Everything You Are

Chapter Nine:

"WHAT???"

"You're the heir... did anyone ever tell you?"

"NO!" Sirena said, incredulously.

Aria sighed and leaned back in her chair. "A few people aren't very happy about it, mind you. You're not full blood and a few of my sisters are trying to claim ownership to the title, but your mother was the oldest sister and you're her heir."

"Why don't they want me to do it? Not capable of ruling or something?"

"You're a half-blood," Aria said, shaking her head in disapproval of the stereotype. "They think that your werewolf blood could contaminate you or make you weak or make you untrustworthy... something ridiculous like that."

Sirena growled in frustration. She spoke in a hushed tone. "I am the fucking Dark Lady. If I can run a series of covert operations at 15 years old after winning in a duel with someone who's been working almost four times my lifespan, I think if something was to happen to whoever is ruling now, somewhere along the line, I could handle it."

Aria's eye widened slightly. "You mean YOU are the one everyone's talking about?"

"What are they saying?"

Aria smiled. "All of the lines have been positively giddy because a new Dark Lady had been talking about bringing vampires back to power."

"That would be me. I want some help from the vampires to go after Dumbledore, who is our next target. I figure that once he's out of our way, vampires won't have to worry about being out in the open so much and can resume their position of power."

"And you can lead us."

"What do you mean? I mean... whoever is running the line now has to be immortal..." Sirena reasoned.

"It's possible to kill an immortal, Sirena," Aria sighed. "Your grandfather is no exception."

"Wait... my grandfather?"

"Well, of course. This IS a family line, as is any line worth mentioning."

Sirena nodded. "Right... and I'm the heir?"

"You ARE a power hungry one, aren't you?" the woman said proudly.

Sirena shrugged. "I guess... it's how I thrive."

"Aye... I've heard you've had quite a bit to thrive through for such a young girl. I'm well into my third teens and I still haven't had to deal with some of the things you have. Then again, I was never Flayme Silver's daughter..."

"Third teens?"

"I'm 216 years old. This is my third time being in my teens."

"Ahh... and exactly what have you heard that I'm thriving through?"

Aria shifted uncomfortably. "Just... I hear Dumbledore hasn't been the most pleasant of people to you."

She smiled bitterly. "That would be putting it mildly," she said, shaking her head. "I'll probably get in some huge shit when I get back to school for this."

Aria's mouth formed a small 'O'. "You're ditching class for this?"

"Just my father's," she said, rolling her eyes. "I don't see myself needing to defend myself against the Dark Arts anytime soon."

"No... I suppose not. Especially not once we get you into our little family loop," Aria said, putting a hand on Sirena's shoulder. "Everyone will be so excited, you know. I'm the youngest member of our little clan, aside from you."

Sirena raised an eyebrow. "And Draco thought HIS parents were old? Man..."

"Who's Draco?"

"A friend of mine. The poor thing is probably suffering through class now" Sirena laughed.

Aria's expression turned slightly concerned. "Don't you think you should at least be in the school so that you can't get busted?"

Sirena shrugged and sighed. "I suppose so. I just... listen, I don't know anyone, but I want to. Do you see the rest of the family often?"

"I should say so. We're all neighbors on this HUGE territory."

"You think they'd mind if maybe... on one of the vacations I mean... maybe I could go meet everyone?"

Aria got up and hugged her. "I'm sure they'll be just as psyched as I am, if not more. You have lots of cousins and aunts and uncles and... there are a lot of us and all of us want to meet you."

Sirena smiled widely. "Could you let them know that we talked? Either Voldemort or I will probably be in contact with, I guess, my grandfather soon anyway, but I wanna make sure they know that I don't plan to be a black sheep."

"Will do, kiddo," Aria said, patting Sirena on the back. "Now, I think you have a class to get to. You wanna do something quick for my radio show real quick?"

Sirena nodded. "Sure thing."

Aria grabbed the magical microphone. "Just do a quick intro of you and say it's my show on WWN."

Sirena nodded. "Hey, this is Sirena Lupin and you're listening to the Aria Silver show on the one, the only, WWN."

"Great! Thanks, doll. Now... how do you intend on getting back to Hogwarts?"

Sirena smirked cheekily. "It's one of my Dark Lady privileges. I can Apparate in," she said, in a hushed tone.

"Awesome, dude. Well, Apparate away. See you soon?"

"Definitely. Nice to meet you... erm... Auntie Aria?"

"Just Aria, please," she said, shaking her head with a smile. "Nice to meet you too, Sirena. Take care."

Sirena Apparated back to the front gate and looked herself over. With a flick of her wand, she was back in uniform and on her way to Herbology. She arrived at the greenhouse, but cursed when she saw the classroom full and already working on their new mandrakes. She hung her head and walked in.

Professor Sprout's eyes narrowed angrily. "Ms. Lupin, WHERE on earth have you been? The class is nearly over!"

Sirena swallowed. "I was... erm..."

"Excuses, excuses, excuses," the Professor huffed angrily. "Detention and 5 points from Slytherin." Sirena rolled her eyes and went over to her table.

"Don't bother starting. We're cleaning up." Draco said, slightly amused. "Where WERE you? Your dad was bloody PISSED."

She shrugged. "I don't need that class. I decided to go see some family instead."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "You're really asking for it, Sirena. Dumbledore could easily find out about this and Snape definitely won't be happy that you lost us points."

Sirena resisted the urge to giggle. "Snape? Mad at me? Oh, I think not..."

Draco shrugged with a smile. "Ok, maybe he won't get mad at you... but don't get yourself into too much trouble. We can't have you expelled, can we?"

"I suppose not."

Sirena went to lunch after class and no sooner had she sat down than an owl flew at her.

Your detention will be served tomorrow (Friday) night with Professor Snape. Please report to the outside of the Slytherin common room no later than 7 o' clock PM. Professor Snape will lead you from there.

--Professor Sprout"

Sirena smiled, not particularly worried about the detention. Seeing as Professor Sprout had signed it, it looked as though Dumbledore hadn't found out and as her detention was with Severus, she didn't think she'd have any problems just doing what she had to and getting out.

The rest of the day dragged by slowly and Friday, if possible, went slower, as she had double DADA and couldn't find a valid excuse to leave. Her father made great use of this, making sure that he did a full review of what was necessary to now for the O.W.L's. By the time Sirena had dragged the parchment from her long day of work back up to her room, done her homework, and had dinner she was so exhausted she'd almost forgotten about her 7 O'clock 'appointment'. She looked at the clock just in time and cursed, getting up from her perch on her bed. Running a hand through her hair, she made her way to the outside of the portrait hole, where Severus was already waiting.