Astra had the sensation that she was flying through the air but all she could see around her was darkness. She could feel the rush of wind as it beat against her face. She burst through the darkness to look at what she first thought to be a valley below her. Then she saw thousands of tiny lights twinkling below her and realized that she was indeed flying. The air was uncomfortably cold as it whipped against her body. She realized that she was flying above the school and noticed as she drew closer that some of those that she had thought of as lights were actually torches. She saw an army making its way towards Hogwarts and at the front wa.
Astra awoke as a hand touched her shoulder and she let out a scream. "Astra?" Margot's worried voice penetrated the darkness.
"Margot?" Astra gasped "I heard you screaming and came to see what was wrong. Are you okay?"
"Yeah." Astra shook as she spoke "Just had a nightmare." At that moment her door burst open and illuminated by the light in the hallway stood Hermione and Ginny with their wands in hand. They looked around briefly and spotted Astra and Margot.
"Astra? Are you alright?" Hermione gasped trying to catch her breath. E as a hand touched her shoulder and she let out a scream. "Astra?" Margot's worried voice penetrated the darkness.
"Margot?" Astra gasped "I heard you screaming and came to see what was wrong. Are you okay?"
"Yeah." Astra shook as she spoke "Just had a nightmare." At that moment her door burst open and illuminated by the light in the hallway stood Hermione and Ginny with their wands in hand. They looked around briefly and spotted Astra and Margot.
"Astra? Are you alright?" Hermione gasped trying to catch her breath. "She's okay." Margot told them. "Just a nightmare."
"That must have been some nightmare!" Ginny shuddered. "It was!" Astra's voice shook as she spoke. "It was about Voldemort!"
The three girls gaped at Astra as gasps were heard out in the hall. "Lumos." Ginny muttered as Hermione slammed the door shut on the small group of gawkers that had accumulated out side in the hall. The two older girls then moved closer to Astra.
"Voldemort?" Hermione sounded uneasy. "Are you sure? Have you ever dreamt about him before now?" "Yes. I am sure it was him and no I have never had a dream about him before now."
"Then how can you..." Hermione started. "Look. Just because I have never had a dream about him before now doesn't mean that I don't know who he was!" Astra glared.
"No, of course not. Look will you tell us the dream?" Hermione asked. Astra relayed the dream to them and when she was finished even Hermione paled.
"Do you think it could have been a vision?" Ginny stammered looking at Hermione. "I don't know." Hermione whispered. "I just don't know."
"Well. No matter what it was, you four should be going back to bed." A stern voice said. The four girls looked sharply back at the door. Standing in the door way was a very annoyed looking McGonagall. The three girls shot up off of Astra's bed and ran past McGonagall yelling good night to her as they fled.
"We'll talk about about this in the morning Miss Snape." McGonagall said shutting the door. "Good night."
Astra awoke once more to a hand on her shoulder. This time though it was not followed by a scream. She opened her eyes and stared into professor McGonagall's face. She was not as stern looking as she had been last night and she spoke a little more gently.
"So, will you tell me what happened last night?" "Well." Astra took a deep breath. "I really don't want to relive it again." She whispered.
"I can understand that Miss Snape. However, when our students are riled out of their beds and two of them are concerned enough to arm themselves then I must, regretfully of course, find out the cause of the disturbance." McGonagall explained. "You must understand."
Astra gulped. "I understand. I may not like it but I do understand." "Then please. Tell me what happened."
McGonagall listened as Astra relayed her dream for a second time. She nodded a few times in understanding but said nothing until Astra was finished. "I see." McGonagall muttered. "Well at this time I see no choice but to take it as a nightmare and nothing more. I take it that you have never had a dream like this before?"
Astra shook her head. "No." "Well, I see no reason to be alarmed about a dream. And even if Voldemort got onto the schools grounds it would take him a great deal of strength to break down all of our defenses. So don't worry, we are all quite safe." McGonagall turned and started to walk away.
"Professor?" McGonagall turned. "Yes?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
"How come I had this dream? And how come I could see his face?" Astra looked shaken. "I have never even met him before but I knew exactly who he was."
"That my dear child, I cannot tell you." McGonagall sighed. "Oh." Astra stammered. "Thank you Professor."
"Your welcome." McGonagall said as she left the room. Astra got up and dressed quickly. She had heard the breakfast bell go off as she was talking with McGonagall and now her stomach was groaning in anticipation. She practically ran down the flight of stairs and through the common room. She slowed to a brisk walk as she neared the corridor that would lead her to the great hall. She was almost there when a hand grabbed her arm.
