Once on the train, Astraea immediately left to find her siblings. She walked what felt like the whole length of the train, not seeing a single sign of them. Just when she was about to walk past a certain compartment, she heard her name being called. Looking to the compartment to her left, she was met by the sight of James Potter. A bright smile made its way onto her face as the boy gestured for her to come into his compartment. Astraea entered, a little nervous as she knew what she was getting herself into.

James grabbed a hold of her hand as soon as she entered the compartment, kissing it softly before he greeted her with a soft smile on his face. Astraea returned his smile although she had no idea as to what she had done to receive such a greeting from the Potter Heir. "Hello James," she smiled at the other three people in the compartment, each of them staring at her in shock and a little bit of awe. Sirius's grey eyes flickered between her face and where her and James's hands were connected.

The young boy stood, making a small bit of anxiousness leak inside her but Astraea stood firmly and faced Sirius head-on. This is not your father Astraea constantly reminded herself but, she guessed that she missed him so much that she would take any part of him even if it was a 16-year-old version of him who also had no idea who the hell she was. She slowly watched as Sirius sauntered over to her, a certain confidence that he hadn't gotten back in her time in his step. A roughish smile appeared on his face, one that she found herself returning and he said, "Well hello there!" she could see the glare that James threw his way but she couldn't help chuckle at the boy's ways.

Sirius grabbed her other hand as James was still holding her other, the one that she wore her Laurent Ring on and pressed a brief kiss to her hand. She saw the way his eyes widened at the Ring but he pushed his surprise away for the moment. "Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Lady Laurent." Astraea did not curtsey to the Sirius as was custom but she did smile quite brightly at him.

"It is a pleasure to meet you too, Heir Black." His smile immediately disappeared from his face. Sirius slowly retracted his hand as a closed-off expression appeared on his face. She had expected this. Even in her time, her father didn't like who he was but she had shown him that while both of their names were Black, they could be different. They were Blacks in name only, their actions didn't need to reflect that of their family.

"I am no Black," Sirius stated. "I have been disowned." Which he hadn't. Walburga had certainly tried but she was not Head of the Black Family; that power was with Arcturus Black, her great grandfather and he had never approved of Sirius's disownment.

Astraea stared at the boy, not wanting to upset him but "I am a Laurent, Heir Black. We make it a point to know every person in every House so while you might think your parents have disowned you, our sources say otherwise."

"Do you feel the absence of your family magic, Heir Black? If that were the case then you would find your magic to be much weaker than before." She told Sirius, the teenage boy looking severely troubled by her words. Sirius couldn't deny that he hadn't felt any difference in his magic since he had all but fled from Grimmauld Place last summer. His magic has felt much the same as it always has.

"That makes no difference to me. I am not a Black neither am I the heir," He told her, his voice bordering on almost shouting at her. Astraea discreetly cast a silencing ward in their compartment. This was not a talk for everyone to hear.

"Was your brothers' heirship announced in the Daily Prophet? No, it wasn't and that is because he is not the heir," Astraea stated, knowing why Sirius was fighting so much. She looked the impassioned boy in the eye as she spoke. "No matter how much you try, you cannot deny that you are a Black but, that does not have to mean anything to you. It is merely the name that you carry, it is not who you are. It is your choices and your actions, they are the true judge of your character."

"Being a Black does not mean you will follow the same path that so many of your family have chosen." The Marauders all looked extremely shocked at her words. Their mouths seemed to permanently hang open now. Sirius however looked thoughtful, Astraea could see that at least some of her words had pierced his stubborn mind. "You can be different but not deny who you are."

Sirius only nodded at her words, clearly still lost in his thoughts then sat back down next to Peter. She stared at the rat boy unsure of what to do. This wasn't the man that had brought so much heartache to her and Harry. This wasn't the boy that had betrayed his friends... and after some deep thinking, they had decided that if Astraea and her siblings had anything to do with it, Peter Pettigrew would never become that man. Astraea smiled at the boy widely who blushed red before slowly introducing himself under his breath. Remus introduced himself next and looking at the teen in front of her, she couldn't correlate the boy that was speaking to her with her godfather. He looked happy now. Happier than he had been in their time. Friendships and love can change people for the better.

