A Different Path

Rating: Pretty mild for now, PG-13
A/N: Okay guys, another chapter. I am finding this new story very easy to write, hopefully that will continue. Please review, author’s like to be appreciated after all!

Also, I know you want to know what I was going to doing in regards to Harry not becoming a vampire. I won’t tell you everything, but rest assured, Edward and Harry will have a very LONG life together… Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Where the Hell am I?

Edward POV

The sunset in the evening sky faded and slowly passing from my view as the earth turned, leaving the night to play in its stead. I could hear the forest come to life, as the night dwellers came out to hunt for prey. The predators stalked those that were an easy kill and taking their sustenance from it. My senses were calling out to me, alive in the night, leading me to my next meal. I slipped through the forest, not making a sound, moving quickly in my search. I came upon a young doe, it head down as it drank from the stream at its feet. With a speed supernatural in its velocity and elegant grace, I latched onto the doe pulling it down to the earth at our feet. With a snap, I took its life before feeding on it, sucking in the sweet aromatic liquid that gave it life.

As I finished, I sat back and pondered the innate high that always followed a kill. The thrill of the hunt and the taste of the blood that journeyed through my body, sustaining me for another day… I was not born a killer, but made one and this fact haunted my waking dreams. In my time as a vampire, I have not always stayed within the “vegetarian” lifestyle my family follows. I have taken life, human life and my soul is stained forever from it. My family does not feel this guilt as much as I do; I have always felt my emotions a bit more keenly than others. However, their lives are full, the love of a mate there to keep the mind from wandering in the silence of the night. The feeling of overwhelming guilt at the monster bound within him; the monster that could break free at any moment.

I wondered if I would ever find peace within my soul. If there truly was a soul left in the shell of the man I once was. Esme, the mother anyone could ever hope for, tells me that with the bond of a mate I would finally find peace. However, my time as a vampire grows longer, the stains on my soul broaden and still my mate shows no signs of appearing. Would I ever find my mate?

I made my way back to the house, the ecstasy of my recent kill still coursing through my veins. As I passed the tree line near my family’s home, I could see Alice waiting for me, a coy smile on her face.

“What did you see?” I asked, her mannerisms made it plain to see she had a recent vision and I was the subject it pertained to.

Her smile only grew wider as she looked at me, her small pixie body, nearly dancing on air as she hopped from one foot to the other in excitement. “We’re going to have a visitor soon… he’s special and absolutely adorable!”

I lifted an eyebrow in questioned, silently telling her to continue.

“Well… he’s your mate, Edward!” She exclaimed in childlike glee, her voice steadily rising as the sentence continued.

I stared at her in wonderment and then asked, “Can I see it?”

She nodded in acceptance and pushed the vision to the forefront of her mind. Opening my mind, I sought out hers as the thoughts of my family began to seep into my mind.

I saw him, a small and delicate; he seemed to be about fifteen or sixteen. He had messy midnight black hair and pale white skin. His eyes, a captivating emerald green color, swept over the field of bodies around him as he held an odd wooden stick tightly in his hand. Around him, men and women fought yelling odd Latin phrases as flashes of lights exploded from the wooden sticks held like weapons in their hands. He seemed to be searching for someone or something, as his eyes roamed the field beyond. From the corner of my sight I saw myself and my family flitting through the battle around us, making our way towards the boy. Eyes met and locked onto each other over the clashing figures around us, I ran to his side and swept him in my arms, pressing our bodies together. He lifted up on the tip of his toes and wrapped his arms around my neck as he gave me a desperate kiss and then he spoke, his voice a beautiful British accented whisper. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough to do it…”

I looked at him and gave him a sad smile, saying, “You are the strongest person I know. Powerful beyond measure and he doesn’t stand a chance against you. We are all here because of you, because we believe in you. Because we love you… and when this war is over, we will go home and make a life together. Free from prophesies and evil tyrants, just you and me. Harry and Edward!”

