Chapter Text
She’s sitting under the shade of the big tree by the Lake, trying to write an essay for her Advanced Potions class. It’s only the third day of school and they’ve already been assigned to write an essay detailing the different effects of using mandrake root in a rejuvenating draught that has to be “at least five pages or I’m going to shred your essay and toss it straight into the trash”. Kara idly wanders if she could get away with hexing Professor Snapper right between his eyes on his big ugly nose. But that would be too obvious. Maybe she could ask Winn how he pulled off that spell on Bobby Doyle during their third year that made Bobby’s nose produce snot uncontrollably. He kept shoving tissues up his nose (to no avail) until it reached the breaking point and he hocked a record-breaking loogie right onto Professor Vasquez. Bobby deserved it for being a bully but Winn got a week of detention for that. And Kara’s a prefect now, so it probably isn’t the best idea to try doing that again.
She’s distracted from her revenge-plotting fantasies when her eyes are drawn by a sight in her periphery. A pair of students dressed in Beauxbatons blue descend from their carriage and are making their way towards the castle. The girl from the first day of school is laughing along to something her companion is saying. From her spot, Kara can see the way her face lights up in amusement, while her friend seems to be arguing indignantly about something, though she breaks and laughs as well after the former says something paired with a mischievous grin. They are clearly very comfortable with each other and Kara finds herself longing to talk to the dark-haired beauty as well. She wants to know what makes the girl who looked so sad on the first day laugh so carelessly. Kara catches herself when she realises her train of thought. Why is she so interested in that girl? Sure, she’s pretty but that alone doesn’t normally perk Kara’s attention. Hell, all her friends are pretty. What is it about this person that-
“Kara!” Kara jumps and her papers are sent flying off her lap. Nurulhuda (or just Nurul to her friends), her fellow sixth year Gryffindor, is staring at her with her hand raised to wave it in front of her face.
“Where were you? Do you wanna go get lunch?” Nurul asks.
“Uhh, yeah! Yeah. Uhm, just, give me a minute,” Kara stutters in response. She can’t help but steal another glance at the mysterious girl, who at this point, has gathered a few admirers staring in her direction as well. Nurul turns to look at what Kara is distracted by and spies the target of her attention. She turns back around and levels Kara with an inscrutable look. Kara blushes and pretends not to notice, busying herself with gathering her papers. Nurul’s staring lasts a bit longer than is comfortable and Kara begins to squirm under her friend’s gaze.
“What?” Kara says defensively. Nurul seems to consider something for a moment.
“Her name is Lena Luthor.” A pause. Nurul looks at Kara with concern. She’s one of few friends who knows of Kara’s identity as a descendent of House El and cousin of the wizarding world’s hero Clark Kent. She is aware of her family’s history with the Luthors.
“She was cleared of any association with the crimes her brother committed,” Nurul continues. “That doesn’t stop people from condemning her and spreading horrible rumours about her, though. From what I’ve heard, for as many people who admire her, just as many hate her and call her a murderer or use other, more aggressive, words to describe her.”
Kara bristles at that. “That’s not fair. She shouldn’t have to pay for crimes she didn’t commit. Even if it was her family.”
Nurul offers a small smile. “I know.”
-
Over the course of the next two days, Kara hears some of the hateful things said about Lena Luthor. It’s all along the same lines of how she must be a cold-blooded monster just like the rest of her family. Once, on her way back to the Gryffindor common room, she walks past two Ravenclaw seventh year guys loudly giving their two cents.
“Did you hear the rumours about her? Ten bucks says they’re all true and she’s an evil bitch.”
“Yeah, when I tried to talk to her, you know, to give her a chance, she just walked away. She thinks she’s better than all of us.”
“I’ll show her just who’s better when I bend her over and take her like the bitch she is.” They start chortling to themselves, slapping each other’s backs like they just won something.
