Twilight Saga characters
created and owned by Stephenie Meyer
And the characters and plotline of
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
created and owned by J.K. Rowling
Chapter 51: A Friend of Strays and Hippogriffs
"How did it go?" Carlisle asked upon Esme's hasty return.
"He's distrustful… I suppose it's my scent. I'm going to take some food and see if he'll let me get close." She quickly rushed to the kitchen. I could hear the sound of the fridge banging open, the rattling of containers and opening and closing of lids… We had an incredible amount of food for a household with only one person who actually ate. In less then a minute she was gone again.
Not long after she was back empty handed with a huge smile on her face. "He took the food… He was suspicious at first, but I set it out and stepped back a ways. He sniffed at it a bit, then tested one bite… He must have decided it wasn't poisoned and quickly ate much of it… He seemed to thank me with a bark when he was done, taking the rest with him… I told him I'd come back later."
"You told him what? What did he say?" Carlisle asked.
"Nothing, of course… he's a dog."
I saw the image then in her mind. She, patiently waiting a few yards away while he gobbled down half the food she had brought. He let her come near and scratch behind his ears… "Good boy… You looked so hungry… I'll bring you more scraps later… good boy…"
"You realize he isn't really a dog?" I said.
"Yes, but I thought he might be a tad more suspicious if I walked up to him and started talking to him like a human." She had a point…
It was almost midnight when she went out again… This time she had to walk closer to the mountain before she caught his fresh scent. I smelt it through her mind. It wasn't revolting like the wolves were. This was a true dog scent mixed with the familiar order of human…
"Good boy…" she said as she sat beside him, stoking his head while he ate. "Poor dog, nobody to take care of you… but maybe you like it better that way… maybe you're an independent dog… but maybe you'd like to visit, hey boy? Maybe you'd like a warm, dry house? We have a big house… a very big house… a castle on the north end of town… big yard, perfect place for a big dog like you…."
Just like earlier, when he had eaten a portion of the food, he carried the rest away… but as he turned he gave a friendly series bark that almost sounded like "see you later." Before he ran off into the woods.
We had all stayed up in the library to hear how Esme had made out. She had an incredible instinct for how to be as unthreatening as possible… I wasn't sure either of us would have managed as well. After she finished her story there was a scratching at the door. Esme's face lit up, "I'll bet that's him."
He was a very large black shaggy dog, long in need of some grooming. His coat hung in clumps that were matted and tangled. I didn't imagine he'd had much luck begging for food before now, his appearance being as it was.
He was hesitant as he entered the house, his nose constantly twitching as he rounded the corner… He paused for a moment in the library, not sure what to do, looking up at one of the seats, around at us, and then at the floor. He must have decided the floor would be more acceptable then having a huge, possibly flee-ridden stray on the furniture. He settled on the rug in front of the fire and fell fast asleep.
Esme quietly put out a bowl with water near him and we left him to his rest.
The next morning, Esme dished him up another large helping of leftovers from the fridge, and some fresh baking she had made that morning - blueberry muffins. When he felt the warmth and sensed the freshness of the baking his head swung up in alarm, eyeing her suspiciously again. He took a small bite and held it in his mouth awhile before letting it slip down his throat. He then waited a little while before taking any more. In the end, he ate about half the food set out. Then picking up the plate in his mouth, he walked over to the door and whined.
"Come back soon, old boy." She said as she let him go.
He returned an hour later, with an empty plate and a look of gratitude in his eyes. He must have wondered who these strange people were who smelled dangerous but who fed him and didn't question him when he took his food away on their expensive dinnerware. He curled up again by the fire and slept.
He was visibly more comfortable now and Emmett decided it was time to make friends… If it means a chance to see the Hippogriff, I'll scratch his belly if I have to... They were fast friends.
Dumbledore decided to pay us a visit again that afternoon. Esme brought out tea and a plate of blueberry muffins. Dumbledore poured tea for Bella and himself, and enjoyed one of the muffins.
"Did you have any luck with the stray dog?" he asked Esme, eyes twinkling.
"Yes," she smiled broadly… "He was a little suspicious at first, but after I brought him some food, he seemed to understand I meant no harm… He ended up sleeping by the fire last night." Then she frowned, "It's too bad he doesn't trust us enough to faze back into his human form. We have several beds he could have enjoyed… and I am sure he is in need of a shower…"
"I am sure the rug by the fire is a far cry from what he has had to contend with over the past several months. Since his escape last year, he has been on the run…. Speaking of which, is he here now?"
"No, he headed out about forty minutes ago. He is taking part of his food back to Buckbeak I assume." She replied… 'Though I am sure he must have moved his base closer to here. He is not gone very long."
