A/N: Yay, summer break is finally here! And, seeing as how my friends are all grounded, I'm going to have a lot of free time. Goody for everybody!
Ok, thank you for the reviews! I had to get this chapter out of the way so I could get on wit the next one, so I guess almost 20 reviews is good. Anyway, thanks for the reviews, really, but I feel that one person in particular, though the shall remain unnamed, deserves some answers...
So, Roxoan, here ya go...
Okay, Brenna is NOT taking over the DA. That was just a little "here-I-am" speech she gave so no one would be completely clueless.
Also, Brenna doesn't know everybody. She picks up on conversations, and of course Kinglsey's told her about people. Plus, she gets the friggin DAILY PROHPET. And besides, the Order's been around for a while, okay? Her grandfather has been around for a while, too. People were bound to hear her name, or even meet her. Plus, if you read thoroughly instead of skimming, you'd realize that several Order members were already residing at her home, meaning she's at least MET them. Also, don't you think that Dumbledore would have known these things, and told a certain few? THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, MY GOOD MAN! THERE IS MORE TO IT THAN WHAT YOU SEE, JUST THINK ON IT!!!! But all in all, thank-you for reviewing!
In the second chapter, her home is like Hogwarts. Of course she doesn't own Hogwarts. Imagine, a sixteen-year-old elf owning a school! Sorry, I laughed at it.
Oh, and I don't give a rat's ass about my spelling. as long as the story gets through, what's it matter? it matters not, that's what!
oh well, for every 3 fans there is a critic. you are my critic, Roxoan, and I thank you
Disclaimer: oh for heaven's sake go bloody well back if you wish to know whether or not if I own this miracle of the genius called J.K. Rowling
Okay, long A/N...... to the story, hoh!!!
-----CHAPTER ELEVEN-----
The next few weeks went by without a hitch, well, except one. Brenna was required to take all of the classes the trio had to, meaning she had to build up knowledge they already had just in order to study for the assignments and understand the classes. Charms and Transfiguration were her finest classes, and she flatly refused and was not made to go to Potions. During said class, Harry remembered the incident...
-!-flashback-!-
Harry, Brenna, Ron and Hermione gathered their things after breakfast, and proceeded to the dungeons for Potions. The trio was dreading it, and Harry noticed Brenna steadily growing anxious and agitated, her one hand gripping the strap to her bag while her other threatened to break Harry's hand. He winced and gritted his teeth, knowing why she was feeling this way.
Snape, they all knew, was an ex-Death Eater, and he bore the memories and the Dark Mark. Those were enough to send Brenna's senses off the charts, and as soon as they stepped into the dungeons by covering the last step, Brenna froze.
Harry felt her stop, and turned to her. Harry and Hermione stopped as well; "Brenna," Harry said; "Come on, we'll be late, and-"
"Harry, I can'," Brenna managed shakily, her eyes staring fearfully towards the Potions door.
As if on cue, Snape opened the door, and began walking down the hallway. His robes billowed behind him, giving him the impression of a large and lethal bat. Brenna tried to walk away, but her feet seemed frozen to the floor. Harry calmly walked to her, and Hermione and Ron did as well.
"Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, Mr. Potter," Snape began, walking up to them; "You are to go to my classroom, and here the bell has sounded. You are late- again."
Brenna was shaking. The Dark Mark seemed to create and aura that permeated the very air she breathed. Inhaling sharply, she took a step back, and Harry went with her.
"Brenna, calm down!" he said, "Snape's on our side! Brenna-"
Brenna let go of his hand, and managed; "I... I'll see ya in-n Transfiguration, H-Harry," her hazel-brown eyes stared at Snape's dark ones, and for a moment no one spoke.
"Mr. Potter," Snape finally drawled; "Perhaps you should escort your...friend... elsewhere. I will give you ten minutes. Go."
Harry stared at the Potions Master in disbelief. Snape was being lenient. Nodding, Harry took Brenna's hand again, and they walked off.
"Brenna," Harry said when they entered the foyer and Brenna let out a sigh of relief; "You could sense it, couldn't you?"
Brenna looked at him, then back down towards the dungeons; "Somethin' I nevva could ovacome, Harry," she said, sighing; "Et's natural. Mah fatha could, so could ever'one else on 'is side o' the family could. I knew there was one here, buh I nevva knew ooh," she looked at Harry; "Sorreh, if I embarrassed ya..."
