A/N: I received a review, and now, I am Royally Pissed in the highest manner. I was called stupid and a bad writer... it makes me furious. I believe an email is in order... yes, check out reviews, if you want to know who the dandy ponce of a jackass is... loads Uzi as soon as I'm done stringing up this flamin' review in the old beach tree, I'm gonna hunt the pathetic wuss down and make 'em dance... cha-ching click loaded and ready!
Woo-hoo! Steve, get the hounds! We gonsta go a' huntin' tonight! =laughs maliciously= YEEEEEEEEEE-HAWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!! =boom= release the hounds! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! =Boom= Ha-hahahaha! =bang=.... thud
MOOOOOOOOO........
Oh shit. I hit Bessie. I hit Bessie the cow. I hit the prize cow......
Oh well, we havin steaks an' burgers tonight!!!! Now, let's hunt down the dip-shit who called me stupid!!!!!!
P.S. I got titles for the chapters now if you haven't already noticed!
Previously, in chapter nineteen.....
"I quite agree, but there was no need for alarm," Dumbledore replied calmly; "For you see, I happen to know myself that they are all quite safe, right... here..."
They four within heard a gentle tapping against the door.
'Oh no!' Harry thought, slowly standing.
Orion had thought the same, and in a moment of delusion, he had the impression he was human again and braced himself against the door.
"You're a cat, dumbass!" Ron hissed almost inaudibly, walking over and scooping the straining feline up and walking back.
They waited, in silence, praying the door wouldn't open.
---
disclaimer: don't own anything.
-----CHAPTER TWENTY-----
"But Albus," came McGonagall's weary voice; "It's just a wall."
"Hmm," Dumbledore hummed in thoughtful silence; "Perhaps, Minerva, it is more than that?"
"Albus," Kingsley said suddenly; "Maybe we should finish searching the grounds. They might be in the gardens, or a secret part in the library," he added.
"Of course!" Flitwick squeaked; "Come along, Minerva, you know every inch of the library, and I'll ask Poppy to research the gardens again!"
Soon, two sets of footsteps, one shuffled and fast while the other seeming to have a gliding effect, faded away as they left.
"Now, Mister Shacklebolt," Dumbledore said, "I believe you know what lies beyond this wall?"
There was silence; "That weird room," Kingsley said finally; "Could they be in there...?"
"I have no doubts that they are," Dumbledore said wisely. He turned with a shuffle of feet and a gliding swish of his robes and he apparently faced the wall; "Harry," he said loudly; "Ron, Hermione, Brenna, are you in there?"
Harry exchanged looks with Ron and Hermione, then stared at the door.
"Harry, is Brenna with you?" came Kingsley's agitated voice; "Let us in!"
"We should let them in," Ron muttered.
Orion squirmed from the redhead's hold, falling to the floor. He caught himself almost silently, and darted to hide under the sofa. He hid behind Harry's legs, peering around them and staring intently at the door. Harry felt the cat shake against his ankles, why was he nervous?
The door began to glow. Harry watched as it seemed to disappear, then it reappeared, and opened. Kingsley pushed past Dumbledore as he came in, eyes automatically falling on Brenna.
"Oh god," he said desolately, leaning against the door heavily as Dumbledore came in.
"Harry," he said worriedly, stopping as well; "What has transpired here?"
Harry was silent, looking up at his mentor morosely distantly; "Brenna collapsed when we were talking in the library," Harry said quietly; "I panicked, and I... brought her here."
Dumbledore nodded, and then, the old man looked at Ron and Hermione.
"We became worried when they didn't come to the common room," Ron began.
"So, we searched for them," Hermione said, "And, found them here. She's very weak, Professor... We think... it has something to do with her being..."
"The Torch," Harry finished quietly. His gaze fell to stare at the stone floor, and then lifted as he heard the door slowly close. Kingsley was watching Brenna, pain and anger mixing in his dark eyes to form a collage of remorse and confusion.
Harry felt Orion shift behind him, and the cat shivered again.
Harry broke his gaze from Kinglsey, a wave of guilt washing over him for who knows why. He felt like he had let Kingsley down, somehow. Harry felt low, awful, it was not a feeling he welcomed at all.
Kingsley let out a heaving sigh; "What will we do, Dumbledore?" he moaned, shaking his head as he stared at the ceiling. He froze; "What is this all about?" he asked, regarding the constellations floating near the ceiling.
"We were researching," Hermione said nervously.
Dumbledore nodded; "It appears that you have all uncovered something," he said quietly, looking up and gazing around at the ceiling.
"This doesn't solve our problem," Kingsley muttered, looking down and shaking his head. He walked over, kneeling on the other side of the couch; "Harry, how long has she been out?"
"Probably what, four hours?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione and Ron. They nodded slowly.
"That's too long," Kingsley mumbled worriedly, placing his hand on Brenna's forehead. She stirred, mumbling something almost inaudibly. Kingsley's brow furrowed with worry as he took his hand away. He slowly rose, exhaling as if it were his last.
The tall black man slowly turned to Albus, his face nothing but grave; "Albus," he said, "She's too cold..."
"Do not get worried, Kingsley," Dumbledore said, drawing his eyes away from the ceiling and walking over to the couch.
Again, Orion stirred, this time pressing himself against Harry's leg, and shivering like mad. From fright or anxiety, Harry didn't know, but it was making his foot vibrate, and it was annoying and unpleasant.
Dumbledore leaned over, feeling Brenna's forehead for himself. Again the girl stirred, mumbling something. But apparently Orion caught it, and he froze. Harry looked down, catching the amber eyes that were wide in fear. Orion's gaze was locked on Dumbledore, however.
"Harry," Dumbledore said calmly, straightening up and looking at his hand. He was staring at his palm, and with a slight sound of discovery, he let his hand fall; "Please tell our hidden guest that he is in no danger."