We heard then a shout from outside. Rushing out we found Emmett tossing a ball out on the lawn and a very confusing large black dog looking at him. He almost had an expression of disbelief on his face, if a dog could have such an expression.
"What are you doing, Emmett?" Esme said in a low warning voice.
"I thought he might like to play." He replied, "You know, fetch? I tried a stick, but he just watched me throw it, then run and get it again and again… so I thought I'd try this ball."
"I don't think he knows that game…" Esme said firmly, hinting at something else. He's not a real dog, I don't think he wants to play.
"He seriously doesn't know any good tricks…" Emmett grinned at his joke… I couldn't even get him to dance around in a circle.
Dumbledore had left the entrance way and was making his way over to the dog. He was staring back, agitated with excitement, his tale wagging back and forth. Dumbledore simply bent down and took the big dog's head in his hands and stared into his eyes. "Good to see you." He said. The dog looked quickly between him and the rest of us. There was an almost unperceivable nod from Dumbledore and the dog suddenly hung his head, shaking it side to side, as he barked a series of hackly barks, almost like a laugh. He ran off into the forest then and in a moment returned as a man.
"Hello." He said, "I'm Sirius, though I suppose you already know that." He grinned. He looked only slightly less haggard then he had when Jasper had seen him yesterday. He was a man that had lived off the scraps he could scrounge for months on end, his hair greasy and matted like his fur…His face sallow.
"Yes," Esme said, reaching out both hands to him. He walked forward and took them in a warm greeting. "Welcome to our home."
"Leave it to Dumbledore to associate with the likes of you." He said calmly.
"Perhaps we should take this discussion indoors." Dumbledore suggested.
We all settled in the library, this time Sirius on a chair. Once the introductions were completed he spoke, "So, what brings you here? I wouldn't expect to find a coven of vampires shacked up in a castle outside Hogwarts… Romania or Italy perhaps… but not here."
A few gasps were heard around the room at his easy admittance of our nature. How does he know we are vampires? Jasper thought in dismay.
"Dumbledore asked us to come." Carlisle said… "I knew Dumbledore in another time…"
Sirius nodded his head, "Well, Dumbledore, you surprise me. I thought fraternization with dark creatures was something limited to the likes of our common enemy…"
"It wasn't too long ago I hired one who many would consider one of the dark creatures."
Sirius smiled, "And let him into school… I'm not complaining, just surprised."
Bella walked in then, having gone for a nap this afternoon after the late night. Sirius jumped up, staring at her and the rest of us. "But she's… human…"
"She's with me." I felt the annoyance in my voice.
"In what capacity." He eyed me.
"As my fiancée." I stared back.
A slow smile took over his face. "What kind of vampires are these, Dumbledore? They help wizards and live with humans… I would have thought just my presence would have been difficult enough, though in my canine form, I assumed the smell would be less tempting."
"I met Carlisle a long time ago." Dumbledore explained, "In London, in the early 1900s. I came across him one night in an alleyway. A petty thief was attempting to pick my pocket." He chuckled, "he was in for quite a surprise that night. I'm not sure what he would have done with the wizard money, if he had been successful. I was just about to go for my wand and leaving him in a confused stupor when the greater danger showed up, or at least I thought so at the time. He quickly dispatched of the petty criminal, leaving him near a local officer, and returned to check on me. When he came around the corner, I was ready… In the exchange I had touched the coolness of his hand and seen the pallor of his face. I knew what he was… and how to dispatch of him. I was about to release wizards fire on him when I caught the expression on his face. It took me aback. Where I had expected bloodlust, I saw compassion. It was enough to stay my hand.
"He had seen my wand, though… 'I see you are perhaps not as helpless as I thought.' He said as he watched me put it away. I could only guess that he had met a wizard before, otherwise why would he have said that."
Carlisle chuckled, "Albus, old friend, I am afraid you were the first real wizard I had ever run into in my long years… I didn't know what you had, but I sensed it was a threat regardless."
"Well that is interesting." Dumbledore stroked his long beard, "Anyway, we met for drinks – that is drinks for me, and talked… I learned of his transformation and his decision to choose to preserve human life. He learned of my nature – though only because I assumed he already knew."
Carlisle smiled, "Yes, I recall working it out in my head as you spoke… Different pieces of the puzzle finally came together when you said you had almost killed me with your wand… I was very lonely then. I suppose that the Volturi would not have been pleased if they had learned of my indiscretion… but I had been alone for two centuries…"
"We wrote for several years, once Carlisle had returned to America. You had only been visiting, am I right?"
