Book 3: Astoria Greengrass and the Legilimens of Hogwarts
Song rec: "A Tour of the Stars" by Let's Away
Note: Flora briefly calls Amortentia a date rape drug.

Parkinson arrived in the Great Hall with her nose aberrantly in a book. She was so engulfed in it that she slid into the seat next to Astoria and her friends without even a sneer.

"Where's Malfoy?" Millicent Bulstrode asked, relocating her group to sit near their ever-charming epicentre.

"'Checking something,'" Parkinson replied with a hint of irritation at both Millicent and Draco. She had not seemed to notice that her roommates hadn't saved a spot for Draco, something that would normally cause a spat.

"Is that a D.A.D.A. book? Don't tell me we have a book report already! I didn't think that book was on the list…" Heather Thatcham said to her roommates.

"It wasn't," Daphne said without even looking at Parkinson's book.

Astoria could not get a good look at the book and lost interest. Draco had arrived, looking like he had been running. He took the nearest seat to the door and started some dramatic narrative about having fought with Harry Potter. Astoria lost interest in that, too, until Harry Potter arrived with blood all over his face. She was instantly disgusted with Draco and spent the rest of the opening feast going with the routine: watching the Sorting, learning who the new D.A.D.A. teacher was (Professor Snape this year, with Slughorn teaching Potions), being warned of evil forces and danger, and conversing with her friends about classes.

Sliding her fingers down the pages of her book so as not to be distracted by noise, Parkinson was rather well-behaved even though she was sitting next to Astoria and not Draco. She didn't even hear Hestia's wise-crack about the book being "anger management self-help." Though she was irritated when it was time to direct first-years as part of her duties as a prefect, she did the job better than her boyfriend, who was still telling stories to Crabbe and Goyle on the way to the dungeons. With Transfiguration first thing in the morning, Astoria and her roommates were making a beeline for their room, yet attempted beelines were Draco's favourite things to interrupt.

"Astoria! You and I are partners for Astronomy, right?" he called.

Preserving some of her dignity, Astoria declared that she wasn't keen about being partners with somebody who had just bloodied another student's face.

"He was spying on me!" Draco defended. His two cronies nodded.

"I'm sure he wasn't spying on you and Parkinson — that couldn't've been pretty," Rhiannon laughed.

Instead of picking a fight with Rhiannon, which would have secured the answer "no" from Astoria, he instead pulled the card Astoria always used.

"How would you like it if someone you hated was listening to your conversation?"

"I doubt she'd smash their face in," Theodore Nott chimed in from his seat at the fireplace. "And leave them immobilised on the train—"

"Well, it depends what sort of mood you found her in…" Flora remarked.

Astoria had eavesdropped on her fair share of conversations, and she certainly would not expect the same treatment that Draco gave to Harry. At the same time, she was having fond thoughts of getting back at Parkinson for her general existence. She had imagined, and to an unfortunate extent hoped, that she and Draco would be partners for this class, which is why she spent so much time preparing him for the Astronomy O.W.L. the previous year. However, he had asked at a bad time: a time when her answer to him would reflect her character. Why couldn't he have asked her when they were having a peaceful moment? Astoria only knew of a few of her other options, though. Her cousin, Adamina Kippling, would be taking N.E.W.T. Astronomy, but being her partner had the potential to bring up a rivalry. Adamina had a lot of friends in any case and had probably already secured a partner. Neville Longbottom was taking the class, but if the stories about him were true, Astoria did not want to be more of a tutor than a partner to him during group work. Theodore, an intelligent, organised, and reliable student, was sitting serenely at the fireside. But partnering with Theodore would be a one-way ticket to emotional exhaustion. On top of that, even though he rarely showed it, Theodore's prejudices might have been more ingrained than Draco's, who merely believed everything his parents told him and liked to fit in a crowd. Theodore had made some comments in the past that were manifestly his own conclusions. Phrases such as "I guess I'll use kinder terms with you" and "I've become mixed up with you" were patronising bites that sank a little deeper than Draco's snarky or thoughtless comments, simply because Theodore had said them with such a straight face… and no audience.

