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"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," Snape's smooth voice filled the hall, interrupting a quiet conversation Astoria had had with Luna. Both girls focused their attention on their new headmaster. Astoria was unsure of how to feel about the man standing where Albus Dumbledore usually stood. He had betrayed his predecessor, the one man who had always believed in him. But Draco, the old Draco, had trusted him. And Draco had surely known more than anyone else. Had he been mistaken? Had Draco too been betrayed? Was that why he now did not even recognize his closest friends anymore? "First, I would like to introduce two new professors to our staff. You will all welcome and respect Professors Carrow, who will be teaching Muggle Studies and Dark Arts."

Astoria's eyes wandered from Snape to the two new faces at the table and felt a shiver run down her spine. They were both squat and lumpy. Their postures were hunched, their faces pallid and pig-like. But what truly made Astoria's blood freeze was the way they leered at the students.

"What happened to Professor Burbage?" whispered Luna.

"Did he just say Dark Arts?" someone from the Gryffindor table commented loudly enough for even Astoria to hear.

"Yes, Mr Weasley. In accordance with the new curriculum set by the Ministry, Defense Against the Dark Arts has been renamed to reflect the new focus of the subject. Furthermore, Dark Arts and Muggle Studies are now core subjects and as such mandatory for all students. Quidditch is cancelled until further notice."

There was a roar of disapproval, and even the other teachers were glaring daggers at Snape and the two newcomers.

"Silence," hissed Snape and the hall quieted down. "Professors Carrow will also be sharing the responsibilities of Deputy Heads and they will be in charge of all discipline. You should refrain from rule-breaking as they are not as forgiving as Mr. Filch."

Breathing became difficult. The two new pig-faced teachers let out wheezy giggles, while the students were applauding unenthusiastically. Not as forgiving as Filch? She caught her sister's eyes, which were also widened in horror.

"In my new position as headmaster I no longer have the time to fulfill my duties as the Head of Slytherin," Snape continued. "The role will now be filled by Horace Slughorn. Furthermore, the Forest and grounds are off-limits to students after dark unless you wish for a fate worse than death," Snape glared around the hall, daring any student to speak over him.

"Not again," groaned a student at their table.

Dementors, Astoria thought, shuddering. Bloody Dementors.

"Also note that there have been additions to the rules you are to follow from previous years. Please refrain from running directly to bed after the feast as your Heads of House will be delivering them tonight." There Snape paused, his eyes wandering through the hall. "I realize that many a thing has changed since the end of last year. Change can be difficult and frightening. And the political situation is tense. However, you are safe here at Hogwarts. Rest assured, as long as you behave and cooperate, you have nothing to fear. If you have information regarding students who are absent, I urge you to come forward and speak to a member of staff, for their safety and your own."

Having said everything that he needed to, Snape returned to the top seat at the Head table. Each table filled with food as he turned, and slowly murmuring began amongst the students.

"How dare he stand there like he owns the place," hissed Terry Boot, glaring up at Snape. "Dumbledore trusted him!"

"Dumbledore attacked Harry," replied Phillip Montgomery, "I read about it in the Prophet."

"Wake up, you jam-head," retorted Terry. "They own the Prophet now. You can't trust anything they say."

Before Phillip could reply, another student piped in, "My mum works for the Ministry. She says he really was attacking Harry when they found him. And don't forget what happened last year. A student died under his supervision."

Terry growled in frustration. "Are you trying to tell me that Snape is not a bloody Death Eater?"

The girl hesitated. "That's not what I said."

"Because if he's not, then why did he hire those two scarecrows? I have never seen anyone looking more like a Death Eater in my life – well, except Snape."

"I don't think he's in charge of hiring anyone," Astoria said, although she was not sure about Snape's loyalties either.

"Oh shut it, snake-in-disguise," barked Hugo Mattingly, "You're at the wrong table – your boyfriend's over there."

Astoria was taken aback by the sheer venom in his voice. And that comment stung.

The table descended into madness, wild arguing breaking out.

Astoria stood up. Leaving the untouched food behind, she stormed out of the hall. She had not made it very far before Luna caught up to her.

"I'm starting to think that Harry and his friends had the right idea to skip this year," Astoria joked darkly.

"They didn't mean it," Luna said. "They got Wrackspurts messing with their heads."

Astoria laughed. "The whole school does. The whole country. Maybe the whole world, who knows."

"It is as the headmaster said, change is difficult."

Astoria groaned. "What do you think of him being the new headmaster?"

Luna hesitated. "I- I don't know. We should wait and see how this develops."

That was probably the only thing they could do anyway. "We better forget about good grades. We'll be lucky if we survive this year."

Luna smiled. "I'm sure Harry will manage to get our exams cancelled, even when he's not at Hogwarts."

Astoria stopped walking and laughed. "That sounds like him."

