TITLE: Our Family Secret
FANDOM: HP/BtVS
AUTHOR: Dizzy Flower
PART: 8?
RATING: PG
SUMMARY: Luna has to research an ancestor for History of Magic. When she stumbles across one Drusilla Rose Kent, she has to know what happens to her. Answer to Gidgetgirl's Loopy Challenge.
DISCLAIMER: BtVS and Angel belong to Joss Whedon. Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. This story is an answer to a challenge by Gidgetgirl, so the plot belongs to her.

A/N: This is a terribly boring filler chapter. My apologies also for the very long time between updates

Our Family Secret

Chapter 8-

-Sorrows Past and Present

"I was trying to find you," Luna told Drusilla shyly as they walked.

Drusilla smiled dreamily. "I know, my little moon child. The stars told me of your quest."

A quest. The new wording for her school project instantly made it sound more appealing, though she supposed it had been a quest, in a way; she'd had to first research Drusilla, then track her movements, and then finally find her. Luna had just worn robes and a pointy hat instead of a suit of armour, that was all.

Adrenalin had been pumping through Luna's veins ever since she'd first laid her eyes on Drusilla, and even now she was still feeling jumpy and hyped up. She'd done the impossible- she'd found her ancestor, and was actually walking down the street with her. Luna was still expecting herself to wake up and find out that it was all a dream; it all seemed so surreal. What would Hermione say when she found out?

She would probably die of a heart attack, Luna reasoned after thinking it over for a few moments, but not before she'd thoroughly berated Luna for taking too many risks.

There was nothing wrong with taking a few risks, thought Luna, as she turned slightly to look at Dru. Sometimes risks paid off, after all. Luna had just discovered a new aunt, another branch in her family tree, just because she'd acted like a reckless Gryffindor and taken a risk.

"Some chit-chat over scones and tea, little Luna?" Dru asked suddenly, and Luna nodded in acquiescence. She had lots of questions that needed answers, a multitude of queries that had been building up ever since she'd first glimpsed Drusilla's name on that dirty scrap of parchment. Chit-chat sounded like a good idea.

Of course, scones and tea had better not be some sort of vampire code name for humans and/or blood. Luna didn't think her newfound love for her aunt stretched that far.

Thankfully they didn't make their way towards some unsuspecting passers-by, but instead began to walk towards a small park. By now night had truly fallen, and Luna's eyesight could only make out blurry shapes and what the streetlights and headlights illuminated. The dark had never bothered Luna, though (nocturnal creatures were absolutely fascinating!), and the dense living conditions of LA and the pollution prevented it from becoming pitch black.

They meandered their way through trees and flowerbeds, making a wobbly figure of eight as Drusilla searched for the perfect spot in which to have her tête-à-tête. Finally Luna realised that they were making a beeline for an ancient oak tree that was growing away from the cluster of sycamores that dominated the middle of the small park.

"All by its onesies," Drusilla confided to her in a whisper, as if she didn't want to hurt its feelings. "Just like us."

Luna smiled. "We not by our onesies, Aunt Dru," she said, flopping ungracefully on the ground as her aunt elegantly arranged her skirts.

Drusilla did not answer, but she folded her hands on her lap and gazed at Luna with undisguised curiosity. "Tell me everything," she commanded, dark eyes wide and eager. "I wish for you to tell me what I have missed, tucked away in my cocoon."

"Okay, Aunt Butterfly," Luna said agreeably, crossing her legs into a more comfortable position. "But then you have to tell me everything back, like a kind of swap." Drusilla nodded quickly, and Luna cleared her throat impressively. "Okay. I guess I should start with the beginning, so, I guess I'll start with me.

"I'm in fifth year at school (that's Hogwarts, in case you haven't guessed), and I'm a Ravenclaw, like you."

Drusilla clapped her hands together delightedly and Luna grinned.

"The subjects I take are Charms, which I quite like; Transfiguration, which I would like if it wasn't so difficult; Potions, which is taught by the ugliest, greasiest git ever to grace the world; DADA, which is fun this year because everyone who was offered the job refused, and so we just have guest teachers or free periods instead; Care of Magical Creatures, which is my favourite class and, guess what? It's taught by a giant!" Luna became rather animated once she'd reached the topic of her favourite class. "He's very nice –a bit simple, sometimes- but really, really nice…plus he manages to smuggle in all these illegal or dangerous creatures so we can see what they're really like!"

