Could it get any worst? [*Frank*] -open-

[Isabella Black]

The day could not have gone any worse. As Isabella reflected just what happened, after she had read the letter and finally gone and met up with her family's trustee.

"Oh forgive me. It would seem, Miss Black that as you are the head of the Swan family you are the only guardian possible for Lelouch Zavor Swan." Mr Mathew announced proudly. All Isabella did was stare, her mind not wanting to comprehend how that happened.

"WHAT! But...I'm only 16, I can't be a Guardian! How Old is he any way? Is this legal? How, Why?" Isabella continued shouting out questions. Mr Matthews only frowned.
"Please calm down Miss Black and I can ashore you it's complete legal under the rules. You are after all emancipated... Mr Lelouch is 8 years old, he can't look after himself now can he? He is a Swan, the only one left that has any blood relation to you."

Isabella sat back down, cold dread filling her stomach like lead. She thought she would be happy if she ever met any family left alive. But this was ridiculous.
"O.k i understand but how did his family die?" Isabella asked, she was already trying to cope with the pressure of this somehow being real.
"Well would you understand if i told you it was similar to what your mother suffered?"
Isabella nodded, her face a blank mask. They were similar then, Lelouch and herself were the same drawn together in tragedy. It made Isabella sick, another of her family having to survive through an ordeal like that....
"Miss Black I can see this comes as a shock to you but you must understand that if you don't take him, he will have nobody. Do you want him to grow up like you did? Alone, an outcast?"

She had agreed sometime after that, she remembered. After more shouting from her side. It was after all her duty as the head of the Swan family. Mr Matthew had also told her a few things about Lelouch. Then she met him.

Lelouch had dark hair that was long for a boy. He was average in size and was wearing muggle clothes. What caught Isabella's attention the most was his eyes. All the Swans had a strange eye colour, and Lelouch was no exception. Big dazzling liquid Blue-Purple eyes met with Violet. Isabella smiled warmly. All thoughts to reject him vanished. Lelouch's stance showed that he was scared. Isabella knew the feeling, she had been scared to met with her cousin's but unlike them, Isabella was going to show Lelouch he wasn't alone and that he would be accepted.
"So Lelouch, I guess your coming with me, are you alright with that?" She wanted to know if he was getting a say in this.
A smile appeared on his face but Isabella didn't have time to be surprised with that, as the younger boy tackled her with a hug. Mr Mathews laughed joyfully. Isabella blinking a few times before returning the hug. Guess he was.

"See I told you he would be different to the way you were. As you closed yourself off, Lelouch here looks for affection, he adores everything. After everything that happened i'm glad he didn't shut himself off. No offense."
Isabella gave him a knowing look. Then looked down at Lelouch. Everyone handled things in different ways, while she felt she didn't need or want the affection of others. This boy gladly accepted, it kind of made Isabella angry. Didn't he realize his parents were dead! That the people would come after him too, to finish the job. But she couldn't make herself become angry enough.

She had sighed some documents soon after and left with a child. That had been 3 hours ago. Now Lelouch was happily licking an ice cream, while Isabella observed and tried not to freak-out. While reading his file. It was real, she had someone she could call family without them being dead. Something to live for. Strange, to be sitting outside the ice-cream parlor and the looks people were giving her were not for the fact of her vampire traits but for the fact that she had a child with her.

['Frank' (Danny Weaver)]

Danny pushed his way through the crowd, murmuring angrily to himself as he did so. His height allowed him to see over the heads of most of those surrounding him, yet his lanky frame caused him to get swept away with the tide of people. He hadn't realised Diagon Alley would be so full.
Finally the crowd began to diperse and Danny took the opportunity to break free of their hold on him. Peering at store windows, he was shocked to see Isabella sat out side a small ice cream parlor.
'Isabella!' he called in surprise, rushing over to her. As he got closer he realised she was not alone. 'Who's the kid?'

[Isabella Black]

Dormant Vampire genes, runaway. Friendly Isabella read. Unsure if she was reading this right. How did a Swan end up with dormant Vampire genes? From what Isabella knew all Swan's were vampire's. Maybe the kid wouldn't have to suffer, but if the genes were dormant then how or when would they become visible? Her train of thought stopped when she heard a familiar voice call out to her. Looking up Isabella regretted it almost instantly. She didn't want any one from school knowing this. It would cause to much gossip.

"Frank, his name is Lelouch." Was all Isabella said, looking over at the people openly staring. Giving them a glare they would mostly never forget. Her hands rubbed against her black jeans in a rather nervous action. She needed to get everything under control, but with this new development. Isabella was feeling like she was viewing everything through someone else eyes.

['Frank' (Danny Weaver)]

'Lelouch.' Danny repeated. 'Odd name'
Stiffling a laugh, he said 'So how did you end up with this one? Baby sitting? Ha! I didn't think you were the type...'
His eyes twinkled with unrestrained glee at seeing Isabella, yet, as with the last time they had met, she seemed hostile and agitated. Danny however, payed no mind to her mood, knowing that such feelings weren't directed at himself. He noticed her glare at the people around her. Paranoia? He thought, as those of whom she was glaring at seemed to be doing nothing to insult her.

