Chapter 4
Chapter 4
The scent of old leather and aftershave wafted into Harry’s nose as he sat in the police cruiser watching the trees as Charlie drove him to school. Still drained from his emotional turmoil he jumped at the chance to be driven when Charlie offered. While Harry could tell that Charlie was hovering, he didn’t care.
His recent betrayals still heavy on his mind. He welcomed the overprotective tendencies that Charlie was displaying.
For they reassured him that the man would not leave Harry willingly and that he was loved. Something that he often felt was not the case.
As they pulled into the school parking lot, Harry heard Charlie sigh. Bringing the cruiser around the drop off lane, he placed it in park and sat for a moment. His hands gripped the steering wheel, Harry saw, his knuckles were white.
“You can always stay home you know. If you want, I would understand…”
A rasping chuckle interrupted Charlie’s tirade. His brown eyes found luminescent green. Charlie still could not get used to seeing his daughter’s new eye color.
“I’m afraid the time for hiding away is over now Dad. It’s time I start to rebuild my life and the relationships that took a seat at the back burner because of my obsession with he who must not be named.” Charlie’s forehead creased in concern.
“Are you sure Bells?” A smile tugged at Harry’s lips as he opened the door. The brisk morning air blew gently into the car, ruffling Harry’s hair.
“I’m sure Dad. I’ll be fine. Will you be picking me up from school?” Harry questioned, his head tilted curiously. Charlie let out a breath as he clenched the steering wheel.
“Unfortunately, I have to work late at the station tonight. So Billy and Jacob will be picking you up. You don’t mind do you? I can call them to see if someone can cover for me…” Charlie worried his lip as he looked at Harry beseechingly as if he wanted him to agree.
“No, Dad. You work, you’ve been taking too much time off as it is that I am surprised you are still sheriff. Billy and Jacob picking me up is okay with me. It has been some time since I spent anytime with them anyway. I’ll be fine.”
Charlie sighed again as he slapped his hands on his thighs and rubbed them before grabbing the steering wheel again.
“Right…he nodded...okay then…he looked out the window and sighed again…then his eyes found Bella’s…he stared at them for a time to see how decisive she was…then he nodded again and a smile quirked at his lips…I will see you tonight.”
He gave Harry’s shoulder a squeeze.
“Bye Bells. Have a good day at school.” Harry gave him a smile as he reached in the back for his bag and got out of the car. “Remember…if you feel like everything is getting to be too much…call me and I will come get you or send someone if I can’t.” Harry chuckled softly as he rolled his eyes good-naturedly at Charlie’s mother-hening. Harry leaned into the car with his hand on the door.
“I will, don’t worry.”
Charlie laughed in return.
“Give this old man a break kid. Can you blame me for worrying?” Charlie asked as he started the car. Harry closed the door. Knocking on the window he waved.
“Bye Dad.” Charlie waved from inside the car and drove off.
Harry sighed as he secured his black book bag on his shoulder. It was a simple thing, worn and slightly heavy due to the amount of books and work inside. The wind bit at his bare neck, his unruly hair secure in a messy bun atop his head.
Shivering slightly, he pulled his thick hoody closer to his body, his magic still not fully recovered. Otherwise he would be warm right then. Stomping his feet, he turned his booted feet toward the brick building that would be his home for the next year. High school. Over countless years old and returning to the home of hormonal adolescents. Perhaps he could test out.
The sound of whistling brought his attention to his godfather who was standing a top the flagpole.
Smirking he appeared at Harry’s side.
“How many times is this, prongslet?”
Harry sighed and shook his head.
“Too many to count.” He whispered as he heard Bella’s name being called. Looking over his shoulder toward the building he spied a young dark haired Ms. Weber racing over to him. Raising his hand in greeting, Harry started to walk with his jean clad legs toward her.
“Bella! You came!” Angela smiled as she bent over to get her breath back.
“I did. I figured it was time I showed my face around here.” Harry smiled. Angela nodded and linked her arm through Harry’s and began to lead them into the building.
“Everyone will be so happy to see you. I’m sure Jessica will be thrilled. Mike is having a Bon fire down in La Push this weekend. If you’re feeling up to it perhaps you can come with?” Angela asked as they continued to walk toward the school building. The wind tousled their hair as they walked. The scent of apples and plum blossoms saturated the air. Blinking at how strong the scent was, Harry glanced at Angela in surprise. He didn’t remember her wearing such strong perfume.
“I’d like that.” He choked out. Coughing slightly. Angela looked at him in concern for a moment but he waved her off. There was a tickle at the back of his throat that seemed to be getting stronger.
“Great. How about you come over to my place Friday night and we can drive down together. Jessica is already coming over for a sleep over, with you it will be a party. Plus we have a math test next Monday. So we can use the time when we are not watching movies to study.” Smiling, Harry nodded as they walked into the building.
“Sounds like a plan.” He said as he placed his bag down by the water fountain they walked by. Angela stopped to wait as he took a drink. The tickle at his throat didn’t disappear.
“Bella! Omg! It is so good to see you? Are you OK? Is she OK?” Harry grimaced as he rubbed his throat in confusion. Great. He’s catching a cold. Shaking his head, he looked to the young woman that stood anxiously jumping foot to foot next to Angela.
“Jessica, I’m right here and I am fine.” Harry tried to reassure her. He cleared his throat and bent down to take another quick drink of water.
“She is coming over Friday and going with us to the Bon Fire on Saturday.” Angela said proudly as she handed Harry an empty bottle. Blinking, like a deer caught in the headlights, he looked at her. She smiled at him in return. Lips tilting up in an answering grin, he took the bottle and filled it. He felt a tap on his shoulder, turning he saw Angela holding up a bag of cough drops.
“Merlin….” Harry breathed. “You’re a queen Angela.”
“I know. Here, take the bag. I always carry a couple bags around this time of year for situations like this.” She chuckled as she tossed Harry the bag. Catching it, he reached into the bag and pulled one out. Unwrapping it, he popped the cherry flavored candy into his mouth. Already, a cooling sensation washed over his pallet.
“A divine being fallen from above. I am unworthy.” Strangely, his throat still stung something gruesome.
“Hello? She is?! Coming with us to the Bon Fire? You are?! Bella, That’s great.”
Brought back to the situation at hand, Harry put the cough drops into his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
“Yes, I think it is time I was caught up on everything don’t you?” Blinking in disbelief at him, Jessica stared. Not for the first time did Harry curse the effect the Cullen’s had on Bella’s relationship with her friends. Chuckling, Harry linked his arms through the girls and started to drag them to class. “Tell me all the juicy details Jess, I’m sure the world didn’t stop turning while I was away. So tell me what happened.”
Laughing in delight, Jessica proceeded to do just that as the three of them walked to their first class for the day.
All the while, Harry’s throat burned.