Drusilla looked impressed. "Lots of fun to be had with those types of creatures," she said knowledgeably, and Luna nodded in agreement, though she didn't really want to contemplate on just how Drusilla had come into contact with illegal or dangerous creatures.

"And there's Divination, I suppose," Luna added after a moment's pause, as if she didn't really count Divination as a subject.

Drusilla raised an eyebrow and too late Luna remembered that she was a seer. "Not that's there's anything wrong with Divination," she said hurriedly, hoping she hadn't offended her. "It's just that there's actually two Divination teachers, and my class is taught by the really bad one. Her name's Professor Trelawney, and she's terrible- a real fraud. I would have much preferred Professor Firenze- he's a centaur, so he really knows his stuff."

Her aunt's forehead wrinkled slightly in a frown. "That is odd," she said, more to herself than to Luna. "They speak to the stars and the moon, staying shy of whippy wands and horrible hats. No witches for them, says they."

"I think his tribe threw him out," Luna ventured. At least, that was the reason that was circulating on the grapevine.

Instead of reassuring Drusilla, this news only served to deepen her frown. "Tut, tut," she whispered under her breath at last, so quietly that Luna had to strain to hear it. "Everyone is being naughty but they are not getting spanked."

Luna mouth tightened. That made absolutely no sense at all, but then again she supposed Drusilla was known for spouting nonsense. But really, was there any link between Firenze the centaur and getting spanked?

Luna decided not to dwell on the weird images that thought had caused, and so she continued with her explanation on the wizarding world in the 21st century. "My friends and I belong to this group called the DA- it stands for Defence Association or Dumbledore's Army." Luna mouth quirked upward as she thought of the DA. They were her first real set of friends, and in Luna's opinion a better group of friends couldn't be found anywhere.

"And your housemates?" Drusilla was looking at her with a remarkably shrewd look on her face. When Luna hesitated a moment before answering she gave a huff. "Those naughty children ought to get the cuts- smack, smack, smack!"

Luna grinned a little at Drusilla before quickly rising to their defence. "Nah. I don't really mind," she said, lying a little. After all, she very much doubted that Drusilla's mentions of smacking were meant to be taken literally, and as much as she hated her housemates she didn't want them to be subjected to Drusilla's idea of a punishment.

Drusilla shrugged in deference, but Luna had a feeling the subject would probably be brought up again. "And does Dumbledore's Army fight in the trenches and jab their bayonets at those nasty little black rats?" she asked, looking inquisitive.

Luna was thankful for the subject change. "Well, I don't know about any jabbing of bayonets," she said with a secretive smile. If Drusilla had thought to ask that question then no doubt she would already know the answer. "So that's me," said Luna, deciding to end the conversation there before Drusilla could ask any more questions Luna was in no particular hurry to answer. "What about you?"

Drusilla's mouth twisted in a mockery of a smile. "What about me?" she asked, leaning back slightly so that her back touched the bark of the tree.

"How…I mean…" Luna thought about how best to phrase her question, then decided bluntness was probably the way to go. "Why did you leave Hogwarts?"

Drusilla's head bobbed up and down, her eyes closed slightly as if in deep thought. Just when Luna wondered if she'd nodded off, Drusilla's eyes snapped open. Luna was slightly surprised (not to mention unnerved) when she noticed they were unexpectedly clear and lucid. "A very long story it is, little moon," Drusilla said slowly, obviously thinking which words would best describe her life. "I have a curse, you see. A gift, some people call it, a blessing to the gods' favoured.

"I do not believe them. It is a curse as dark as those which are written in Dark Magic books, a burden greater than one can ever imagine." Here Drusilla paused, a long, thin finger tapping lightly against her mouth as she deliberated her next statement. "My parents, too, thought it a curse and they tried everything to rid me of it. But they couldn't- no one can. When I got my letter they were happy to be rid of me, to be free of the harbinger of bad news that lived with them." Drusilla's smile wobbled slightly, and Luna hesitantly reached across to grab her hand. The vampire looked surprised for a moment before squeezing it lightly.

