Hey there everyone!
The world has changed so much since I last updated. The UK isn't on lockdown yet but it's coming I fear. Hopefully I can make the time productive and get lots of chapters and plan made. I'm rewriting Love Changes Everything and that will be reposted in time. I'm so happy to be writing this new version and can't wait to share it with you soon.
Stay safe and follow advice.
Lots of love,
LM xxxx
Hidden Child-Part 67:
Astrid had been escorted away after Lucius' words about her fate before she could even protest. The only… living people in the office were Lucius, Snape and Dumbledore, but, of course the portraits were all listening in. They knew they may be called upon at some point to give their views on the situation. Never had a Hogwarts student done something so wrong. Hagrid had been expelled of course but he'd been framed by Lord Voldemort and that was smoothed over and that was the end of that.
Astrid's case, however, was different. She had been feeding information to Bellatrix about Lyra and when she was leaving the Castle. Lucius firmly suspected that Astrid was somehow related to the Dark Witch, but he couldn't be sure as it would only have to be a small link to the family. Merlin he didn't even know whether it could be a Black, Malfoy or Lestrange family link but the protection spell was way beyond the talents of a first year witch.
"That witch is clearly dark and is not only to a threat to my daughter but everyone in the school Dumbledore. That spell could only have been done by someone older than her," Lucius said as he watched the Headmaster, "or she was taught how to cast that spell by someone who could perform it," he said, arms crossed in a very unnatural way for a Pureblood wizard of status.
"Lucius may I remind you that nobody in recent years has anyone ever been expelled from the Castle. The last person was Rubeus Hagrid and we all know that was Tom Riddle's framework that saw to that. Astrid is more powerful than a witch her age should be and I know you have your suspicions Lucius and I will be dealing with that personally," Dumbledore said, "but right now we are here to discuss what to do with Astrid."
"All three should be expelled. Simple as that Headmaster," Lucius said before he found himself staring at the godfather of his children.
"There is no evidence to suggest that Maddie and Daisy have anything to do with Lyra and what has happened to her recently," Snape said, "those two were asked under Veritaserum, approved by the Ministry considering who it was involved and were cleared of any involvement and they confirmed that it was Astrid who was behind everything and they went along with it out of fear. Jasmine was the only one strong enough to stand against Astrid."
"I never knew about that either. Just how much have you kept from me Dumbledore?" Lucius asked.
"Enough to stop you coming in all wands firing," was the reply, "the first thing you ask all the time is what has been done and you usually complain because nothing has been done so this time we have an answer for you," he said.
"I did inform the Headmaster that you should be informed but he maintained you were only told once the matter had been resolved or Lyra would have accused you of interfering in her life," Snape said, "and we all know how she feels about that one," he said.
Lucius sighed and finally sat down. The whole situation was a mess and rather complicated as it was without Lyra's anger being thrown into it all as well.
"Well I certainly think that Astrid should be expelled. All the evidence is pointing to her being the main perpetrator in this so certainly she deserves to be expelled. I doubt first years know how to trick Veritaserum. We are so sure that there is no evidence to include Daisy and Maddie in this?" he quizzed.
"They are in the clear. It is just Astrid's fate we need to decide upon," Dumbledore confirmed before turning to the portraits and asking for their opinions on the issue. He often found himself consulting with them on matters as they may well be dead but they were still old and wise, a useful source for someone as old as Dumbledore was by this stage of his life.
After a few minutes of discussions he turned around to the other wizards in the room and looked at them.
"Astrid has to be dealt with but that's what we now need to discuss," he said finally.
"Well if she is a Dark Witch then she needs to be expelled and sent somewhere that can take her," Snape said, "surely that would be for the best. She's already shown that she's powerful and that spell on those letters was Dark Magic Headmaster. I couldn't break those charms on them. Only you could."
"Lucius… what do you think?" Dumbledore asked, "I'm asking you as a parent."
"If I found out that my child was at school with someone like Astrid I'd be furious. I'd rather she be at a school where she can be taught in a way that she clearly wants to be. This school has been transformed into a school for the light and she's certainly showing the same signs the Dark Lord showed as he was growing up," Lucius replied, "I certainly think expelling her and placing restrictions on the other two girls until we can be sure they won't harm Lyra would be the best action."
Dumbledore nodded before Snape went off to fetch the three girls.
"I have to protect my daughter and the children of this school," Lucius said before Snape escorted the three girls in.
"He's here. Surprise surprise," Astrid said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"That's Lord Malfoy to you," Dumbledore said quickly before Lucius even had the chance to speak, "as you are aware there have been… shall we say dangerous antics lately and, finally a course of action has been decided. Maddie and Daisy will be placed under restrictions until we can be sure that nothing more will happen…"
"What about me?" Astrid asked as she noticed the smirk on Lucius' face.
"You are going to be expelled from Hogwarts and your parents will enrol you in a school that can handle your Dark abilities," Dumbledore informed her, "Hogwarts is a school… a place of safety and your actions have threatened the life of a student Astrid. That is serious and you are showing signs of Dark Magic. Drumstrang would be better suited for you and that is what we will be telling your parents when they come to collect you."
Nobody dare say anything as Dumbledore fell silent. A sign that, finally, this turbulent part was over and Lyra would be safe inside the Castle once more.