Harry stared at Dumbledore, wide-eyed in awe. He slowly looked down, moving his legs to reveal a silent and motionless cat, who was looking up at the old wizard in a mixture of annoyance and astonishment. And yes, there was the ever present hint of arrogance and pride.
"Hmm, perhaps there's more to this cat than meets the eye?" Dumbledore mused; "Oh, I'd bend down, but I'm far too old," he mumbled, then, in a flash his wand was out; "Wingardium Leviosa," he said, and with a low yowl of frustration, Orion was lifted into the air, levitated a few feet off the ground, nearly at eye-level with Dumbledore.
"Albus, that's just Crookshanks," Kingsley said, with a touch of disdain. He hadn't liked that cat, not since he had stayed at Grimmauld Place over last summer holiday, to find the cat had eaten his stash of sweets and a good bottle of his nip had suddenly "vanished".
"Oh, I'm quite sure there's more to this animal, Kingsley," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, eyeing "Crookshanks" knowingly as he tried to delve into the cat's mind. /As I thought/ Dumbledore thought wearily after a moment, sighing as he visibly shook his head and lowered the cat.
Orion hissed quietly, before trotting over and being scooped up into the loving arms of Hermione, (who, although now knowing of her cat's true nature), still hadn't gotten past the fact that Orion was still soft, warm, and very huggable. Now, she held him to her chest, Orion resting his head on her left shoulder, and gazing at Ron jadedly through hooded eyes. The redhead looked at him, and glared.
"Hermione," Harry said quietly, looking at her.
Hermione's eyes widened; "Harry, no!" she exclaimed; "I'm sorry, but this cat's staying!"
"What?!" Harry asked; "I was only going to say turn him around so Professor can finish this!"
Hermione was silent, but pulled Orion from her and turned him around. Orion lay cradled in her arms, head turned to stare at Dumbledore.
"Orion," Dumbledore said quietly.
The cat's eyes widened slightly; "That is your name, correct?" Dumbledore asked; "One of the Banished Few, as Anestrothea puts it?"
"Is that what they call me," Orion mumbled, rolling his eyes; "Oh, you've caught me," he said sardonically; "What ever shall I do?" he looked at Dumbledore, "If you have any intentions of throwing me back to the counsel, I will turn back just to fight for freedom."
Dumbledore managed a chuckled, his eyes sparkling again; "No, no, Orion, of course not," he said kindly; "I'm only suggesting that, if you intent to stay here—"
"WHAT?!" Kingsley shouted loudly; "Albus, it's a talking cat! How do you know it won't just sneak up and kill us all?"
"He's been living with me for years!" Hermione said, her face growing a dangerous shade of red, like that of rose.
"Listen to her," Orion said, a paw held out to Hermione; "I can't hurt a one of them. I don't want to. I can't. I'd die if I did. So really, pinning me as the maniac is pointless;" he added, snuggling into Hermione's arms.
"Listen, I really don't care," Kingsley said, rubbing his temples; "Let a talking cat run around, we're all crazy anyway. I'm here to check on Brenna, anyway," he said, "And I don't like what I see."
"We couldn't help it," Harry said; "It was natural, Mister Shacklebolt, I swear—!"
"I know, Harry!" Kingsley yelled, looking at Harry; "I've known! Amadeus was a friend of my grandfathers, I grew up around them! Brenna's mother went to school with me, we were both in Ravenclaw together! Of course I'll know what she is!" he added in a strangled whisper, walking back and sliding down against the wall until he was sitting down. The man leaned his head back against the wall; "We can't stop it," he said, "She's got to get out of here," he bowed his head, then looked up to them; "She's got to get home."
"Home?" Harry repeated quietly. /was it that bad?/ he thought.
Orion was looking at Kingsley; "I remember your grandfather," he said knowingly, getting out of Hermione's grasp, landing on the ground, and sitting down; "He was there..." he said distantly. "He brought the people to—"
"He was fifteen and a messenger, nothing more!" Kinglsey said quietly; "I didn't know they were going to take the local lunatic away."
"I kept to myself whenever I came to the Manor;" Orion said, just as quietly; "And I came by to see my father... your grandfather was there, and they were with him. Waiting..."
"We aren't going to solve a thing bickering and picking at each other," Ron moaned; "Put it behind, please? I'm not up for any more arguing! And Orion, shut it, you arrogant beast!" he added, glaring at the cat.
Orion looked at him, setting the paw he had been waving back and forth down on the cold stone. He huffed, then turned to Dumbledore; "I suppose you'll want me to explain myself to you?"
"If you would be so kind as to follow me," Dumbledore said, "But, we must decide Brenna's fate. From her temperature, she is coming down with another symptom..."
"So soon?" Orion asked frantically; "But, She still must prophecy the coming of the ages! She hasn't yet! She hasn't!" his hair was on end, he was in a frantic crouch position. His eyes were darting around the room madly.
"I..." he began, shaking his head; "No... no no no she can't..."
"Orion!" Harry said loudly, standing up; "Calm down!"
"No," the cat said, closing his eyes, bowing his head. The furry shoulders drooped and shook, and soon Orion was going through silent spasms of shaking. He was stock still. Dumbledore watched him. He had an idea at what was coming.
"Kinglsey," the old wizard said quietly; "Perhaps, you'd best take your cloak off. Miss Granger, I suggest you cover your eyes. Mister Weasley, Harry, cover Brenna..." as his voice trailed off, he took a step back.
Kinglsey removed the cloak he had, and Ron moved over to the couch. Hermione backed away and covered her eyes, turning around as well.
