Chapter One:

A Witch?

Siku floated beneath the waves, the stormy sky encouraging the tides to drag her further down into the dark abyss below. Her mind raced while she tried to swim to the surface. Was this it? Was she really going to die? Her hands clawed their way through the water, but with each movement, a breath of air escaped her.

Her struggles became weaker until she lost her will to fight. The water clogged her lungs, her body falling still, and she relaxed, preparing herself for death. However, before her consciousness could slip away, she was surrounded by a white light. It felt warm and comforting, and with a smile, she faded away into the light.

….

"You're right, Aang, we need to talk to Siku." Katara sighed. "I can't believe everything went by so fast. It seems like only yesterday she was this little bundle in my arms."

She glanced down at Tenzin, who was fast asleep in her cradling embrace. Time had really flown by. One minute, she was a mere peasant trying to aid her struggling tribe alongside her brother in a hopeless, war-torn world, and the next, she and her friends were war heroes.

Now Katara and Aang were married with four beautiful children, all of which were a handful in their own way. Tenzin was going to be the air-bender she knew her husband desperately needed, Kya was her little water-bender, and Bumi, despite being a non-bender, lived up to his mischievous namesake.

Then there was Siku, who possessed powers Katara never thought possible. Her eldest could make anything move or disappear at will, and seemed to get herself into and out of strange incidents on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, everything Siku did was by accident, and it was impossible to teach her how to control her abilities, leaving Katara no choice but to forbid her from learning. Instead, she tried to raise her daughter as a non-bending member of the Water Tribes.

I should've known better. Katara lowered her head.

"I know it won't be easy, but we have to do this." Aang stood. "Otherwise, things are only going to get worse. You saw what Siku did yesterday, and while Sokka's trying his best, I don't know if he'll be able to smooth things over with the council this time."

"I know." She laid Tenzin down in his crib. "But wasn't her world supposed to be in the middle of a war? What if it's not safe?"

"Then I'll go with her and make sure everything's fine," he said. "There's no telling how she's going to take this."

Katara stood. It still feels too soon. Siku's only a child, and we're her only family.

"The pendant is gone." Aang frantically searched his pockets before scanning the room. "I could've sworn I had with me."

A sting of worry shot through Katara's heart, and she was overcome with a paranoid sensation. Something had happened, but what? Her pulse quickened when a hasty knock rapped against the door.

"Momma! Daddy!" Two young voices echoed on the other side.

Aang slid the door open, revealing Bumi and Kya.

"Siku's gone!" Bumi said.

"Yeah, I found this on her bed." Kya held up a small scroll.

Aang took the scroll and read it. "Dear Mom and Dad, I know the truth. I overheard you talking, and I decided that I'm going to find my real family. I want to know who I am, whatever I am. I'm sorry for causing so much trouble, and being a burden on you both. Love, Siku."

Gasping, Katara put a hand to her chest, and her attention shot toward the window. A storm was raging outside, and meeting her husband's gaze, she knew they were thinking the same thing.

Bumi raised an eyebrow. "Momma, what's going on?"

"Nothing, sweetie. I want you to take Kya and go to your rooms while your father and I find your sister," Katara said.

Bumi and Kya looked at each other before groaning, "Okay."

Katara and Aang rushed outside toward the balcony where they could get a good view of Airbender Island. They tried to spot any sign of their daughter, but the rain was so thick they could barely make out anything.

"Siku! Siku!" Katara bended some of the rain away from her face. "She couldn't have gotten far, right?"

"I hope not," Aang said.

"I'll get a closer look on the east side!" She rushed down the stairs, not caring how slippery it was.

"I'll have the acolytes help me search the rest!" Aang used his air-bending to leap toward one of the other buildings.

Katara began her search while bending the rain out of her way. Her heart felt like it was about leap out of her chest at the guilt that was filling her.

We should've said something sooner. She looked around. "Siku! Where are you! Please answer me! Siku!"

"Over here! We found something!" Yee-Li, one of the female acolytes, called out.

