The Footsteps of my Father

Chapter Eleven

-Beginner's Magic-

She was flying over the woods and then over a sparkling lake. It was a breathtaking view and then she saw the sun and flew towards it, hearing joyous laughter. Then, suddenly, the joyous laughter turned to hideous cackling, a high-pitched cackling, and the sun was overcome with a dark cloud.

"You cannot escape!" a cold voice cried.

"No, please!" she cried, but then a terrifying face overwhelmed her vision. It was pure white, with gleaming red eyes, and seemed mask-like.

"You cannot escape who you are!" A gleaming white hand reached towards her and then she was falling into darkness . . . .

"Please! No! Please, help!" Brianna screamed, bolting upright in the bed, and shaking with fear.

"Brianna, what is it?" a concerned voice asked.

She looked to her left at Dominic, her lip quivering and her eyes wide. "The dream," she whispered, her chest heaving with heavy breaths and her hands shaking. She tried to pull up the blanket, but failed, her hands trembling too much.

"Brianna, it's okay," Dominic whispered, stepping over to the bed in which she sat and climbed over to her, sitting on the bed next to her. He put his arm around her and pulled her close. She buried her face in his chest, sobbing.

"What's happening?" she whispered. "Why do I keep seeing that face?"

"Shhh, its okay," Dominic comforted, taking her hand to keep it from shaking. He leaned his head against hers. "It's okay. You're safe. No one can harm you."

"If only that was true," she whispered softly.

*~~*~~*

Dominic walked into the sitting room, Gabriel and Sarah rising as soon as he had entered. "Is she okay?" Gabriel asked, his face full of concern and worry.

Dominic nodded. "She's asleep." He sighed, walking over to the window and looking out over the lake and the mountains. "She had that dream again."

"That poor girl," Sarah said softly, stepping over next to one of the bookshelves and looking at Dominic.

Gabriel looked at the fire that was burning steadily in the fireplace.

After the incident at the World Cup with the Death Eaters, Dominic had searched the woods until he had found Brianna, and he still remembered what she had whispered: They're after me. What had she meant by that? Dominic wondered. Did she mean that the Death Eaters were after her? It was all very confusing. After he had found her, he had immediately returned to the campsite, found his parents, and then they had left very quickly, bringing Brianna back to the estate.

Dominic leaned his forehead against the cool glass. Although it was quite warm outside, the estate was still rather chilly in some parts. Dominic sighed. Brianna had been having fits all night, tossing and turning in her sleep, mumbling things. He had not slept since they had returned back from the World Cup, for he had been too worried about her. He had sat at her side the entire time.

A few moments ago, when she had bolted upright in bed, screaming, he didn't know what to think; so he had comforted her as best he could. What else, really, could he do?

"Did they find out what happened?" Dominic asked, looking at his father.

Gabriel didn't move his gaze from the fire. "We searched the woods trying to find who had conjured the Dark Mark. Though we found Mr. Crouch's house-elf holding Harry's wand, we still don't know who actually conjured the Mark."

"Harry Potter's wand?" Dominic asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Yes."

"How did his wand manage to become into the possession of a house-elf?"

"That we do not know. However, the appearance of the Mark was very disturbing and it caused mass panic, for it hasn't been seen for thirteen years."

Dominic looked back out at the sparkling lake. "But why is seeing that sign such a big deal?"

"Dominic, it was You-Know-Who's sign. He and his followers sent the Dark Mark into the air whenever they killed. I know that you were too young so you do not have any idea how much terror the Mark inspired. But, just think of it this way," Gabriel said, looking at Dominic, who looked back at his father. "What if you came home and found the Dark Mark above your house and knowing what you were about to find inside. Your worst fear . . . worse than you can possibly imagine."

Dominic nodded, wincing and looking back outside. "It'd be horrible," he whispered.

Gabriel took a deep breath. "However, when the Mark appeared, all the Death Eaters scattered. They Disapparated before we could get near enough to unmask any of them."

"Well, if they really were Death Eaters, then why did they scatter when they saw the Mark?" Dominic asked, looking back at his parents. "Wouldn't they be pleased to see it?"

"Dominic," Gabriel said, looking at him pointedly. "If they really were Death Eaters, they would have worked very hard to keep out of Azkaban when You-Know-Who lost power and they told all sorts of lies about him forcing them to kill and torture people. I think that they would be even more frightened than the rest of us to see him come back. After all, they denied they had ever been involved with him once he lost his powers, and went back to their daily lives . . . I wouldn't reckon that he would be very pleased with them, would you?"

"No, I suppose not," Dominic said, shaking his head.

"Whoever conjured the Dark Mark, we do not know whether they were doing it for show to support the Death Eaters, or to scare them away," Sarah said.

"However, we do know one thing," Gabriel said, looking at his wife and son. "It was only the Death Eaters who ever knew how to conjure it. I would be very surprised if the person who did it had not been a Death Eater before, even if they are not now."

Dominic swallowed, shifted uncomfortably, and looked out the window.

*~~*~~*

There was a soft knock at the door of the bedroom in which Brianna was staying. "Come in," Brianna said and the door opened, revealing Sarah.

Sarah smiled warmly and walked over to the bed, sitting down and looking at Brianna. "How are you doing?" she asked.

Brianna sighed. "As well as I can, I suppose."

"Have you been able to sleep at all?"

"A little. I've only had that dream once so far . . . so I suppose that's good news," Brianna said, looking down at the blanket, fingering it with the tips of her fingers.