"Yes, actually only in London for a few weeks. I was tracing my roots back to the church my father had built. It, of course, had been long destroyed…"
"It is an interesting twist of fates that brought us to that dark corner on that night." Dumbledore said, deep in thought...
"And so none of you take human life?" Sirius asked.
"Not anymore." I replied, "we live off animal blood."
Sirius laughed, "So then, I was in more danger walking into a den of vampires as a dog then as a human…" he shook his head. "and to think, I was taking precautions…"
"Don't worry," Emmett smiled, "We don't do dog!"
"Do they know about?" Sirius looked at Dumbledore.
"Yes, in fact, Jasper saw him the other day…"
"But how?"
"I leant him James' old cloak."
A look of understanding spread across his face, "I wondered where that scent came from. It wasn't there when I entered the cave, then I changed for Harry's visit, but when I changed back to walk them down the mountain, I could smell it near the entrance… then when I met up with Esme I thought I might have been her."
"You must have been very suspicious." She said softly.
"I was… but your cooking smelled just too good – though I wondered what a vampire was doing with food… I thought maybe I had my scents crossed."
"Dumbledore" Jasper started nervously, "Sirius recognized us so quickly, as did you when you met Carlisle… and Snape…" Sirius scowled at the mention of his name, "how is it that none of the others have suspected so far?"
"Sirius, Snape and I have all had prior dealings with vampires… until Carlisle, none of them pleasant… None of the students would have had any contact, nor many of the staff. Our worlds have, for the most part, left each other alone for the past several hundred years, with the exception of Voldemort."
"So, should we be concerned regarding our cover?" Jasper pressed.
"You can trust Sirius and Snape" Dumbledore gave Sirius a stern look, "and I hope you can trust me."
"Of course." Carlisle stated, ending the matter.
"Does Harry know about all this?" Sirius asked.
"No, Harry is unaware as to the true purpose of Carlisle's family's presence here at Hogwarts."
"Which is?"
"To protect Harry during the Triwizard Tournament."
"Thank goodness for that."
"And what of Buckbeak?" Dumbledore asked.
"I moved him to a closer location last night. There was a decent cave about a hundred yards from here. It was a bit more convenient then going back around town."
"Can we meet him?" Emmett asked excitedly.
"Well, I'm not certain you'll receive a positive response from him, but we can try."
In moments we were racing through the trees, Bella on my back, Dumbledore on Carlisle's, Sirius in dog form. For once, Emmett beat me to the location, he was so excited.
Buckbeak was even more magnificent in person then he was through Jasper's mind. His head, front legs and wings were like a great eagle, noble and proud, while the rest of his body was that of a great horse. He was taller then any of us at the shoulder and then his head towered above on his feathered neck. He glared down at us with his brilliant orange eyes.
"Hippogriffs are proud creatures. You must pay him respect by bowing very low… Then wait to see if he will allow you to come near. He may not… And be very careful to maintain eye contact… And do not say anything that could be misconstrued as an insult." Sirius advised.
"Why would I dare to insult such a magnificent creature." Emmett gasped in awe. He stepped forward and bowed very low to the ground. Buckbeak scratched at the ground with is front talons in dis-ease.
"He's doing very well, but I imagine he senses you are other then human." Sirius advised. "Go slowly."
Emmett continued to keep eye contact and bowed again. Buckbeak bucked back on his hind legs, shaking his head, then settled, nodding his head in invitation. Emmett moved slowly forward toward him, looking for any hint of discomfort, careful not to break eye contact. Buckbeak seemed to relax as he came forward until Emmett was standing right beside him. He stroked the feathers of his neck and down his body along his wings…
"Thank you, Buckbeak, for the pleasure of stroking your feathers." Emmett said in awe. It was the most incredible thing to watch. It was almost as if Emmett was having a religious experience.
He's doing so well… He is a bit nervous, but is keeping control… I would love to ride him, but he's not encouraging it. I won't push him today…
Emmett slowly backed up and joined us where we were standing, and bowed once more. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"That was amazing," Bella exclaimed beside me.
"I think that was a pretty big step for him. Perhaps you can come back and visit tomorrow. He may be more accommodating if we give him time." Sirius advised.
"Is there anything we can bring him?" Emmett asked, "Any particular food he would enjoy?"
"He prefers raw meet."
"I think that can be arranged." Emmett and Jasper grinned at each other. They took off as soon as we left the cave.
"And you are welcome to join us at Venlaw," Esme said to Sirius, "You don't have to sleep on the carpet in front of the fireplace. There are plenty of open rooms – and of course you are welcome to use any of the facilities."
"You are an angel." He said.
If Esme could have blushed, she would have.