His face became alight with love and determination, nodding he gave me one last firm kiss and fell back on the flat of his feet. He looked at my family as they stood near us and with an “I love you…” he turned and headed towards a man in the distance. As Harry walked closer to the man, his snake like features contorted in rage as their eyes met and at the same moment they yelled, “Avada Kedavra!” Twin pulses a green light burst from the wooden sticks in their hands and flew towards each other…

I gasped as the vision ended and fell to my knees, the damp grass below cushioning my fall. The tears that had fallen unnoticed while I was in the vision, gleamed in the moonlight from above. I felt Alice kneel beside me and I looked at her. With a small smile on her face and said, “I don’t know exactly when, but he is coming Edward… and soon I think… Wow, he’s gorgeous, you hit the jackpot!”

I chuckled and put an arm around her shoulders. Standing to our feet we walked into the house and greeted our family. They stood waiting in the dining area, even though we did not eat there, we still chose to gather at the table and speak about our day. I knew as I looked into their eyes that Alice had told them of the vision and that our family would soon be involved in a war.

They each took turns congratulating me on finally finding my mate, save Rosalie, who chose take the pessimistic route and exclaimed, “We are actually going to willingly put of lives at stake for some boy? He is a danger to all of us!”

My sire, Carlisle, held up his hand and she was silenced. Then he spoke in a clear and steady voice, “Whether he is a danger to us or not, he is Edward’s mate and we must help him. I have heard of this war for some time and the true evils that are done in the name if this Lord Voldemort. Though this war has not touched us yet, there might come a day when it will. It threatens all magical beings and we must try to keep it from taking one of us. When he comes, we will do our best to help him… as Edward’s mate he is now a member of this family.”

We all stood in the quiet of the night, our thoughts centered on the danger coming our way. As my mind filled with the vision of the field of dead bodies, I found reassurance in the startling emerald eyes of my mate and his shy smile.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Harry’s POV

I felt my whole being, every tiny part, every atom that connected me. The feeling of being suspended in air, of floating overwhelmed me. My vision was limited and the only clear figure I could make out in an overwhelming field of white, was Illyantia. Her tall and slender form commanded my view and as we seemed to float in the sea of nothing, I could feel something brush every so often against my skin. With each touch came the same feeling of peace and security I felt when I first saw Illyantia. I smiled and allowed myself to close my eyes and revel in the security the feelings offered.

I had absolutely no idea where I was and why I was there, let alone that I really was as safe as I felt. However, I chose to ignore the suspicions that wanted to invade my mind. I was calm and at peace and I wanted to enjoy it for as long as I could.

Finally, I opened my eyes when a noise sounded in the distance. As if I was looking through a long tunnel, I saw the beginnings of life at its end. Images flitted across the opening, ones filled with miles of dark forest, others of a small sleepy little hamlet. The residents of tiny community interacted as a whole, as if they had known each other their entire lives; they probably had, I supposed. It looked to be similar, weather wise, to England. The gray overcast sky held a bevy of clouds and looked as if rain would begin to fall at any moment.

Illyantia, with a flourish of her hand, sent a familiar burst of silver light that encompassed us and then I found myself standing on the outskirts of the township. To my left, I saw Illyantia beside me, smiling as she looked around. Her eyes were alight as they took in the lush green vegetation, the sound of a nearby stream and the chirping of birds in the distance. It was a peaceful place.

“It is beautiful here; it would have been a wonderful place for you to grow up in.” She stated, her meaning clear.

“So I would have, what was it… ‘been taken in by the dead, and delivered from a life of pain?’ What does that mean?” I asked her with a questioning gaze.

“Yes, in both paths you were to be sent to your relatives after your parents passing. Where you would suffer a great amount of pain and neglect; deprived of the necessities of life. At age eight, you were severely beaten by your uncle, were you not?” Illyantia questioned as she turned to him and cupped his face in her hand, a small cheerless smile on her angelic face.