Sarah placed her hand on Brianna's, preventing them from moving. Brianna looked up at Sarah's concerned face. "Yes, that is good. Do you feel any better? Any calmer?"

"Just confused."

"How so?"

"Well, when I was separated from Dominic at the campsite, the masked men . . . they were Death Eaters, weren't they?" Brianna asked.

Sarah nodded. "Yes, they were."

Brianna shook her head. "I knew it," she whispered. Then she spoke up a little. "I . . . is it possible for one of them to know me?"

Sarah gave her a confused look. "Know you?"

"Yes . . . I mean . . . I don't know," Brianna said, frustrated.

"What?"

"One of the Death Eaters stopped, looked straight at me, and I could have sworn he said my name."

Sarah's eyes grew wide. "What? He knew your name?"

"Apparently. The part I'm confused, and terrified, about is how he knew my name. It had to be someone I've met, right?"

Sarah bit her lip. "I don't know; I honestly do not. That would be the logical explanation. But, the fact of the matter is that it would be impossible because the only people that know you, the adults I mean, are Gabriel, Mr. Nott and I. And, as far as I know, none of us are Death Eaters," she added with a small smile.

Brianna managed a small smile herself. "I suppose, but . . . another thing, is how did I end up in that clearing? I don't remember anything after I saw the crowd of Death Eaters turn my way."

"Now that I might be able to answer." Sarah took a deep breath. "Gabriel informed me of all the powers that you possess and the conclusions that he made. Do you remember him mention that you could possibly be an Animagus?"

Brianna nodded, looking at skeptically. "Yes . . . but he said that it was a far-fetched thought."

"Yes, he did, but the truth is, is that we think that you are, indeed, an Animagus."

"What?" Brianna managed, her eyes wide. Me, an Animagus?! "How is that possible?"

"Well, with your affinity with and ability for animals, it would be highly possible that you would be an Animagus also. Your connection with animals stems from deep inside and that is what determines whether or not a person can change their form into an animal."

"So I'm an Animagus?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Bloody hell," Brianna whispered, looking down at the blanket. She looked back up at Sarah. "When I get to Hogwarts, Gabriel said that Professor McGonagall could help me if I am truly an Animagus."

Sarah nodded. "Yes, she can, for she is an Animagus herself."

"Right," Brianna said, nodding. "That's what Gabriel said."

"Gabriel and I spoke at great length about your abilities, and we think that it would be best if you came here numerous times over the course of the next year so that we could help you as much as we possibly can to control your talent. That way, you would be prepared for Hogwarts and would have a better understanding of yourself. Also, you need to learn control, for your power can be very dangerous if not controlled. We may be able to help find out exactly what initiates your transformation into your Animagus form; that way, maybe we can help you learn to control that to some extent. Of course, we do not know that much, that is Professor McGonagall's territory, but we will do what we can."

Brianna nodded, smiling. "That would be brilliant. I'd appreciate it very much."

"Gabriel was able to receive special permission from the Ministry so that you will be allowed to practice magic without being fined."

"Sounds good," Brianna said, grinning. "Thank you so much, for everything." Brianna leaned over and hugged Sarah.

Sarah returned the hug and sat back, smiling. "You are a wonderful person, Brianna. I think we can expect great things from you."

Brianna smiled. "I hope so."

*~~*~~*

"That Rita Skeeter is a nuisance to us all," Gabriel scowled, looking down at the issue of that morning's Daily Prophet.

"Gabriel, please . . . we are trying to eat," Sarah said, motioning to the dinner that sat before them.

Brianna, who was sitting next to Dominic, looked between Gabriel and Sarah. "What happened?"

Gabriel shook his head. "That woman has had it in for the Ministry for quite some time. Mr. Weasley is busy at the Ministry, trying to fix all the mess that she has caused. That man, I admire him very much. He works so hard and is very devoted to his work." Gabriel picked up the paper and said, "Just listen to this: 'If the terrified wizards and witches who waited breathlessly for news at the edge of the wood expected reassurance from the Ministry of Magic, they were sadly disappointed. A Ministry official emerged some time after the appearance of the Dark Mark alleging that nobody had been hurt, but refused to give any more information. Whether this statement will be enough to quash the rumors that several bodies were removed from the woods an hour later, remains to be seen.' Pure rubbish," Gabriel said angrily, dropping the paper back onto the table. Brianna looked at him, her eyes wide; she had never seen him so upset. "There were no bodies, of course. Why would there be? Mr. Weasley has been at the office all day trying to smooth this over; all because of that horrible woman."

Sarah placed her hand on her husband's arm. "Gabriel, please, calm down."

Gabriel took a deep breath and looked at Dominic. "I am sorry that I will not be able to take you to Diagon Alley for your supplies. I think I am going to be very busy at the Ministry for the next few weeks." He sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead. "Your mother will take you."

"That's fine," Dominic said, nodding. "I understand."

"Well," Sarah said, smiling and looked around at all of them. "Brianna has agreed to come here throughout the next year to work on her talent and learn some more magic. Will you be coming home at all, Dominic?"

Dominic shook his head. "I won't be coming home over Christmas, since the Yule Ball is being held and something interesting is going to be happening this year; the Triwizard Tournament, so I'll be staying at Hogwarts."

"What's the Triwizard Tournament?" Brianna asked.

"It is a tournament where three champions from three different schools compete in three tasks," Sarah explained. "These tasks are very difficult and rely on the champion's knowledge and quick-thinking. There has not been a Triwizard Tournament in quite some time."

"Which three schools are going to be competing?" Brianna asked.

"Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang," Dominic answered.

"Where are those two located?"

