Author's Notes

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to my first reviewers, SuperSpy, bookwormofmassiveproportions, and SBs alive. I LOVE YOU GUYS! –hug– And thank you also to SBs alive for taking to heart my PM! :D

Again, THANK YOU!

Also, thank you to those who added me to their Favorites and Alerts! And please, please, PLEASE leave a review if you added me to your Favorites or Alerts, telling me what you thought of the story, whether you liked it or not, what can be improved, critiques and comments, etc. Remember! More feedback equals more updates!

Oh yeah…and for those of you who occasionally peruse the Pottersues LJ, see if any of you can find the reference to that… :D

And now, I present…Chapter Two!


2 September 1955

Great Hall – Breakfast

Hullo, Astraea. I can see you're busy (busy trying to melt Potter with your Glare of Doom, that is), so I'll write in your diary for you. Won't your mum be pleased to see you've been dutifully documenting?

Livy?

Yes, Augusta, dearest?

I think Astraea's finally snapped.

Oh? What's she doing now?

She's muttering to herself, rubbing her hands together, and cackling. CACKLING.

Oh, relax. It just means she's having rather violently graphic daydreams about a certain Mr. Potter.

And you're not concerned? At ALL?

Hmm…come to think of it, most of Astraea's violently graphic daydreams do tend to become reality.

I reiterate. Hogwarts is doomed.

Go eat your breakfast, Augusta. I'm trying to document here.

Holy Circe, this spell is superbly convenient.

So, there's Reynard and his chums—Merlin, John's gorgeous…oh, right, sorry!—at one end of the table, eating. Morgan Brown and Graham Russell, the two other Gryffindor sixth year boys, are congratulating Reynard on a prank well performed last night.

Oh, dear, Astraea's heard him and now her Glare of Doom's turned on him. Poor boys.

On our end there's Violet Crowe and Esme McCourt, our roommates. Both are incorrigible flirts and gossip queens, and I might just kill Esme McCourt for making a move on John.

"I do hope we get Arithmancy together, John, I'm absolutely rubbish at it…"

So why the bloody hell did you take the bloody class?

Don't fall for it John. DON'T FALL FOR IT!

He fell for it.

Damn you, Esme McCourt, and your fiendish charms!

And of course Augusta, Astraea, and I. And now Augusta's trying to dissuade Astraea from digging Reynard's eyes out with her fork, and has confiscated my bowl of porridge so I don't 'accidentally' upend it all over Esme's lap.

Isn't breakfast wonderful?

Yes, it quite is. Now give me my bloody diary, Livy. I NEED TO REFINE MY PLANS FOR REVENGE.

What've you got so far?

Step One: Find Potter.

Step Two: Kill Potter.

Step Three: Hide Potter's body.

Straight to the point, as usual.

I DON'T WANT STRAIGHT TO THE POINT. I WANT CREATIVE!

Not to mention you'd be thrown into Azkaban if you killed Reynard.

Too bloody bad.

Anyway, you can plot later. Hide the diary. Dumbledore's coming down to pass out our schedules!

Oh bugger.


STUDENT NAME: Astraea Selwyn
STUDENT YEAR: Seventh
STUDENT HOUSE: Gryffindor

Mondays

09:00 – 10:00 History of Magic
10:00 – 11:00 Transfiguration
11:00 – 12:00 Charms
12:00 – 01:00 Lunch
01:00 – 02:00 Potions
02:00 – 03:00 Defense Against the Dark Arts
03:00 – 05:00 Care of Magical Creatures

Tuesdays

09:00 – 11:00 Potions
11:00 – 12:00 Transfiguration
12:00 – 01:00 Lunch
01:00 – 02:00 Charms
02:00 – 03:00 Defense Against the Dark Arts
03:00 – 04:00 Transfiguration
04:00 – 05:00 History of Magic

Wednesdays

09:00 – 10:00 Defense Against the Dark Arts
10:00 – 11:00 Transfiguration
11:00 – 12:00 History of Magic
12:00 – 01:00 Lunch
01:00 – 02:00 Charms
02:00 – 03:00 Potions
03:00 – 04:00 Divination
04:00 – 05:00 Care of Magical Creatures

Thursdays

09:00 – 10:00 Transfiguration
10:00 – 11:00 Defense Against the Dark Arts
11:00 – 12:00 History of Magic
12:00 – 01:00 Lunch
01:00 – 02:00 Potions
02:00 – 03:00 Divination
03:00 – 05:00 Herbology

Fridays

09:00 – 11:00 Charms
11:00 – 12:00 Transfiguration
12:00 – 01:00 Lunch
01:00 – 02:00 Defense Against the Dark Arts
02:00 – 04:00 Herbology
04:00 – 05:00 Care of Magical Creatures


Not too bad a schedule.

Ugh, Merlin, you got Care of Magical Creatures right after Herbology on Fridays. Bad luck, mate.

You're right, that is killer. Still, I've dropped Astronomy, so—

YOU DROPPED ASTRONOMY?