James still stood at her side, his hand somehow still holding hers. Astraea looked at their hands for a moment before staring at James confusedly. The boy looked embarrassed and was about to let go when someone interrupted them. "There you are!" Neville exclaimed, the door of their compartment having been opened by him. "We've been looking everywhere for you, Rae. I was scared something had happened to you."

She smiled widely at her younger brother as she pulled away from James and grabbed onto Neville's hand tightly, pulling him into the compartment. Seeing who was in the compartment, her younger brother immediately put his arm around her shoulders and pressed her close to his side. His actions were protective but not of the people there but of the memories that might be flashing through her mind. Neville noticed the glare that someone that could only be James Potter was giving his arm and smirked inwardly. His sister always had a way of collecting people and having them completely wrapped around her finger. It was probably a good thing that his sister was so oblivious of the effect she had on people. It reminded him of Harry at times. The ability to rally people to her and make them want to follow her anywhere. It was something they both had.

"Everyone, this is my younger brother Neville." James immediately relaxed as the whole compartment seemed to finally notice that the both of them had the same eyes. "Nev, say hi." Neville rolled his eyes at his sister but still greeted every boy in the compartment. After the pleasantries, he turned to Astraea and told them that he had found a compartment nearby and that it was probably time to go and sit for the train ride. He smiled goodbye as he left, Astraea saying her goodbyes as well.

"It was nice meeting you all," she said. "I hope we can remain friends." Especially with what house she was going to be sorted into she thought as she waved goodbye and walked out.

"Luna Laurent!" The siblings watched as their youngest walked gracefully towards the chair. They all could hear the excited murmurs from the students, each of them wondering why four older students have transferred to Hogwarts so late in their school life. The muggleborns were interested but mainly because they were new whereas the purebloods or magically raised halfbloods were interested for a whole different reason. They understood the significance of their eye colour and their name.

She was sorted into Hufflepuff. They clapped happily before they each hugged their sister as she moved to sit with her new housemates. Hermione watched as she was immediately welcomed by the Puffs. She knew that their sister would thrive in Hufflepuff besides, they had absolutely refused to put Luna back in Ravenclaw after the bullying she had faced in that very house in their time.

"Neville Laurent!" The girls watched as Dumbledore practically glowed with interest as Neville walked towards the chair, a confidence that he hadn't had in their younger years at Hogwarts showing clearly. Astraea swore she saw the whole crowd of students sigh when Neville smiled at her and Hermione, his smile sweet.

"Gryffindor!" the Sorting Hat shouted, the House of Lions bursting into loud applause. She flinched at the loud noise, still hating how loud the table could get but happy that Neville was getting such a loud welcome from his new housemates. She and Hermione watched as Dumbledore clapped heartily for their brother, two tiny smirks on their faces as they quickly glanced at each other.

"Hermione Laurent!" Astraea grabbed her sister's hand quickly and squeezed it before letting her go. She lose focus of what was going on around her now that she was standing by herself besides, she already knew where Hermione was going to be sorted. She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard the polite clapping from the Ravenclaws, her sister swiftly moving to their table and sitting down, her housemates already trying to introduce themselves to the beautiful witch.

"Astraea Laurent!" She walked towards the chair, a beautiful smile on her face. She made quick eye contact with her siblings and then surprisingly, James. Astraea hoped that the two of them would remain friends after this but, she wouldn't hold out hope. James Potter was notorious for his hatred of Slytherins. She wouldn't be surprised if the Marauders pranked her. She just hoped that Neville would be able to rein them in. There was no applause for her sorting except her new housemates and her siblings which didn't surprise her. Purebloods were some of the most prejudiced people she had ever had the displeasure of meeting but, Hogwarts students could be just as prejudiced to House Slytherin. Everyone thought that if someone was sorted into Slytherin then they were immediately evil and Death Eaters. The House of Snakes weren't innocent but not every student sorted there was evil. She hoped to change the universal opinion of the Slytherin House while she was at Hogwarts.

Astraea confidently walked towards her house table, the students immediately making space for her in the centre part of the table, closest to the Slytherin King who looked to be Lucius Malfoy and his Slytherin Court which consisted of Avery, Evan Rosier and Mulciber. She was happy that Bellatrix had already finished her education at Hogwarts lest she might kill her at first sight. Even if this Sirius never died like her Sirius had, she would always hate Bellatrix for being the one to take him away from her and Harry.

