Chapter 2
A/N: I don’t own Harry Potter nor Twilight
Chapter 2
It was incessant beeping that woke him. The scent of disinfectant and the miasma of death clogged his lungs, stealing his breath. His head felt stuffed to the brim with cotton. His limbs deadened.
He surmised that he was in a hospital.
He could feel his magic racing through his body to heal the damage that it received. Tired, though he was, Harry opened his eyes. Doing so hurt, for they had been sealed over, he must have been unconscious for a while.
He did not remember how he came to be there. Green eyes regarded the ceiling sleepily as his magic slowly returned him his strength. Sluggishly, he moved to free himself from all the wires that were connected to him. It took a long time for him to move, minutes passed.
Or it could have been hours, his brain felt swollen, he could not tell. Finally, he succeeded in sitting up, his long raven hair spilling over his shoulders. He wobbled, his balance yet to return to him, but he straightened his spine to keep still.
As he looked down at his body, he realized the image looked strange, aside from the bandages that adorned every inch of his body.
Something was wrong.
Something was different.
Missing.
Changed.
It took a moment for him to process what it was before the realization all but hit him with the force of a sledge hammer. Memory flooded back and a sea of explanatives flew out of his mouth. His voice was warped and breathy from going so long in disuse.
Female.
He was a bloody woman.
Great.
He sighed. He knew his incarnation had been female and he had many others who were. However, he had always, well mostly always, reverted back to his original form once he awoke.
He only didn’t when his incarnation had dealings with the supernatural. The magical aura from whatever creature the incarnation had come into contact with interfered with him reverting back to his male body.
The creature’s aura or residue mixed oddly with his magic. In one incarnation he kept switching gender with no warning.
He finally drowned the body, freeing his immortal soul from his mortal shell. He then had the choice of either solidifying his soul to walk amongst humanity in his immortal form or he could reincarnate again. He could never pass on to where his loved ones dwelled.
He had tried.
Killing his body hundreds of times.
Yet he always remained on the mortal plane. Sometimes in different realities. But always the mortal plane. Never has he been able to go to the afterlife.
He could call for them, but they had the choice of whether they wanted to come to see him. All but two had abandoned him to his fate a longtime ago.
The betrayal stung but he understood.
They were in heaven.
He didn’t think he would want to leave it either if he wasn’t barred from ever going there. Blinking his eyes to bring the room into focus Harry looked around. His eyes cataloguing every detail from century’s worth of old habits. The room was dark, the curtain drawn over the window to block out the sun. The walls were cream as opposed to the standard white. He sat in a usual hospital bed, the railings pulled up on the sides.
A chair that had a worn blanket was beside the bed, a table on wheels next to it with a cup of cold coffee left forgotten on top. Seemed someone was keeping a silent vigil over him. Flashes of memory of Bella’s life filter into Harry’s mind.
Charlie.
Sorrow fills him.
He knows he shares the same soul as Bella and that they are essentially the same person. However, while they are the same, they are also different. And Charlie had forever lost his daughter. For they may bare the same soul. But they did not share the same personality.
Nor the same gender no matter the state of his body at the present time. Detangling himself from the wires and unhooking the railing so it rested under the bed, Harry turned to dangle his legs over the floor.
Slowly, he tested his weight on his legs. They were weak. Harry gathered his magic into them to strengthen them. Standing, he held onto the bed to keep himself from falling. The hospital gown swirled around his trembling thighs. Straightening himself, Harry walked to the window on shaky legs and opened the curtains. Sunlight spilled into the room.
“A woman again, pup?” Harry glanced over his shoulder to see a figure of a young man lounging on the hospital bed. Wavy black hair curling around a mature face. The blue eyes of the man danced as they stared at Harry. He was sprawled across the blankets, his white clothed leg dangling from the bed as he twisted a needle in hand. His white shirt hung open at the top exposing a pale chest.
“So it would seem, Sirius.” Turing back toward the window, Harry sighed in annoyance. Watching cars go by in the streets, he closed his eyes enjoying the rays of sun that washed over his face. “How long was I asleep?” He asked.
