Several Months Later

Astoria sat in with the rest of her house in the Slytherin common room. The silence was almost tangible. Everyone was anxious to hear what Professor Snape had to say. There were rumors swirling that another muggleborn had been attacked, but Astoria was afraid to believe it. Surely Dumbledore had done something to prevent another attack. Her eyes lifted and there was a buzz filled the air as Professor snape entered the common room.

"Regrettably, I've been sent to bring some rather dismal news", he remarked, slowly. "Another student has been attacked, I hesitated to bring a name, but Dumbledore thought it best. Hermione Granger, a second year, has been petrified."

Murmurs spread around the room. Astoria noticed the sickening smile that played on the lips of Pansy Parkinson. Snape continued:

"The Headmaster also wished to inform you that any student who feels unsafe, or otherwise worried, may return home early."

As quickly as he had come, Professor Snape exited the room. The soft buzz of conversation returned. Astoria hid her head in her hands. Not here. Not at Hogwarts. All these attacks...and all of the students were muggle born. Tears slowly slid down her cheeks. Everything she'd hoped for was gone. If she left, everyone would know her reason. If she stayed, she was at risk of being attacked. Either way, her secret would be out. She and her sister were muggleborn.


After Snape's exit, Draco felt surprisingly troubled. Everything suddenly became real. He had joked about wanting Granger to get hurt, but he hadn't thought it would actually happen. He couldn't show it, but he was scared. He had thought that if anyone was safe, it was Granger. Surely she was smart enough to figure out what was attacking and protect herself.

Draco's blank stare began to focus on the brunette girl across the room. Her head was in her hands. He slowly stood and shuffled across the common room towards her.

"Draco! Hey!" said Pansy, cutting off his path towards the brunette. "How bout that? Granger finally got what she deserves."

Draco faked a smile. "That's right. I just wish it would have happened sooner."

Pansy giggled and walked away. Draco's gaze returned to where the brunette was, but saw only an empty chair. He looked around, trying to see where she had gone, but she had slipped away. He shrugged, unsure of why he'd been concerned in the first place, and slowly strode toward his dormitory.


"We can't just leave, everyone in Slytherin would know why." Daphne whispered sharply to her sister. "I've written Mum and Dad. They know the risks, and they said we need to stay in the dormitory as much as possible. The school year is almost over, hopefully by the time we come back next year everything will be sorted out".

Astoria nodded serenely. "I hope so. For both of our sakes".

Daphne's face softened as she scooped her sister into her arms. "We'll be fine, Tori. Nobody will find out about us."

Astoria wiped stray tears from her face, watching her sister stride away. "I hope you're right", she whispered.

She shuffled out of the corridor she had rushed her sister into. When she had seen Draco walking in her direction, part of her had wanted to stay, but she was also frightened of what he'd do if he saw her in tears. He would've suspected something, she was sure of it. She continued to wind through the maze of corridors until she was back in the now empty common room. The excitement must have died down while she was talking with her sister. The fire was still crackling, as if waiting for more of the buzz and excitement of the Slytherins. Astoria felt sick. So many people in her house rejoiced over what was going on. They thought muggleborns deserved it. The tears again began to flow. Inevitably, someone in her house would find out, and hate her for what she really was. A mudblood. Her blurry vision focused on the warm colors of the fire. She felt numb inside. She wished she could feel as safe as that fire. Free to be who he was, and be appreciated for it.

"Hey. I hate to say it, but you were right". Astoria jumped at the voice. She turned to face him, no longer caring about the tears streaming down her face. Draco stared back at her, his eyes widening as he realized she was upset.

"What are you talking about?" Astoria said, sharply. "You hated that girl. You should be happy".

Draco looked away. "I… well she… I don't know. I thought she was smart enough to not get attacked. I suddenly felt… bad. I wish I hadn't said what I said to her." He stopped, as if he was suddenly realizing what he was saying. He looked back at Astoria. There was no judgement on her face. He seemed surprised when she stood and smiled at him.

"Draco, I believe you. I know Hermione will if she wakes up. But you have to be the one to apologize, like I told you to. I can't apologize on your behalf". She took a step towards Draco, then, out of nowhere, felt as though she had been stabbed in the stomach.

Astoria cried out, the pain pushing her to the floor. Draco gasped, and quickly knelt beside her.

"Astoria?" he whispered, worriedly. "What's wrong? What's going on?"

Astoria felt the same pain again. She whimpered, and cringed as Draco attempted to help her sit up.

"Daphne. Get Daphne." stuttered Astoria. Draco shook as he laid her back on the ground. "I can't, she's in the girls' dormitory", he said. "But I can get help. Hold on, Astoria."

Draco stood and ran toward the boys dormitory. Astoria's eyelids fluttered as the pain became more intense. She fought unconsciousness. What was happening to her? Her limp body seemed immovable. She was trapped, staring into the crackling fire. Then the world went black.


"I need someone's help! There's a first year girl in the common room, and she's badly hurt!"

Draco ran between the beds, shaking everyone awake. "Please, hurry. I'm not sure what's happening to her."

Two of the older boys quickly got out of bed and ran out with Draco. "I'll get Professor Snape", said one, running down a separate corridor. Draco and the other boy hurried into the common room. Draco rushed to the side of Astoria's unconscious body.

"What happened to her?" asked the seventh year as he knelt next to her.

"I… I don't know, she just sounded like she was hurt, then she fell over. But I didn't see anything hurt her. Was she hexed?"

"No, she's not hexed. I'd be able to tell. This is something else, not magic."

Professor Snape strode into the room, accompanied by the boy who had summoned him.

"Professor, this isn't a prank that another student pulled on her. I'm not sure what's wrong." said the seventh year next to Astoria. Snape knelt beside Astoria and pulled out his wand. He chanted a spell that Draco did not recognize. Snape lifted his eyes. "This is a serious illness. She needs to be taken to the hospital wing."

Draco pulled out his wand. "Wingardium Leviosa", he chanted. Astoria's body gently rose from the ground. "Professor Snape and I will take her," he said.

Snape nodded to the two boys, and they returned to their dormitories. "We should hurry," said Snape. "She's in poor condition."