“Uncle Vernon caught me stealing food one night. They hadn’t fed me in four days and had given me little water. So, I picked the lock to the cupboard that closed me in and went to the kitchen to get a little bit of food… just enough to keep my belly from feeling like it would eat away at my body in its hunger.” I replied.

I still remembered the beating that night as if it happened just the other day. The pain was excruciating, he had beaten me within an inch of my life. Scars from that night still litter my body. “He kept saying that he wasn’t going to be burden with a freak like me anymore; that he was finally going to put me out of my misery… I remember screaming ‘til my throat was hoarse, crying that I would be a good boy…”

That night I had heard several loud cracks, as my bones were snapped in two, my arms and a leg lying at awkward angles. The blood from a broken nose and many small cuts flowed from my body, seeping into the once pristine beige colored carpet below me. My aunt and cousin, awakened by my screams, came down the stairs to watch what they thought would have been the last moments of my freakish life. They had identical sneers of disdain. I felt more pain from their hatred of me, their cavalier attitude as I was beaten to death, than that of the ache in my broken body. I remembered thinking that that was it, the end to my pathetic life. It would end with me screaming in pain and begging for forgiveness, as the only family I had left watched on in glee. My pathetic existence would end and no one would miss me or even care.

“… I remember the door flying open and two police officers coming in and then the rest… I don’t know… the next morning I woke up, back in my cupboard. My broken bones were mended and the cuts closed, my body was sore and covered in blood.” I felt my heart race as the fear from that night took over, the terrifying knowledge that my life hadn’t mattered and I was not loved; just a poor little freak, worthless in every way. “I don’t know what happened in between the memories, just that when I woke up the Dursleys said I had been spared for now, but I would die without a second thought it I stole food again…”

Illyantia pulled me into a motherly hug, murmuring soothing words as the tears surged from my body. The repressed emotions from that night, which I had kept pushed to the back of my mind, came rushing forward. I cried until my body had nothing left to give, sobbing into her chest as she carded her hands through my hair, bringing comfort with every move. When I felt well enough, I leaned back and said, “What happened that night?”

“You dear headmaster had a monitoring charm on you as you grew up. He ignored the smaller beatings, the starvation and neglect. But, when faced with you untimely death, he acted and arrived to stop you from dying. However, the police had already been called as neighbors had heard the screaming. He quickly erased the memories from the men and the neighbors, healing your wounds and left.” She told me, a frown on her face. “Had he not interfered, you would have been taken from them and your relatives arrested for attempted murder. Your injuries, so severe, would have needed a specialist to save your life. The doctor, who saved you, and his wife, would have quickly grown to love you and after a great deal of effort, adopted you into their family.”

“I could have had a family?” I asked the pain of a life I had been denied lanced through me, my heart clenching in agony at the love I desperate craved. “Does that mean they are here? That I am going to still be a part of their family?”

She smiled and nodded, turning me towards the town and said, “Yes, they are here. You will find them and become their family, it was meant to be… only delayed. Now, I must tell you a few things. First, you cannot contact anyone from your former life. They will endanger you and themselves if they to know where you are. You do not need to fear using your magic… when you are ready and only then, you will be found, but keep your guard up. Those who find you may not be friendly. Also, I know you have nothing with you so I have arranged a place for you to live as well as the means to support yourself during your time here.”

“Thank you.” She seemed to know my questions before I could even ask.

“Do not fret about finding your family, they will come to you.” Illyantia stated as she pressed a kiss to my forehead and added, “I would consider attending the local school… you might find it enlightening!”

Steeping back, she looked at me and with a knowing smile she said, “Enjoy the time you have here. Soon, your life and those of your new family will collide with the war. If you need me, you need only call out my name.”

