Blood and water

“We weren’t even aware that you had any relatives under the age of 60, and now you   tell us you have a niece who’s Grisha? ” Sirius exclaimed. 

The Order of the Phoenix was having a heated discussion upon Dumbledore’s arrival, which caused a ruckus as the members learned of the existence of Dumbledore’s niece. 

“I told Molly and Arthur about her yesterday as she will be residing here with you all.” He said. “We have enough children to take care of already. Why can’t you just leave her at home?” Severus snarled. 

“There are people after her, Severus.” He said quietly. “She is but a child who has been living on her own for 6 years. My sister and her husband died years ago, without my knowledge.” Murmurs of sympathy were heard across the room. 

“If she’s been able to fend herself for 6 years, I don’t see why she cannot continue to do the same now.” Severus pointed out. 

“Something has changed. Her true identity as a Sun Summoner has been discovered. Now, people seek to use her. Powerful people who have done terrible things to get to where they are today.” Dumbledore said grimly. Everyone gasped. 

“A Sun Summoner? But there has never been one before!” Remus exclaimed. 

“We could turn the war in our favour with her help.” Kingsley said. 

“And risk Voldemort capturing her and using her against us? I think not.” Sirius shot back, glaring at Kingsley. 

“She is a child. She came to me because she was running from people who were trying to use her. I will not let my niece be some tool for us to use against a war that does not involve her.” Dumbledore said firmly. 

“Then what is Potter doing here?” Severus growled. “For once, I agree with him.” Sirius said. 

“The difference is, a prophecy has been made. Voldemort will stop at nothing until he ensures that he alone will survive.” He said quietly. “And that’s why Harry’s here, under our protection. He will see to Voldemort’s fall. But what about her?” Remus asked. 

Dumbledore got up and stared outside the window, hesitating. 

“Is there something you’re keeping from us, Dumbledore?” Kingsley asked. He sighed, suddenly looking far older than he was. 

“Voldemort is attempting to ally himself with Grisha.” He said. “What?” Sirius asked in disbelief. “I have heard of no such thing.” Severus argued. 

“He has told no one of this yet, not even Bellatrix. There is a man whom I have known for a while. There is no secret, no talk that he is unaware of. He assured me that the Grisha will make an alliance with Voldemort.” He said. “Voldemort wants their help to win the war.”

“But what will they gain?” Remus asked. “Protection. From Fjerdans, Ravkans and the Shu.” He said grimly. “The Second Army of Ravka is made up of Grisha who follow no one’s orders but the Darkling’s.” Severus sighed. 

“And who, pray tell, is the Darkling?” He asked dryly. “A man eons older than any of us. A man who could destroy the world if he truly wished to.” Dumbledore said. 

“The Grisha look up to the Sun Summoner, do they not? Just spread rumors that she is our ally. The Grisha would not ally themselves with someone against their beloved Sun Summoner.” Severus suggested. 

“What happens if Voldemort tells them that we kidnapped her? They would be more keen to believe in his word than ours, seeing how he is the only one who has offered them a solution to tackle the cruel treatment Grisha put up with.” Remus countered. 

Dumbledore nodded. “Therefore, the best solution would be to hide her here.” Kingsley summarised. 

“Why not let her stay in Hogwarts?” Remus suggested. “There's no one there right now apart from house elves, and they wouldn’t say anything.” Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Indeed. We can put her in one of the guest rooms.” 

“And once school starts?” Severus asked. 

“The best way to hide something is to put it in plain sight. She’ll be a Fifth Year student at Hogwarts, after being homeschooled by her mother in America.” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled.

Everyone stared at Alina as Fred hastily pulled up the Extendable Ear. 

“I can’t believe that worked!” Ron whispered excitedly. Hermione glared at him. 

“Seriously? After hearing about how Voldemort’s army might increase with Grisha? That’s what you choose to say?” She whispered back furiously. 

“Why are we whispering?” Alina asked, her voice low. “Because our mother will kill us if she found out that we were eavesdropping on a strictly confidential meeting.” Fred whispered. 

They all nodded in agreement. “Don’t worry, even if Mrs Weasley does catch us, she won’t say a thing against you, me and Hermione.” Harry smirked at the Weasleys. 

“Can’t argue with that.” Ron muttered.

“Who’s the Darkling? Is he your version of Voldemort?” Harry asked. 

Aleksander. Hearing his chosen name brought unwanted thoughts to Alina’s mind as parts of her life flashed before her. 

Discovering her powers. 

Meeting him. 

Holding his hand as she faced hundreds of royals eager to see her light. 

Dancing at the ball. 

Their first kiss under the Moon Tree. 

Finding out what he had done. What he planned to do. 

His betrayal.

“So? Who is he?” Harry’s voice shook her out of her flashback. “One of the people I’m hiding from.” She said simply. That was all the information she would give to them so far. 

“What kind of person is he?” Hermione asked. It was nighttime already. Two tiny stars were visible in the dark sky as she, Hermione and Ginny lay on their beds looking up to the stars.

Alina knew she was talking about him. “He is kind. Far more so than the people I was surrounded by.” She said quietly. 

The royals she saw everyday sought to make her life miserable. They hated the fact that they had to depend on her to revive their image as an influential family rather than a pathetically useless one.

 “Was he handsome?” Ginny asked. Hermione rolled her eyes. 

“Would it matter if he was?” She shot back. “Well, if he wasn’t, then I would forgive him. If he was, I wouldn’t.” Alina looked at Ginny curiously. 

