Reaching for the wand at her bedside she held her breath as the footsteps that had paced
the hallway paused at her door. Things had been very off in the Malfoy manor and
knowing she was expendable made her weary and cautious. Her Aunt held some love
for her, but for Lucius she was simply another chess piece to move about the board. The
tension running in the house was high and it was no mystery to her what the black
robes she'd seen meant. He was coming back soon which meant her insane parents
would be free as well. Somehow she wasn't looking forward to the reunion or the
"Birthmark" they'd force her to wear.
Tensing when the door eased open she raised her wand with expelliarmus on the tip of
Her tongue.
"Astrid are you awake?" her Aunt's voice whispered shocking her as she lowered
her wand.
"Yes, Aunt Cissa," She said sitting up as she noted the tremor in her Aunt's voice … she
was nervous, something was happening.
"Lumos," She whispered lighting the bedroom as she moved to sit on her bed , her pale
hair and light eyes giving her an angelic appearance that contrasted with the darkness
that lived inside her.
She was the opposite of Astrid's mother in every way really, a
follower where Bellatrix led, light where she was dark, and kind in some ways where
she was cold through and through.
"Your Uncle and I have decided its time you leave the manor and attentd school the
tutors have assured us your advanced for your year, and the manor… will be no place for
children this year," She said conveying her warning with the intensity in her eyes. She
was letting her know she needed to use her time at school wisley . Voldermort liked to
to break down the weak if he didn't kill them out right; and her parents would stand by
and let him. Nodding slightly she ackoweldeged she understood as her Aunt let out a tiny
sigh before continuing.
"You will accompany us to Diagon Alley tomorrow where we will gather your supplies
before leaving you to stay in the Leaky Cauldron," She said bidding her goodnight.
Freedom, she was gaining her freedom after so long. She'd live every moment like it
was her last, because with the way things were going… it could be.
Diagon Alley was amazing, wizards, goblins , and stores full of everything you could
every imagine lined the cobble stone streets.
"Don't' gawk Astrid, it's unbecoming," Lucius hissed making her nod as she looked
straight ahead hating his chilly demeanor and constant demand for perfection.
Ignoring the smirk Draco was tossing her way she stood with her spine straight and
her head high. Her Uncle often set them against each other making everything a
competition , but they truly loved one another.
"Draco knows the way of things, the two of you will remain with the tailor while we
gather your things," her Uncle said as they nodded obediently.
"Who do we have here?" The tailor asked looking from Draco to Astrid and back as she
waited for an explanation.
"This is my cousin Astrid Lestrange," he said daring her to speak out of turn with a
haughty gaze that was her Uncle made over.
"Well , let's get you two fitted," She whispered. A dozen pin pricks, and a n aching back
later they emerged from the tailor and made their way towards lunch.
"Who are we meeting Draco?" She asked suspiciously as he grinned.
"Your favorite two people, Crab and Goyle," he said laughing as she scowled. The
ties had always been all brain and no brawn, something she could only handle in small
doses.
"There will be another girl there too from my house, though I doubt you'll like her any
more than you do Crab and Goyle."
"Not the ninny who fancies herself in love with you," She said horrified as he roared
with laughter.
"That would be Pansy," he said as she shook her head. It would be interesting to finally
put faces to name, but this time it'd be painful.
An agonizing lunch, and a black feathered owl later she was enjoying the first real
freedom she'd had all day as she wandered the Leaky Cauldron. It was a shock to her
system to be around so many people at one, but she loved observing. They were all so
different from the people she was used to , each with their own style and mannerisms.
She couldn't even imagine what it would have been like to develop naturally without
Influence or restraints.
"I- is there anyone sitting here?" A voice asked making her look up from the cup of tea
she'd been sipping.
"No," She said shaking her as she judged the pale dark haired boy to be harmless.
"I'm Neville," he said flashing her a shy smile that stirred something inside of her. His
smile was honest and open and rendered him vulnerable to attack or rejection.
Amazed that he'd give her the upper hand on their first meeting she curbed her
engrained instincts to shun his shabby clothes