Not so weird / Halliwells

[Avery Jade McCartney]

Avery really wasn't sure of where she was going, in fact she thought she had gotten lost. Or had made a wrong turn somewhere. She would've just orbed there but she wasn't going to orb into there house, so she didn't want to risk anyone seeing her. She didn't like the attention. Sighing, Avery glanced at the directions once more and then she placed her eyes back on the road. Driving wasn't diffcult, if you knew where you where going.

Just then, she pulled up to the right house. She smiled lightly and shuffled to get her things. Leaning over towards the passenger seat she grabbed her jacket and her purse and hurried to get out of the car. She couldn't believe she was actually going to do this. She sighed... Meet the Halliwells and tell them everything, well that was if Wyatt and Chris hadn't done so already. It was like a dream.

As she stepped up onto the porch, Avery couldn't help but get a shiver as it ran up her spine. She got goosebumps all over her arms due to the shiver. Calming down a bit more, Avery took in a breath and hestitantly pushed the doorbell. Running a hand through her hair she felt more nervous than ever. She really couldn't wait to meet them, and under the circumstances... she was very excited. She just hoped that the Halliwells would listen to her just liek Chris and Wyatt had. She needed their help, she needed their support... but most of all she needed them to understand her.

[Melinda Prudence Halliwell]

Whenever Melinda needed something to do, she picked up her mothers habit; something Piper had picked up from her grandmother Penny. The other Halliwell�s had considered it keeping their hands busy and the phrase made the most sense. As Linie Halliwell stood in the kitchen of the manor, she wasn�t really making anything - just keeping busy. Throwing a handful of green onions into her creation she heard the doorbell ring and jumped. She was the only one home and not expecting company.

Hesitently, the brunette made her way to the door. Unless someone had forgotten a key, which was extremely likely, there were no other reason for someone to be at the door. Since demons normally didn�t knock that didn�t make sense. Except, if a demon wanted to think she was not a demon in order to lull her into a sense of security. Or, perhaps, she was just thinking a tad too much. Another likely thing.

Opening the door, Linie saw a girl she had never seen before. After quickly looking the girl over, Melinda spoke. �Uhm, hi, may I help you?� Her first instinct was not to let the girl in. Strangers and the Halliwell Manor didn�t always go to well.

[Avery Jade McCartney]

While Avery was standing there waiting for the door to open, she couldn't help but look around. On the outside they had a lovely home and she knew the inside was just as lovely. She was never one to judge however, it never really sat well with her either. Actually, the only thing she did judge however was demons. She despised them more than anything.

When the front door opened, Avery wasn't really expecting it to. In fact she was so nervous she really didn't want it to. When she saw the girl standing there, the girl about her own age, maybe a bit younger she smiled. "Oh hi..." She said. She tried to get her words out so she didn't sound like an idiot. "I'm a friend of Chris and Wyatt's. They said I could stop by if I needed anything. Are they home?" Avery asked her with a small smile.

She really hoped this girl believed ehr. After all they were the Halliwells. She knew they had to be extremely careful and she knew that if this girl shut the door on her face right now, she'd understand. While she looked around, Avery rested her hand on her forearm and just sighed a bit. It was her most comfortable position when she was nervous. It was a habit that she had picked up from her mother ever since she was younger. God, how she missed her parents so much. She just hoped the Halliwells would support her, and listen.

[Melinda Prudence Halliwell]

Chris and Wyatt had not said a word about this girl. They had been demon-hunting the past few days and Melinda had been resting off midterm week, so the siblings hadn’t really seen enough of eachother to say anything. Saying that she new the boys didn’t mean she really did know the boys, or know them in a good way. Everything was fitting in with her the-demon-was-ringing-the-doorbell-to-lull-her-into-a-false-sense-of-security; that or she was over thinking things. Over thinking was more likely.

“How do you know my brothers?” Linie felt she had the right to be hesitant, but if this was an innocent she could be in the wrong. If Linie was lucky then this girl who needed Halliwell help knew about the magical world and would be okay with Melinda giving her the third degree. She also had to remind the older Halliwell kids that they needed to tell her when they gave away their address. This was just too damn confusing.

