A New Beginning
Bella pressed her forehead against the cold glass of the airplane window, watching the patchwork of forests and winding roads below. The plane began its slow descent, the gray skies of Washington casting a heavy gloom over the landscape. It was nothing like the manicured estates or towering spires of the wizarding world she had left behind. Just green, endless green.
It felt... different. A world untouched by the war, by the expectations of the magical world. A place where no one would look at her and whisper.
When the plane landed, Bella remained seated for a moment, letting the other passengers shuffle past her. She took a deep breath, trying to steel herself for what was next. Forks. A town she barely knew, with a father she hadn’t seen in years. But it wasn’t just about reconnecting with her father—it was about stepping away from everything long enough to breathe. To figure out who she was beyond the war, beyond the choices she had made.
“Excuse me, miss? We’ve landed,” a flight attendant said softly, jolting her from her thoughts.
Bella nodded and forced a smile before grabbing her bag. Her wand was tucked carefully within the folds of her jacket, a comforting presence despite her determination to rely on muggle travel. Apparition had been an option, but the risk of splinching over such a long distance had been too great. She wasn't willing to arrive in Forks missing a limb--or worse.
As she stepped off the plane and into the small terminal, Bella scanned the crowd until her eyes landed on him. Charlie stood near the exit, looking just as awkward and uncertain as she felt. He shifted from foot to foot, his dark hair and mustache slightly grayer than she remembered, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets as if unsure of what to do with them.
Charlie’s face brightened when he saw her, though the smile was small and hesitant. Bella walked toward him, her legs feeling lighter with each step.
“Hey, kid.” Charlie greeted her, his voice gruff but warm.
“Hi, Dad,” Bella replied softly. For a moment, they stood there, neither quite sure how to bridge the years of distance between them. But then, awkwardly, Charlie reached out and pulled her into a quick, stiff hug. Bella blinked, caught off guard by the gesture, but she didn’t pull away. It was strange, but in a way, it felt... nice.
“You, uh, look good,” Charlie said, stepping back and clearing his throat. “Long flight?”
“Yeah, a little.” She answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Charlie gave a small nod. “Well, let’s get your bags. I’ve got the cruiser outside.”
They moved toward the baggage claim, the sound of rolling suitcases and idle chatter filling the air. It all felt so... mundane. Bella almost missed the chaos of magical travel—the whirl of the Floo Network, the sound of wizards and witches rushing off to their destinations. But here, there was quiet.
Once they grabbed her luggage, Charlie led her outside, the misty rain of Forks welcoming her like a soft veil. The town felt damp, gray, and sleepy, but that wasn’t a bad thing. There was no legacy here, no reminders of the war, no expectations.
Just a moment of stillness.
As they loaded her bags into the cruiser, Bella found herself glancing at her father from the corner of her eye. He wasn’t like the men she had grown up around—powerful, demanding, always looming with expectations. Charlie was quiet, unassuming. He didn’t know the full extent of her past, and for now, that was a relief.
“How’s everything been since... the war? I know things were bad over there,” Charlie asked cautiously as they pulled out of the airport parking lot, his eyes briefly flicking to her.
Bella tensed slightly. He knew there had been a war in her world—she’d written to him a few times, vague letters about dangerous times—but he didn’t know the details. He didn’t know how deep she’d been involved. And she wasn’t ready to tell him. Not yet.
”It’s over now.” She said softly, watching the rain streak down the car window. “Things are better. But… it’s still hard sometimes.”
She thought of Draco and Narcissa, of how they were both coping with the aftermath of the war. Draco was struggling to find his own identity now that he was free from the burden of his fathers' expectations. And Narcissa—her sweet, protective aunt—was haunted by the things she hadn’t been able to shield them from. Bella wondered how they were faring without her, if they felt the same weight of guilt that pressed down on her chest.
Charlie glanced at her, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern. “I can only imagine how tough that must be, Bella. You’ve been through a lot, and it doesn’t just go away overnight. If you ever need to talk about it, I’m here. I may not understand everything, but I want to support you however I can.”
Bella felt a rush of gratitude. Charlie wasn’t dismissing her feelings; he was offering his understanding and a safe space to share. “Thanks, Dad,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “It means a lot.”
”Well, I’m glad you’re here. Thought maybe Forks could be a good place to get away from all that. A fresh start.”
Bella nodded, grateful for his simple understanding. “A change of pace,” she echoed, but doubt flickered in her mind. Would it really be a fresh start? Or just a quieter place to hide from her past?
She glanced out at the landscape again, the trees blurring by in a wash of green. This was the farthest she’d ever been from the expectations of her family. The farther away she got, the more she could feel the weight lifting from her shoulders. There was something comforting about the rain-soaked air, the promise of a life that wasn’t dictated by bloodlines or legacy.
When they finally arrived at the house, Bella’s heart raced. The modest two-story home was tucked away among the towering trees, the paint peeling slightly but the structure standing strong. It felt different from what she remembered. The few memories of childhood visits were hazy, but the warmth of the gatherings and laughter echoed faintly in her mind.
Charlie parked the cruiser, and they stepped out into the cool air. “Welcome home,” he said, gesturing to the house with a smile.
Bella took a deep breath, feeling a mix of apprehension and hope. She walked up to the porch, her shoes crunching on the gravel path, and pushed open the door. The familiar scent of pine and old wood enveloped her, a stark contrast to the opulence of the homes she had known. A bit of sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air.
The living room was simple but cozy, with worn furniture and family photos lining the walls. A sense of nostalgia washed over her, and for a moment, she felt like a child again.
“Make yourself at home,” Charlie said, stepping into the room behind her. “I know it’s not much, but I’ve tried to keep it tidy.”
Bella smiled, feeling a warmth spreading in her chest. “It’s perfect, Dad.” She took a step further inside, running her fingers over the faded fabric of the couch.
As she explored, Bella found herself drawn to a framed photograph on the mantel. It captured a moment from her childhood—a sunny day with Charlie, both grinning widely, the backdrop of the forest lush and alive. Memories of simpler times flooded back, reminding her of the bond they had, even if it had been overshadowed by years of absence.
“Do you want me to show you around?” Charlie offered, watching her with an encouraging smile.
“Sure,” she replied, eager to reconnect with this part of her life.