“A few months, this time I think. Will you be destroying the body again pup?” Sirius questioned. Harry hummed in thought. Opening his eyes, he pressed his forehead to the window, observing his reflection in the glass. Green eyes stared back at him from a feminine face. Black hair falling over his shoulders. Longing filled him as he thought. Why could he not rest? Not just close his eyes and sleep for eternity?
Everyone he loved had perished long ago. Already somewhere where he could not follow. Everyone.
“Pup?” A gruff man with an awkward smile flashed through his mind. Mostly everyone. Charlie.
“No.” Harry said as he pressed his fingers to the glass. Tears gathered in his eyes but didn’t fall as his heart ached. “No.” He whispered and turned around. The room was empty, of the ghostly image of his long deceased godfather, there was no sign. Harry’s eyes trailed over the room. Eerie it was in its silence. Finally his emeralds came to rest on the window of the door where the profile of a nurse stood.
She was turned away from him, speaking with someone from the other side of the glass. Her hair was brown, her looks average from what he could see. She was wearing purple scrubs with a white coat. The door knob turned and Harry caught the tail end of the conversation.
“Oh Sarah, don’t say things like that. I would never…” Laughter abruptly cut off as boring brown eyes met haunting green. The clipboard dropped from the nurse’s hands as she gasped.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Helpless anger ate away at him as he bounced his legs in nervousness. The uncomfortable buzz of conversations that flitted through his ears made him want to punch something as he waited for the doctor to make an appearance.
Three months.
He lifted his hands and ran them across his head as he stood to walk off some bottled up energy.
Three months.
He paced back and forth. Brown does eyes flash in his eyes as rage consumes him. How he wants to find the Cullens and empty a barrel of rounds into that no good boy’s head. If only he had been there. If only he had gotten to his baby girl in time. She wouldn’t be…
He bunches his hair in his hands as his body folds in on itself. Agony pierces his heart. He clenches his teeth as he all but collapses back into the hospital chair.
Three months.
He takes a shuddering breath as shivers rake through his body. No one disturbs him in his misery. Sorrowful eyes glare through the room as they take in the multiple families all clumped together united in despair. The nurse’s station was off to the side, untouched by the desolate atmosphere. Black hate filled his mind as he watched them.
The men and women separate from the gnawing pain that ate away at those in the waiting room. The workers distant, removed as the clicked away at their keyboards or filed paper work. His hand twitched to his gun, before he fisted his hands to prevent him from doing something stupid.
Three months.
Bella.
Closing his eyes to block out the scene before him, Charlie Swan concentrated on breathing.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
“Chief Swan?”
Eyes opened to find a pair of scrub covered legs in front of him. Following them, he looked up into a pitying face.
“The doctor will see you now.”
The nameless tech turned and began to walk. Expecting him to follow. He did. Shooting up, he walked swiftly, taking long strides until he walked alongside the man.
They arrived to a door that opened up to an office. The man nodded Charlie inside. Walking in the door shut behind him.
The room was large, a desk sat in the middle, an arm chair behind it where a man in a lab coat sat. Two leather backed chairs stood in front of the desk. Floor length windows were behind the desk overlooking the streets below.
Charlie cleared his throat. The man at the desk looked up. His hair peppered with grey, face lined in stress and dull blue eyes.
“Aw, Chief Swan. Please, have a seat.” The man said as he motioned for Charlie to take one of the seats in front of the pine wood desk. Charlie sat. Wringing his hands together as he observed the items on the desk. A stapler was to his right, a cup of pens to his left and a plaque that read Bret King, MD. Rested in front of him. The man was watching him as he sat back in his chair. The chair groaned in protest.
“Chief Swan. Charlie. May I call you Charlie? Do you know why I called you here today?” There was a smug glint in the man’s eye that made Charlie want to scratch it off.
“I expect it to be about my daughter. Has there been any change?” The doctor crosses his arms as he opened his mouth to answer.