[Avery Jade McCartney]

Wow she had been so nervous that Avery had forgotten to mention where she had met the boys. Avery looked down and lightly shook her head, laughing a bit at her own stupidity. "I'm sorry I forgot to say. The other day, I had met them at Magic School. Chris and Wyatt had been very helpful to me. I was very injured and was unable to heal myself, so Chris healed me." Avery said with a smile, though it had been days she was still grateful that he did that. She knew she had to thank him in some way. And Wyatt as well. They both were very helpful.

Avery shifted her bag from her left shoulder over to her right. She really hated bringing a bag every she went but since she was younger her mother had always told her to carry her things with her everywhere. She didn't want her daughter to ever be a Jane Doe. So Avery respected her mothers wishes as she just decided to carry one with her. Even though she didn't like it. To her it felt like a burden, always having to worry about it... wherever you went. She sighed lightly and smiled at the girl.

"I'm sorry." She said once again. "If they're not home I can come back later. Please just tell them that Avery stopped by." She told her with a smile.

[Melinda Prudence Halliwell]

Her story made sense, the boys could have easily met her at magic school. Plus, her willingness to leave made her seem a lot like a non-demon. Melinda visibly relaxed. She opened the door wide and nodded her head into the house. “I’m sure you can understand why I am careful. I haven’t talked to the boys in a few days, so they hadn’t told me about you.”

Leading Avery to the sun room she took a seat and suggested for the other girl to do the same. “I’m a student at SFU and midterms just ended, so I’ve been locked up away from everyone studying. Normally the boys will tell me if someone might have to come by. So are you a charge, an innocent? What happened? Oh, I’m Melinda Halliwell, it’s nice to meet you Avery. Well, it is, as long as you don’t try to kill me.” Linie was really thinking of putting a notebook next to the Book of Shadows. That why everyone could just, write down what had happened in the magical world rather then having Linie just have to guess what’s going on.

[Avery Jade McCartney]

Melinda was right, if she hadn't seen her brothers in days then she wouldn't know about her... or anything that had happened. Avery understood what she was saying. She was delightled that she let her inside the house and she was glad that she didn't think she was a demon. Avery smiled a bit as she walked inside and followed Melinda into the sun room. As she listened to Melinda speak, she took a seat across from her and looked around a bit, still listening to her. "I understand." Avery told her with a smile and a slight nod.

"The last time I was in school when I was younger, right before my parents were killed. I haven't been back since." Avery told her as she looked down. Then she looked up and smiled, she shook Melinda's hand. "It's nice to meet you Melinda." Avery re positioned herself in the seat and tucked some lose strands of hair behind her ear. She lightly shook her head. "Don't worry I'm not going to try and kill you, as I explained to your brothers I'm in dire need of your family's help." Avery let out a small sigh. "I'm just a witch, in need of great help." She said as she looked at her with hope in ehr eyes.

"You see my parents were murdered by a very powerful demon, when he killed them he took their powers. They were the strongest of anyone I have ever known, but hearing about the Charmed Ones and their story; I knew maybe if I came to them they could help me before this demon comes back not only for them and their powers, but for all of ours... and we can stop him before he tries to take over the world."

[Melinda Prudence Halliwell]

The more of Avery’s story that Linie heard, the more she frowned. While she knew that here had been a bit more demonic activity then usual, she wasn’t expecting someone who was planning to take over the world. Melinda knew it would happen eventually, all the Halliwell’s did, it still surprised her. She was unsure if she would be able to cope with the responsibilities of college undergrad and demon fighter, especially when she was going to have to be more vigilant as a demon fighter. She couldn’t allow herself to be the last one to know about something like this. Not anymore.

“Wow.” Before she could say more, Linie heard a loud sizzling from the kitchen. Her creation was boiling over; rushing to the kitchen without a word to Avery, she turned off the boiler and made her way back to the sun room. “Sorry about that. If I make a huge mess in my mom’s kitchen she will kill me. And no one wants a pissed off Charmed one on your tail. Although if me and my brothers can’t help you I’m sure they will be able to.” Linie tried to think of a solution to offer the girl, but couldn’t think of anything really good. “You’re more then welcome to stay here for a bit, the boys should be home soon. If not, I can take you to magic school. You would be just as safe there.”