"You didn't," Harry said; "Come on, I could take you to-"
"Harry, et's okay, I'll jus' bothah Madame Pomfrey 'til class ends," Brenna smiled; "I'll beh fine, I jus' don' need ta go down there again."
"Okay, see you at Transfiguration then," Harry said, bidding her goodbye with a quick kiss on her cheek. Brenna smiled, and then walked up the stairs to head for the infirmary. Harry watched her go, then turned and ran for the Potions Room...
-!-end flashback-!-
Brenna found herself in the infirmary during Potions, sitting on a bed and reading one of Madam's many healing charms texts. She had gotten through the first chapter before losing interest and resorting to tracing the intricate borders of the cover. Sighing, she looked up and watched as Madame bustled around. Brenna shook her head and stood. She picked up the heavy school robe, and looked at it out of boredom. She hated that robe; it was too heavy for her liking. Brenna had tried walking around without it, but Dumbledore had pulled her aside saying that it was "unwise" to go without it. When she asked further, Dumbledore simply didn't give her a clear answer. Brenna hadn't liked it, but she complied.
Sighing, Brenna was about to put it on, when the door burst open.
Seamus was helping a boy into the infirmary. Brenna thought she recognized the boy, but his face was covered in purple blotches and he was shaking violently. Seamus was having trouble supporting him, and Brenna, along with Madame, rushed over.
"Seamus, wha' happened?" Brenna asked, then she saw who the boy was; "Zacharias Smith? Is that you?"
Zacharias looked up; "Oh- oh, hello B-B-Brenna," he said, trying to smile; "Oh n-n-n-nothing ha-happened, I was j-j-just-"
"You were attacked!" Seamus exclaimed.
"Oh, come here, Zacharias," Madame said, taking the boy away to be tended to.
Brenna turned to Seamus; "'E was attacked?"
Seamus nodded; "Yeah," he replied, "We were walking back from Herbology, a few of us. We made it back to the fourth floor when we were ambushed by some Slytherins. Lavender and her friend left with the others, while Zach and I tried to sort it all out. In the end, I get hit and Zach gets hexed. I got him here and now..." he shrugged.
"Where were ya hit?" Brenna asked.
"Oh, just the shoulder, I'll live," Seamus said, consciously rubbing his left arm; "Brenna, it was that git Blaise and Pansy..."
Brenna stared at him in disbelief; "No, weh... weh wiped their minds!" she protested quietly, shaking her head and crossing her arms as she looked away.
"Apparently they still remembered enough," Seamus said, "Should I tell Harry and them?"
"Yeah," Brenna said, nodding; "Ooh, and there's that meeting tonight," she muttered, rubbing her temples.
"Well, I'm off," Seamus said, and with a good-bye, he exited the infirmary.
Brenna walked outside, and leaned against the railing overlooking the hall below (see the 1st movie for reference; I don't really know how to describe it). She sighed, wondering what could have gone wrong with the potions. And now it wasn't safe to travel alone.
Brenna's head snapped up as she heard rushed footsteps, and saw Professor Dumbledore, along with McGonagall, came rushing up.
"Brenna, my Dear," Dumbledore said kindly; "What brings you here? Shouldn't you be at dinner?"
"Ah," Brenna said, looking back towards the infirmary; "I was just headin' out, Professor;" she smiled, then quickly ran down the steps and down the hall.
The two professors watched her go, then McGonagall said, more to herself than anyone; "The oddest child I've ever met. Oh, and there she goes without her robe-again-."
Dumbledore nodded; "It happens," he said, "When you're forced to grow up to fast. As for the robe," he sighed with a chuckle; "She's just not used to the idea, I suppose. Now, let's see why Mister Smith was attacked. I doubt this is just a 'Rival House' issue."
---
Harry sat there at the table, listening as Seamus recounted the attack. Ron and Hermione, along with Ginny and Neville, were listening as well, all in numb shock.
"And that's what happened," Seamus finished flatly.
Harry ran a hand through his hair; "I thought those potions would have worked," he mused, looking up and around them all; "We'll just have to be more careful. Spread the word, all DA members should not walk alone from here on out. You can imagine there will be more of theses attacks if we don't."
Seamus nodded, got up, and left. Neville and Ginny too moved down, leaving the trio to themselves.
"Harry," Hermione said; "What's this big surprise you've got for tonight's meeting, anyway?"