"Don't give up hope," Luna said. "Because as long as we stick together and fight for what is right, they cannot truly beat us."

Astoria smiled at Luna. The girl had a way of making her feel better. And of giving her ideas. "Fighting for what is right is nice, but I'd like to win, too. And for us to win we need proper Defense training, which I doubt we'll get this year. Last year we practiced with Harry and Victor in the Room of Requirement. I think we should do it again this year. There is much we can learn from each other and I am sure there's a trick or two we can find in the library."

"What do you need me to do?" asked Luna.

"Talk to everyone you know we can trust and tell them to meet us in the Room of Requirement after the Heads have given their speeches. But only those you know we can trust." And wasn't that hard to tell these days? She assumed that everyone at her table was against Voldemort, but still they had been divided and fighting. "If you are not sure, assume the worst."

Two hours later, the first students started arriving in the Room of Requirement, which was perfectly suited for a large group of people. Luna arrived with a few Ravenclaws in tow.

"Woah," commented one of them. "What is this room?"

Astoria began to explain, but soon had to start over as a hand full of Hufflepuffs arrived, followed by Daphne and Theo who had brought along Tracey, Blaise and some girl Astoria did not know by name.

The Gryffindors, by far the biggest group, arrived last.

"Sorry it took us so long," said Ginny when she entered the room. "The Carrows paid us a visit to search our rooms and trunks. They are as stupid as they are ugly – what where they hoping to find? Do they think Harry's hiding in there?"

A few people around her laughed.

Neville said, "They found a copy of the Quibbler in my trunk. They took it and said I'd be in trouble if they found me with something like that ever again."

"That's why we're here," Astoria said. She looked around the room. "We all know that we're not going to learn much useful this year. Not from those two. And most definitely not in Def- the Dark Arts."

"Hear, hear," yelled one of the Hufflepuffs.

"Last year we had what I think could be called a Defense study group to help Harry and Victor prepare for the Tournament. We researched and taught each other new spells. If we want to help Harry… if we want a chance against the Death Eaters in our school… if we want to survive this year, we have to know how to defend ourselves."

"Brilliant idea," shouted Fred and the others murmured in agreement.

"It is a brilliant idea," said one of the Gryffindors, "but are you sure everyone in this room is trustworthy." His glance fell towards the Slytherins at the end of the sentence.

"Oh shut up, Seamus," replied Fred. "They have fought Death Eaters more often than all of us together. We can trust them."

"Then why is Malfoy not here. Doesn't he belong to their anti-Death Eater faction?"

Neville took a step forward. "They captured him over the summer. We don't know what they did to him. Torture, spells, brainwashing, who knows. The bottom line is that we currently can't trust him."

A heavy silence fell over the room, which was thankfully soon broken by George Weasley. "Fred and I worked on a few things we wanted to sell over the summer. You know, nothing big. We improved the Canary Cream recipe. Invented some Extendable Ears to spy on the teachers. Some powder to create instant darkness… still have to come up with a name for that one. Anyhow… I think some of it could be used in a fight. We could show you that if we start this defense group."

Astoria through him a grateful smile as laughter broke out among the students. "Just imagine You-Know-Who's face after eating some Canary Cream!" one of them yelled.

"We were thinking more along the lines of using the instant darkness powder, but that works, too," laughed Fred.

When the laughter had died down, Neville cleared his throat. "I know how to brew healing potions," he said. "Even one that helps with the Cruciatus. I could show you how to brew them and it probably would be a good idea to stock up on them."

The crowd murmured in awe. Astoria threw Neville an encouraging smile, but inwardly she wondered where he had learned that. Had Draco shown him? Who had taught him?

"I am in my last year," Cedric Diggory said, interrupting her thoughts, "I could show younger students some useful spells that they'd only learn later on."

Astoria smiled, her mind back on track. She had thought that setting this up would be harder and require more persuasion on her part.

"We could learn how to fight flying," Angelina said. "I've been thinking about that ever since Harry's amazing performance during the first task last year. And since we can't play Quidditch this year…"

"That's great!"

"We should start recruiting as well," Ginny proposed. "We are already a decent group, but I am sure that there are more students out there who want to fight for what is right."

The others murmured in agreement. "That sounds like a great idea, Ginny," Astoria said, "but let's make sure that we can truly trust each and every person we let in on our secret."

Ginny nodded. "Good point, one can't be too careful these days. We could discuss it in the group before we approach someone?"

"Sounds like a plan," smiled Astoria. "Now, to the more practical matters…"

After two hours of discussing how often they would meet, when they would meet, who would lead each meeting, and so on, the group dispersed.

Astoria stayed in the room, hesitant to return to her dorm. It had been a rough day and she did not think that she could muster the strength to fight off any unbased accusations thrown her way. But she was not the only one. Neville had stayed behind as well.

"How are you holding up?" she asked.