Kara clenches her jaw, hard, as she makes her way quickly past them to the Fat Lady, reining in her temper. She’s had years of training to gain mastery over her exceptional powers but still avoids situations where she risks losing control. The last time she did was when she was still a child and even then, she almost levelled the Danvers’ home.
(But when the two seventh-years get horrible cases of food poisoning at breakfast the next day, Kara allows herself a victorious smirk.)
-
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, yeah I am. I’ve just been a little tired, I think.” Kara musters a smile. “It’s only our fourth day and we’re already swamped with work, y’know? Plus, there’s prefect duties and- I think I just need some rest, is all.”
James looks at her with concern. “Okay, Kara. If you say so.” He gives her a swift peck on the cheek and, with a promise to see her at lunch, leaves for Charms.
Kara sighs and turns to walk briskly towards the field outside the south tower. She knows that she needs to sort out her feelings for James soon before they end up hurting each other (more than she thinks they are already going to) but right now she can’t bring herself to think about it. She’s also running late for Care for Magical Creatures and she always tries as much as possible not to so that she can avoid Professor Grant’s acerbic tongue. Eventually, she emerges through a thicket into the sunny glade where lessons are held.
“Miss Kira Danvers! Very nice of you to squeeze us into your busy schedule,” a sharp voice drawls. Kara freezes in her tracks. Professor Grant has her back faced to Kara and the rest of the class, seemingly preparing some materials for the lesson. There’s no way she could have seen her walk in. (Kara also entertains thoughts that Professor Grant may be an alien. A very scary and bossy alien.)
“Sorry, Professor! It won’t happen again,” Kara says meekly, quickly unfreezing herself and moving to join the rest of the class. As she reaches the back of the loose circle of students, she hears soft laughter coming from her left. Kara turns to see Lena Luthor looking at her, a hand raised to her mouth to hide her amusement.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be laughing,” Lena says quietly, though her eyes and smile belie her mirth. She speaks with a perfect, if a little rigid, standard English accent. “You just looked so stunned that she noticed you walking in. Really nailed the deer in headlights impression there.”
Kara fumbles to restart her brain. “Uhm, yeah! I don’t know how she does it, really. I swear, Professor Grant must have eyes behind her head or something. I never seem to be able to get away with anything when she’s around,” Kara responds with a laugh, a hand coming up to adjust her spectacles so that it rests more comfortably on her nose.
“Do you often try to get away with things you know professors won’t approve of?” Lena counters, a teasing grin stretched across her beautiful features.
Kara stutters, “N-no! Of course not! I’m a prefect. I would never. I mean, I try not to. I try not to make a habit out of it, is what I’m trying to say-“
She’s cut off by the sound of Lena laughing again. This time, Lena doesn’t hold herself back and Kara finds she really likes that Lena has such a… dorky laugh. It makes her seem so much more approachable. Kara doesn’t mind that she basically made a fool of herself in front of this beautiful girl, so long as she can keep hearing her laugh.
“Miss Luthor, I am sure that I am exceeding humorous. However, given that I am about to begin my lesson, I would appreciate it if you’d keep your amusement to yourself.”
Lena has the decency to appear reprimanded, though Kara still spies a tiny grin. “Yes, professor.”
“Alright. Class, today we shall be learning all about the majestic creatures known as Hippogriffs…” Professor Grant begins.
“I’m Lena, by the way,” Lena whispers, smiling charmingly. Her eyes are a striking emerald and they seem to sparkle with promise.
“Kara.” She returns her smile shyly.
-
“Now, in your pairs, all of you are to attempt to approach a Hippogriff. Remember, these noble creatures are particularly adept at discerning between those with good intentions and those sinister. The key is to respect them. If you don’t, you will find out the hard way that respect, or a lack thereof, is a two-way street.”
“Do you want to go first?” Lena offers.
“Sure,” Kara replies.
