(A/N: Alright, here's the next book. I, Cathykcool started this chapter.
All the odd numbered chapters were written by me, and the evens written by
Meagan (HpGrl). Join us as we add several more exciting characters, and as
the ones you already know wreak havoc. So PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!
--Cathykcool)
The Brian/Crystal Chronicles
By Meagan and Cathy
Chapter 1
Athena, Goddess of Wisdom
"Summer!" Brynn shrieked, getting off the train. She sighed, and tossed a firework in the air. She didn't care if there were Muggles around. School was out, and she didn't have to do annoying assignments any longer.
"I'd rather be in school..." Ethan sighed. He pointed to Felicity. "I have to go home with that..."
"Well, you'll be living at our house most of the time anyways... not like we live in a specific house... We just kind of... meander... Once day we live at our house... the next day it's yours..." Bryce added...
"What about me?" Mac said desperately. "I live with Lynnsey! Adopt me please!"
"Ethan! Come on darling, time to go..." Cate called, balancing Jack and Felicity's trunk.
"Coming, mom! See you later guys! And Brynn..." he called, "No! I have to share a seat with Lissy?"
"Poor thing..." Brynn sighed. "Oh, there's Mum and Dad. C'mon Bryce..."
"Just a second Brynn... I forgot my wand on the train!"
"Oh, hurry it up!"
Of course, Bryce really wanted to say goodbye to Reina. She was standing, a little nervously, by a sort of pole thing. She smiled at the sight of him.
"My parents are already here, so this has to be short, I'm sorry."
"It's okay Bryce..." Reina said, with her soft accent. "Mine are sure to show up soon as well... Now, we can meet at nights, and you can get Ethan to cover for you?"
"Yup. And don't forget about the Muggle Studies Trip!"
"Yes... Meeting real Muggles! American ones at that!"
"BRYYYYYYYYYYYYYCEEEEE!" hollered a voice.
"Brynn wants to get home... She hasn't tended to all her stuff, and she's worried one of the girls has gotten it..."
"I'll see you later, I love you!" Reina said, as Bryce kissed her quickly, waved, and hurried off.
"Me too!"
The Black vehicle was chaos. Sirius and Elizabeth occupied the front, Brooke; the baby, strapped in a car seat in the middle seat, Bridgett was bouncing around, eager to hear about Hogwarts. And worst of all: Sirius was driving.
"How was the term darling? Brian survive?"
"Yeah mum, he's still getting off the train I think..." Brynn said, piling in next to Bridgett. "Hey, did you give Paige back to Cate yet?"
"Yeah, she's gone off to check out the train..." Lizzie answered.
"And you mean Bridgett is still sitting here, and she's not off getting lost?"
"Ahh... Brinny, Bridgett is tied to her seat... She cannot move." Sirius said.
Brynn laughed aloud, and it was already known to her that this was going to be another crazy summer. Bryce came skidding around the corner, and flung himself into the van. Brynn laughed once again, and ruffled his hair, which he had styled to perfection. He shouted, and attacked her hairdo...
Sirius and Lizzie smiled as well. This was the life they wanted, everyone was happy, nothing was wrong at all, and the happy chaotic mood fit them well...
Cate was trying to round up her children. Bellum was holding Jack, and trying to give him a bottle. Ethan was looking around for Paige with Cate, and Felicity was sneaking off to visit Malicia, Blick, and Ariana before they left.
"Paige!" Ethan said lazily. "Where arrrrrre you?"
"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" Squealed a small girl from behind Cate. She had dark brown hair, and here eyes were flashing gold. She hugged Cate, causing her knees to buckle.
"Paigie... We were looking for you sweetie. Did you have fun with Grandma and Grandpa?"
"Yes! They let me have all the candy I wanted, and we went to Quidditch games, and met new people!" Paige said.
"It appears you have had too much sugary candy... Calm down... We're going now..."
"But I want to look at the train some more! Please mommy?"
"No, we have to go..."
Ethan chuckled... Paige was like he was. Too much energy, cheerful and bright. Felicity usually avoided sugary foods, ate healthy, and worried about every little aspect of herself. She was much like Cate. Felicity shut Paige up, making her cry, and causing Jack to cry, and therefore causing angry parents. Ethan couldn't wait to get home and visit Brynn and Bryce again. Or go to his room...
"Ethan, did you know we're chaperoning your trip to the States? Since we both know the-" Bellum started.
"NOO!!!!" Ethan said, horrified. "You're- You- You are my parents! You can't go on a trip with my classmates! How embarrassing is that? Did you ever want your parents going on trips? Wait, I take that back... Just... Just..."
"Oh, it's not that bad, besides, your schoolmates like us..." Bellum grinned, skidding along down the road, as if he forgot the use of brakes...
"Arrggh!" Ethan groaned. "Well, try not to do anything too embarrassing..."
"What have we done, dear child, that embarrasses you so?" Cate snorted.
"You... You dress like a teenager! And you act... you're so sophisticated!"
"He likes his father better dear." Bellum teased, smiling at Cate.
"Well that father has teenage girls that seem to think certain things about him... Remember that group that asked about my 'boyfriend'? I practically died of laughter..."
"You fit in all too well... You're supposed to be my mum and dad..."
"Well, we'll have fun."
"Fun." Felicity hissed. "What are you going to do with me?"
"You get to stay with the Blacks."
"NO!" Felicity said, with a look of pure horror. "That place is chaotic!"
"You have Jack and Paige to play with... and Brian."
"Oh, fun."
"Exactly!"
~*~
Brian was already thinking about his summer. For some time, the twins would be going to America for their Muggle Studies trip... That meant no Brynn and Bryce, but there was a downside as well... Felicity was staying at his house. She was to the point where she was so evil she was scary. Paige and Jack didn't bother him much, but the thought of Felicity harassing him for 2 whole weeks....
"Can I go to Crystal's house?" he asked Sirius.
"When?" Sirius said, he knew Crystal quite well, not that he ever told Cate he talked to Meagan and her children.
"When Felicity is over here."
"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt... Don't like your niece well enough?"
"She's... well, she's different. A little anti-social."
"Well, if Harry and Meagan want you, you can stay there for a bit..."
"Thanks dad!" Brian said, delighted.
"Another Black and Potter friendship. What will the next disaster be..."
~*~
"Okay Ethan, now, I'm going to see... Reina tonight… You have to pretend I'm over there. Cause a few explosions just to make it believable. Any sign of Brynn, or any member of my family, tell me as quickly as possible and I'll appear over there...."
"Sure thing. " Ethan sighed. "So if I had a secret girlfriend, you'd do this for me?"
"Of course..."
"So Miss Brinny, how's life for my little girl going?" Sirius said, sitting next to Brynn on the couch.
"Pretty good. It was a good year. So you got Cate to tell me all about my powers? I got them this year. I don't know them all... yet..."
"Yes... She knows about them.. I don't have those powers. Those are from your mum's side, and she really doesn't have many of them. Cate's a specialist by now..."
"After all she went through..."
"And all we went through... She was still crazy when Ethan was born... But she's got a good husband. Speaking of that... How's the social scene?"
"You're such a loser!" Brynn laughed. "Stop trying to act cool!"
"So I'm not cool?" Sirius said, pretending to look hurt.
"No..."
"Well, thank you, darling daughter. So how are all your friends? Mac doing well?"
"Yeah... I might ask him out- erm.. Over tomorrow..."
