Chapter 14: The order of the Phoenix Headquarters.

Astra woke to her father calling her name softly in her ear. "Hmm?" Astra groggily replied.
"Honey, you have to wake up. We've got to pack." At the last words Astra's eyes opened and she sat up swiftly.
"Pack? Why do we need to pack?" she asked. "No one said anything about leaving the school." "Calm down sweetie. We have to go into hiding is all" Serena explained.
"Hiding? Would someone please tell me what's going on?" Astra looked at her parents in turn. "Why do we have to hide?" "We will soon but we have to get going." Her mother said nervously.
"NO!" Astra screamed. "I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL YOU TELL ME WHY I HAVE TO!" "Fine!" Severus growled. "You are one persistent child Astra and I can't tell if you get it from your mother or me! You want to know why we have to leave? Fine I'll tell you but you may not like it!"
"Severus no!" Serena gasped. "You heard her Serena. She won't leave until we tell her." Severus looked from Serena to Astra. "So here it is. Since before you were born I have been a Death Eater. For a few years it was because I actually wanted to be apart of that. But then my feelings wavered and I stopped supporting Voldemort. I came to work here at Hogwarts as their potions master and Dumbledore enlisted me as a spy in Voldemort's ranks. Then when Voldemort misjudged the Potter family and lost his powers we all waited for him to return. When he did I went back as a spy. Well when he told me of the plan to attack the school and kill Harry. Well I of course told Dumbledore knowing what repercussions could come from it and we sent the children home. Once Voldemort's followers found no students in the school on the day that they were supposed to have been sent away on the train. Well they knew that I was a traitor and no longer loyal to their master. They have marked me a dead man. Now if I just had myself to think about then I would storm into the hiding place and take as many of them with me as I could. But I have you all to think about and the best we could come up with was to go into hiding. Now, does that explain enough for you?"
Astra's jaw dropped. 'A death eater?' she thought. 'My father was a death eater? And he now has to go into hiding because he betrayed Voldemort and the other death eaters?'
"Wow." Astra managed. "But why do I have to go? No one in Gryffindor is a death eater or even likely to become one. So why do I have to go?"
"Astra." Her mother said wearily. "You might not be in danger in Gryffindor. But what happens when you're in the school alone? Those with parents that are loyal are more than likely loyal themselves and they will do anything to hurt your father. Including harming you."
"And besides. Harry can't always be there to protect you Astra." Her father put in. "most of the time his classes are further away from yours. Who would protect you then?"
"Well what about the teachers?" Astra pleaded. "I'm sorry honey. They cannot always be there to protect you either. They have other duties." Her mother explained.
"So do I have to take year one over again?" Astra said, her eyes welling with tears. "Because I really don't want to!" "Let me see what I can do." Severus sighed. "I can't promise anything Astra but I will talk to Dumbledore for you."
"Thank you." Astra said as she got off her parents bed. She left as she heard her mother shout. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'LL TALK TO DUMBLEDORE!"
Astra went back to the Gryffindor tower and muttered the password. Harry was sitting on a chair by the fire. He looked up as she entered.
"Morning Astra." Harry smiled. Astra moved to sit by Harry. "Morning Harry" she muttered grimly.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked. Astra relayed everything that had happened and what she had been told to Harry. He gaped at Astra in shock but didn't speak until she was done. "So. Let me get this straight." Harry spoke with a tone of mild surprise. "Your father was a death eater, that of which doesn't surprise me that much, but he betrayed Voldemort to Dumbledore?" Harry asked. "Is that all correct?"
"Uh huh." Astra replied. "And now you have to go into hiding? Why?" Harry looked at her. "I understand your parents going into hiding because I knew he was somewhat of a spy (but I never truly believed it) and I understand Sarul because of the house he is in. but you? You're a Gryffindor. We would do what we can to protect you."
"I know! I told my parents that but they say you can't always be there to protect me." Astra broke down into tears. "I don't want to have to repeat first year!"
"And you won't have to." A voice said from behind them. Harry and Astra whirled to see Professor Dumbledore smiling at them.
"Astra, you know you can't stay at Hogwarts. But that doesn't mean that you can't go to your classes." Dumbledore said cheerfully. "Your father and the rest of the teachers have all agreed to allow you to floo in to each class before anyone gets there and floo out after they've left. This will ensure that you get to your classes and graduate to the next year. Sarul however will not be permitted that same luxury. He is more of a target then even you are so he will have to repeat his first year."
Astra squealed with delight. "Oh thank you Headmaster!" she ran up to Dumbledore and kissed his cheek. "You're welcome my dear. Now I suggest you go and get your packing done."
Astra nodded and ran up the stairs to pack her things. R Astra had just finished her packing when there was a knock on her door. Astra opened the door to find her father smiling at her.
"Ready to go?" He asked. Astra nodded. "My things are over there." She pointed to the neat pile of her belongings.