"No one wants to hear about the sorrows and pain that will be in their future, little moon. They want to dream of rainbows and flowers and stardust, and pretty things. Life isn't like that though- one stumbles instead from one tragedy to another. And so they hated me, because I tore away their veil and showed them what their lives would become."

"I'm sorry," Luna said, and she meant it. She loved her family deeply; to be rejected by them would be the greatest hardship she could ever endure. "But…it would have become better when you arrived at school, wouldn't it?"

"They debated for two years on whether to send me away to learn what they saw as the devil's arts. But then one day they said yes, and so I was sent away to Hogwarts." Drusilla looked down into her lap, where her hands were entwined with Luna's. "But it didn't get better, no, not at all."

"What…what happened?"

"When I came back for the holidays, they thought I was worse. Bad Drusilla, they said to me. Naughty girl. They did not let me go back."

Drusilla fell silent, and Luna didn't say anything to her. Instead of the satisfaction she thought she would've felt for finding out the truth she felt only pity for Drusilla. Her Sight had ruined not only her life, but also those of the people around her. She was right- the gift Patil and Brown so longed for was a curse.

They sat together under the tree, young and old, witch and vampire, until Luna heard the tolling of a nearby church.

"It's nine o'clock," she said, surprised. Had it really been that long? "Wesley will be worried."

Drusilla giggled, and nodded. "We are leading him on a merry chase, my niece!"

"I feel bad though; he's merrily chasing us and we're sitting under a tree talking." Luna wasn't surprised when Drusilla didn't reply to her statement. It was quite obvious that her brief moment of sanity had left, and with that any compassion she may have held for Wesley. "He won't let me see you again," Luna pressed on. She knew he would either lock her up in his apartment or put her on the first plane back to England, and although it seemed strange, Luna didn't want to leave her aunt.

This seemed to make an impact on Drusilla. "Oh no," she told Luna, a horrified look on her face. "He can't do that to us! We're family, and family are supposed to stick together."

Luna agreed. Drusilla's family may have treated her cruelly, but Luna would never do that. Blood was thicker than water, and the familial ties between them were strong, even though they were born one hundred and fifty year apart.

Suddenly Drusilla jumped to her feet, motioning for Luna to stand up as well. Sighing, Luna struggled to her feet, her joints protesting after being seated for so long.

"Come and live with me!" Drusilla said excitedly, holding her hands out in front of her. Luna cautiously grabbed hold of them; their cool temperature once more reminding her that Drusilla was not what she seemed. Giggling, Drusilla began to spin them around, faster and faster until the darkened park around them was just a blur.

"Stop!" Luna commanded her, laughing. Drusilla's moods reminded her very much of the tides- highs and lows, depression and happiness. She seemed to switch from each one rapidly, faster than Luna could blink. "Stop! Aunt Dru, stop!"

Still giggling, Drusilla released her hands, the momentum they'd built up causing them both to fall crashing to the ground.

"Merlin, Aunt Dru," Luna said, giggling all the same. She pushed herself up into a sitting position. Drusilla was lying on her back on the grass, looking up at the stars, their shine dulled by the pollution. Luna watched her for a moment, the thin pale hands tracing patterns between the stars. In this contemplative mood she seemed as innocent as a child, but Luna knew that beneath that beautiful exterior, just under the surface, lay a demon and a killer. Those thin pale hands had snapped necks like twigs, left broken bodies in their wake.

Luna was becoming too complacent. Perhaps blood was thicker than water, and maybe they did have a familial bond, but just how far did all that stretch? If Drusilla became hungry would she remember that they were kin? Would she even care?

Drusilla began to hum to herself. Luna let the haunting melody of Greensleeves drift over her as she thought about Drusilla and her suggestion. For the first time Luna really, truly, thought about what she'd gotten herself into. She was sitting in the middle of a park at nine o'clock at night with an insane vampire. If things became so desperate that she needed to fight for her life, she wouldn't even have time to reach for her wand before Drusilla either killed her or put her under thrall. On the other hand, she could go with Drusilla to some abandoned warehouse or crypt where she would be completely at her mercy.

