The Footsteps of my Father

Chapter Four

-Dominic Conner -

The sun rose, a red blur on the horizon, stretched its fingers over the tops of the mountains, sweeping down through the woods and then finally, lit up the east side of the manor, streaming in through the windows.

On the outskirts of Birmingham, there was an old abandoned train station. A lone boy stood on the platform, having recently been dropped off by the Knight Bus. A large trunk sat next to him and a cage containing a tawny owl sat on top. He walked up to a seemingly innocent-looking brick wall, carting the trunk and cage behind him, and stepped through onto the grounds of a large estate. The land he now stood on was unplottable by Muggles and the only way to reach these lands was the barrier at the old train station. The boy looked up at the manor and began making his way up the long path.

*~~*~~*

Brianna stretched, her covers slipping to her ankles, yawning as she pushed her arms above her head. She blinked and gradually opened her eyes, seeing that the drapes around her bed were highlighted with the morning sun. Her heart raced as she bolted up. Where am I? Then she lay back down, remembering the previous day's events. She smiled. She wished she could stay here, but she knew that she couldn't. She would be going back home tonight.

Brianna sat up and pulled the drapes apart. Climbing out of her bed, she walked over to the balcony doors, noticing that the fire was still burning and a tray sat on a table next to the fireplace with a goblet, some toast, and some fruit. Someone must have come earlier, taken care of the fire, and brought up her breakfast. She picked up the orange and smiled, opening the balcony doors and stepping outside. A cool breeze rustled her long hair and the silky pajamas that she wore. She placed her hands on the rail, looking out over the woods and to the distant mountains, taking a deep breath, the cool air filling her lungs. She was really going to miss this place.

She peeled back the skin of the orange and pulled off a wedge. She bit into it, savoring the juicy flavor. This place, it seems so, I don't know, right. It seems really familiar, like I've been here before, or to a place similar, but that's impossible. Of course, things I once thought were impossible seem to be happening to me: shattering glass, fire and ashes. What is happening to me?

She walked back into the room, closing the doors. She finished the orange and ate the toast, draining the pumpkin juice. She set the empty goblet down and walked over to the closet, opening it and shifting through the various colored robes, shirts, and pants. A black robe, with some sort of emblem on it, caught her attention. She pulled it out, looking at the stitched emblem. It looked to be some sort of crest. There was a large 'H' in the middle, with four sections: a snake, a badger, a lion, and an eagle. "Huh, interesting," she said.

She put the robe back and pulled out a dark purple turtleneck. It felt very soft to her touch. Placing the turtleneck over her arm, she looked through the pants, selecting a pair of black ones. Then she looked down at the bottom of the closet where several pairs of black shoes sat there, all with gray socks lying on them. She picked up a pair, along with the socks, and walked over to her bed, shutting the door with her foot. She quickly slipped into the clothing and folded her pajamas, laying them at the end of the bed.

Heading out the door, she entered a long corridor. Tapestries lined the hall and as she walked towards the steps, she could have sworn one of them said, "Good morning," but of course that was nonsense. Tapestries didn't talk.

She hurried down the spiral steps and nearly ran over someone walking by the bottom. "Whoa there, is there a fire I don't know about?" a laughing voice asked. Brianna looked up into a grinning face and had to mentally hit herself to keep her mouth from dropping open, though her eyes widened just a bit.

The boy, nearly a head taller than her, had short brown hair and the bluest eyes she had ever seen. He had a very dignified face, with high cheekbones and all, and was very handsome. She could feel a bit of blush seeping into her cheeks and she knew he probably thought she was very silly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Brianna said, stepping back, trying to get the blush to go away.

He shrugged. "It's alright. You must be Brianna."

She nodded, forcing herself to swallow and speak. "Yes, I am. Who are you?" Then she mentally hit herself. Now he's going to think I'm rude.

The boy smiled brightly, not seeming to notice her nervousness. "I'm Dominic Conner."

Seeing the friendly smile put her a bit more at ease and she let out the breath she had unconsciously been holding. "You just came back from school, right?" she asked, finding her voice steadier than she thought it would be.

Dominic nodded. "Yes, Hog - I mean, my school has let us out for the winter holiday. I'll be going back in two weeks. What about you?"

"The same."

Dominic flashed his smile once again. "So, I hear my parents found you in the middle of a snow storm."

