+++++++12+++++++
"OI WEASLEY, STOP"
"Padma no. Please leave it alone." Tugging on the back of Padma's school robes Cassie dug her heels into the floor.
"I can't leave it. Brooklyn's our friend WEASLEY!"
Up ahead both Ron and Ginny froze in their tracks. Turning they watched Padma storm over to them her face twisted with anger.
"What do you want Patil?" Ron asked with a frown.
"I want you to stay away from Harry."
"You bloody what?" Ron looked stunned "He's my best mate. What gives you the right to-"
"Not you idiot," She cut in sighing, "You." She nodded towards Ginny and she jerked her head back surprised.
"Why would I listen to you Patil?"
"Because Brooklyn's my friend and I know it bothers her when you cling to Harry."
"I don't cling to Harry"
Cassie though not a fan of confrontation frowned, Ginny was lying everyone knew of her feelings for Harry. Hell she'd be surprised if Harry never knew. Gritting her teeth she let go of Padma and just stood silently watching both Weasley's.
"Yes you do. You don't have to lie to me Weasley." Padma looked around "Neither Brooklyn nor Harry is around."
"I'm not lying!" Ginny snapped angrily "and so what if I'm around Harry. It has nothing to do with you or even Brooklyn."
Cassie had enough. "Ginny," She started in a cool, calm voice unlike Padma's laced with anger one "It has everything to do with Brooklyn she's his girlfriend. You may think its not real but it is Brooklyn doesn't have boyfriends so she must really like Harry to agree to be with him. Then for you cling and throw yourself at him its pathetic and it needs to stop."
"OK time out." Ron called stepping in the middle -his hands making the time out sign- nothing the crowd slowly gathering. "Look Harry's my best mate-"
"And Brooklyn is mine," Cassie cut in simply.
"Yea and you know how she feels for Harry just as I know how he feels for Brooklyn. Am I correct?"
Cassie nodded, her hands curling into fists by her side. Wondering where the red head was going with this.
"Then we both know that Ginny's feelings now matter how serious they are, has no affect on them."
"I guess," Cassie sighed slowly. A frown marring her face. The red head was right and that's a first.
"So then there is no point in ganging up on my sister." His blue eyes looked directly into Cassie's hazel ones.
"I guess not but nobody is ganging up on her. I'm just looking out for my friend."
"And I'm looking out for my friend also my sister too. Do we have an understanding?"
"Yes!" She replied more forcefully than she intended. "We also have an understanding that neither Harry or Brooklyn will find out."
Ron nodded then led Ginny away pushing through the now leaving students. Padma turned to Cassie an eyebrow raised in questioning.
"What?"
"Why did you do that Cassie?"
"Because he's right" she sighed flicking her hair over her shoulder. "OK he's right I know how Brooklyn feels about Harry you don't and he knows how Harry feels about Brooklyn so this was pointless but it got your point across. We're looking out for Brooklyn and Harry's interests no matter what because there good together, even if they don't spend any time together."
"You just agreed with...Ron Weasley." Padma spat distastefully.
"Oh well," She began to walk away, rolling her eyes in the meantime. "Life changes get with the programme Padma."
That same night Harry climbed through the portrait hole, his book bag slung over one shoulder, his robes hanging off his shoulders and his tie slung lazily around his neck. Most of the Gryffindors had gone to bed but both Ron and Hermione were awake talking with Neville and Ginny.
"What are you three doing up?"
"What do you mean what are we doing up? We've been wondering where the hell you've been!!" Hermione argued loudly.
"Neville too?" He looked doubtful causing the boy to blush.
"I was reading my letter." Neville muttered showing the folded parchment as evidence.
"I was joking Neville." Harry sighed heavily dropping into the space beside Ginny.
"Where have you been Harry?" Hermione repeated.
"Umm," He glanced at Neville then back at Hermione "Somewhere?"
"Its all right I'm going to bed. I have to get up early so I can speak to Brooklyn." Harry perked up at Neville's words. "My gran was wondering if she was coming for Christmas." Harry nodded "Well night."
