A/N: I'm sorry this is so late, guys! I have VBS you know, and it's an all day thing because we have to stay afterward and prepare for tomorrow. Anyway, I'm back now so on with the show.
Disclaimer: Do you own anything? Would you mind sharing? Be nice, we want some cake too. Oh, bloody hypocrites, be that way. I'll just sit here with my fan fiction and twiddle my thumbs.
-----CHAPTER FOURTEEN -----
Another attack.
Six people who were in the DA had been attacked, Zacharias Smith, Padma, two fourth year Hufflepuffs, a seventh year Ravenclaw, and now Luna. They had caught the poor girl walking from Great Hall to the bathroom. It was Pansy and Millicent Bulstrode this time, the whole quartet knew.
It angered Harry that the Slytherins had finally attacked one of his friends. Yes, the other casualties had mattered, but Luna had been through enough, let alone her getting attacked. After talking to her at the end of fifth year, Harry vowed to be nothing less than kind to her. Now, this had made him furious.
"Harry, she'll be fine," Hermione assured later as they sat around the table in Great Hall for lunch.
"Yeah, Harry, Mione's righ'," Brenna said, patting Harry's hand underneath the table. Harry smiled to her, but she knew it was forced. Harry took her hand, and squeezed her gently. Brenna smiled too, but it was her eyes that got him. They were worried.
Worry... people seemed to be worrying a lot lately about him...
"Well, I'm close to just beating Malfoy's face in," Ron said, "We all know he's the leader, he's the damn Prince of Slytherin for cryin' out loud;" he took apiece of toast in his hand, glancing up. Ron was still paranoid over the first of many Squawk incidents.
"Ron, Squawk's deliverin' mail fa meh," Brenna said, rolling her eyes.
"It makes me so angry," Harry suddenly said under his breath, getting up. Because he was holding Brenna's hand, she was brought up as well; "Oh, sorry," Harry said, blushing slightly when he turned to her.
"Et's okay," Brenna said, smiling kindly as he let go of her hand.
"I need some air," Harry said, "I won't be long," that said, he turned, and quickly left the Hall.
"What's wrong with him?" Ron asked, taking a huge chunk out of his toast.
"Ba' Dreams," Brenna said quickly, before walking after him.
Hermione and Ron looked at each other, then both bowed their heads and sighed; "should we go too, for the hell of it?" Ron asked, raising his head with Hermione's.
"No," Hermione said; "Something tells me even Brenna can't help in this, what good would we do?"
Ron nodded, and then went back to breakfast.
---
Harry walked all the way to the lake, shouting in an effort to vent suppressed anger and kicking out at the pebbles that marked the path. He came to the water edge, half-wishing that the squid would just reach out and take him. Harry backed away though when the water began to bubble, and went to start walking around it, tugging at his raven locks as he did. It was just too much; Luna's attack had switched something on. Harry shouted again, balling his hands into fists and leaning his head up, towards the skies and the heavens that were supposed to show him mercy.
Harry couldn't contain his anger, his sadness. Sadness didn't cover it. Between the things he was finding out, the DA attacks, the Prophets daily reports on Death Eater Attacks and the causalities that kept building up; Harry had continually told himself it was all because of him.
Me, Harry thought, closing his eyes and bowing his head, it's all because of me and my stupidity... and my 'luck'... Harry dropped to his knees, pulling grass up by his fingers. He let it go, and let out a shaky sigh.
"Harry?"
Harry looked up and to his left, to see Brenna standing some feet away. One fist was held over her heart as she gazed at him, pain evident in her brown-hazel eyes.
"Why do ya feel like thess?" she asked, walking over to him. Harry hung his head again and sighed. So Brenna knew how he felt as well.
Brenna bent down beside him, and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his shoulder. Harry laid a hand over her two clasped together in front of him, and sighed.
"It's all because of me," Harry said, fighting tears.
Brenna closed her eyes; "Nah et's not," she said quietly; "Ya can't choose wha' card Fate gives ya, Harry..."
"Fate's a bitch," Harry muttered, glaring at the lake; "I've lost my parents, my godfather, my childhood, I've got a bloody loon who wants my head at his feet..." he shook his head and sighed again; "And, when I met you, Brenna, my life brightened up so much," he looked at her; "But, then I've learnt things, and even seeing you every day can't override this," he looked away, closing his eyes. A single tear managed to escape; Harry didn't bother to wipe it away.
Brenna didn't know whether to be flattered that Harry cared that must, or appalled by what he had said, so she let it pass; "Harry, please lessen ta meh," she said, "Look ah meh," she said, and Harry did; "Ya speak like weh're livin' in hell, when weh'll on'y end up there if ya fail. Harry, Fate may be a bitch, but even a bitch like Fate es smart enough ta know wha' ya have ta do. Do ya know how great ya are, how great ya could be-?"
"Don't feed me that," Harry said.
"Wha d'ya want meh ta tell ya?" Brenna asked; "Harry, I won' lie to ya jus' so ya kin push things deeper in."
"I'm not hiding anything," Harry whispered, turning to face her.