You can drop Astronomy after fifth year, you know…

HOLY SHITE, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

NOW who's using the violent capitals?

My, my, my, Prim and Proper Miss Madrigal, SWEARING? Has the world gone insane?

Shut up, Livy.

I'm sure your schedule can't be that bad, Augusta.

Oh yeah? TAKE A LOOK.

You're right. Ugh.

Sucks to be you.

Nice to know I've got such supportive friends.


History of Magic – Note-passing—or is it thought-passing? Ah, who the bloody Merlin cares?

Bloody hell, bloody hell, bloody hell, bloody hell, bloody hell, bloody hell…

Yes, I think we've quite established that hell is bloody, thank you.

Shut up, Augusta.

What's up?

Potter and I've got detention tonight.

So?

HELLO?! HAVE YOU COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY LOST YOUR MIND?! I can't have detention with POTTER!

Why ever not?

For one thing, I DON'T WANT TO BE LOCKED UP IN BLOODY AZKABAN FOR MURDERING POTTER.

Or blowing up the school trying.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Augusta.

You're quite welcome.

On the other hand, I have the sweet thoughts of my evil schemes to prevent me for murdering Potter and getting locked up in Azkaban.

True…

VENGEANCE WILL BE MINE, POTTER! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

I know that laugh. It's the laugh of a woman with a purpose.

Merlin's beard, we'll all regret this.

Shut up, you wet blanket. Astraea, TELL.

Patience is a virtue.

But you're my BEST MATE.

Augusta's my best mate too, and you notice SHE isn't pestering me for details.

That's because I know you're going to get into severe trouble for this, Astraea Eurydice Selwyn.

You sound like my mother.

Who else is going to do the job while you're at school? Livy?

I resent that.

And yet I hear no denial.

Sod off.

Livy?

Yes?

Astraea's cackling again.

Oh, she's probably finalized her big evil scheme for getting back at Reynard.

Indeed I have. BWAHAHAHAHA. FEAR ME, POTTER.

Astraea…

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Oh dear…

I'm excited.

For WHAT???

The show. Bound to be a good one, don't you think?

I'm SO glad you're enjoying yourself.

Honestly, Augusta, you're just like John.

This from the girl who fancies him.

Shut it, Mrs. Longbottom.

Stop calling me that.

I know for a matter of fact that you like Dorian, so why deny it?

I do NOT like Dorian. He's just a friend. Get over your ridiculous theories.

Yeah, sure, and I'm a blooming hippogriff.

Well, have you looked in the mirror lately?

Shut up.

That's quite enough, I should think. Go take notes. The both of you.

Yes Mum.

Yes Mum.

Sod off.


Charms – BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I haven't got Charms with either Livy or Augusta (Augusta says Charms is a 'soft option', but I happen to know she got a Troll on her Charms O.W.L. last year—so there!), so they've no chance to magic their thoughts in here, so I get to have some peace and quiet for a change.

I've FINALLY concocted up a suitably underhanded plot to get my revenge on Potter, and I do NOT want them blurting out their thoughts in my diary while I'm ranting and raving about my INGENIOUS scheme.

I still can't get over it. Merlin, why haven't I thought of this before? It's SO simple, and yet SO effective.

WAIT A MINUTE. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?

A note just landed on my table. FROM POTTER.

Oi, Kitten. We have to talk. –R.P.

I scowl. I've long since ceased trying to get him to stop calling me Kitten. It's a hopeless cause. But it's still annoying. I think I've mentioned that already.

I quickly scribble a reply and pass it back, resisting the urge to chuck it at his big fat head.

What on earth for?

Quidditch try-outs.

Quidditch try-outs?

Kitten, in case you haven't noticed, we're the only two members of the Gryffindor team left.

Oh, right. Everyone's graduated. I'd forgotten.

I gathered. Tonight before our detention I'll talk to Dumbledore about try-outs.

Right.

Right.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!

BLOODY HELL!

BLOODY, BLOODY HELL.

I COMPLETELY FORGOT.

POTTER'S BEEN MADE CAPTAIN.

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

WHY, GOD, WHY?! WHY MUST YOU TORMENT ME SO?!


Common room – Moping

Here I am, sprawled out on the couch near the fire, my diary open on the coffee table. I'm hungry, but I'm too miserable to drag my arse down to the Great Hall.

Oh, look, in come Augusta and Livy through the portrait hole. They're carrying sandwiches wrapped in napkins. Aw, they brought me food. Aren't they nice?

"So," says Livy, handing me two sandwiches, "what's wrong with you?"

"I'm sad," I say forlornly, biting into the sandwich. Mmm…chicken.

"We can see that," says Augusta. I can't tell if she's being sarcastic or not. She's eating a salad for lunch. I didn't know the house-elves made salads. "But why are you sad?"

"Because Potter's been made Quidditch captain."

"Did you want to be Quidditch captain?" Livy asks.