"I'm in a forgiving mood now," Astoria said to Draco. "I'll be your Astronomy partner only if you agree to help me with Transfiguration."

"Deal," Draco said in Theodore's direction before striding up the stairs to his dorm.

"Really, Astoria," Rhiannon said, her eyelids drooping. "I know you think you and Draco's friends and all, but he really hurt Harry…"

"You're rather loyal to Harry, but he never goes out of his way to say hello to you or anything. You got him a Christmas gift last year; did he ever thank you for that?" Astoria enquired.

"I don't think he can afford to get gifts for everyone, Astoria!"

"A simple 'thank you,' Rhiannon, is entirely free. Might I remind you that last year, it was Hermione who invited you to that D.A.D.A. club, not Harry? And when his Weasley friend accused you of giving information to Umbridge, Hermione defended you, not Harry. She hardly even knows you, but Harry does!"

"I'm done with this conversation. Harry had enough on his mind last year."

"So did you," Astoria said logically, but Rhiannon had a habit of choosing when she would or would not listen to logic. Rhiannon almost certainly thought the same of Astoria, who quickly found herself at the bottom of the stairs alone.

"Do you have a key?" Theodore asked quietly.

"This time I do," Astoria sighed. "I assume Draco told you about—"

"About when they kicked you out of your room, yes. You four don't get on as well as you pretend, do you? I always thought you were inseparable."

"We — we have our days. All friends do. You of all people should know that."

"Too well," he grunted.

To let things with Rhiannon and the twins cool off, Astoria decided to spend some time warming up. The crackle of the fire was very inviting, and even though she had her qualms when it came to Theodore, she had not seen him in a while and missed his certain breed of company. Plus, she had barely spoken with him since his father was arrested, whereas she had offered Draco a vast amount of support. Theodore did not want to talk about that, though. Indeed, his choice of a topic surprised her.

"Do you think Hermione Granger would be my Astronomy partner?"

"Er… That depends, Theodore. What have you said when she's been in earshot?"

"What are you talking about? I haven't said anything to her."

"I mean if you used that awful language or spent enough time with Draco in her presence, she's sure to find distaste in that…"

Theodore ignored Astoria's insight.

"We've talked before, Hermione and I. We have met up in the library before, too. Like you just said, she's very nice. She goes out of her way for people. However, I don't know if she'd go out of her way to be my partner. I'll bet her friends are in that class. She's mostly friends with blokes, you know."

"And…?"

"I mean blokes that are more popular than me."

Astoria squinted, as if Theodore's behaviour would become less confusing after a good, hard look at him. That didn't happen. He stared blankly into the fire, hunched over and grabbing his elbows. Hermione was involved in the battle that landed his father in prison (she might have even fought him herself), and Theodore had taken the less-than-respectable stance that he was "not taking sides" when it came to Muggle-born equality. What made him think this was a good idea?

"I don't know how to ask her, Astoria. I'd really like to. I can't talk to girls."

"You're merely asking her to be your Astronomy partner, Theodore. It's not a big deal. But in any case, you thought talking to me was 'getting mixed up' with a blood-traitor. What ever happened to how 'dangerous' she'd be to you, and how—"

"She's going to have to leave the country soon anyway. She's so smart — that would have to be my answer to the Dark Lord about my involvement with her. In my Slytherin 'ambition' or whatever, I had opted to pair with a Muggle-born for my own advancement… I'd say something like that. But the truth is that Hermione's one of the few people who talks to me. I know I'm not so easy to talk to. I almost want to do it just to make sure she knows I'm not…"

He paused.

"I'm not like my dad."

Odd, Astoria thought. Did he expect he could get right back into Death Eaters' favour when it became necessary? Astoria almost didn't want him to take the risk, even though it supported her beliefs. He was too close to the wrong crowd. He was practically touching elbows.