She really didn't want to be sorted into Slytherin again but had to admit that she was the one who knew the inner workings of the House better than anyone. Astraea had never tried for a shot as Slytherin King, well it would have been Queen if she had gone for it and won but with her association with Harry in her time, she wouldn't have had much support from her peers plus she didn't want to be in charge of their House. She instead chose to blend into the background all the while knowing that as a Black, no one could touch her. Her eyes met those of Malfoy for a moment before she rudely turned her head away from him, clearly giving him the cold shoulder but making it seem like she simply did not know of the existence of the hierarchy in Slytherin. She just knew her grandmother would be rolling in her grave if she saw her right now but she did not care. Astraea needed Lucius to challenge her to a duel and preferably tonight after the feast. This year was imperative to the Dark Lords rule as nearly every person 6th year and up would join his service the coming Yule holidays or were thinking or being pressured to join him. Some Death Eaters after the War had been won, expressed regret and said that they would not have joined if they had known what they were getting themselves into. Many of the purebloods just wanted the freedom to practice their traditions and the Old Ways. To them, it's because of the muggleborns and bloodtraitors that they have lost this right. That's what many of them were fighting for but after they joined and they saw Voldemort kill off whole pureblood families like the McKinnons and the Bones Family, they began to question him but by then, it was too late.

Looking at who was sitting in front of her, she had to quickly mask her shock. This boy looked exactly like her father. Regulus Black. Regulus held his hand out to her introducing himself, the girl placed her hand in his. "Pleasure to meet you, Lady Laurent." he kissed her hand, making the girl smile. He even sounded like Sirius. The Black Family genes were certainly strong. She plastered a pleasant smile on her face, "There is no need to use my title while I am here at Hogwarts, Young Master Black. Not unless I say otherwise."

Regulus simply stared at her before he nodded his head in agreement. Regulus in turn introduced his companions, Severus Snape; who while not entirely sitting with their group, still sat fairly close to them and surprisingly, Narcissa Black. Each of which was offered the same courtesy as well. Astraea enjoyed talking to the Black woman. The Narcissa she was talking to was very different to the one from her time. Narcissa was happier, more strongminded than her Aunt had been. She guessed that living under Voldemort's servitude twice took its toll on the young woman. Astraea was on the fence about Snape. While he had ended up being a good man, a small part of her still resented the man for the way he had treated her and Harry even if she had been a Snake, he could not look past who her father was like the rest of the school. But, she resolved to give him a chance. This Snape was not the same bitter Potions Master from her time and if she had her way then he never would be.

The four of them spoke for some time with varying topics of politics to even potions. Astraea and Severus spoke at lengths about the possibility of there being a potion that could hopefully combat the effects of the Cruciatus Curse while Regulus and Narcissa made small inputs wherever they could. She knew that Neville had been researching this and other possible remedies for other Dark curses. Neville had certainly come a long way from their first year in Potions class.

Soon, dinner was over and the Slytherin Prefects, two students whom she didn't recognize at all led her and the first years to the Slytherin Dorms even though she knew exactly where they were. "The password is cunning. Every month the new password will be posted on the noticeboard in the common room." The male prefect said as their group walked inside the room being met by the sight of Lucius Malfoy and his Slytherin Court waiting for them, the rest of the House also there. She smiled quickly at Regulus and them before following the group as they were led before Malfoy.

The pompous boy was staring right at her, a certain gleam in his eye. Astraea smirked to herself. Malfoy had no idea who he was going up against. His pride and arrogance would be his downfall. She dismissed the rest of the things that the prefects were saying, knowing that they were the usual ground rules before they would certainly hand the time over to Malfoy to talk. "Now, Slytherin House has a hierarchy with the Slytherin King and his Court at the top. The Slytherin King outranks even the Head of House but when we are with the rest of the school, we must keep face and pretend that this hierarchy does not exist," the female prefect said as she looked back at where Malfoy and they were sat. "Our current Slytherin King will speak to you about his expectations."

Malfoy stood, an aura of confidence taking over him. He spied the little witch that had made his Father punish him and he would get his revenge. He did not care if she was a Laurent and technically, outranked him. In this school, he was at the top of this House and she would learn to bow to him. He stared right at her as he started to speak, her gaze meeting his unwaveringly. Oh, he couldn't wait until he had her begging on her knees in front of him.

