We heading to Hogwarts.
The Laurent siblings had been busy for the past few weeks. They were lucky that they had arrived in early August of 1976 so they had some time to prepare for when they returned to Hogwarts. Many pureblood Lords and Ladies had tried their hardest to get in contact with Astraea; it seemed that Lord Malfoy wasn't just a blood purist, he was also a notorious gossip. She had heard no news or rumour of her son so either the man wasn't paying enough attention or he didn't want to say anything about Teddy which didn't make sense to her at all but to each their own. She however had turned down each invitation for an audience with her, claiming that she wanted to settle into her home before meeting with anyone. No one knew about her siblings yet and she wanted to keep it that way for now. This would afford them a little more privacy when they ventured out into Magical London each of her siblings wearing eye contacts to hide their violet eyes for now.
She and Hermione had been working hard with trying to create a timeline of events from 1976 to 1981; the year that James and Lily Potter had originally been killed and Harry hailed as the Boy Who Lived. The two girls tried to document everything from deaths that had occurred to laws that were passed throughout those years. It was stressful work but necessary. While the four siblings knew that they could not save everyone, they wanted to know that they had at least tried.
"I'm dreading having to be around Dumbledore again." Astraea groaned as she fed Teddy his bottle, humming a sweet lullaby that her father had sung her to sleep with after the disaster that was her fourth year at Hogwarts.
Hermione rolled her eyes at her older sister, a teasing smile on her face. "Please, you know that as soon as we get to Hogwarts, you will be forgotten in favour of Neville since he will be in Gryffindor," Hermione told her. "Even if you technically wear the Laurent Ring, others will always just assume that out of the four of us, Neville is really the one with 'the power' as they would say."
Astraea couldn't help but agree with her younger sister. The Laurent family weren't patriarchal at all nor were they matriarchal. Instead, the Head of House Laurent would always be the eldest child from the direct family branch, no matter the gender of said child. So that's why once she stepped down as Head of their Family, Teddy would take up his Lordship after her. The Laurents while traditionally purebloods favoured knowledge and family loyalty over anything else.
"We have so many things to prepare for and so little time it seems," Astraea said as she laid Teddy down in his cot in the corner of the room with a soft press of her lips to his right cheek. Hermione came over to stand by her as the both of them simply stared at the toddler. Neville and Luna were currently looking into the policies that had been passed in the Wizengamot in the last ten years and writing down any that they knew would be passed in the later years. While the siblings knew how to defeat Voldemort, they decided that they also wanted to change the Wizarding World from the inside out and the only way to do that was to use the pureblood power against the very ones who were abusing it. If the war had taught them anything, it's that while Voldemort had risen of his own volition, he was only able to do so because of the stupid laws passed by their own governing body. That was going to change.
They hadn't yet enrolled into Hogwarts, the four of them decided to wait till the last possible moment as they didn't want Dumbledore trying anything with them before they were properly prepared. "Are you sure about your plans for Teddy?" Hermione questioned her.
Astraea thought about her decision momentarily before she nodded, "Yes. It's best for him to stay here with Kreacher. While I would rather him near me, I can't risk anyone trying to use Teddy to get back at me because of some petty school rivalry," she replied. "I'm just lucky that our Kreacher no longer answers to House Black. I know that Kreacher would never betray us but, I'm still happy to know that he's no longer bonded to my grandparents because then things would have gotten messy."
The two girls left her room and went into the shared office where Neville and Luna were currently working away. Astraea watched as the pair worked around each other, not a single pause as they ran around jotting things down or sticking something somewhere as they worked tirelessly so they could execute their plans. She was so happy that she had them with her. This would have been a lot harder if she were alone. Neville looked up noticing the pair and beckoned them closer. Hermione and Astraea sat down on the brown couch in the room and watched, waiting only a few minutes before they were joined by their brother and sister.
"Working hard?" Astraea asked with a small grin on her face.
"Yup. We're working hard while you're hardly working." Luna quipped, a smirk on her face.
Hermione giggled at their youngest sister while Astraea only rolled her eyes, Neville with a matching smirk on his face. "Anyone else want to just stay home and not return to Hogwarts?" Neville chuckled lowly, an apprehensive frown on his face.
Grabbing his hand, Astraea squeezed his hand tightly in hers, the same apprehensive look on her face. "I know what you mean. And a small part of me wants to stay home as well but that would be a waste of the one chance we have. Might as well use it."
"Besides, you won't be alone. You have us now." Luna told him with a dreamy look on her face. They all looked at each other and took in a deep breath before looking at each other with determined looks on their face. They were in a different time with no allies besides each other and with a last name that says come and get me. But they were determined, and that's all that mattered at the moment.