Katara raced to the north shore where the acolytes were gathered. Thudding against the rocks and silt was a canoe. It was splintered and had been severed in half by the crashing waves.

Yee-Li approached Katara with a large sack in her hands. "This washed up along with it."

The sack was drenched, and Katara fumbled with the strings, trying to open it. She heard Aang land amongst the group.

"What happened? Did you find…?" He noticed the canoe. "Oh no."

Katara opened the sack. "This is Siku's. She went out into the storm."

She took out a large stuffed animal from the sack. It was a penguotter that she had given to Siku on her fifth birthday, but now it was damaged from the weather. Tears spilled from Katara's eyes, and she felt Aang embrace her.

"Our baby. She's–" She buried her face against his chest.

"Don't think like that," Aang said, "I'll search for her. There's still a chance she survived."

"No." Katara shook her head, a determined gleam in her eyes. "We'll search for her. If there's a chance, you know I can't just wait here."

"Of course." He nodded. "But be careful. I don't want you to get caught out in this storm either."

"Same." She furrowed her brow. "What are we going to tell Kya and Bumi?"

He took out his glider. "Nothing until we're sure."

Katara watched him soar into the air before jumping into the ocean. The second her feet hit the water, she encased them in ice, and she skated across the ocean's surface while bending the rain out of her path. The very thought of their daughter being dead made her heart sink with dread. She didn't even want to think about it, but it was the most realistic outcome. A part of her wanted to hope that Siku was still out there, lost and frightened, but what were the odds of that?

….

"Mom?" Siku opened her eyes and jolted upright.

Her whole body shook, her nerves on fire. Flashes of her nightmare swirled around in her mind, and she tried to calm herself before looking around.

This isn't my room. She furrowed her brow. "Mom? Dad?"

The white walls looked dingy, and the room had a very old-fashioned, almost grimy decor. A nightstand rested on the right side of her bed, and there was a small window on the left, illuminating everything with cool rays of light. Across from the bed, against the far corner, were two chairs, and the room itself was fairly cramped.

Where am I? Looking down, Siku saw that someone had changed her clothes and placed her in a white frock. Did someone save me? Or maybe…?

Springing out of bed, she ran to the door, but it was locked. She beat against it, screaming at the top of her lungs, but when she didn't receive an answer, she retreated until she was against the wall. She sat down and hugged her knees close to her chest.

"Mom? Dad? Bumi! Kya! Where are you?" Tears streamed down her face. "Someone help me!"

The door opened, and a woman in her fifties entered the room with a tray of food in her hands. Judging by her clothes, Siku assumed she was a servant of the house.

"Goodness. What's all the commotion?" The woman spoke with a thick accent. "Are ye alright, hen?"

"Who… who are you?" Siku pressed herself against the wall. "What's going on? Where am I?"

"Calm down, hen." The woman set the tray on one of the chairs before kneeling down beside her. "I am Madam Baird, a healer. Ye were brought here to St. Mungo's hospital after that nasty accident."

Siku moved away from her. "What are you talking about?"

"Some Ministry employees brought ye in. Said ye appeared in the fountain, not movin', like ye had drowned," Baird said. "Nearly scared those folks to death."

I'm not dreaming? Siku's pulse quickened. "What nation are we in?"

"England, hen." Smiling, Baird helped her up and guided her toward the bed.

She furrowed her brow. "Is this England near the Earth Kingdom?"

"Earth Kingdom?" Baird raised both of her eyebrows. "There is no such thing, hen. We're in London, England. Goodness, it appears ye swallowed too much water."

Siku was too stunned to resist and let the healer set her back on the bed. "I'm not from around here, but I should probably get back home."

"Not on my watch. Ye need to keep yer strength up." She shook her head. "I brought ye something to eat, and after, yoo'll need plenty of rest."

Baird pulled out a wooden stick from the pocket of her apron. It looked like it had been finely crafted, but it was a little worn down from use. She waved the stick at the tray, and it floated from its spot in the chair onto Siku's lap.