"I feel et, Harry," she said, "Nah so much, buh et's there, in tha back o' mah mind. I know ya're lyin' ta yaself. Harry, ya aren't meant ta beh a hero, on'y ta do wha' ya where meant ta do! Tha's et!" she said, looking at him; "Quit feedin' thess notion tha' ya're bound ta die!"
Harry stared at her; "You think I want to believe that?" he asked; "You think that I want to even think that I'll die? Well, I know that's what they think."
"An' ooh's thehh?" Brenna asked quietly; "Harry, screw tha world, thehh don' know wha' ya do, wha' I do. Thehh on'y know wha' thehh hear an' see;" she leaned into him, "Please, I canna help ya much more on thess. Get betta, Harry, be happier. Ya've got nah reason fa ya ta be missin' out on thess life."
Harry looked away, and closed his eyes. She's right, he thought, but I can't seem to except it. Everything seems to be my fault, no matter how I look at it...
"You just... don't know, though..." he said, almost inaudibly.
"Harry," Brenna said; "Ya're right, I don' know. Buh, I love ya, Harry, I worry 'bout ya. Too much, some would say," she added quietly; "Buh... I don' care wha' some say. I on'y care 'bout your well bein'..." she looked at him pleadingly; "Know tha', Harry..."
"I do," Harry said, opening his eyes and staring out at the clouding sky's reflection on the lake water; "Brenna... that's what keeps me here," he said, looking at her; "The fact that I am loved, and if I did... die... people would miss me, no matter what. It's you, Hermione, the Weasley's, every one of my friends that keeps me here..."
Brenna looked at him; "Et should beh more than tha', wha' keeps ya here," she said, "Don' ya have anythin' else ta live for? A future? A family? Anythin' at all?"
Harry sighed and shook his head; "I never thought about it," he said; "Well, a job yes, but nothing more than what I could live off of. I never expected to make it long enough to marry, let alone have children..." he sighed; "It just... gets to me, you know, it catches up if I forget about it... or try to, anyway," he paused; "Thanks, Brenna," he said, giving her a half- hearted smile as he looked at her.
Brenna smiled, wiping the tear-line from his face; "Harry," she said, taking her arms away.
Harry took her hands in his, and turned so that he was facing her. Leaning in, he planted a kiss on her lips, the warm feeling rushing over him as it did her. It was a short meeting, but it did Harry all the good in the world.
And when it tugged at the back of his mind, Harry pulled away. It wasn't Brenna... it was his guilt. Harry couldn't stand not being able to tell her.
"We should ah, get back inside," Harry said, rising and helping Brenna up; "Got Transfiguration next, you know."
Brenna nodded; "Look, ya're covered in grass," she nagged, wiping the grass from his robes.
"Ooh, sorry, Hermione," Harry said jokingly.
"Nah I know ya didn't jus' call meh tha'," Brenna said, trying to glare at him.
Harry laughed at her face, a scowl did not fit her well; "Well, what if I did?" he asked, starting to back away. He laughed as Brenna let out a shout and started chasing him, and Harry turned and started running.
They made it just past the Whomping Willow before she tackled him. Harry rolled over as he hit the ground, Brenna sticking above him and straddling. She pinned his wrists to the ground, and Harry let her, though he knew he could quickly turn the tables.
"I guess I'd have ta teach ya a lesson," Brenna said coyly, smiling.
"Ooh, I'm scared," Harry said, smiling as he turned the tables and found himself pinning Brenna to the ground; "And tackling me was very unladylike, I'll have you know," he commented, "It should be me who should be punishing you," he leaned in, so close their noses almost touched.
Brenna smiled; "Yeah, go ahead, Pa-pa isn't here, I kin act any way I want..."
Harry smirked, but before he could continue, they heard another sneer; "Oh, how sickening. Someone didn't throw the trash out far enough."
Harry and Brenna separated, both getting up quickly, Harry holding his wand out while the other was held out, keeping ushering Brenna behind him slightly. There was Draco, with Blaise and Pansy behind him.
"Well, well, well," Draco said, smirking; "What do we have here?" he eyed Brenna, saw Harry's flushed face, angry face, and laughed; "Oh, I see, did we interrupt anything?" he sneered.
"Why don't you sod off, Malfoy," Harry retorted harshly; "Or, by the looks of it, get on to have that threesome."
Draco's eyes narrowed dangerously, and at the same time Blaise drew his wand; "Watch it, Potter," he warned, glaring at Harry.
"Come on, Harry," Brenna said; "Remembah, we can' get inta any more trouble."
Harry nodded, his eyes not leaving Draco's in a glaring match. As they turned to leave, Pansy sneered "Yes, listen to your bitch, Potter. I'm sure you could find a nice broom closet later."
Harry stopped, and dangerously turned to face her; "What did you call Brenna?" he asked, seething.
Brenna too had stopped and turned, watching Pansy. Same pug nose, she thought, damn, a Parkinson...
"Harry," Brenna said; "Et don' bothah meh, let's go-" But Harry held his hand up to silence her.
"What did you call her?" Harry repeated loudly, hand lowering and wand drawn.
Draco drew his wand as well; "What, think you can take us both, Potter?" he asked, smirking.
