A/N: revamped and reedited
-----CHAPTER SIX-----
A week after The Inundu Incident and everything had settled down. Draco was soon taken from the Estate when his mother came and got him, saying they were leaving the Manor for good. After a test that proved her to be truthful, they left. Anestrothea had secretly cast spells on them both, and they would soon forget the location of the estate.
Ron and Harry found teaching Brenna how to fly and play Quidditch was of top priority, and so the three spent many of their days flying over the fields. Brenna openly admitted it wasn't fun, but over time she got the hang of flying and became rather good at it, though she was still clumsy with Quidditch.
Harry took to Brenna with each passing day, more so that her simple acts kept him laughing and she was so adamantly curious and uplifting. They spent the nights talking late into the twilight hours, and sometimes Harry wondered if she was trustworthy enough.
Harry began to notice subtle hints of Brenna's differences. She could tell when he was upset or angry, and sometimes fed from that. She was the same with everyone else around her. It was odd, Harry knew, but it was also a good thing because you couldn't hide anything. Another thing was her fear of fire. Though she denied it, it was obvious. Harry thought it might have something to do with an accident she was involved in, but he did not question it.
But all good things shattered after they got their next issues of the Daily Prophet.
On the front page, it read "Former Hogwarts Student Attacked by Death Eaters". Angelina Johnson, who had played on the Gryffindor Quidditch team with Harry for years, had been attacked during a Chuddley Cannons try-out. The Dark Mark had been sent into the sky over the scene, with the words "A gift, for Harry Potter" in bold brazen letters beneath it.
"This is an outrage!" Tonks exclaimed; "It says she was going to make the team, too!"
"Who cares about the Cannons?" Lupin retorted; "This is a former student we're talking about!"
Harry sat there in the study in silence, Brenna sitting on the armrest and rubbing his shoulder comfortingly. The attack had been because of him, and him alone. Brenna was feeling the guilt, though not as much, and she hated it. Harry didn't deserve it, and he was beating himself dead over it.
"Look, tha only thing wrong 'ere is da fact ya talkin' as if et's 'Arry's fault!" she suddenly exclaimed, getting up from the chair and causing everyone to grow silent; "Stop actin' like et's all 'is doin' as well! Harry couldn't control what happened, 'e 'ad no idea et was gonna happen, so just stop actin' like 'e cast the bloody curse already!"
Harry stared at her, stunned. Hadn't those statements been running through his head only moments before? Harry rubbed his eyes wearily. No, Brenna was just another common thinker, only she couldn't keep her opinions to herself at times.
Lupin and Tonks stared at her. Dumbledore and Anestrothea were both sitting in armchairs, carefully reading the articles. Though Dumbledore had looked up at Brenna's outburst, Anestrothea only kept reading. He paid it no mind, accustomed to them, though few and far between.
"Sorry," Tonks said, guilt ridden; "Didn't know we sounded so bad."
"Only to be expected with such a shock," Anestrothea mused, flipping to the next page; "Brenna, go and find Mister Shacklebolt, if you could. Harry, there's someone who's here to see you. They just arrived," he looked up when everyone looked at him oddly; "I know what goes on in this estate," he stated.
Harry got up, and he and Brenna left the study. "Ooh, the nerve!" Brenna exclaimed, pulling at her hair.
"Brenna, we all knew Angelina, so it's a big shock for everyone," Harry said.
"No, this isn't 'bout that," Brenna said, "The fact o' the matta, Harry, is that et finally happened," she turned to him; "We're in for et, the'll be more attacks with each new member to that stupid cult of nutcases."
"Don't say that," Harry said.
"Ah'm only voicing mah opinion," Brenna said. She paused; "Well, Ah'm going to find Kinglsey. Later, Harry."
Harry watched her go, then went to the foyer. "Hermione!" he exclaimed upon seeing the back of the familiar, brown-curly-haired head. Hermione turned, and smiled as they hugged.
"Harry, how are you?" Hermione asked as they parted.
"Fine," Harry replied; "What's got you here, anyway Hermione?"
"Well, actually," Hermione paused; "I came to discuss some things Harry. Professor Dumbledore thinks I'm here to visit, but the real reason is... The DA... I'm thinking we should get it back together..." she said in a whisper.
