*FLASKBACK* Brand New Beginning (Dellen)

Briana sat in her over-sized armchair in her library, a book open and abandoned on her lap. Her crystal blue eyes were clouded as she gazed into the fire burning brightly in front of her. A smile played with her lips as she was lost in thought. She brought a crystal goblet to her lips and sipped the warm, red liquid as she relived the past.....

"Thank you, Madame. See you next week," Briana said brightly to the seamstress as she exited her shop in London. Sure she liked the tailors in Diagon Alley well enough, but there was just something about this shop in the heart of London. Any time she needed something tailored to her petite frame that wasn't anything relating to her magical self, she went there.

When she exited the shop, she took a left and began walking back to the the place where she had come, a safe place for disapparation back to her home. She hadn't gotten far when she began to sense that she was being followed. Briana, took a few turns, and still the feeling was there. Carefully, she glanced over her shoulder and she found two men following her. Briana didn't panic, but she did begin to plan how she would get to where she needed to go. Magic would do her no good as she left her wand at home. She never carried it with her when she went to the seamstresses. Maybe not the best choice on her part, but it was just too difficult to conceal when you are changing clothes and being in close contact with Muggles.

She took several more turns, and the feeling seemed to vanish. Briana leaned up against the bricks of a building and took a steadying breath. Without warning, a strong hand clasped over her mouth and pulled her around the corner of the building. When she was clear of the wall, another arm was around her small body and lifted her. Briana tried to scream and struggled to get away, but it was no use. The man carried her further down the alleyway, and when they had reached a darkened area, he slammed her against the bricks to get to her stop struggling, stunning her as her head connected with the wall. He pressed himself against her and he reeked of alcohol. When she continued to struggle and cry out against him, she felt a sensation that made her think her face was going to explode as the man struck her hard. Tears began to fall down her cheeks as the man put his hands on her, feeling her as if he had every right to do so. Suddenly, she heard another voice, "Man, hurry up...."

It took all she had in her to cry out and thrash at the man touching her. When she connected a knee with his manhood, the man's rage exploded. He struck her again and again and again. Then she felt his strong hands around her throat, choking the life out of her. She felt her body going limp and the world getting darker and darker. Briana thought she heard something at the end of the alleyway, and she must not have imagined it as the man's hands were suddenly off her. She heard both of them run off as she fell to the cold ground. Briana tried to breath, but was unable to. No matter how hard she tried, the air wouldn't come. Then, the world faded to black.....

Dellen held out her arm as her owl swooped into her office, landing lightly on the appendage she lowered the bird to the desk. Smiling she stroked its feathers and took its letter, freeing it to go have some food. Breaking the seal she looked over the contents of the letter, it was notification from her contact at the ministry that a new Charms Master had been located to replace the one whom had disappeared. Pulling out the page beneath the letter she smiled fondly at the moving picture that created her; "Briana".

The cobblestone streets of London never ceased to amaze her, after over a thousand years of life and a thousand memories on these same streets she still found herself roaming there winding paths. After taking one of her many grandchildren to buy there first wands she had departed from the Lestrange family to enjoy the rest of the afternoon on her own. Her blue eyes reflected the light giving away just a bit her inhumanity.

After stopping in her favorite muggle bookstore she stowed her purchases in her satchel and was making her way down to the cafe for a cup of coffee when she smelt it, the light coppery scent of blood on the air mixed with the pheromones of fear and desperation.

Quickening her pace she followed the scent, and as she got closer to a tailor shop her senses were invaded and overwhelmed by the smells of alcohol. Two unkept men reeking of the stuff shoved her aside on there way out of the alley at the side of the shop. Getting to her feet she slipped down the alley, the scent of blood bombarded her.

Rushing to the dark shadows she knelt down by the victim, a pool of blood was by her head from what seemed to be repeated blunt force trauma. Quick inspection of her abdomen revealed almost every single rib was broken, "Oh my dear" she whispered softly.

She could feel the girl's heartbeat slowing, the organ was struggling to circulate blood but the liquid only proved to flood her body and the cobble stones surrounding her. With a heavy sigh she resigned herself to stay with the girl until her final shuddering breath, so many times before she had held the victims of violence while they died just so they did not die alone.

Pulling her into her arms she held her gently as she watched her struggle.

Briana felt the end coming. She was cold, so cold. She didn't want it to end this way, not like this. She had the strange sensation that she was being lifted from the cold, damp ground and cradled in someone's arms like a small child. The movement was utter agony, but she was unable to cry out. Briana reasoned that if she was still able to sense pain and movement, then she was still alive enough, but she didn't know for how much longer. If she couldn't stop the inevitable in her passing onto the next life, she wanted to at least see who was kind enough to keep her from the cold ground as her final resting place. She mustered every ounce of strength she had left, and tried to opened her eyes.