“No. There has been no change. I called you here to start discussing your options.” Charlie stiffened in his seat. Icy heat shot down his spine at what he was hearing.
“Options.” Charlie growled.
“It’s been three months with no change Charlie. I think it’s time you thought of pulling the plug.” Charlie shot up from his seat and slammed his hands on the desk.
“Pull the plug?! That’s my daughter you are talking about you bastard.”
“I know your angry and in pain. But your daughter is brain dead, it’s time to let go.” Dr. King said.
“Let go! I’ll show you letting go!” Charlie shouted as he reached across the desk and grabbed the doctor. Giving in to his rage, he hauled up the man and slammed him down on the desk. Charlie was just lifting his fist to punch him when the door opened.
“Dr. King! Dr…oh. What’s going on here?” Charlie reluctantly release the falsely sympathetic doctor as the nurse stared them down.
“Nothing that wasn’t expected. I was just telling Chief Swan here to start thinking about his options regarding Miss Swan.” Dr. King said, a grin spreading across his face as he straightened his clothing. Bitter anger boiled beneath Charlie’s skin as he saw that smug smirk on the bastards face. “Was there something you wanted Debby?” The prick of a doctor continued.
“It’s Miss Swan.” The woman started as her brown eyes found Charlie’s. “She’s awake.” Charlie bolted from the room. Shouldering passed a surprised nurse, slamming open the door, he raced down the hall. Navigating the maze of hallways with ease, he found the stair well and went inside.
Taking the stairs two by two he sped to the fifth floor. Opening the door on the landing he exited out into a hall that was buzzing in activity. Finally, Charlie arrived to the room that held his pride and joy. Sweat coated his brow and his breath came in choking gasps. He had a cramp in his side and his right leg was stiffening up as he stood there.
But a relieved smile slowly stretched across his face, tears trickling down from his eyes as his world tunneled to the young woman seated uncomfortably on the bed. He walked slowly towards her, limping, ignoring the hive of activity that surrounded her, doctors and nurses alike. She was different. No longer did she have brown hair but hair as dark as the night. Her eyes that were once brown, but were now an unearthly shade of green met his own. He would question why this came to be later. But for the moment, all that mattered was that she was looking at him.
Alive.
“Dad.” When she called out to him, he all but collapsed before her, pressing his face into her knees. Great shuddering sobs wracked his body.
“Don’t worry father. I’m here. I’m okay.” He heard her say and he cried as the medical personnel buzzed around them long into the day.
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The world flew by them as the cruiser sped down the road. The car was silent. The only sound the grumbling air conditioner and the heavy breaths of Bella’s father. Harry stared out into the night, watching the trees go past. Every so often, his eyes would catch a pale form that kept pace with the car, but would disappear back into the trees. A great many hulking dark forms following it. Harry’s magic surrounded the car, coated it in protective energy.
He suspected that whatever was following them was not friendly and was high on the supernatural scale. Closing his eyes, Harry allowed the quiet breaths of his new father and the purr of the car to lull him to slumber. He was awoken at what seemed like a few moments later, by a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Bella.” Opening his eyes, he sat up from where his head had drifted to press against the window. Harry looked at Charlie in question. A fond smile was on his face, Harry shifted uncomfortably at it aimed at him.
“We’re here.” He nodded toward the house. Harry could see the modest two story house. The lights were on inside. A row of cars were in front of it. Bella’s antique truck included.
Charlie chuckled in embarrassment.
“I may have told your mother you were awake. And well. She had more than a few hours to spread the news.” Harry gave him a deadpanned stare as Charlie unbuckled his seat belt. “Come on Bella. Everyone wants to see you.” He said as he opened the door to step out.
Sighing, Harry unbuckled his own seat belt as Charlie opened his door to help him out. Though he didn’t need it, Harry allowed the man to help him to avoid unwanted questions. He was just in the hospital for being struck by lightning after all.
Tucking Harry’s arm in his, Charlie shut the door to his police cruiser and walked them up the drive.