Severus mumbled a charm and shrank the packages until they could fit into his pocket. The he preformed a spell to make them light weight and picked them up. He placed them into his pocket and held out his hand to Astra.
"Shall we be off then?" he smiled. "Where's mom?" Astra asked.
"I have already taken her to the hideout." He informed her. "Now it's just you and me." Astra's mouth formed a silent 'o' as she followed her father through the school. They went out of the tower and made their way to Dumbledore's office. The headmaster was there waiting for them.
"Astra, since you won't be able to continue your D.A. training I have made arrangements for Alastor and your father to continue your training." Dumbledore smiled.
"Who's Alastor?" Astra asked. "You'll see!" Her father grumbled.
Astra could tell her father didn't much like the thought of training with Alastor but she didn't want to ask why. Not just yet anyway. Her father took some floo powder and threw it into the fire. Severus took Astra's hand and stepped in.
"The leaky cauldron." He muttered. This was a safety precaution so that is they were being watched that they would think Severus was taking her to Diagon alley and not away from the school. When they arrived at the leaky cauldron, Severus went to talk to the bartender. He then joined Astra and they left. Once outside he got her into a cab and stated. "12 Grimmauld place please." He however did not stay in the cab with her. He shut the door and the cab took off. Severus apparated to Grimmauld place and waited for the cab to arrive. He paid the driver and led Astra into a blank spot between the numbers of 11 and 13 Grimmauld place. Astra looked at him confused. She was about to ask him if he'd gone mad when a door appeared before her eyes.
Astra gasped as Severus chuckled. "Come on." He motioned for her to enter through the door.
Astra did and found her self in a very large house. She gasped as Severus shut the door behind them. "Daddy where?" She started as Severus made the motion to be quiet.
He however was too late. The curtain that Astra had thought was to cover a window dropped to reveal a picture of a very surly looking woman.
"GET OUT!" The woman shrieked. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"
Severus pointed for Astra to go upstairs as he ran to cover up the picture again. She could hear the portrait wail followed by her father's shout of. "SHUT UP YOU OLD HAG!"
Astra climbed the stairs and when she came to the next floor some of the doors opened to see what all the commotion was. As a few heads popped out Astra recognized Ron's face.
"Ron!" Astra Whispered. "Astra?" he looked at her a bit confused but motioned for her to join him.
When she entered through the door she saw Ginny and Hermione. "Astra?" the girls said in unison. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, my dad and mum are in hiding from Voldemort because my dad betrayed him. He told Dumbledore about the plan to attack the school. Which is why everyone left a day early." She hastily explained. "My parents got on my back about not going with you all, might I tell you."
"Well I hope you have a pretty big back because I'm getting on it too!" Hermione scolded. "You should have been on the train! You and Harry could have been hurt or worse killed!"
Astra glared at Hermione. "Yeah well if we weren't told it applied to us then how were we to know?" Hermione paled. "And besides I already have parents Hermione and I don't need another so do me a favor andbugger off!"
Hermione looked towards the curtain covered window and wisely kept her mouth closed. "Anyway." Ron said nervously looking from Hermione to Astra. "What about classes? How are you and Sarul going to attend them?"
"Sarul won't." Astra said plainly. "But I will be allowed to attend classes by floo powder." "Why won't Sarul?" Hermione asked. "Is it because he's a Slytherin?"
"That's the main reason yes. They have determined that he is in more danger than I am at school because he is a Slytherin. Even though I am in danger too. That is why I am to floo into classes before anyone else gets there and floo out when they have all left. Sarul will have to take his first year over again."
"Ah." The three older Gryffindor's said in unison. "But why don't they let you stay at the school Astra?" Ginny asked. "If you're not in as much danger as Sarul then why not let you stay at school?"
"Well, from what Dumbledore says it is because I can't have someone to protect me at all times from the Slytherin's retaliation. My dad said that even Harry can't be there to always protect me." She told them with a hint of bitterness.
"As much as I don't want to agree with Snape, he's right." Ron grumbled. The other's nodded their agreement to Ron's statement.
"Your father can't be taking this hiding business very well though." Hermione grimaced. "Yeah well he's not taking it very well indeed. I'm sure that if he didn't have my mom and us kids to think about he'd be storming into Voldemort's hiding place and taking as many of them with him as he could." Astra groaned. "In fact he told me so."
The others nodded. "So, is Harry here too?" Ron asked hopefully.
"Not that I know of." Astra told him. "He may come later with Dumbledore." She added when Ron's face fell. "So." Astra quickly changed the subject. "Where are we?"
"You don't know?" Ginny asked. Astra shook her head.
"We are at the Order of the Phoenix's headquarters." Ron told her. "Which also happens to be Sirius Black's house." "Who?" Astra looked at Ron.