All this time, it seemed an atmosphere was forming around Orion. The cat was rigid now, completely still. The aura grew, encompassing him in a golden glow. His fur blew with an invisible breeze, and indeed, one picked up. It whistled past Dumbledore, a slightly visible haze as it moved towards Orion, then disappeared into the glow. Orion shook again, almost a violent thrash that shot down his spine...
And then... the aura exploded.
There was a blinding light, the sound of whispers, and the sudden gust of wind cause Dumbledore to fall back, Kinglsey to press himself against the wall, Ron to almost fall back on Harry and Brenna, and Hermione to fall on the floor. Books came flying from their places, opening up and the pages ripping out to fall in step with the gust. Dumbledore held up a hand, unable to watch due to the intensity of the aura.
And with a resounding boom, the wind ceased, the aura gave off a blinding burst of energy, and the pages fell to the floor, fluttering down to land on the stone. In place of the cat, where Orion once was, now was an ebony- haired young man, ears visible through the tousled mane. He was kneeling, on hand on the floor to steady himself while his other arm was rested on his knee. He was breathing heavily, raggedly even, and each breath brought a quiver to his form. His black robes were torn, tattered, and frayed.
And above it all, he looked as though he couldn't be older than twenty.
Harry stared. He caught sight of the wide, pain-stricken eyes. They were a russet-hazel color, a color Harry hadn't seen before. The man was pale; his cheek bones were prominent on his oval-triangular face. He seemed a little under weight, but muscle was visible. He was lithe and lean.
"Orion," Dumbledore said slowly, lowering his hand.
Everyone else looked as well. Orion tried to raise his head, but only his eyes looked up at Dumbledore.
"It hurts," he said in a raspy voice; "to... move..."
"Just let your body adjust," Dumbledore said; "Kingsley, I need you to get Madame Pomfrey..."
"Wait," Orion managed, slowly standing; "Brenna," he said quietly, turning his head to look at her; "I... she needs to..." he mumbled, then he looked at Dumbledore; "She needs to be warmed."
"We'll take care of it, Orion," Dumbledore said; "Kingsley?" he asked after a pause, turning to face the Auror.
Kingsley was staring at Orion; "You were the one that was dead," he muttered, eyes wide; "The one who..."
"Tried to reform the council," Orion finished quietly, nodding; "Yes, in the dawn of our race's execution, I tried to voice a proposal. And... in that proposal I saw our own victory, our last hope. But nay, my voice went unheard and ignored. I was branded 'traitor'. I fought, but when my family was threatened, I realized it was die or run. And it was not my time to die," he finished, sighing shakily. Orion looked at Brenna, eyes glazing over with dejection and emotional pain; "All these years," he whispered; "And it leads to this..."
"Orion, it appears you're weary," Dumbledore said; "Kingsley, I want you and Mister Weasley to take him to the bedchambers near the teachers'. Harry, you, Miss Granger and I will take Brenna on to the infirmary."
"I want to be with her," Orion said quietly, looking at Dumbledore; "Please... she's the only one who won't condemn or disown me. I've watched her grow, I've seen her live, and I just want to make sure she'll be fine," he paused; "For her mother's sake, let me stay with her."
The small speech of brotherly endearment left the room significantly quieter, even the fire seemed to have hushed the crackling embers. Though he sounded defeated, Orion was quickly looking and regaining his proud, arrogant air he had held as "Crookshanks".
Dumbledore sighed and nodded; "I'm sure we could make that possible," he said, taking his spectacles and wiping the glass lenses with the hem of his robe; "you do realize, Orion, that now you have converted back to your original state, the others of the remaining Gengedelea will come here for you?"
Orion nodded, "I'll be ready," he said; "It's not like I haven't had eighty years to wait for this."
"What's so special about all of this?" Kingsley suddenly asked, looking at the elf ruefully.
Orion looked at him; "Because," he said, "We are about to witness history. Fate's undoing her ties on Destiny, so that the dove of peace may fly."
"How poetic," Ron muttered.
Orion instantly turned on his bare heels and faced him, obviously straining to keep his face void of emotion; "To learn callously is to mature quickly, Ronald," he said; "That is my lesson of life."
Ron was silent. Kingsley coughed; "Come on, Ron, Hermione, you two need to get to the dorms," he said, walking over to the door; "And Orion, take this;" he turned around and threw the cloak. Orion took one large step and caught it in his hands. He put it on, the coat trailing around his feet and baggy for his size.
"My thanks," he said quietly, rolling the sleeves back a little.
Kingsley nodded, and opened the door; "I'll come by as soon as these two are in the Tower," he said to Dumbledore, who turned and nodded.
Ron and Hermione exchanged looks with Harry, who only lowered his gaze. Sighing, Hermione walked across the room, Ron following. They said quick goodbyes, and then Kingsley led them away, closing the door with a final glance back.
Dumbledore sighed; "Now, I will take Brenna to the infirmary. Harry, I want you to escort Orion there yourself, if you could."
Before Harry could protest, Dumbledore had taken Brenna's hand, and with a loud crack, he was gone. Harry pondered on why Dumbledore had Aparated out, but he was probably an exception ot the wards.
For a moment, no one spoke. Orion was watching Harry, and Harry was watching him.
"Well," Harry said finally, "Come on," Harry said, walking over and opening the door.
Orion nodded, following Harry out into the hallway. They started walking towards the stairs, and Harry would pass glances over at Orion. The young elf couldn't be over eighty years old, it just didn't seem possible. He looked no older than Oliver Wood, for crying out loud.
"You don't look like an eighty-year-old, you know," Harry said suddenly.
"Ah, the wonders of being a cat for so long," Orion said thoughtfully, casting a furtive grin as he looked at Harry; "It stopped the again process completely. I'm surprised myself, I thought I'd have arthritis by now. Can't wait to look in a mirror," he mused, looking ahead.
"Will... Brenna end up living for a long time, like you have?" Harry asked quietly.