"Beauxbatons is in France and Durmstrang is a school somewhere up north, no one really knows its location," Dominic said. He grinned. "I can't wait to meet the students from Durmstrang."

Brianna smiled. "Well, it sounds brilliant. You'll just have to owl me about everything that goes on," Brianna said, looking at Dominic.

Dominic smiled. "Of course."

"We have many books in the library that contain the basic spells," Gabriel said. They all looked at him, for he had been very quiet for the past few minutes. "Although they are not the books that you will be using for school, they can still help." He managed a smile. "Of course, having learned some of the basic spells, you should be alright. And we do have that wand you've been using, so no need to get one yet. Best wait until you're eleven."

Brianna smiled. "Definitely."

*~~*~~*

That evening, Brianna sat in the library, reading by lamp-light. Occasionally, she would write down a few notes about a certain spell or a bit of information that she found interesting, but mostly she just read.

That is where Dominic found her the following morning, curled up in one of the chairs, an open book on her lap. He smiled and walked over to her, nudging her awake.

"H - huh?" she mumbled, blinking and rubbing her eyes. She sat up. "Is it morning already?"

Dominic laughed. "Yes. Did you spend the entire night in here?"

Brianna looked around at the vast library and laughed. "I suppose I did."

"Would you like some breakfast before we take you home?"

Brianna nodded, standing and setting the book on the table. "That sounds wonderful." She covered her mouth as she yawned, and then stretched her arms up over her head.

They had reached the door that led into the hallway when Dominic turned to her, grinned. "I bet I can make it down to breakfast before you!" he said tauntingly and sprinted down the hall, his long legs carrying him quickly.

"Dominic Conner, you're not going to win this time!" she yelled after him, sprinting as fast as she could. She saw him run down the stairs and decided to let all caution be thrown to the wind and jumped onto the railing, sliding down the curves, picking up speed. She grinned and waved as she flew past Dominic, who gave her an astonished look.

Of course, she was so busy giving him a smug look that she didn't realize she had come to the end of the banister until she was flying through the air. However, her landing wasn't too bad, as someone caught her. She looked up to see Gabriel looking down at her, smiling and shaking his head, his chest heaving with silent laughter.

"You two," was all he said, the laughter bursting forth. He let her down.

"Thanks Gabriel!" she cried and sprinted into the dining room, Dominic at her heels. She lunged for her chair, sitting down just as Dominic flew at his chair. However, Dominic missed and crashed to the floor, bringing the chair with him.

Brianna's face turned bright red as she tried to muffle her laughter, but in the end she failed and she began laughing hysterically. Clutching her sides, she tried to stop, but failed when Dominic stood, tried to sit back down, and the chair danced away, making him fall onto the ground a second time.

"I suppose you think this is very funny, don't you," Dominic scowled, trying to look serious as he stood, chased down the chair, tackled it, and finally sat down.

"I - I'm sorry," Brianna gasped between fits of laughter. "I - it's just . . . you flew -then the chair -" She couldn't finish, for she collapsed into another round of laughter, this time Dominic joining in.

He shook his head. "I don't believe I just made a complete fool out of myself," he said, chuckling.

"Well, you really didn't have to try very hard."

"What is this?" Dominic asked, looking at her. "Did someone declare a 'Bash Dominic Day' and I don't know it?"

"I'm sorry," Brianna said, smiling and looking down at the plate of toast and eggs in front of her. "But you had it coming."

"For what?"

"For calling me a pyro."

Dominic sighed, raising an eyebrow. "That was months ago."

Brianna shrugged. "It's also the fact that you're a Slytherin."

Dominic crossed his arms. "And exactly why does that entitle you to verbally bash me?"

Brianna shrugged. "You're a Slytherin."

"So?"

"I don't know."

Dominic raised his eyebrows. "You just verbally bashed me because I'm a Slytherin and you don't even know the reason behind it?"

Brianna shrugged.

"You haven't even been Sorted yet! How do you know you won't be in Slytherin?"

"I don't, but I can still tease you about it."

"Well, if you can tease me about being a Slytherin, then I can tease you about being a pyro."

"But I'm not a pyro," Brianna said matter-of-factly. "And you are a Slytherin."

"Didn't I list the reasons why you are a pyro back during the spring holiday?"

"Do you want me to put the Lip-Locker Curse on you?"

"You don't know how to do that," Dominic scoffed.

"Wanna bet?" Brianna asked, folding her arms in front of her. "How do you know I haven't read about it yet?"

Dominic gave her a sideways look. "Would you really do that?"

Brianna shrugged. "If you provoked me enough and I actually could control my magic well enough, yes, I would."

Dominic shook his head, laughing. "Well, I suppose I'll just have to watch how I act then."

Brianna smiled. "Yes, I suppose you will."

Dominic was silent for awhile; then he picked up one of his poptarts from his plate and began making it walk around.

Brianna quirked an eyebrow, taking a bite of her toast. "Dominic, what are you doing?"

"I'm an evil poptart."

"What?" she asked incredulously.

"I'm busy."

"Doing what?"

"Looking for sprinkles for my breakfasty self."

"You've really lost it," Brianna said, shaking her head, but she was smiling. Then she snickered. "Evil poptart?"

Dominic looked up at her. "What's wrong with it?"

Brianna bit her lip to keep from laughing. "You're playing with a poptart."

"So?"

"Aren't Slytherins supposed to be more refined?"

"What, so now you're stereotyping me with my house?" Dominic asked, setting down the poptart and raising his eyebrows.