It took them much longer than it should have to get to the door. Charlie was limping, his leg still bothering him and Harry was still weak from his magical healing. The night was calm, crickets singing as the moon bathed them in its pale light. Harry glanced off to the side as he caught sight of a ghostly form. Sirius flashed him a smile as he faded.
“Something wrong Bells?” Harry glanced back toward Charlie.
“No, I’m fine.” The door opened and Harry found himself being pulled from Charlie’s arms and passed around. Shouts of joy and relieved laughter filled his ears. Harry’s world spun for many long minutes as faces swum in and out of view. The lights flickered as he became overwhelmed until they finally shorted out in sighting screams of surprise.
“Everyone! Calm down, it’s just a blown fuse. I’ll go check the circuit breakers.” Said a voice Harry vaguely recognized. He could make out exotic features in a male face as a muscular figure walked out the door. Harry found himself deposited on the couch with a young girl with glasses seated to his right.
“We are so glad you are okay Bella. Everyone was worried at school.” She was familiar. Bella’s friend. Angela.
“Yeah, when we heard what happened we all came to visit you in the hospital. Can’t believe you were struck by lightning.” Came a male voice. Mike. Even in the darkness, Harry could see how Bella had likened the boy to a golden retriever.
“Bad luck with the Cullens though. You would think they would be here when they heard.” Lauren. Spiteful bint.
“Lauren! How could you say something like that? She only just got home from the hospital. Can’t you be a bit more sensitive?” Came another girl’s voice. Jessica.
“I agree with Jess. Learn when to shut up.” Came a voice from Angela’s side. Ben. These people, shallow though some were, they were Bella’s friends before she was drawn in with the supernatural. She all but cast them aside in the allure of the abnormal. Ironic. Considering. All Harry ever wanted was to be normal and here his incarnation was chasing a dream to be otherworldly. So far from normal it was laughable.
The lights flickered to life and everyone cheered.
“Not only that but what happened to your hair and eyes? That doesn’t just happen. They don’t just change overnight.” Lauren said again, speaking over Ben.
“The doctors told us that the lightning altered the pigment in my eyes and hair. They spouted some scientific stuff that I wasn’t exactly in the right mind to process.” Harry said quietly.
“But still…it’s freaky…” Lauren continued.
“Enough.” Mike said as he glared at the girl. The young woman reminded him of a young aunt Petunia. He shuddered at the thought.
“Bella!” Came a shout, giving no warning before Harry was being man handled into a strong too warm hug and spun around. Blinking the stars from his eyes as he was set down he looked into the dark twinkling eyes of a mocha colored face. The young man was smiling, his teeth a pearly white with dark thick locks falling around his ears.
He was tall, taller than Harry to his annoyance, and broad shouldered. Confusion filled Harry. This Native American teen was familiar. Yet, Harry couldn’t quite place him. Bella’s memory was strangely lacking until an elder man about Charlie’s age wheeled out from behind him.
“Give her some room Jake. I think you are over whelming her. You look a lot different than when you last saw her.” Billy Black ordered as he regarded her with cool eyes. Blinking, Harry’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.
“Jacob?!” If anything, the young man’s grin stretched wider as he laughed a deep belly laugh. Turning around, Jacob strut around the room showing off his rippling muscle that looked out of place on the 15 year old.
“What the hell are they feeding you?” Harry continued as his eyes tracked the teen’s movements. Laughter echoed through the room at his exclamation.
“He just had his growth spurt Bella, it seems all of our tribe are growing like weeds.” Came Billy’s voice. Harry looked at the man in question, but before he could ask the man anything the voice of Bella’s mother rang through his ears.
“Bella!” Once again, Harry found himself accosted from behind and spun around to face Bella’s distraught mother. Renee. Phil stood off to the side awkwardly, his hands at his sides. Renee clutched at Harry as if she would never let go. But Harry knew, this would not last. He had seen Bella’s memories after all. The woman was free spirited. Nothing held her down. Not even her only daughter. Just as he thought that the woman smiled at him, tears in her eyes. Kissed both of his cheeks and left. Just like that. Phil following behind her. Pitying eyes stared at Harry, he ignored it.