“Forgive him for what?” She asked. “For breaking your heart.” Ginny answered simply. Alina said nothing at this. 

The three girls sighed. “Men.”  They said simultaneously. They looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Alina liked Sirius. 

Unlike his name, he fooled around more than the twins did. She often had to remind herself to treat him like an adult rather than a friend, and that he was old enough to be her father.

“So, I hear you’ll be going to Hogwarts.” Sirius said. He was the only adult present, with only all the younger Weasleys, Harry, Hermione and herself eating breakfast. She nodded as she spread margarine on her toast. “How strange, though. I don’t recall Dumbledore giving us adults a heads up to tell you yet.” Sirius said casually. 

Harry and Hermione froze. The twins spat out their juice, and Ron choked on a sausage. Ginny and Alina were the only ones who looked somewhat innocent, but it was clear that their cover had been blown.

Sirius grinned. “Don’t worry. James and I used to eavesdrop into the Order’s meetings all the time, back when we were your age. And honestly, I personally think that you all should know what you’re getting yourselves into, regardless of your age. Especially you two.” He nodded at Alina and Harry. 

“Just try not to make it too obvious next time, yeah? I swear I heard someone sneeze like twice.” The group glared at Ron who looked down sheepishly.

“Harry, Dumbledore will be going with you for your hearing. Please do try not to get expelled. Or do. Actually, you could stay here and hang with me instead of slaving around at school.” Sirius joked. Hermione stared at him in astonishment, giving him a ‘are you mad?’ look. 

“Hearing? What hearing?” Alina asked curiously. “Oh, it’s nothing. Harry was attacked by Dementors, which are basically soul-sucking creatures that guard England’s only magical and most dangerous prison Azkaban, and tried to defend himself using a spell. So now he has to go for a hearing which will determine whether he gets to stay at Hogwarts or be thrown out.” Ron summarised. 

“Was it an illegal spell?” Alina asked. “It wasn’t, but minors aren’t allowed to use their wands outside of school during the holidays. The Ministry tracks the wands of all underaged wizards and witches to make sure they don’t break the law.” Hermione said. 

What was the point of carrying a wand with you if it was illegal to cast a spell? Alina decided to accept the odd laws made by their Ministry and shrugged. 

“Alina.” Uncle Albus appeared next to her. “Let us discuss your future at Hogwarts.”

“Severus will teach you the school’s curriculum for Potions, from the first to the fourth year.” Dumbledore said. Severus, who was stabbing what used to be a sausage, scowled. 

“To think that I would spend the only holiday with no nuisances teaching an ignorant nineteen year old.” He muttered. 

“Remus will tutor you in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Professor McGonagall will help you in your Transfiguration, and the rest of the professors are waiting for your arrival at Hogwarts.” He finished pleasantly. 

Lupin smiled at her reassuringly while Professor McGonagall looked down at her sternly.

“But how will I attend the school if I don’t have magic?” She asked. 

“You do have magic, my dear. The necklace your mother gave to you keeps your magic in a dominant state, completely hiding any traces of your records. Once you take it off, the Ministry will be informed that there has been a mistake in the records, and that you will be eligible to attend Hogwarts. Your magic will awaken.” Dumbledore said. Alina’s hand went to the ruby necklace she had worn since she was young. 

“Tomorrow, you will be heading to Diagon Alley to buy your books and your wand. In two days time, I will come and bring you to Hogwarts for your lessons. Make sure you pack everything you need by Wednesday.” He finished. “Now, you need to take your necklace off.” 

She held the ruby tightly, before biting her lip and nodding. She slowly unclasped the necklace and laid it on the table, waiting for some sign that would tell her her magic had awakened. 

“Are you sure she has magic?” Sirius asked, uncertainly. “It would certainly save us a lot of trouble if she didn’t.” Severus muttered.

She started feeling doubtful when suddenly, she felt all the air get sucked out of the room. She gasped.

It was a euphoric feeling, as if she was high on drugs. Her eyes fluttered and rolled back as she collapsed on the ground. 

“Alina!” Sirius ran towards her as Dumbledore roared, “NO!” 

The moment Sirius touched her, the euphoria she had initially felt disappeared and she felt as if a thousand rocks were surrounding her body and crushing it. Bright light emerged from her chest, blinding everyone as they were thrown back. The roof of the house came crumbling down.

Dumbledore alone remained standing, raising his wand and creating a barrier around her and a shield to protect everyone else. 

Her eyes glowed with light, tears streaming down her face. It looked as if a star was bleeding. “I CAN’T CONTROL IT!” She shrieked, sobbing. 

Every lesson Baghra had taught her and every training session with the Darkling had gone down the drain. There was only one thought in her mind. 

She was hurting them.

The light only grew from her chest to her neck and stomach.

“Alina. Calm down. No one is hurt. Everyone is alright.” Dumbledore said slowly. Her body twitched. She tried to control her breathing.

“You can do it, Alina. Calm down.” He said it more forcefully.

Her breathing slowed as her heartbeat eased. She fell asleep.

“Saints, she arrived barely a week ago and this happens?” A woman exclaimed. She was standing at the door of the room. Her green eyes narrowed at the people in front of her. 

She kicked Sirius’ leg and shrugged. “Eh, he’ll be fine.” She muttered. “Who are you?” Remus asked defensively. She smirked. 

“Tamar Kir-Bataar. I’ve come to clean up your mess.”