporter.

All their other friends noticed something seriously bothering Harry. Still, since he mostly interacted with Ron and Ginny, nobody had a chance to enquire about the reason for his lost expression day in and day out. They also noticed that Hermione Granger had completely vanished with nothing but a goodbye note, stating she was moving to her big brother in America and wished them nothing but the best for their lives. It was unexpected but after all she went through, they truly understood her need to escape the wizarding world. Not many people know about the torture she had to endure to keep the Order safe and those that do can be counted on one hand. Harry, Ron, Dean, Luna, and Bill made it their mission to make Hermione as comfortable as possible, and they even became overprotective.

It changed though, a year later. People started to forget what she went through and began to focus on their own lives and family. Bill had his wife and daughter to grab all his attention. Dean decided to open his own business in the muggle world as a tattoo artist. Luna had to travel a lot to find unusual creatures to feature in the Quibbler. Ron ignored Hermione after rejecting him for the hundredth time, not understanding that Hermione didn't have feelings for him and that the kiss in the Chamber of Secrets was pure adrenaline and not romantic. It also created a wedge between her and the rest of the Weasleys. She was no longer embraced as another member of the family, just an annoying guest.

Her friends could see her slowly pulling away from them. How could she not with the way everyone has been treating her, keeping her at arm's length? Harry, though, had tried to make Hermione feel included in everything even when it was just him and the boys, he would invite her. He was the only one putting effort into his relationship with Hermione and he could see she was trying too, but with everyone else pulling away, it was hard. His relationship with Ginny also didn't help the situation. That's why he feels it is his fault that she is gone.

George decided to chat with him to find out what was bothering him.

"Oi, Harry!" George called for his attention in the library. That was also a bit unusual. He had been locked away in the library for almost a month, staring at one of the book racks, all but lost to the outside world. Harry hated spending any length of time in the library.

"Can we talk for a minute?" George continued when the only acknowledgment was a head tilt. "You have been acting strange for three weeks now. Could you explain what that is about and where in Merlin's name is our resident bookworm?" he questioned and took a seat in the black armchair, waiting. He also got a note from Hermione stating she was with family, but he couldn't deny the fact that he missed seeing her around.

Harry had a pained expression at the mention of Hermione, dropping his head in his hands to avoid looking at George and completely ignoring the questions.

George, being terrible at waiting, snapped, "Come on Potter, spill it. The sooner you talk the better you will feel and the sooner I can get to the bottom of this." Harry sighed and glanced his way.

"Hermione is gone and she's never coming back." He whispered to George "She's never coming back." he repeated a bit louder "And I feel like it's all my fault, even though I don't know what I could have done." he said hopelessly.

Rolling his eyes, Potter was so oblivious to people's feelings when they pertained to him. It was a wonder how he defeated old Voldy. George knew about Hermione's feelings for the golden boy, he was very observant. He could see the longing looks she always threw Harry's way, how she would excuse herself when Ginny was draped over Harry like a throw blanket, and how she would avoid prolonged physical contact with the boy who lived. It didn't take a genius to see what was transpiring, even though he was a genius.

The real question is, should he tell Harry about Hermione's feelings and potentially ruin his little sister's life, or should he keep quiet and help Harry move on with his life and forget about Hermione?

He chose the latter; he didn't have the heart to steal his sister's life from her and potentially send her into depression. "Mate, maybe Hermione needed a break from the wizarding world and maybe staying with her actual family will help her heal from the war. She's with her family and I bet she's happy and okay. You are busy building a family with my sister, which makes you, my family. I have already lost two brothers in the war, don't make me lose another even if it's just to your self-hatred." George waited patiently for his words to sink in and was rewarded with a small nod. That's a start.

"Come on, mum is about to dish out dinner and you require five helpings." George slinged his arm over Harry's shoulder and they made their way to the kitchen to stuff themselves with Molly's delicious meals.

Harry pushed Hermione to the back of his mind for the time being and just enjoyed the company of the Weasley's.

