Author's note:

Hello! Here is the slightly short chap 25 ;D It's interesting, i think :P

I would just like to point out, that i am still considering changing the name of this story. . . i would also still like oppinions! So i am just going to list the options again: A Story of Stubborn Minds, or Denial Will Prove a Dangerous game. . . So. . please let me know what you think, i don't know which to choose ._.'

Run and Hide

Asteria ran down the corridors and staircases. She moved quickly through the castle on her way to the dungeons. When she reached the common-room, it was in a state of annoyed panic. Pupils were everywhere and everyone seemed to be in their night-clothes.

Asteria carefully manoeuvred towards the two familiar faces by the back wall.

"What's happening?" Daphne asked immediately when she saw Asteria. Asteria just shook her head and slid down against the wall to the floor. Theo gave her a quick glance, but didn't ask.

She was glad they seemed to leave her alone for the moment. She needed to clear her head. She needed to figure out what had happened and what would happen.

He loved her? The idea alone was ridiculous. Ridiculous and impossible to let go. Draco Malfoy loved her. And she ran. She ran from him, when she didn't know what to do, or what to feel. She was sixteen, no more than a child to the world. But she didn't feel like a child, and that in it self was more than she wanted to deal with.

And then. . . she was blank. She ran a shaking hand through her hair, and closed her eyes.

How could he love her? He must have been lying, it didn't make sense. She didn't want to believe it, because it would mean that he hadn't lied to her, hadn't intended to hurt her. Had tried to protect her. Even if it hadn't been his idea for them to get married. Asteria scoffed to herself and opened her eyes.

She looked up at her sister and cousin, and silently watched them whispering to each other. Theo made an angry gesture towards his left arm, and Asteria's eyes dropped to her own. Maybe it didn't even matter if he loved her.

"Maybe we'll both be dead tomorrow." She whispered under her voice.

"Students we're going up to the Great-hall!" Called Professor Slughorn over the voices in the common-room. Asteria slowly got up from the wall, and followed silently.

"Greengrass!" Asteria turned to look at Parkinson with a blank expression. The older girl looked at her with a haughty expression.

"I just wanted to make something clear." Asteria raised her eyebrows lazily.

"He's mine, and just because you think you can have him, doesn't mean you can." Parkinson said proudly.

Asteria pursed her lips, and took a step towards the other girl, whom she towered over significantly.

"Fine." She said nonchalantly. Parkinson looked stunned silent. Asteria smiled grimly. "Go ahead and keep telling yourself that. And while you do that, try to forget that he was never really yours. . . . but mine. You lost, I won. He loves me" Asteria finished and turned on her heel, not caring to look back at Parkinson when she heard the cry of fury, and something smashing.

Asteria entered the Great-hall and looked for him. She furrowed her brows when she couldn't spot him, and instead made her way to where her family was. She sat down in between them and looked at McGonagall. Her words didn't seem to reach Asteria's ears though. Not until the Dark Lord's voice was heard from everywhere, and someone screamed. Asteria unconsciously winced at the sound of his voice, and Daphne grabbed her hand under the table. Asteria looked at her sister, and saw the fear in her eyes. The fear, the tension, everything was thick enough to cut a knife through. It ended. And then Parkinson yelled over the crowd of students. The Griffindor table rose, and stared her down in unity.

"Thank you Miss Parkinson, you'll be the first to leave the Great-hall with Mr. Filch. Along with the rest of your house." A collective cheer was heard from the other tables, but the Slytherins were all silent.

"Guess, they don't want us to fight." Daphne said, as they all got up. Asteria looked confusedly at her sister, when she heard the bitter tone in her voice. Daphne looked at her seriously.

"They think we're all Death-Eaters." She said gravely.

"Aren't we though?" Theo asked, as the trio followed the rest of their house.

"No." Daphne said simply.

They left through the room of requirement. Asteria had never been there, and the sight of the room decorated with every house colour but green, seemed more than a little unnerving.

The walk to Hogsmeade was long. There were many students, and when they arrived, they were met with an extraordinarily angry owner of the Hogshead.

They were stuffed in there, and Asteria simply sat next to her sister and waited. And waited. And dreaded, and panicked. . . . and worried. . . For him.

"Daphne." Asteria whispered. Her sister turned towards her. "How do you know. . . w-when you love someone?" Daphne didn't move a face muscle at the question.

"I don't know, but you should probably just. . . know. If you aren't denying it, or is just scared to admit it." She said and put an arm around Asteria.

"I hate just sitting here." Asteria said, and leaned against her sister. She felt powerless. . . weak.

"Then why didn't you stay?" Daphne asked with the same numb voice.

"I'm scared." Asteria looked around at the other students. All of them were scared. And who could blame them really.

"Everyone gets scared. That's not a crime." Daphne stated serenely. Asteria looked back at her.

"Yes. But what if- . ."

"No. No 'what ifs'. You're staying here. You've made your choice." Daphne said, and hugged Asteria to her tighter.

"What if he dies?" She whispered with the smallest voice so far.

"Then he dies." Daphne said numbly. Asteria was half sure, she wasn't talking about Draco.

"Where's Theo?" Asteria asked suddenly. Daphne immediately woke up from the slumber state she was in and looked around.

"He's gone." She whispered with a touch of panic.

"That makes all of them then." Asteria said casually.

They sat there for hours. Just sat there. And then the Dark lord's voice was heard everywhere again. He gave Potter an hour to turn himself over.

"Come on." Daphne said and jumped up. Almost everyone looked up at her, Asteria included.

"Daphne, what are you doing?" She said and stood up herself.

"I'm going to find Theo, and uncle if I can." Daphne said firmly.

"But- . ." Asteria groaned and looked around at the staring students.

"What?" She yelled angrily, and several of them jumped.

"You're uncle's a Death-Eater isn't he?" A boy in Griffindor pyjamas asked. Daphne nodded.

"Well then I hope he's dead." Daphne didn't even flinch, but Asteria grew hot with anger.

"Terri don't." Daphne warned. "Come with me." She said, and dragged Asteria out of the room towards the staircase, where more students were sitting.

A/N:

Okay, so I know it's not the longest chapter, but i just really wanted to get this out there. . . so now it's out there! ^^'

I just have to say one last thing. I have final exams coming up next month, and i have a lot of preparation to do. . . so that may or may not affect my writing :S