"I need to talk to you." A voice said in her ear. She turned to face Aiden.
"Why?" she snapped. "Haven't you caused enough stress in my life?"
Aiden leaned against the wall of the corridor. "Look. I just want to talk is all. After that if you don't like what I have to say you can go and I won't stop you."
"And then you'll leave me alone?" Astra said a little too eagerly. Aiden gave a pained look. "If that is what you want, then yes. But I want you to promise not to interrupt me while I am speaking ok?"
"sure." She agreed. Aiden motioned for her to follow him as he turned down a corridor and entered a room. He held the door for her and closed it as she entered. They were in an empty classroom she had not seen before.
"Have a seat." Aiden told her from behind. She took a seat and watched him impatiently.
"When you first told me that you would be my girlfriend. I was ecstatic, then as the days passed by and turned into months and I saw no sign of you except in Harry's company. Well I became jealous. I did not however realize this until it was too late. I treated you poorly Astra and I should have realized that, but I didn't. I took you for granted and figured that you would love me for it!" he scoffed. "How wrong could I get? Then of course we got accepted for the D.A. and I figured that it would finally give us some time together. But un fortunately Kaden had beaten me to it. I became enraged that you would choose to partner with someone other than me. I just wanted time with you and it seemed like I would never get that. But now I realize that I was very rude to you. Not only in the way I was treating you but also in the way I hid my feelings from you." Aiden sighed. "Astra I want to say that I am truly sorry and I want to know if we can start over."
Astra gaped at him. "Well, that is the last thing I was expecting to hear from you." She stated in surprise. "I will admit that I have not been the best girlfriend to you Aiden. Yes I spent a lot of time with other's but I figured it was because you were doing your thing so I could do mine as well. Aiden I accept your apology but as for going back out with you. Well that is something you will have to earn and you will also have to earn my trust as well."
Aiden nodded. "We can start over Aiden but not as boyfriend/girlfriend. We will just be friends for now and see where that takes us, ok?"
Aiden nodded and got up. "Well. Shall we go and get some breakfast then?" Astra got up and followed. They entered the great hall and sat down to breakfast.
"Hey Astra." Harry whispered. "I heard about your dream last night. I thought I was the only one that was supposed to see Voldemort in my dreams." He looked at her batting his eyes.
Astra choked on her pumpkin juice, spraying it in every direction. "What!" she laughed. "Harry! That's not even funny!" "What?" he pouted in her direction. "Now I'm not funny? I think I may just cry!"
Hearing this conversation between them the others around them busted up laughing followed by a few more sprays of flying pumpkin juice. R
In the next D.A. meeting Astra and Kaden was tested on the Accio charm. They had passed the test and Harry started on the next charm. "Now. The next charm you are to learn is Expeliarmus. This is the disarming charm." He told them as soon as they had formed into their group. "Now, Astra. I want you to point your wand at me and say 'Expeliarmus' okay?"
Astra paled. "Wha...huh?" she stammered. "No Harry I...I couldn't do that to you!" "Why not? You have to learn this Astra and you can't practice on Kaden just yet. So go ahead." He prompted.
"No,no,no" She whispered more to herself. "I couldn't. I just couldn't!" "Look!" Harry growled annoyed. "You agreed to learn what I have to teach you and you're damn well going to learn it!"
Astra squeaked and bit her lip in surprise. "Now." He said sternly. "Point your wand at me and say 'Expeliarmus.'!"
She pointed her wand at him obediently and opened her mouth, then she snapped it shut. "THIS IS NOT OPEN FOR DISCUSSION ASTRA!" Harry shouted earning some surprised looks from the other groups. "JUST DO IT NOW!"
"Expeliarmus!" she squeaked. Harry's wand flew out of his hand and landed about half a foot away from him.
"Good." Harry said as he picked up his wand. "Now, you Kaden." Kaden cleared his throat. "Um. Just Kade please."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Kade point your wand at me and say Expeliarmus." "Expeliarmus." Kaden said with more confidence than he truly felt.
Harry's wand flew a little farther than with Astra's blast. "Well done Kade!" Harry smiled.
Kaden Beamed. "Show off!" Astra hissed.
"Now, I want you each to take turns disarming me, and Astra?" Harry turned to her. "Don't you dare hold back on me! You are the reason that the D.A. came back and you are going to make it worth it. Got me?"
"Yes." Astra paled. "Good. Now disarm me!" he stood in a defiant stance.