She nodded, still a bit nervous, but it was starting to fade. "They did. Thank god they found me; I don't know what would have happened otherwise."

"Yes, most definitely." He smiled a bit wider, a bit of excitement in his eyes. "So you live in New York City?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Can you tell me about it?"

Brianna smiled, finally, and could feel her butterflies dissipating. She was beginning to like Dominic more every second, for he really made her feel at ease, though she couldn't quite place why. "Why don't we go sit down somewhere, instead of standing here on the stairs?"

Dominic laughed. "Right, of course. Did you eat breakfast?" Brianna nodded. "Why don't we go sit in the den, then?"

"Okay." She smiled, making a sweeping motion with her arm. "Lead the way."

Dominic laughed and she followed him through the sitting room and into the room she had been in when she first awakened here. They sat down on the couch in front of the fire. "What's that a picture of?" Brianna asked, pointing to the tapestry above the fireplace.

"Oh, that? It's a picture of my school," Dominic said, looking up at where she was pointing.

"Cool," Brianna said, smiling. "What's your school like?"

He looked back at her, smiling. "It's brilliant. We study many different subjects, and we play my favorite sport: Quidditch." Then Dominic's eyes widened. "Shouldn't have said that," Dominic muttered quietly, so quietly that Brianna barely heard him.

She ignored this and asked, "What's Quidditch?"

"It's a sport where you throw a ball around and try to get it through hoops."

"Like soccer then."

"I suppose. Well then," Dominic said, changing the subject, "what's your school like?"

Uncomfortable subject...I'll avoid that then. "It's alright, I guess. The subjects are okay, but they're too easy for me. I spend a lot of time in the school library, reading books. That's one of my favorite things to do, other than sit in the Tower."

"The Tower?"

"It's a place at my house where I can go to be alone. I have my books up there and that's where I do most of my reading."

"I have a place like that. I'll show it to you later, if you'd like."

Brianna smiled. "I'd love that."

"So you like reading?"

Brianna nodded. "Oh yeah, a lot. Do you read much?"

Dominic shrugged. "What with my school work and all, I don't have much time to read for fun, but I do on occasion. What sort of books do you like to read?"

"Fantasy, mostly. I love books about magic."

Dominic smiled as if he wanted to say something, but couldn't. "Well, you know, there is some truth to some of those books."

"Really?" Brianna asked, her eyebrows lifting. "You mean stuff like that actually exists?"

Dominic shrugged. "Possibly. Well," he said, standing. "I have something I want to show you, but then I'm going to finish my homework. It's unbelievable," Dominic said, shaking his head. "You would think that the professors would be kind and let us have a break over the holiday, but instead, they pile even more on us."

Brianna laughed. "I know. I think teachers think that we have no lives except to do homework."

Dominic smiled. "Exactly. Well, come on. Follow me."

He stood and she hesitated momentarily before standing as well. Can't hurt to follow. Wonder what he's going to show me. She followed him out of the room and up the spiral stairs, down the corridor, past her room, and nearly to the end where they stopped in front of two large doors.

He looked at her and smiled. "Close your eyes." She looked at him curiously, but obeyed. She felt him take her hands and lead her forward. He let go of her hands and she stopped. "Okay," he said.

She opened her eyes and gasped, looking around at the huge room. The ceiling was so high that she could barely see the top and the walls were covered from floor to ceiling in shelves and rows of books. "Oh my god!" she exclaimed. "There have to be thousands of books here!"

Dominic grinned. "I thought you'd like it."

Brianna looked at him, grinning. "Like it? I love it!" She looked at the huge Gothic windows that were placed around the library, letting in the sun, her eyes following the curve of the room, down at the plush red carpet beneath her feet. Then, she looked over at the large, comfortable-looking armchairs that were placed around with unlit candle lamps sitting on tables beside them. "This is so cool! You know, I don't think I'm going to want to leave this room ever, much less the manor." She turned to Dominic and hugged him. He tensed a little, and then gave her a quick hug. "Thank you so much!" Then she blushed. Now he'll think I was being too clingy or something...I don't know.

"Don't mention it," he said, smiling. His smile put her nerves a bit more at ease. "This is my favorite place to be. It's nice and quiet. You can really just curl up in one of the chairs and place yourself in another world. It's quite amazing, actually." He sighed. "Well, I'd better get an early start on my homework," he said and chuckled. "If I can manage to finish it right off the start, then I may actually be able to relax."

