The Daughter

 Only Hermione knew why she seemed to hate Potter whenever he approached the Slytherins. No one ever found out why he kept trying to talk to her, as if he were trying to build a friendship with her, but her words kept sending him scuttling away. If, for some reason, he was attempting to bring about house unity, Potter had chosen the wrong Slytherin to approach. She also sat, unlike in her other lessons, right of the back of the class during History of Magic. If the Potters were ever brought up among her housemates when she was around, she’d snap with venom about them that had the whole of the house confused, but agreeing. Most of the house were at the very least neutral if not dark, yet it didn't mean they supported Voldemort. What it did mean was that they did not like the way Dumbledore used people in their world for his own ends and they didn't like those who blindly followed him and sang his praises as if he was the next coming of Merlin. It gave the House of the cunning and ambitious an insight into Kysa's temper however and caused several who had been planning to try and ridicule her and push her to the bottom of the house food chain, to back off.

 She had written a letter about the incident and sent it off to her family as soon as possible. The response was a hasty one, with her father writing to tell her that they would be dealt with for talking with her without him or one of her family members present soon. Kysa's father's definition of soon could vary, from the next day, to a couple of years away, however, depending on what course of action he decided on. The decision itself would not take long- it would be the way he took his revenge that could take a while. But, in the end, it would be something that would make them think twice about crossing him again. 

 Apart from McGonagall and Professor Potter, Kysa was soon the favourite of all her teachers. She was sure that the reason McGonagall didn’t like her was because James and Lily Potter had been two of her favourite students, and she was giving them both grief. However, the two teachers that she didn’t have in her back pocket could never catch her out on anything. Her work was always top standard, and if anything went wrong like, oh, Potter junior finding himself hanging by his underwear from a chandelier, she could never be proven to have done it. What the teachers didn’t know was that she had managed to sweet talk the Hufflepuff prefect that had caught her during one prank where she had turned McGonagall bright pink, and had not been told on. After all, she had learnt from the best where it came to not being caught, and talking her way out of it if she was. And she was always prepared for anything. Sometimes she would doodle instead of listening in Transfiguration or History, just to annoy the two professors, but when they grilled her on not paying attention, she could answer any question they had on the subject matter at hand, and more.

  "Miss Lokidottir, the witch burnings in Britain were stumped by what charm?" Lily Potter asked her.

  "According to your records, the freezing charm. However, Britain, especially England and Wales, tended to hang suspected witches. Burning was saved for heretics. It's a common misconception, but a misconception all the same."

  "I think you're a bit confused-"

 "On the contrary, I know the subject quite well. There are several historical documents on the fact in the muggle world- and they should know, they're the ones who were convicting those suspected of witchcraft."

 Lily had no response to that, remembering Loki's annoyed ranting about the stupidity of mortals for condemning magic and killing those suspected of using it. He had probably been the one to show Kysa those documents.

Where Kysa’s housemates were concerned, there were four categories. Friend, acquaintance, follower and enemy. Hermione was her only real friend in the Snake Pit. Draco and Daphne were her acquaintances, ones that kept close, understanding the best place to be was around her in case some sort of trouble, be it from their own house or another, happened. Then she had the house mates who sucked up to her, all to be connected to her in any way, therefore her followers. These were the ones who Kysa would tread carefully around. They could easily change from one category to another, even enemies. Finally, there were her enemies. For those who were supposed to be cunning, they still had a long way to go. The looks they shot her and Hermione were downright hostile in some cases. Others tried to hide it, and act like the followers, and failed. It raked at them that they were sucking up to a half-breed and a mudblood, but all they wanted was to try and put her and Hermione in what they thought were their right places.

This group were planning something against her, as they would undoubtedly want to assert control of the situation soon, but she was preparing herself and Hermione for just that situation. Their room was safe- protected by spells and ritual charm bags to dispel spell work that was dangerous and or humiliating to the rooms’ occupants. Rhan had reached her full size, and she was very large, with her head coming up to just below Kysa’s shoulders. She most certainly would not be messed with, and if she wasn’t hunting, she was at Kysa’s side. Sometimes with Hermione if Kysa believed her friend to be in danger, up until the would-be attackers had been scared off by the large cat’s presence, a sure eventual result as none of them wanted to take a chance against the large familiar which could tear them apart, probably before they got a single spell off.

Rhan was currently stretched out in-front of the large, blazing fireplace on the thick rug that had been placed over the cold stone floor. Kysa, Hermione, Draco and Daphne were sat on the leather sofa and arm chairs, having just completed their homework, relaxing in the extra warmth that the fire provided while talking about the fact that Potter making seeker for Gryffindor was considered big news in the Castle. Considering the favouritism McGonagall showed the Golden Boy, they didn't understand how it was such a shock to the rest of the students. All the while, Kysa had a book in her hand on runic algorithms that she was reading in-between the conversation, in order to keep up with her magical studies outside of Hogwarts. Crabbe and Goyle, Draco’s ever present body guards, were at a small table, playing a game of exploding snap the occasional mini explosions provided a background noise that hid their conversation to those who were attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation.

“Here comes trouble.” Daphne noted softly. Kysa looked up. Parkinson, Bulstrode and several others from the older years were heading their way. She hid her smirk and leant back in her seat, lounging comfortably against the winged side of the armchair and emitting the air that she was completely relaxed and at ease. That was the key to dealing with this group- annoy them so much they make multiple mistakes, allowing Kysa the advantage over them.

“Alright Half-Breed, this is our house. You and your pet mudblood may have gotten in somehow, but while you’re here, you’ll follow our rules.” An older student, Montague, ordered, his tone indicating his belief that he was better than her and Hermione.