"Didn't think I would meet you again, Laurent." He spoke, walking from his seat towards her. Laurent dared to yawn as if he was nothing to him. He would show her.

"Yes well if I had known that you would be in this House, Malfoy, then maybe I would have asked to be sorted elsewhere," she said snarkily, channelling her best impression of her dear cousin Draco. She heard the small gasps from the crowd, all of them clearly in shock. The cardinal rule in Slytherin was to never go against the Slytherin King and she had very clearly put herself on the opposite side to him. Astraea did not expect any support from anyone. They were Slytherins. And Slytherins never went against the majority of the House lest they become pariahs. "Things in Slytherin must be bad if they have you leading them."

Avery growled from behind Malfoy, his eyes gleaming with rage at her disrespect. Astraea did not care. This whole hierarchy thing in Slytherin was stupid and meant nothing when it came to war. It did not matter if you were Slytherin King or a simply first year. In war, it's either you die or you live. Your status in their society has nothing to do with your humanity. But, she and her siblings had come to the decision that if they wanted change then they had to play by their rules which is why she wanted to duel Malfoy for his throne so much. She wanted change for Slytherin House. Her siblings wanted it too. They did not want the reputation of being a Slytherin to burden people. Being a Slytherin does not make you evil. Being evil makes you evil. Plus, if she had control of Slytherin House then maybe she could slowly sway people from choosing to follow Voldemort from inside the very pit of potentials.

"You will hold your tongue, Laure-" Malfoy held up his hand, stopping Avery from speaking any further. The boy moved till he was directly in front of her, their eyes locked in a fierce battle of wills. The rest of their House looked on in fear and silent awe of the Lady Laurent. Not many had had the balls to go up against Malfoy yet she did so without hesitation. One had to wonder if that was a smart move or extremely foolish.

Looking away from her, Malfoy called out, "Rosewood!" the female prefect was startled from her spot by the first years before coming forward. "Get Slughorn. Tell him we have a challenge. Everyone else, prepare for the duel."

The arrogant git smirked at her, "It seems that you don't know your place, Laurent," he said, the confidence practically dripping off of him. "You'll wish you never disrespected me once I'm through with you."

"I think I would worry about myself if I were you, Malfoy," Astraea told him as she undid her outer robes, leaving her in her Slytherin uniform. Their banter was interrupted by the appearance of Slughorn and Rosewood, the latter looking almost frantic in comparison to the vacant expression on Professor Slughorn's face. The man immediately started erecting layer after layer of protective wards around her and Malfoy, the rest of their House looking on.

Slughorn spoke up, "Now, all spells are permitted except the Killing Curse. There is no way that we will be able to explain why a student went missing. There are no rules except one which is there will be no help from any outsiders. If you interfere then you will find yourself a pariah in the House," These words he directed to their audience.

Her eyes met those of Regulus, Severus and Narcissa, the three of them looking slightly worried for her. She discretely nodded at the there of them, almost as if to say calm down. If the three of them were shown openly supporting her then that could cause problems for them right now. "I assume you know battle etiquette, Laurent," Malfoy said, bowing, his cold eyes trained on her form. Astraea nodded before bowing back, her violet eyes never leaving him.

Narcissa watched slightly nervous. Astraea was a Laurent which meant that she was bound to be powerful but, Malfoy had been taking duelling lessons from his father since he was young. It was a well-known fact that Abraxas Malfoy had been taught by the Dark Lord himself when they were schoolboys. She just didn't know if Astraea had enough experience to go up against Malfoy. What Narcissa didn't know was that no one in this room had more duelling experience than her.

Malfoy shot the first spell, the bright red of his spell sailing towards her. She gracefully sidestepped the incoming spell, "Surely you can do better than that, Malfoy". She taunted, making the boy glare at her. Malfoy hurtled curses and hexes at her, both light and dark, not caring about anything but embarrassing the disrespectful witch in front of him and keeping his throne. The crowd gasped as his spellwork became more and more erratic the more she avoided his spells and taunted him. Astraea was surprised. She thought that a pureblood would at least have a semblance of a plan when going into a duel but it looked like he was just throwing spells around hoping to hit her.