"Well, the simple act of asking her should tell her that you aren't like your dad. Ask her at breakfast tomorrow or the next time you get a chance."

"That's easy for you to say. You're highly conversational. I'm procedural."

"You know, Theodore, I don't think Hermione minds 'procedural' at all," Astoria smiled.

Theodore didn't have anything else to say, so Astoria went to her dorm, glad that the door had opened for her with only a key. Rhiannon looked right at Astoria but obviously was tired of asking questions at that point.

"I gave Theodore a pep talk," Astoria offered freely for Rhiannon, who only nodded.

Everyone was so quiet. They had the candles burning pessimistically low. The other three expected the next day to be trying and wanted to go to sleep soon. The room felt very stuffy, like a mausoleum nobody visited. Astoria propped the door open and decided to light a candle that was actually scented. Juniper berries beat hot wax any day.

By morning, Hestia perked up a little, conversing rather than complaining that Mondays were by far her busiest. The girls prepared for a long day with a hearty breakfast. Ignoring Draco's unneeded opinions about a hippogriff being on the grounds, Astoria was daydreaming rumours she would never herself tell. Her eyes reached Theodore's profile. He was handsome in a nerdy sort of way — it was just that he had such a stringent routine. Theodore sat in the corner of most every room, and one could always find him at either the absolute front or back of a group of students depending on the route. Oh, yes, he was handsome, but there wasn't much adventure in Theodore. He was intelligent… no-nonsense. Perhaps he had more secrets in him, like an aching heart for a certain Gryffindor girl. Was Hermione Theodore's ticket to the good side? Imagine that — forbidden love.

Rhiannon didn't have the same soft spot for melodrama and didn't care to start chatting about it. Instead, she started talking about Transfiguration. The class was going to be terribly difficult, Astoria knew, but it wasn't for another twenty minutes… Couldn't it wait? Rhiannon heeded Astoria's plea to change the subject, but her chat gradually transferred to Hestia. What would become of those two? Hestia had told Astoria that she loved Rhiannon. However, in a Wizarding community, the two girls faced the problem of Hestia's Death Eater relatives. Go to the Muggles, and the two faced hatred for both being girls. If only they had their own little world.

Of course, Hestia sometimes came across as possessive. As Rhiannon's best friend, Astoria would not have had Hestia as a first pick. There were plenty of other girls for Rhiannon out there who were more mature. Why not a strong-willed Gryffindor or a sweet Hufflepuff? If Rhiannon was choosing for Astoria, she wouldn't have handed Astoria someone like moody Hestia, either!

Who would Rhiannon have picked for Astoria (besides herself)? Astoria knew perfectly well who Rhiannon would not pick… someone who was so busy talking that he hadn't finished his breakfast. He was going to go hungry all morning. Of course, sixth years generally had fewer classes. Well, then, he would be just fine.

And what on earth would you do if he wouldn't be fine? Surprise him with snacks between classes? He's not your boyfriend, you hopeless git, Astoria chastised herself.

Romance was one of those things that simply couldn't survive in the Transfiguration classroom. Professor McGonagall gave a little speech about her high expectations for the O.W.L. Astoria had to score well on that because in the real world, Astronomy marks alone weren't enough to get a job. All Astoria could think by the end of class was that at least it wasn't a double period. Both Potions and Herbology were, though, so the day already felt long.

Professor Slughorn was a very different cup of tea from Professor Snape, and Astoria found the change unwelcoming. He had many extra candles lit and had moved the desks forward, leaving much less lecture room than Professor Snape had. The unoccupied desk at the front displayed three pre-brewed potions. Pre-brewed examples at the O.W.L. level! Weren't they supposed to be learning here, not observing? Astoria thought they might as well have baked a chocolate cake rather than brewed a potion in there. If she wasn't mistaken, she already smelt the chocolate!

"Oh my…" Hestia said in half a gasp, her nose high and searching. "He's got Amortentia up there."

"That's wise to have in a class full of teenagers," Flora remarked.

"Soooo…. what does it smell like to you, Flora?" her sister asked.