Harry could say he was surprised, but he wasn’t. Turning back to the room at large, he found everyone looking at him.
“I’m tired. I’d like to go to bed now, if that’s alright.” Affirmations filled the room as one by one well-wishers filed out of the house. Harry could feel his magic sinking into the floor boards and coating every surface of the house. He tilted his head as it brushed across the skin of Jacob Black and his father. He scrunched his eyebrows as he tried to get a grasp on what his magic was telling him. Shapeshifters. Interesting.
Harry resolved to keep an eye on them as Jacob flashed him one last smile before he wheeled his father out the door.
“We will see you at school Bella.” Came Angela’s voice as she along with the rest of Bella’s friends left. The sounds of car engines coming to life filled the house for a moment until they faded away. Charlie closed the door and looked at Harry. He had that look in his eyes again. That fondness that made Harry’s skin crawl. Sighing, Harry slowly made his way towards the stairs. Stopping as he felt hands take his arm in support, he didn’t protest as he was helped up the steps. Arriving at the room, Charlie led Harry to the bed before he released his arm.
“Okay there Bells?” He asked.
“Yes, Dad. I’m fine, thank you.” Nodding, Charlie let out a gruff noise before he kissed Harry’s forehead. Pulling away, Harry could see a blush staining Charlie’s cheeks.
“Right then. Just yell if you need me. I will be in the next room. Here is your medication. The doctor said you have to take two pills before bed to help you sleep.” Charlie wouldn’t meet Harry’s eyes as he turned and walked swiftly from the room. He closed the door quietly behind him. Sighing, Harry looked at the side table by the bed. Three bottles rested beneath a small lamp. He presumed one was a sleep aide, another pain killers and another an antibiotic. Regardless it did not matter for he wouldn’t be taking them.
Walking further into the room, Harry breathed out and allowed his magic to coat the room. With something stalking him, he couldn’t slack in his vigilance. He had Charlie to protect from the world of supernatural. His magic sunk into the floor and walls. Protection spells falling from his lips.
The room glowed for a brief moment, then it faded. There. Done. Nothing was getting in that he didn’t allow. There would be a big surprise for those that did. Cocking his head to the side, Harry stared at the room wondering why something felt off about it.
It took only a moment before he realized all the gifts Bella had received from the Cullens were missing. Anger filled him. How dare they?! The lights flickered again before Harry forcibly brought his magic under control. Breathing in and out he walked to the window. Looking out to the forest beyond, he wondered where they had gone.
The Cullens.
How they could have betrayed him so deeply. Abandoned him. Granted it was his other self they left, but Bella and he were the same. Shaking his head he turned back to the room as his magic pooled around a spot on the floor. Raising an eyebrow as he looked at the odd sight; he dissolved the floor board to look what had captured his magic’s attention.
Walking over to the spot, Harry nimbly crouched down on the balls of his dainty feet. Clenching his jaw, he grit his teeth as rage coursed through him. For there, resting in the nook that had been beneath the floor board were the gifts from the Cullens. Bella’s vampire’s aura coating every inch of the items. He had been the one to place them there.
It will be like we never existed, the vampire had said. The sentence that had broken his counterpart so thoroughly had all but been a lie. For here was the proof. Had the bastard not loved his other self and truly wanted her to forget him, he wouldn’t have left these pieces of their life together for her to find after he went through the trouble of hiding it. Harry could see it. Vampires love deeply. Jasper nearly killing his counterpart must have scared him into thinking they were too dangerous to be around and this was his idiotic attempt to protect Bella. Too little too late. Bella was already gone. Never to return.
“Edward. You foolish child. What have you done?” Harry whispered and he sat there on the floor, staring at his other self’s pieces of her broken life and despaired. His magic layering the house in protections unconsciously. The moonlight shining its glowing light into the room as a pack of wolf songs echoed through the night.