Orion looked at him again. He stopped, and Harry did as well. Orion was silent; "More than likely, she'll live at a human's pace," he said finally; "Her mother is in her more than her father, so that would be a likely trait she inherited. No worrying about that, Harry," he said, "You two can grow old together. If that's why you asked, that is..." he added, eyeing Harry.
Harry blushed slightly as they continued walking; "No," he said, coughing.
"Hn," Orion said skeptically, eyeing Harry and lifting his head up slightly, as if inspecting an animal or piece of pottery; "Fair enough," the elf said finally, lowering his head and looking around.
The two continued, making it to the stairwell. "Watch the steps," Harry said as they made their assent.
"I think I know this castle fairly well, Harry," Orion said, smirking.
But as soon as they started up, Orion froze, turning and staring down the stairs intently.
"What is it?" Harry asked, groaning as he too, turned around.
"Footsteps," Orion replied simply, his gaze unmoving; "They're hurried."
"It's probably a student trying to not get caught or something," Harry said, "Honestly, and I thought Brenna was paranoid..."
"She is," Orion said blatantly; "Very paranoid, in fact. I have a reason though, I can hear it," he was silent; "They're coming this way, no robes..." he snorted; "I know that gate, a Malfoy..." he said snidely, straightening the coat in a sophisticated manor before turning around and walking up the steps.
"What would Malfoy be doing out so late?" Harry asked, more to himself than around him. He began walking down the steps, but was pulled back with an almost violent tug at his robes. Harry came flying up the steps with a shout, landing flat on his back at the platform, by Orion's feet.
"I smell death carried by the draft," Orion said apathetically, raising his hand and bringing Harry to his feet. Harry felt weightless as it happened, and for a moment dizzy. But he recovered.
"Death?" Harry repeated, quizzically.
Orion nodded; "It does not take wisdom to know what that smell is," he said quietly; "And he is coming this way. I do not feel like getting caught, and you must take me to this infirmary so I can be there for my sibling."
"Fine," Harry said, "Just don't do that again."
"Why?" Orion asked with a chuckle, hand rising again. Harry felt his feet leave the ground, and forced all his will into touching the floor. His feet came back down to the ground, and Orion's smirk widened.
"It's annoying and unnatural," Harry said darkly, "Come on. How old are you again?" he asked sarcastically as he began walking towards the infirmary. The doors were in sight... /Thank the gods/ Harry thought gratefully.
"Oh, but you wizards are so amusing," Orion drawled, hand falling as he followed.
---
Brenna slowly opened her eyes, though her vision was so blurry and the blinding light that greeted her caused her to close them again. She could hear voices, muffled, obscured, but they were there. Some were excited, but others were so full of worry she wondered if she had done something wrong.
But where was she? All she could remember was talking to Harry, saying something she didn't know was coming from her mouth until it had been said, and then... darkness. She had fallen, it seemed, into herself, and had seen nothing but the emptiness of her being. She had remembered chanting, vague voices calling to her in her mother tongue, beckoning her to fall to them, wherever they might be. But she had remained, hanging in the air that held no breath of life, suspended there by invisible chains holding her to some force she possessed, but did not know of. It scared her. She knew what it was. She knew what she was.
Brenna tried opening her eyes again, and the voices started to clear.
"Brenna?" it was Harry's worried, anxious voice that made her turn to his direction; "Oh, thank God, you're okay," he smiled.
"Kingsley, she's awake now," Madame Pomfrey's calm voice calls to the other end of the room.
Kingsley got up from his chair, and hurried over quickly; "Brenna?" he asked, smiling when the girl's head turned to cast a small smile to him; "Gave us a scare, you know," he said.
"Couldn't resist," Brenna said, smiling again with that same, naively mischievous glint other eyes. She was back, Kingsley could tell.
"Brenna," Harry said, "Do you think you could handle some news?"
Brenna slowly sat up, looking around for a while to gather her surroundings. Her eyes then fixed on Harry; "Wha' kinda news?" she asked, looking at Kingsley.
"Ah, you know Crookshanks, Hermione's cat, right?" Harry said.
"O' course I do, Harry," Brenna said; "Tha' animal bothas tha door all tha time. Why, somethin' wrong?" she added worriedly.
"Not necessarily," Kingsley, said, his eyes traveling slowly to the door.
And it opened, Brenna's gaze snapping towards it. She gasped. The hair, those eyes, the figure and the ears... She'd only seen it once, in one of the last moving portraits at Delgrishire, and it was a shock to Brenna, though that word was a dramatic understatement.
"Oh... mah... gods," Brenna gasped, her hands covering her mouth.
Orion smiled as he walked in, clad in a form-fitting green robe and his hair trimmed and pulled back. "Brenna," he said, the word full of compassion and love.
Kingsley got up, slowly motioning for Harry to do likewise. Harry rose as well, and the two wizards left the two siblings, walking out. Orion had moved and sat on the edge of the bed, Brenna staring at him as if he were a ghost.
Kingsley closed the door, and sighed heavily. Harry was staring at the door, as if seeing through it and watching the two. He sighed as well.
"Well, I fancy a nap at this point," Kingsley said, "didn't get any sleep at all."
"Me either," Harry said, yawning, "Kingsley, thanks."
"For what?" Kingsley asked; "And for the record, that's the first time you've called me by my first name," he added with a small smile.
"For being there," Harry said, "I'm sure you've got more responsibilities than handling troubled teenagers."
Kinglsey chuckled at the blush forming on the boy's cheeks, and said; "Brenna is like my daughter, she is my responsibility. And, Harry, I've always looked out for you, though you might not have known that. This is just my job," he yawned; "And now, the bed beckons..." he mumbled, stretching his long, powerful arms.