Harry glared at him; "I have survived Voldermort," he said, making the Slytherins cringe, "I have fought him, and I survived. I know I could take you both, Malfoy, for all three of you together are no where nearly as threatening as he is," he lowered his wand, "And I refuse to lower myself to Slytherin standards," he went over to Brenna; "Let's go," he said, wrapping an arm around her.
"Crucio!"
"Lavitica Sero!"
Brenna had drawn her "wand", turned around (Harry with his arm still around her), and had cast a defense charm, creating a shimmering mist-like shield in front of Harry and her. The curse streaked on towards it, towards Harry's side.
Blaise had cast the spell, but now it threatened to hit him as it bounce off the shield Brenna's spell had produced around Harry and her. Blaise shouted as he dodged the attack, Pansy and Draco turning to watch him, thought both were still recovering from the shock of Harry's blatancy.
When they turned around, Harry and Brenna were gone. Draco shouted with rage, turning on Pansy and a Blaise who was untangling himself from bushes he had dove into.
"YOU BLOCKHEAD, WHAT THE HELL CAME OVER YOU!?" Draco shouted.
---
"Harry, I said et didn' bothah me!" Brenna said when she and Harry went into the school. Harry knew they would be late, the last of the people were leaving the Great Hall.
"I'm sorry, alright?" Harry said; "I wasn't thinking, all I heard was Pansy call you that, and I found myself about to hex her or something!"
"Don' beh so clouded, Harry! Blaise tried ta curse ya..." she said, backing out of his grasp and walking towards the stairs; "I've got ta get mah things," she said smugly as she ascended them.
"I'm sorry," Harry said again to her back. Brenna stopped, then after a pause kept walking. Harry felt the tug of her worry, and another of even more guilt. Sighing, he followed her, keeping her within eye shot, though knowing that Brenna needed space. But he couldn't let her travel the halls alone, so he caught up. He walked a few paces behind her, rubbing the back of his neck and inwardly sighing.
---
Brenna and Harry ran into the Transfiguration class, about a minute before the bell, and found seats. They took the table behind Ron and Hermione's, who both turned and faced them.
"Where'd you run off to, Harry?" Ron asked quietly; "Looked a bit miffed, you did."
"I had to let off some steam," Harry said, pulling out his homework.
Silently, Brenna did the same, not looking up at them. Though she read over the assignment, her mind was elsewhere, racing with thoughts.
Harry glanced over to her, then back at his homework; "Hermione, what did you put for the description of a half-done transfiguration of a toad into a stool?"
Hermione sighed, and handed him her paper. Harry copied the answer, then handed it back. He sighed, then Ron brought him into a conversation with Dean about Quidditch. Hermione looked at Brenna. Something she had noticed was that when Brenna became anxious, she would chew on her thumbnail, though not biting down on it. She was not reading the paper; in fact her eyes were almost vacant and void.
"Brenna?" Hermione asked; "Brenna!" her hand slapped Brenna's textbook, and the elf-witch snapped out of her daze.
"Wha'? Oh, sorreh, 'Mione, jus' thinkin' about somethin'," she rubbed her eyes, then ran a hand through her hair.
Harry glanced at her, pausing in his conversation. He wanted to apologize and ask what was the matter, but Dean dragged him back in.
Hermione sighed, but before she could comment, McGonagall entered the room.
"Good morning, class," she said, smiling to them all slightly as she reached the front and turned around. It as just her sixth year Griffindors this time, her House that she could be comfortable smiling around; "Today, we will continue transfiguring our toads into stools. Now, if you could pass the assignment forward, we can begin shortly."
As the homework was passed up to McGonagall's desk, Harry looked over at Brenna again. She seemed as if all McGonagall said mattered, after passing her homework up she pulled out her text and began reading the unit again. Harry sighed, facing forward as McGonagall began her lecture. Soon, they all had there frogs, and began transfiguring.
---
An hour and a half later, the class ended. Brenna had managed to finish the transfiguration along with Hermione, while nearly everybody else only came up with green stools that croaked and hopped about. It was an amusing sight, really, but McGonagall quickly regained order and shooed them off to their next class.
Ron and Hermione had felt the tension early on, and quickly went ahead, leaving Brenna and Harry to walk the halls themselves. They made their way to their next class, Divination, which was still being taught by Firenze the centaur. Well, hopefully he was on duty again. The centaur had disappeared during the first week, not getting a chance to teach the first class. Trelawney took over both shifts, to over half of the school's populace's dismay. Firenze's class was always more enjoyable, while Trelawney's was, well...
"Brenna, I'm sorry, whatever I did," Harry said as they took seats on the moss covered floor near the back.
"I know," Brenna said, setting her bag down and lying against it. Harry found himself envying that bag.
Brenna looked up at him; "Tha's not wha's bothahrin' meh," she looked away as she sat up and sighed, running her hands through her hair.
"What's the matter?" Harry asked quietly, edging closer so that their conversation wouldn't be heard.
Brenna sighed; "Somethin's comin'," she said quietly, looking around; "I kin feel et..." she looked at him; "An' et ain't a centaur..."
The door suddenly opened, and before Harry knew it Brenna was scooting up against him, her body rigid in fear and anxiety. He wrapped and arm around her when he saw Snape come gliding in, a look of pure disdain on his face. His onyx eyes scanned the group of Griffindors, and at that point Firenze entered.