Danny pushed all thoughts aside, flicked his hair from his eyes and rocked on the balls of his feet, hands jammed deep into his pockets.
'Whatcha reading?' He grinned, his musical voice ringing out above the sounds of Diagon Alley

[Isabella Black]

Ignoring the comment about Lelouch's name, Isabella leaned back into the bench. Her eyes going from the crowds of people to settle of Lelouch. There was not much change in him, he was half way through his ice-cream cone, looking around as if for the first time. His eyes were so much like her's, so much like her mother's it brought a warm smile to her lips.

"Baby sitting, me? Don't make me laugh." Isabella said lightly. Then her lips turned into a firm line, the reality hitting her again.
"I'm....his guardian." Isabella stressed out the words, they were difficult to say. She would never had expected herself to take care of someone so fragile. Looking down at the documents again, Isabella frowned. He was also very human. The scent he gave off made Isabella realize that he was in danger from other vampires. Her even, she didn't want to think of that right now, she knew she could control herself.

"Information on Lelouch. Everything I need to know." Isabella told him, normally she would of just told him to mind his own business, but she just wanted the day to end. Looking back over at Lelouch, noticing he was now playing with flowers. He held such innocents. Isabella didn't want to taint that.

['Frank' (Danny Weaver)]

'Guardian...' Danny repeated slowly. He moved his gaze to study the child. Bit by bit, he began to notice certain similarities between he and Isabella. They weren't enough to immeadiately inform someone of the relation between the two, but after close study they were quite apparent.

Noticing the grave look on Isabella's face, Danny pulled up a chair and sat beside her. He wondered to himself what must have happened to Lelouch's family to have him placed in the care of a sixteen year old girl still attending school. This boy could ruin her life (or he thought it could loosen her up). He realised that this kid could be make or break for Isabella.

Slowly, Danny drew in a deep breath. Speaking to quietly for Lelouch to hear, he said 'Look Isabella, I'm not going to pry into what must have happened to this kid to land him in your care, its his story and I have no right to know......But I will offer you my help. You need to concentrate on school and even under normal circumstances this kid would be hard to handle for someone your age. I'm willing to do whatever I can'

It was unusual for Danny to offer his help so willingly to someone he barely knew, but Isabella was different...... He sensed something in her like kinship, or a deep resounding possibility of friendship. Maybe he was only being hopelessly optimistic. Probably. But he couldn't help but to believe it.

[Isabella Black]

Isabella finally turned her attention to Frank noticing a difference in him. She did so only when she was sure Lelouch wasn't going to be in harms way. It surprised her, his 'offering'. She was also considering it, no matter that she hardly knew him. She found herself wanting help. Isabella didn't know if it was the stress she had build up inside of her once she was told she was a guardian or something else, but she desperately wanted to take his help.

Biting her lip, Isabella looked him in the eye. This was either going to be a really bad mistake or a good one, Isabella decided to go with it. Glancing at Lelouch and back at Frank, Isabella made her decision.

"Look Frank, I hardly know you...But since you offered and I will need help, I can't deny that. Thank you. I just hope this isn't a mistake. Lelouch is my only family." Isabella tone held a hint of helplessness mixed with desperation. She felt like she was backed into a wall and the only way out was to accept whatever help was offered. Piercing him with her violet gaze, Isabella hoped she wouldn't have to regret this. Lelouch was still playing with the flowers, oblivious to the students across from him.

['Frank' (Danny Weaver)]

Danny watched her mind tick over before accepting his offer. He didn't blame her for being even the slightest bit hesitant. Hey, he thought honestly I wouldn't trust me either.
But evidently Isabella did trust him, and did want his help. Later he might come to regret his decision to help Isabella with this strange child, but for now he was content to ignore such possibilities.

Leaning closer to the child, bracing himself on the table with one hand, Danny put on his charming smile and greeted him.
'Hey Lelouch, I'm Frank'

[Isabella Black]

Isabella tried to smile but it came out a bit forced. Another string attached, another person she felt she had to rely on. But this time it was for Lelouch, it was so he was going to remain safe. Isabella felt it was necessary. To trust so easily, though Isabella was prepared to do about anything for Lelouch. He was after all family. Watching, Isabella set her eyes on Lelouch, unsure of what he would do.

Unlike Isabella, Lelouch was eager to make friends. A big childish smile adored his face, looking at Frank with wild curiosity. Moving closer towards him. "Hello Frank, are you Bel's friend? If you are, can I be your friend too?" His voice sang out, so innocent. He didn't know much about his cousin, but he already adored her. He was hoping Bel's friends were nice, like she was.