Harry laughed; "Yeah," he agreed, "Well, see you," he said as he began walking towards Gryffindor tower, and Kinglsey bid his farewell as well before leaving through the front doors.
---
A/N: Ta Da! Chapter twenty and it's finished! Now review! [Please]
Woo-hoo! Steve, get the hounds! We gonsta go a' huntin' tonight! =laughs maliciously= YEEEEEEEEEE-HAWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!! =boom= release the hounds! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! =Boom= Ha-hahahaha! =bang=.... thud
MOOOOOOOOO........
Oh shit. I hit Bessie. I hit Bessie the cow. I hit the prize cow......
Oh well, we havin steaks an' burgers tonight!!!! Now, let's hunt down the dip-shit who called me stupid!!!!!!
P.S. I got titles for the chapters now if you haven't already noticed!
Previously, in chapter nineteen.....
"I quite agree, but there was no need for alarm," Dumbledore replied calmly; "For you see, I happen to know myself that they are all quite safe, right... here..."
They four within heard a gentle tapping against the door.
'Oh no!' Harry thought, slowly standing.
Orion had thought the same, and in a moment of delusion, he had the impression he was human again and braced himself against the door.
"You're a cat, dumbass!" Ron hissed almost inaudibly, walking over and scooping the straining feline up and walking back.
They waited, in silence, praying the door wouldn't open.
---
disclaimer: don't own anything.
-----CHAPTER TWENTY-----
"But Albus," came McGonagall's weary voice; "It's just a wall."
"Hmm," Dumbledore hummed in thoughtful silence; "Perhaps, Minerva, it is more than that?"
"Albus," Kingsley said suddenly; "Maybe we should finish searching the grounds. They might be in the gardens, or a secret part in the library," he added.
"Of course!" Flitwick squeaked; "Come along, Minerva, you know every inch of the library, and I'll ask Poppy to research the gardens again!"
Soon, two sets of footsteps, one shuffled and fast while the other seeming to have a gliding effect, faded away as they left.
"Now, Mister Shacklebolt," Dumbledore said, "I believe you know what lies beyond this wall?"
There was silence; "That weird room," Kingsley said finally; "Could they be in there...?"
"I have no doubts that they are," Dumbledore said wisely. He turned with a shuffle of feet and a gliding swish of his robes and he apparently faced the wall; "Harry," he said loudly; "Ron, Hermione, Brenna, are you in there?"
Harry exchanged looks with Ron and Hermione, then stared at the door.
"Harry, is Brenna with you?" came Kingsley's agitated voice; "Let us in!"
"We should let them in," Ron muttered.
Orion squirmed from the redhead's hold, falling to the floor. He caught himself almost silently, and darted to hide under the sofa. He hid behind Harry's legs, peering around them and staring intently at the door. Harry felt the cat shake against his ankles, why was he nervous?
The door began to glow. Harry watched as it seemed to disappear, then it reappeared, and opened. Kingsley pushed past Dumbledore as he came in, eyes automatically falling on Brenna.
"Oh god," he said desolately, leaning against the door heavily as Dumbledore came in.
"Harry," he said worriedly, stopping as well; "What has transpired here?"
Harry was silent, looking up at his mentor morosely distantly; "Brenna collapsed when we were talking in the library," Harry said quietly; "I panicked, and I... brought her here."
Dumbledore nodded, and then, the old man looked at Ron and Hermione.
"We became worried when they didn't come to the common room," Ron began.
"So, we searched for them," Hermione said, "And, found them here. She's very weak, Professor... We think... it has something to do with her being..."
"The Torch," Harry finished quietly. His gaze fell to stare at the stone floor, and then lifted as he heard the door slowly close. Kingsley was watching Brenna, pain and anger mixing in his dark eyes to form a collage of remorse and confusion.
Harry felt Orion shift behind him, and the cat shivered again.
Harry broke his gaze from Kinglsey, a wave of guilt washing over him for who knows why. He felt like he had let Kingsley down, somehow. Harry felt low, awful, it was not a feeling he welcomed at all.
Kingsley let out a heaving sigh; "What will we do, Dumbledore?" he moaned, shaking his head as he stared at the ceiling. He froze; "What is this all about?" he asked, regarding the constellations floating near the ceiling.
"We were researching," Hermione said nervously.
Dumbledore nodded; "It appears that you have all uncovered something," he said quietly, looking up and gazing around at the ceiling.
"This doesn't solve our problem," Kingsley muttered, looking down and shaking his head. He walked over, kneeling on the other side of the couch; "Harry, how long has she been out?"
"Probably what, four hours?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione and Ron. They nodded slowly.
"That's too long," Kingsley mumbled worriedly, placing his hand on Brenna's forehead. She stirred, mumbling something almost inaudibly. Kingsley's brow furrowed with worry as he took his hand away. He slowly rose, exhaling as if it were his last.
The tall black man slowly turned to Albus, his face nothing but grave; "Albus," he said, "She's too cold..."
"Do not get worried, Kingsley," Dumbledore said, drawing his eyes away from the ceiling and walking over to the couch.
Again, Orion stirred, this time pressing himself against Harry's leg, and shivering like mad. From fright or anxiety, Harry didn't know, but it was making his foot vibrate, and it was annoying and unpleasant.
Dumbledore leaned over, feeling Brenna's forehead for himself. Again the girl stirred, mumbling something. But apparently Orion caught it, and he froze. Harry looked down, catching the amber eyes that were wide in fear. Orion's gaze was locked on Dumbledore, however.
"Harry," Dumbledore said calmly, straightening up and looking at his hand. He was staring at his palm, and with a slight sound of discovery, he let his hand fall; "Please tell our hidden guest that he is in no danger."
Harry stared at Dumbledore, wide-eyed in awe. He slowly looked down, moving his legs to reveal a silent and motionless cat, who was looking up at the old wizard in a mixture of annoyance and astonishment. And yes, there was the ever present hint of arrogance and pride.