Harry stared at her; "Hermione," he began, "We go to school in two weeks, and you're dawning this on me now?"
"Listen, two weeks in more than enough," Hermione said; "And with Ron being here and all, the three of us can get everything planned away in no time!"
"Uh, actually," Harry said, "There's someone else, Hermione..."
Hermione eyed him; "What?"
"I'm saying, it's probably not just going to be the three of us," Harry replied; "Brenna, she's coming to Hogwarts for the year, and-"
"Brenna who?" Hermione asked.
"Someone call mah name?"
Hermione and Harry turned as Brenna walked down the steps; "Oh, is this Hermione?" she asked Harry, walking over to them; "Name's Brenna, charmed," she shook Hermione's hand.
"Yeah, Hermione, this is Brenna," Harry said, "Her grandfather, Anestrothea, owns this property."
Hermione was busy studying Brenna, and Brenna felt like she was under a bright spotlight; "You're a..." Hermione began; "You're an elf!"
Brenna stared at her, cautiously stepping behind Harry; "How-did she know tha'?" she whispered frantically to him.
"She's too smart for her own good," Harry whispered back, chuckling; "So, Hermione, where are you bags?"
"Oh, a charming little elf with the best manners-"
"Elmore," Brenna coughed, looking around the foyer as if interested in the artwork.
"Well, he and another offered to carry my things up that awfully big staircase," Hermione said.
"The steps move," Harry commented dryly.
"Oh, it was a nice gesture!" Hermione said, thoroughly exasperated.
"Geez, take a sip o' tea, Hermione!" Brenna said in a joking tone, smilng; "Granted Ah've been here a long time, and so's Harry! We're a bit used to it!"
"Well, I never," Hermione said, crossing her arms; "Any way, there are more pressing matters at hand."
"Well, et's sundown, so mah study's open," Brenna said; "Jus' go call Ron from the kitchen an' ya kin get started on the whole "DA" thing, er what eveah ya call et."
Hermione looked at her, and then looked at Harry quizzically. Harry smiled sweetly, holding his hands out to Brenna as if presenting a present. Brenna crossed her arms and sighed, and Harry and Hermione laughed.
"Inside joke," Hermione said.
Brenna rolled her eyes, then went to an open archway leading from the foyer; "Ron!" she shouted; "Come on, an' tha's the trick jar!"
Brenna walked back to Harry and Hermione, and Ron walked out; "'Mione!" he exclaimed, smiling and hugging his friend.
"Oh, they look awfully cute together," Brenna mused quietly.
Harry laughed; "Give them time, trust me," He replied.
"Well, let's get going," Hermione said when she and Ron parted; "We've got a long night ahead of us."
"Wait, what's going on?" Ron asked.
"We'll explain on the way," Harry said.
---
The fire burned brightly, the glow mingling with the light from the candles stationed all around the room. Books and scrolls were brought from their places, some eliciting dust.
Brenna's brow furrowed as she studied a map of the Hogwarts grounds; "Ya say that fa now, you're usin' the Room of Requirement, right?"
"Yeah," Ron said, closing a book and writing several things down.
Brenna nodded; "So, say we got more than eighty people, would et work then?"
"I suppose," Harry mused.
"I mean, it's a 'Room of Requirement'," Hermione said; "Honestly, we should be looking up spells..."
"Never had to use a wand in my life," Brenna said; "Mine's for show and … yeah…" she paused when all eyes were on her; "Well, we can't let anyone know there's still a couple o' us left. Too risky," she sat down; "But, this one hallway, tha third floor, why's it off limits?"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged looks, "Well," Harry said, "Something used to be guarded their by a three-headed dog, but, now," he shrugged; "Guess nothing's there now that that was taken care of..." he went back to reading.
Brenna looked at them all; "Law, it was the philosopher's stone!" she said, "Jus' because I live in tha middle a nowhere doesn't mean I don't know some stuff," she paused; "Anyway, there's a couple o' rooms here that're prettah big..."
"How big?" Harry asked, him and Hermione leaning over.
"Eh, this 'ne's nearly a hundred feet long, nearly seventy feet wide," Brenna said, "Least that's what the scale says..."
"It wouldn't fit!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Ah," Brenna said, tapping her temple; "But think, Hermione, another 'Room of Requirement', or at least a room along that line."