['Frank' (Danny Weaver)]

Danny grinned awkwardly. 'Yea, I suppose i am.'
His eyes flickered to Isabella, looking for her approval. 'And sure, we can be friends' Danny said with an eager smile. Mentally however, he struggled with the concept of possibly putting this child in harms way if things turned bad. Another liability. Another one I have to be responsible for, he thought to himself. His stomach churned uneasily, and for the first time in a long time he had to fight to keep his smile.
This poor kid seemed so innocent. Sweet. The kind of kid that was rare these days..... most childeren were spoilt, horrible creatures. At least, they were in Danny's opinion.

To take his mind from such thoughts he turned to Isabella.
'So, any thoughts on where this kid is gonna stay? Have you spoken to anyone at Hogwarts about him yet?' Danny spoke quickly, eager to make conversation.

[Isabella Black]

Rolling her eyes, Isabella smiled. Nodding her head towards Frank. To think Lelouch would want to make friends straight away, when he hardly knew him. Breathing in, Isabella crossed her knees over. Though she didn't all like it that she now had a nickname. She'd rather people said her name the way it was, but Lelouch could be an exception. The reply Frank gave Lelouch seemed to make his day, as he glanced at Frank then walked over towards Isabella. Maybe, Isabella thought, she should be wary of his behavior. He knew about vampire's and werewolves, not to mention others. He could start talking about it to anyone, without realizing. Looking at Lelouch with barely concealed wonder. While he was growing on her, Isabella felt he shouldn't be the way he was. Not with what happened to him.

"Swan Manor, well castle really, it's so much. It will provide what ever he needs." Isabella answered, ruffling Lelouch's hair once he was in reach. "And they don't need to know. Ever. If you hadn't come along, no one in that castle would known I had become a guardian. It's better that way......he will be protected" Isabella said, the last bit could barely be registered, a whisper. Her eyes never leaving Lelouch's small frame. She could tell he was thinking, about what, she had no idea. The curious glace he threw Franks way, suggested numerous possibilities. Did Lelouch pick up something from Frank? Whatever it was, Isabella would ask him later.

['Frank' (Danny Weaver)]

Danny chuckled quietly at Isabella's reaction. Lelouch seemed pleased to have a new friend, but Danny knew that Isabella was worried sbout the effects of this friendship on the kid.
He got the feeling that Isabella didn't completely trust him, or that she was weary of him to an extent. He couldn't quite place this mild distrust, of course he knew he was different from the usual, but that wasn't enough, was it? All he could come up with was that this girl was very world weary, and perceptive enough to catch the things others missed.

Danny watched Isabella ruffle the kid's hair. If he had known about this situation earlier, he wouldn't have expected her to take to Lelouch so quickly. She just didn't seem the motherly type.
'Don't worry Isabella, I'm not going to run around the castle spreading your little secret here. Who would listen to me anyway? I'm the creepy new guy....I ain't got any friends other than you.' Danny said honestly. 'But with leaving him at that swan manor place, who's gonna take care of him there? You can't be out there with him the whole time...' Danny flicked his hair from his eyes as he spoke, causing his green eyes to glitter.

[Isabella Black]

"To think you would be 'creepy'. What did you do to make people think that? Anyway, their are maids that can take care of him while I can't. It's not like I'll leave him there, I'll go see him whenever I can. And there's no rule saying I can't bring him along with me, inside Hogwart's grounds." Isabella said. Pulling out a silver metal drink bottle from her bag, that was underneath the seat. What was Frank playing at anyway? He didn't have to care at all. It wasn't his problem, it was hers. Shaking her head, trying to figure Frank out was difficult. He held like a shield around himself. It wasn't strange, but it lead her to be curious.

Gripping the bottle, Isabella took a drink from it. Feeling the burning in her throat ebb away. Relief washed over her. She didn't know the last time she had taken the potion, it was getting better. The pain that racked through her body was less. Finally her body had adjusted from the change. Though that didn't change the fact she had been avoiding Phoenix. Smirking, Isabella turned and faced Frank. For the moment Lelouch had decided to take a seat and listen.

['Frank' (Danny Weaver)]

Danny laughed oncemore. 'Oh I didn't do a thing. I think its the look that gets to them. Anyway, how can you keep him secret if you bring him onto the grounds? People will get curious and start asking questions......What?' He noticed Isabella was shaking her head at him.

Leaning back in his seat, he observed the silver bottle isabella was drinking from. The smell wafting form it seemed foul, yet Isabella showed nothing short of happiness as she swallowed whatever liquid it held. Glancing towards Lelouch, Danny noticed that the boy's delicate nose was wrinkled up in appreciation of the stink.
'Ugh. What is that?'

[Isabella Black]

"When the grounds are empty. I'll think of something, I didn't exactly get a warning that I was getting him." Isabella said, "..Nothing, just trying to figure you out that's all." Isabella replied, smiling.
Isabella giggled, it was like a soft melody. Looking at the bottle. She didn't realize it even had a smell. "It's vitamin juice, " Isabella lied flawlessly. After all didn't vitamin juice smell bad? Was there even such a thing. It didn't matter just so long as he didn't start asking more questions about it. While lying was convenient, she didn't like doing it.