"Hmm, perhaps there's more to this cat than meets the eye?" Dumbledore mused; "Oh, I'd bend down, but I'm far too old," he mumbled, then, in a flash his wand was out; "Wingardium Leviosa," he said, and with a low yowl of frustration, Orion was lifted into the air, levitated a few feet off the ground, nearly at eye-level with Dumbledore.
"Albus, that's just Crookshanks," Kingsley said, with a touch of disdain. He hadn't liked that cat, not since he had stayed at Grimmauld Place over last summer holiday, to find the cat had eaten his stash of sweets and a good bottle of his nip had suddenly "vanished".
"Oh, I'm quite sure there's more to this animal, Kingsley," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, eyeing "Crookshanks" knowingly as he tried to delve into the cat's mind. /As I thought/ Dumbledore thought wearily after a moment, sighing as he visibly shook his head and lowered the cat.
Orion hissed quietly, before trotting over and being scooped up into the loving arms of Hermione, (who, although now knowing of her cat's true nature), still hadn't gotten past the fact that Orion was still soft, warm, and very huggable. Now, she held him to her chest, Orion resting his head on her left shoulder, and gazing at Ron jadedly through hooded eyes. The redhead looked at him, and glared.
"Hermione," Harry said quietly, looking at her.
Hermione's eyes widened; "Harry, no!" she exclaimed; "I'm sorry, but this cat's staying!"
"What?!" Harry asked; "I was only going to say turn him around so Professor can finish this!"
Hermione was silent, but pulled Orion from her and turned him around. Orion lay cradled in her arms, head turned to stare at Dumbledore.
"Orion," Dumbledore said quietly.
The cat's eyes widened slightly; "That is your name, correct?" Dumbledore asked; "One of the Banished Few, as Anestrothea puts it?"
"Is that what they call me," Orion mumbled, rolling his eyes; "Oh, you've caught me," he said sardonically; "What ever shall I do?" he looked at Dumbledore, "If you have any intentions of throwing me back to the counsel, I will turn back just to fight for freedom."
Dumbledore managed a chuckled, his eyes sparkling again; "No, no, Orion, of course not," he said kindly; "I'm only suggesting that, if you intent to stay here—"
"WHAT?!" Kingsley shouted loudly; "Albus, it's a talking cat! How do you know it won't just sneak up and kill us all?"
"He's been living with me for years!" Hermione said, her face growing a dangerous shade of red, like that of rose.
"Listen to her," Orion said, a paw held out to Hermione; "I can't hurt a one of them. I don't want to. I can't. I'd die if I did. So really, pinning me as the maniac is pointless;" he added, snuggling into Hermione's arms.
"Listen, I really don't care," Kingsley said, rubbing his temples; "Let a talking cat run around, we're all crazy anyway. I'm here to check on Brenna, anyway," he said, "And I don't like what I see."
"We couldn't help it," Harry said; "It was natural, Mister Shacklebolt, I swear—!"
"I know, Harry!" Kingsley yelled, looking at Harry; "I've known! Amadeus was a friend of my grandfathers, I grew up around them! Brenna's mother went to school with me, we were both in Ravenclaw together! Of course I'll know what she is!" he added in a strangled whisper, walking back and sliding down against the wall until he was sitting down. The man leaned his head back against the wall; "We can't stop it," he said, "She's got to get out of here," he bowed his head, then looked up to them; "She's got to get home."
"Home?" Harry repeated quietly. /was it that bad?/ he thought.
Orion was looking at Kingsley; "I remember your grandfather," he said knowingly, getting out of Hermione's grasp, landing on the ground, and sitting down; "He was there..." he said distantly. "He brought the people to—"
"He was fifteen and a messenger, nothing more!" Kinglsey said quietly; "I didn't know they were going to take the local lunatic away."
"I kept to myself whenever I came to the Manor;" Orion said, just as quietly; "And I came by to see my father... your grandfather was there, and they were with him. Waiting..."
"We aren't going to solve a thing bickering and picking at each other," Ron moaned; "Put it behind, please? I'm not up for any more arguing! And Orion, shut it, you arrogant beast!" he added, glaring at the cat.
Orion looked at him, setting the paw he had been waving back and forth down on the cold stone. He huffed, then turned to Dumbledore; "I suppose you'll want me to explain myself to you?"
"If you would be so kind as to follow me," Dumbledore said, "But, we must decide Brenna's fate. From her temperature, she is coming down with another symptom..."
"So soon?" Orion asked frantically; "But, She still must prophecy the coming of the ages! She hasn't yet! She hasn't!" his hair was on end, he was in a frantic crouch position. His eyes were darting around the room madly.
"I..." he began, shaking his head; "No... no no no she can't..."
"Orion!" Harry said loudly, standing up; "Calm down!"
"No," the cat said, closing his eyes, bowing his head. The furry shoulders drooped and shook, and soon Orion was going through silent spasms of shaking. He was stock still. Dumbledore watched him. He had an idea at what was coming.
"Kinglsey," the old wizard said quietly; "Perhaps, you'd best take your cloak off. Miss Granger, I suggest you cover your eyes. Mister Weasley, Harry, cover Brenna..." as his voice trailed off, he took a step back.
Kinglsey removed the cloak he had, and Ron moved over to the couch. Hermione backed away and covered her eyes, turning around as well.
All this time, it seemed an atmosphere was forming around Orion. The cat was rigid now, completely still. The aura grew, encompassing him in a golden glow. His fur blew with an invisible breeze, and indeed, one picked up. It whistled past Dumbledore, a slightly visible haze as it moved towards Orion, then disappeared into the glow. Orion shook again, almost a violent thrash that shot down his spine...