"No." I've been on the team since third year year, just like Potter, but I will admit he'll make a better captain than I. I'd be too busy beating Bludgers at them ruddy Slytherins to keep an eye on the team anyway.

"So then why are you sad?" says Augusta.

"Because I can't go through with my deviously underhanded ingenious scheme to get my revenge on Potter," I sniff. Merlin, I feel like crying.

"Why ever not?" asks Livy.

"Because if I go through with my plan to humiliatingly maim Reynard Potter"—I'm practically spitting his name, he makes me so mad—"then the Gryffindor Quidditch team is sunk."

"What were you planning on doing anyway?"

"I was going to put a Freezing Charm on his bollocks."

"…"

For once, I've rendered Livy speechless. Yay.

MERLIN'S MAGIC STICK, I CAN'T EVEN FIND JOY IN THAT. ALL BECAUSE OF REYNARD BLOOMING POTTER.

ARGH.

"And if you put a Freezing Charm on his bollocks…" says Augusta, urging me to continue, although I can tell she's trying not to laugh.

"He can't ride his bloody broom."

"I see."

The portrait hole opens again, and John comes in. "Hello Livy, Augusta." Livy is thrilled that John mentioned her first. I can tell. "What's wrong with Astraea?" He frowns and asks, "Oh no, what's Reynard done now?'

And then I really do start to cry.

Merlin's saggy buttocks. I just can't get a break, can I?


Potions – Still moping

"And welcome to another year of Potions! I'm so glad to see many familiar faces. Let me all congratulate you on a job well done on your O.W.L.s. Now, is everybody present? Yes? Very good. We shall begin the term with…"

I'm not in the mood to listen to Slughorn prattle on.

And Potions is one of my best subjects.

Oh, look. John's just passed me a note.

Astraea, are you all right?

I'm perfectly fine.

You were crying in the common room.

My lunch didn't agree with me.

Has Reynard done anything particularly offensive lately?

Other than the usual, no. But thanks for asking, John.

Are you sure? I can talk to him if you want. 'Talk' being a politer term for 'smack him silly' of course.

Oh, what a sweetie! I have to smile. Of all of Reynard's friends, it's always been John who's tried to get Potter off my back. John's good people. I can see why Livy likes him. Too bad. I might've liked a shot at him.

I write a reply.

Really, I'm sure. There's no need.

After all, all Potter did was destroy my chances of seriously and humiliatingly incapacitating him this year.

All right. But if Reynard does something extraordinarily stupid…

You'll be the first to know. I warn you, though; I might've already gotten my hands on by that time, so I apologize in advance for semi-seriously maiming your best mate.

Apology accepted. Ü

Thank you.

Anytime

I feel better already.

But I still want to freeze Potter's bollocks off.

"…and, yes, quite. Selwyn and Potter for our last pair. Should be very interesting, don't you think?"

SAY WHAT?!

Astraea…?

Merlin, Augusta, I think she's stopped breathing…


Defense – What the HELL?!

I have just enough time to scribble a small entry before we start copying notes for class.

MERLIN'S SODDING BEER BELLY, WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?


Defense, again – Just a friendly reminder

Hi, Astraea, when you're no longer quite as dazed by Professor Slughorn's announcement, don't forget to see Professor Dumbledore for yours and Reynard's detentions, all right?

Love,
Augusta

P.S. – I do believe 'dazed' may be an understatement. 'Debilitated', maybe.

P.S.S. – Couldn't have used a little more tact, could you?

P.S.S.S. – I'm Livy Stratford, darling, I don't do tact.


Muggle Studies – Sorry, Astraea, we're writing—er, thinking, bloody hell this is confusing—in your diary again…

I do believe Astraea shall explode before the year is over.

That would be messy.

Haven't you got notes to do or something?

Can't I just copy yours?

How will you learn?

Merlin's beard, Astraea's right. You DO sound like my mum. Speaking of which, where is she anyway?

Your mum?

Are you being deliberately obtuse?

It's not often I get to do that. To answer your question, Astraea's in Defense class.

Oh. How'd you get the diary anyway? Doesn't Astraea keep this thing on her all the time, convinced as she is that it'll be her 'ultimate downfall' if anyone finds this?

She must've been angrier than we thought. She stomped out of Potions and as soon as we were up high enough she threw the nearest object at hand at the nearest window.

The diary.

Mhm. I Summoned it back and repaired the window. She doesn't need any more detentions on her plate, not with Reynard driving her up the walls.

Does Reynard have class with her right now?

Yes. But I'm not too worried. John and Dorian are there, if things get a bit out of hand.

Your darling Dorian, eh? Just can't resist saying his name, can you?

Quite the filthy hypocrite, aren't you, Mrs. Lupin?

Sod off.

Remind me again, Livy, why are you taking Muggle Studies? You're Muggle-born, aren't you?

Yes, I am, but I needed one other class I could sleep in besides History of Magic.

Unbelievable…

Whatever you say, Miss I-Got-A-Troll-In-Charms.

You're never going to let me forget that, are you?