Brianna shrugged. "Just saying that I don't think a Slytherin would be playing with his food."

"Oh, really, you think so?" Dominic grinned wickedly and picked up the poptart. "Then I suppose a Slytherin wouldn't do this, either." And, with that, he threw the poptart at Brianna, hitting her in the face, the strawberry filling oozing out.

She wiped off the remains of the poptart and picked up her goblet, promptly dousing Dominic with it. He brushed a few sticky strands of his brown hair from his eyes and glared at her.

"That wasn't very nice."

"You started it," Brianna said smugly, but her smug look disappeared when a plate of eggs hit her shirt. She stood, placing her hands on her hips. "Dominic, you're going to pay for that one." She picked up her sausage and threw them at him, but he ducked. As food kept appearing on their plates, they promptly threw it at each other.

Now covered head to toe in food, they faced off, each having plates of food in their hands. "Evil poptart," Brianna said.

"Pyro."

"Slytherin."

Dominic didn't get a chance to reply, however, as both he and Brianna suddenly found themselves levitated and looking at the floor far beneath them. The plates had fallen from their hands and were now lying on the floor.

"I just cannot leave you two alone, now can I?" Brianna looked to see Gabriel standing by the doorway, his wand in his hand.

"We were just -" Dominic began.

"Making a mess?" Gabriel said, smiling.

"Uh -"

"If your mother was here, I do not think she would be very pleased." Dominic swallowed. Gabriel looked up at him, grinning wickedly. "However, since she is out shopping, I do not think she will mind if I do this."

Suddenly, the table beneath them disappeared and a huge vat of Yorkshire pudding sat in its place. Both Brianna and Dominic looked at it wide-eyed.

"Father -" Dominic began.

"Gabriel?" Brianna said, looking nervously at the pudding and then at Gabriel.

"I hope you like Yorkshire pudding," Gabriel said, grinning and then they found themselves falling, hitting the bread-like surface face-first, immersed a few inches.

"I don't like pudding," she heard Dominic's muffled voice say.

"It's not pudding," she mumbled.

"Shut up," came the retort.

*~~*~~*

Four hours later, a clean Brianna was saying goodbye to a clean Dominic, while Gabriel waited outside in the car. Dominic promised to owl and the two best friends parted.

As Gabriel drove Brianna home, they made plans about when she could visit next to begin her training. She would be coming over every weekend to work as long as her parents didn't mind her visits.

Although she had had a brilliant time at the World Cup, she tried to forget the Death Eaters and that night when the Dark Mark had appeared. Her parents, of course, were very anxious to hear about her time at the World Cup and she spent hours explaining everything that she could without saying a bit about magic.

Soon school started up again and she was so busy between her homework and her training, she hardly had a moment to relax. Her parents were very supportive and kept Maria and Terrance away while she studied for school.

One morning, however, Brianna had been eating breakfast when her mother had come into the kitchen, carrying a book in her hand. "Brianna, I found this laying on the floor when I was cleaning, and I was wondering why you had it," her mother asked, holding up the book.

Brianna swallowed, seeing that it was her A History of Magic book. "Oh, that? I . . ." She hated lying to her mother, but she wasn't sure it was the best time to mention she was a witch. "It's a book I got from the library. We're studying the witch trials and I have to write a paper on it. I just thought that book might help me with the paper."

Her mother looked at her curiously but nodded, setting the book on the table. "Just don't scare me like that. If I thought you were getting into things like witchcraft, I don't know what I'd do." Her mother turned and left the kitchen.

Brianna sat back, sighing in relief. That was too close. Oh, I hate lying to her! She trusts me so much that she took my word on what I just said. I feel horrible . . . but . . . what a mess I'm in!

She picked up her book and headed back to her bedroom, putting the book back in the trunk at the foot of her bed. She closed the trunk, sitting on the top. Gabriel had given her the trunk to keep all her books and any other magical things that she might own in. On the top was the Hogwarts Coat of Arms and he had said that when he went to Hogwarts, this was one of two trunks that he had used over the period of seven years. He had also said that he was giving it to her so that she could use it once she went to Hogwarts.

It was nearly December and already it had snowed several times. She had received several letters from Dominic, telling her about the Triwizard Tournament that was being held at Hogwarts. She wanted to see it so badly, but, of course, that was impossible.

She pulled out one of Dominic's letters, his latest, and unfolded it, reading.

Brianna,

Hi, how is everything at home? School going well? I hope so. Here, at Hogwarts, there is so much going on! The first task was just completed and you should have seen what the champions had to do! Now, although I'm not a huge Potter fan, I have to admit, what he did was brilliant! The champions were each assigned a dragon and had to get past it. Well, Potter got the Horntail! Needless to say, he was brilliant. He called his Firebolt and flew around the dragon to get the golden egg. And Krum, the Durmstrang champion, well, he did okay. He cast this spell that hit the dragon in the eye, but it smashed a lot of the eggs, so he didn't get many points, although he did get his egg. Fleur, the Beauxbatons champion, tried to put her dragon in a trance, and it worked until it snored and her skirt caught on fire! But she put it out with water from her wand, so she got her egg. Cedric, our other champion, did a nice piece of work. He Transfigured a rock on the ground into a dog and the dragon went after the dog for a bit but changed its mind and went after him instead. He got the egg, but he got burned. He just got away.

I wish you could have seen it. It was brilliant! Krum and Potter are tied for first place, so I suppose we'll see what happens with the second task. That's in February.