"OoOOoOoOOOoooo... This is far too precious! Does my little baby have a boyfriend?"
"Maybe..." Bryn said, going slightly red.
"Ahh... That's great..."
"No stories, no please.... I don't want a story about when you were in school..."
"Aww...." Sirius said, pretending to be hurt again. "I can hear Brooke crying, nice talking to you again Brinny! See you tomorrow morning!"
"Wouldn't count on the morning! I'll be sleeping in!"
Brynn headed off to her room. Her nice, peaceful room. She could be all- alone, by herself. It was a nice room, decorated mostly with Quidditch posters, and comfy chairs, and a large comfy bed. She sighed, changed into her pajamas, and flopped on the bed.
"Well, finally, I was beginning to think you'd never sit down to rest." said a voice.
"Who are you?" Brynn squeaked, falling off her bed.
"Relax... I'm just the voice in your head, and if you calm down to listen to me, you'll figure it all out."
"Great... Wonderful, lovely! I'm hearing voices!"
"No, I live inside your head now, I'm part of your mind now."
"Explain then!" Brynn said, to herself of course. She was beginning to think she was crazy...
"Well... Stupid Black curse..." The voice hissed. "You are a Black, correct?"
"Yes, I'm Brynn Black..."
"Interesting... Well, the Black curse. Every Black has it, some get it worse than others. Take Cate for example... She got the best looks, but her mind went bad. Her mind couldn't handle her powers, and it snapped..."
"Wait a second... You know about Cate?"
"I know all... All of the past anyways. Even what happened yesterday.... and thousands of years ago..."
"Well, just continue..."
"Your part of the Black curse... You have what is know as 'The Voice.' That's me.. I'm not a Black, I was just an ancient evil witch that was condemned to this as a punishment. To live for all eternity in people's minds."
"Sounds great. Why my mind?"
"You're a Black."
"That makes loads of sense."
"Nothing makes sense. It's just one of those things you have to live with. I know how you all think though, so I've decoded everything to make this easier..."
"What?"
"Oh, you all think the same way. It's a Black family thing. But personally, I'd like to be Cate's voice... she's an interesting character. I was once like her-- It got me here. I was an evil girl... But I had to leave it all behind. My family, and few friends. I didn't die, I was sentenced to live for all eternity. Let me tell you, there's no crime worse than that...."
"I can imagine. So what is your name anyways?"
"Hallucia Mystique. Don't ask, I didn't choose my own revolting name. Not that Brynn is the best name in the world either...."
"Hey... I don't have to listen to you."
"Oh, yes you do, but I'm not always here, I can visit other minds on the occasion... I just entered yours today... I have the power to choose who I get to bother. There were several unfortunate families that have the same type of curse as the Blacks..."
"Wonderful."
"Yes indeed."
"Can you just let me sleep? I didn't ask for some evil over lady to be apart of my mind... No one else can hear you?"
"No one. Not a soul..."
"Good... Goodnight, Hallucia."
"Night-night.. Brinny."
~*~
"Hum de dum."
"Ethan, will you quit that? I'm in the middle of something!"
Bryce rolled his eyes, and continued on conversation with Reina. Ethan kept mind-waving odd phrases such as "Hum de dum." and "La, la, la, la... I'm a horse... I'm a dog..." to him, and it was getting annoying.
"Sorry, it isn't too fun to keep watch..."
"Well, do something else in the meantime... Blow something up!"
"I've blown up the chandelier, 3 vases, and some strange object already!"
"Well, just watch a few more minutes, I have to say goodbye."
Bryce smiled at Reina, who smiled back. It had been another long, in-depth conversation. Bryce and Reina talked an awful lot... Bryce lifted Reina's chin up, and kissed her softly. She smiled, and returned the kiss.
"I have to go, I left Ethan on guard, and he's probably impatient by now... I'll talk to you later, bye!"
"Adios!"
Reina sighed, and so did Bryce. They kissed once more, and both went their separate ways. Bryce appeared in front of Ethan and glared. Ethan rolled his eyes and grinned.
"Look here, Bryce Black. I don't have to do this for you. I can go tell Brynn, or anyone I please. I don't plan on it, but don't take so long!"
"Sorry, I was caught up in the moment..." Bryce sighed.
"Hopeless Romantic... Wait- I take that back, you're not half as bad as my parents...."
"They're chaperoning our trip, aren't they?"
"Don't remind me!"
"Well, I'll be off now then, talk to you again soon!"
~*~
Brynn stretched. It was morning again, and there was no sign that the voice had bothered her. Perhaps it was a bad dream? She shook her head and concluded that indeed, she had been around Bryce too long and was starting to think herself mad.
She slid her slippers on her feet, stretched once more and appeared in the kitchen for breakfast. Sirius was cooking, which meant there was nothing being cooked. Cold cereal was for breakfast this morning...
"Mornin' Bridge..." she said, stifling a yawn, and talking to Bridgett, who had some sort of sugary cereal.
"Good morning Brynn! Mum said she'd take us to Diagon Alley today! We can go shopping, and we can get new-"
"Can I see if Mac wants to come over?"
"Surely." Sirius said, through a mouthful of toast. "Just be a good girl and clean the dining room for your mother..."
"Argh... That room is huge..." Brynn grumbled.
"I know, but do you want to see Mac?"
Brynn stuck out her tongue and made a face. She ate her breakfast, and then set off to clean the Dining Hall. It took more than a wave of a wand to clean the place, and took her about half an hour to clean. Elizabeth stood back to watch, and point out every mistake Brynn made.
"Now you can call Mac.. Maybe you should wake Bryce up, and call Ethan over to complete the group." Lizzie said, laughing at her distressed looking hairdo.
"Okay... BRYYYYYYYYCE! Wake up!" she said telepathically. She also threw in a small zap...
"Brynn... That hurt... What'd ya do it for?"
"Mac's probably coming over. Get Ethan, I'm going to talk to him."
"Mrgh... Alright..." he mumbled back in his head.
"Okay, good."
Brynn waved her wand (Hogwarts had gotten rid of the 'No Magic over the summer' Rule. It was now, 'No magic in the Muggle world over the summer') and had changed into her robes, and her hair was neat once again. She walked over to the fireplace and picked up some Floo Powder, and thought about it for a minute and shouted, "McKenzie residence!"
A few wild minutes later, she coughed up ashes and fireplace dust, and appeared in the middle of a white living room, on her knees. Half a second later, Mac rounded the corner, skidding on his socks. His face brightened as soon as he saw Brynn, now standing up, coughing and brushing herself off.
"Brynn! Nice to see you again! It has been so long!"
"Yeah, a whole day is too long..." Brynn said, still brushing ashes off herself. "Wanna come to my house?"
"Sure! MOM! I'M GOING TO BRYNN AND BRYCE'S! BYE!"
"That went over well... Your mom cares a lot about you...."
"Yeah... Mom likes to get me out of the house... It's a lot quieter that way."
"Imagine that!" Brynn laughed.
"So what's planned? Anything special?"
"Oh... not really. Bridgett said something about shopping."
"That's always nice. Maybe we can get the hour to ourselves though...."
"That's what I was thinking. Ethan's coming over, so we've got the whole lot of us..."
"Great... Your parents don't want to have a house when they return then?"
"Naw... My dad knows what it's like and all... He was a Marauder. If there ever was anyone who could cause more trouble..."
"Well, that's a good thing... I wish my parents were as understanding.... Why are we still standing here anyways?"