Astraea was exhausted. She had spent the last two weeks helping Neville go through the finances and properties of both their houses. It seemed like the Laurent House was the richest in Europe, having investments in both the muggle and magical world while the Slytherin House was dirt poor if she was being honest. The Gaunt Family did a number on the wealth of the Slytherin Family who was only rich in name at this point. Things were hectic and tiring. Not wanting to exhaust her brother too much, Astraea would push him to rest, leaving her to work even late into the night with little to no sleep. The only breaks she had was when she cared for Teddy and any naps she had with him. That was until right this moment. In no shortage of words, her three younger siblings had kicked her out of the manor, telling her that they would care for Teddy and do any leftover work while she was forced to take a day off.
Astraea sighed as she walked out of the Leaky Cauldron, a blank look on her face. She didn't want to come here but she didn't have anywhere else to go. It's not like she had any friends that she could hang out with so she decided to aimlessly walk around Diagon Alley. Her heels clicked lightly on the gravel floor of Diagon Alley, violet eyes looking around casually trying to find anything of interest. Just as she was about to give up and just grab an ice cream and go home, her eyes found that broomstick again. Deciding that this time she would at least go inside the store, she opened the door and stepped inside.
The hustle and bustle of the store immediately brought a smile to her face. Astraea watched as little kids ran around, giggling to themselves with their very worried parents following close behind them. Her eyes once again caught sight of the Nimbus 1001 still placed right at the window and with a determined step, she walked towards it. Violet eyes admired the beautiful, sleek wood and while knowing it wouldn't be quite as fast as the Firebolt that she had left behind at her Grimmauld Place, she still couldn't help but want it. She must have been admiring the broom for several minutes when a deep, gravelly voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Astraea startled, her violet eyes flinching away from the broom and turning to meet a pair of hazel eyes. She heard a pair of gasps come from behind the man but ignored that person for now. Harry had never gotten to meet his grandparents, the both of them having died from dragon pox a few years before he had been born. Her father had spoken very highly of Lord Potter and now she was meeting him. With a shy smile, she nodded her agreement. She looked behind the man, seeing clearly that the man was not alone and had his wife and son with him. She did not know where Sirius was but Astraea was happy that he wasn't there with them. She was tired and did not know what her exhausted brain would make her say or do if she was faced with her teenage father. Instead, her eyes met those of hazel. James Potter was very handsome as everyone had said but even he was hard to look at. The loss of Harry was still not one she could think long-on.
"Fleamont Potter," Holding out his hand for her to take, his Lordship ring shined brightly under the store lights, the Potter House insignia stood out proudly on the surface of said ring. "At your service, my lady." Lord Potter smiled widely at her, his voice spoke warmly.
Astraea decided in that instance that she liked the man. She daintily placed her hand in his strong grip, the man bending swiftly to place a kiss on her right hand. Her Ladyship ring stood out, the Laurent insignia proudly displayed. "Astraea Laurent," the young woman curtseyed to the man as soon as he had let go of her hand, showing him respect unlike when she had spoken with Lord Malfoy.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Laurent," the man spoke before pointing to his companions. "May I introduce my family? This is my wife, Euphemia," a beautiful lady with short honey brown hair stepped forward, her head already bowed. Lady Potter had a warm smile on her face, one identical to her husband and with a smile of her own, Astraea greeted the older lady. Lord Potter then pointed to his son as James stepped forward, chest puffed out and a proud smile on his face.
"And this is my son, James. Sadly, our other son, Sirius is sick at home." A small part of her was happy that Sirius was not there. She didn't know how she'd respond when faced with the teenage version of her father. James bent down to take her hand and placed a chaste kiss on her hand. A happy smile lit up his face, one that Astraea returned although a pit of sadness settled in her stomach. Harry had never gotten to experience this. He had no memories of his father whatsoever; only those that her father had told him and even those were few as the grief of losing his best friend had taken its toll on Sirius.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Laurent." James greeted her, his eyes holding an innate cheekiness that she unfortunately knew could turn deadly. "Although this is not the first time I have seen you. I believe I saw you a few weeks ago, at the Leaky Cauldron but you had a baby with you. He was so cute."
Astraea smiled brightly as she always did whenever someone spoke about Teddy. "The pleasure is mine as well, Heir Potter. As for the baby, that's my Teddy," James noticed that she spoke of the toddler fondly, a smile making its way onto his face as he heard the unmistakable happiness in her tone. He wondered if Teddy was her little brother or something? "Unfortunately, he stayed home today. I was only supposed to pop into Gringotts quickly but as you can see, I found myself distracted by the new Nimbus 1001."