Siku froze, shifting her gaze from the tray to Baird and back. "How did you do that? Is it some new kind of bending?"

"Bending?" Baird shook her head. "It's magic, hen. Yoo're back home in the Wizarding World."

She stared at her food, her mind refusing to process this new information. "But there's no such thing as magic."

Baird glanced her over and knitted her brow. "I see. Muggle-born. Just eat, hen, and get some rest. Oh, I almost forgot." Waving the stick again, a bundle of clothes appeared in one of the chairs. "I took the liberty of cleaning yer belongings."

Siku didn't look up. "Thank you, Madam Baird."

"Of course, hen. I'll return soon." She left the room.

This can't be real. Am I dreaming? Siku dug her hands in her hair. "Mom? Dad? Help me."

Her stomach growled, drawing her attention to the tray. There was a goblet of water, a bowl of stew, and a roll of bread. Taking a sip from the goblet, she relaxed, and moved on to the rest. Once she had her fill, she set the tray on the nightstand and walked over to the chairs.

Undoing the bundle, Siku laid each piece of clothing on the end of the bed. She dug into the pockets of her lavender, fur coat and pulled out a set of sarashi, hair accessories, and a pair of black moccasins.

"Where's the pendant?" She searched through everything a second time but couldn't find it. "Oh no, I can't believe I lost it."

Tossing the frock to the side, she wrapped the sarashi around her chest and hips before putting on a pair of dark blue leggings. She slipped on the moccasins, and put on a blue, kimono-like tunic. A slit ran up each side, allowing for freer movement, and the sleeves billowed out past her hands.

She secured the white obi around her waist before retrieving her comb and detangling her hair. If all of this is real, then how did I get here? Mom and dad must be worried sick. This was a mistake. I shouldn't have done this.

She pulled her hair into a bun while leaving two, loose locks in the front, and then placed a crescent shaped ornament in the center. Taking two blue beads, she clipped them at the top of each lock, creating two hair loopies.

"It's too warm for my parka and gloves." Siku placed them on one of the chairs.

The door opened, and Baird poked her head inside. "Oh good, yoo're dressed. Ye have a visitor."

Siku furrowed her brow. "My parents?"

"I can handle things from here, Madam Baird," said a deep, smooth voice from behind the door. "Surely there are other patients in need of your exquisite care?"

"Yes, of course." Baird nodded before disappearing from the doorway.

A man in his mid to late thirties stepped into the room. His long, platinum blond hair rested against his shoulders, and his pale skin contrasted with his elegant, dark robes. It was clear that he was of noble status.

Siku met his gaze, and a shiver ran down her spine from the way his gray eyes pierced into hers. She thought she spotted a flicker of shock in his expression, but the emotion vanished before she could be sure.

The man tilted his head high and gave her a courteous smile. "Good morning, young lady. My name is Lucius Malfoy. I am with the Ministry of Magic, and one of the governors for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He also had an accent, but it was different from Baird's.

"It's nice to meet you, sir." Siku put her hands together and bowed. "I am Siku, first born daughter of Avatar Aang and Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."

He raised an eyebrow. "Forgive me. I do not recognize your parents' titles, for I rarely visit the Muggle-world."

"Muggle-world?" She sat in one of the chairs. "Not to be rude, sir, but could you please explain what's going on?"

"Yes. Madam Baird mentioned that you might be of–" His face curled into a tiny sneer. "Muggle descent."

Lucius strode over to the chair beside her and sat down. He glanced her over, his expression unclear. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pendant. It was silver with an emerald H engraved into it, which seemed to be a family crest.

"That's mine." Siku frowned. "How did you get that?"

"This was confiscated when you were found in the Ministry Lobby." He dangled the pendant in front of her. "The better question is how you became in possession of it?"

"I got it from my par––" She lowered her head. "I mean my step-parents."

