AN: I hope everyone is being safe, I apologize for my late post, I started working again and have hardly had a spare moment to write.

Chapter 4

It was a Wednesday, the day after the reveal with the Cullen family. I thought about the night before as I lay in bed, it was only five in the morning, nightmares had woken me early again. Eventually, I got up and made my way to the bathroom to shower. Instead of spacing out and letting my memories drown me, I thought about Edward as I washed my hair, his crooked smile didn't remind me much of Cedric after last night, Edward's was different, it stirred emotions within me that I didn't fully believe I could even feel after everything that happened, everything that I did. Guilt overwhelmed me for a moment before I shook it from my mind and resumed rinsing my hair.

I lathered a healthy amount of conditioner in my hair and let it cascade down my back. I relished the hot water falling over my nude form as my brain wandered back to the night before. We had almost kissed... if only Isabella hadn't turned on the porch light. I frowned, did I want that? Shaking my head to clear it, I focused on the dinner that had occurred the previous day. Jasper had to be an empath and there was something about Alice that reminded me of a cross between Lavender Brown and Luna Lovegood, two very different personalities somehow in one vampire. She seemed to know everything before it happened, like a seer, if that was even probable. I never have trusted divination, especially after all that prophecy business in the ministry fifth year. Sirius' empty gaze and last laugh flooded my mind as I traced the purple scar that lined my torso, my skin tingling with slight numbness and a burning sensation. I would be forever scarred from the war, nothing could truly remove the remnants of torture and magic. I would forever be plagued with the knowledge that I would be the last of my line. It was why Ron and I broke up, I could never give him what he truly wanted. Bellatrix's insane laugh echoed in my ears and I immediately covered them, trying to drown out the sound in my own head, just as I did when I heard Voldemort's cold voice ripping through the air before the final battle, and after watching Snape die in the boathouse. The whispers of war seemed like they would never leave me. I pinched my arm hard to recenter myself, it worked and I rinsed my hair so I could get out and get ready on time.

I was still pensive when I arrived in my room to pick my clothes for the day, I opted for casual jeans and a jumper again, the chill of Fork's rainy days seemed to never end. Grabbing my bag, I headed downstairs, it was only ten after six so I scrambled some eggs and chopped up some peppers and sprinkled them into the scramble. I tossed some bread in the toaster as Isabella announced her presence in the kitchen by tripping at the doorway. I whipped around wand in hand, before hurrying to help her up from the floor.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, it happens all the time. You're up early." She replied, a blush burning across her pale cheeks.

"Couldn't sleep. You?" I spoke as I walked over to the stove to plate the scramble for us. The toast popped out of the toaster and I summoned them to the plates before handing my clumsy cousin her breakfast and sitting at the table.

"Same, thanks for the food" She ducked into a seat at the table as juice began to pour itself into two glasses, one for each of us. "Dad went into work already" she notified me as the cups levitated to us. She watched them with interest, everything I had used to cook was washing itself in the sink, thanks to a spell Molly taught me before I left.

"No problem, what did he get called in so early for?" I was confused, He usually went to the station after we left in the mornings.

"Something about an animal attack just outside of town, a couple of hikers got injured I think" she frowned.

I bit my lip in worry, knowing sometimes things weren't as they seemed. "I hope he stays safe, who knows what could have done it"

Isabella nodded, a flash of worry came across her face just as quickly as it went. "New subject," a smile grew across her face "Tell me what happened yesterday with Edward Cullen. I know he drove you home pretty late."

I shook my head, "I am well aware of how late it was, I told them I'm a witch and you should know, the Cullens are vampires, they don't feed on humans so they are safe." Isabella looked ready to speak and forced her eggs down. "I only told you this for your safety, don't tell anyone, their secret is similar to mine and we cannot let it get out."

Isabella nodded solemnly. "How did you know what they are and why did you tell them what you are?"

I flinched slightly at my cousin's curious mind. "I er- well I've met a few vampires in the past, back at school."