Kara steps up to face the great beast before her. It stares at her with its grey, beady eyes; its razor-sharp beak an intimation of its capacity for menace. Kara stands taller in the face of it, confidently matching its gaze. Then, she slowly bows to the magnificent creature. Almost without pause, it returns the gesture – a small dip of its head – before it takes a step forward and lowers itself before Kara. Kara smiles as she runs her hands over downy feathers. She misses the way Lena stares in awe at her, equal parts surprise and amazement at the finesse and fearlessness Kara displayed. She quickly composes herself when Kara turns to face her.
“Lena, its feathers are so soft!” Kara practically squeals. Lena laughs. “You have to come touch it!”
Kara gives the hippogriff a final pat before taking a step back to stand beside Lena. The latter walks forward and follows after Kara’s example. For her, however, the hippogriff does not immediately return the bow. It remains where it stands, eyeing her intently. Lena holds firm and waits in silence. Her chin is raised slightly, brows arched and lips pursed. She appears the visage of cool confidence. For a moment, Kara is afraid that the hippogriff may attack Lena. Then, as the stalemate starts to drag on longer than Kara is comfortable with, it finally dips its head and lowers itself for Lena to touch. Her expression is, unexpectedly, one of surprise. She covers it up quickly but not before Kara catches it.
Lena moves forward tentatively, lowering herself before the creature. Her right hand comes up slowly, hesitantly, and she gingerly slips her fingers through the feathers on the hippogriff’s head. She seems to marvel at the way the smooth quills slide through the gaps between her fingers. Her left hand soon joins her right and Lena starts running her hands though its plumage, an almost reverential smile gracing her features. The hippogriff unleashes what sounds like a squawk of content and closes its eyes, which elicits a giggle of delight from Lena.
“You’re a natural at this, Lena,” Kara says earnestly to her new friend. Lena turns to face her with a smile of delight and asks Kara to join her. Kara gladly obliges.
They spend the rest of the lesson petting the hippogriff. All the while, Kara can’t take her eyes off the mysterious beauty before her, who can appear so cool and confident, dominating the attention of everyone around her, yet also possess this infinitely softer side that is dangerously endearing.
(It’s doubly treacherous then, that when she catches Kara looking at her, Lena stares right back. Kara doesn’t miss the way Lena draws her bottom lip into her mouth, worrying at it as she gazes unabashedly at her. Kara can’t help but look away, the heat of her blush spreading to her neck and ears.)
The lesson soon ends. As the class disperses to get to their various destinations, Kara feels a light tap on her shoulder.
“Hey.” Lena smiles brightly at her. “I had a really great time getting to know you today, Kara. Hopefully, we’ll see more of each other around soon?”
Kara would willingly spend hours just listening to the way her name rolls of Lena’s tongue. “Me too, Lena. And yes, I’d love that.” Kara returns her smile with equal warmth, glad that she is finally able to utter moderately intelligible sentences around the other girl.
With a final wave and a twirl of her blue skirt, Lena heads in the opposite direction from her. Kara blinks. It’s a few moments before she manages to begin making her way to the dungeons for double Potions.
-
It’s her tenth birthday. Lena spares a cursory glance at the small alarm clock on the floor beside her that tells her it’s midnight, before returning her attention to the photograph she’s holding. It was taken last year, on the first day of September. Her family had gathered at Platform 9¾ to see Lex off for his very first year at Hogwarts. Lillian looked so proud. Lena caught her smiling genuinely several times that day, including the one she was sporting in the picture. Lena remembers wondering, selfishly, if her mother would be as proud when it’s her turn to go off to school. (In her heart she knew the answer. Still, she clung on to hope.) Even Lionel was present. She rarely saw him in the six years since she was adopted by the Luthors – he was always busy working at the Ministry, either staying late in the office or away on business. The few times she did see him, he never bothered to say more than a few words.
Her gaze falls on to the boy at the centre of the picture. Lex’s blond hair was combed smartly away from his brilliant blue eyes and, as he had the entire day, the biggest smile on his face. He was so taken by everything he saw, talking animatedly to Lena about anything that perked his interest: ‘there are so many wizards here, Lee!’, ‘Lee! Look at that owl!’. His joy was contagious and Lena let herself be swept up in it. For a day, she let herself imagine that that was her everyday life. That she was happy and loved.