[Wyatt Matthew Halliwell]

Wyatt had been away from the Manor on a Demon hunting crusade in the underworld, with out telling any one else of course as he could not have them risking their lives when he was powerful enough to do it on his own, and once again he had been out of touch with the rest of the family, though no one worried as every Halliwell has went on a Demonic killing spree know and again every so often. Although his Mom prefered for him not to orb into the house and use more conventional means he did so any way. Blue Orbs light up the kitchen and then Wyatt was standing in front of the coffe machine.

One thing he hated about magic was the whole now personal gain if he wanted to he could make a cup of coffe by simply conjring it but know he had to stand and wait fot it to do so by normal means. He sat at the table until it was done when he poured himself a cup before entering the rest of the house. He wondered if any one was home but every one else had lives and the Manor was often like a pit stop for Halliwells. He was tired after a few days of non stop vanquishing and was rubbing his eyes before he saw Avery. "Avery! I was not expecting to see you here. Have met Melinda, she hates being called anything else."

For a second he wondered if she had found anything else about Sandious and so he walked into the living room before he spoke. " I am sorry for not gettig in touch sooner, I was a little bit busy." He turned back to Avery. "How are you?"

[Avery Jade McCartney]

When Melinda ran into the kitchen Avery couldn't help but look around. Everything was just so pretty to her, and the decor of the house definitely made a person feel welcome. If it wasn't for the people who lived inside of course. But her favorite thing had to be the stained glass windows, they were the most prettiest colors in any window combination she had seen. She smiled how the sun shown in the room, amking the colors sparkle even more.

She laughed a bit and lightly shook her head. "That's alright I understand. My mother was the same way." She told Melinda with a smile. It was a funny story the first time her and her father had ever baked cookies, she had made a huge mess in the kitchen. When her mother came home they weer all covered in dough and everywhere was covered in not only dough but there were chocolate chips all over as well. Her mother was furious, but she never took it out on Avery... inf act Avery remembered her father holding her mother and giving her kisses telling her to just be happy to enjoy the little things. It was one of the many fun nights that she had spent with her parents.

"You don't know how grateful I am for your family Melinda. Even though nothing has happened yet, I know that I will do everything in my power to help your family as well. Because the last thing I want is for you guys to end up like me." Avery said with the sadness in her voice. "It is very kind of you to offer me to stay here, thank you so much. But I don't want to be a burden on your family. We have a lot of things at stake and I know that now your family is going to have a lot on their hands, so I really can't be a burden." She said as she looked down and shook her head. "I am staying at magic school for the time being right now, but the Elders said that I can't stay there forever, they told me only until I find a place. So, when I leave here I was going to check into a hotel." Avery said as she looked at Melinda. She couldn't wait for Chris and Wyatt to get home, she couldn't wait to meet the rest of the family.

And to Avery's surprise Wyatt came into the room. She smiled a stood up. "Wyatt!" She said with a smile. "It's alright, I really understand... I've been okay. No demons lately, I've been working on trying to find out what Sandious is will attack next. I've been good how about you?"

[Melinda Prudence Halliwell]

Melinda sat with her arms crossed when she saw Wyatt. She wasn’t really mad at him for not telling her, but he didn’t know what. “Forget to tell me something, Wy? Next time there might be someone who needs help stopping by, put a note of the fridge. I feel bad about giving her the third degree.” With people after the Halliwell Book of Shawdows, you never know who will be posing as an innocent to try and get it. Since Wyatt had addressed Avery, the nagging fear that hadn’t dismissed itself in the back of her brain was relieved.

Then, Linie turned to Avery, a small frown still on her face. “I don’t know how I feel about a hotel. It probably wouldn’t be too safe.” If someone was after a girl, killing a hotel or motel clerk wouldn’t be such a bad thing; to the demon at least. “You are more then welcome here, I’m sure mom and dad will understand. It’s not a burden. Really. Right Wyatt?”