Isabella raised her brows, "Are there vampire witches and wizards too?"

I frowned, not knowing the answer to her question. I hoped so, I was not too fond of losing my magic if I got turned in the future, being Edward's possible soulmate. "I actually do not know, I'll have to ask Carlisle tonight and owl Luna".

"Hermione Granger not know an answer to a question? Have pigs started flying?" Isabella laughed "So you're going back there tonight?"

I shook my head at her ridiculousness. "I am, but I promise to be home for dinner with you and Charlie"

"Alright. Hey, you never told me about what happened with Edward, give me the details before Jessica tortures them out of you at lunch" She laughed.

I flinched at the mention of torture, I never remembered Isabella being so lively and talkative. She was starting to remind me of my redheaded friend Ginny Weasley. "I did tell you, didn't I?" She pouted and I considered telling her about the almost-kiss. Shrugging, I decided to do so, "Well, when he drove me home, we- er, well we might have almost kissed, there was a moment and then the porch light started flashing," I spared her a pointed glance as she was the one to flash the lights, "but nothing ended up happening". I frowned, considering my next words, "I think he fancies me, and I fancy him too, but I don't think I should go for it. I mean we are so different, you know?" I did have these doubts, I was broken, I could never have kids or sleep without horrific nightmares, I was plain and broken inside and out. My magical scars would never fade completely, and I knew my mangled body was a stark comparison to the alabaster skin of a vampire. I knew I could never amount to the perfection of Edward Cullen, the enigma that he is.

Isabella frowned again, "Because he is a vampire and you're a witch? Hermione, you're both magical and it is very obvious he likes you, Angela and Jessica couldn't stop talking about how he approached you, on our second day of school no less! I think you should go for it, don't give up because one of you does magic," she gestured to the floating dishes, now putting themselves away, "and the other one drinks blood". She smiled at me, clearly seeing the decision in my eyes.

"Alright, I'll try- well, I won't turn him down if he acts first."

"Good, at least there's hope for one of us." She stood up, grabbing her school bag, "We need to go to school now"

I nodded and glanced at the stove, green numbers flashing told me it was fifteen till' seven, we had just enough time to get to school and socialize before class. Summoning my school bag, I followed my cousin to her car in the driveway. The drive to school was uneventful, we arrived early enough to get a good parking spot and Isabella lead me to our friends. I ended up talking to Angela while Isabella distracted Jessica from quizzing me, I shot her a grateful look.

"So what do you think about the readings for English?" Angela smiled.

"Er I've actually already read all of the books on the list before, so the class is pretty boring for me." I sheepishly smiled, I actually had read all of the books for our year back before Hogwarts, I was a very avid reader in school. I read now mostly for research, not for leisure as I loved to do all throughout my childhood. Wuthering Heights, all of Shakespeare's plays and most of his sonnets, some Austen and Bronte, and Dickens were some of the authors for the reading list that I had enjoyed in the past when all I had to worry about was grades and making friends in school.

"Really? Don't give me any spoilers, I'm really enjoying Jane Eyre and I'm going to start Pride and Prejudice next." She smiled, seemingly no longer shy to me. "I'm glad there's someone who likes older books that I can talk to now"

"There are two somebodies who love reading that you can talk to," I gestured to my cousin behind me, "Isabella's favorite novel if I'm correct is Wuthering Heights"

Angela grinned as Isabella cut in "It still is, and has been for two years now Hermione." I laughed lightly.

At that moment, I noticed Edward Cullen and his siblings pulling into the parking lot in his silver Volvo and Rosalie's red Jeep. Jessica made a comment about how cute Rosalie's car is and I smirked mentally, I knew Rosalie wasn't just driving it so there would be room for me when we went back to their house after school.