They took turns disarming Harry. With each turn his wand flew further and further away from him. When the two hours that had been sectioned for the training was done Harry motioned for them to take a seat as he conversed with the other teacher's.
"Well, another week on Accio for those of you that did not pass our tests. Those of you that did however are to move on practicing the Expeliarmus charm. Same rules will apply as always. We will let you know when the next meeting will be. Until then you are dismissed!" Harry turned to Astra. "I need to speak with you in private."
Astra nodded and moved to follow. When they were in a private corner he turned to face her. "Astra, I need to be sure that you really want to learn this." He looked at her somberly.
"I do Harry!" Astra whispered. "I just don't see why I have to do it to you. I don't want to hurt you." "Astra. It is my job to teach you. If that means that you must use me as the "test dummy" then so be it. But I need you to cooperate with me or this will not work ok?"
Astra nodded. "Good." Harry smiled. "You may go now. And please practice that spell on someone. Okay?"
Astra nodded and left.
Astra shivered uncomfortably under her blankets. She couldn't understand why her room was so cold. She opened her eyes and saw that her window was open and her fire had been put out. She couldn't fathom why it had happened until she looked down and saw a note on her bed. Astra picked up the note and made her way to the window. She slammed the window shut and read the note.
Astra,
Thought you'd like to see the first snow fall "first hand."
Sarul.
Astra's blood began to boil. 'That little git!' she thought angrily. 'He's trying to egg me on. But he knows that I can't do anything about it or I will be expelled!" she paced her room. "The thing I need to figure out is how can I get him and pin it on someone else?" she growled out loud.
Astra ran the possibilities in her head as she got dressed and made her way to the great hall. She sat down and looked about. Her eyes fell on the Slytherin table and noticed with satisfaction that Sarul was sitting by himself. He had been shunned for the pranks that had included the "prince of Slytherin" himself Draco. Behind their hands she could tell that Crabbe and Goyle were taunting him.
'This is great!' she thought evilly 'This is just what I needed. I'll pull a prank on Sarul and give the credit to those two morons.' Astra chuckled a bit and earned curious looks from her neighbors.
Harry however shot her a worried glance. "You know you can't prank right?" "Who said anything about pranking?" Astra said with feigned sweetness.
"I know better!" He scoffed shooting her a skeptical look. "He deserves it!" she growled.
"Oh really?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "Enough for you to be expelled? Does he deserve it that badly?" "I never said they would know it was me!" she beamed, "If you haven't noticed, my dear brother is being shunned by the entire Slytherin table!"
"what are you planning Astra?" Harry said simply. "Oh, just to give Sarul some well deserved punishment and Crabbe and Goyle the credit for it!" she chuckled then lowered her voice. "And to also prove to Sarul that he can't prank me and get away with it!"
"Huh?" Harry gave her a confused look. "Let's just say that he gave me a very chilly awakening today." Astra growled.
"And you're sure it was him?" Harry asked. "Yeah, he left me a calling card." Astra glared at Sarul. "He wanted to me to know it was him."
"Ah." Harry muttered. "Well I know I can't stop you but all I can say is be very careful Astra." "I will." Was all she said.
Astra once again borrowed Harry's cloak (quite reluctantly on Harry's part.) and made her way to the Slytherin common room. She followed two first years through the door and huddled in a vacant corner. She took a moment to look at the jar she was carrying. The fire salamander contained there in looked furious. It was spouting fire sparks and eyed her angrily. She waited patiently for the last of them to retire before making her move. When the common room was empty and she was sure that they were asleep she made her way to Sarul's room. She slipped in quietly and placed the Salamander in his boot. She put a charm on it so that it could not crawl out. She then quickly left the room and made her way quietly back to her own room. As she approached the portrait she whispered the password. With a sleepy mumble from the fat lady the portrait swung open and Astra stepped in. when it swung shut she peeled off the cloak and placed it in the hiding place that Harry had designated for the cloak and went up to bed.
Astra awoke to pounding on her door. "Wha..." she mumbled sleepily and got up to answer it. She opened the door and saw the seething look on her father's face. "Daddy? What?" was all she could get out.
"Haven't you learned your lesson?" he shouted. "Did you really think I wouldn't know you did it?" Astra gave him a confused look. "What are you talking about?" she demanded.
"You put a fire salamander in Sarul's boot!" he growled. "Then put a binding charm on it so that it couldn't leave. Your brother is in the hospital wing with burns all around his foot!"
"I did no such thing!" Astra shouted back. "In case you haven't noticed daddy, Sarul isn't exactly the most popular person these days!"
