October 31st 1992

"You!" Argus Filch screams when he sees what has happened to his cat. "You! You've murdered my cat! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll -"

Dumbledore arrives on the scene, shortly followed by a number of other staff members, including Astrid. Quickly the headmaster detached Mrs Norris from the torch bracket. "Come with us, Argus," he states referring to himself and Astrid. "You too, Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, Miss Granger."

Lockhart steps forward eagerly, "my office is nearest, Headmaster - just upstairs - please feel free -"

"Thank you, Gilderoy," Astrid speaks up. The silent crowd parted to let them pass. An excited Lockhart followed after them, along with McGonagall and Snape.

The group made their way to Lockhart's office where Dumbledore set Mrs Norris down on the table where the group of adults inspected her. McGonagall and Dumbledore were bent down close to her face while Lockhart made suggestions, Snape tried to keep a smile off his face and Astrid simply observed.

Lockhart's heartless comments were punctuated by Filch's sobs. He was slumped in a chair by the desk, unable to look at Mrs Norris. When Dumbledore began muttering spells and nothing happened, Astrid looked closer at the cat. She glanced at the Headmaster, their eyes meeting as if confirming with each other.

"She's not dead," Astrid said as she moved to stand next to the trio who were sitting on the chairs out of the light. "Unfortunately."

The trio smirk at the comment that no one else heard.

"Not dead?" Filch chokes. "But why's she all - all stiff and frozen?"

"She's been petrified," Astrid speaks again before Dumbledore takes over. In this moment McGonagall looks at her, proud that she was able to figure it out without anyone saying anything. The old professor was always proud when one of her former students showed how much they've learnt and how far they've come.

"But how, I cannot say…." Dumbledore tells him.

"Ask him!" Filch shrieks, pointing at Harry.

"No second-year could have done this," Dumbledore speaks. "It would take Dark Magic of the most advanced -"

"He did it, he did it!" Filch spits. "You saw what he wrote on the wall! He found - in my office - he knows I'm a - i'm a - he knows I'm a Squib!"

"I never touched Mrs Norris," Harry speaks up. "And I don't even know what a Squib is."

"Rubbish!" Filch argues. "He saw my Kwikspell letter!"

"If I might speak, Headmaster," Snape spoke up from the shadows. "Potter and his friends may have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time," Astrid rolled her eyes knowing that there was a 'but' coming, "but we do have a set of suspicious circumstances here. Why were they in the upstairs corridor at all? Why weren't they at the Halloween feast?"

The trio of friends launched into their explanation of Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday party.

"But why not join the feast afterwards?" Snape interrogates. "Why go up to that corridor?"

Both Ron and Hermione look to Harry for the answer.

"Because - because," Harry stutters, "because we were tired and wanted to go to bed."

Snape's interrogation continues, Astrid rolls her eyes. He wouldn't be saying any of this if he didn't hold such a grudge against James.

"...I personally feel he should be taken off the Gryffindor Quidditch team until he is ready to be honest," Snape speaks, causing Astrid to look at him, rather amused.

"Really?" Astrid bites out sarcastically.

"Really, Severus," McGonagall speaks out sharply knowing he's only say saying that because of a very old grudge. "I see no reason to stop the boy playing Quidditch. This cat wasn't hit over the head with a broomstick. There is no evidence at all that Potter has done anything wrong."

Dumbledore gives Harry a searching look.

"Innocent until proven guilty, Severus," he states firmly. Snape looks on furious, as does Filch.

"My cat has been petrified," Filch shrieks, his eyes popping. "I want to see some punishment!"

"We will be able to cure her, Argus," Dumbledore states patiently. "Professor Sprout recently managed to procure some Mandrakes. As soon as they have reached their full size, I will have a potion made which will revive Mrs Norris."

"I'll make it," Lockhart buts in. "I must have done it a hundred times, I could whip up a Mandrake Restorative Draught in my sleep -"

"Excuse me," Snape interrupts, "but I believe I am the Potions master at this school."

There's an awkward pause in the room. "Awkward," Astrid mumbles quietly.

"You may go," Dumbledore tells the trio who then quickly get up and leave.

November 1st 1992

"Hope," her brother's voice calls out as she walks across the courtyard. She stops hearing his voice and turns around to meet him.

"What's up?" she asks him.

"Have you heard about last night?" he asks. She raises an eyebrow, "the whole school has," she deadpans.

Harry sighs and mutters, "great."

"What did you want?" Hope asks curiously. He looks around as if looking for anyone that would overhear.

"Have you ever heard a voice, one that only you can hear?" he asks, Hope watches him with furrowed eyes. "It sounds crazy but I swear, I'm not. The voice is almost hisses like a snake, it's why I was in the corridor where Mrs Norris was."

Hope sighs, "I've never heard anything. I don't know what it is but I'm not exactly an expert on violent voices that no one else can hear," she jokes with a smile. Harry can't help but crack a smile, he suddenly wraps his arms around Hope, hugging her.

"You know, you're the best big sister I could ever ask for," Harry tells her. She smiles hugging her little brother back lovingly.

"I love you too, Harry."