She hears the telltale creak of the trapdoor to the attic opening and light spills in from the slit. The door opens the rest of the way and an oddly shaped cake with a candle stuck in the middle emerges from it. A blond head quickly follows and Lex smiles when he spots Lena, lifting himself fully into the room and closing the door behind him, manoeuvring carefully to avoid dropping the oblong object in his hand.
“Hey, Lee. Mind if I join you?”
Lena quickly hides the picture under herself and glares at him as she wraps her blanket tighter around her shoulders. He takes that as an invitation and moves further into the room to settle down beside her, carefully placing the cake on the floor between them.
When she still doesn’t speak, Lex continues. “I tried looking for you in your room but couldn’t find you. I started to panic there for a moment.” Lex turns to give Lena a crooked smile. And her heart unwillingly swells at that, the simple reminder that he cares. “Then I remembered that you always liked to come up here to look at the stars.”
She turns to look outside the slanted skylight before her. The sky is exceptionally clear tonight. Individually, the stars shine brilliantly, each a tiny sun of their own galaxy. Together, they light up the world, painting a luminous facade of divine beauty.
“I don’t want to celebrate my birthday this year,” Lena says abruptly.
Lex frowns at that. “Why not?”
“Nobody seems to care anyway. Not the people who birthed me, not the ones who adopted me,” Lena bites out. She feels a rise of bitterness. All this day ever does is remind her that her very existence in this world is unwanted. Not just by one but two families – the very people who are supposed to love and accept her unconditionally.
“Lee.”
Lena turns at the sound of her brother’s hard tone, normally so warm when directed towards her. “I’m sorry that Mum and Dad don’t treat you the way you deserve but do not ever think for a second that you’re not loved.” Lex looks at her with such fierce adoration that shuts down any retort she may have had. “Ever since the day I met you, I knew that I would love you for the rest of my life. Blood relation or not, you are and will always be my sister,” he says with the absolute surety of a thirteen-year-old.
Lena crumbles. She throws herself at Lex and buries her face into his chest, allowing the tears that she held back finally flow freely onto his shirt. Lex simply wraps his arms around her and holds her tight, rubbing soothing circles on to her back.
Eventually, Lena stops crying. She pulls away from Lex sheepishly and wipes at her eyes, returning to sit in her previous position. He quirks a wry smile at her.
“Hey, do you remember the first time I brought you up here and told you about the different constellations?” Lex begins. Lena nods. She doesn’t mention that she still can’t really identify them. They just look like a bunch of stars to her.
“See that one?” Lex points to a group of stars on the right. “That’s Gemini, the Twins. In the Greek myths, Castor and Pollux were twins to the same mum but different dads. Castor had a mortal dad but Pollux was the son of the almighty god Zeus. One day, Castor was killed in battle and Pollux begged his dad to let him share his immortality in order to stay with his brother. So, Zeus granted his wish and transformed them into the constellation Gemini.”
Lena frowns. “That’s stupid. Castor didn’t become immortal. Pollux just died for nothing.”
Her brother laughs. “It’s just a story, Lee. And they did end up united forever, didn’t they?” Lena still isn’t convinced. Lex reaches out and rests an arm around her shoulders. She relishes the comfortable weight and leans against him.
“Sometimes I think that we’re like Gemini. It takes a long time for the light of a star to reach the earth and for people to see just how bright it shines. Even then, they’d have to pull their head out of their ass to actually see it,” Lex intones with heavy implication. Lena can’t help but laugh. She rolls her eyes too, for good measure. She can’t let Lex win all the time, after all.
“But in the meantime,” Lex continues, his voice going soft, “I will be right there beside you, lending you my light as you continue to shine so bright. Happy Birthday, Lena. One day, you are going to light up the entire damn universe.”