"Smells like date rape waiting to happen," Flora scoffed.

Rhiannon explained to a scandalised Astoria that Flora actually had a point about it being inappropriate to leave unattended. Amortentia was the most powerful love potion in existence, inducing a horrible obsession in the drinker for the one who gave it. The potion was deceptively kind to the senses, smelling pleasing and often evoking scents associated with the person one admired.

"To be honest," Rhiannon whispered, "now that I'm next to it, it doesn't smell like anything. Just how this room usually smells. Does that say something bad about my love life?"

Astoria made a silly face at Rhiannon, saying, "Don't marry Slughorn."

"What about you, Astoria?" Hestia questioned as Professor Slughorn moved protectively toward his potions and began class.

"I smell chocolate… and night air," she responded, though she kept the third scent a secret.

It was a ridiculous twenty-eight Galleon cologne she had already had enough of for one morning. Great.

"These are N.E.W.T.-level potions," Professor Slughorn advertised, but it would take more than the sweet smell of Amortentia to get most of the Gryffindors interested in continuing the class beyond fifth year.

Astoria felt a fresh blush arrive as she breathed in the steam again. Well, that was that then. She might be able to lie to her friends, but she couldn't lie to herself anymore.

No, no, maybe I just like his cologne, she thought.

That isn't it.

She had feelings for Draco Malfoy and was trying to calculate exactly how disappointed in herself she ought to be from a moral standpoint.

Moderately, she concluded. Moderately disappointed.

"What does Amortentia smell like to you, Hestia?" Astoria asked in the second half of class, trying to distract herself from the equally disturbing thoughts of Draco and the steamed fish scales in her hand.

"Pound shop strawberry shampoo," Hestia quietly relished, and in Herbology later, she looked just as happy to smell the earthy greenhouse.

The summer's heat had awakened every little scent and allergy that place had to offer.

This is my last year in this class, Astoria thought, hurrying to clip the Plasterleaves that were dutifully crawling up her sleeve. She had to peel the leaves off with warm water once they adhered to her arm, and Professor Sprout rolled her eyes. That evening, after Arithmancy, Astoria and Flora took their seats at dinner based on the position of a delicious-looking soup. Soupless Theodore made quite the journey from the other end of the table to catch Astoria.

"I'm going to ask her now," he declared.

"Ask… Ask what of whom?" Astoria uttered forgetfully, spoon eagerly in her hand.

"Hermione," Theodore emphasised.

"On a date?" teased Flora.

Theodore looked at his feet, then back up to glare at Flora through his heavy fringe. Astoria discovered that the soup was just as scrumptious as it looked, but knew Theodore expected her to follow up.

"I thought you were going to ask her at breakfast, Theodore," she said.

"Er, I couldn't. I'm doing it now."

It went about as well as Astoria expected, since Hermione had already agreed to be Neville Longbottom's partner. By no means was she rude when she told Theodore that, but he was sour about it nonetheless.

The next morning, Astoria found some familiar comfort in the D.A.D.A. classroom. Although it was a few floors up from the dungeons, Professor Snape had put forth his best effort to bring the dungeons upstairs. With only a peek into his office before class began, Astoria saw exactly how many of his own potions ingredients the professor still considered relevant to the Dark arts.

"Miss Greengrass, take your seat," Professor Snape called out of the office without even seeing her.

Astoria scurried to a desk — a safe one in the middle this year — and motioned to her friends to join her. Rhiannon wasn't paying the slightest attention; she was fixated with a picture on the wall. Professor Snape entered silently but commandingly. He and an absentminded Rhiannon met eyes by chance, and she slid into an empty chair behind Astoria.

"If any of you expect to achieve the O.W.L. for this subject, you must devote the time for studying every day," Professor Snape averred. "I am not even going to estimate your present knowledge of this subject, since you have had so many teachers come and go…"

It was incredible how he managed to make it sound like it had been the students' fault.