Then, with a flash of silver light, she was gone and a small bit of parchment floated down to the grown below. Lifting my eyebrow in puzzlement, I leaned down and picked up the paper. Written on it, was the address of my new home and where I would find the key to it. Also, there were instructions on how to access the money she had left for me. I smiled and with a laugh and began heading into town, wondering what life had in store for me.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The first night, after finding my new home and giving it the once over, I chose to go to bed and rest up on much needed sleep. The fight at Hogwarts had really taken it out of me. That night I dreamed of my new family, though I couldn’t see their faces, I could feel the love and acceptance they offered. In the dream, I tried desperately to see the face of my soul’s mate, knowing it was a man made me apprehensive to say the least.
It wasn’t that I was repulsed by the idea, I just had never really given thought to how my life would be, post Voldemort. Before Hogwarts, I was too young to put a great deal of effort into what I found attractive in a mate. Once I came into the wizarding world my life was far too dangerous and complicated to even think about finding someone to share my life with. For the most part, I lived my life as an asexual being, neither repulsed nor attracted to either sex. I wondered what he would look like… what we would be like together. The more I thought about it, the more I was pleased with the idea that I was soon to meet him. He was my soul’s mate, the other half of me, a perfect compatible partner in every way. The next morning I awoke rested, happy and anxious to begin my life in Forks.

Late that morning, I made my way to the center of town for a bite to eat. Entering the small diner, I found nearly every eye on me. I was grateful that Illyantia had thought about everything I needed and that she had new clothes included in the items at the house. My clothes from Hogwarts would have certainly brought up more questions than I could answer.

Now, as I stood waiting for the waitress to seat me, I reviewed my clothes. I knew England and America were a tad different in apparel. As I had never had much of a fashion sense in the first place I hoped I looked alright. I wore a pair of snug dark blue jeans and a dark green long sleeved t-shirt. My usual trainers were on my feet and a black leather jacket over my shirt. My hair, in typical fashion, was an unmanageable mop of raven hair and flowed down to just above my shoulders. The thick black hideous glasses I wore as a child were now a pair of thin gold rimmed ones that gleamed in the light from the diner.

I smiled as a thirty-something woman with frizzy red hair walked up to me, gum smacking within her mouth. “Just you, honey?”

“Yes, just me.” I replied and then followed her to the table.

Sitting down, I began reading the menu and after making my choice, I waited for her to return. When I heard a shuffling, I looked up and saw her smile at me. She winked at me and asked, “Made a choice, Darlin’?”

“I’ll have a stack of pancakes, a fruit salad and orange juice, please.”

“Sure thing!” She answered and then asked, “So, are you new in town? I haven’t seen you around before.”

“Yes, I just moved here.”

“Oh, you must be the one who bought Chief Swan’s place, happened really quickly. Seemed like one moment it was vacant, the next there was a new owner… Such a shame about the chief, being killed and all! The family just left all his things abandoning the property… I guess lucky for you, huh?”

“Guess so.” I replied.

“So did you move with your family or is it just you?” She asked. I could see she was looking for a little gossip.

“Nope, just me.” I said in a slightly annoyed voice.

Taking the hint she said, “Well, I’ll just go put this order in for you.”
For the next thirty minutes I sat and ate my meal while feeling the gaze of most of the people in the diner. Quickly finishing my meal, I paid and then headed across the street to shop for groceries and needed toiletries.

I was treated to the same inquiring looks and subtle questions about my moving to Forks. I tried to evade as much as possible, it wasn’t that I was worried of being found, Illyantia had assured me I wouldn’t. However, I had always been a private person and did not relish my personal life being an open book for everyone to see. After shopping, I found a secluded place and aparated back home.

Once I had put away my groceries, I proceeded to put up strong wards and anti-aparation spells to keep the unwanted out. I had been too tired last night and chided myself for the poor lack in judgement.

I spent the next few days acquainting myself with Forks, Washington. As a seventeen year old living in a house without the trappings of family, I was the talk of the community. They quietly speculated on who I was, why I was in forks and why I was alone. Whenever I was out, I felt their eyes watching me and heard their conversations between each other. They we polite, cordial, and very willing to help me whenever I was in need of something.