"Severus, what are you doing here, when you're classroom resides in the lower parts of the castle?" The centaur asked, eyeing the potions master with a look of uneasiness. It was rare the centaur asked questions at all, and this took quite a few in the class aback.
Snape turned to Firenze and looked him up and down curtly; "Headmaster sent for me to collect a student, Miss McBennitae..."
Firenze's eyes darted over to Brenna, and after a moment of staring and sizing her up, he gave her a slight, warm smile. The centaur then turned to face Snape, face void of any enthusiastic emotion; "It appears she is suspicious of you," he commented quietly, so only the two heard it; "Perhaps you have committed something to harm her psyche..."
"She is just a sensitive girl like every other female in this room," Snape regarded in a cold whisper.
Firenze eyed him; "It is written law that I cannot let harm come to her."
"And since when do centaurs follow human laws? I have never heard of this 'law', anyway..."
"That is because Brenna is not human, as you are. And this law is an agreement between the dark and light creatures of yester era. If she does not want to go with you, I cannot allow you to force her to accompany you."
"You're talking sensibly today, Firenze..."
"Confusion is not an option, my human associate," Firenze stated; "I cannot allow her harm. That is it written, and I must follow it."
Snape rolled his eyes, and turned to look at Brenna and Harry. Both were staring at him, though unlike Brenna's numbed fear, Harry's gaze seemed to scream "just leave".
"Miss McBennitae, if you could," Snape said sullenly, walking back over to the door.
Brenna slowly rose, taking her bag. Harry looked at her worriedly, but she only walked to the door, stopping beside Firenze. They held a whispered conversation, to which annoyed Snape further, then as the Potions Master left, Brenna followed, thought giving him an easy twenty feet's distance.
Harry sighed wearily, shaking his head when Firenze looked at him. This wouldn't end well; one of them would do something that would seriously anger the other, or one would get hurt.
---
Snape could hear Brenna behind him; the awful girl was shuffling her feet as she walked, shoes barely leaving the floor as she trudged now at least thirty feet behind him. Though he was a Death Eater, and had committed several vulgar deeds, he had not harmed a single person of elfin decent. He knew the Council's power, what little had been left, far exceeded his and every other Death Eater's. He knew Malfoy and Karkaroff had massacred her line, and knew he was to blame for giving off information. But his information given hadn't resulted in any deaths, thankfully, but it still left him marred and, in Brenna's book, a foul, merciless Death Eater.
Snape sighed, and stopped at the stairs. He heard Brenna stop behind almost when he did. Snape turned and looked at her. Brenna was gripping the shoulder strap of her bag so tightly her knuckles were white, and she seemed paler. Her eyes were directly at Snape.
"I won't hurt you, you know," Snape said, "Albus would kill me if I did, and besides, those days are gone for me..."
"Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater," Brenna stated quietly, her gaze not shifting.
"Perhaps;" Snape said, almost sneering; "But this man is not on their side."
"But ya're stell wha' tha' Mark says ya're," Brenna said, walking over. She walked around Snape, giving him a wide arch of space, and continued up the steps.
"As you're Professor, I will not be talked to in such a manner," Snape said, walking behind her.
Brenna turned and stopped; "I don' go ta ya classes," she said; "I git a tutor, but I can' even go near those dungeons because o' ya lot o' snakes. Do ye know how many seventh years ah down there wit the Mark on thehh arm?" she shuddered before continuing; "Ta meh, ya're just somebody I gotta see every now an' then," she paused; "Where am I goin', anyway?"
"Headmaster's office," Snape said; "I'm sure a girl as... intelligent as you can figure out a way there," he sneered curtly; "The password is Ice Mice. Good day," he forced the departing line, turning to head elsewhere.
Brenna glared at his back, relieved that the feeling of the Mark was drifting away and her body was returning to normal. She turned and went up the stairs quickly and soon made it to Dumbledore's office. She gave the password, and soon opened the door after knocking.
Dumbledore looked up, a grave look to his face. He folded up a parchment, saying; "Brenna, please sit down."
Brenna looked at Dumbledore, suddenly gaining a massive feeling of foreboding as she walked over and sat down slowly; "Ya wanted ta speak wit' meh?" she asked quietly, gazing at Dumbledore's tired and weary expression.
Dumbledore nodded, setting the parchment aside. He folded his hands together over the desk, and looked up at Brenna; "As much as your grandfather stands against this;" he began, "But, you must be told certain events, beginning with your sibling..."
Brenna's hands gripped the armrests of the chair as she stiffened at the mentioning of her half-brother; "Nah," she said, shaking her head slowly; "'E...'e can' beh..."
Dumbledore nodded gravely; "I'm afraid that, yes, he has escaped," he said; "And..." and then, after explaining McNay's apparent situation, Dumbledore told Brenna of her inheritance from her great-great-great-great-grandsire, Anestrothea.
---
A/N: Hullo, sorry this was so late again! Listen, I want reviews or I'm not continuing this thing! I'm upset that this isn't getting many, it's depressing to write now. Please, you silent people out there, I don't care who you are, but don't be lazy, rude, and mean. REVIEW! Iaccept any constructive criticism, ya know! I like opinions! Okay, well, now you know I will not continue until I get close to 35 reviews (counting the 26 I already have). Thank you — thunder rhapsody
Disclaimer: Do you own anything? Would you mind sharing? Be nice, we want some cake too. Oh, bloody hypocrites, be that way. I'll just sit here with my fan fiction and twiddle my thumbs.
