A Helaine Story
Prologue
Burbanks, England
October 31, 1963
"Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me," sang the soft voice of Helaine Dumbledore. It was near midnight, and she was settled upon the window seat in her father's living room. It was a chilly October night, so the normally open window was closed. Her young oval face was pressed to the window as she watched her father, Albus Dumbledore, cross the lawn of the manor to where the carriage was. It didn't seem to be led by real horses, but Helaine knew better.
Her nose was flat and her breath fogged up the window. He promised, so she waited. Just as the carriage moved forward he turned and waved, in which she furiously returned the gesture. The sound of the Thestral's hoofs clomped down the stone driveway, as her father exited into the night, into the darkness.
Helaine's hands dropped and she continued to watch the now empty lawn. He had always come for her birthday, and hadn't failed to show once more. Albus was sorely missed when he was away, which was quite often, and Helaine always delighted in his return and loved to hear of his adventures at Hogwarts and his stories about his travels. She wondered, quite often in fact, why she couldn't join him at Hogwarts. According to him, she belonged with her mother, stepfather and her brother, especially in these young years. He also explained that one day she would go to Hogwarts, and then he would enjoy time with her. To her that time couldn't come fast enough.
On this night she was not with her mother, stepfather or brother, however. She was in her fathers manor with her caretaker, Uriah Ian Kendle; or as he was known to her, Master Kendle. He was one of the most respected potions masters in the world, having founded several potions that could replicate blood itself and that were safer to use when healing one of a blood disease.
He was a formidable man, standing three inches over six feet, with broad shoulders and a square jaw. His eyes were a hard, cold brown, and his hair was darker than midnight, down to his shoulders. His manner was often stern, but he was patient and kind to her, and Helaine enjoyed her lessons with him. Tonight was a special treat as Helaine didn't often get to see her father, Albus suggested she spend the night at the manor and tomorrow she would go home to her mother.
"Bed," a deep voice made her start, and she fell off of the window seat. Pulling herself off the floor, she frowned up at Master Kendle.
"What?" He asked.
"Can I sleep in your bed tonight?" she asked sweetly, cocking her head to the side. Helaine knew puppy eyes didn't work on Master Kendle; however, puppy eyes wouldn't hurt anything, would they?
"I think not," he said sternly, scowling down at her. She puckered her lips to the side and looked down. She was about to look back up, when he said "And no more puppy eyes."
"Yes, Master Kendle," She said.
Helaine walked with Master Kendle down the hallway towards her room. He opened the door to her room and entered with her. He crossed the room and pulled out a nightgown out of her closet, which he tossed on her cream and pink bedspread. Master Kendle turned around and patted her on the head.
"Goodnight Helaine."
"Goodnight Master Kendle."
He left and she pulled off her birthday dress. She made a face at the lacy nightgown. It was itchy around the neck and the arms, but if she didn't wear it, Master Kendle would be angry with her, so she tried to put it on. With much struggling she managed to get her head stuck in the armhole. She jumped up and down angrily, trying to remove her head, and tripped, flying headfirst into her bedpost.
She slid down the bedpost, and her bedroom door flew open. Master Kendle gave an audible sigh. He picked her up, sitting her on the bed. One quick movement and the nightgown was on properly, and he was tucking her into bed.
"Goodnight."
"Night."
Master Kendle blew out the candle beside her bed and closed the door behind him as he left.
The moonlight shone through her window, highlighting her marble fireplace. Unknown shadows danced around her room as the wind howled down the manor hill. Helaine reminded herself that Lethifolds only lived in tropical areas, the manor house was safeguarded, Master Kendle was there and her father would always be there if she truly needed him. She squeezed her eyes shut and pulled the covers over her head.
She turned her thoughts to her brother James. It was his birthday too, and she was a little sad that they didn't spend it together. They were twins by chance, but twins all the same. She missed him, especially since they slept in the same bed, and he gave her comfort. It was only one night, Helaine told herself, one night and it would be okay.
She lay in the midst of sleep, when there were soft footsteps outside her bedroom. Her half-lidded eyes snapped open, and she held her breath. They ceased, and Helaine turned on her side. She lay awake intently listening for more footsteps. As soon as she was sure she had been asleep when she heard them, her eyes closed once more and she drifted peacefully into the land of sleep.
BAM!!! Helaine's heart raced as she sat up. Her limbs were shaking, and she began to sweat.
"M-m-master Kendle?" She called out, her eyes adjusting to the darkness.
There was a dark figure in her doorway, hooded and masked. It was tall, but not as tall nor as broad as Master Kendle.
"I'm not your preciousss Master Kendle," whispered the masked figure.
Helaine pulled the covers to her chin and backed up into the pillows.
"MASTER KENDLE!" Helaine screamed out. The figure laughed. "He won't come."
"Master Kendle, Papa! PAPA!" Helaine continued to scream. Papa would come, if she called him. Yes, he would!
"Your father is gone, little one."
He continued to stand in her doorway. Helaine was trembling.
"My papa will come and kill you." She said angrily.
He laughed again. "He can't kill me if he's not here, little one."
The man snapped the door shut behind him and walked to the bed. Helaine was terrified, she'd heard about men in dark suits attacking people and sometimes even killing them. She was only six; she did not want to die. She whimpered and felt a warmth between her legs that flowed beneath her. She looked down to see her nightgown was wet. She had wet herself so she started to cry.
"Awww, is the wittle baby Dumbledore afwaid?" he mocked her, leaning down to whisper in her ear, "it's okay to be afraid."
Helaine screamed, and the man put his hand over her mouth. She sobbed and bit down on his hand. He cried out angrily and slapped her.