James walked towards the broom in the display window, the pair talking amongst themselves, having completely forgotten about the presence of James's parents. "Do you play Quidditch?" James asked curiously. With a bright smile on her face, Astraea nodded excitedly then answered him, "I don't play as often as I use to but yes, I play Quidditch. I love flying."
The young Gryffindor watched as the Lady Laurent started rambling about Quidditch and flying, a smile making its way on his lips. She was beautiful, beautiful enough where she could even be mistaken for a veela if it wasn't for the lack of allure although it certainly felt like she had cast some spell on him at least. All last year he had been trying even harder for Lily to give him a chance to no avail. James had put his heart and soul into trying to be the kind of man that Lily would want but, it was like he was never enough for her. He had spent half of his holidays sad and hung up over a girl that simply didn't want him. He was lucky that the Marauders wouldn't let him be sad any longer and was able to pull him out of the rut that Lily had put him in.
So caught up in his thoughts was he, that he didn't even notice that she had asked him a question. "Um sorry, what was that?"
Astraea smiled, "I asked if you played Quidditch?"
A proud smile made its way onto his face as he puffed his chest out. "Gryffindor chaser since third year," he told her proudly. She nodded her head impressed but not surprised by his words. Astraea of course already knew that he had been a chaser.
"Impressive," she replied. The two of them talked some more about Quidditch, even getting into a fierce debate about who was the better team in the league with Astraea being a huge Harpies fan while James loved Puddlemere United which she could not understand at all. Mostly, Astraea just laughed with the teenage boy, the joy she felt almost overwhelming. She had not been this happy since Harry had died. Being around James, she couldn't help but compare him to Harry. She and Harry also use to have arguments about Quidditch teams which ironically enough, Harry loved Puddlemere United as well. It seemed the boy didn't only share similar looks to his father but also similar Quidditch taste. Harry also used to crack silly jokes to make her life. But while they were similar, she also couldn't help but notice their differences. The most obvious one being their eyes but, while James seemed almost larger than life, Harry had been more timid, cautious almost. Years of having to look over his shoulder and having the Dursley's as guardians had made Harry a little shyer compared with the James she was talking to. She couldn't help but wonder if Harry would have been more like James if he had had the chance to grow up with a father or a mother or anyone in general who were supposed to love and care for him. She guessed that she would never know.
As she laughed with the boy, her violet eyes caught sight of the darkened sky outside, realizing that she and James had been speaking for quite some time, his parents off to the side just silently watching and waiting for them. Deciding that she had been at Diagon Alley long enough, she started to say her goodbyes. "Well, it is getting late so I best be on my way," James grabbed her hand again, placing a kiss there with an almost soft smile on his face. "It has been a pleasure speaking to you, Heir Potter."
"Please, call me James," He said with a silent hope in his tone, Lady Potter having gasped at her sons' audacity. Astraea stared at him blankly, silently balking at the offer of casualty between the two of them. James had just offered her to use his name casually even though this was only their first meeting. With a smile of her own, she responded, "Then please, call me Astraea."
A radiant smile appeared on James's face as he heard her words. Astraea turned to Lord and Lady Potter who both bowed to her as she muttered a farewell to the both of them and walked out of the store. She did not expect this at all when she left her home this morning but it seemed that Fate had other ideas for Astraea.
Tomorrow was the day that they would arrive at Hogwarts. They had sent an owl to Hogwarts three days ago for their enrolment and had only gotten a response just hours ago from Professor McGonagall. Returning to Hogwarts was something that all four of them had decided against in their time and now they were in 1976 and going back.
Hermione had to wonder if they were going to be ok? Or if they were only pretending to be? Hogwarts had once been a sanctuary for all of them. It housed their friends and their happy memories but now it was also a symbol of loss and regret. She just wanted to know if they were ready or if returning to Hogwarts would just reopen wounds long thought close?
"Your mind always did run a million miles an hour," Astraea said as she walked through the door and sat down next to her, Luna and Neville following close behind her.
Hermione snorted, "You know I can't help it. I have been known to be a bit of a know-it-all."
"Do you think we're ready for this?"
Neville answered, "We've prepared as much as we can. We can only hope that our plans run smoothly though knowing us, probably won't happen."
Hermione half chuckled-half sighed then said, "I just- I'm so nervous and a little scared."
"At least I'm not the only one who's scared of going back to Hogwarts," said Astraea as Luna giggled from beside her.