Brianna smiled. "Thank you again. I know that once I leave tonight, we probably won't see each other again."

"Don't worry," Dominic said, smiling. "We'll still be able to keep in touch. With the post and all."

Brianna nodded. "Great."

"I'll see you later," Dominic said. He turned and left the library, leaving Brianna to gaze around in awe. A dream come true! All these books! I'll never get to read them all! Where to begin?

She walked over to one shelf and ran her finger over the titles. Finally she stopped on a book called, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. She pulled it out and walked over to chair. She opened the leather-bound book and looked through the table of contents. Her finger stopped on a chapter about Unicorns. Unicorns! She opened to that page and began reading.

Unicorn

The unicorn is a beautiful beast found throughout the forests of northern Europe. It is a pure white, horned horse when fully grown, though foals are initially golden, and turn silver before achieving maturity. The unicorn's horn, blood, and hair all have highly magical properties. It generally avoids human contact, is more likely to allow a witch to approach it than a wizard, and is so fleet of foot that it is very difficult to capture.¹

She smiled thoughtfully. Well then... that couldn't have been a unicorn that I saw earlier...because they're in Europe, and I'm still in America. And unicorns don't really exist... She frowned slightly. Maybe... She looked down at the book and flipped a few pages, sitting back to read about some more magical beasts.

*~~*~~*

Gabriel found her later that evening, completely absorbed in the book that she was reading. It was about the history of magic and it was very interesting. "I see you have found the library," he said, chuckling.

Brianna looked up and smiled. "Dominic showed it to me earlier."

Gabriel smiled. "This is a wonderful place, to be assured. I just came to tell you that supper is ready."

"Okay. Thanks."

"You know. If you wish, you may take any of these books back with you."

"Really?" Brianna asked, her eyes widening.

"Really," Gabriel said, laughing. His eyes twinkled behind his glasses. "There are so many books here, that I still have not read all of them."

"Thank you so much!" Brianna cried, leaping up. She ran over to Gabriel and hugged him.

He patted her on the back. "You are most welcome," Gabriel said, laughing.

She pulled back, grinning, feeling blush in her cheeks, but it was from the excitement. She no longer felt uncomfortable around Gabriel or Sarah, they were so easy going. "This is so cool!"

Gabriel smiled. "Well, after supper, you may come back in here and select the books you wish to take with you. Then I will take you home." Brianna nodded, looking down, a bit sadly. "What's wrong?"

Brianna looked up at him. "I can't wait to see my family, but I'll miss this place. I really feel at home here."

Gabriel smiled. "I am glad that you like it here, but you do have to go home. Your parents are waiting for you."

Brianna nodded. "Oh, I know. I just hate to leave."

"Brianna, I am sure that you will be back here someday." They stood in silence for a moment, and then Gabriel spoke up, "Let us go to supper, shall we?"

Brianna smiled. "Sure."

*~~*~~*

Brianna took a bite of her chicken, listening as Dominic told them about school. Brianna had sat down in the seat next to Gabriel at the long table, and Dominic was on her other side, opposite of Sarah.

"And, you wouldn't believe the new DADA professor. He's wicked!" Dominic exclaimed, taking a bite of corn.

She looked at him curiously. DADA? Maybe it's a new high school class that I haven't heard of.. But didn't interrupt, taking another bite of chicken.

Gabriel smiled. "What is his name?"

"Professor Lupin. He really knows the subject though, and we've even been able to have some hands-on activities."

"That sounds wonderful, love," Sarah said, smiling.

"It is," Dominic said, taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.

"How are you doing in your studies?" Gabriel asked.

Dominic shrugged. "As well as I can. Hermione Granger, of course, is still head of her class, and I think she's top of the school right now. Professor Snape and that blasted . . ." Dominic glanced at Brianna, his eyes wide. "Um . . ." He pursed his lips, trying to think. "The, uh . . . Chemistry class is the only one that is really holding me back." Dominic grew slightly angry. "How does he expect us to memorize all that stuff?"

"Doesn't sound like fun," Brianna commented.

"It isn't," Dominic said grudgingly. Then he brightened. "But guess what? I made the house team!"

Gabriel and Sarah beamed. "That is wonderful!" Sarah exclaimed.

