The Sister

Chapter 2

~Percy's POV~

I stood next to Bill and Charlie as Dad interrogated the girl for answers. She looked no older than Ron. She glared at us with her caramel fire eyes. She clearly had a tough life. She was scarred, bruised, dirty, her clothes were well worn and had stains that looked like blood. She scanned over me, Charlie, and Bill with her eyes. For someone who looked wild her eyes revealed that she was an intelligent person. They were calculating, scanning, judging, watching us like a cornered predator. She focused her eyes on my father and she seemed to judge him. "Who are you?" He asked again. She watched him for a minute and tipped her head to the side. Father frowned. "Do you not speak English?" He asked. She hissed and it sounded like words but overlaid with hisses. Father frowned at her and she leaned forward in the chair, straining against the binds. She bared her teeth at him before leaning back. "Why did you break into our house?" Dad asked. "Arthur she's obviously starving. I mean look at her." Mum said. I let my eyes drift over her and I noticed how thin and boney the girl looked. She growled at us and made herself look larger than she actually was. Her hackles on the back of her neck were raised and it was clear she felt threatened. She strained against the restraints trying to get free. "Who are you?" Molly asked. The girl stopped straining and went limp against the chair. She panted slightly from straining. She looked at Mum before closing her eyes. She relaxed back against the chair and leaned her chin on her chest. She sat there for a while and I realized she was trying to sleep. "Who are you?" Dad snapped, becoming annoyed. Her eyes opened and she lifted her head. "Phoenix Volkov." She said. Her voice was gruff, scratchy, like she hadn't used it in a long time. "Volkov?" Dad asked surprised. He had gone pale. "Yes. Why?" Phoenix asked frowning. "Nothing. Nevermind." Dad said. Mum looked pale and I frowned. Volkov, where had I heard that name before? I frowned trying to think of where I had heard the name. Then I remembered. Nadia Volkov had been in hiding with James and Lily Potter and had been killed one night leaving behind a daughter. Nadia had been a loyal follower of Voldemort until she fell on love and became pregnant. She had abandoned Voldemort's cause and went into hiding with her close friend Lily Potter. Nadia died in mysterious circumstances that remain unexplained. Phoenix didn't seem to know this as she watched my mother and father discuss something in the corner. "Where is your family?" Mum asked. "Dead. I ran away from my adoptive family because they were cruel. I've lived on the streets for almost a year now." Phoenix said. She seemed to have relaxed but she was still weary. Mum gave her a pitying look. "Do you have anywhere to stay?" Mum asked. Phoenix looked away and stared at the floor. Mum said something to Dad and he was nodding. I walked towards them to hear what they were saying. "We can't just throw her out. Nadia was a very close friend of mine. She's also just a child. No older than Ron." Mum was saying. Dad was nodding. "She also probably has no idea what she is." Dad said. Mum nodded and turned to Phoenix. "Would you want to stay here?" Mum asked her gently. Phoenix looked up and I could see the shock in her eyes. Her face held an ever present emotionless expression but I could see the shock. "Why? Why would you let me stay here? I tried to steal from you." She said. "Well your mother was a great friend of mine. Also you are a child. You shouldn't be out in the world on your own yet." Mum said. "You knew my mother?" Phoenix asked leaning forward. The binding spell had worn off and she set her forearms on the table. "Yes I knew her. She looked a lot like you." Mum said. Phoenix looked away thinking. "You can stay or you can go but I'd prefered if you'd stay." Mum said. Phoenix scanned Dad's face before moving to mine. I gave her a slow nod and Percy followed my example. Bill smiled gently at her and she seemed to relax slightly. Her eyes returned to Mum's face. "Okay. I'll stay." Phoenix said in a softer, gentler voice.