"Hogwarts will certainly be different this time around," Luna told them, the usual dreamy look on her face.
"Honestly, a small part of me doesn't want to go back," Astraea told her younger siblings. "It was so easy for us to lose ourselves here with no hint of the outside world but now we have to go back to Hogwarts and I just don't know how to do this. How can I go back and try to be a normal, smiling teenager when I can remember the war so vividly? Don't you remember Hermione? The looking over your shoulders. Living on the run. Not being sure who you can truly trust."
"How can I be happy when Harry is dead?" Astraea immediately started crying, her heart still aching for her Harry even if he had been dead for at least a year now. Luna pulled her into a tight hug as the young girl cried in her younger sisters arms. "I don't want to go back and make new memories at Hogwarts that don't have Harry in them. I don't want to forget him. Please don't make me forget him."
Soon the whole group was crying after hearing Astraea's words. All of them fearing this as well. Their oldest had always been the bravest one of them all, never shying away from her emotions and always saying what others were too afraid to say. After a few minutes, they each wiped their tears before Hermione spoke, "Harry wouldn't hate you for being happy. You are his best friend," Astraea went to say that so was she but Hermione kept talking. "Yes so was I but what you and Harry had... It went so much deeper than what he and I had ever had."
"You know this one night when we were on the run after Ron had left us, I remember talking to Harry and you know what he told me? He said that he could do this without Ron and me. That if I had decided to leave with Ron when he did then he'd be fine," Hermione told the group. "I remember being so angry at him. How could I not be? Do you know what else he said? He said that if you so much as walked away from him then he'd be destroyed."
"He would have chosen to give himself up to Voldemort if you had given up on him," The group gasped at Hermione's words. "But you never gave up on him. You gave him the strength and love that he deserved and now you need to lend some of that fierce strength to yourself."
"You were his best friend. His soulmate. His person" Astraea smiled tearfully. "And when you have someone like that in your life then there is only ever one thing that you want for them, and that is to be happy."
Luna spoke next, "We all have people that we want to remember Rae but we can't let their memory stop us from living our lives. We can only hold them in our hearts and move forward as we have always done."
Astraea muttered, "Endure and survive as we have always done."
The group decided to sleep together in the front parlour by Jean's portrait to try and calm their somewhat racing hearts and overwhelming nerves. When they woke tomorrow, they would be faced with many faces; new and old but their only hope was that everything would be okay this time. The time for preparation was over for them and now it was time for war.
The siblings were up early the next day, wanting to at least have a few hours with Teddy before they were to leave for Hogwarts. Astraea had spent all morning holding the toddler tightly in her arms. She had not spent so long away from him since Andromeda had died and now she had to spend at least two months away from the babe. Those few hours flew by fast as the siblings, Teddy and another elf named Tinkey arrived at Kings Cross having left Kreacher behind as to not cause a scene between themselves and the Blacks.
The four of them were met with wide-eyed stares from the purebloods and any magically raised halfbloods while the muggles and muggleborns simply wondered why everyone else was staring at them and who they were. At least these purebloods had been trained better than Lucius. The group ignored the huge crowd of people and instead focused on Teddy, each of them becoming a little teary-eyed. While Astraea was the sole one to raise Teddy, that did not mean that her siblings had not helped her when she had needed a rest or just some alone time.
Hermione, Neville and Luna each kissed the babe sweetly on his forehead and said their goodbyes before leaving their sister alone with Teddy, Neville taking her trunk with him. Astraea held Teddy close to her chest as she pressed small kisses all over his face, the boy giggling in his mothers' arms. The two of them were lost in their own world although it was hard for Astraea to ignore all the stares and whispering happening around her.
Pulling herself away from Teddy, she placed a quick kiss on his cheek and quickly handed him over to Tinkey. As soon as he was out of his mothers' arms, the toddler started to wail and struggling the elfs arms. Bending down until she was at the same height as the elf and babe, Astraea said, "Shhhhh, Mama will be home for Yule, my love. No more crying," she wiped his tears away softly. The toddler still continued to cry and with another quick peck to his forehead, Astraea nodded at Tinkey with a few last orders to come to her if anything happens to her son and with that, house elf and baby apparated away.
Turning away from the gathered crowd, she climbed onto the Hogwarts Express. Teddy was safe at home and now it was time for them to put their plans into action.
And we have met James. I don't want you to take this single interaction between Astraea and James as this being how their relationship will be with each other cause that's not true. Astraea has a lot of things she wants to say to James and we will see how he responds to that. Also yes, Teddy will not be at Hogwarts. I just didn't think it made sense.