"Night, Goodnight Neville." They all muttered watching the boy disappear up the stairs.
"OK now where was you" Hermione repeated, moving closer to Harry "Was it Voldemort?" Both Ron and Ginny shuddered "Oh grow up." She snapped.
"Stop saying his name then," Ron argued.
"No it wasn't him. I was with Brooklyn."
Ron glanced at Ginny seeing her eyes roll but ignored it and looked at his friend, "You ditched classes for a girl mate."
"No I was with Snuffles too," They all sat forward eagerly "I found out who his daughter his."
Hermione's eyes widened "Oh Merlin. Who is it...wait you was with Brooklyn and Snuffles at the same time" He nodded waiting for her to catch on. "Is Brooklyn Stronghold-"
"Brooke-Lynne Lillian Black yea," He cut in simply "My girlfriend is my god sister and I sat there playing peacemaker between father and daughter."
Ron's mouth hung agape. He couldn't believe it Brooklyn Stronghold was...a Black she was Sirius Black's daughter. Did she know?
"Did she know?"
"No she was never told about her dad until today. Her mum is Amelia Stronghold."
"Of course," Hermione slapped herself on the forehead. "I'm a idiot."
"Hermione you couldn't have known."
"Of course I could have. In the room of achievements its adjoined to the trophy room there's a picture of all the Head boy and Head girl with pictures of Prefects your parents are in there and so is Amelia Emmaline Stronghold she was a prefect."
"There's a picture of my mum and I never knew about it," Harry sat up frowning.
"You have to be a prefect to get in there." She explained "Anyway the picture is the blonde haired blue eyed version of Brooklyn. So Brooklyn is Snuffles daughter."
"Yea and she's coming with us for Christmas."
"Oh great," Ginny muttered. "Just what I needed."
"What" Both Harry and Hermione looked at her confused while Ron shook his head knowing the incident was going to be bought up.
"Ginny don't you like Brooklyn?" Hermione asked
"Umm," she looked at Ron.
"Go ahead I bet Brooklyn's being told as we speak," He sighed resting his head back.
"I don't think she likes me."
"Why wouldn't she like you?" Harry looked confused.
"Padma had a go at her today," Ron informed "On behalf of Brooklyn."
"what," Harry sat forward "What did she say."
"That Ginny was clinging to you and trying to take you away from Brooklyn secretly and stuff." Harry snorted "I know stupid anyway Cassie jumped in both telling Ginny to stay away from you."
"But that's stupid she wouldn't...she isn't, shi.t" He threw himself back in his seat running a hand through his already messy hair. "The last thing I bloody need."
"What's going on Harry?" Hermione looked worried.
"Nothing. Don't worry about it." He shrugged standing to his feet. "I'll talk to Brooklyn don't worry Ginny."
"I'm not worrying. Brooklyn doesn't seem that confrontational."
"She's not but I'll deal with it tomorrow. Goodnight."
"Night Harry, Night mate."
Harry with his shoulders slumped and dragging his bag made his way upstairs into the Seventh year boys dormitory knowing something was going to go wrong tomorrow.
"Rose can I speak to you?"
"No" Rose scoffed loudly, lifting the book higher in her face.
"Rose!" Brooklyn smacked the book down hard "I'm serious I need to speak to you."
"What about Brooklyn. We don't speak any more remember your a slut."
"Yea I remember" Her grey eyes narrowed in annoyance "And your a bitch but do you hear me broadcasting it around the school. Rose your my oldest friend I need to tell this to somebody."
"Are you OK?" Rose's angry face immediately turned into a concerned on.
"I don't know," She dropped onto the damp grass beside Rose, resting on her knees.
"What is it Brooklyn?"
"I met my dad yesterday." Rose eyebrows rose swiftly "Yea my biological father."
"Your lying!"
"No that's why I wasn't in classes yesterday I was with him. Rose he's amazing and he's gorgeous."