"Good question... Black estate!" Brynn said, tossing some Floo Powder in the fireplace. Mac followed suit, and by Floo Powder, arrived at Brynn's mansion before she did, and on his feet. Brynn wasn't used to Floo Powder, she usually just appeared places, but Mac couldn't do that, so she had tried the Floo Powder approach.
"Alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine... " Brynn grumbled.
"Look it that! Brynn can't use Floo Powder properly!" Bryce called, laughing from the living room.
"Shut up... " Brynn said, this time just dusting herself off magically.
"I told mum we're not going shopping, they left already, so it's too late for you if you wanted to go..."
"Hey, fine with me." Mac smiled. "How long are they gone?"
"The whole day I think..." Brynn answered.
"Perfect..."
"Hey, like, are we doing anything, or are Brynn and Mac going to sit here and kiss each other the whole time?" Ethan said, a little frustrated.
"No," Mac confirmed. "We can go someplace else and make out..."
Bryce and Ethan rolled their eyes. Brynn smiled, and put her arms around Mac. The other two boys made a face. Mac leaned in and kissed her, and she kissed him back.
"Well, maybe it's us that must find another room..." Bryce suggested.
"Good idea..."
"Alone at last... We'll meet up with those two later..." Mac sighed.
"Mm-hmm..." Brynn said, kissing him again.
"Hey-y... Slow down." Mac said suddenly.
"What?"
"Well, you and I both know where this sort of thing leads..."
"We aren't little kids anymore, you know that, right?"
"Yeah... But... erm..."
"Sorry..." Brynn said, pulling away.
"No, I didn't mean that... I didn't tell you to stop... I just said think about everything...." Mac said, pulling her back and kissing her.
"Then maybe we are the one who should get a room...." Brynn smiled.
"I think...." Mac paused. "That's a good idea..."
~*~
"Bryce... We just left Mac alone with your sister."
"Well, Mac's our friend... If Brynn gets together with anyone, at least it was Mac. Besides, she's much less crabby, and we get hit far less than before."
"I guess it's a lot brighter if you see it from that angle... Good point my friend."
"So where are we off to?"
"Erm..."
"Yes?"
"Hogsmeade. Mum and Dad went to Diagon Alley. We can go to Hogsmeade."
"Sounds good to me. Or we could like, invite people over..."
"That's a plan too... I vote for Number Two. Good idea Ethan... Who should we invite?"
"Instant memo to everyone in like, 6th year. Invite your girlfriend..."
"Alright..."
Bryce and Ethan wrote on a single piece of parchment, and then sent it through a device that looked like a toaster. Soon everyone in their year would be getting a letter that said exactly the same thing, which had gotten to the point as quickly as possible: PARTY AT BRYCE BLACKS.
Satisfied, both boys grinned, and waited for people to show up. The first was Reina and her group of giggling friends. Next was a bunch of Gryffindor girls and boys. Ethan smiled, and waved at a particular girl, and Bryce nudged him and laughed.
"Jocelyn Pierce... She's really nice, and really pretty." Ethan explained. "She was... Well, that's who I took to that Valentine's Ball..."
"You're kidding?!" Bryce responded. "I thought you took..."
"Jocelyn... I told you, remember?"
"Oh yes... That Jocelyn? I thought you meant..."
"Very funny... Well, go take your girlfriend someplace or something... I'll find some music... And talk to Joce in the meantime..."
"But first we need drinks. And food... And...."
"Got cha!"
Soon there was music, food, drinks, and people. It was fun while it lasted. Bryce and Reina had snuck off someplace, as no one knew about them besides Ethan, and Reina's best friends. Ethan was back with Jocelyn, but still there was no sign of Brynn and Mac...
~*~
Several hours later, Brynn yawned. She forgot where she was. Then she opened her eyes, and shut them after instantly. It was her room. It was still light out from what she could tell, and she could hear music dimly, from several floors below her. She pulled the covers over her tank top and suddenly...
"Oh my God!" she shrieked. She kept her eyes shut. She rolled over, still keeping them shut. "Do I want to open my eyes? Should I open my eyes, or not? I'm going to.... 1...1 and 1 half... 2... 3!"
She opened them and sighed. Nothing was there. She smiled, and then rolled over. Then she screamed, and rolled off the bed, pulling the blanket with her. She looked up once more, and screamed again. She took a few deep breaths and slapped herself on the forehead.
"You've been naughty..." That stupid voice in her head sneered. "Now look, surprised yourself now did you?"
"Shut up! You know what happened?"
"Oh yes, shame you don't remember it... Though I got bored after..."
"Shut up... I don't want to hear about it!"
There was a muffled groan from the bed. Brynn blushed furiously. She covered her face with her hands, and sat up. She still couldn't seem to bear to look up. She groaned and shook her head.
"Brynn?"
"Mmrrggll.... Mm-hmm?"
"Oh, you're still here. I was beginning to wonder..."
Brynn rubbed her head, which was aching, and stood up. She swayed once, and shook her head. "Mac, were we drinking again?"
"Yeah..." Mac groaned, he too rubbing his head. "That party downstairs... and I suppose that explains this erm... situation..."
"Situation is right. This is one Hell of a messed up situation as well..." Brynn said, wrapping herself in the blanket and flopping back down.
"Oh yes children... Always is a funny thing... young people..." the voice echoed.
"You're not helping my headache, so shut up!" Brynn shot back to her mind.
"I see, not in a pleasant mood, not that I blame you... Goodbye!"
"Bye."
"So how did this happen?" Mac asked, taking some of the blanket.
"I don't know..." Brynn said, rolling over again. Really, she did remember exactly how it happened... "I think we should go back downstairs... See if Ethan and Bryce are still there..."
"Good plan, I'll get..."
"Your pants on?" Brynn suggested.
"Um... Yeah."
A few minutes later, they rushed back down a few flights of stairs, and a bunch of rather tipsy 6th years smiled at them. "Nice to have you baaaaaaaaack." Bryce said, grinning and holding up some sort of drink. "Wanna anuther drink HIC!?"
"No thanks, I've had enough already..." Brynn said. She looked out the window. Her parents would get home soon... "Mum and dad'll be home soon. Everyone had better go..."
"Aww...." was the sound hissed by the crowd, and soon they were all taking the fireplace home...
"Now we all need to clean up..."
It didn't take long to clean up... Until Ethan knocked over the glass vases... Which Brynn quickly fixed with a spell. Then Bryce spilled some red drink on the white carpet, and after about 10 minutes of thinking of a spell, Mac fixed. Finally, all four of them flopped down on the sofas, just as Sirius and Elizabeth, and all the kids arrived.
"What have you four been up to today?" Lizzie asked cheerfully.
"Had a few friends over... You know, small party." Bryce answered.
"Yeah, we cleaned up for you, so you don't have to." Brynn added.
"Were you that bored?" Sirius laughed.
"Yeah..." they all lied.
"Wow, it's kind of late." Lizzie said. "I know it's summer, and you probably don't want to... But just go to bed already, you look tired."
"Okay!" they all said, and scrambled up the stairs.
"Did that seem a little odd, or is it just me?" Sirius said, raising an eyebrow.
"I think it was all of us... BRIDGETT! Put that down!"
"Oh, um, hey, where can I sleep?" Mac said, coming back down the stairs.
"Third Guest bedroom, second floor, two doors down!" Sirius said, taking off after Bridgett, who was about to let something out of a potion bottle...