"As Slytherin students, you must be aware of the expectations I had for you in Potions. You must also be aware that any failure in this room…!" he shouted, spreading out his arms so quickly that Curtis Evercreech jolted as if to dodge a spell. "Any failure in this room, Mr Evercreech, will not only disappoint your Head of House, but will also earn you a grisly demise against Dark wizards."

Unless your family album is full of them, Astoria thought. But she knew she was wrong. Flora and Hestia had so much extra stress in their lives because their aunt and uncle were Death Eaters. Theodore was always on edge, and even Draco was uncomfortable when he thought about his aunt on the loose. The Slytherins weren't automatically protected if they were related to Death Eaters. With such a huge potential for making "wrong moves," being closer to them could prove deadlier.

"I believe it's raining," Professor Snape said, his beady eyes squinting as though he could see through the heavy window dressings.

At once, he swept his wand across the room, opening both the curtains and the windows and sending Curtis Evercreech behind his textbook.

"Oh, I get it," Flora muttered as mist began to creep into the room. "The mist wouldn't rise so fast if it weren't for the rain, but there's no way it would climb this high anyway if it didn't want to."

"Teensy dementor babies," Hestia concluded, giving Professor Snape a different grimace from the one he had been wearing.

Most of the students tried to pick up their feet discreetly, but the simultaneous nature of the action was more than enough to catch Professor Snape's attention.

"Everyone, stand," he exhaled.

Astoria's toes curled. She felt nervous, of course, but this awful, unifying mist must have made her feel all of the other students' dread as well. Perhaps if she had been alone with the mist it wouldn't have been as bad, but she could see the others' faces, read their posture, and feel their shivers in the ripples of the mist. Everyone seemed afflicted except Flora. Her expression wouldn't change whether she was stepping in dementors or sifting her toes through the sun-baked sand on a beach.

"Draw your wands. You will now cast the Patronus Charm," Professor Snape sad unhelpfully.

It wasn't anything like Professor Lupin's step-by-step instructions. Was it that much trouble to tell the students to think of their happiest memory? Or did he prefer another method?

My happiest memory… What was the one I had used back at home?

Astoria's eyelids felt heavy. It wasn't helping that no one else had even attempted to cast the charm yet.

Well it obviously wasn't that happy if I couldn't cast a real Patronus then…

What a terrible thought! A few incantations echoed somewhere far off — none successful. With the stifling mist in her air, Astoria was so occupied thinking through memories and judging them as "not good enough" that she didn't even join the chant. She moved her eyes toward Flora, whose wand was drawn and whose other hand rested protectively on her sister. But like Astoria, she never spoke a word.

One of the incantations sounded less hypothermic than the others. Silvery wisps of a Patronus replaced the deathlike blue of the mist, and Astoria reminisced of sitting by her grand fireplace after playing in the snow. She was even happier once she inferred that the Patronus was Rhiannon's. A wolf larger than most fifth-years skulked round the classroom, cornering the mist. With a strong bite, the Patronus cleared the mist entirely and then disappeared itself. The students shuffled in place, relieved, but aware that they had no more mist to work with.

"Twenty points to Slytherin," Professor Snape crowed. "From those of you who tried and failed to cast a Patronus I expect a twelve-inch essay on the charm. From those of you who did not even try…"

Nothing got past his black eyes. They knowingly hovered over Astoria, Flora, and a handful of others.

"…I expect a twenty-inch essay on dementors."

It wasn't that they didn't try as he accused. (Well, maybe Diane Carter didn't try; she was already trying to wipe her designer shoes). But the effects of the mist were so overwhelming that none of them could gather initiative.

"I suppose you think that you're in the clear, Miss Clarke," the professor said over the quiet grumblings of his students.

"Nah, I been here five years," Rhiannon said, cracking her neck confidently. "What do I do?"

Professor Snape Summoned a workbook from the back of the room and let it fall on her desk.

"If you want to continue beyond your O.W.L.s, you will need to produce N.E.W.T.-level writing. Complete this workbook before the exams."