Edward's gaze found my own as soon as he was out of the car, like he knew exactly where to look for me without thinking. I felt a heat rush to my cheeks, never breaking eye-contact. His stare was enveloping and enthralling, all-consuming to my senses. I didn't notice when Alice started walking towards me until she stepped into my line of sight, breaking the hold Edward's golden eyes had over me. I jumped in alarm, my wand discreetly dropped into my hand as Alice's blinding smile and cropped black hair flashed in front of me. Once I regained my senses, I slipped my wand back up my sleeve.

"Hi Hermione!"

"Er- Hullo Alice. You know it's rude to sneak up on people right?"

She laughed at my snarky comment, my nerves were still on edge. "I didn't sneak up on you, did I, Angela?" The short vampire turned to my bookish friend who blushed and stammered her response.

"N- no, you were uh- noticeable" Alice seemed to accept this response and turned back to me, Angela took this moment to hurry away being the shy person that she is. The rest of the group followed her as class was starting soon. Jessica gave me a look that said I'd be telling her everything later.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, but next time try to be more noticeable." My voice lowered, "I don't want to accidentally hex you".

Alice laughed, "If you weren't so caught up in staring at my brother you would have seen me, and besides, I knew you wouldn't hurt me"

I glanced at her uneasily, not used to being so easily read, and I remembered my thoughts about her from this morning. "You're a seer." I bluntly stated, wanting to divert the conversation away from my possibly amorous connection to a certain copper-haired vampire.

Alice smiled knowingly. "It took you less time to realize it than I thought, Hermione Granger."

I warily eyed her, never one to trust divination. "That's what happens when you're the 'brightest witch of your age'."

"I can't wait for later, I have so many things I want to ask you. I've been waiting for you to come to Forks for weeks! Do you know how hard it was to hide from Edward that you're his true mate and that-"

I cut her off, my eyes wide, "True mate?"

"Oh- I thought you realized that after yesterday, I kinda Saw your conversation with him in the car last night"

I felt worry rising in the pits of my stomach, I knew what it meant to be True Mates for Vampires. I researched bonds while we were on the run last year, trying to figure out Harry and Voldemort's connection. If I was Edward's True Mate, I would have to become a Vampire- sooner rather than later- to fulfill the bond. He would die if I didn't. Everything felt like it was closing in, I couldn't have his death on my hands, but I didn't want to rush into an ancient vampiric bond, possibly lose my magic and the world I fought to the death to save. I felt the beginnings of a panic attack flood my senses. I gave Alice a desperate look, she immediately called Jasper over and suddenly my head cleared, the panic ebbed away and I could breathe properly.

"I'm his True Mate. I didn't think it would be that specific bond, Alice how did you know?"

She looked worried and grasped her Mate's hand "I saw it, before you came here, a month ago, in my vision you were talking with a man you called Harry in your uncle's house and you said Edward was your True Mate and then the vision changed to you as a vampire hunting with Edward and using magic. That's all I saw." They both glanced at my worried expression.

"You saw Harry here? I had magic as a Vampire?" Thoughts ran through my head at lightning speed. My worries of losing my magic were lessened, but not abolished, I was skeptical of her foresight. If Harry was here, something must of happened. I remembered the mention in his letter about Dolohov and fear gripped me once again, my scar tingled dangerously on the painful side.

Jasper winced at the onslaught of my emotions like he was feeling my pain. I immediately cleared my head, not wanting to cause him pain after helping calm my frazzled mind. The feeling of my scar ebbed away slowly. "Sorry, just if Harry was here, something really bad must of happened. He wouldn't come unless it was life or death."

Alice frowned, watching the silent exchange between her empath mate and myself. "I didn't hear anything other than what you said to him, I can keep an eye out for him if you want?"

I was grateful, even if I didn't fully trust her Sight. Nodding, I accepted her offer "Thank you, Alice."

The bell rang suddenly, marking the five-minute warning to get to class.

"We can finish this conversation tonight" Alice smiled before looping her arm through mine and used her other hand to grasp Jasper's. "Let's all head to class"