"Daaaaaaddy!"
~*~
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..." the voice awoke Brynn.
"I don't want to wake up so early!" Brynn growled at it. "Leave me ALONE!"
"Sorry darling."
"Don't call me darling either."
"Sorry darling.... I'm not going to leave you alone. You're my human person now... I have to pester and annoy you."
"Ugh..."
"Well, I suggest you go downstairs and eat breakfast, and be cheerful about it..."
"Oh yes, Yay! Cornflakes again for breakfast dad? Wow! I love those cornflakes... Do you think that would bee cheerful enough or do I have to put on a cow suit and parade down to eat my cold cereal?"
"Um... Just go be happy."
"Sure. Is something happening?"
"Maybe."
"I hate you."
"Thanks, love you too, dear."
"Can't remember being a teenager? Has it been that long, or are you just cold hearted?" Brynn said, in her head, while pulling on everyday clothes.
"Both. I'm a mean 1,000-year-old witch trapped in a modern-day teenager's head. Am I supposed to be nice?"
"It'd be a plus..." Brynn said, slowly making her way down the stairs.
No one was even in the kitchen... She shrugged, mumbling about the voice, and making rude comments to the voice. After she was done eating her favorite Muggle cereal (she found these better than the wizarding ones) she went to the living room to sit around and do nothing. But even doing nothing was impossible at the Black home...
This time it was a knock on the door. "DAD! GET THE DOOR!" Brynn shouted, as she didn't feel much like getting up. The door was in the other room anyways. Well, not really. it was on the other side of the room she was in. Sirius apparated, stuck his tongue out at her, and answered the door.
At the door stood a woman. She was dressed in a clean, tight, black ensemble of robes. Her hair was dark brown, and so were her eyes. She was a small woman, and two children stood on either side of her, a boy and a girl. She smiled at Sirius, who stood there, dumbstruck in awe.
"Athena?" he managed to choke out. This caught Brynn's attention, and she got up.
"Yes Sirius. You forgot about me, didn't you?"
"N-no, but I thought you were dead... I thought you were listed as dead..."
"That's what everyone thought."
"Who are you?" Brynn said, barging in.
"Athena... Goddess of Wisdom...." the woman grinned.
"My little sister." Sirius added.
"I thought you were an only child." Brynn said, raising her eyebrows.
"I thought I was too... Athena was listed as dead when my parents died 30 years ago... I checked it out in the papers as soon as I escaped Azkaban.
"Yes... These are my children, Dominic and Marie. Who are you?"
"Brynn Black."
"I see." the woman suddenly smiled very pleasantly. "How's Lizzie?"
"Great. We're all pretty good these days."
"And how are you Brynn?"
"Pretty good."
"Well, I'm here to see you anyways."
"Dominic and Marie can play with Bridgett and Brian... Would you like that kids?"
"Yes Uncle Sirius." the children answered with perfect etiquette.
"Then follow me!"
"Now, Brynn, about why I'm here to see you..." said Athena, as Sirius took off with Dominic and Marie.
"Yes, have a seat. Is it something important?"
"Yes. I just thought I'd let you know a few things. You know of the Black Curse?"
"Erm... no. Do explain."
"Well... The Black family is very old. Ever since the first generation, they've been known for several things. Beauty, wisdom, wit, courage, strength, power... and they're also known for a few other things too, such as being... how to put this dear... easy, sarcastic, vain, greedy, and weird."
"Well, not a lot of those things apply to me..."
"I'd say they do... I think you were a bit easy..." the voice hissed to Brynn.
"Was not! Shut up again! This isn't your talk! Can't you see?"
"Sure... But I have an opinion, and I'm sure Mac would agree..."
"Bitch."
"Thank you..."
"Well," Athena continued on. "People were jealous. The members of the Black family had everything, and everyone wanted to marry a Black, and share in the power and they were all considered nice looking."
"So, someone was a little jealous, what about it?"
"The wrong person was jealous. An young witch was jealous to the extremes of a young lady that married the man she loved."
"How typical. The jealous revenge..."
"Exactly. So she set a curse on the family. Not only that, but the whole village helped. They were sick of the power, and the number of family members was... narrowed down. That's why there aren't a terrible lot today still. But your house seems quite crowded."
"Oh yes, there are loads now. Well, actually, just my family. But there's a lot of us."
"I see, are you the oldest?"
"Yes, and no. Cate is older than me. But she's like 17 years older than I am. She's got children the same age as my parents. Long story."
"Oh, Cate's Sirius's daughter? I missed that bit... I've been out of the country too long. She's a few years younger than I am then..."
"Well then.... Go, go."
"Oh, yes. " Athena shook her head. "I've studied this for a long time, and there are several types of curses. Each member of the family is cursed, you, me, your dad, your sister, everyone, and everyone romantically involved. "
"Yeah... So that's why we always lose in community Wizard Poker matches?"
"Partially, that and the fact that your father never was any good at card games... I could beat him when I was three, when I last saw him, and I suppose nothing's changed..."
Brynn laughed. She wasn't very good at Poker either, and there was the time the McAllister boys tried to get her to play Strip Poker with them and their friends....
"Anyways, you have the same curse as I do: The Voice. This is the worst one, in my opinion. Its always there bugging you..."
"W-wait. How did you know?"
"Your voice visits mine. Hallucia is your voice, correct? Her husband, Benjamin, in mine... So I was stuck with both of them last night...."
"Does my voice talk about you?"
"Of course I talk about you. What else is there to talk about?" the voice said.
"Yeah... Sadly. Has mine ever visited you?"
"Not yet..." Brynn said, not looking forward to the day it did...
"But everyone's curse is slightly different. Sirius has the Luck one. Nothing ever happens his way. Azkaban, his friends and love dead... He was lucky they had the chance to come back. Luck Lizzie is a Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Heir. But Cate got a rather bad spell, from what I've heard."
"She got it real bad. She was evil, that's how she met her husband."
"Nice way to meet men..."
"Actually, he was an undercover agent, he's real nice."
"Oh, okay then." Athena said, smiling. "You have powers too. Those are the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw genes. All from your mum's side of the family, mixing with the Black ones.... Make this quill move."
Brynn reached forward and moved the quill with her hand. Athena rolled her eyes, and glared at her. Brynn sighed, and tried to make it move. No success.
"I know you can do this... If I can do this one, you certainly can... Concentrate."
Brynn stared at the quill. "Move… C'mon, you can do it... Move...." and it started to quiver, and moved a few inches.
"See, I told you so."
They spent the rest of the time making various objects whiz around the room with telepathy. They stopped when a paperweight hit Mac, who was coming down the stairs at that particular time. He fell down, knocked out cold.
"Oops..." Brynn said, wincing. "Erm... This is Mac. He's he only one in this house at the moment that isn't a Black, or related to one. No, he doesn't live here either...."
"Brynn..." Mac mumbled, waking up slightly.
"Sorry... I have another power... Just testing, didn't mean to hurt you!"
"That's okay. I'm fine. Don' worry Bout' me..." he said, swaying.
"It's been a long 24 hours. " Brynn mumbled.
"I can tell... Well, I think I'll go talk to your father, and make sure Dominic hasn't destroyed anything."
"Destruction must be another Black trait. We all like to destroy stuff..."
"Certainly is..." Athena sighed.
"Nice meeting you! Good luck finding Dominic and Marie!"
"Thank you, I suppose! Good luck discovering your other power, and by the way, I'm sticking around!"