"How am- how am I holding up?"

"Yeah. You have lost your best friend this summer… it has got to be hard for you. I hope you know that we are here for you, me and Daphne and Theo… I am sure Luna and Ginny, too, and Fred and George. You are not alone. You have friends."

Neville laughed. "You are incredible. If anyone has it hard, then it is you. You have just found out that your boyfriend is your husband from the future who traveled back to save your life… only to have him forget all about it. And here you are, asking me how I am."

Astoria laughed too but could feel tears forming at the corners of her eyes at the same time. She blinked them away. "Yeah, well, this is not a contest. We can both be miserable."

Neville looked away. "It is… it is weird, to grieve for someone who is not dead. Who is not even really gone. Who you will see every day… I… I wonder if this is how my gran felt when…" he trailed off. He didn't need to finish the sentence for Astoria to know that he was talking about his parents.

Astoria could feel the first tear rolling down her cheek as a wave of grief hit her. She had tried not to think about it once they had arrived at Hogwarts. She would not have managed to survive the day if she had. But now there was nothing else to focus on, nothing to divert her attention. And the thought of her Draco being gone forever hit her hard.

"The last time we talked we argued," she sobbed. "Or I did. He told me that he loved me," her voice wavered, and she had to swallow heavily to continue speaking, "and I told him that I wasn't sure if I could ever forgive him." She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall freely. "He was tortured and… and he died believing there was no longer a chance for us. He probably thought he'd messed it all up, made it all worse… and I can't… I can't even tell him…" She broke off and began to cry. The pain in her chest was too much, the sense of loss too great.

After a moment she could feel warm arms wrap around her. She leaned forward and cried into Neville's chest.

"I wish there was something I could say to make this better," Neville mumbled, "but I don't think there is. He was the best friend I ever had… and now he is gone…"

They stood like that for a while. Astoria had no idea for how long. When her tears had dried up and she took a step back, she could see that Neville's eyes were damp and red.

"I'm sorry, Neville," she started, but stopped when Neville shook his head.

"For what? I know it hurts. I know it sucks. But I am glad there is finally someone else I can talk to about all of this."

"A bit late, don't you think?"

Neville shook his head. "It would have been nice to talk to you about this earlier… but we both know why that was not possible. We both know why he did what he did. Why he kept it a secret. But now that he is gone… I am glad I have someone I can talk to."

"He said you'd figured it out," she said, wiping the tears away. "The last time we talked."

Neville laughed. "That might be stretching the truth a bit. I had all the puzzle pieces and confronted him about it. I knew he knew spells that were far beyond what can be expected of a third year, even a gifted one. He casts nonverbally, for crying out loud! I doubt even Dumbledore could do that at that age. And that wasn't all. Stunners. Un-" Neville stopped abruptly.

"You can say it," Astoria said, smiling. "He already told me he… that he tortured Pettigrew."

"He- he did?" Neville sounded perplexed. "You- Don't blame him for it. You must know what it looked like when he attacked you… you were lying in a pool of your own blood! I thought you were dead. And there were Dementors and-"

"It's okay, Neville," she interrupted him, then, more softly, she added, "I understand."

Neville exhaled slightly. "That's good. Where was I? Oh, yeah. I had all the pieces. I'd seen Pettigrew with the time-turner…"

"He had the time-turner?"

"I think Draco had fought him and he must have grabbed it. I can't even imagine – travelling back in time to save your wife and then you might have caused her to die even sooner. And then you lose the only means to undo that to a follower of You-Know-Who… He destroyed it then. The time-turner. So You-Know-Who wouldn't get it."

"Wow." Astoria did not know what else to say.

"So, I knew all of that. Sudden change of sides, even though he still called him the Dark Lord. Extremely advanced magic. Knowing about my parents – in retrospect it does not seem like something his parents would have told him, even if they are crazy Death Eaters. He also knew that Sirius was good when all the evidence pointed toward him being a deranged lunatic. Even Lupin and Dumbledore did not know. And the time-turner. Looking back, it was pretty obvious. But when I confronted him about it, my mind still hadn't put the pieces together. Time travel is not the first thing you would think of."

"No, I guess it isn't." Could she have figured it out? She hadn't experienced his sudden change firsthand, but others had certainly told her. She knew his magical knowledge was beyond what could be expected of someone his age, but she had never seen him cast nonverbally or any Unforgiveables. When she'd learned of Sirius, it was from Neville and Draco together. She hadn't seen the time-turner. But Draco had known more about her than she had ever told him… Still, time travel was certainly not the only explanation. And Neville had always acted strange as well… "You two are good liars, aren't you?"