-----CHAPTER FOURTEEN -----
Another attack.
Six people who were in the DA had been attacked, Zacharias Smith, Padma, two fourth year Hufflepuffs, a seventh year Ravenclaw, and now Luna. They had caught the poor girl walking from Great Hall to the bathroom. It was Pansy and Millicent Bulstrode this time, the whole quartet knew.
It angered Harry that the Slytherins had finally attacked one of his friends. Yes, the other casualties had mattered, but Luna had been through enough, let alone her getting attacked. After talking to her at the end of fifth year, Harry vowed to be nothing less than kind to her. Now, this had made him furious.
"Harry, she'll be fine," Hermione assured later as they sat around the table in Great Hall for lunch.
"Yeah, Harry, Mione's righ'," Brenna said, patting Harry's hand underneath the table. Harry smiled to her, but she knew it was forced. Harry took her hand, and squeezed her gently. Brenna smiled too, but it was her eyes that got him. They were worried.
Worry... people seemed to be worrying a lot lately about him...
"Well, I'm close to just beating Malfoy's face in," Ron said, "We all know he's the leader, he's the damn Prince of Slytherin for cryin' out loud;" he took apiece of toast in his hand, glancing up. Ron was still paranoid over the first of many Squawk incidents.
"Ron, Squawk's deliverin' mail fa meh," Brenna said, rolling her eyes.
"It makes me so angry," Harry suddenly said under his breath, getting up. Because he was holding Brenna's hand, she was brought up as well; "Oh, sorry," Harry said, blushing slightly when he turned to her.
"Et's okay," Brenna said, smiling kindly as he let go of her hand.
"I need some air," Harry said, "I won't be long," that said, he turned, and quickly left the Hall.
"What's wrong with him?" Ron asked, taking a huge chunk out of his toast.
"Ba' Dreams," Brenna said quickly, before walking after him.
Hermione and Ron looked at each other, then both bowed their heads and sighed; "should we go too, for the hell of it?" Ron asked, raising his head with Hermione's.
"No," Hermione said; "Something tells me even Brenna can't help in this, what good would we do?"
Ron nodded, and then went back to breakfast.
---
Harry walked all the way to the lake, shouting in an effort to vent suppressed anger and kicking out at the pebbles that marked the path. He came to the water edge, half-wishing that the squid would just reach out and take him. Harry backed away though when the water began to bubble, and went to start walking around it, tugging at his raven locks as he did. It was just too much; Luna's attack had switched something on. Harry shouted again, balling his hands into fists and leaning his head up, towards the skies and the heavens that were supposed to show him mercy.
Harry couldn't contain his anger, his sadness. Sadness didn't cover it. Between the things he was finding out, the DA attacks, the Prophets daily reports on Death Eater Attacks and the causalities that kept building up; Harry had continually told himself it was all because of him.
Me, Harry thought, closing his eyes and bowing his head, it's all because of me and my stupidity... and my 'luck'... Harry dropped to his knees, pulling grass up by his fingers. He let it go, and let out a shaky sigh.
"Harry?"
Harry looked up and to his left, to see Brenna standing some feet away. One fist was held over her heart as she gazed at him, pain evident in her brown-hazel eyes.
"Why do ya feel like thess?" she asked, walking over to him. Harry hung his head again and sighed. So Brenna knew how he felt as well.
Brenna bent down beside him, and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his shoulder. Harry laid a hand over her two clasped together in front of him, and sighed.
"It's all because of me," Harry said, fighting tears.
Brenna closed her eyes; "Nah et's not," she said quietly; "Ya can't choose wha' card Fate gives ya, Harry..."
"Fate's a bitch," Harry muttered, glaring at the lake; "I've lost my parents, my godfather, my childhood, I've got a bloody loon who wants my head at his feet..." he shook his head and sighed again; "And, when I met you, Brenna, my life brightened up so much," he looked at her; "But, then I've learnt things, and even seeing you every day can't override this," he looked away, closing his eyes. A single tear managed to escape; Harry didn't bother to wipe it away.
Brenna didn't know whether to be flattered that Harry cared that must, or appalled by what he had said, so she let it pass; "Harry, please lessen ta meh," she said, "Look ah meh," she said, and Harry did; "Ya speak like weh're livin' in hell, when weh'll on'y end up there if ya fail. Harry, Fate may be a bitch, but even a bitch like Fate es smart enough ta know wha' ya have ta do. Do ya know how great ya are, how great ya could be-?"
"Don't feed me that," Harry said.
"Wha d'ya want meh ta tell ya?" Brenna asked; "Harry, I won' lie to ya jus' so ya kin push things deeper in."
"I'm not hiding anything," Harry whispered, turning to face her.
"I feel et, Harry," she said, "Nah so much, buh et's there, in tha back o' mah mind. I know ya're lyin' ta yaself. Harry, ya aren't meant ta beh a hero, on'y ta do wha' ya where meant ta do! Tha's et!" she said, looking at him; "Quit feedin' thess notion tha' ya're bound ta die!"