"Of course," Hermione said, "We... whenever it got too risky, we could use this room as well!"
"No, because Filch," Ron said, piping up.
"Who?" Brenna asked, looking around at them.
"Argus Filch, the bloody Caretaker of Hogwarts," Ron sighed, setting his book down; "He can smell stuff like this from a mile away. And his cat, 'Miss Norris'," he shuddered.
"I hate cats," Brenna mused, looking over the maps again.
"I have a cat," Hermione said testily, crossing her arms.
"Well, tha's somethin' we'll never agree on, is et?" Brenna asked, looking up at Hermione placidly.
Hermione rolled her eyes, and stormed over to a bookshelf; "What?" Brenna asked.
Ron and Harry suppressed laughter, doubling over in their seats and covering their mouths with their mouths. Brenna rolled her eyes and kept reading the map; "A few of theses towers," she mused, "No," she muttered, then she shook her head.
"What are you thinking up?" Harry asked, looking at her.
"Well," Brenna said, "Et'll come 'round tha' we'll have ta hold a few duels... so," she shrugged; "Jus' lookin' fa empty rooms."
"Wait, duels?" Ron asked, his head snapping up and looking at her.
"Well," Brenna said; "Ya mentioned that some o' the students don't get along, right? An' with all those Death Eater children in Slytherin, well," she shrugged; "There's bound to be turmoil, Ron. I'm on'y thinking ahead."
Ron shook his head, and kept reading. They spent the next hour in silence, pacing around the room in thought, skimming over texts and scrolls. Ron fell asleep, slumped over the table. Hermione too began to doze off, Harry as well. Brenna's eyes even started drooping.
But all were brought from their post-slumber as they heard a mighty crash coming from the foyer. Harry and Brenna bolted from the seats out of pure instinct, Ron and Hermione snapping to attention. The four rushed to the stairs, running down halfway and stopping. They all looked around, and finally their gazes came to rest on the new figure in the foyer. Hermione and Ron gasped, while Harry and Brenna only stood and watched in awe.
"Is that a... a..." Harry began.
"Yeah," Brenna said quietly; "Meet Kasimir Galstoph..."
But Harry could only see the form of a man. Kasimir was a vampire, pale, sickly skin, narrowed, long face and bony fingers that clutched around a black cloak. His black hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, the end falling hallway down his waste. His black eyes glittered. The man was tall, lean and a definite threat if allowed too much freedom. At least, Harry thought that.
Anestrothea, Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley, and Moody were all there, blocking any way of the vampire from entering. Anestrothea stepped from them, hand held up slightly. Anestrothea and Kasimir stared at one another, gazes of distrust, but a fine line of respect was evident.
"Kasimir Galstoph," Anestrothea said, crossing his arms; "What do you need that brings you so far from your home?"
"My home," Kasimir replied in broken English. His voice was deep, drawling, but edgy from years traveling and living in the cold; "My home, iz not a home... I bring news from... de Council..."
"Oh," Anestrothea said, as if uninterested; "And what do they have to say?"
Kasimir inhaled a raspy breath; "Ting's are growing verse," he said; "Dis... dis Dark Lord de people here speak of... he has made a mark in Russia..."
"Really," Anestrothea said.
"He has keeled nearly ten villagers," Kasimir said; "And... enlisted certain members of mien own..."
"Well, sorry to hear that," Anestrothea said; "It's late, Kasimir, you're lucky I was awake or I would have..."
"No, you vould have listened anyvay," Kasimir said, smiling a thin grin. His fangs showed slightly; "It's apparent your ranks are... small, to say," he looked around, but his gaze finally rested on Brenna; "Having to resort to... recruiting young offspring..."
Brenna shivered as Kasimir stared at her. His eyes were filled with lust for blood— he was ravenous and hadn't eaten, she could tell. Thankfully, so could Anestrothea.
"Children are part of life, Kasimir," Anestrothea said, redirecting the Vampire's attention to him; "It can't be avoided that they overhear certain things."
Moody looked at Harry with his magical eye, waving them off with his hand; "Come on," Hermione said, catching the gesture.
"No way," Ron breathed, eyes wide as he watched on.