She simply danced around, dodging all of his attacks with what looked like no effort. The more she dodged his attacks, the angrier he became until he was practically frothing at the mouth. "Stupefy!" he yelled.

"Protego" She spoke calmly, stopping the spell from hitting her. The first time since the duel started that she had used magic.

Deciding that now was as good as a time to go on the offensive, she threw spell after spell at Malfoy. Astraea could tell that he was becoming more frustrated the longer they duelled, clearly thinking that this would be an easy win. His cutting curse just managed to chip her on the shoulder as she heard the sound of the sleeve of her shirt rip, the white quickly turning red as her blood gushed from its wound.

Malfoy smirked in triumph which she didn't know why, she had had much worse done to her. "Good one, Malfoy," she told him, the crowd eagerly listening in to what she would say. "I was beginning to think that your inbred self was all talk." Malfoy had certainly seen better days. His long blonde hair had been severed because of her cutting curse while he was bleeding vigorously from the wound on his forehead. His skin was dyed a red and his wand hand was bleeding, his blood slowly dripping onto the floor of the common room.

Malfoy growled as he sent another spell, "Confringo!" Well, it seems like the boy did not care if he killed her or not now. That was fine with her. She wouldn't lose to the likes of him.

"Expulso!"

"Locomotor Mortis!"

"Avada Kedavra!" She heard the gasps come from the crowd and could even hear what sounded like Slughorn cursing up a storm but she ignored them for now as she put her plan in action. Astraea rolled out of the way of the curse, landing almost directly in front of Malfoy. Using the momentum from her roll, she flung herself onto her feet and kicked Malfoy right in the face, sending him sprawling. The Malfoy Heir went down with a cry as their fellow Slytherins gasped in surprise, unused to hand to hand combat being used in a duel. Some would even consider it low class for a Lady of her status to hit someone as she had but, Slughorn did say that there were no rules except don't kill each other and she hadn't killed him yet.

Malfoy lay sprawled out on the ground, his nose now at an odd angle as blood gushed out. Deciding to end their duel, she wandlessly and wordlessly lifted the Malfoy Heir into the air, the tight grip she usually had on her magic broken as her thick magic filled the air around them, almost choking the Malfoy Heir. The wards may have protected the crowd from any stray spells but it didn't stop Astraea's potent magic from filling the room to what seemed the very brim. Many gasps of surprise were heard as the Snakes felt the strong and somewhat oppressive magic connect with all of theirs. The room fell into an almost domineering atmosphere, Astraea's magic so strong in the air that no one dared to make any noise.

The crowd watched as Malfoy hung in the air helpless, his eyes wide in terror and slight fear. Narcissa couldn't help the small sliver of awe she felt as she gazed upon the girl, no, the young woman stood within the duelling circle. Looking at her companions, she knew that they also felt the same way. No one in Slytherin had seen such control of their magic where one person could wield it seamlessly like Astraea Laurent was displaying. Narcissa saw Avery, Rosier and Mulciber looking at the scene in front of them in disbelief and rage, the three of them staring at Astraea. With her left hand still held out in front of her, Astraea stared at Malfoy quite bored with their situation. To prove her point, she lifted her other hand and uttered a single word.

"Stupefy" the red spell grew in her right hand for a few seconds before it flew and met its target, flinging Malfoy back as he crashed into the protective wards and crashed onto the ground. He did not get up.

Astraea met the eyes of those in the crowd as Slughorn slowly dispelled his protective wards. Not knowing what to do and still dumbstruck at the fact that Malfoy had lost his throne after being King for three years, her fellow Slytherins stayed where they stood. The only sound was coming from the one who had won the throne in the first place, the sixth year student walking over to where she had put her outer robs down and putting them back on.

With a loud sigh, she said, "Professor Slughorn if you could please take Malfoy to the Hospital Wing. I will speak to you one day soon, Professor." The man acknowledged her words passively as he levitated Malfoy out of the dungeons.

Looking towards the throne that Avery, Rosier and Mulciber still stood around, she walked towards it all while staring at the three boys. Knowing that they were not welcome, they removed themselves from around her throne. With an almost put upon sigh, she sat gracefully upon her throne looking out at her House. The students in this House were hers now. She did not think herself a ruler but, she did rule this House and as long as she sat on this throne, whatever she says goes.