"That's good. Oooh, Mac, its okay honey... Don't move, you've got a big old bruise..."
--Cathykcool)
The Brian/Crystal Chronicles
By Meagan and Cathy
Chapter 1
Athena, Goddess of Wisdom
"Summer!" Brynn shrieked, getting off the train. She sighed, and tossed a firework in the air. She didn't care if there were Muggles around. School was out, and she didn't have to do annoying assignments any longer.
"I'd rather be in school..." Ethan sighed. He pointed to Felicity. "I have to go home with that..."
"Well, you'll be living at our house most of the time anyways... not like we live in a specific house... We just kind of... meander... Once day we live at our house... the next day it's yours..." Bryce added...
"What about me?" Mac said desperately. "I live with Lynnsey! Adopt me please!"
"Ethan! Come on darling, time to go..." Cate called, balancing Jack and Felicity's trunk.
"Coming, mom! See you later guys! And Brynn..." he called, "No! I have to share a seat with Lissy?"
"Poor thing..." Brynn sighed. "Oh, there's Mum and Dad. C'mon Bryce..."
"Just a second Brynn... I forgot my wand on the train!"
"Oh, hurry it up!"
Of course, Bryce really wanted to say goodbye to Reina. She was standing, a little nervously, by a sort of pole thing. She smiled at the sight of him.
"My parents are already here, so this has to be short, I'm sorry."
"It's okay Bryce..." Reina said, with her soft accent. "Mine are sure to show up soon as well... Now, we can meet at nights, and you can get Ethan to cover for you?"
"Yup. And don't forget about the Muggle Studies Trip!"
"Yes... Meeting real Muggles! American ones at that!"
"BRYYYYYYYYYYYYYCEEEEE!" hollered a voice.
"Brynn wants to get home... She hasn't tended to all her stuff, and she's worried one of the girls has gotten it..."
"I'll see you later, I love you!" Reina said, as Bryce kissed her quickly, waved, and hurried off.
"Me too!"
The Black vehicle was chaos. Sirius and Elizabeth occupied the front, Brooke; the baby, strapped in a car seat in the middle seat, Bridgett was bouncing around, eager to hear about Hogwarts. And worst of all: Sirius was driving.
"How was the term darling? Brian survive?"
"Yeah mum, he's still getting off the train I think..." Brynn said, piling in next to Bridgett. "Hey, did you give Paige back to Cate yet?"
"Yeah, she's gone off to check out the train..." Lizzie answered.
"And you mean Bridgett is still sitting here, and she's not off getting lost?"
"Ahh... Brinny, Bridgett is tied to her seat... She cannot move." Sirius said.
Brynn laughed aloud, and it was already known to her that this was going to be another crazy summer. Bryce came skidding around the corner, and flung himself into the van. Brynn laughed once again, and ruffled his hair, which he had styled to perfection. He shouted, and attacked her hairdo...
Sirius and Lizzie smiled as well. This was the life they wanted, everyone was happy, nothing was wrong at all, and the happy chaotic mood fit them well...
Cate was trying to round up her children. Bellum was holding Jack, and trying to give him a bottle. Ethan was looking around for Paige with Cate, and Felicity was sneaking off to visit Malicia, Blick, and Ariana before they left.
"Paige!" Ethan said lazily. "Where arrrrrre you?"
"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" Squealed a small girl from behind Cate. She had dark brown hair, and here eyes were flashing gold. She hugged Cate, causing her knees to buckle.
"Paigie... We were looking for you sweetie. Did you have fun with Grandma and Grandpa?"
"Yes! They let me have all the candy I wanted, and we went to Quidditch games, and met new people!" Paige said.
"It appears you have had too much sugary candy... Calm down... We're going now..."
"But I want to look at the train some more! Please mommy?"
"No, we have to go..."
Ethan chuckled... Paige was like he was. Too much energy, cheerful and bright. Felicity usually avoided sugary foods, ate healthy, and worried about every little aspect of herself. She was much like Cate. Felicity shut Paige up, making her cry, and causing Jack to cry, and therefore causing angry parents. Ethan couldn't wait to get home and visit Brynn and Bryce again. Or go to his room...
"Ethan, did you know we're chaperoning your trip to the States? Since we both know the-" Bellum started.
"NOO!!!!" Ethan said, horrified. "You're- You- You are my parents! You can't go on a trip with my classmates! How embarrassing is that? Did you ever want your parents going on trips? Wait, I take that back... Just... Just..."
"Oh, it's not that bad, besides, your schoolmates like us..." Bellum grinned, skidding along down the road, as if he forgot the use of brakes...
"Arrggh!" Ethan groaned. "Well, try not to do anything too embarrassing..."
"What have we done, dear child, that embarrasses you so?" Cate snorted.
"You... You dress like a teenager! And you act... you're so sophisticated!"
"He likes his father better dear." Bellum teased, smiling at Cate.
"Well that father has teenage girls that seem to think certain things about him... Remember that group that asked about my 'boyfriend'? I practically died of laughter..."
"You fit in all too well... You're supposed to be my mum and dad..."
"Well, we'll have fun."
"Fun." Felicity hissed. "What are you going to do with me?"
"You get to stay with the Blacks."
"NO!" Felicity said, with a look of pure horror. "That place is chaotic!"
"You have Jack and Paige to play with... and Brian."
"Oh, fun."
"Exactly!"
~*~
Brian was already thinking about his summer. For some time, the twins would be going to America for their Muggle Studies trip... That meant no Brynn and Bryce, but there was a downside as well... Felicity was staying at his house. She was to the point where she was so evil she was scary. Paige and Jack didn't bother him much, but the thought of Felicity harassing him for 2 whole weeks....
"Can I go to Crystal's house?" he asked Sirius.
"When?" Sirius said, he knew Crystal quite well, not that he ever told Cate he talked to Meagan and her children.
"When Felicity is over here."
"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt... Don't like your niece well enough?"
"She's... well, she's different. A little anti-social."
"Well, if Harry and Meagan want you, you can stay there for a bit..."
"Thanks dad!" Brian said, delighted.
"Another Black and Potter friendship. What will the next disaster be..."
~*~
"Okay Ethan, now, I'm going to see... Reina tonight… You have to pretend I'm over there. Cause a few explosions just to make it believable. Any sign of Brynn, or any member of my family, tell me as quickly as possible and I'll appear over there...."
"Sure thing. " Ethan sighed. "So if I had a secret girlfriend, you'd do this for me?"
"Of course..."
"So Miss Brinny, how's life for my little girl going?" Sirius said, sitting next to Brynn on the couch.
"Pretty good. It was a good year. So you got Cate to tell me all about my powers? I got them this year. I don't know them all... yet..."
"Yes... She knows about them.. I don't have those powers. Those are from your mum's side, and she really doesn't have many of them. Cate's a specialist by now..."
"After all she went through..."
"And all we went through... She was still crazy when Ethan was born... But she's got a good husband. Speaking of that... How's the social scene?"
"You're such a loser!" Brynn laughed. "Stop trying to act cool!"
"So I'm not cool?" Sirius said, pretending to look hurt.
"No..."
"Well, thank you, darling daughter. So how are all your friends? Mac doing well?"
"Yeah... I might ask him out- erm.. Over tomorrow..."
"OoOOoOoOOOoooo... This is far too precious! Does my little baby have a boyfriend?"
"Maybe..." Bryn said, going slightly red.
