A FAMILY AFFAIR

- 1 -

[ CHAPTER ONE ; "THE NEXT DARK WIZARD..." ]

Coral woke up with a start, she felt like her chest was being crushed as her little brother, Mizzen nestled himself against her contently. Coral tried to move into a more comfortable position without waking him.

"Uhhh..." Coral whined in protest, as she tried to move but her body betrayed her, the weight against her chest holding her down. She realized that trying to move without waking Mizzen was proving to be a futile test.

"Mizzen." She whispered, desperate to move. Mizzen didn't stir, he continued to lay peacefully in his older sister's embrace, fully unaware of the pain he was causing. "Mizzen.. Miz!" She hissed, more harshly than she would have liked.

"Mhmm.." Mizzen whined in discomfort at being woken up early. Coral instantly felt like the worst person imaginable. She didn't like causing her brother any worry or concerns and hated when she was the cause of his pain.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered softly, as Mizzen tired rubbed his eyes. "Cor...al.." Mizzen mumbled, barely getting her name out without yawning. Coral felt horrible for waking him up, just to get herself more comfortable.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, buddy." Coral whispered softly into the night air as she gently began to stroke her brother's hair. "What are you doing in my room, Mizz?" Coral questioned, her tone gentle and soft.

"I couldn't sleep, it was too cold and you're nice and warm..." Mizzen replied, fighting to stay awake. "Okay, little fish. I'm sorry for waking you." Coral apologized, gently adjusting herself to better suit her brother's needs.

"That's okay... just promise to let me stay." Mizzen practically begged, snuggling closer to her again, Coral smiled. "Always, little fish. Always." Coral answered honestly as she gazed down at her younger brother.

"I love you, Coral..." Mizzen mumbled softly as he snuggled closer to her. "I love you too, little fish." Coral replied with a small smile. She didn't mind that she couldn't fully move, she cared for her little brother so much that it didn't matter anymore.

As Mizzen slept soundly against his older sister, Coral felt a horrible sensation in her stomach, she would be on her way to her fourth year at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.

But, poor little, Mizzen was going to start his first year at Hogwarts, right when Grindelwald was in his prime, hence why Mizzen was sleeping with her, she feared for her little brother's life.

"Coral?" A small voice whispered, she turned her head to face him. "Yeah, what's up?" She mused, gently prying him to open up to her. He hesitated, scared for what to say. "You can tell me." She coaxed.

"What if-... what if I get put into a different house to you?" He whispered. Coral's heart wrenched in her chest at Mizzen's words. The fear in his voice mirrored her own, but she couldn't let him see her own terror. She had to be strong. For him.

"Mizzen, listen to me." She said, her voice steady despite the panic rising inside her. "You're going to be put in Gryffindor with me. I promise." Coral smiled, she felt sick. Coral always felt sick when she lied to her little brother.

Mizzen looked up at her, his eyes searching hers for reassurance. "But what if I get put in another house? What if I get put into Slytherin?" He murmured. "What if I'm not with you!" Mizzen gasped in fear. Coral took a deep breath, trying to push down her own anxiety. "Then we'll figure it out together. I'll always keep you safe, no matter what." Coral vowed.

She had hoped that her vow would have brought some comfort to her little brother, but it only heightened his fear. "But, what if I am put into Slytherin and I'm Grindelwald's..." He hesitated. "What if... I'm the next dark wizard..." Mizzen whispered. "And what if I-" Mizzen cut himself off with a whimper. 

He didn't have to finish his sentence, Coral already knew that he was scared to become the next Grindelwald, the next dark wizard that Grindelwald was searching for. Mizzen and Coral were descendants of Grindelwald so it was that far of a stretch. 

All of the pure blood families were descendants of Grindelwald. No matter how distant they were in the family tree, they were still his kin. They could still be the next dark wizard or witch. She wished she could banish his fears with a few comforting words, but she knew it wasn't that simple.

"Try not to worry about it, okay, little fish?" Coral asked, her voice gently. "You're not going to be put into Slytherin. You'll be in Gryffindor with me, I can guarantee that." She replied, feeling sick again for lying to him. Mizzen smiled softly.

"Thanks, Coral." He said, snuggling back close to her. "I love you." He added, Coral continued to stroke his hair soothingly, silently vowing to protect him at all costs, even at her own life.

"I love you too..." She managed to whisper as steadily as possible. Coral wanted nothing more that to believe her own words, she wanted to believe Mizzen would not be in Slytherin and be more suspected to be the next dark wizard.

"You're going to be fine." She whispered to her little brother, though she knew Mizzen was asleep again, so it was more of a reminder to herself that he was going to be fine and safe. There's no way he's the next dark wizard, right? 

She wished she could promise he wouldn't be sorted into Slytherin, she wished she could provide him with a solid, more permanent answer, but the truth is. She couldn't. Not really. "You will be fine." She added, trying against everything she knew to make it come true.

She wanted nothing more than to have Mizzen be safe. She prayed he would. She tried to fall back asleep, but her mind kept her up. Would she be able to protect Mizzen if he was sorted into Slytherin? Would she be able to keep him safe from the darkness that threatened to consume him?

She just had to pray to whoever was up there listening to her to protect him and if they couldn't. She sure as hell would.