[Wyatt Matthew Halliwell]

He smiled as he first thought that since she had arrived out of the blue she was in some sort of trouble, maybe Sandious himself was after her and she had came to the Halliwell's ancestral home for protection and guidance he would not mind this as his family was the de fact protector of all Magic, you get that reputation when your mother and Aunts are the most powerful force to ever walk the earth and no one will ever match their power. He had no idea how she coped with what he had done to her. If it were the other way around and his mother and father were murdered he would never stop hunting them. He would not sleep, eat or drink and would never speak to anyone, who knew he might even turn to the Dark Side.

"I have been ok, for the most part at least. I have been in the underworld trying to gather information, you know making a few Demons spill the beans as it were. Few people could tell me anything of any use, that or they were so loyal to him threat of death was not enough to make them talk. I would doubt that from most humans and especially a Demon, in my opinion they are only ever looking out for themselves. However he has many upper level Demons working for him." He wondered if Avery was just trying to hunt him down because of what he had done to her family but he felt it was more than that, she wanted to make sure he could never do it again to any one else and she would not stop until she was done and he was dead.

He ran his hand through his hair as his sister spoke. She reminded him of Mom more and more every day she could often be the voice of reason and logic. " Well, I was attempting to stop a Demonic take over of earth, but you know who cares." He smiled he knew her well enough to know when she was joking and unless he was very wrong know was not one of those times. "Why? She could of been a Demonic shape shifter coming to kill you and steal the book." He turned to Avery. "No insult intended." His sister spoke and he wondered what she meant. Was Avery going to be staying with them? It was the most logical solution and short of Magic school was the safest place for her to be without a doubt. "No, I am sure no one will mind, after all you will be safe here. Chirs will be back later, though I am sure he won't mind."

[Christopher Perry Halliwell]

Chris was at the office working on an article at the paper. Soon the office just became so busy that he could not stand to continue working another minute. He stood up and grabbed his messenger bag. He stuffed his laptop in his bag and walked out the door. He ran down the stairs and head to his car. It was a Ford Mustang sports car. He had just recently bought it. He had been saving his money for years to pay for it and he parents and agreed to chip in a bit as his graduation present from college. He jumped in and speed off.

A short time later he pulled up into the drive way of the manor. He really did not need a car. Though unlike his brother he used the car as a cover up for getting to and from work. It would look wierd if he showed up to work everyday and never had a car. No one likes to ride a bus that long. People would get suspicious.

He then walked up the steps to the manor and stormed in. Everyone had been in the kitchen and he did not see that they had guests so he was literally a man on a mission at the moment.

Hey guys I am home. Though I have an articule that I have to write and can not be interrupted.

He walked into the kitchen right past everyone and did not see Avery. He opened the ice box and got out a bottle of juice.

Glass

He said that in a strong voice and a glass vanished in a swirl of orbs and appeared in his hands. He then poured himself a glass and turned to look at the room finally.

Hey, Avery I did not see you there. What are you doing here. This is really a suprise.

[Avery Jade McCartney]

Avery smiled as she listened to Wyatt and Melinda speak. They were right and however she couldn't be happier that she had met the boys the other day. She smiled a bit and nodded. "Thank you so much!" Avery replied to them both. "I can't tell you how grateful I am for you right now." She brushed her hair behind her ear as she walked over to them and clasped her hands as she held Wyatts.

"I owe you my life." She then turned to Melinda and hugged her a little, but not so much to scare her. "Thank you. If you ever need anything I'll be happy to help you."

Then Avery saw Chris. When he had finally noticed her she giggled a bit. SHe waved slightly and looked down. "Hi Chris." She said softly and then she looked up at him. She clasped her hands together lightly and smied. "I was actually hoping your parents would be home. I wanted to talk to them about well... you know. I hope it was okay that I came here." She said in all honesty.

[Melinda Prudence Halliwell]

Melinda had to roll her eyes at her older brother. It was so typical Chris to get lost in his thought and not even notice someone in the room. It didn't matter how one-track-minded he was, Christopher Halliwell was still her older brother and Linie loved him with all her heart.

The hug from Avery easily threw her off. Normally people hugged her after she had saved their lives. Not before when she was just offering the girl a safe place to say. "It's no problem, really. Then Linie turned to her brothers. "So, uhm, you guys are going to tell mom and dad right?"