A/N: Sorry for not updating sooner, I was busy and all that good stuff. So, this is basically a filler chapter, but it's relevant to the plot and helps show a bit more of Astoria's character, so it's necessary. The next chapter should be up in the next day or so. Happy New Year's everyone! Review and make this author's New Years a bit brighter. (:
Disclaimer: Just a girl in high school who tries not to write utter rubbish. Does that sound like J.K. Rowling to you?
Special thanks to ForeverSinging for betaing!
An Aster Among the Thorns
- Chapter Two -
Astoria turned her face up to the sun, feeling the warmth trickle like honey down her face, through her hair, across her whole body. The trees around her reached to the sky with their naked branches, leaves brittle and decaying at their bases. The summer sun seemed to be losing in the battle with fall; the soft earthy wind that whipped the loose hairs of Astoria's bun about her face certainly attested to that.
The house felt strangely empty with Daphne off at Hogwarts. Only a day and already, Astoria was missing her sister's strident voice. Just two years until she would be joining Daphne - but it felt like a lifetime.
"Astoria! There's a letter from Daphne inside if you would like to see it."
Astoria's eyes snapped open and she hurried back towards the house. Her mother had the letter in question gripped in her hand when Astoria entered the kitchen. Her father was pacing the length of the room, one hand rubbing the back of his neck, the other clutching what seemed to be a clipping from the Daily Prophet. The tension in the room was palpable.
Astoria stared between her parents. "What's wrong?"
Mrs. Greengrass' thin face attempted a smile when she noticed her daughter. "It's nothing, Astoria. Here's the letter." She held it out. Astoria took it hesitantly.
Perhaps Daphne had been sorted into Gryffindor? Yes, that would have caused her parents to act like they were; no one in her family had been sorted in Gryffindor before.
Astoria fixed her gaze upon Daphne's sprawling writing.
Dearest Mama, Papa, and Tori, it began. Astoria couldn't help but grin - she could just imagine the sarcasm dripping from Daphne's hand as she wrote that.
Hogwarts is just as wonderful as you said it would be. I have made a new friend - Pureblood, of course. Her name is Pansy Parkinson. Oh, and I was sorted into Slytherin! No surprise there - So it wasn't a matter of what house Daphne had been put into, after all - and I love it. You won't ever guess who has come to Hogwarts as a first year too! Harry Potter! For the Boy- Who-Lived, you'd think he'd look a bit more impressive, though. I bet I could take him in a duel - Don't worry, Mama, only kidding!
I can't wait until you are old enough to come to Hogwarts, Tori. You will love it here, especially in Slytherin. Be a good girl and become a perfect lady, but don't forget to give Mama at least a little trouble for me while I'm gone. Again, only kidding Mama. Tori is much too obedient.
I don't have much time to say anything else - my very first class begins in a few minutes. Hope you all are doing well.
Love, Daphne.
P.S. Remember the break-in at Gringotts? It's all everyone talks about here.
Astoria glanced up from the piece of parchment. "There was a break-in? But you always say that it's impossible."
"It's nothing you need to worry about, dear. Now run along."
Astoria noted the sternness in her mother's voice and did as she was told without complaint. She left the room, hiding the look of confusion from her mother's careful glances. She had just reached the grand staircase when strained whispers coming from the kitchen floated towards her ears.
"- No coincidence, I can assure you, Cordelia. First a break-in, then -"
Astoria hurried up the stairs, knowing she certainly wasn't supposed to be hearing her parents' exchange. However, the conversation seemed to be escalating; it was becoming harder and harder to not listen to what was being said. It was the mention of Daphne's name that finally broke Astoria's resolve.
"- Daphne at Hogwarts now, we can't manage to stay out of it if it indeed is the work of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's followers. We barely survived last time he had power!"
Astoria tip-toed back the way she had come, feeling guilt weigh down on her with every step. But if this was about Daphne, then Astoria had a right to know.
"We'll just have to warn Daphne. If she understands that our lives depend on her to stay quiet on the matter -"
Mrs. Greengrass let out a harsh laugh. "Alastair, you know Daphne. She'll deliberately say something just to defy us."
Astoria couldn't discern her father's reply, for his voice had dropped to a low whisper. The next bit, however, was quite easy to hear.
"What do you think they tried to steal?"
"I don't know. But it was, without a doubt, the work of Death Eaters."
Astoria felt herself sag against the wall, her breath suddenly coming fast and erratic. Death Eater was a name she was familiar with. Her mother had instructed her from a young age to never associate with one. Even though they supported bloody purity like the Greengrasses, they were willing to murder and plunder to prove their point.
A sharp creak sounded under Astoria's foot as her weight shifted. She froze. The conversation that had continued after Astoria had stopped listening came to an abrupt pause. Footsteps approached, and Mrs. Greengrass appeared around the corner.
"Astoria." Her tone was sharp, tense. Her severe expression had Astoria cowering back against the wall.
Mrs. Greengrass' hand rose as if to strike her daughter, but then she seemed to reconsider.
"I told you to run along."
Tears sprang to Astoria's eyes. "I- I'm sorry, Mother."
"Discussions between your father and I do not concern you. Stand up straight and look at me when I talk to you!"
Astoria pushed away from the wall and rolled her shoulders back, pulling up to her full height. Her eyes reluctantly rose to stare into her mother's furious ones.
"Don't let me find you eavesdropping again." And with that, Mrs. Greengrass walked back into the kitchen.
Thump.
Astoria set aside the book she had been reading and strode over to the window, pushing back the heavy dark curtains. There, sitting on the window ledge, was a great horned owl, its amber eyes assessing Astoria under the low-set feathers that gave it a forever angry look. Astoria unlatched the window to let it in. It swooped past her, circling the room twice, before settling down atop a table. It held out its leg so Astoria could take the letter strapped to it.
Astoria didn't recognize the owl, but after seeing the 'D' written upon the back of the envelope, she assumed it must have been from Hogwarts, sent from Daphne. She sat back down and opened the letter.
Tori,
I heard about you eavesdropping in the letter from Mum. Tsk, tsk, I'm ashamed. You're becoming more and more like me by the day. Before you know it, you'll be a disappointment too. But on a more serious note, did you hear anything interesting? Must have been something big if it had both Mum and Dad rattled. I'm sorry this is all I have time to write about, but I have to finish an essay that was due yesterday. I miss you already.
Daffy
Astoria glanced around her and found a spare quill lying near her. She flipped the letter over and began her reply.
Daffy,
It was about Death Eaters and the break-in at Gringotts. I don't really know what it all means, but maybe you do.
I should hope I'm not becoming like you! Then Mummy and Daddy would have to disown both of us.
I wish you would come back home. It's lonely without you.
With lots of love, Tori
Astoria sat back, pushing a lock of her light brown hair out of her eyes. She tied the letter back onto the owl's offered leg and watched it fly off out the window.
Although Astoria had written it in a teasing manner, she certainly meant what she said about not wanting to be like Daphne. The eavesdropping incident was enough to assure Astoria that she never wanted to turn into anything but a perfect lady, so she would never have to see that look of disapproval on her mother's face again.
