Chapter 5: The one where everyone has long names.

Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers.

Chapter Four

HARRY's POV

I held her body in my arms, careful where my hands lay, because I mean… she was a girl…even though my seeker reflexes took over and even from the distance I managed to break her fall, but not stop her head from hitting the floor momentarily, leaving a visible mark on her forehead.

I looked up, venom-soaked daggers in my eyes, "What the hell was that for!"

Snape walked forward, with that annoying cloak of his bustling about him. I noticed he had a cut lip, and his eyes were fire. He pointed his wand at the girl, this point being the first time I realised I didn't in fact get her name, and I could feel her body jerk in my arms, trying to hover like he wanted her to.

"Get out of the way Potter. That girl you're protecting is a trespasser to this castle and I'll knock all three of you infantile children out if you don't get off her and let me take this brat to the headmaster's office".

He obviously didn't remember who had won the last time we three and him got into a fight. I cast a side long glance at Hermione, hoping that she was feeling like knocking out a teacher again.

I was surprised to see her put her wand away and say, "I was just about to do the same Professor. If you don't mind, we will be coming along with you. I'm sure the headmaster would like to hear our side of the story as well."

Hermione was probably thinking that Snape was going to somehow insinuate that we snuck a muggle into Hogwarts, or something just as absurd, it was something Snape would do. Anyway, I had made the decision to go already; I wasn't going to leave this girl in Snape's greasy hands. I felt a little responsible for her; she did open up to me a bit. It must be that hero complex I'm supposedly developing.

"And how is it that every time something strange happens you three are somehow involved, what are you even doing here, in the holiday?"

Before Hermione could answer Ron cut across, "We have permission to be here. Not that it's your business but we've come here with my dad for a meeting. A few ministry and Hogwarts staff members were in a meeting about the World Cup, I'm not surprised you didn't make the list."

Hermione grimaced at Ron for attacking a teacher like that, I smiled encouragingly. I mean its Snape. Plus, it's not like he can give detention or take points now. He muttered something like "shows how much you know Weasley" and turned around and walked out the other way. The girl hovering behind him, the three of us in their wake.

Hermione's POV

This whole situation was bizarre. I looked at Harry and Ron. Harry had his eyes on that girl like she was a snitch - he was on guard duty but how could that be. I'm pretty sure he just met her, and he didn't even know her name, I asked him. But he seemed adamant that she wasn't evil or anything, that he got a vibe or something.

I honestly think he wasn't thinking with his right head and was just saying that because she is pretty. Oh gosh I've lost Ron to food, please don't tell me Harry is going girl crazy. Either way I'm very disappointed he didn't even think of bringing her here once he found her, to trust someone who didn't even give their name! I thought he had learnt by now.

I turned to Ron, who was staring at Snape, who was muttering things into the headmaster's ears, probably complaints about the girl. He seemed to have found a new person to despise, just Harry's luck, he can give him a break now. Just as I thought it Snape sent Harry a withering look, he probably came to our part of the story. Professor McGonagall was next to him, observing the girl, the three teachers seemed to be discussing the situation over at the table. We were sitting in the corner, away from the action.

The Ministry members had just left, with only Mr Weasley and Percy left behind when we entered the headmaster's office. Mr Weasley was deep in conversation with Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout near the other adults, probably still discussing the girl. Percy was sent down for Madam Pomfrey. I wonder why they needed all the heads of houses for a World Cup meeting. Just as I was about to turn and ask Ron, the doors banged open.

All our heads snapped to the doorway where two of the most handsome men I have ever seen stood. I could tell two things straight off the bat, they were definitely relatives of the girl and secondly, they definitely had some sort of Mediterranean blood.

Their hair was lighter than the girls, but still dark with the taller mans' hair looking more on the auburn side. They had a tan to their skin just like the girls, but the thinner, taller one was fairer than even the girl in skin complexion, the shorter broader of the two had a darker tan that went well with his bluish hazel eyes. This brought me to look at the taller boy's eyes, which aside from the fire and a slight glint of madness, made me catch my breath. The hue of the blue that surrounded the pupil was so very familiar to me, and as I was about to say his name, but he spoke instead.

"I'm very sorry that my doors seemed to have offended you so, but to what do I owe this…pleasant surprise Mr..?"

Dumbledore waited but the answer never came. Whatever the tall one was about to say was cut off, as at that moment Professors McGonagall and Snape moved toward the boys, inadvertently exposing the previously blocked from view, stupefied girl. A strangled noise that almost came out like a snarl and the boys launched themselves into the room.

The taller one screamed out, "Who did this?" while the shorter one was trying to make his way to the girl.

It happened so fast that I let out a screech, as Professor Snape fell to the ground clutching his neck. It was over in a few seconds though, Snape looking up venomously gulping for air. The men were thrown back and landed quite lightly on chairs that were not there two seconds ago. I watched as ropes snaked around them.

"I must apologise, this is not the usual manner that I treat guests but seeing as my usual guests do not randomly attack my teaching staff, I'm sure you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Maybe we should rectify this mistake. I don't like such rudeness. I am Albus Dumbledore, and you are?"

All the while the headmaster spoke, I don't think the men paid attention, too busy trying to physically get rid of magically bound ropes, an impossibility.