Harry stared at her; "You think I want to believe that?" he asked; "You think that I want to even think that I'll die? Well, I know that's what they think."
"An' ooh's thehh?" Brenna asked quietly; "Harry, screw tha world, thehh don' know wha' ya do, wha' I do. Thehh on'y know wha' thehh hear an' see;" she leaned into him, "Please, I canna help ya much more on thess. Get betta, Harry, be happier. Ya've got nah reason fa ya ta be missin' out on thess life."
Harry looked away, and closed his eyes. She's right, he thought, but I can't seem to except it. Everything seems to be my fault, no matter how I look at it...
"You just... don't know, though..." he said, almost inaudibly.
"Harry," Brenna said; "Ya're right, I don' know. Buh, I love ya, Harry, I worry 'bout ya. Too much, some would say," she added quietly; "Buh... I don' care wha' some say. I on'y care 'bout your well bein'..." she looked at him pleadingly; "Know tha', Harry..."
"I do," Harry said, opening his eyes and staring out at the clouding sky's reflection on the lake water; "Brenna... that's what keeps me here," he said, looking at her; "The fact that I am loved, and if I did... die... people would miss me, no matter what. It's you, Hermione, the Weasley's, every one of my friends that keeps me here..."
Brenna looked at him; "Et should beh more than tha', wha' keeps ya here," she said, "Don' ya have anythin' else ta live for? A future? A family? Anythin' at all?"
Harry sighed and shook his head; "I never thought about it," he said; "Well, a job yes, but nothing more than what I could live off of. I never expected to make it long enough to marry, let alone have children..." he sighed; "It just... gets to me, you know, it catches up if I forget about it... or try to, anyway," he paused; "Thanks, Brenna," he said, giving her a half- hearted smile as he looked at her.
Brenna smiled, wiping the tear-line from his face; "Harry," she said, taking her arms away.
Harry took her hands in his, and turned so that he was facing her. Leaning in, he planted a kiss on her lips, the warm feeling rushing over him as it did her. It was a short meeting, but it did Harry all the good in the world.
And when it tugged at the back of his mind, Harry pulled away. It wasn't Brenna... it was his guilt. Harry couldn't stand not being able to tell her.
"We should ah, get back inside," Harry said, rising and helping Brenna up; "Got Transfiguration next, you know."
Brenna nodded; "Look, ya're covered in grass," she nagged, wiping the grass from his robes.
"Ooh, sorry, Hermione," Harry said jokingly.
"Nah I know ya didn't jus' call meh tha'," Brenna said, trying to glare at him.
Harry laughed at her face, a scowl did not fit her well; "Well, what if I did?" he asked, starting to back away. He laughed as Brenna let out a shout and started chasing him, and Harry turned and started running.
They made it just past the Whomping Willow before she tackled him. Harry rolled over as he hit the ground, Brenna sticking above him and straddling. She pinned his wrists to the ground, and Harry let her, though he knew he could quickly turn the tables.
"I guess I'd have ta teach ya a lesson," Brenna said coyly, smiling.
"Ooh, I'm scared," Harry said, smiling as he turned the tables and found himself pinning Brenna to the ground; "And tackling me was very unladylike, I'll have you know," he commented, "It should be me who should be punishing you," he leaned in, so close their noses almost touched.
Brenna smiled; "Yeah, go ahead, Pa-pa isn't here, I kin act any way I want..."
Harry smirked, but before he could continue, they heard another sneer; "Oh, how sickening. Someone didn't throw the trash out far enough."
Harry and Brenna separated, both getting up quickly, Harry holding his wand out while the other was held out, keeping ushering Brenna behind him slightly. There was Draco, with Blaise and Pansy behind him.
"Well, well, well," Draco said, smirking; "What do we have here?" he eyed Brenna, saw Harry's flushed face, angry face, and laughed; "Oh, I see, did we interrupt anything?" he sneered.
"Why don't you sod off, Malfoy," Harry retorted harshly; "Or, by the looks of it, get on to have that threesome."
Draco's eyes narrowed dangerously, and at the same time Blaise drew his wand; "Watch it, Potter," he warned, glaring at Harry.
"Come on, Harry," Brenna said; "Remembah, we can' get inta any more trouble."
Harry nodded, his eyes not leaving Draco's in a glaring match. As they turned to leave, Pansy sneered "Yes, listen to your bitch, Potter. I'm sure you could find a nice broom closet later."
Harry stopped, and dangerously turned to face her; "What did you call Brenna?" he asked, seething.
Brenna too had stopped and turned, watching Pansy. Same pug nose, she thought, damn, a Parkinson...
"Harry," Brenna said; "Et don' bothah meh, let's go-" But Harry held his hand up to silence her.
"What did you call her?" Harry repeated loudly, hand lowering and wand drawn.
Draco drew his wand as well; "What, think you can take us both, Potter?" he asked, smirking.
Harry glared at him; "I have survived Voldermort," he said, making the Slytherins cringe, "I have fought him, and I survived. I know I could take you both, Malfoy, for all three of you together are no where nearly as threatening as he is," he lowered his wand, "And I refuse to lower myself to Slytherin standards," he went over to Brenna; "Let's go," he said, wrapping an arm around her.