"Well wasn't that an interesting way to welcome in the New Year," she smiled, trying to put the crowd at ease but it only served to do the opposite. "As the new Slytherin Queen, I have several expectations."

"First, I don't care what your blood status is. You could be a pureblood, halfblood, muggleborn, I do not care. While I rule this House, there is only one thing that we should identify as. And that is as Slytherins. Keep your blood prejudice out of everything or you'll find that I can do so much more than I did to Malfoy. Remember that." Astraea looked at the group, seeing fear, awe and even looks of respect on some of their faces. It seemed that even if she had intentionally alienated a large contingent of Purebloods, she had somehow gained the respect of many of the others gathered. The rest of them would come around and if they didn't, then they would see that she could and would go through with her threat. Astraea didn't want to completely rule Slytherin with fear but she knew Slytherins. At one sign of weakness, they would usurp her but she didn't want to be like Voldemort. She wanted the Slytherins to follow her because they were loyal, not because they feared her. She however knew that that might never happen. Slytherins followed power and as long as she had that power, they would fall into line.

"When we sit for breakfast tomorrow morning, I also expect everyone to sit in their year levels instead of your blood status."

"Which brings me to my next rule which is to look after our own," Astraea looked everyone in the eye, trying to gauge people's reactions to her first rule and expectation. She could see some looks of loathing from people like Avery and Mulciber but ignored them for now. Astraea would deal with them later. "I know that I was only sorted into Slytherin mere hours ago but the rivalry and prejudice found here is legendary. Outside of our sanctuary, we will be vulnerable. You will need to learn that your word will always be dismissed in favour of your peers whether you are telling the truth so cover all of your bases. You cannot be punished for something if the teachers cannot implicate you. This is where the rules of this school will be of use to you. Protect any of our Snakes that need help especially our younger years who will be more at risk than the older years. Travel in groups at all times."

"We will present a united front when in front of the other Houses, no exceptions."

"Third, all malicious acts towards the other Houses will stop now. The only time you react is in defence," she told the gathered group. The shock was clear on all of the students' faces. "We are the House of Cunning. What better act of cunning than to reflect our bad reputation on to others. Soon, this school will see that just because we value other things compared to their precious Houses, does not mean we are inherently evil."

"Now, it is getting late so you may all go off and do your own thing," she told them all, watching as the Slytherins cautiously walked away when she looked at the first years. "Except the first years, I want you all to stay." Astraea saw the looks of fear cross over each of their faces as they looked at the Prefects and then back at her. She could see that the two of them did not want to leave the first years but with a look from her, they walked away, presumably to their dorms.

Astraea stood from her place on her throne and walked towards the 12 first years in front of her. She didn't recognise a single one of them but that did not matter right now. She gestured for them to follow her as their small bodies sat down on the group of couches in front of the fireplace. A small boy tentatively sat down next to her, his back tense and hands clenched on his lap. He looked at her like she would bite him at any moment which saddened her a bit. This was why she wanted to speak with them.

"There is no need to fear me, little ones," Astraea smiled sweetly at the small gathered group. She heard small whispers of 'wow, she's so beautiful' and others things causing her smile to widen. "You are the future of our House. Everyone, all the older years, they will eventually leave and you all will be left behind. You will find no punishment here if you wish to make friends in the other Houses," With these words, she stared at the boy next to her whose eyes were filled with happiness. She had seen the look of sadness on his face from the Slytherin table as the boy he had been talking to when they were standing to be sorted was sorted into Gryffindor.

"But, my father said that we are supposed to hate the other Houses because they hate us!" One of the little girls that sat in front of her said; she reminded her a little of Hermione if she was being honest. The girl shrunk away from her as soon as she met Astraea's violet eyes, mumbling an apology and looking down at her lap.

Astraea removed herself from her seat and knelt in front of the small girl with a soft smile. She couldn't help it; she had always loved children. "Well, what your father doesn't know won't hurt you, will it? Besides, I am Slytherin Queen. I decide what is the fate of our House, not your father." The little girl looked at her in awe, a huge smile on her before she threw her arms around her neck. With a smile of her own, Astraea hugged her back before she sent them to bed, Rosewood and the male prefect whom she now knew as Smith having come to take them to their dorms after Astraea had sent for them.

Each of them hugged her before they walked away, leaving her alone as no one dared to move close as she had not called for them.

