A Potter Secret

Forks, Washington

          Fred and George give Isabella one last hug before she gets out of the car. Charlie is standing by the door and welcomes Isabella in. "So, you understand the house rules and how all this is going to work?" Charlie asks.

Isabella nods. "From my understanding, you had a magical sibling?" Isabella asks after making sure no one was near or in the house

Charlie nods. "I am a squib. I choose to live in the muggle world," Charlie explains. "And while you're here, unless there is an emergency, you are not to use magic. Understand?"

Isabella agrees. "Of course."

"You have school tomorrow morning, bright and early. Edward," Charlie says, grumbling out his name, "will probably be here to pick you up. Do you know how to drive?"

Isabella shakes her head. "I'll figure it out quickly."

"Then why don't you go ahead up to bed, maybe look up some information on driving in case Edward doesn't come by. Here is your phone. Don't text anyone until you've met them, alright? From now on, you are only gonna be called Bella. I'll see you in the morning."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

An aerial view of this lush, green, overcast landscape; the rainy world that is Forks. Bella's old truck lumbers down the two-lane highway slowly as she figures everything out. Benefit of a small town, no one asks questions. She looks around for a moment, realizing she doesn't know anyone and they expect her to. She quickly grabs the vial and drinks it down. Bella sits there for another moment as her mind starts to make connections between who everyone is. She thinks about what she desires and her mind connects it to what the real Bella aspires and dreams of. Something about being turned and spending forever with Edward? Bella climbs out of her truck, shouldering her book bag. She looks around the parking lot, seeking someone out that knows her.

"Wherefore art thou, Bella?" Mike teases. She turns as Mike, Eric, Angela and Jessica approach. "You finish the Shakespeare assignment?"

"He means will you finish his assignment?" Jessica explains.

"No, I don't- okay I do," Mike sighs.

"I can help you with it but first," Bella starts, pulling out her camera, "I need a picture. My mom's expecting a scrapbook full of memories."

Angela holds up her own camera. "I take 'em, I don't pose for 'em," Angela tries to get out of it.

"You do today," Bella says.

She pushes Angela to the others; they arrange themselves. "You'll photoshop my nose if it looks big, right?" Jessica asks.

"Don't worry, I'm in the picture; no one will be looking at you guys," Eric assures.

Jessica scoffs, Angela points her camera at Bella; Mike and Eric joust Bella aims and takes a pic. It freezes on them, fun, delightfully carefree but when the camera lowers, their playfulness has dissipated as they see someone behind Bella. She turns to see someone climbing out of a silver Volvo. "Oh good. Cullen's here," Mike mutters.

"Yay," Jessica continues.

The friends, uncomfortable, move off. "Check ya later," Eric says.

But Bella doesn't register their tone. She's transfixed by the man who approaches, eyes never leaving hers. The man looks just like Cedric. He reaches her, washing away all her concerns. "Happy birthday," Edward congratulates.

"Don't remind me," Bella mutters, sighing in relief as she finally knows his name.

"Your birth is definitely a day to celebrate," Edward assures.