"Ahh... That's great..."
"No stories, no please.... I don't want a story about when you were in school..."
"Aww...." Sirius said, pretending to be hurt again. "I can hear Brooke crying, nice talking to you again Brinny! See you tomorrow morning!"
"Wouldn't count on the morning! I'll be sleeping in!"
Brynn headed off to her room. Her nice, peaceful room. She could be all- alone, by herself. It was a nice room, decorated mostly with Quidditch posters, and comfy chairs, and a large comfy bed. She sighed, changed into her pajamas, and flopped on the bed.
"Well, finally, I was beginning to think you'd never sit down to rest." said a voice.
"Who are you?" Brynn squeaked, falling off her bed.
"Relax... I'm just the voice in your head, and if you calm down to listen to me, you'll figure it all out."
"Great... Wonderful, lovely! I'm hearing voices!"
"No, I live inside your head now, I'm part of your mind now."
"Explain then!" Brynn said, to herself of course. She was beginning to think she was crazy...
"Well... Stupid Black curse..." The voice hissed. "You are a Black, correct?"
"Yes, I'm Brynn Black..."
"Interesting... Well, the Black curse. Every Black has it, some get it worse than others. Take Cate for example... She got the best looks, but her mind went bad. Her mind couldn't handle her powers, and it snapped..."
"Wait a second... You know about Cate?"
"I know all... All of the past anyways. Even what happened yesterday.... and thousands of years ago..."
"Well, just continue..."
"Your part of the Black curse... You have what is know as 'The Voice.' That's me.. I'm not a Black, I was just an ancient evil witch that was condemned to this as a punishment. To live for all eternity in people's minds."
"Sounds great. Why my mind?"
"You're a Black."
"That makes loads of sense."
"Nothing makes sense. It's just one of those things you have to live with. I know how you all think though, so I've decoded everything to make this easier..."
"What?"
"Oh, you all think the same way. It's a Black family thing. But personally, I'd like to be Cate's voice... she's an interesting character. I was once like her-- It got me here. I was an evil girl... But I had to leave it all behind. My family, and few friends. I didn't die, I was sentenced to live for all eternity. Let me tell you, there's no crime worse than that...."
"I can imagine. So what is your name anyways?"
"Hallucia Mystique. Don't ask, I didn't choose my own revolting name. Not that Brynn is the best name in the world either...."
"Hey... I don't have to listen to you."
"Oh, yes you do, but I'm not always here, I can visit other minds on the occasion... I just entered yours today... I have the power to choose who I get to bother. There were several unfortunate families that have the same type of curse as the Blacks..."
"Wonderful."
"Yes indeed."
"Can you just let me sleep? I didn't ask for some evil over lady to be apart of my mind... No one else can hear you?"
"No one. Not a soul..."
"Good... Goodnight, Hallucia."
"Night-night.. Brinny."
~*~
"Hum de dum."
"Ethan, will you quit that? I'm in the middle of something!"
Bryce rolled his eyes, and continued on conversation with Reina. Ethan kept mind-waving odd phrases such as "Hum de dum." and "La, la, la, la... I'm a horse... I'm a dog..." to him, and it was getting annoying.
"Sorry, it isn't too fun to keep watch..."
"Well, do something else in the meantime... Blow something up!"
"I've blown up the chandelier, 3 vases, and some strange object already!"
"Well, just watch a few more minutes, I have to say goodbye."
Bryce smiled at Reina, who smiled back. It had been another long, in-depth conversation. Bryce and Reina talked an awful lot... Bryce lifted Reina's chin up, and kissed her softly. She smiled, and returned the kiss.
"I have to go, I left Ethan on guard, and he's probably impatient by now... I'll talk to you later, bye!"
"Adios!"
Reina sighed, and so did Bryce. They kissed once more, and both went their separate ways. Bryce appeared in front of Ethan and glared. Ethan rolled his eyes and grinned.
"Look here, Bryce Black. I don't have to do this for you. I can go tell Brynn, or anyone I please. I don't plan on it, but don't take so long!"
"Sorry, I was caught up in the moment..." Bryce sighed.
"Hopeless Romantic... Wait- I take that back, you're not half as bad as my parents...."
"They're chaperoning our trip, aren't they?"
"Don't remind me!"
"Well, I'll be off now then, talk to you again soon!"
~*~
Brynn stretched. It was morning again, and there was no sign that the voice had bothered her. Perhaps it was a bad dream? She shook her head and concluded that indeed, she had been around Bryce too long and was starting to think herself mad.
She slid her slippers on her feet, stretched once more and appeared in the kitchen for breakfast. Sirius was cooking, which meant there was nothing being cooked. Cold cereal was for breakfast this morning...
"Mornin' Bridge..." she said, stifling a yawn, and talking to Bridgett, who had some sort of sugary cereal.
"Good morning Brynn! Mum said she'd take us to Diagon Alley today! We can go shopping, and we can get new-"
"Can I see if Mac wants to come over?"
"Surely." Sirius said, through a mouthful of toast. "Just be a good girl and clean the dining room for your mother..."
"Argh... That room is huge..." Brynn grumbled.
"I know, but do you want to see Mac?"
Brynn stuck out her tongue and made a face. She ate her breakfast, and then set off to clean the Dining Hall. It took more than a wave of a wand to clean the place, and took her about half an hour to clean. Elizabeth stood back to watch, and point out every mistake Brynn made.
"Now you can call Mac.. Maybe you should wake Bryce up, and call Ethan over to complete the group." Lizzie said, laughing at her distressed looking hairdo.
"Okay... BRYYYYYYYYCE! Wake up!" she said telepathically. She also threw in a small zap...
"Brynn... That hurt... What'd ya do it for?"
"Mac's probably coming over. Get Ethan, I'm going to talk to him."
"Mrgh... Alright..." he mumbled back in his head.
"Okay, good."
Brynn waved her wand (Hogwarts had gotten rid of the 'No Magic over the summer' Rule. It was now, 'No magic in the Muggle world over the summer') and had changed into her robes, and her hair was neat once again. She walked over to the fireplace and picked up some Floo Powder, and thought about it for a minute and shouted, "McKenzie residence!"
A few wild minutes later, she coughed up ashes and fireplace dust, and appeared in the middle of a white living room, on her knees. Half a second later, Mac rounded the corner, skidding on his socks. His face brightened as soon as he saw Brynn, now standing up, coughing and brushing herself off.
"Brynn! Nice to see you again! It has been so long!"
"Yeah, a whole day is too long..." Brynn said, still brushing ashes off herself. "Wanna come to my house?"
"Sure! MOM! I'M GOING TO BRYNN AND BRYCE'S! BYE!"
"That went over well... Your mom cares a lot about you...."
"Yeah... Mom likes to get me out of the house... It's a lot quieter that way."
"Imagine that!" Brynn laughed.
"So what's planned? Anything special?"
"Oh... not really. Bridgett said something about shopping."
"That's always nice. Maybe we can get the hour to ourselves though...."
"That's what I was thinking. Ethan's coming over, so we've got the whole lot of us..."
"Great... Your parents don't want to have a house when they return then?"
"Naw... My dad knows what it's like and all... He was a Marauder. If there ever was anyone who could cause more trouble..."
"Well, that's a good thing... I wish my parents were as understanding.... Why are we still standing here anyways?"