And do your teachers all a favour, Astoria could have sworn he added with a look in his eye. Rhiannon might have had the worst assignment of all, not because it was a workbook, but because it had more to do with English composition than D.A.D.A. Astoria understood where the professor was coming from, since it took longer for Astoria to proofread Rhiannon's essays than it took her to write them. However, it wasn't appropriate for the class, especially since Rhiannon had clearly outperformed everyone. Rhiannon, usually discouraged by assignments, wasn't thinking that way at all. In fact, she considered it Professor Snape's own vote of confidence that she would advance to several N.E.W.T.-level courses. She started scribbling in the book that very evening after her Astronomy class.

"'Warlocks once believed that the head was the temple of magic; improper headwear, such as tight caps or wigs, could supposedly hinder the natural flow of magical energy. In an attempt to capitalise upon the energy, designers in the 1800s developed the tall, conical hat that remains popular today,'" Rhiannon quoted from her writing later. "I'm starting to sound just like you when you look out a window too long, Astoria!"

"How is that?"

"You start talking about life and get all wordy-like."

Astoria might have been looking out of the common room window for too long whilst her D.A.D.A. essay remained small, but she wasn't feeling very chatty. She should have already packed and started walking to Astronomy class but found herself stalling, wondering where Draco and Theodore were. Had they left already? Students usually walked up to Astronomy Tower together, but maybe since it was a N.E.W.T. class…

"Scared to walk up there alone? I'd be more scared to walk up there with those two clowns." Rhiannon said.

"That's why she has me," Tracey Davis chirped, stopping by their desk.

Tracey had a spiffy new telescope peeking out of her bag and her ever-charming smile on her face. Astoria was thankful she didn't make any effort to talk about Pariah's flop of an album. Rhiannon wished the girls luck, coincidentally just as Draco and Theodore emerged from their dormitory hall. It was then that she added, "You'll need it."

The four hadn't even made it to the main floor before Tracey commented, "Okay, you lot are dreadfully quiet. How was everyone's summer? Any terrible classes yet?"

"Summer was terrible, but my classes aren't," Theodore said.

"Oh, well that's good. We just returned from holiday in Portugal," Tracey said. "Montel got stung by a jellyfish, of course. I had a great time. And there wasn't any of this mist!"

"Would you mind being my partner for Astronomy? I don't know who is in this class," Theodore asked suddenly, not following the conversation.

Tracey kindly agreed, but Astoria noticed that it produced about one-tenth of the thrill he would have had if Hermione had been available.

When they reached the Astronomy classroom, Astoria nearly collided with Winky the house-elf, who was clumsily carrying a basketful of translucent potions downstairs. Astoria certainly hoped that Winky wouldn't be in charge of moving their equipment for class. However, it didn't look like there would be that much equipment; only three other students were in the classroom. Astoria felt personally slighted. Astronomy was an extremely important subject that so few appreciated. About one-hundred forty students took the O.W.L.! Astoria's nosiness overcame her, and she trotted over to Professor Sinistra's desk.

"Someone's excited," the professor chuckled.

"I wouldn't have made it if I wasn't. How many students are in this class, Professor?"

"Ten."

"That's all? How many students qualified?"

Professor Sinistra grew a serious expression and said, "I'm not supposed to disclose that information to students, Astoria."

"Oh — pardon me."

"But sixty-one students qualified," the professor revealed, twirling her quill and grinning.

"…Oh! Er, that's not bad."

"No, it's not, but only so many people have genuine interest," Professor Sinistra sighed, looking over Astoria's shoulder with a raised eyebrow. "So, how did you do with the Patronus Charm today in D.A.D.A.?"

"Er, not well, Professor…"

"Do not forget that you can still use the Astronomy library for Patronuses at any time," she said, motioning for Astoria to take a seat.

The other students had already sat with their partners. Gryffindors Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom sat innocently in front of Tracey and a disenchanted Theodore. One of Daphne's ex-boyfriends, Anthony Goldstein, sat next to one of Asenath Greengrass's girlfriends, Swati Pevekar. The only other Ravenclaw was Astoria's cousin, Adamina Kippling, who had paired up with Hufflepuff Hannah Abbott.