"I swear if you've hurt one hair on…" but the taller one cut him off.

"Look, if its money you want, I have loads, I'll give you everything, just please don't hurt her. Is she ok? Is she...is she…fuck…"He turned his head away from us, choking on his own voice. Was he crying? Then I realised, if they were her relatives, then they were probably muggles too. They most probably mistook her stupefied form for a corpse.

"My dear boy, it was never my intention to hurt her, and she is most certainly not dead. She is just unconscious, something I am only too happy to rectify. Enervate"

And just like that the girl's eyes flew open, and she screamed, "Dracula!"

Ky's POV

I sprung up and looked around for him. So, he found me hey, he even seemed to have got me with his fire stick, but I didn't feel burnt, my head just hurt a bit.

"What kind of sick sadistic psycho attacks someone when their back is turned? "I shouted, looking for the weirdo in question. I found him standing next to a lady quite along in age, but oozing authority, and made a note not to cross her.

They were standing next to a very tall, ironic looking man. How can someone look ironic, well you didn't see this man. He was ancient looking, like probably three thousand years old, with the wickedest beard ever. It was like a silver mane of awesomeness. But at the same time, he had this aura of youth that emanated from him. He was looking at me through his half-moon spectacles with smiling eyes, eyes that I knew far too well. I smiled at him, not grinned or smirked, proper full-on smile and it was like impulse. But all sight as well as circulation to my arms was cut off as I was engulfed in a hug from arms that were familiar to me as my own.

I felt something wet fall on either side of my hair, where their faces were nestled, both of them offering words of gratitude to a higher power. I don't think I have ever seen my brothers cry, and I quickly extricated myself and asked what happened.

"Nothing and thank heavens for that. Kyrianna Ariana Kendra Thornton don't you ever do something like that again. And by that I don't mean disappear, or venture into castles or any of that stuff, because I know that's asking for a miracle. But what I mean is don't you ever run away from me. Not with tears in your eyes. Not with the wrong information. And definitely not in a place that practically is a death trap. Don't for a second think that I regret taking care of you. That I regret spending my breaks and my weekends raising you. I'm not bitter and I far from hate you Ky, you just caught me at a bad time, in a moment of guilt that made me say stupid things just to make me feel better about ignoring you this past week. I am so sorry for making you feel that way."

I'd never heard my brothers talk like this, neither of them. We were not an emotional lot, and now look at us, hugging and crying, all in front of a bunch of strangers.

That reminded me of their presence, and I looked around to find a tall ginger haired, slightly balding man, a short plump curly grey-haired woman, and a man so short I just wanted to take him and put him in my pocket. I saw the three teenagers off in the corner, Green Eyes looking deeply at me, probably drawing the conjecture of what I was running from, and why I was crying, from Linus' speech. Dracula was staring at me too, with his eyes squinting, as if to read my mind. I smiled, looking at the cut on his lip.

"I'm sorry to break up the tear-fest that seems to be going on, but Headmaster I think…"

Linus turned around and faced the crowd, all trace of emotion gone. I didn't see this Linus often; he saved this for the office. Right now, he wasn't big brother Linus, he was Mr Thornton, CEO of a fortune 500 company at just twenty-three.

He took a step forward and looked only at the silver bearded man; I guess he figured that he must be the king of this castle, and whatever weird ass joint they were running here.

"Look, Mr Dumbledore" he frowned at the name slightly, and I gave him props for even remembering it, "I apologise for any intrusion made by myself and my siblings. I'm willing to pay for whatever Kyrianna I'm sure has damaged, the one suit of armour, and those two doors we broke, " he stopped and looked at Lenzo who had the good nature to even look apologetic, "And even have her write up a formal note of apology. I assure you; my brother and I did not raise her to break into people's hous-…castles. And she will be justly punished for this behaviour. At the same time, I might add you might want to rethink your security, if you don't want a camera system, the least you could do is a lock on the gate. And also, those moving staircases..."

"Wait there are moving staircases." I looked at Linus and then at 'Mr Dumbledore', and he smiled and nodded at me good-naturedly. I don't know what Linus was doing, even I could tell the old man was just humouring us.

"And you don't have to worry about us, whatever…cult…or group meeting or whatever you have going on here, you can be assured we won't speak about it, or your 'powers', just as I'm sure you will find the common courtesy to return the favour."

Linus seemed pretty impressed by his little speech. He carried me off the table and set me on my feet but stopped as the old man spoke,

"Could you at least entertain an old man with a name, young man? After all, I would like to know who I am doing business with."

Linus blushed slightly and Lenzo chuckled, for someone who took himself so seriously he forgot the most basic business etiquette. He stepped forward and shook hands with the old man,

"Quilinus Albus Octavian Thornton, CEO of ThornCorp, as well as brother to these dunderheads."

He laughed genially at this; it was obvious he realised that the only way we could get out of here alive was if he pleased the old man.

"Albus Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and I believe great grandfather to some degree to the CEO of ThornCorp. Oh and of course, his two dunderhead siblings."

He smiled at Lenzo and I, and I couldn't help but smile back even though I had no idea what he had just said.

A/N Feedback will be much appreciated :)