On the following Monday, I went to the local high school and signed up, as it happened, the new term was to began the following week. During the week, I used the time to get ready for attending public school again. I hadn’t gone to public school in seven years and worried that it would be obvious to anyone who looked at me. To tell the truth, I was a bit terrified. Going to a new school, one that not only was a non-magical school, but also was in an entirely different country was daunting. But, I followed Illyantia’s advice, knowing she knew things I didn’t. My hope was I would find my new family quick and they would help me adjust to my new life.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Edward’s POV

I stood waiting near the front door, waiting on my brothers and sisters to go to school. It was another year of learning the same things we had learned long before. Some classes were nearly impossible for me pay attention, the curriculum having changed little over the years. Others provided a little more interest for me, but I still found myself counting the hours until it was over. I wondered if this year would be different.
Alice had had several more visions after the first one, the last vision was two days ago and she said that my mate, Harry, had already arrived in Forks and would be attending school with us. My anticipation at that time had grown from a manageable restlessness to a roaring anxious feeling, bursting to finally be near my mate.

In the last week and a half since news that my mate was coming, Alice had slowly told me about the few things she had seen about Harry. From what she could see, he was the leader in the war centering in the magical world. His life was filled with disappointment and betrayal; danger followed him wherever he went. My instincts flared up at those words, crying out to protect my mate and destroy those who would seek to harm him. I was angered at the life he had had to live and those who had failed to protect him.

However, I knew I had to hold back, that Harry wouldn’t know we were mates and might object to my constant presence. So I promised myself, I would protect him from afar and begin to build the relationship that I longed for.

At last, my siblings arrived and we made our way to the school, all anxious to meet the new addition to our family. Alice, in barely restrained delight bounced on the back seat, in between Jasper and Emmett. They both laughed at her excitement, while Rosalie from the front seat hissed in disdain. She was always the last to except change; she felt that change often brought danger to our family. She hopefully would, after a time, come to accept Harry as my mate.

We pulled into the parking lot of the school; it was filled with old beat up trucks and economy cars. Our silver Volvo stood out against the others. Exiting the vehicle, we were about to go inside when Alice spoke.

“He’s about to arrive… over there behind those trees.” She said rubbing her hands together in enthusiasm.

We all looked to a spot away from the school that was fairly well covered by trees and far enough away that human eyes wouldn’t see it. However, vampire eyes did not have this problem. So, when from one moment to the next, Harry appeared we all stared in shock. It was if he appeared out of nowhere. I knew he was a magical being, but never really considered what he was truly capable of.

Stealing a look out from the overgrowth of tree limbs, he then walked out and began the trek to the school. The small waif walked slowly, his gait implying reluctance to continue forward. Even far away, I could see that he was small for his age, no more than five foot three or four. His midnight black hair ruffled in the slight chilling wind that swirled around them. His pale white complexion glowed in the sunlight and was only enhanced by the dark clothes he wore on his body. Tight black jeans molded to his body like a second skin, encasing the thin, but muscular legs. He wore a dark gray hoodie over his upper body. A large messenger bag was linked on one shoulder by a large strap that glided down his torso and rested on the opposite side. He looked around nervously; I got the feeling that keeping on his guard was second nature to him.

“He’s so adorable, Edward!” Alice exclaimed, her joy spreading to us all.

“He doesn’t look like he much older than thirteen maybe fourteen…” Jasper mused, a frown appearing on his pale face.

It was as he drew closer that I began to hear his thoughts, but they were broken, as if the signal faded in and out.

'I don’t want to be here… suck it up… you may not find them, otherwise…’

I frowned wondering who they were. I passed on his broken thoughts to my siblings and then said “His thoughts are strange, they faded in and out. That’s never happened before.”