Granger is still going on about that S.P.E.W. thing and it's really getting quite annoying. I swear she nearly tackled me the other day, trying to get me to wear one of her stupid badges. You remember what I told you about S.P.E.W., right? Well, I don't see the point. We all have a badge that say 'Support Cedric Diggory' and that's what I wear around. Although, I will admit, Potter isn't doing too badly.

Well, I have a three foot essay due in Transfiguration tomorrow, so I'm going to get to work. I nearly have it done. In one way, I am glad that I don't have to worry about Quidditch, but on the other hand, it would be nice to have a few matches.

I'll owl you after Christmas and tell you how the Yule Ball went. I'm going with this girl named Veronica McClaire; she's a sixth-year in Slytherin. I wish you could attend; we'd have a blast.

Your best friend,

Dominic

Brianna smiled, putting the letter away. I wish I could go too, Dominic, but there's always next year. She stood and walked over to her desk, taking out her biology book and sitting down to begin her homework.

*~~*~~*

Near the end of February, Brianna received another letter from Dominic, telling her what had transpired at the second task. Her birthday had passed quickly and she couldn't believe that she was already eleven. It seemed like yesterday that she was just beginning to show the first signs of magic. It was hard to believe that Maria and Terrance were six; they had had their birthday last week. Gabriel and Sarah had sent them some wizarding candy that they had thoroughly enjoyed.

The past few months had been long, for she had been working very hard. Between learning new beginner spells and doing her Muggle school homework, she was very exhausted and was lying on her bed when Yoddle flew through the window, perching on the foot of the bed.

Brianna sat up, smiling. "Hi, Yoddle."

Hello. He sighed.

"What's wrong?"

Oh, it's just the weather. Very cold. Not good flying conditions.

Brianna looked out the window, seeing that it was indeed snowing very hard. She smiled, thinking about what her mother would say if she knew that Brianna had her window open. Oh well. She looked back at Yoddle. "Let me go find you something warm."

Thank you.

She stood and hurried to the bathroom, where she found a paper cup. Filling it with warm water, she hurried back to her room and motioned for Yoddle to hop onto her bedside table. After drinking the warm water, Yoddle gave a hoot.

That was good. I'm a bit warmer now.

"Good," Brianna said, smiling. She quickly untied the letter from Yoddle's foot and set it on the bed. Digging through her drawer in her bedside table, she found a bag of owl treats and gave Yoddle one. "You're welcome to rest here for a bit and warm up."

That would be much appreciated. Thank you very much.

Brianna stood. "It's not a problem." She walked over to her closet and rummaged through the bottom drawer. She pulled out the cage she had made for any owls that might arrive and needed a rest. She set it up on the top of her large dresser and closed the window. Turning to Yoddle, she said, "I hope you don't mind me carrying you. I know you're exhausted and I don't want to make you do any more work than you have to."

It's alright.

Brianna smiled. "Good." She walked over to the bedside table and scooped Yoddle, who was a rather large bird, into her arms and set him down in the cage. Yoddle immediately perched, ruffling his feathers.

Thank you, again. Much needed rest.

"I bet. I'll leave you alone so you can sleep."

Yoddle hooted in reply and Brianna walked over to her bed, sitting down and unrolling Dominic's letter.

Brianna,

Sorry about the wait. Even though the Triwizard tournament is going on, we got overloaded on homework. The Yule Ball went well. Granger showed up with Krum, if you'll believe that. Draco was with Pansy. Veronica was alright; nice enough, but not the most interesting person in the world. But, I wasn't going to miss the dance and she is really nice and asked me a while before the dance to go with her, so I agreed, of course. I can't believe my third year is almost over! It's hard to believe. Defense Against the Dark Arts is bloody brilliant. Moody is a brilliant professor. I still like Lupin the best, though.

Of course, we have a new Care of Magical Creatures professor, Professor Grubbly-Plank. She is good, but, although I won't admit this to any of my Slytherin friends, I rather liked Hagrid. You'll love him, Brianna, when you meet him. He loves animals so much! And I'm sure he'd be extremely shocked when you can actually speak to his animals! I'm warning you, he won't leave you alone, once he finds out that. I'm sure he'll be wanting to show you all his creatures.

We had another Hogsmeade trip and we had a brilliant time. Well, as I'm sure you're anxious to know, the second task was rather interesting. The champions had to dive down into the lake and rescue the people that they would miss most from the bottom where the people were being held by the Merpeople. Fleur was the first to surface, but she didn't manage to get her hostage. She used a Bubble-Head Charm but she was attacked by grindylows. Cedric came out after her and had his hostage, but he was just outside the time limit. We were really pleased, though, because he received the highest number of points. I was grinning ear to ear when his score was announced, as were the rest of the Slytherins. We're rooting him on for the finish, although, I hate to admit it, but Potter stands a good chance. Krum tried to Transfigure himself into a shark, but I guess he only got it part way. He did bring back his hostage, which was Granger of all people. And Potter, that kid amazes me. He used this weed called gillyweed. It enables you to breathe underwater. He returned last and was well outside his time limit, but it was because he was trying to help all the other hostages. He rescued Fleur's sister, who had been Fleur's hostage to retrieve, as well as his own, which was Weasley, of course. He scored the second-highest.

The third and final task isn't until the beginning of June and everyone's talking about it. We don't know what's going to happen but I bet either Potter or Cedric will win. At least it'll be a Hogwarts champion. Like I said before, I'm rooting Cedric on to win, but I can't wait to see what Potter is going to do.

Well, I hope everything is going well. Father tells me that your lessons are proceeding well and that you are a very talented witch. I can't wait to see what you can do. I'll be writing soon, probably won't be as long as this one. Just a short note. Once the third task is completed, I'll write you. Hope to hear from you soon!