Very slowly, Briana succeeded in opening them. The pure blue of her eyes tried to focus on who was holding her limp form. It was a woman with black hair. She couldn't tell much more as her vision began to blur and cut in and out with black. Briana moved her head slightly trying to get a breath however small. A single, clear tear ran down her cheek as she looked at the woman. Briana could feel her heart trying to beat but getting slower and weaker with each attempt. Around what she could see of the woman, a soft glow began to shine. Briana's mind began to panic for a few painful moments. She may not be able to speak with her voice, but her eyes screamed volumes: I don't want to die! As the thought her eyes spoke ran through her mind one last time, Briana's vision went dark and her eyes closed for the last time...

Dellen's eyes widened as the girl struggled and opened her eyes, she called out to her silently and she heard her words as if they were in her soul.

As she shuddered and her eyes slid shut the crystalian orbs disappearing from her site she bit her lip, her mind raced as she looked at the girl she didnt want to turn her but she was begging....

Taking a deep breath she leaned over her, her teeth pressing against the soft flesh at her neck. Another moment passed and she bit down, crimson blood flooded into her mouth and she drank deeply. She fed from her until she was almost completely bled dry, licking her lips she stood up holding her in her arms.

Covering her with her cloak she apparated them to her home.

As Briana began to fall into nothingness, towards a bright, warm light, she was beginning to be at peace. Even though she didn't want to die, if passing on was like it, maybe it was going to be so bad. Then, like two sharp needles, Briana felt a sensation at her neck. What's happening? she thought frantically. The light she had been seeing growing brighter and brighter suddenly began to dim and turned red. Briana felt the sensation change as it was no longer sharp, but more of a sucking sensation. Something is wrong... What is this?!?!?! Soon she couldn't think only feel. She felt the sensation at her throat stop and then the world went very dark. She felt her body move quickly and stop just as quickly. Brian knew that feeling all too well. Her body had just apparated...

Landing in the house she took her to the guest room, taking her filthy clothing she gave her loose pajamas to wear and slid them over her injured body. Making a dissaproving noise at the bruises she left the girl and went to the kitchen to fix her some blood.

Briana didn't know where she was, but she knew she was someplace different. She couldn't move and felt like her chest was on fire as the lack of air was almost beyond what any person should ever have to deal with. She felt broken...

The next thing Briana felt was being striped and redressed with soft loose clothing. As she was dressed the pain was like molten metal every time a part of her was moved, but nothing compared to the searing pain she felt when she was even lightly touched anywhere on her chest and torso. Then she felt her body being laid in what felt like a soft, warm, bed. All she wanted, more than anything was to take a deep breath. She was starving for air and quickly fading...

Cutting her wrist she let her blood leak into a shot glass, taking a kettle she warmed some blood she kept in the fridge in the kettle and made a tray. Bringing it upstairs she noticed the girl struggling, tipping the shot glass against her lips she forced her to swallow "Easy child, come on you can breath, you can do it"

Just when Briana was ready to just give in to the darkness around her she felt a hand slip under the back of her head and gently lift her, tilting her head back. There was something at her lips, it felt like a small glass of sorts. A warm liquid rushed into her mouth and down the back of her throat as her head was tipped further back. Something like Briana had never felt began to happen as the liquid ran down her throat into her stomach.

A warmth began to touch all her limbs like a warm bath on a cold day. Started to be able to think and hear again. Easy child, come on you can breath, you can do it. No sooner had Briana heard that then her ribs began to set and heal one after the other. Air rushed into her now healed lungs in a giant gasp. Briana's crystal blue eyes shot open as she gasped for air, taking in as big of breaths as she could. She moved one hand to her chest and the other grasped the blanket she was laying on. Briana felt her face begin to heal and feel like it did before she was savagely beaten.

She could feel her strength returning, as she tried to sit up to better breathe. As much as she tried, she just wasn't strong enough yet. Briana closed her eyes and coughed heavily, before finally getting her first unlabored breath.

Pouring some blood into a tea cup she sat on the bed beside her, pulling her into her lap she used one leg to lift her up and a arm to steady her while tipping the contents of the cup down her throat.

Briana's vision was fogged as she breathed deeply. She felt herself get moved onto someone's lap, and the sensation felt oddly familiar. It was almost like she had experienced this person before, but she couldn't place where. She felt another cup placed to her lips and tipped. The liquid was very warm and tasted vaguely of copper. She began to drink on her own, welcoming more of the warm sensation as it reached the furthest of her fingers and toes. Suddenly, Briana pulled away from the cup and tried to lean forward as she retched, bringing up only a small amount of the liquid she had been given. She brought a hand up to her mouth and wiped the wet from it. In her blurry vision, she saw a bright red smear on the back of her hand. Suddenly dizzy, and very tired, Briana leaned back up by her own strength and then leaned sideways into the torso of whomever's lap she was sitting on.