We all looked at him as he passed, he raised his eyes to meet mine and they widened in surprise. I could hear his heart rate increase and a flush sweep over his face. He kept on walking, but his eyes stayed locked on mine. I heard him suck in a breath and exhale it. Then he caught his foot on, well nothing, and began to fall. My fast reflexes had me beside him in less than a second and I caught him. My arms wrapped around his tiny waist, out faces inches from each other. I felt a puff of air from his pouted pink lips and smelled peppermint and tea.

I smiled down at him and said, “Hello.”

He had a dazed look on his face and then smiled up at me as his arms snaked around my neck. “Hi” he said his smiled growing as I pulled him closer to me. The more I held him; I found the underlying scent of lemongrass from his body. I inhaled the sweet yet tart scent and found my body reacting to the scent of its mate. It cried out for me to claim him, mark him with my scent and my bite, claiming him for the entire world to see. For them to see that he was mine and I was his.

Then, as if he could understand me thoughts, he scrambled out of my arms and inadvertently fell the rest of the way to the ground with a soft thud. His eyes wide, he pulled himself to his feet and said, “Er… thank you…” and nearly ran as he headed into the school.

I stared at him, both exhilarated and confused. My body was singing in pleasure at the touch of my mate and wanting the opportunity to repeat it. However, another part of me was surprised by his response. He had wrapped his arms around my neck and smiled up at me with ease as if it was a natural response; then the next moment he was scrambled to get out of my arms, his eyes wide in alarm as he ran away from me.

“He’s gonna be a challenge!” Emmett laughed as they began to head into the school, Alice linking her arm through mine and pulling me after them.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Harry’s POV

That morning, after I dressed, then had a small breakfast of tea and toast, I aparated to school. I chose a spot near the school behind some over grown trees. After peeking my head out and checking to see no one was watching, I walked towards the school nervously. I had spent more than the usual amount of time getting ready to go; I wanted to make a good impression after all. I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach and tried to push it down.

I don’t want to be here…

You need to do this. So, suck it up and keep walking. Illyantia said to come here, and if you don’t you may not find them, otherwise.

I gave myself the best pep talk I could muster and then pressed forward. Was it going to be anything like Hogwarts? I wondered if the difference was too vast and I would sink into the void. I was fairly anti-social as it was, I didn’t want to spend my days alone and drifting from class to class not talking to anyone at all.

As I neared the school, I looked up at a noise and found myself looking into the most devastating amber eyes I had ever seen. They held mine locked to them, my heart beating a mile a minute. Heat burst all over my body and I had to take a deep breath to steady myself.

I wanted to know who he was. The tall, lean, but muscular boy stared at me with a small smile on his plump lips. His alabaster skin was nearly white against his dark auburn wavy hair as it swayed in the breeze. He had to have been at least six foot two, nearly a goliath compared to me.

As I was thinking, I tripped and began falling, my face flying towards the pavement below. Then I felt arms wrap around my waist, turning me until I was face up again and in the arms of the amber eyed boy. I stared in shock at him and then a warm peaceful feeling enveloped me.

“Hello.” He said with a smirk as he looked down at me.
Smiling, I put my arms around his neck and said, “Hi.” The comfort in his arms was calming and I wanted to stay there forever. I wondered again who he was and if I could keep him… With that thought, I became aware of exactly what I was doing. Being held in the arms of a boy I didn’t know, wrapping my arms around his neck and wishing to stay there forever. Where had all this come from? I was fine one moment and the next I’m a love sick puppy?

I quickly moved from his arms, falling to the ground and jumped to my feet. Looking at him briefly I said, “Er, thank you.” I ran for my life before I did something truly horrifying.

Was he my mate? Or was he just someone I found attractive… I hadn’t thought about it, but now that I was aware I had a mate somewhere out there for me, maybe my mind is unconsciously looking for suitable candidates.

Whatever the cause of my reaction to the amber eyed boy, I needed to take this slow and hopefully whoever my mate was; he would find me like Illyantia said.