Chapter 1

A/N: In this story, Hermione is 19 years old.

Hermione Granger handed the lady behind the desk her piece of paper. The lady smiled, and Hermione returned the gesture. She retrieved her paper and went down the funnel. She could hear her friends calling her name and bidding her farewell. The last thought she had was how much she was going to miss her friends. She got into her seat and breathed a sigh of frustration. She still had no idea about why she was going to America. Kingsley gave her no reason and nor was he going to, he said.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, aboard American Airlines and we hope that you enjoy your flight." The loudspeakers burst with the announcement and Hermione snorted.

Yeah, right, she thought. She wracked her brain for any possible reason as to why she was going to Washington. All that Kingsley said was that she would meet a blast from the past.

Who?

No one knows.

Jasper Hale stared at the photo in his hands. How he missed her! He couldn't remember her name, nor her family. She only had this photo to remind him of this beautiful girl. Human Jasper had his arms around this girls' neck, his head on hers with her hands on his. It was a black and white photo, so he didn't know what she looked like really. It just showed her smiling face and her glowing eyes, with a scar going from the side of her left eye and down to her chin. He gently traced the scar before sighing. He wished he could remember her name. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned his head to face his sister Alice.

"Still thinking about your mystery maiden, Jaz?" the pixie asked, softly. Jasper smiled and nodded.

"I believe that she's dead, and yet I can't accept it," he whispered. Tears stung his eyes as he blinked them away. Alice pulled him closer, sensing his sadness.

"You never know, Jasper. You never know."

No sooner had she got of the plane that she was pushed by the bustling crowd towards the outside. She hailed a taxi and hopped in.

"La Push, please," she requested, closing the door. The driver nodded and started the car. When Hermione buckled her seatbelt, the car started to drive towards the required area. Hopeful this dude named Embry would be there.

Embry.

It's got a ring to it, I guess, she thought. She contemplated all the things and readied herself for anything that happened. When the taxi pulled up to the bus station where she was due to meet him, she paid the cab fare and jumped out with her luggage. She looked around only to see a boy with black hair and a smiling face. Her heart ached for Harry, but she shook it off. He stepped forward towards her.

"Hey. Are you Hermione? If you're not then you wouldn't be the first." He said quickly. Hermione smiled at his goofiness and held out her hand.

"You must be Embry. Thank goodness." She replied as he took her hand. "I am Hermione, fortunately. I am very pleased to be here even though I don't know why." At this, Embry laughed heartily and lead her to his truck. He lifted her suitcase into the back with ease, startling the little witch. He jumped in and started the car.

"Hey, you don't mind it we stop at a friends place, do you? I have to take him somewhere over the rainbow." He said. Hermione shook her head, smiling. She liked this guy. He was so carefree. They drove in silence other than the occasional question.

Jared was just chilli with Sam and Emily when they heard a car door slam. The walked outside with Jared as the last one. They met Embry with smiles and playful pushing. When they heard something.

"Oh, curse this dress!" a feminine voice yelled. Then there was ripping sounds and a little brunette came around the corner of the car in a dress that was torn on the underarms and the back. She dusted herself off and looked up. Her eyes caught Jared's and then everything changed. As he stared into those chocolate eyes, everything was absorbed into them and he realised that she was the only thing holding the earth together. She was in a spotlight that glowed bright and she was the main attraction. When she smiled, Jared's heart stopped for a moment and took in her radiating happiness and determination. Her hair fell so perfectly around her shoulders and she had a curvy figure but was also built for battle. She looked as though she was a gentle kitten, but he could see that she was a tough and sturdy lion. When the moment ended, and she looked away, Jared realised his mistake and raced inside to calm his breathing.

"What was that about?" Her accent held concern and he closed his eyes.

"Pay him no heed. He does that a lot. Now, let me introduce you to Sam and Emily. Guys, this is Hermione." Embry took control of the conversation. Hermione. The name washed around his mind and rolled off his tongue deliciously. Then he realised something.

Sam was going to scream blue bloody murder when he found out.

Jared was inside the cabin the whole time while Seth jumped down the stairs and hopped into Embry's truck. Hermione and Embry bid their farewells and Jared watched out the window as she left. His heart broke as she left the driveway in the vehicle. Then he groaned. Not only was he going to be murdered by Sam, he was also going to be teased for being a lovesick puppy dog.