Billy Black's Residence

Billy and Charlie were seated in the living room watching a football game on the television. Charlie is on the couch and Billy is next to him in his wheelchair. They were enjoying a beer and just relaxing in an all-male environment, which Charlie craved as often as not. Living with two young energetic women is taking a toll on his mental state.

He was shocked and horrified when he first set eyes on a row of lacy underwear hanging in the bathroom and almost choked on his toothbrush when he spied tampons in his medicine cabinet. He just needed a break from his feminine-infested home. Not that he minded, it's just going to take him some time to get used to it.

"When am I meeting the lovely Hermione, Charlie? It's been weeks and you still haven't introduced us or invited me over. Are you afraid I might steal all her attention? It's possible with my dashing looks and fancy dance moves." Billy questioned wiggling his eyebrows for extra effect. Charlie chuckled at his antics but had a nervous look on his face.

"I just want her to settle in a little more before meeting a buffoon like you." Charlie and Billy have been friends since he moved to the States, they are basically like brothers. Their insults didn't carry any weight.

Billy snorted. " Bullshit! She's been here for almost a month and I'm still to catch a glimpse of her. Why are you hoarding her for yourself? And Bella too, is back and I didn't get an opportunity to welcome her. Jacob told me he saw and chatted with Bells at the beach when she and her friends were down here. What's going on? Why can't I see my goddaughter?" He was hurt, his best friend and brother were keeping his family away from him.

Charlie sighed, might as well come clean "Hermione is much younger than me Bill."

"No shit?" He rolled his eyes. "Tell me something I don't know?" He added sarcastically.

Charlie stood up to pace the small living room running his hand through his hair in frustration. He really hated being put on the spot. "Hermione is 23 years younger than me, she's 20 years old."

"No shit." If Billy's eyes got any wider it would probably fall out. Any other time Charlie would have found it funny. After the shock wore off, Billy waited for Charlie to explain, and he did. Told him everything, about Hermione being a miracle baby, his name changes to his mother's maiden name, and his title as Lord but he left out the part of his inheritance. He didn't want his friend to treat him any differently.

All through the reveal, Billy listened patiently. Only when Charlie was finished did he speak. " So, when can I meet your other daughter?" He chuckled. It made Charlie feel a bit more at ease and lightened the mood. "You have two young and beautiful women living with you. I'm jealous." He teased.

Charlie pulled a face " They are family you old perv. I am trying to adjust but it's challenging seeing bits and pieces of underwear lying around." He shook his head as if trying to rid himself of the images. Meanwhile, Billy was shaking uncontrollably with suppressed laughter. Giving him an irritated look Charlie sat back down on the couch ignoring him for the game.

"Welcome to the world of raising girls. I am glad and also sad my two went to college and wanted to live a grown-up life. Leaving their old man to fend for himself, thankfully I have a son that's perfectly capable of looking after me and himself. Be glad there are still people in your life to look out for you Charles." He said Charlie's full name with a British accent, making them both laugh. That accent did not fit Billy at all. "Seriously though; when can I meet her and say hi to Bella?" He asked after calming himself from his laughing fit.

"Why don't you and Jacob come over tomorrow afternoon for Sunday lunch? Hermione is cooking."

"Thank goodness, a home-cooked meal." Billy jokes. Charlie scowled at him. Billy just laughed it off, knowing Charlie's love for diner food. " Anyhow, I look forward to our lunch date." A silence settles between them, the game capturing their attention again. Charlie just hoped everyone got along.

Somewhere in the woods of Forks

Scabior lurked in the shadows, keeping an eye on his most prized possession. Watching over her, making sure she stays pure until he can claim her as his. He delicately let his hand run over the pink scarf around his neck. It still smelled of her. He cast many charms and spells on it to preserve it.

He followed her from the hotel in muggle Londen (where he has been hiding from the Aurors, obsessed with rounding up every escaped death eater and snatcher) and to the airport. Finding a spot on the same flight as her, disillusioned of course.