"I vas... approached myself," Kasimir mused, his white-less eyes looking around the foyer; "Dey... de Death Eaters... asked eef I knew anyt'ing, any individual who might be in line with you... I told dem 'no', and din dey intercepted von of your coalitions... a... a verevolf... boot not de Lupin we know... anodder, de von dat gave him his condition..."
Anestrothea nodded; "McBett," he mused.
"And din... McBett..." Kasimir breathed in deeply, as if fighting for breath; "He... how vill I say dis... he vratted you out..."
Ron suppressed a snicker at this. Brenna kicked out at him, catching his knee. Ron groaned, but it was stifled by Hermione's hand over his mouth.
"Dey din attacked de Quidditch girl," Kasimir said, "And now... dey plan upon another attack..."
"Who, Kasimir?" Anestrothea asked; "Out with it, this is part of the agreement."
Kasimir looked at the floor darkly, averting his gaze to the wall; "Dey plan on attacking de twins of de Weasley line... at... deir shoap... I alerted several of my... confidants, and word shall reach dem in time. Wards are being set up... But I t'ought dat you should know... alert deir modder, since she is here at present..."
"No way!" Tonks exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand afterward.
Kasimir nodded grimly; "I tell no lies... you, cannot tell lies here wit'out being found out..." his eyes rested on Brenna again briefly.
"Thank you for telling us, Kasimir," Lupin said. Kasimir nodded to him.
"Suppose you'll want payment for this," Moody grumbled.
"As a matter of fact," Kasimir said, smirking at him; "Nien... I am far too preoccupied to feed now. I have... many more errands to run..."
Moody snorted, and rolled his good eye. The magical one was staring intently at Kasimir.
"I must take leave," Kasimir said; "Before my disappearance goes noticed..." he bowed to Anestrothea slightly, then with a resounding crack like lightening, he vanished.
Ron was staring at the spot where Kasimir had been; "I'll... I'll tell mum," he said finally, getting up.
"Ron, wait," Hermione said, following him as he rushed up the stairs.
Harry and Brenna watched them go, and they both got up; "Pa-pa?" Brenna asked.
Anestrothea sighed, and turned to look up at them slowly; "Never worry, dear," he said; "I propose you two go to bed, and get a lot of rest for tomorrow."
"Alright, Pa-pa," Brenna said.
Harry and Brenna said their good-nights, and went back to the study; "Okay," Harry said, "Who was that?"
"Ever hear of a wizard called Gastolph?" Brenna asked, walking over and sitting down on the couch by the fire. Harry sat down beside her, shaking his head. Brenna sighed; "He... used ta be a pretty big wig at teh Ministry... well, before 'e got bit an' everything," she sighed; "Now, 'e spends 'is days as a sort of, mediator 'tween the Dark Creatures an' people... 'e gets put on the line all the time, and only m' grandda shows 'im gratitude. 'E's a very loyal person, so don't be scared of 'im. 'E knows who y'are an' knew what risk 'e'd put 'imself in if 'e 'armed any one of us," she paused; "'E's still a man, even after ever'thin' 'e's bin through."
Harry nodded; "You could tell, couldn't you?" he asked, "That I was scared?"
"You were?" Brenna asked; "I thought you were just curious!"
"No," Harry said, laughing; "The whole thought of one scares me," he shuddered; "Not one of my favorite things, vampires."
Brenna laughed quietly; "Well, our vampire is safe," she said, messing with his hear playfully.
Harry laughed and took her hand in his, and they smiled at each other; "Flirt," Harry said.
"Obvious," Brenna retorted.
"Desperate."
"Needy."
Harry blushed; "Hey, low blow," he said, feigning a hurt expression and turning away form her as he pouted.
"Flirt," Brenna replied, running a hand through his mop hair again and laughing. Harry laughed too, and turned around to face her.
"Thanks," he said.
"Thanks? For what?" Brenna asked.
"For... everything," Harry said, smiling.
"Anythin' for a friend," Brenna said. She leaned forward, and planted a light kiss over Harry's scar; "Sweet dreams, Harry," she said kindly, then she was up and had left.
Harry felt a tingling feeling the moment she kissed the scar, but it was oddly warm and comforting. He watched her go, longing for more of that feeling. Then he groaned when realization hit him. Harry covered his face with a pillow, and groaned again.