-
Kara pushes open the door to the Great Hall as she looks down at the text Alex sent her. ‘I swear, if Sawyer skips out on prefect duty ONE MORE TIME, I’m going to jinx that smug smile right off her face.’ Kara chuckles and replies simply with a winky emoji.
“Kara!”
She turns to see Winn walking briskly to catch up to her.
“Hey, Winn! How was Herbology?” Kara asks.
“Boring. You know I hate it. Why are you mocking me?” Winn responds with a dramatic pout. He only manages to hold it for a second before breaking into his usual smile. “So, excited?”
“Bit nervous, actually.” Kara smiles. “What if I get picked?”
“What if you get picked?”
“Don’t play mind games with me, Winn.”
He laughs. “All I’m saying is, if it happens, it happens. You did put your name in the goblet after all. No point worrying about it now.”
They reach their seats at the Gryffindor table and Kara takes the time for her to sit to consider that, while Winn takes his seat opposite her. “You know, Winn, sometimes you say things. And they turn out to be really smart.”
He wags a finger at her. “Not just sometimes, babe.” Kara slaps his finger away and Winn feigns hurt, holding his hand like a battle wound. Kara laughs at that. He’s her best friend and she loves the guy but he really is ridiculous.
Alex drops onto the seat beside her. “I can’t wait to stuff my face with Pizza. Wait, that’s your line, sis.” Winn laughs and holds up his hand for a high five. Alex grins and smacks it. Kara rolls her eyes.
“So, Winn, did you put your name in for the tournament?” Alex asks.
“Nah. I’m not a fan of putting myself into situations with too much spotlight. I’m more a M than a James Bond kind of guy. Or, a Nick Fury than a Captain America,” Winn answers, holding a hand over his right eye and giving his best stern look. He looks nothing like Nick Fury.
Alex nods in understanding. She herself did not sign up for the competition either because of her busy schedule. She has to juggle her duties as Head Girl along with a monumental course load in preparation for what Kara calls the ‘Auror Spec Ops Program’ that she was probationally accepted into at the end of their last school year. All she had to do was keep up her excellent grades and she’d be the first wizard to be accepted into the program without prior Auror training. Needless to say, Kara is endlessly proud of her sister. Though, she never misses an opportunity to tease Alex about how she’d be like a ‘Magical FBI’.
The hall goes quiet as Headmaster J’onzz takes to the stage. “A very good evening to our staff, students and distinguished guests. The time has come for the selection of the Triwizard Tournement School Champions!” The crowd claps and cheers. A few names are called out to cheers while others to the sound of laughter.
The noise settles as Professor J’onzz holds up a hand. “I’m sure we all have our favourites. But the Goblet shall make the final decision. Those selected, please proceed to the side of the hall. You will be briefed on certain matters about the tournament.”
Just then, the Goblet’s blue flame burns a bright orange. A piece of folded parchment shoots out of it, floating gently for a moment before the Headmaster snatches it from the air. He opens it and reads the name on the parchment.
“From Durmstrang Institute, Mon-El!” Raucous applause breaks out as the new champion rises from his table, waving and smiling winningly at his adoring crowd. The Durmstrang Headmaster cheers so loudly that he can be heard even from the staff table. Kara can’t say she’s surprised at the selection. What she is surprised by (though she’s starting to think that she shouldn’t be), is that Winn is cheering louder than the rest of them. And did Mon-El just wink in their direction?
“Next, the champion that will represent Beauxbatons is – Miss Lena Luthor!” a slightly more muted applause fills the hall as Lena rises from her seat and bows gracefully to the crowd. Her friend, the same one Kara spotted walking alongside Lena the day before at the Lake, stands as well and engulfs her in a tight embrace that Lena returns. Kara feels an unsettling twinge in her stomach. She finds herself irrationally wishing to go up to Lena and congratulate her as well. Lena doesn’t look at her as she proceeds to move to the side of the hall and Kara tries not to be too disappointed at that. They’re just friends. Not even close ones at that – they just met a couple of days ago. There’s no reason for her to be upset.