"Really. What does he look like? Describe him to me."
"Black hair curly sort of it hangs to his shoulders. Grey eyes like mine but his are like steel and gorgeous." Rose grinned nodding for her to continue "He's kind of slim in a toned muscular way and he's got a wonderful smile."
"Wow...so he was married to your mum right,"
"Oh yea you know why everyone never spoke about my mums marriage well its because of who she was married to."
"Well who is it."
"Rose you have to promise not to tell anybody I'm serious?"
"Yes Brooklyn now tell me."
"My dad...is Sirius Black."
"WHAT!!" Rose jumped to her feet ""ARE YOU SERIOUS!"
"SHUT UP ROSEMARY!" Brooklyn screamed jumping to her own feet "Please just shut up."
"Sorry," She grinned sheepishly, looking around noticing that people were looking at them. "Brooklyn-"
"Just ssh Rose please."
She nodded, her eyes wide with excitement "I can't believe your dad is Sirius Black," she whispered "Does that mean your part of the Black Family?" Brooklyn nodded sighing.
"Yea I actually have a family."
"You have your mums family"
"I've never met them remember, my aunt never talks about them."
"Well that's something to ask her when you see her. Right?"
"Yea" She nodded grinning "I have a dad Rosy."
"I know and he's a murderer...you have to turn him in Brooklyn."
"I can't he's my father. Would you turn in your father."
"No but my dad never killed 12 muggles and Peter Pettigrew."
"Neither did mine." she muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing...Are you going home for Christmas?"
"Yes a big Skeeter gathering my trunk is already packed. Your staying here right."
"Ummhmm" Brooklyn mumbled turning to look at the castle. "Was you there yesterday when Padma and Cassie had a go at Ginny Weasley."
"No but I heard about it. Did they tell you."
"Cassie's guilt is a wonderful thing... She told me I don't know what to do or say I understand what they were doing but I trust Harry a whole lot."
"Then you have nothing to worry about and just for the record I'm sorry." She picked up her book. "I'm really sorry for everything Brooklyn."
"Its OK. Its the past right" She nodded sadly "Oh look there's Neville."
"I better go." Rose started walking away "I'll see you later at dinner."
"Sure bye."
Brooklyn waved briefly watching Rose walk away. Neville slowly approached his hands stuffed in his jeans pocket.
"Hey there Nev."
"Hey Brooklyn," He reached out hugging her briefly before letting her go. "I should stop that right. Harry might beat me up."
"Oh please," Brooklyn couldn't help snorting. Neville was Harry's friend and he valued his friends. "Harry's not the violent type."
"I've known him for seven years Brooklyn. Harry's got anger issues."
"Oooh I'm gonna tell him." She slung her arms around his shoulders teasing him. "I haven't spoken to you in ages Neville."
"Not true you said hello to me yesterday morning."
"Is that really talking or a passing greeting."
"A passing greeting," He murmured smiling. "I got a letter yesterday from my gran,"
"Ah Aunt Augusta. What did I do now."
"Nothing she was wondering if you were coming home for Christmas."
"Sorry Nev I can't my aunt's back I'm spending it with her I haven't seen her in ages" She grinned excited. "I just can't wait."
He smiled "Well that's good. I have your present in my trunk."
"And I have yours in mine I'll use Tinkerbelle to send it too you. I'm pretty sure you'll like it." He smiled running a hand though his hair. "That's a stupid habit your gran won't like it."
He shrugged "I'm 17 now I guess she'll have to live with it."
Brooklyn smiled and slid her arm around his shoulders "Come on lets go back in. I'm sure you have a essay I could help you with."
With Neville's arm around her waist Brooklyn synced her steps with Neville's as they made their way into the castle ignoring the curious looks they were receiving from other students. They were comfortable with their brother/sister relationship even if they had no blood relationship, to them they'll always be brother and sister hanging out underneath the apple tree that stood in the back of Neville's garden just talking or doing their homework.
Love it or Hate it.
Read, Review and Comment.