Your best friend,

Dominic

Brianna smiled, putting the letter down. I wish I were at Hogwarts right now. The Triwizard Tournament sounds fascinating! What I wouldn't give to see it. Hagrid sounds fascinating and I can't wait to meet him. It sounds like an ideal person for me to meet if he loves creatures as much as Dominic says he does. She stood, stretching. Smells like dinner time, she thought with a smile and headed downstairs.

*~~*~~*

"Brianna, can you help me?" Maria asked, sitting at the kitchen table, and looking down at her math homework helplessly. It was a blustery Monday evening, as they had just entered the month of March.

"Sure," Brianna said, smiling and pulled up a seat. "What do you need help on?"

"We're doing addition and patterns."

Brianna looked down at the paper that consisted of several addition problems and a number of sequences. Maria had done a few of the addition problems, but had got stuck on the last few. And the sequences she hadn't even started on.

"Okay, Maria," Brianna said. Her sister looked at her. "What's the number that comes after ten?"

Maria looked upwards, thinking. "Um . . . eleven."

Brianna smiled. "Right. Now, what about two after that?"

"Um . . . fifteen?"

"Okay, now look at this," Brianna said, holding up two fingers. "One, one. Eleven." Maria, looking at Brianna's fingers, nodded. "Now," she said, holding up another finger. "One, and two."

"Twelve."

Brianna smiled. "Good. Now, what about one, three?"

Maria bit her lip, thinking. Finally, she said, smiling, "Thirteen!"

"Good! Okay, what comes after thirteen? One, four."

"Fourteen."

"Okay, so fourteen is three more than eleven. What comes before fourteen?"

"Thirteen."

"Okay, so this problem," Brianna said, pointing to the problem that Maria had been stuck on, "is eleven plus two."

"So, that's thirteen?"

"You don't have to ask. You know."

Maria nodded. "Thirteen." She wrote the answer down.

"Very good," Brianna said, smiling.

Over the next hour, Brianna helped Maria with the rest of her homework, working on sequences with squares and circles. Patiently describing everything, Brianna smiled. This makes me feel really good; to be able to help people. Maybe I'll be a mediwitch. Either that or I want to get into the Department of Magical Creatures. That would be brilliant. I still can't transform into an my Animagus form at will, but at least we've come to the conclusion that it's my emotions that initiate the change. I just have to keep my emotions from rising too high if I don't want to change.

After Maria finished her homework, Terrance came in and Brianna helped him with his homework. He had to look at pictures of various creatures and say whether it was an animal, a bird, or a fish. She pointed out certain characteristics that helped him decide, and patiently watched as he wrote down the names.

"Thank you, Brianna," Terrance said and hugged her. He smiled and ran up to his room.

"You are so good with them," she heard her mother say and Brianna turned to see her mother standing in the doorway, a smile on her face. Her dark hair had been pulled back in a bun and she wore a simple green dress.

"I try," Brianna said, smiling and standing.

"You're so grownup. Before you know it, you'll be going to college, and then what will I do without you?" her mother asked, smiling. "Or, more, what will Maria and Terrance do without you? They're so attached and you're so patient."

"Thanks," Brianna said. "They're the greatest. I love them a lot and I don't know what I'd do without them either. Or you and dad."

Her mother smiled and walked over, pulling Brianna into a hug. "I love you, Brianna, you're a good girl and I know that I can expect many great things from you."

Sarah said that too, Brianna thought with a smile.

"I love you too, Mom," Brianna said and pulled out of the hug. Her mother smiled and Brianna headed up to her room.

*~~*~~*

"Okay, now point your wand towards the object you want to call and really concentrate. Then, when you are ready, say, 'Accio'," Gabriel instructed.

Brianna nodded, facing a stack of books on a table in the library. She had been working for several hours already that day, and this was a slightly tougher lesson, as she had already learned the basic spells and Gabriel was now teaching her a few more of the advanced spells. Nothing really hard, but challenging enough for her. It had taken a lot of work to be able to focus through her wand to perform the spells and charms, but all her hard work was beginning to pay off.

So far, she had only succeeded in 'Alohomora', but even then it had proved rather difficult. However, as her lessons with Gabriel progressed, it was becoming easier and today she would be working on her Summoning Charm.

Brianna focused on the top book and pointed her wand. "Accio!" she commanded and the book didn't even budge. She tried to focus harder. "Accio!" Nothing. Oh come on you stupid book. Move!! "Accio!" Finally, it budged a little, falling off the shelf. She took a few deep breaths and then tried again.

This time, the book flew forward a bit, but dropped about halfway to her, onto the oriental carpet.

"Just keep up your concentration. You are doing very well."

Brianna nodded and swallowed. Focusing her mind, picturing the book coming towards her, she was so intent on the book that she was completely stunned when the book flew at her face; hitting her and making her stumble back.

"Ouch," she murmured, rubbing her face. What just happened? She pulled away her hand; good, no blood. That had hurt! "What just happened, Gabriel?" she asked, looking at Gabriel, who had a smile on his face.

"You got it all the way across the room, congratulations," he said, smiling.

"Thanks," Brianna said, grinning.

"Okay, try the spell again. This time, though, focus on the book, but keep your awareness of your surroundings. Then you will not be hit by the object you are calling," he said with a smile.

Brianna smiled. "Thanks. I'll remember that." She turned back to the stack of books, focusing her mind on the top book, but making sure that she was still aware of everything else. She thought about the book coming towards her, focusing hard through her wand, and grinned when the book flew into her waiting hand. "Brilliant!"