"Crucio!"
"Lavitica Sero!"
Brenna had drawn her "wand", turned around (Harry with his arm still around her), and had cast a defense charm, creating a shimmering mist-like shield in front of Harry and her. The curse streaked on towards it, towards Harry's side.
Blaise had cast the spell, but now it threatened to hit him as it bounce off the shield Brenna's spell had produced around Harry and her. Blaise shouted as he dodged the attack, Pansy and Draco turning to watch him, thought both were still recovering from the shock of Harry's blatancy.
When they turned around, Harry and Brenna were gone. Draco shouted with rage, turning on Pansy and a Blaise who was untangling himself from bushes he had dove into.
"YOU BLOCKHEAD, WHAT THE HELL CAME OVER YOU!?" Draco shouted.
---
"Harry, I said et didn' bothah me!" Brenna said when she and Harry went into the school. Harry knew they would be late, the last of the people were leaving the Great Hall.
"I'm sorry, alright?" Harry said; "I wasn't thinking, all I heard was Pansy call you that, and I found myself about to hex her or something!"
"Don' beh so clouded, Harry! Blaise tried ta curse ya..." she said, backing out of his grasp and walking towards the stairs; "I've got ta get mah things," she said smugly as she ascended them.
"I'm sorry," Harry said again to her back. Brenna stopped, then after a pause kept walking. Harry felt the tug of her worry, and another of even more guilt. Sighing, he followed her, keeping her within eye shot, though knowing that Brenna needed space. But he couldn't let her travel the halls alone, so he caught up. He walked a few paces behind her, rubbing the back of his neck and inwardly sighing.
---
Brenna and Harry ran into the Transfiguration class, about a minute before the bell, and found seats. They took the table behind Ron and Hermione's, who both turned and faced them.
"Where'd you run off to, Harry?" Ron asked quietly; "Looked a bit miffed, you did."
"I had to let off some steam," Harry said, pulling out his homework.
Silently, Brenna did the same, not looking up at them. Though she read over the assignment, her mind was elsewhere, racing with thoughts.
Harry glanced over to her, then back at his homework; "Hermione, what did you put for the description of a half-done transfiguration of a toad into a stool?"
Hermione sighed, and handed him her paper. Harry copied the answer, then handed it back. He sighed, then Ron brought him into a conversation with Dean about Quidditch. Hermione looked at Brenna. Something she had noticed was that when Brenna became anxious, she would chew on her thumbnail, though not biting down on it. She was not reading the paper; in fact her eyes were almost vacant and void.
"Brenna?" Hermione asked; "Brenna!" her hand slapped Brenna's textbook, and the elf-witch snapped out of her daze.
"Wha'? Oh, sorreh, 'Mione, jus' thinkin' about somethin'," she rubbed her eyes, then ran a hand through her hair.
Harry glanced at her, pausing in his conversation. He wanted to apologize and ask what was the matter, but Dean dragged him back in.
Hermione sighed, but before she could comment, McGonagall entered the room.
"Good morning, class," she said, smiling to them all slightly as she reached the front and turned around. It as just her sixth year Griffindors this time, her House that she could be comfortable smiling around; "Today, we will continue transfiguring our toads into stools. Now, if you could pass the assignment forward, we can begin shortly."
As the homework was passed up to McGonagall's desk, Harry looked over at Brenna again. She seemed as if all McGonagall said mattered, after passing her homework up she pulled out her text and began reading the unit again. Harry sighed, facing forward as McGonagall began her lecture. Soon, they all had there frogs, and began transfiguring.
---
An hour and a half later, the class ended. Brenna had managed to finish the transfiguration along with Hermione, while nearly everybody else only came up with green stools that croaked and hopped about. It was an amusing sight, really, but McGonagall quickly regained order and shooed them off to their next class.
Ron and Hermione had felt the tension early on, and quickly went ahead, leaving Brenna and Harry to walk the halls themselves. They made their way to their next class, Divination, which was still being taught by Firenze the centaur. Well, hopefully he was on duty again. The centaur had disappeared during the first week, not getting a chance to teach the first class. Trelawney took over both shifts, to over half of the school's populace's dismay. Firenze's class was always more enjoyable, while Trelawney's was, well...
"Brenna, I'm sorry, whatever I did," Harry said as they took seats on the moss covered floor near the back.
"I know," Brenna said, setting her bag down and lying against it. Harry found himself envying that bag.
Brenna looked up at him; "Tha's not wha's bothahrin' meh," she looked away as she sat up and sighed, running her hands through her hair.
"What's the matter?" Harry asked quietly, edging closer so that their conversation wouldn't be heard.
Brenna sighed; "Somethin's comin'," she said quietly, looking around; "I kin feel et..." she looked at him; "An' et ain't a centaur..."
The door suddenly opened, and before Harry knew it Brenna was scooting up against him, her body rigid in fear and anxiety. He wrapped and arm around her when he saw Snape come gliding in, a look of pure disdain on his face. His onyx eyes scanned the group of Griffindors, and at that point Firenze entered.
