Chapter XV

We make our way off the train, lugging our halfway full trunks behind us. A lot of our things have been left at school considering that we are only going to be gone for two weeks. Astoria spots someone in the crowd of parents and grabs my hand to pull me towards them. We stop in front of who I assume are her parents and her little sister, Daphne. Astoria's mother is pale and willowy with blonde hair, I can see where Astoria got most of her features from. However her brown eyes are clearly from her father. He has short black hair and is quite tall. Daphne looks like a tiny version of Astoria and could easily pass as a younger version of her.

"You must be Althea, it's a pleasure to meet you." Astoria's father says, holding out his hand.

"It's nice to meet you too." I reply, shaking his hand.

"We should leave now, before the floo stations get busy. You have everything you need correct?" Astoria's mother says

"Yes Mother," Astoria replies, grabbing my hand so we don't get lost in the crowd. We make our way over to a wall covered in fireplaces that are big enough to walk into without crouching down. I've heard of traveling by floo obviously but I've never done it.

"Astoria darling, you'll have to floo with Althea, she doesn't know the password." Lady Greengrass says.

"Of course Mother." Astoria answers. Lord Greengrass enters the fireplace first after grabbing a handful of powder from the box attached to the fireplace. He drops it at his feet and whispers something I don't catch, the fireplace flares up with green fire and then Lord Greengrass is gone. Then Lady Greengrass and Daphne step in, doing the same thing. Then it's mine and Astoria's turn. She walks up to the fireplace, a tight hold on her trunk, grabbing a handful of floo powder she gestures for me to follow. It's a tight fit with both of us and our trunks but we make it work. Pressed as close as we are, even with Astoria being so quiet it seems like she's not even making soundI manage to pick up the first word of the password, Aperi. Then the floo flares green and I lose all sense of thought.

AOT

Once the ground below me stops spinning it takes me a moment to catch my bearings. Astoria starts tugging at my arm and I follow her. We step into a large white and gold room. The rest of Astoria's family is waiting for us.

"I'll show you up to your room," Lady Greengrass says once we've exited the fireplace, Astoria gives her mother a weird look but says nothing, "Follow me." We start walking, after a few minutes Lady Greengrass casts a charm on my trunk so that it'll float behind me and we won't have to spend a hour dragging it up the stairs.

"If you need anything just call for Misty and she'll appear," Lady Greengrass says "Of course you can ask any of the other house elves if you want but Misty is the one we've assigned specifically to you. Normally she would be the one doing this actually, but I wanted to talk to you."

"Ok," I reply, trying to hide my nervousness, good talk or bad talk?

"Astoria has informed me that you don't have anything to wear for the various balls and galas we will be attending."

"Yes Ma'am" So that's what Astoria meant by proper clothing.

"Do you have any colors that you prefer? We'll be going shopping in a couple days and it's better to be prepared."

"Um…" Didn't expect her to ask that… "I like blue and purple…. Oh! I also like silver."

"I'll keep that in mind, here's your room." We've stopped in front of a random white door in a hallway full of other white doors. I grab the door handle and open it. The second I do the door suddenly has a plate with my name on it. I walk inside. The bed is queen sized with a golden canopy hanging over it. There's also a large window towards the back of the room and a door leading into what I assume is the bathroom.

"Dinner is at 5:30, you can call Misty to lead you there. I'll see you then." Lady Greengrass's voice announces, she then suits the door behind me.

A/N: I know I said that this week would be a longer chapter and I am truly sorry. School started last week and I just haven't had motivation. I had planned to get through their entire winter break in one chapter but I guess that's not happening. Important question: Do you guys want me to change Astoria's name to Daphne? I know I messed it up but I don't really feel like changing it unless someone wants me to. I hope you have a amazing week! -Signing off, MidnightDawn