"Good question... Black estate!" Brynn said, tossing some Floo Powder in the fireplace. Mac followed suit, and by Floo Powder, arrived at Brynn's mansion before she did, and on his feet. Brynn wasn't used to Floo Powder, she usually just appeared places, but Mac couldn't do that, so she had tried the Floo Powder approach.
"Alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine... " Brynn grumbled.
"Look it that! Brynn can't use Floo Powder properly!" Bryce called, laughing from the living room.
"Shut up... " Brynn said, this time just dusting herself off magically.
"I told mum we're not going shopping, they left already, so it's too late for you if you wanted to go..."
"Hey, fine with me." Mac smiled. "How long are they gone?"
"The whole day I think..." Brynn answered.
"Perfect..."
"Hey, like, are we doing anything, or are Brynn and Mac going to sit here and kiss each other the whole time?" Ethan said, a little frustrated.
"No," Mac confirmed. "We can go someplace else and make out..."
Bryce and Ethan rolled their eyes. Brynn smiled, and put her arms around Mac. The other two boys made a face. Mac leaned in and kissed her, and she kissed him back.
"Well, maybe it's us that must find another room..." Bryce suggested.
"Good idea..."
"Alone at last... We'll meet up with those two later..." Mac sighed.
"Mm-hmm..." Brynn said, kissing him again.
"Hey-y... Slow down." Mac said suddenly.
"What?"
"Well, you and I both know where this sort of thing leads..."
"We aren't little kids anymore, you know that, right?"
"Yeah... But... erm..."
"Sorry..." Brynn said, pulling away.
"No, I didn't mean that... I didn't tell you to stop... I just said think about everything...." Mac said, pulling her back and kissing her.
"Then maybe we are the one who should get a room...." Brynn smiled.
"I think...." Mac paused. "That's a good idea..."
~*~
"Bryce... We just left Mac alone with your sister."
"Well, Mac's our friend... If Brynn gets together with anyone, at least it was Mac. Besides, she's much less crabby, and we get hit far less than before."
"I guess it's a lot brighter if you see it from that angle... Good point my friend."
"So where are we off to?"
"Erm..."
"Yes?"
"Hogsmeade. Mum and Dad went to Diagon Alley. We can go to Hogsmeade."
"Sounds good to me. Or we could like, invite people over..."
"That's a plan too... I vote for Number Two. Good idea Ethan... Who should we invite?"
"Instant memo to everyone in like, 6th year. Invite your girlfriend..."
"Alright..."
Bryce and Ethan wrote on a single piece of parchment, and then sent it through a device that looked like a toaster. Soon everyone in their year would be getting a letter that said exactly the same thing, which had gotten to the point as quickly as possible: PARTY AT BRYCE BLACKS.
Satisfied, both boys grinned, and waited for people to show up. The first was Reina and her group of giggling friends. Next was a bunch of Gryffindor girls and boys. Ethan smiled, and waved at a particular girl, and Bryce nudged him and laughed.
"Jocelyn Pierce... She's really nice, and really pretty." Ethan explained. "She was... Well, that's who I took to that Valentine's Ball..."
"You're kidding?!" Bryce responded. "I thought you took..."
"Jocelyn... I told you, remember?"
"Oh yes... That Jocelyn? I thought you meant..."
"Very funny... Well, go take your girlfriend someplace or something... I'll find some music... And talk to Joce in the meantime..."
"But first we need drinks. And food... And...."
"Got cha!"
Soon there was music, food, drinks, and people. It was fun while it lasted. Bryce and Reina had snuck off someplace, as no one knew about them besides Ethan, and Reina's best friends. Ethan was back with Jocelyn, but still there was no sign of Brynn and Mac...
~*~
Several hours later, Brynn yawned. She forgot where she was. Then she opened her eyes, and shut them after instantly. It was her room. It was still light out from what she could tell, and she could hear music dimly, from several floors below her. She pulled the covers over her tank top and suddenly...
"Oh my God!" she shrieked. She kept her eyes shut. She rolled over, still keeping them shut. "Do I want to open my eyes? Should I open my eyes, or not? I'm going to.... 1...1 and 1 half... 2... 3!"
She opened them and sighed. Nothing was there. She smiled, and then rolled over. Then she screamed, and rolled off the bed, pulling the blanket with her. She looked up once more, and screamed again. She took a few deep breaths and slapped herself on the forehead.
"You've been naughty..." That stupid voice in her head sneered. "Now look, surprised yourself now did you?"
"Shut up! You know what happened?"
"Oh yes, shame you don't remember it... Though I got bored after..."
"Shut up... I don't want to hear about it!"
There was a muffled groan from the bed. Brynn blushed furiously. She covered her face with her hands, and sat up. She still couldn't seem to bear to look up. She groaned and shook her head.
"Brynn?"
"Mmrrggll.... Mm-hmm?"
"Oh, you're still here. I was beginning to wonder..."
Brynn rubbed her head, which was aching, and stood up. She swayed once, and shook her head. "Mac, were we drinking again?"
"Yeah..." Mac groaned, he too rubbing his head. "That party downstairs... and I suppose that explains this erm... situation..."
"Situation is right. This is one Hell of a messed up situation as well..." Brynn said, wrapping herself in the blanket and flopping back down.
"Oh yes children... Always is a funny thing... young people..." the voice echoed.
"You're not helping my headache, so shut up!" Brynn shot back to her mind.
"I see, not in a pleasant mood, not that I blame you... Goodbye!"
"Bye."
"So how did this happen?" Mac asked, taking some of the blanket.
"I don't know..." Brynn said, rolling over again. Really, she did remember exactly how it happened... "I think we should go back downstairs... See if Ethan and Bryce are still there..."
"Good plan, I'll get..."
"Your pants on?" Brynn suggested.
"Um... Yeah."
A few minutes later, they rushed back down a few flights of stairs, and a bunch of rather tipsy 6th years smiled at them. "Nice to have you baaaaaaaaack." Bryce said, grinning and holding up some sort of drink. "Wanna anuther drink HIC!?"
"No thanks, I've had enough already..." Brynn said. She looked out the window. Her parents would get home soon... "Mum and dad'll be home soon. Everyone had better go..."
"Aww...." was the sound hissed by the crowd, and soon they were all taking the fireplace home...
"Now we all need to clean up..."
It didn't take long to clean up... Until Ethan knocked over the glass vases... Which Brynn quickly fixed with a spell. Then Bryce spilled some red drink on the white carpet, and after about 10 minutes of thinking of a spell, Mac fixed. Finally, all four of them flopped down on the sofas, just as Sirius and Elizabeth, and all the kids arrived.
"What have you four been up to today?" Lizzie asked cheerfully.
"Had a few friends over... You know, small party." Bryce answered.
"Yeah, we cleaned up for you, so you don't have to." Brynn added.
"Were you that bored?" Sirius laughed.
"Yeah..." they all lied.
"Wow, it's kind of late." Lizzie said. "I know it's summer, and you probably don't want to... But just go to bed already, you look tired."
"Okay!" they all said, and scrambled up the stairs.
"Did that seem a little odd, or is it just me?" Sirius said, raising an eyebrow.
"I think it was all of us... BRIDGETT! Put that down!"
"Oh, um, hey, where can I sleep?" Mac said, coming back down the stairs.
"Third Guest bedroom, second floor, two doors down!" Sirius said, taking off after Bridgett, who was about to let something out of a potion bottle...
"Daaaaaaddy!"
~*~
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..." the voice awoke Brynn.