Neville's eyebrows shot up. "Liars? I don't think either of us have lied a lot. I certainly tried to avoid it. And so did Draco, I think… We never really talked about it, but when I first talked to this new Draco and asked him why he was so nice, he said it was because he had lost someone and that that had opened his eyes. And that wasn't a lie. Time travel did not make Draco the person he is- or was. He made mistakes. He lost people. He saw people die right before his eyes, and some of these deaths he had inadvertently caused. His actions led to the circumstances that killed Albus Dumbledore. He saw Crabbe die. He saw you die. That made him realize how wrong he had been, not the time travel."

Astoria thought this over. "So, you know about the curse, too?"

"At first I didn't. But he'd already told me he had a sick… relative that he wanted to find a cure for, even before I found out about the time travel. Then he told me he travelled back in time to save you. Well…"

Astoria nodded. Neville knew. Neville, who was one of the kindest people she knew. Neville, who had grown up without his parents because they had been tortured into insanity. He knew. She could live with that.

"He was honest where he could be. And he loved you so much. Don't be angry with him. Not for that. He kept it from you in large part to protect you. And that he started going out with you… that's my fault. He thought it was wrong because he was so much older. I was the one who told him that age is more than just how old your mind is. And I truly believe that. He might not be your regular 14-year-old, but he's definitely also not a thirty-something-year old creep. Can you imagine being friends with someone so much older than us? I know we are friends with Sirius, but it isn't quite the same, is it? Can you imagine talking to him like you talk to me or Draco?"

Astoria closed her eyes, trying to picture having this talk with a forty-year-old Neville. She couldn't. The notion alone was ridiculous. "I still had a right to know."

"Yes," Neville agreed after a while. "Yes, you did." They both stood next to each other quietly for a few moments. "If he could do it all again… a third time, I guess, what would you have him do?"

Astoria opened her eyes again to look at Neville. What would she have him do? Her first instinct was to have him tell her right away. But perhaps, she conceded, that was unrealistic. Their friendship hadn't developed over night and you could not tell a complete stranger something like that. He could have not asked her out on a date… but she did not like that thought, either. She loved him and she had enjoyed every moment they had been together. If she could go back in time, she would not change their time together. "He should have told me at the Yule Ball, once it was clear I liked him. But does it really matter? I can't be mad at him for things he does not remember. With his erased memories, he isn't much older than me anymore either. And he does not love me anymore. He's with Pansy."

Neville seemed lost in thought for a bit. Then he said, "I think he was with Pansy originally as well. It did not last, so I doubt it will this time. But I don't want to give you false hope. Maybe Draco will again develop into the person we knew. Maybe we will find a way to restore his memories. But maybe we won't. Maybe he will end up Voldemort's right-hand man instead. I don't know. What I do know is that you are not alone either. You said that Daphne and Theo and all the others are there for me, but the same is true for you. We are all in this together. And together we will survive this year."

Astoria smiled at him. "Thanks, Nev." She did not know how things would turn out, but she felt confident she could go back to her dorm room and face whatever awaited her there. Whatever they threw at her, she was not alone in this. And that was all the knowledge she needed to keep going.

AN: Funny coincidence – a friend of mine (for those who read my AN, the cranky one from New Year's Eve a couple of years back) started vocational training after years of working part time and going to college. In Austria, that's usually something you do when you're 15 (although starting it when you are older is not unheard of). Most of your time you work at a company, but some of it you spend in school. So, she's back in a classroom with twenty 15-year-olds when she herself is 25. She hates every second of it. She feels like she is in kindergarten and has a hard time connecting to the other students. And she is annoyed by the teachers treating her like a teenager, when she's a grown up who has lived on her own for 7 years now. A few days ago, she sent me a super long text complaining about the teachers and the students.

That totally reminded me of what Neville said to Draco in chapter 56: "I don't think a real grown up would have such an easy time being friends with so many kids. […] We should bore you to tears with our petty little problems, really, but we don't. […]"

This is so true. This friend of mine is bored to tears and super annoyed.

I don't wanna bash teenagers. I love my students and I get along well with most of them. But my relationship with them is very different from the relationship they have with each other. We're just at different stages in life where we have different interests.

On a related note, in time travel stories they often make it seem as if school should be super easy for the time traveler – no, it wouldn't be. Anyone with children will know that helping them with their homework in elementary school is quite different from helping them in middle school or high school. Stuff that you use, yes, that's easy. I'd be bored senseless if I had to sit through English as a Foreign Language beginner classes. The same is true for some other subjects. But not for all of them. I had four years of Latin in school – I remember absolutely nothing. I wasn't bad at math, but calculus? No chance. And with some subjects, like music or PE, it just wouldn't matter. Now, some subjects at Hogwarts, like Charms and Transfiguration, would definitely be super easy for a time traveler. But Potions? Herbology? History of Magic? Care of Magical Creatures? Unless you work in those fields, I don't think you'll have much of an advantage.

Anyway, thanks for reading. As always, I would love to hear your thoughts, complaints, etc.