"This Aang and Katara you spoke of?" Receiving a nod, he continued, "Well, either they are your parents, or they are not. Which is it?"

"I… uh…." She twiddled her fingers, her gaze lowering to the floor.

Noticing her hesitance, he chuckled. "It's alright, Siku. I was sent here by the Minister for Magic to clarify your situation. I know it must be uncomfortable for you to share such personal information with a complete stranger, but the only way we can help you is if you are honest with me."

I guess it's okay. Siku closed her eyes. "I thought they were my real parents, but I could do things the rest of my family couldn't. Strange things."

"Show me," Lucius said.

"What?" She furrowed her brow.

"You said you are different, and I want to see what you can do." He slightly narrowed his eyes. "Prove yourself."

His request made Siku nervous. She had always been forbidden from practicing her abilities because, unlike her siblings, she had trouble controlling herself. However, from his expression, she knew Lucius was serious, and searching the room, she set her sights on the goblet of water.

Please work. She concentrated as hard as she could. "Water, do as as I say."

At her command, the water floated out of the goblet.

"Come to me," she said.

The water streamed over and hovered in front of her in a big bubble.

She kept her focus. "Make a lily."

The bubble reformed itself until it was a gelatinous lily.

"Freeze," she said.

Solidifying, the water became clear, almost perfectly carved crystal.

"I've gotten better. When I was a baby, I could only make tiny, ice cubes. That's why my step-mother named me Siku." She smiled. "Ice."

Upon speaking, her concentration broke, and the lily dropped on the floor, shattering into tiny pieces. She panicked, expecting Lucius to get upset, but instead he gave her an approving look.

"Interesting," he said. "Tell me, how did you end up at the Ministry?"

"I don't know," she said, "Yesterday, I was waiting in the Town Hall lobby while my step-parents were at a meeting, and these other kids kept picking on me. I got really upset, and all of sudden, I made this big explosion. Some people were injured, but it was an accident. After my step-parents made sure I was okay, they just kept me in my room."

He frowned. "They mistreated you because of your abilities?"

"No. They simply thought it wasn't safe, and they didn't want me to hurt myself or my siblings." She sighed. "Anyway, I snuck out and overheard them arguing about how I wasn't really theirs. My step-father was holding that––" She pointed to the pendant. "He said it belonged to my real parents."

She paused, noticing Lucius' expression. He seemed to be deep in thought but nodded for her to continue.

"Last night, I took the pendant and ran away." Her eyes watered. "But I was caught in a storm. I remember almost drowning, and then I woke up in this room."

"I see." Lucius stared at the pendant before clasping it in his hand. "This trinket belonged to a magical family. In this world, there are witches and wizards, beings of power. Then there are the muggles. They live in a world separate from us and possess no magical ability."

So it's like benders and non-benders, but why do they live separately? Siku furrowed her brow. "Am I a witch?"

"Yes. Now, I only have a few more questions. When were you born?" he said.

"On the seventeenth day of Qi Yue in 9940, 6th era of Raava," she said.

"Qui Yue? So, July." He frowned. "But that is not the appropriate year for our calendars. How old are you?"

"Ten, sir," she said.

"Ah, 1980." He nodded. "And your surname?"

She shook her head. "I don't have one. My step-father's a monk, and his culture doesn't believe in that sort of thing."

Lucius stood. "I believe I have all of the information I need. I shall inform the Minister, and if all goes well, I will return for you tomorrow morning."

"But what about my real family?" Siku followed after him. "Do you know what happened to them?"

"I don't believe I am the right person to answer those questions, and I feel that I have already burdened you with enough information." He nodded to her. "Good day, Siku."

"Good day, Mr. Malfoy." She bowed again.

Once Lucius was gone, Siku walked over to the bed and sat down. He was right about her feeling overwhelmed. Was she really in a world of magic? It explained so much, and yet at the same time so little.

I wonder how far I am from home? And why did my real family abandon me? Did they not want me? Or maybe I really am still dreaming? She curled herself on the bed and fell asleep.