And then... the aura exploded.
There was a blinding light, the sound of whispers, and the sudden gust of wind cause Dumbledore to fall back, Kinglsey to press himself against the wall, Ron to almost fall back on Harry and Brenna, and Hermione to fall on the floor. Books came flying from their places, opening up and the pages ripping out to fall in step with the gust. Dumbledore held up a hand, unable to watch due to the intensity of the aura.
And with a resounding boom, the wind ceased, the aura gave off a blinding burst of energy, and the pages fell to the floor, fluttering down to land on the stone. In place of the cat, where Orion once was, now was an ebony- haired young man, ears visible through the tousled mane. He was kneeling, on hand on the floor to steady himself while his other arm was rested on his knee. He was breathing heavily, raggedly even, and each breath brought a quiver to his form. His black robes were torn, tattered, and frayed.
And above it all, he looked as though he couldn't be older than twenty.
Harry stared. He caught sight of the wide, pain-stricken eyes. They were a russet-hazel color, a color Harry hadn't seen before. The man was pale; his cheek bones were prominent on his oval-triangular face. He seemed a little under weight, but muscle was visible. He was lithe and lean.
"Orion," Dumbledore said slowly, lowering his hand.
Everyone else looked as well. Orion tried to raise his head, but only his eyes looked up at Dumbledore.
"It hurts," he said in a raspy voice; "to... move..."
"Just let your body adjust," Dumbledore said; "Kingsley, I need you to get Madame Pomfrey..."
"Wait," Orion managed, slowly standing; "Brenna," he said quietly, turning his head to look at her; "I... she needs to..." he mumbled, then he looked at Dumbledore; "She needs to be warmed."
"We'll take care of it, Orion," Dumbledore said; "Kingsley?" he asked after a pause, turning to face the Auror.
Kingsley was staring at Orion; "You were the one that was dead," he muttered, eyes wide; "The one who..."
"Tried to reform the council," Orion finished quietly, nodding; "Yes, in the dawn of our race's execution, I tried to voice a proposal. And... in that proposal I saw our own victory, our last hope. But nay, my voice went unheard and ignored. I was branded 'traitor'. I fought, but when my family was threatened, I realized it was die or run. And it was not my time to die," he finished, sighing shakily. Orion looked at Brenna, eyes glazing over with dejection and emotional pain; "All these years," he whispered; "And it leads to this..."
"Orion, it appears you're weary," Dumbledore said; "Kingsley, I want you and Mister Weasley to take him to the bedchambers near the teachers'. Harry, you, Miss Granger and I will take Brenna on to the infirmary."
"I want to be with her," Orion said quietly, looking at Dumbledore; "Please... she's the only one who won't condemn or disown me. I've watched her grow, I've seen her live, and I just want to make sure she'll be fine," he paused; "For her mother's sake, let me stay with her."
The small speech of brotherly endearment left the room significantly quieter, even the fire seemed to have hushed the crackling embers. Though he sounded defeated, Orion was quickly looking and regaining his proud, arrogant air he had held as "Crookshanks".
Dumbledore sighed and nodded; "I'm sure we could make that possible," he said, taking his spectacles and wiping the glass lenses with the hem of his robe; "you do realize, Orion, that now you have converted back to your original state, the others of the remaining Gengedelea will come here for you?"
Orion nodded, "I'll be ready," he said; "It's not like I haven't had eighty years to wait for this."
"What's so special about all of this?" Kingsley suddenly asked, looking at the elf ruefully.
Orion looked at him; "Because," he said, "We are about to witness history. Fate's undoing her ties on Destiny, so that the dove of peace may fly."
"How poetic," Ron muttered.
Orion instantly turned on his bare heels and faced him, obviously straining to keep his face void of emotion; "To learn callously is to mature quickly, Ronald," he said; "That is my lesson of life."
Ron was silent. Kingsley coughed; "Come on, Ron, Hermione, you two need to get to the dorms," he said, walking over to the door; "And Orion, take this;" he turned around and threw the cloak. Orion took one large step and caught it in his hands. He put it on, the coat trailing around his feet and baggy for his size.
"My thanks," he said quietly, rolling the sleeves back a little.
Kingsley nodded, and opened the door; "I'll come by as soon as these two are in the Tower," he said to Dumbledore, who turned and nodded.
Ron and Hermione exchanged looks with Harry, who only lowered his gaze. Sighing, Hermione walked across the room, Ron following. They said quick goodbyes, and then Kingsley led them away, closing the door with a final glance back.
Dumbledore sighed; "Now, I will take Brenna to the infirmary. Harry, I want you to escort Orion there yourself, if you could."
Before Harry could protest, Dumbledore had taken Brenna's hand, and with a loud crack, he was gone. Harry pondered on why Dumbledore had Aparated out, but he was probably an exception ot the wards.
For a moment, no one spoke. Orion was watching Harry, and Harry was watching him.
"Well," Harry said finally, "Come on," Harry said, walking over and opening the door.
Orion nodded, following Harry out into the hallway. They started walking towards the stairs, and Harry would pass glances over at Orion. The young elf couldn't be over eighty years old, it just didn't seem possible. He looked no older than Oliver Wood, for crying out loud.
"You don't look like an eighty-year-old, you know," Harry said suddenly.
"Ah, the wonders of being a cat for so long," Orion said thoughtfully, casting a furtive grin as he looked at Harry; "It stopped the again process completely. I'm surprised myself, I thought I'd have arthritis by now. Can't wait to look in a mirror," he mused, looking ahead.
"Will... Brenna end up living for a long time, like you have?" Harry asked quietly.
Orion looked at him again. He stopped, and Harry did as well. Orion was silent; "More than likely, she'll live at a human's pace," he said finally; "Her mother is in her more than her father, so that would be a likely trait she inherited. No worrying about that, Harry," he said, "You two can grow old together. If that's why you asked, that is..." he added, eyeing Harry.