"Severus, what are you doing here, when you're classroom resides in the lower parts of the castle?" The centaur asked, eyeing the potions master with a look of uneasiness. It was rare the centaur asked questions at all, and this took quite a few in the class aback.
Snape turned to Firenze and looked him up and down curtly; "Headmaster sent for me to collect a student, Miss McBennitae..."
Firenze's eyes darted over to Brenna, and after a moment of staring and sizing her up, he gave her a slight, warm smile. The centaur then turned to face Snape, face void of any enthusiastic emotion; "It appears she is suspicious of you," he commented quietly, so only the two heard it; "Perhaps you have committed something to harm her psyche..."
"She is just a sensitive girl like every other female in this room," Snape regarded in a cold whisper.
Firenze eyed him; "It is written law that I cannot let harm come to her."
"And since when do centaurs follow human laws? I have never heard of this 'law', anyway..."
"That is because Brenna is not human, as you are. And this law is an agreement between the dark and light creatures of yester era. If she does not want to go with you, I cannot allow you to force her to accompany you."
"You're talking sensibly today, Firenze..."
"Confusion is not an option, my human associate," Firenze stated; "I cannot allow her harm. That is it written, and I must follow it."
Snape rolled his eyes, and turned to look at Brenna and Harry. Both were staring at him, though unlike Brenna's numbed fear, Harry's gaze seemed to scream "just leave".
"Miss McBennitae, if you could," Snape said sullenly, walking back over to the door.
Brenna slowly rose, taking her bag. Harry looked at her worriedly, but she only walked to the door, stopping beside Firenze. They held a whispered conversation, to which annoyed Snape further, then as the Potions Master left, Brenna followed, thought giving him an easy twenty feet's distance.
Harry sighed wearily, shaking his head when Firenze looked at him. This wouldn't end well; one of them would do something that would seriously anger the other, or one would get hurt.
---
Snape could hear Brenna behind him; the awful girl was shuffling her feet as she walked, shoes barely leaving the floor as she trudged now at least thirty feet behind him. Though he was a Death Eater, and had committed several vulgar deeds, he had not harmed a single person of elfin decent. He knew the Council's power, what little had been left, far exceeded his and every other Death Eater's. He knew Malfoy and Karkaroff had massacred her line, and knew he was to blame for giving off information. But his information given hadn't resulted in any deaths, thankfully, but it still left him marred and, in Brenna's book, a foul, merciless Death Eater.
Snape sighed, and stopped at the stairs. He heard Brenna stop behind almost when he did. Snape turned and looked at her. Brenna was gripping the shoulder strap of her bag so tightly her knuckles were white, and she seemed paler. Her eyes were directly at Snape.
"I won't hurt you, you know," Snape said, "Albus would kill me if I did, and besides, those days are gone for me..."
"Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater," Brenna stated quietly, her gaze not shifting.
"Perhaps;" Snape said, almost sneering; "But this man is not on their side."
"But ya're stell wha' tha' Mark says ya're," Brenna said, walking over. She walked around Snape, giving him a wide arch of space, and continued up the steps.
"As you're Professor, I will not be talked to in such a manner," Snape said, walking behind her.
Brenna turned and stopped; "I don' go ta ya classes," she said; "I git a tutor, but I can' even go near those dungeons because o' ya lot o' snakes. Do ye know how many seventh years ah down there wit the Mark on thehh arm?" she shuddered before continuing; "Ta meh, ya're just somebody I gotta see every now an' then," she paused; "Where am I goin', anyway?"
"Headmaster's office," Snape said; "I'm sure a girl as... intelligent as you can figure out a way there," he sneered curtly; "The password is Ice Mice. Good day," he forced the departing line, turning to head elsewhere.
Brenna glared at his back, relieved that the feeling of the Mark was drifting away and her body was returning to normal. She turned and went up the stairs quickly and soon made it to Dumbledore's office. She gave the password, and soon opened the door after knocking.
Dumbledore looked up, a grave look to his face. He folded up a parchment, saying; "Brenna, please sit down."
Brenna looked at Dumbledore, suddenly gaining a massive feeling of foreboding as she walked over and sat down slowly; "Ya wanted ta speak wit' meh?" she asked quietly, gazing at Dumbledore's tired and weary expression.
Dumbledore nodded, setting the parchment aside. He folded his hands together over the desk, and looked up at Brenna; "As much as your grandfather stands against this;" he began, "But, you must be told certain events, beginning with your sibling..."
Brenna's hands gripped the armrests of the chair as she stiffened at the mentioning of her half-brother; "Nah," she said, shaking her head slowly; "'E...'e can' beh..."
Dumbledore nodded gravely; "I'm afraid that, yes, he has escaped," he said; "And..." and then, after explaining McNay's apparent situation, Dumbledore told Brenna of her inheritance from her great-great-great-great-grandsire, Anestrothea.
---
A/N: Hullo, sorry this was so late again! Listen, I want reviews or I'm not continuing this thing! I'm upset that this isn't getting many, it's depressing to write now. Please, you silent people out there, I don't care who you are, but don't be lazy, rude, and mean. REVIEW! Iaccept any constructive criticism, ya know! I like opinions! Okay, well, now you know I will not continue until I get close to 35 reviews (counting the 26 I already have). Thank you — thunder rhapsody