When they landed, she waited for a taxi like a muggle and almost spotted him in the crowded airport. He couldn't help just to stop and stare at her for a moment, but when their eyes connected, her's widening in fright, he knew he had to hide. No use in getting this far just to have Harry Potter himself throw you in Azkaban. Thankfully airports were always crowded, and disappearing among them was easy.

He just couldn't forget their first meeting. She was the beauty that stood out like a light in the shitshow of darkness.

Ever since he first saw her, he burned with desire. It took everything in him to not take her against the tree she was hiding behind. Touching her face, breathing her vanilla scent and being in her personal space made him feel like a drowning man. Scabior has fallen for the little witch and when he spied her in the hotel in muggle Londen overheard her plans to move to this dreary town. He made sure he was on the same flight.

Now he was here in the woods by her house, which she shared with her brother and her niece. He did spy a vampire coming and going at odd hours of the night watching the other girl sleep. Wouldn't comment on the weirdness of it because that would make him a hypocrite.

He also noticed the other vamps that went to school and the healer. They were of no threat, so he let them be. At first, he did want to roast the one called Edward, thinking he was after his witch, but was pleased to see his attention shifting to another. He was busy planning the demise of a certain male teacher though. Had it planned out, just waiting for the right time. Nobody would dare touch what belongs to him.

The other most recent unusual thing that occurred was three red-eyed parasites entering and exiting the town thinking nobody noticed. He had a feeling they were up to no good. Maybe he should find out what they are up to, make friends and stop them from even thinking of hurting his golden-haired angel.

Scabior gave one last look at the house and went to the last location he saw the three. Knowing his witch was perfectly safe.

Cullen Residence

Bella wishes her aunt, who she considers her best friend, could have come with her to meet Edward's parents. The invitation was extended to both of them but no, her date with Mr. Molina was way more important. Alice told her how she almost caught them in a compromising position. She was happy for her aunt, really but one thing she disliked was being placed in awkward positions alone. Alice was there, but it's not the same as having someone in her corner.

After Edward saved her from that van, stopping it with his hand, she knew there was something different about him. They even had a little argument about how he was nowhere near her when the accident happened, and he got to her so fast it wasn't even human. He did not want to come clean as to how he did it and made it look like she was delusional. He made it difficult, so she did her own research.

Jacob had told her an interesting story about the Cold Ones and their tribe legends when she went to La Push beach with her friends. How he was descended from wolves, and they protected the tribe from cold ones. He mentioned the treaty with the Cullens, and they could be the same Cullen's that made the treaty with his great great grandfather all those years ago. Joking that maybe they just moved back instead of being a new generation.

All that did was inspire new questions about what the Cullens were. When she went dress shopping with Jessica and Angela, she took that opportunity to go to a bookstore in port Angela's that has a book on Quileute legends. Also being saved by Edward again, touching him for the first time feeling as if he went through an ice age.

Reading the book and comparing it with the information Jacob gave her, she finally figured it out. Edward and his family were vampires and after confronting him about it she was surprised by the look of relief that washed over his face. What? Did she miss something? Did he want her to find out? It seemed like he did want her to figure it out on her own because he was more willing and open after that.

So here she was meeting the rest of his family being scrutinised like a piece of meat. (Which she was, with them being vampires.)

Even though the others already knew her from school, they weren't making things easier by staring at her like she was some kind of lab specimen. Edward gave her hand an encouraging squeeze being mindful of her humanness.

Esme, Edwards' mother, decided that it had been quiet enough. "Bella, how are you finding Forks so far?" She gave Bella a kind smile.

"Good, thank you. If my aunt weren't there with me and helping me adjust, I would have been an awkward mess. She helped build my confidence before going to school." She answered with a smile.

Rosalie scoffed. "I can't imagine you being an awkward mess. You came into school all fashion sense and confidence blazing. Awkward mess doesn't suit you." She added before going back to the car magazine she was busy leafing through.