Kysa tutted, shaking her head, her tone disappointed. “You truly are idiots. You are supposed to be a part of the house that represents cunning. I see none of that here among you. So I see no reason why Hermione and I should follow your rules. Your ambition is limited to inheriting daddy’s fortune, is it not Montague? It is not as if you are a better Slytherin than I am. I, after all, was taught by- and raised by for that matter- someone that Salazar probably based his characteristics on. Cunning, ambition- no one is better at that than my Father. Whereas you come here and try and intimidate me like a group of brash Gryffindor’s.” Kysa turned back to her book, rolling her eyes as she did so. She knew that ignoring them and acting as if they weren’t important enough to take much notice of would rile them up. Then she would have a reason to give to the teachers for what she would do afterwards. “Now, if you do not mind I would like to read in peace.”

Her book was snatched out of her hands forcefully and Montague pulled her to her feet by her collar, and she felt it give slightly. It may rip if he pulled it again. Hermione, Daphne and Draco stood up quickly, not two seconds after the older Slytherin had pulled Kysa to her feet, drawing their wands and Crabbe and Goyle soon followed Draco’s lead.

“What are you going to do Montague? Do you think you are strong? Guess again.” Kysa grabbed his wrist and squeezed, using only a fraction of her strength. He howled, and let go of her, dropping to his knees in front of her. She was crushing his bone. “I am far stronger than I seem to be. It is all part of my nature, mortal,” Kysa hissed as she briefly let the others in the common room feel her power radiating from her in waves. Rhan padded over to her side, growling lowly as her fangs were bared, ready to go for the jugular of any who posed a threat to her mistress. The students were beginning to back off, suddenly realising the stupidity of this particular plan. “I will not tolerate your hostilities any longer. I am a part of this House, and so is Hermione. Just as much as you are. Any attempts to discriminate against us because we are not purebloods will see the perpetrator wishing all I had done was crush a bone. I can get highly imaginative, as I am sure you can guess.” She pushed the older student away, and he fell onto the hard floor in the foetal position, cradling his arm and crying loudly, even beginning to snot as he cried. The sight was very unappealing to Kysa. “Someone get him to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey can fix him up in a heartbeat.” The two Slytherin beaters pulled Montague up and led, well dragged, him out of the room while the rest of the group dispersed. Kysa nodded to herself and sat down. “That should take care of the problem.”

“That was…” Draco was staring at the portrait hole that the three older boys had disappeared through.

“Sit down and stop gaping, Draco. It’s unbecoming.” Kysa said. He immediately did as she said, still in shock at the display. Never had Kysa done something like that. It was strange, even for those closest to her in the school, to see her do something like that.

“I’ll finish Draco’s sentence for him then. That was amazingly handled.” Daphne said, resuming her seat, but looking rattled. She knew she had chosen the right side, but seeing that display of power had shaken the blonde to her core.

“Amazingly handled? Kysa, you were brilliant! You didn’t even have to take them all on!” While for Hermione, it had been initially disturbing, Kysa was her friend and Hermione would never be on the receiving end of her temper. She was the least rattled by what had occurred moments ago.

“You don’t always need to.” She told Hermione. “Sometimes, bringing down the biggest of the lot and putting enough intimidation in- just a right amount- is enough. We should be fine now. Until one of them gets cocky again at least. But that won’t be for a while, I’d guess.” She then pulled the letter she had received from home this morning from her bag. She hummed while frowning.

“What is it?” Hermione asked.

“A sickness is spreading at home. Like a bad case of your flu- but it only affects children up to a certain age.”

“You can become ill?” Hermione asked, surprised.

“Not with your diseases, but we do have our own. However, it is very rare for an outbreak like this- oh no!” She was so surprised by what she read next that she hadn’t thought about her outburst. Thankfully, none of those she’d just discouraged were around. The news had sent a feeling of cold dread and worry to her stomach.

“What?” Daphne asked.

“My cousins, Aaric and Amdis, have fallen ill too. It’s why it’s been a while since they wrote last. Lady Eir has almost managed to get the infection in others under control. It’s just them and a few others who remain affected by it. But they seem to have it really bad.” Kysa bit her lip, really showing her age now as worry started taking over for her cousins.

“Will they be alright?” Hermione asked.

“I hope they will. Apparently, my dad, grandmother and Eir are all doing what they can to help.”

“What’s the flu?” Draco asked.

“You know when you get a really bad cold?” Hermione asked.

He nodded.

“Well, it’s a bit like that, except you’re bed ridden, aching all over, unable to lift your weight around, sometimes sickness, that sort of thing.”

“Pepper up potion.” Draco shrugged.

“It’s not that easy. Trust me, if it was, Eir would have done that by now. But when I say it’s like the bad case of the flu, I’m really understating it. It has…”

“Kysa?” Hermione was becoming worried now.

“It’s claimed lives before. And, no matter who they are, if they die of a sickness, they’ll never get into Valhalla.” Her shoulders slumped and Rhan placed her large head on Kysa’s lap, lending support, as Hermione wrapped an arm around her friends’ shoulders.

“I’m sure they’ll be fine. You said that they have three very skilled magic users looking to help them heal.” Hermione assured her.

“Hermione’s right, Kysa,” Daphne said. “Your cousins will be fine.”

“If others can heal with less help, they’ll be fine.” Draco said confidently. “Or do you doubt their strength and your father’s, grandmother’s and healer’s abilities?”

Kysa shook her head. “No.”

“Well, there you go. There’s no need to worry if you can’t do anything. Have they actually tried pepper up potion?” Kysa laughed slightly, and Draco was glad he'd lightened the situation slightly. With her power, he didn't want her to lose control of it because she got upset. It could do a lot of damage. To both him and the others.