"Padfoot." Ron rolled his eyes. "Harry's god father that died two years ago." "Oh!" Astra gasped. "Now I know who you are talking about! So this is Padfoot's house eh?"
"Yep!" Ron smiled. "And you'll get to meet Moony at dinner tonight." "Really?" Astra asked eagerly, glancing at Ron hopefully.
The others laughed as there was a knock at the door. Ron got up and answered it. As the door opened Ron let out an audible groan.
"Now Ron. Is that anyway to greet your big brothers?" A handsome red head grinned. "It is if it's you two!" Ron grumbled. "And here I thought it was going to be a quiet afternoon."
The other boy grinned. "Now Ron. You should never think that an afternoon here could be quiet!" The two boys walked in to the room and spotted Astra.
"Ah! And who is this raven haired beauty?" one of the boys grinned and took Astra's hand. With a wiggle of his eyebrows he kissed her hand.
Astra giggled. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Better not let Angelina catch you doing that George. Better yet, better not let Snape catch you!"
"Why would Snape care?" George grinned. "And as for Angelina, well lets just say we have an agreement." "Yeah. You've got an agreement alright. You can look but if you touch then Angelina has agreed to rip you apart!" Fred laughed.
"And Snape would care because this is his little girl." Ginny informed her brother. "This little minx is Snape's daughter?" George feigned shock "I don't believe it."
"Well believe it!" a voice growled from behind. "And I'd appreciate it if you would let go of my daughter's hand Mr. Weasley! Now!"
George abruptly dropped Astra's hand as if it burned him as everyone whirled around to face Snape. "Daddy, they meant no harm!" Astra pleaded.
Snape motioned for her to follow him. Astra got up and mouthed "sorry" before she left the room and followed her father.
"Astra, I know they meant no harm. In fact I would never take anything those two said or did seriously." Severus told her when they were far enough away from the room.
"Were those the Weasley twins you were always storming about dad?" she asked. Severus sighed. "Yes those were the Weasley twins alright." He growled. "As cocky as ever!"
'So those are the Weasley twins.' Astra thought gleefully. 'Wonder how long they are staying for?' "Daddy?" Astra said after a moment "How long are they going to be here?"
Severus looked at her suspiciously. "Why?" "Just Curious is all. I don't just mean the twins though. I mean Ron and the others too!" she put in seeing the skeptical look on her father's face.
"For a few weeks is all I know." Severus had a look of plain disdain at the thought of the twins being here for long. 'Wonderful!' Astra thought. 'This just may prove to be a fun holiday yet!'
Severus stopped in front of a door and opened it. "This will be your room." Her father told her. "Am I going to have to share it with Nari?" Astra asked with a hint of dismay in her voice.
"No." her father told her. "You are a bit too old to share your room with your sister anymore. This is your room alone." 'Thank Merlin!' she thought relieved.
She watched her father take out her belongings out of his pocket and set them down. They were then returned to their normal size.
"I suggest you unpack before dinner." He told her. 'Dinner?' Astra thought as her stomach began to grumble. 'I haven't even had lunch yet!'
"Daddy?" she turned to her father. "Might I have a snack? We left with out anything to eat and I'm hungry." "Oh! Of course, how foolish of me!" Severus growled, and then softened. "I'll bring you a sandwich okay?"
Astra nodded and her father left. She began to put away her belongings as she heard a knock on her door. She answered it and found the Weasley twins grinning back at her.
"Is he gone yet?" one of them asked. But she was not sure which one it was. She couldn't tell them apart quite yet. "Yeah, he's gone to get me a sandwich." She told them. "But you had better not let him find you here!" she grinned.
"He'll be there for a bit. Mum's the cook here and she's not very sympathetic to people snatching snacks between meals." The other one smiled. "Besides we're not afraid of that slimy git!"
"That slimy git happens to be my father!" Astra growled.
"No harm meant!" one of the two said blushing. "No harm meant!"
Astra glared at them for a moment.
"So, mind if we help you unpack?" the one closest to Astra asked.
"Why?" Astra looked at them speculatively.
"Well, mainly because we want to apologize." The other boy said.
"And we want to meet the famous Astra that our brother has been raving about! Your pranks at school were great to hear about!" the first boy eyed her.
"Me? Famous?" Astra gaped at them. "Are you sure you have the right person?" "Yeah you!" the boys grinned. "So where do you get your ideas for your pranks?"
"Well mainly from Padfoots old journal." She told them. Both of them gaped at her. "Padfoot?" they said in unison.
"Yes Padfoot. I found his journal and used the pranks on my brother and a few other Slytherin's." The boys grinned.
"What?" Astra asked confused. "Oh nothing. We just find it highly amusing that the daughter of Snape became a Gryffindor and is pranking the Slytherin's." George grinned widely.
"Including Draco Malfoy! If anyone deserves it he does!" Fred added.