Bella smirked "You should thank my aunt for that. When I met her, she was already undressing and redressing me with her eyes. I had no confidence, was fidgety and sweatpants and t-shirts were my go-to clothes. I did not put effort into my appearance until she arrived and basically knocked the self-care into me."

"I knew there was a reason why I liked your aunt. Why didn't you bring her?" The magazine is all but forgotten now.

Bella scrunched up her nose as she answered. "My aunt is on a date with Mr…"

"Molina. Yes, they were very close the day of your accident. If I didn't interrupt them, they would probably be steaming up the staff room." Alice interrupted Bella.

"Alice!"

"Alice! Please stop!"

Esme and Bella exclaimed at the same time. Rosalie snickered and Emmett's booming laugh could probably be heard all the way to La Push beach. Edward just looked embarrassed, what's that about? And Carlisle just shook his head at the kids. Jasper was trying hard not to burst out laughing. With everyone's emotions projecting at him like a tidal wave.

Alice successfully eased up the tension and conversation flowed like normal. They chatted for another hour before everyone went their separate ways. Edward shows Bella his room and they went tree climbing, sat on a rock overlooking a river and chatted some more about his life as a vampire.

They went back to the house and Edward played the piano for her and they just enjoyed each other's company before she had to get back home. In all, the day was perfect. Bella thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Later that night swan resident

Hermione closed the front door and silently crept up the stairs. It's already after 10pm and the house was silent, everyone was most likely in bed. She was busy getting her wash products ready when she was startled.

"What in Merlin's name are you doing in our room?!" she exclaimed in a whisper. Giving Edward a disapproving look.

He lifted his hands in defence, giving a nervous chuckle. "Bella asked me to stay until she fell asleep."

Hermione's eyes shift over to a sleeping Bella who seems to look like she has been asleep for hours, releasing little snores. Hermione raised an eyebrow folding her arms over her chest in a 'really' manner. He ground "Okay so I stayed a little longer and watched her sleep. Is that such a crime?" Hoping that he had not jeopardised his now friendly relationship with Hermione.

"It is creepy and it's stalkerish, so it can be classified as a crime. Or it could point to a crime in waiting." Hermione paused for a few seconds "How did it go today with Bella meeting your parents? I would have joined you, but I had a date and no matter how much I love Bella, I needed a bit of male attention. Don't ask, it's none of your business and I'm still your teacher." She added when he opened his mouth to ask a question. He closed his mouth with a disappointed frown.

"Everything went well. Bella was a little uncomfortable without you there, but Alice quickly made her more relaxed, and conversation flowed after that."

"I'm glad everything went well. Now go home Eddy, I am here now nothing will happen to her." With that said she turned and headed for the bathroom to wash up before bed. Knowing that he would be gone by the time she came out.

After her shower she stuck her head into Charlie's bedroom to check on him and then locked everything up with magic. Making sure not even an ant could bypass her wards without alerting her.

Getting in bed, she couldn't stop her mind from wandering to her date. It went extremely well and even ended with passionate sex.

Hermione could tell that the thing between her and Mr Molina is mostly physical, but it helps to aid with the sexual frustration she has been feeling lately.

Hermione wasn't a virgin or a prude, but she doesn't like sleeping around. Before coming to Forks, she only had one sexual partner and now she had her coworker. She could feel that she was meant for someone powerful and strong. When she will meet him, no one knows.

Her Animagus's instinct is to find her mate and Hermione had the feeling it will be soon and that he is close by. She has been agitated since arriving in Forks. Maybe she needs to go for a run and let her paws dig in the dirt.

That would have to wait until tomorrow morning. Now she just wants to sleep and bask in that after sex exhaustion.

Hermione nodded off to sleep, unknowing of how things are going to shift in her life, come daylight.

I want to apologize for the long wait. I will try to update at least once a month. Hope you liked this chappy.