"It's not for the meeting," Harry said, "And it's really no surprise..."
"Well, what is it?" Ron asked.
Harry paused, looking at his two friends; "I asked Kasimir to come by..."
"That BLOODY VAMPIRE?!" Ron shouted as he stood, but his next reply was muffled as Hermione placed her hands over his mouth and pulled him down into his seat
"Yes," Harry replied, nodding.
"Harry, what on earth are you thinking?" Hermione whispered fiercely, looking at him with wide, outraged eyes; "You can't just bring a vampire-"
"Listen, Dumbledore knows," Harry said; "And, he promised he wouldn't hurt anybody."
"Oh, and how can we trust a vampire's word?" Ron asked, once removing Hermione's hand.
Harry sighed; "Look, I did some research," he said, and Hermione gasped; "Oh, come off it, Hermione, I don't just read the Quidditch Weekly," Harry retorted; "Anyway, I had to get into the restricted section, but I found some things out. Vampires are immortal-so are elves. Well, full-blooded elves... About a thousand years ago, they set up a sort of treaty, a bond sort of. In it, it stated that neither races would harm the other, and that they would not meddle in human affairs unless it was the only way to solving a problem. Kasimir won't harm anyone because he knows Brenna is aware of this treaty thing. Besides, he likes the idea of it all."
"But, aren't all vampires evil, bloodthirsty murderers?" Ron asked.
"Actually," Hermione said. She was desperate to have her say; "Not all vampires are like that. It all depends on who they are. Yes, some kill heedlessly, but others only kill if they absolutely have to. Some refuse to drink for too long so that their um... food can keep living."
Harry pointed at her; "That's Kasimir," he said.
"Wait," Ron said, "Harry, we only met this guy once, and he never talked to us," Ron eyed his friend; "Alright, mate, out with it. Who have you been talking to?"
Harry smiled; "No one really," he replied; "Kingsley's been wanting updates on the DA, as well as how Brenna's doing. He owls her, too, but he uses Squawk."
"Another thing that puzzles me," Ron said, scratching behind his ear as he thought; "Where does he come in in all of this?"
Hermione rolled her eyes; "Isn't it obvious?" she asked; "He's her godfather of sorts."
"Another mystery," Ron moaned, resting his head on the table. Hermione patted him on the back.
"Don't hurt yourself, Ron," she said, smiling.
Ron shot her a mock glare, then sat up; "Well, I think I'll get started on all that homework Snape gave us," he said, rising.
"Yeah, we should too," Hermione said as she and Harry got up as well. The trio walked out of Great Hall.
As they made their way up the steps, the three could here a muffled conversation. Harry pulled the two behind a wall, and they listened intently.
"Dumbledore, you must have fallen off your rocker... you've lost your mind!"
"I assure you, Mister Shacklebolt, that I am indeed quite sane..."
"Listen, Albus... I don't trust that... that... I don't trust Galstoph!"
"Even when he and his clan have pledged allegiance to our side?"
"Yes! Vampires can't be trusted. Hell, even some of the elves can't be trusted! Look at Brenna's brother, what makes you think Kasimir isn't just waiting?"
"Do not bring Brenna's family into this when it has nothing to do with her... Now, this has been a planned event. Kasimir has agreed to talk to them..."
"...How many?"
"Just Harry, Ron, and Hermione..."
There was a sigh; "Fine, Albus, but if he cannot control his cravings and one of them is hurt..."
"I myself shall take the blame... Now, since you are here, would you like to see your goddaughter?"
"No, it's best she know I wasn't here. I have to get back to the ministry, anyway. After all, we're still searching for Black..."
"When will you tell them?"
"When we know for certain he's gone."
They could here footsteps receding, and as soon as they were gone Ron broke out; "Brenna's got a brother?"
"Shacklebolt is her godfather, I knew it!" Hermione said.
"Well, com on," Harry said, "We should not have hear that."
"Hey, when and where are we meeting Kasimir, anyway?"
"After the DA meeting, at eleven thirty in Brenna's room," Harry replied.
"Oh," the other two said in unison, then they began the assent to Griffindor Tower...
A/N: Hmmmm...... Kasimir's coming... what ever could that mean? Review please. Notice, there will be questions answered next go-round, so those lost in the realms and are falling within deep abyss of confusion, and to those of you who are narcoleptic, fear not, you're minds shall be unclouded! (thunder-rhapsody)