"Very good, Brianna," Gabriel said, smiling. "So, with your magic, you have to focus intently on exactly what you want to accomplish, think of the spell that would help you accomplish this task, and then perform it." Brianna nodded, setting down the book. "Now, I'd like to see you try a different sort of magic. Wandless. On that book."

"Wandless?" Brianna asked, arching an eyebrow.

Gabriel nodded. "Yes. It is a rawer form of magic, less focused, but it would do you good to be able to do a little. You will have to focus quite a bit more, but go ahead and try."

"Alright," she said, focusing on the stack of books again. She held out her left hand, her wand arm, and shouted, "Accio!" The book didn't even move. She tried several more times and only succeeding in getting it to move about an inch.

Again, though, she caught a flash of concern across Gabriel's face, but she didn't focus too much on it. However, it had happened every time she used magic; almost as if he was worried about something. She knew she had to ask, for it would bug her eternally if she didn't.

"Gabriel, I have to ask you a question."

"Yes?"

"Why do you always look worried when I use magic?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, that every time I reach out to perform a spell, you look worried. What are you worried about?"

"It is nothing."

Brianna quirked an eyebrow. "Gabriel, I know you well enough to know that when you look worried, it is something."

Gabriel sighed, smiling slightly. "I suppose you caught me red-handed, then. You are left-handed."

"So?"

"Salazar Slytherin and You-Know-Who were left-handed."

Brianna sighed, shaking her head. She rolled her eyes. "Why am I continually connected with those two?"

"Being left-handed does not necessarily mean you are bad, Brianna"

"Oh?" Brianna said, quirking an eyebrow. "Then why do all the left-handed wizards we know of are Dark wizards?"

"I am sure that there are plenty of left-handed people that are not Dark witches are wizards."

"Have you met one?"

Gabriel was silent for a bit. Then he sighed. "No."

"Then I'm a Dark witch."

"No!" Gabriel cried, looking alarmed. "Do not ever think that! You are what you choose to be. It is not your abilities that define who are. It is your choices. If you choose to use your power for good, then you will be good. Harry Potter has some abilities that could be connected with the Dark Arts, and was nearly put in Slytherin. But he chose not to be in Slytherin. Therefore, he was placed in Gryffindor. And he has done extraordinary things for the wizarding world since. He has saved our world so many times."

Brianna nodded. "Right." But she wasn't too sure. It would be just her luck to find out about her powers, and then find out that she was a Dark witch. It was bad enough that her mother thought that witchcraft was rubbish and that she was going to have a very difficult time explaining what she was when her letter arrived, which reminded her. "Gabriel, I'm supposed to receive my letter in a week."

"The letters will not be mailed until the end of June because of the Triwizard Tournament final on June twenty-fourth. You should receive you letter on that day."

Brianna nodded. "Good, that gives me more time to figure out exactly how I'm supposed to explain to my parents about my talents."

Gabriel smiled. "Yes, that will be quite an interesting evening when you receive your letter. If you wish, Sarah and I will come over on that evening so that we can help smooth over any difficulties."

Brianna nodded. "Thanks. I'm sure my parents would love to have you two over, since you've done so much for me. And I'd appreciate the support. I may need it when it comes time to reveal everything."

Gabriel nodded. "Yes. Well," he said, taking a deep breath, "shall we continue?"

"Definitely," Brianna said, grinning.

*~~*~~*

On June twenty-fourth, Brianna was over at the Conners' working on her magic and was currently eating lunch. A copy of the Daily Prophet sat on the table in front of her. Since she didn't receive the paper, the only time she got to read it was when she was over at the estate.

Picking it up, she looked at the front page. The headline, which read "Harry Potter, Disturbed and Dangerous," was followed beneath by a picture of the boy. He looked very sullen and not very happy, his bright green eyes looking quite annoyed. Her eyes traveled down to the article.

The boy who defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is unstable and possibly dangerous, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Alarming evidence has recently come to light about Harry Potter's strange behavior, which casts doubts upon his suitability to compete in a demanding competition like the Triwizard Tournament, or even to attend Hogwarts School.

Potter, the Daily Prophet can exclusively reveal, regularly collapses at school, and is often heard to complain of pain in the scar on his forehead (relic of the curse with which You-Know-Who attempted to kill him). On Monday last, midway through a Divination lesson, your Daily Prophet reporter witnessed Potter storming from the class, claiming that his scar was hurting too badly to continue studying.

It is possible, say top experts at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, that Potter's brain was affected by the attack inflicted upon him by You-Know-Who, and that this insistence that the scar is still hurting is an expression of his deep-seated confusion.

"He might even be pretending," said one specialist. "This could be a plea for attention."

The Daily Prophet, however, has unearthed worrying facts about Harry Potter that Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, has carefully concealed from the wizarding public.

"Potter can speak Parseltounge," reveals Draco Malfoy, a Hogwarts fourth-year. "There were a lot of attacks on students a couple of years ago, and most people thought Potter was behind them after they saw him lose his temper at a dueling club and set a snake on another boy. It was all hushed up, though. But he's made friends with werewolves and giants too. We think he'd do anything for a bit of power."

Parseltounge, the ability to converse with snakes, has long been considered a Dark Art. Indeed, the most famous Parselmouth of our times is none other than You-Know-Who himself. A member of the Dark Force Defense League, who wished to remain unnamed, stated that he would regard any wizard who could speak Parseltounge "as worthy of investigation. Personally, I would be highly suspicious of anybody who could converse with snakes, as serpents are often used in the worst kinds of Dark Magic, and are historically associated with evildoers." Similarly, "anyone who seeks out the company of such vicious creatures as werewolves and giants would appear to have a fondness for violence."