"Exceptional! Especially since this is only your second year. My son, on the house team!" Gabriel said proudly.

"Is it really hard to get on the team?" Brianna asked, looking over at Dominic as she sipped her juice.

"Usually only third-years and above make the house teams, and even then, it is very hard," Sarah explained.

Brianna's eyes widened as she looked at Sarah. "Wow."

"What position are you playing?" Gabriel asked.

"Chaser," Dominic declared proudly.

"What does a Chaser do?" Brianna asked, looking back at Dominic.

Dominic looked at her. "Chasers are the ones who control the Quaffle and try to get it through the hoops."

"The Quaffle is the ball?"

Dominic nodded. "Right."

She nodded, smiling. "Cool." She continued to eat.

Dominic looked back at his parents. "Have you heard anything more on Sirius?"

Gabriel shook his head. "He is still out there, making trouble, I am sure. I just do not see how he could have escaped from Azkaban."

"Azkaban?" Brianna asked, looking up from her food.

Gabriel looked at her. "It is a highly guarded prison in England."

"Oh, so you're talking about that guy that escaped? I saw the article about him in the copy of the Daily Telegraph that Fred had at the store."

Gabriel, Sarah, and Dominic looked at her. "Figures he'd make trouble for everyone," Dominic muttered.

"No one is supposed to be able to get past the guards there," Sarah said, shaking her head. "I do not see how he could have done it."

"The guards are really tough?" Brianna asked.

"The people that are put in Azkaban go mad, Brianna," Gabriel said. "After awhile in there, they usually do not have much of a mind left to do much of anything, much less escape. Sirius Black has been in Azkaban for twelve years, so you would think he could not escape. Well, obviously, we were wrong and now he is out there, making trouble."

"He probably went back to -" Dominic stopped at a look from his parents. He shrugged. "It's just possible, that's all."

Gabriel gave him a stern look. "I know it is possible, and if it happens, we are all in serious trouble, but I suggest that you do not speak of that here at supper."

Dominic looked down and began cutting some more of his chicken. Gabriel and Sarah began eating again, so Brianna just focused on a very interesting piece of rice. The rest of the dinner was silent.

*~~*~~*

When they had finished dinner, Gabriel took Brianna back to the library where she picked out several books, including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. As they were about to leave, Sarah and Dominic came into the entrance hall and Sarah handed Brianna a dark blue robe. "This is one of the warmer cloaks. I hope you enjoy it," she said, smiling.

"Thank you!" Brianna exclaimed, grinning. She hugged Sarah. "Thank you so much for everything."

"As long as you stay in touch," Sarah said, pulling back, smiling. "We will owl you shortly, and then just send your reply."

Brianna nodded. "Sure." She looked at Dominic, who smiled.

"I'll send you a letter," he said.

Brianna smiled. "Great. I can't wait."

"We have a long ways to travel. We had better be going," Gabriel said from behind them.

"Right," Sarah said, nodding to Gabriel and looked back at Brianna. "Goodbye, Brianna."

"Bye," Brianna said, giving Sarah and Dominic a small wave as she followed Gabriel out of the manor. A fancy car sat out in the front and they climbed in.

*~~ *~~*

They drove for what seemed like hours and as the nightscape blurred together, Brianna felt her eyelids beginning to droop. Soon, she was fast asleep. .

When she woke up, she was in the back of a taxi cab and she bolted up, looking around, her heart pounding, frantic. "Where's Gabriel?" Brianna asked, her eyes wide.

"Who?" the Mexican driver asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.

"Gabriel. He was the man that was with me."

"Oh, you mean the man that called for the cab. Yeah, he left. He just told me where to take you. Already paid for."

Brianna didn't say anything as she was breathing a huge sigh of relief. She looked out the window as the buildings of New York City passed them by. The bright lights were familiar and welcoming and as they drove, she could feel her heart steadying. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass, closing her eyes.

She felt the taxi stop, and opened her eyes from the nap. Looking out, she saw that they had reached her neighborhood. The taxi stopped outside the apartment complex and she climbed out. "Thank you," she said, nodding to the driver.

The cab driver smiled. "No problem. You have a nice Christmas."

"Thanks. You too." She closed the door and the taxi drove away. She looked up at the complex, beaming. "Home!" She hugged her cloak tightly, along with the bag of books and ran into the complex, hurrying up the stairs.