Harry blushed slightly as they continued walking; "No," he said, coughing.
"Hn," Orion said skeptically, eyeing Harry and lifting his head up slightly, as if inspecting an animal or piece of pottery; "Fair enough," the elf said finally, lowering his head and looking around.
The two continued, making it to the stairwell. "Watch the steps," Harry said as they made their assent.
"I think I know this castle fairly well, Harry," Orion said, smirking.
But as soon as they started up, Orion froze, turning and staring down the stairs intently.
"What is it?" Harry asked, groaning as he too, turned around.
"Footsteps," Orion replied simply, his gaze unmoving; "They're hurried."
"It's probably a student trying to not get caught or something," Harry said, "Honestly, and I thought Brenna was paranoid..."
"She is," Orion said blatantly; "Very paranoid, in fact. I have a reason though, I can hear it," he was silent; "They're coming this way, no robes..." he snorted; "I know that gate, a Malfoy..." he said snidely, straightening the coat in a sophisticated manor before turning around and walking up the steps.
"What would Malfoy be doing out so late?" Harry asked, more to himself than around him. He began walking down the steps, but was pulled back with an almost violent tug at his robes. Harry came flying up the steps with a shout, landing flat on his back at the platform, by Orion's feet.
"I smell death carried by the draft," Orion said apathetically, raising his hand and bringing Harry to his feet. Harry felt weightless as it happened, and for a moment dizzy. But he recovered.
"Death?" Harry repeated, quizzically.
Orion nodded; "It does not take wisdom to know what that smell is," he said quietly; "And he is coming this way. I do not feel like getting caught, and you must take me to this infirmary so I can be there for my sibling."
"Fine," Harry said, "Just don't do that again."
"Why?" Orion asked with a chuckle, hand rising again. Harry felt his feet leave the ground, and forced all his will into touching the floor. His feet came back down to the ground, and Orion's smirk widened.
"It's annoying and unnatural," Harry said darkly, "Come on. How old are you again?" he asked sarcastically as he began walking towards the infirmary. The doors were in sight... /Thank the gods/ Harry thought gratefully.
"Oh, but you wizards are so amusing," Orion drawled, hand falling as he followed.
---
Brenna slowly opened her eyes, though her vision was so blurry and the blinding light that greeted her caused her to close them again. She could hear voices, muffled, obscured, but they were there. Some were excited, but others were so full of worry she wondered if she had done something wrong.
But where was she? All she could remember was talking to Harry, saying something she didn't know was coming from her mouth until it had been said, and then... darkness. She had fallen, it seemed, into herself, and had seen nothing but the emptiness of her being. She had remembered chanting, vague voices calling to her in her mother tongue, beckoning her to fall to them, wherever they might be. But she had remained, hanging in the air that held no breath of life, suspended there by invisible chains holding her to some force she possessed, but did not know of. It scared her. She knew what it was. She knew what she was.
Brenna tried opening her eyes again, and the voices started to clear.
"Brenna?" it was Harry's worried, anxious voice that made her turn to his direction; "Oh, thank God, you're okay," he smiled.
"Kingsley, she's awake now," Madame Pomfrey's calm voice calls to the other end of the room.
Kingsley got up from his chair, and hurried over quickly; "Brenna?" he asked, smiling when the girl's head turned to cast a small smile to him; "Gave us a scare, you know," he said.
"Couldn't resist," Brenna said, smiling again with that same, naively mischievous glint other eyes. She was back, Kingsley could tell.
"Brenna," Harry said, "Do you think you could handle some news?"
Brenna slowly sat up, looking around for a while to gather her surroundings. Her eyes then fixed on Harry; "Wha' kinda news?" she asked, looking at Kingsley.
"Ah, you know Crookshanks, Hermione's cat, right?" Harry said.
"O' course I do, Harry," Brenna said; "Tha' animal bothas tha door all tha time. Why, somethin' wrong?" she added worriedly.
"Not necessarily," Kingsley, said, his eyes traveling slowly to the door.
And it opened, Brenna's gaze snapping towards it. She gasped. The hair, those eyes, the figure and the ears... She'd only seen it once, in one of the last moving portraits at Delgrishire, and it was a shock to Brenna, though that word was a dramatic understatement.
"Oh... mah... gods," Brenna gasped, her hands covering her mouth.
Orion smiled as he walked in, clad in a form-fitting green robe and his hair trimmed and pulled back. "Brenna," he said, the word full of compassion and love.
Kingsley got up, slowly motioning for Harry to do likewise. Harry rose as well, and the two wizards left the two siblings, walking out. Orion had moved and sat on the edge of the bed, Brenna staring at him as if he were a ghost.
Kingsley closed the door, and sighed heavily. Harry was staring at the door, as if seeing through it and watching the two. He sighed as well.
"Well, I fancy a nap at this point," Kingsley said, "didn't get any sleep at all."
"Me either," Harry said, yawning, "Kingsley, thanks."
"For what?" Kingsley asked; "And for the record, that's the first time you've called me by my first name," he added with a small smile.
"For being there," Harry said, "I'm sure you've got more responsibilities than handling troubled teenagers."
Kinglsey chuckled at the blush forming on the boy's cheeks, and said; "Brenna is like my daughter, she is my responsibility. And, Harry, I've always looked out for you, though you might not have known that. This is just my job," he yawned; "And now, the bed beckons..." he mumbled, stretching his long, powerful arms.
Harry laughed; "Yeah," he agreed, "Well, see you," he said as he began walking towards Gryffindor tower, and Kinglsey bid his farewell as well before leaving through the front doors.
---
A/N: Ta Da! Chapter twenty and it's finished! Now review! [Please]