Snape gaped at her, as if he souldn't believe his ears. "I noticed that all of Slytherin has taken to shunning him! So you can't blame this one on me daddy, I didn't do it!" she lowered her voice. "And besides, why would I do that and get expelled Daddy? I wouldn't be that nice to Sarul."
"But." Severus stammered. "I" he continued to mumble something she couldn't hear. "No buts! I understand that I have been cruel. But daddy my pranks have never harmed him or anyone else physically. In fact they have hurt no one but me. So honestly, how could you think I would do this?" her lip quivered and she forced tears to come to her eyes. "I can't believe that you could think I would hurt him." Astra placed her hands over her face and her body shook with silent laughter.
Snape felt himself gaping in shock. Yes he had seen the way the others were treating Sarul. But he hadn't thought that anything could come from it.
"I noticed that all of Slytherin has taken to shunning him!" His daughter continued. "So you can't blame this one on me daddy, I didn't do it! And besides, why would I do that and get expelled Daddy? I wouldn't be that nice to Sarul."
"But, I" he stammered softly so that she couldn't make out the rest. "No buts! I understand that I have been cruel. But daddy my pranks have never harmed him or anyone else physically. In fact they have hurt no one but me. So honestly, how could you think I would do this? I can't believe that you could think I would hurt him."
Severus watched in horror as his daughter buried her face in her hands and her body shook with sobs. How could he have assumed that she would do this? True it was a common thing for his children to go back and fourth at each other. But never had they done anything to harm each other. But his first initial thought had been Astra. He hadn't even considered the possibility that it could have been anyone of his Slytherin's. Severus put a hand on her shoulder and felt her jump. Was she Afraid of him? No that can't be it. She knows that he would never hurt her.
"Honey don't cry." He soothed. "I was wrong to assume that it was you." Astra looked up and wiped away tears that had fallen, her face puffy and eyes red.
Severus felt his heart drop into his stomach. "So." She choked back her tears. "You're not angry anymore? You believe me?"
"Of course I do. Now you should get ready for breakfast." He told her. "I'll go up and check on Sarul." He turned to go. "Send Sarul my love daddy!" Astra called.
He nodded and left.
'Wow!' Astra thought as she watched her father leave. 'That has got to be my best performance yet!' She cheerfully skipped about her room gathering her clothing. Once she was dressed she went to the great hall and sat down beside Harry.
"You're looking cheery this morning." Harry mused. "Yep! Sarul got his come uppence and I didn't get expelled!" she beamed. "Life is good!"
"Your father will find out it was you." Harry said nervously. "Harry, right now my father is trying to figure which one of the Slytherin's pulled the prank." She laughed.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked speculatively. Astra gave him an evil grin.
"What did you do Astra?" "Oh nothing." She smiled sweetly. "Just gave my dad the pest performance of my life! He truly believes it was a Slytherin that pranked Sarul and not me!" Astra laughed evilly.
Harry shook his head. "If Fred and George were here you'd give them a run for their money." He grimaced. "Or be their partner in crime. I don't know which is worse!"
"Fred?" Astra shot him an inquiring look. "George? Who are they?" "The Weasley twins." Harry groaned. "The biggest set of pranksters since my father's lot."
"Ah... yes. I have heard my father rant and rave about all of their pranks in his class." She said thoughtfully. "Bit of a shame that they left before I got to school."
"Well let me just say that we are all very glad they did." Ron finally spoke up. "You and my brothers teamed up? Now that would be truly terrifying."
"Yeah." Harry chuckled. "Not to mention bad for our health." Astra glared at him.
"Well it would be! Between the three of you, no one would be safe!" Harry protested. "With their Weasley wizarding wheezes and you on their side we would all be running for our lives!"
Astra smacked Harry's arm. "I am not that bad!" she chuckled. "Oh yes you are!" Harry laughed rubbing his arm. "You are the one person I hope to never piss off Astra Snape!" R
At their monthly family dinner nothing much had changed. Sarul still did anything and everything to piss Astra off. He had taken to only doing this in front of their parents because he knew that it was the one place where Astra would do nothing in retaliation.
"So Astra, who is it this week? Harry, Aiden, or Kaden?" Astra turned to her father. "Daddy?" Severus looked at her. "Is grab head, pull out of ass an appropriate answer?"
"Ah!" Severus felt his left fore arm burn and grabbed it. "No!" he said firmly to Astra and turned to look at Serena. Serena met his eyes and saw the all too familiar look. 'Merlin!' she thought 'Not now!'
