Book 2: Astoria Greengrass and the Haunt of Azkaban
Song rec: "Vertigo" by Kisnou ft. Amethyst
If Astoria had not practised counter-curses so assiduously over the year, the situation would have been hopeless. There she was again, lingering on a nearly empty train, trying her best to help Draco Malfoy, who had somehow been turned into a massive slug along with Crabbe and Goyle. At first she believed she was unable to change them back to normal due to her gaucherie in the art of transfiguration, but Montel had tried and failed as well, so the two determined that the boys had been badly hexed again. Astoria imagined that the moment Draco became human once more, he would spit "Potter!" regardless of whether this mess had been Harry Potter's doing or not. Astoria was less disposed to help Crabbe and Goyle but did not stop Montel whenever his conscience got the better of him.
First, Draco regained his normal skin tone, which actually made the slug appearance far worse. Then, Astoria messed up a counter-hex and made him grow hair all over. When she corrected the mistake, he became spotted. Ignoring the spots, she tried another counter-hex that made him shrink to actual slug size. It was exhausting her, and she considered for a moment simply retrieving his mother as she had done last year. Once she imagined Mrs Malfoy being forced to face her son in this state, though, Astoria persisted. Draco was human size again and had sprouted arms. It was the perfect time for Parkinson to walk in and see her boyfriend; she screamed louder than Tracey had and thoughtlessly ran outside to get the strained Mrs Malfoy. Montel managed to get a face back on the underside of Goyle when Theodore Nott arrived. Astoria, Montel, and Theodore worked quickly but not carelessly, and the other three were back to normal by the time Mrs Malfoy and Parkinson boarded the train.
Parkinson made the colossal mistake of embracing her newly-recovered Draco before his mother could. Mrs Malfoy wore a look as though the utmost sin had been committed against her, and Parkinson scurried off to the side. Draco started yelling all the names of the attackers whilst Crabbe discovered that Montel had left the slimy antennae on his head. Astoria whispered her thanks to Montel as he sneaked off the train and left with his family. Parkinson now stared at Mrs Malfoy as though she was unfairly hogging Draco. Astoria saw her sister, mother, and Rhiannon approaching outside the window, waved to them that everything was okay, and tried to creep away from the scene.
"Astoria — thank you," Draco said loudly before she could touch the handrail.
Astoria's mother was peeking through the door. Draco and Goyle thanked Theodore and Parkinson, but when Crabbe asked Theodore to get rid of the antennae, Theodore claimed he didn't know how.
"You're welcome," Astoria said.
Rhiannon was restless; her arms were outspread questioningly. Astoria knew she would be asked any moment why she had wasted her time on Malfoy when she could have been meeting Professor Lupin. Mrs Malfoy saw Astoria's mother outside and began blinking her eyes rapidly. The women said nothing to each other, and it made Astoria uncomfortable.
"Have a nice holiday," Draco said gracefully, as though he had not been a revolting, slimy invertebrate only minutes before.
"You as well, Draco," Astoria said.
She did not know how greatly in vain her simple wish would be.
End, Book 2: Astoria Greengrass and the Haunt of Azkaban
Notes: Thank you for reading the second part! I hope you enjoyed! Reviews are always greatly appreciated. I will be uploading the third and fourth parts to this same story so the series is all in one place.
I also have a prequel to the Astoria of Slytherin series, called Anomie. It deals with Flora and Hestia before Astoria came to school if you are interested (pre-1994). Thanks again!