"I thought Hufflepuffs always came in a cete," Draco joked, perusing the room as Astoria took the seat beside him. "Do you have another quill I might borrow?"

Astoria began to search her bag but soon found a large white feather under her nose.

"Looks like I have one after all."

Astoria shooed the feather away, itching her nose embarrassedly. Exactly how much time she could buy before Draco figured out about this stupid crush was anybody's guess. It wasn't the kind of feeling she had had with Philippe Boisvert. She hadn't thought about Draco throughout the day. She didn't triple-check how she looked that evening. She wasn't even that nervous. All of these things actually bothered her, like she wasn't following a "typical" pattern. It was more like a snowball effect, and she didn't want to admit that she had not completely moved on from the time they had spent together at the Christmas banquet.

It was also their evening together after his father had been arrested. It stemmed from very fleeting and stupid things that would have been outright flirting for other people. Yet Astoria's snowball was still rolling. If it wasn't for Pansy Parkinson, it would have felt completely normal, timely, and right for her to wrap one arm around him and use the other to put her quill feather in his ear. It would cause a stink with everyone she knew, really. But Draco wouldn't care. Astoria smiled to herself because she believed she could do it right now and Draco wouldn't even care…

Professor Sinistra had just finished a little speech about the war and how they might find themselves using the humdrum things they learnt in school to protect the ones they loved. The speech was solemn, but Astoria felt a giggle coming on as she imagined her faulty translation from Ancient Runes turning out to be some age-old curse she could use to wipe out You-Know-Who. Astoria was going to share the thought with Draco, but they were still in the professor's earshot. He must have misread Astoria's look because he turned bright red. He evidently couldn't handle it if she looked over at him when the words "the ones you love" were getting tossed about. It was accidental…

"Well then," Professor Sinistra said airily. "Since there are so few of you, I would like to make this class just as important for you as it is for me. Let's go round the room and talk about why you took this class, and hopefully I can add what you want to the lessons and group work… Ah, Miss Granger?"

"I know that Astronomy is a core class for a reason, Professor. It is more central to magic than many of us take the time to understand. I would like to apply the information in this class to anything I can, particularly charms."

Hermione's partner Neville gave a rather interesting explanation: "Er, I like Herbology, but I've noticed that some plants are very picky about when they will grow or bloom. Or die. You know, the stuff they put in Pepperup Potion only dies under a seeing of 0.4 arcseconds or better. It's basically invincible in cities."

Theodore made a rather elaborate attempt to outdo Neville by saying basically the same point of interest, yet stressing that he wanted to use it for potion-making and not plant-growing. Anthony Goldstein shared that he loved how easy it was to Transfigure things into whatever constellations were visible in one's hemisphere. Both Swati Pevekar and Adamina were in it to get an edge on charms like Hermione. Hannah Abbott had little to say, and Astoria guessed that it had been one of the few O.W.L.s during which the girl hadn't totally panicked. When it was Draco's turn, he shrugged.

"Ah, I see Mr Malfoy only took it because he would miss me terribly otherwise," Professor Sinistra said, happy to single him out for not cooperating.

"I want to be an astronomer," Astoria said, relieved to finally get the words in the room when it was her turn.

She was the only one, and she had to make it known. She hadn't tested two years ahead for no reason in this class.

"I want to open up my own planetarium. Astronomy fascinates me. I could stargaze all day if the sun didn't rise. Still, the sun is one of the most powerful astronomical forces in magic. It even affects the Muggle world significantly. Our very existence depends on what events take place out there, but for me it's a personal hobby."

"'Our very existence,'" Draco imitated.

Halfway through the lecture, he drew a picture of the world exploding due to an asteroid collision. Astoria whispered, "Unlikely."

Draco responded by labelling the asteroid "Toutatis," a near-earth object, and nodding his head sagely.