Suddenly, James pops down onto the seat on her other side. “Kara, I need to talk to you.”
Kara furrows her brows. “What is it?”
“-Last but not least, the Champion that will represent Hogwarts is… Kara Danvers!” Kara freezes. That isn’t what she expected to hear at all. She rewinds the moment in her mind, trying to make sure that she didn’t just black out for a moment.
“Sis, get your butt up there!” comes Alex’s voice and the world comes back to her. She turns to look at her sister, still in shock. Alex smiles warmly in reassurance. “You got this, Kara. I’m so fucking proud of you.”
Kara stands nervously from her seat, deaf to the cheers and congratulations of people around her. She makes a beeline for the door to the side of the hall and quickly ducks into the room, leaving the cacophony of the hall behind her.
-
The first person she sees is Lena. She’s engaged in conversation with Mon-El and Kara only sees the straight line of her back and the high ponytail that resonates cool power. At the sound of her footsteps, Lena turns. Her expression transforms from polite interest to pleasant surprise and before she knows it, Kara finds herself pressed against soft blue fabric and her face is by the side of Lena’s. She’s so close, she can smell the floral scent coming from Lena’s hair.
“Kara, I’m so glad you made it!” Lena exclaims, pulling away slightly but keeping her hands on Kara’s shoulders.
Kara is still reeling from the other girl’s proximity and the dazzling smile directed at her. “Y-Yeah. Me too! I mean, I’m glad I made it too. That doesn’t mean I’m not glad that you made it! Obviously, I’m so glad you made it. I’m glad both of us made it,” Kara rambles. Lena simply laughs and gives her shoulders a light squeeze.
The sound of footsteps alert to the presence of someone else entering the room. A middle-aged man wearing a pointed wizard’s hat walks towards the three students. He introduces himself as the Ministry’s representative and proceeds to explain the rules and schedule of the tournament to the newly selected champions. He informs them that there would be a wand weighing ceremony, some interviews for the press and that the First Task would take place on the first day of December. He then reminds them that from this day on, champions shall ‘stand alone’ and is not supposed to go to members of the staff to ask for help as it would give unfair advantages. (Especially for the Kara, as the host school’s Champion, where resources are far more accessible.) All the while, Kara notices that Lena listens intently with seemingly grim determination. Much more than Mon-El, at least, who just has the same smile that Kara has never seen leave his face. After that, they are wished good luck and are told that they may rejoin the rest of the cohort for dinner.
Kara is still in slight disbelief of everything that happened in the past fifteen minutes. She’s about to blindly turn and walk back into the hall when she feels a hand pulling lightly on her robes at her elbow.
“Kara.” Lena smiles charmingly. “I heard from my friend that this weekend – that is, tomorrow, – Hogwarts has its first Hogsmeade weekend, where students get to go out to the adjoining village outside the school?” Kara nods. “Would you mind showing me around? Jess, my best friend, is running off to explore the town with her girlfriend,” Lena pauses to roll her eyes but there’s a fond smile on her face, “and you’re kind of my only other friend here in Hogwarts. So, I was wondering, if you didn’t make any prior arrangements…”
Kara manages to only stare at Lena like a fool for two seconds, tops, before she scrambles to agree, “Yes, of course! I’d be glad to, Lena.”
Lena’s smile widens into one of genuine happiness. “Okay then. Shall we meet at the door to the Great Hall at, say, nine tomorrow morning?” Kara nods emphatically. “I’ll see you tomorrow then, Kara.” Lena leans in again as she did earlier that evening. This time, she presses a light kiss onto Kara’s cheek. Then, she pulls away and, with a pleased smile, returns to the Great Hall.
Kara stares at the spot where Lena stood and wonders if she’d unwittingly been hit by a petrifying charm.