Albus Dumbledore should surely consider whether a boy such as this should be allowed to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. Some fear that Potter might resort to the Dark Arts in his desperation to win the tournament, the third task of which takes place this evening.

"Oh, my Lord," Brianna whispered, her eyes wide as she set down the paper.

"Brianna?" Brianna looked up to see Sarah standing in the doorway of the dining room. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine; I just read something very disturbing."

"What is it?" Sarah asked, walking over and sitting down next to Brianna. Her eyes flitted over to the discarded paper and she frowned, nodding. "Oh, that Skeeter woman has struck again," Sarah said quite angrily. "I suppose you just read her recent article on Harry Potter?"

Brianna nodded. "Yes, I did. It spoke about Parselmouths and that anyone that was a Parselmouth should be investigated." She bit her lip worriedly, looking down at her lap. "That includes me."

"Oh, Brianna," Sarah said, placing a hand on Brianna's shoulder, making Brianna look up. "Do not believe all that rubbish that Rita Skeeter writes. She has absolutely no clue what she is talking about. She makes Harry Potter out to be this weak child, and he is anything but weak."

"But the stuff about Parselmouths is true. It's a mark of a Dark witch or wizard to be able to speak Parselmouth."

"Brianna, did Gabriel not tell you that Harry Potter is also a Parselmouth?"

"Yes," Brianna said, nodding. "But that's just because You-Know-Who transferred some of his powers to Harry when he was cursed."

"Yet, he's still a Parselmouth, and he's good."

"I don't know," Brianna said, looking down.

"Brianna Jacquel Olsen, look at me." Brianna looked up at Sarah's stern face. "You are not evil. You are anything but. You are one of the nicest people that I know and yes, you may have the ability to talk to snakes, but just because you have that talent, does not mean one thing about you being evil. Do you understand me?"

Brianna was quite for a few moments, and then nodded. "Okay."

"Do not believe a word that woman writes in the Daily Prophet. She is just out to get people."

Brianna nodded again. "I suppose. Gabriel did say that she doesn't have a clue what she's talking about."

"Exactly." Sarah gave her a stern look. "You promise me not to speak any more of this rubbish about you being a Dark witch."

"I promise."

"Smile." Brianna cracked a small smile and Sarah smiled back. "Good. I do not like to see you depressed." She took a deep breath. "Well, you had better get back to your lessons. Gabriel is waiting in the library."

Brianna nodded, smiling. "Yes, I'll go now. I had just finished lunch, anyway."

She stood and she and Sarah left the dining room.

*~~*~~*

That evening, after dinner, Sarah, Gabriel, and Brianna were sitting in the study, waiting for her letter to arrive, and Gabriel and Sarah were telling her about their years at Hogwarts.

"And so the rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin existed then too?" Brianna asked.

"Yes, it was just as bad as it is now," Gabriel said with a laugh. "Oh, you should have seen some of the scrupples that we and the Slytherins got into. And especially during Quidditch. Our games were always the most brutal."

Brianna smiled. "I believe that."

"Well, I think one of the best pranks we pulled on the Slytherins one day was the view-switch," Gabriel said. "We were supposed to be in Potions, and Greg, my best friend, and I decided to curse the room so that when the Slytherins walked in, everything would be upside down."

Brianna laughed. "That would have been quite a sight."

"Oh, it was," Gabriel said, laughing.

"At least I can say that Ravenclaw had no part in any of the Gryffindors' pranks," Sarah said, but she was laughing too.

"I can't wait until Hogwarts. It's going to be brilliant!" Brianna exclaimed, grinning.

"I wonder who they will have teaching DADA next year," Sarah mused.

"It won't be the same?" Brianna asked.

"I doubt it," Gabriel said. "What Dominic said was true; no professor has ever lasted longer than a year in that position."

"Well, I just hope we get a good teacher. From what Dominic told me about his first-year, that Lockhart had absolutely no clue what he was doing."

Sarah and Gabriel smiled. "Well, he is safely put away in St. Mungo's," Gabriel said, chuckling.

"Would you like something to drink, Brianna?" Sarah asked.

Brianna nodded and Sarah stood, but Gabriel stopped her. "I will go get the drinks. I want you to explain to Brianna about what we discussed about what to do while at Hogwarts."

Sarah nodded, smiling. "Okay," she said, sitting back down. She turned to Brianna. "Okay, now -" She was cut off as Gabriel suddenly let out a loud yell and dropped to his knees, clutching his left forearm fiercely. His face was taut with pain and his normally light-brown skin was deathly pale.

"Gabriel!" Brianna yelled and ran over to him.

"No," he rasped as Sarah ran over. "I have to go." He looked up at Sarah. "It is burning again and it had been becoming clearer for many weeks now. What we feared as come to pass. I have to go."

Sarah gasped, her eyes wide, and her hands flew up to her mouth. "You do not mean -"

"Yes. I will do what I can." With that, he stumbled up and sprinted out of the room, his black cape swirling after him.

"Sarah?" Brianna asked, her eyes wide and her heart beating rapidly. "What just happened?"

Sarah, who had been looking after Gabriel, a look of horror on her face, was silent. Finally, she turned to Brianna. "Brianna," she said, taking a deep breath. The horror on her face was now replaced with a look that Brianna couldn't quite define. "Gabriel . . . is a Death Eater."