What a choice.

"Aunt Dru…" Luna began, her forehead breaking into a frown as she thought out what she was going to say. She was torn- half of her desperately wanted to go with Dru, but the other half was well, suspicious (to say the least). "I think that…well…I wan-"

Out of nowhere, an arrow struck the trunk of the tree with a very ominous-sounding thump.

Luna shrieked and ducked behind the tree. Whipping out her wand from the waistband of her skirt, she fired off a spell into the darkness instinctively, without even bothering to think about which one to use. It seemed that the Dumbledore's Army training had come in handy after all.

Luna could vaguely make out the sounds of someone falling into a bush and someone else cursing. It seemed her stunning spell had hit its target.

"Run, little moon!" Drusilla hissed at her, joining Luna behind the tree trunk. Drusilla, Luna was curious to note, was wearing her vampire "face"- large ridges disfigured her forehead, her front teeth had elongated into fangs, and her large eyes had now become pools of molten gold.

Luna was struck with a strange urge to touch Drusilla' vamp face. Never had she been so close to a vampire before (well, there had been Angel, of course, but sometimes he acted so much like a human she forgot he wasn't). To Luna's surprise the true face of a vampire was not as ugly or hideous as it had been made out to be. There was a kind of primeval beauty held in those round ovals of gold that dominated Dru's face.

Drusilla slapped her shoulder lightly, urging her to run. Luna could hear scuffling in the bushes and knew whoever it was that was attacking them was getting closer. "I'm not leaving you here," Luna said, surprise herself with her own vehemence. Ignoring Drusilla's weak protests, Luna threw a leg-locker curse around the trunk of the tree. Not waiting to see if it had hit it's target, she fired off Ginny's speciality spell, the Bat Bogey Hex.

There was a sudden period of silence before someone screamed. Luna gave a very satisfied smirk and turned to Drusilla flushed with her success. She noticed with some pride that the vampire was looking rather impressed.

One of the large rhododendron bushes nearest to Luna rustled and Luna's slight grin fell away from her face instantly. "Come out where I can see you," she commanded, her own voice surprising her by not shaking.

Cordelia popped out from behind the bush, her hands up in the universal symbol of surrender.

Luna stared. The usually impeccable-looking woman had leaves in her hair and a smudge of dirt on her cheek.

"Cordelia?" Luna said, a frown beginning to creep across her face as a suspicion began to take form in her mind. "What are you doing here?"

"Rescuing you." Cordelia said matter-of-factly, running her hands through her hair in an effort to restore some of her lost dignity. "Obviously."

Luna continued to stare at Cordelia. "I don't need rescuing," she told the older woman defensively, and she knew it was true. Her doubts about Drusilla were now gone; if Drusilla really wanted to kill her then she could've done it- instead she'd tried to protect her.

"I don't think you understand, Luna," said another voice, and Luna saw Wesley untangling himself from a rose bush. "She's dangerous," he continued, glaring at Drusilla.

"No, she's not." Luna told him firmly. "She's my aunt."

Wesley looked as if he were about to argue before he sighed. "We'll talk about this later," he told her. "First…er, I think you need to perform the counterspells…"

Luna took a few steps closer to Wesley and Cordelia so she could see the results of her handiwork behind the bushes. Fred was laying on the ground where she'd been hit by Luna's leg-locker curse. Luna felt a twinge of guilt and quickly uttered the counter-curse. "Sorry," she said with a blush as Fred struggled to her feet.

She also quickly removed the Tickling Charm from Gunn, who was lying on his side with his arms curled protectively around his stomach. "Awfully sorry," she whispered with a wince, as he took several gulping breaths.

However, Luna just could not stop a snort of laughter when she saw Angel, the unfortunate recipient of her Bat Bogey Hex. She somehow managed to utter the counter spell through her giggles and studiously looked at the ground as she scampered back to stand next to Drusilla. She could feel the weight of his glare on her back.

Luna had a feeling that the sight of Angel being battered around the head by his own boogies (now the size of bats and with wings to match) would haunt her dreams for many a night to come.

TBC…