"If you will excuse me." Severus muttered and abruptly got up. Serena excused herself and followed.
Sarul shot an inquiring look at Astra. Astra shrugged and looked in the direction their parents had just departed in.
A few moments later their mother came back in and sat down calmly as if nothing had happened. Their father however did not return. Astra opened her mouth to ask where her father had gone but snapped her mouth shut as she looked at her mother's pale face. She had so many questions swimming in her head but figured it best to ask them later. R As soon as they were out of the children's hearing Serena spoke. "Don't go!" she pleaded. "Every time you go I'm afraid that you won't return.
"Serena." Severus sighed. "If I don't go then he'll know that I am no longer loyal to him and that would put you and the children in danger. I cannot do that!"
"But he doesn't know about us!" she protested. "Exactly! And I want it kept that way! Only death could ever keep me from coming back here to you Serena." He sighed. "Look. We've been over this a hundred times. I have to go!" Severus took some floo powder out of the pouch and threw it into the fire. He said the words "leaky cauldron." And stepped into the fire. Serena walked back into the kitchen and sat down.
Severus arrived at the leaky cauldron and made his way out of the tavern into Diagon alley. They had decided this to be the only way that their children could not follow him if they got the urge to find out why daddy kept disappearing. He would go to Diagon alley and dissaparate from there to Voldemort. He reached the dissaparating point and apparated to Voldemort's place of hiding. He was surrounded by his fellow "death eaters."
"Severus! Come here!" Voldemort ordered. "Yes my lord?" Severus kneeled as he reached Voldemort.
"I have decided that it is time to take out that Potter Whelp once and for all!" Voldemort growled. "This Christmas holidays you are to ensure that Potter stays at the school. On the beginning of the holidays we will attack the school and take the Potter boy. I will kill him in front of the school and he will serve as a reminder that I am lord!"
"Yes my master." Severus bowed. "Very good. You may go and prepare for my attack." Voldemort dismissed him.
Severus bowed once more. Stepped back and dissaparated. He apparated in Hogsmead and quickly made his way to Hogwarts. When he got to the double doors he noticed that Serena was there waiting for him.
"Well?" She asked. "I'll tell you in a moment. First we have to gather all of the teachers and have them meet in the staff room." He told her urgently.
By the look on his face Serena could tell that this was going to be very bad news. "Alright dear." Serena whispered. "I'll help you."
He nodded and they went in search of the teachers. When the last teacher was found and everyone was in the staff room. Severus and Dumbledore entered the room. Serena could tell that Severus had already told Dumbledore fore he was the one to speak.
"I have some very disturbing news to tell you all." Dumbledore said gravely. "I have learned that Voldemort plans to attack the school at Christmas." Gasps were heard around the room. "He is going to attempt to take Harry and kill him in front of the entire school. This will not happen because we are going to send the children home a day early. Those that have parents we can trust will receive letters explaining the situation. Those that we can't will just be told that they are being given a special treat. We will send Harry to the order's headquarters where he will be safe. We cannot give Voldemort the chance to get Harry. Not just yet anyway."
There were murmured agreements all around the room. "Now. Serena, Severus?" he turned to face them. "Since we have no one to send your children to I suggest that we send them with the Weasley family. They will be safe with Arthur and Molly."
Serena looked at Severus worriedly. Severus paled but nodded. "Ok" She whispered. "As long as they'll be safe."
"Good." Dumbledore smiled briefly then turned back to addressing the other teachers again. "We only have less than a month to get all of this settled. Minerva if you will write to those with parents that we can trust. The rest of you please think of defense strategies that we can use and I will write the order." With everyone's nod they dispersed. "I must ask you to come with me Severus." Dumbledore said before Severus could leave.
Serena looked at her husband. Her eyes pleading with him to come with her and reassure her that everything would be alright. Severus sighed as he looked at his wife. "Yes Albus." He muttered.
Serena's face fell and tears threatened to come. "I won't keep him too long my dear." Dumbledore reassured her.
Serena nodded and left.
Serena felt Severus getting into bed. She turned to face him. "What are we going to do?" she said shakily.
"We are going to protect the school and our children." He told her. "Dumbledore has called for the order to join us and in the letters that Minerva wrote she has asked for anyone that wishes to help to come as soon as possible. We will be alright love!"
"I wish I could be as confident as you Severus." She whispered. Severus embraced his trembling wife. "Not confident my dear. Just hopeful." He muttered into her hair.
Serena laid in her husbands arms until she finally fell asleep.