"I don't want to wake up so early!" Brynn growled at it. "Leave me ALONE!"
"Sorry darling."
"Don't call me darling either."
"Sorry darling.... I'm not going to leave you alone. You're my human person now... I have to pester and annoy you."
"Ugh..."
"Well, I suggest you go downstairs and eat breakfast, and be cheerful about it..."
"Oh yes, Yay! Cornflakes again for breakfast dad? Wow! I love those cornflakes... Do you think that would bee cheerful enough or do I have to put on a cow suit and parade down to eat my cold cereal?"
"Um... Just go be happy."
"Sure. Is something happening?"
"Maybe."
"I hate you."
"Thanks, love you too, dear."
"Can't remember being a teenager? Has it been that long, or are you just cold hearted?" Brynn said, in her head, while pulling on everyday clothes.
"Both. I'm a mean 1,000-year-old witch trapped in a modern-day teenager's head. Am I supposed to be nice?"
"It'd be a plus..." Brynn said, slowly making her way down the stairs.
No one was even in the kitchen... She shrugged, mumbling about the voice, and making rude comments to the voice. After she was done eating her favorite Muggle cereal (she found these better than the wizarding ones) she went to the living room to sit around and do nothing. But even doing nothing was impossible at the Black home...
This time it was a knock on the door. "DAD! GET THE DOOR!" Brynn shouted, as she didn't feel much like getting up. The door was in the other room anyways. Well, not really. it was on the other side of the room she was in. Sirius apparated, stuck his tongue out at her, and answered the door.
At the door stood a woman. She was dressed in a clean, tight, black ensemble of robes. Her hair was dark brown, and so were her eyes. She was a small woman, and two children stood on either side of her, a boy and a girl. She smiled at Sirius, who stood there, dumbstruck in awe.
"Athena?" he managed to choke out. This caught Brynn's attention, and she got up.
"Yes Sirius. You forgot about me, didn't you?"
"N-no, but I thought you were dead... I thought you were listed as dead..."
"That's what everyone thought."
"Who are you?" Brynn said, barging in.
"Athena... Goddess of Wisdom...." the woman grinned.
"My little sister." Sirius added.
"I thought you were an only child." Brynn said, raising her eyebrows.
"I thought I was too... Athena was listed as dead when my parents died 30 years ago... I checked it out in the papers as soon as I escaped Azkaban.
"Yes... These are my children, Dominic and Marie. Who are you?"
"Brynn Black."
"I see." the woman suddenly smiled very pleasantly. "How's Lizzie?"
"Great. We're all pretty good these days."
"And how are you Brynn?"
"Pretty good."
"Well, I'm here to see you anyways."
"Dominic and Marie can play with Bridgett and Brian... Would you like that kids?"
"Yes Uncle Sirius." the children answered with perfect etiquette.
"Then follow me!"
"Now, Brynn, about why I'm here to see you..." said Athena, as Sirius took off with Dominic and Marie.
"Yes, have a seat. Is it something important?"
"Yes. I just thought I'd let you know a few things. You know of the Black Curse?"
"Erm... no. Do explain."
"Well... The Black family is very old. Ever since the first generation, they've been known for several things. Beauty, wisdom, wit, courage, strength, power... and they're also known for a few other things too, such as being... how to put this dear... easy, sarcastic, vain, greedy, and weird."
"Well, not a lot of those things apply to me..."
"I'd say they do... I think you were a bit easy..." the voice hissed to Brynn.
"Was not! Shut up again! This isn't your talk! Can't you see?"
"Sure... But I have an opinion, and I'm sure Mac would agree..."
"Bitch."
"Thank you..."
"Well," Athena continued on. "People were jealous. The members of the Black family had everything, and everyone wanted to marry a Black, and share in the power and they were all considered nice looking."
"So, someone was a little jealous, what about it?"
"The wrong person was jealous. An young witch was jealous to the extremes of a young lady that married the man she loved."
"How typical. The jealous revenge..."
"Exactly. So she set a curse on the family. Not only that, but the whole village helped. They were sick of the power, and the number of family members was... narrowed down. That's why there aren't a terrible lot today still. But your house seems quite crowded."
"Oh yes, there are loads now. Well, actually, just my family. But there's a lot of us."
"I see, are you the oldest?"
"Yes, and no. Cate is older than me. But she's like 17 years older than I am. She's got children the same age as my parents. Long story."
"Oh, Cate's Sirius's daughter? I missed that bit... I've been out of the country too long. She's a few years younger than I am then..."
"Well then.... Go, go."
"Oh, yes. " Athena shook her head. "I've studied this for a long time, and there are several types of curses. Each member of the family is cursed, you, me, your dad, your sister, everyone, and everyone romantically involved. "
"Yeah... So that's why we always lose in community Wizard Poker matches?"
"Partially, that and the fact that your father never was any good at card games... I could beat him when I was three, when I last saw him, and I suppose nothing's changed..."
Brynn laughed. She wasn't very good at Poker either, and there was the time the McAllister boys tried to get her to play Strip Poker with them and their friends....
"Anyways, you have the same curse as I do: The Voice. This is the worst one, in my opinion. Its always there bugging you..."
"W-wait. How did you know?"
"Your voice visits mine. Hallucia is your voice, correct? Her husband, Benjamin, in mine... So I was stuck with both of them last night...."
"Does my voice talk about you?"
"Of course I talk about you. What else is there to talk about?" the voice said.
"Yeah... Sadly. Has mine ever visited you?"
"Not yet..." Brynn said, not looking forward to the day it did...
"But everyone's curse is slightly different. Sirius has the Luck one. Nothing ever happens his way. Azkaban, his friends and love dead... He was lucky they had the chance to come back. Luck Lizzie is a Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Heir. But Cate got a rather bad spell, from what I've heard."
"She got it real bad. She was evil, that's how she met her husband."
"Nice way to meet men..."
"Actually, he was an undercover agent, he's real nice."
"Oh, okay then." Athena said, smiling. "You have powers too. Those are the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw genes. All from your mum's side of the family, mixing with the Black ones.... Make this quill move."
Brynn reached forward and moved the quill with her hand. Athena rolled her eyes, and glared at her. Brynn sighed, and tried to make it move. No success.
"I know you can do this... If I can do this one, you certainly can... Concentrate."
Brynn stared at the quill. "Move… C'mon, you can do it... Move...." and it started to quiver, and moved a few inches.
"See, I told you so."
They spent the rest of the time making various objects whiz around the room with telepathy. They stopped when a paperweight hit Mac, who was coming down the stairs at that particular time. He fell down, knocked out cold.
"Oops..." Brynn said, wincing. "Erm... This is Mac. He's he only one in this house at the moment that isn't a Black, or related to one. No, he doesn't live here either...."
"Brynn..." Mac mumbled, waking up slightly.
"Sorry... I have another power... Just testing, didn't mean to hurt you!"
"That's okay. I'm fine. Don' worry Bout' me..." he said, swaying.
"It's been a long 24 hours. " Brynn mumbled.
"I can tell... Well, I think I'll go talk to your father, and make sure Dominic hasn't destroyed anything."
"Destruction must be another Black trait. We all like to destroy stuff..."
"Certainly is..." Athena sighed.
"Nice meeting you! Good luck finding Dominic and Marie!"
"Thank you, I suppose! Good luck discovering your other power, and by the way, I'm sticking around!"
"That's good. Oooh, Mac, its okay honey... Don't move, you've got a big old bruise..."