"Shut up and take your death humbly," he snarled. He pulled her up by the throat. Helaine couldn't breathe, she struggled kicking out and clawing at his hand. His hand crushed her throat and her vision got blurry. Just as she thought she was about to pass out, he dropped her once more on the bed.
"What shall I do to you, Baby Dumbledore?" He mused.
"Papa!" Helaine gasped. "Papa please."
Suddenly, the man ripped his mask off, and pulled his hood back. His eyes were as red as rubies, and his hair white gold in color. The pale skin on his face reflected the moonlight. His red eyes and unnatural white hair did not frighten Helaine as much as when he smiled, his most unhumane smile. He had fangs. Helaine screamed and threw a pillow at him. He caught it and laughed as she made a get away. His long fingers caught her small arm, and he squeezed. She sobbed in pain, which inspired him to laugh harder. She was thrown back onto the bed, and the lace on her nightgown was torn, revealing her throat.
"PAPA PLEASE!" She coughed and kicked at him. He squeezed her arms to her sides and lifted her up. Helaine kicked out, but the man ignored them. He was focused on her throat. His tongue, pink and dry, ran over the pale skin of her neck.
"Mmm yes, blood,' he hissed hungrily. "Blood for me…."
And then his fangs were buried in the right side of her neck. She screamed in pain and called for her father. He never came…Never came…Never…..She screamed as he licked and sucked the blood that dribbled from her fresh wound. She was going to die and her Papa didn't even care…..
Footsteps echoed on the other side of the door, in the hallway. She was dropped on the bed, the blood pooling and congealing in her hair, on her arms and her back, staining her nightgown and sheets and bedspread.
"What is this?!" Master Kendle had entered the room. Anger seemed to vibrate from every point in his body.
The man pulled out a knife and waved it at Master Kendle, leaving Helaine behind to die on the bed.
Master Kendle pulled out his own knife, and the two men clashed. The knife was thrust in his face and he swiftly parried the attack. Master Kendle twisted his hand and the dark mans knife went flying behind him.
"What is your purpose here?!" he demanded, grabbing the man by the front of his robes.
"Baby Dumbledore…." Laughed the dark vampire.
Master Kendle's eyes fell on Helaine's pale body, in the puddle of blood. His face became red and he rammed the knife into the vampire's heart.
The dark man coughed and wheezed, clutching at the knife within his heart. His face twisted into an ugly scowl and he howled. He crumpled to the ground, twitching and convulsing. There was a loud pop and his body crumbled into dust, falling into a neat pile of ash.
By this time, Helaine was barely breathing. Master Kendle rushed to her and picked up her body, cradling her in his arms.
"Helaine, please…Helaine…Be alive…" Master Kendle pleaded.
"It hurts," Helaine whispered hoarsely.
"I know…Helaine, can you wrap your arms around my neck?" Master Kendle asked urgently.
She lifted her arms, only to have them come crashing down to her sides.
"Nevermind," Master Kendle said, and swiftly cradled her to his chest. He stood up and ran out of her room, heading to his potions room.
Once they were there, he set her on a table, and turned rummaging through the upper cabinets. Bottles and flasks flew past her, as he frantically searched for one of his blood potions. Upon finding it, he pulled the stopper out with his teeth.
"Open your mouth Helaine," he said in his best commanding voice.
She parted her lips, as the room spun around her.
"Good enough."
He pushed down on her chin, and poured the black currant colored liquid into her mouth. She coughed, but Master Kendle was massaging her throat. She swallowed pitifully, and Master Kendle cupped the back of her head and sat her up gently.
She coughed, but felt her body getting stronger. Helaine reached up and grabbed Master Kendle's nightshit in her fist. She shivered and whimpered.
"Helaine, do you feel better?" his voice was gentle and soft.
"I want Papa…."she whispered.
"He's at Hogwarts, Helaine," Master Kendle said
"But, he said if I needed him…." Helaine coughed again. "He didn't come!" The tears flowed slowly down her pale cheeks.
"Shhhhh," Master Kendle whispered into the top of her head. He pulled her to his chest and rocked her back and forth. "It'll be okay, Helaine."
She sobbed into his nightshirt, fists crumpling the fabric. She cried and cried knowing that she was no longer human, no longer like her parents, that if they knew they wouldn't love her.
"Lets go Floo your father," he said scooping her into his arms.
"NO!" She cried and pulled away.
"No? Helaine, your father needs—"
"NO!" She shrieked. "No! He won't love me anymore! He'll make me go away. No!"
"Helaine, you know that's—"
"No!" She screamed.
Something in her face seemed to tell Master Kendle that he should keep her secret. Dumbledore would be livid if he knew that Master Kendle was keeping something this big from him, but her big blue eyes were pleading and so sad.
"Okay."
"Thank you," she whispered.
He sighed and took Helaine to the bathroom.
"You need to get cleaned up," he said softly.
Master Kendle drew a warm bath. She lifted her arms above her head and he removed the bloody nightgown from her body. He tossed it aside and picked up a washcloth. He wiped the blood from her face and back.
"Get in, I'll help you wash your hair," he said.
Helaine obeyed him and so he washed the congealed blood from her red hair. Helaine watched the steam spiral upwards, wondering how her life was going to change from here on out.
"You'll have to take the potion monthly. We will have to make adjustments as we go because I don't know how it will affect you. For now, no garlic and stay out of the sun. I'm still at the beginning stages with this potion," he said quietly, his hand stroking her hair. "Everything will be okay, Helaine. I promise."
She nodded. After the bath he dressed her in a new more comfortable nightgown. They combed through her room and put her bloody bed sheets, bedspread, night gown and the knife Master Kendle used to kill the vampire with, in a bag. The bag was shoved back into her closet, along with the life she once knew.