Dellen held her in her arms "Your safe now" she said softly as she made her drink a bit more "No one will ever harm you again"

Briana heard the words that she was safe. Safe from anyone hurting as she had been hurt. Briana was given more of the same warm liquid to drink, which she did. Briana's vision began to clear and her breathing become more of a normal rhythm as she drank. Suddenly, Briana felt like her heart was about to explode as it began to beat faster and faster. She clutched the shirt she was wearing and shut her eyes hard as she began breathing heavier and harder. Then she stretched her head up and her face resembled something between a wince and a silent yell. In that moment, two sets of needle sharp teeth replaced Briana's canines and first molars.

When they had fully grown in the pain sensation in her chest disappeared and her breathing returned to normal. Briana opened her eyes and her vision was crystal clear. She was in an elegant room flooded with warm light. She turned to the one caring for her and was shocked. "It's you...." she whispered.

"Hello Darling" she said with a smile "How are you feeling?"

She smoothed her hair and frowned as she extracted herself from the girl and helped sit her up, handing her a fresh teacup she said "you need to drink"

Briana couldn't believe she was seeing this woman, the same one she had seen in the alley. She looked away trying to figure things out as the woman gently smoothed her blonde hair and moved her to a sitting position in the bed. "I feel..... Good, but tired..." she answered taking the cup the woman offered her. Looking into it, Briana's eyes grew wide as she finally figured out what the liquid was: blood... She shot a horrified look at the woman, a million questions in her eyes, "What's happened to me? Where am I?"

"Your in my home...you were attacked by some thugs in the street...you were dying" she said slowly "I am a vampire, and I made you into one...to save your life"

"What?" Briana whispered to herself, bringing a hand to her forehead. And thought back to the alley. It seemed to long ago, but had it only just happened. "You were there. I saw you before the blackness came," she said a hint of panic in her voice as she tried to reason what the woman had said. Without thinking, Briana put the cup to her lips and drank. As the warm liquid ran down her throat, she raised her eyes to the woman, "Thank you..." she said timidly with a small smile.

She smiled a bit "I'm sorry if this is not what you want..."

Briana finished her cup of warm blood, pulling her knees up and resting against the pillows behind her. She lowered her arms, resting her hands and cup in her lap. Her blue eyes rose to the woman, "I didn't want to die. I wanted to keep on living. You gave me my wish, even if it wasn't in the way that I would have picked." Briana paused as extreme fatigue began to take over her senses. She covered her mouth as she yawned greatly. "And.... I thank you for that," she said with a sincere smile. Her eyes started to be very heavy as she relaxed and began to accept that she was now a completely different Briana.

Getting to her feet she pulled the black out curtains on the windows and turned off the lamp, pulling the heavy blankets up and tucking her in she then took the tray and left for her own quarters.

Silently she thanked her daughter was in the czech republic with her cousins for the summer, though she missed her atleast she as safe new borns were tricky.

Changing out of her blood spattered dress she slipped into a hot bath slowly closing her eyes.

Briana let her eyes close as the women closed the curtains and turned off the lamp. She felt comforted as she tucked her in before she left with the tray. As she was drifting off to sleep, if that's what it was, her last thought was what will this new life hold for her? She had read and learned all about vampires, but she never thought that she would be one. Briana sighed and fell into a deep, deep sleep...

12 Hours Later...

Briana was awoken by a ravenous hunger tingling through every fiber of her being. She sat bolt upright and was at first unsure where she was. As she looked around, she began to remember what she thought was a dream. This was the house of the woman who saved her by turning her into....a vampire. Briana gently turned the covers down and turned so her feet touched the floor. While she sat, Briana checked herself over. She knew her injuries had been extensive and must have left marks, but no matter where she looked or touched, everything was as it should have been had she not been viciously beaten. She had no idea how much time had passed, all she knew was that she was hungry, well, thirsty.

Briana got up and walked to the bedroom door. She pulled it open and peered out...

The curtains were pulled all over the house, a box on the counter Dellen stood at the stove cooking and scrambling eggs while getting food from the greenhouse that surrounded it. She could hear the door upstairs and down the hall open and she called out "I'm making breakfast darling come join me"

I'm making breakfast darling come join me! Briana heard the woman call from downstairs. She stepped out and closed the door behind her. She walked down the hall and down the stairs. Briana could smell a lovely breakfast cooking from the kitchen. She followed the smell and found it. She stood in the doorway and looked in. She just now noticed that all the curtains were drawn in the house, even in the kitchen. "It smells lovely," she said. "Ummm... Can I help with anything?" she asked quietly.

"not at all, open the box on the counter though" she said as she slid the scrambled eggs onto plates she placed fresh fruit on the plates and then poured some coffee with a shot of blood in each.

Sliding a plate over to her across the island she sat down to watch her open the box. Inside the box was a ring.

Briana crossed to the counter and opened it as she was asked. Inside she spotted a beautiful ring. "It's lovely...." she said smiling as she held the box and turned to look at the woman sitting at the island. Briana's eyes matched the blue stones in the ring perfectly.