"Narcissa. Regulus. Severus," She spoke, her voice heard over the small chatter of any students that had chosen to stay in the common room which stopped as soon as she spoke. "Come sit." Small gasps were heard as her words registered in everyone's minds.

Astraea heard cautious footsteps coming towards her from where she sat looking at the fireplace. She lifted her head to look at the three people that were walking towards her. They stopped as soon as they saw her gaze on them. Astraea gazed appraisingly at them, taking each of them in. The girl noticed every little detail. While the group of three looked impassive, she saw the slight shake in each of their hands, the twitch of their fingers as if to stop themselves from reaching for their wands and the almost imperceptible quiver in their shoulders. She nodded to the couch in front of her, inviting them to sit. Astraea pretended to not notice the small sighs of relief they each let out.

They each cautiously sat in front of her, Narcissa even going as far as to start smoothing down her robes. "You wish to speak to us, my Queen?" Regulus addressed her. Astraea looked around at the common room, every student in there were trying to listen in to their talk but didn't want to show that they were for fear of her reaction. She wandlessly erected silencing and privacy wards around them, not wanting anyone to listen in.

"You may call me by my given name when it is just us, Regulus," she smiled at the Slytherin. "The same for you two as well, Narcissa, Severus."

"As you wish, m-" Severus cut himself off. "Astraea."

She nodded at him before asking, "What did the three of you think of tonight's proceedings? I want you all to be honest."

Narcissa spoke up first, "I think it is about time that this House lived up to its true values. Malfoy has been ruling this House since our third year and has done nothing but to successfully alienate us from each other," She snarled when speaking Malfoy's name. As if it left a dirty taste in her mouth and wasn't that different. It looked like Narcissa and Malfoy would not marry in this timeline.

Severus spoke next, "Narcissa is correct. The younger years fear us cause of the actions of Malfoy and his cronies. Slytherin's House has turned into this madhouse filled with backhandedness and cheats. I am glad that his rule is over."

Astraea saw the way Regulus looked at Severus after his words, clearly still on the fence about whether he could truly speak his mind with her or not. He seemed to have come to a decision when he spoke, "I also have to agree. I admit that I did not know if you were about to become a pariah and on your first day but it seems I severely underestimated you. As did the rest of the House."

She smirked, an almost crazy look in her eye before it returned to her normal smile. "I appreciate the three of you telling me the truth but, I am tired so I shall retire for the night. Narcissa, do you mind showing me the way?"

Astraea dissembled her wards, "Yes, my Queen."

She nodded goodnight at everyone as they took their leave.

Severus and Regulus watched as the two females walked away from them, the both of them knowing that change was coming to Hogwarts and maybe even the Magical World but as their eyes followed the Laurent Lady, they knew that they would follow her wherever she led them.

The next morning, Astraea woke bright and early. She had been provided with her own room as she was Slytherin Queen. Malfoy's things had been cleaned out of her room by the house elves as soon as she won their duel. There were rooms surrounding her own for her Slytherin Court that were also empty as she had not chosen anyone to join her Court yet.

She and her siblings had spoken for an hour over mirror after she won her duel just going over plans and checking on their progress within their own respective Houses. They also helped her with making decisions about who she should ask to be a part of her Court. Neville had been roomed with the Marauders but had been shunned by the group minus Remus and surprisingly, Peter. James and Sirius had not taken her being a Slytherin well. She expected it but, it didn't make it hurt any less. Astraea just hoped that they didn't cause any problems for her and her siblings. If they proved to be a threat to their plans then she would be forced to remove them.

Luna had made friends with the Bones siblings; Edgar Bones, who was a seventh year having taken a liking to their eccentric little sister as did his sister, Amelia. It seemed that they had taken Luna under their wings and her siblings were happy that their sister had made friends with such a loyal family. Hermione had made friends with Emmeline Vance. Emmeline had been a member of the Order in their time and a courageous witch before she had been murdered by Death Eaters.

They all bid each other goodnight after that.

Astraea made her way down to the common room and waited for the rest of her House to gather so that they could all go to breakfast together. She patiently waited and read a book on the complexities of the Cruciatus Curse in front of the lit fireplace. It was half an hour later when everyone had gathered, even Avery, Mulciber and Rosier were there when she put her book away and moved out in front so that she could lead them. "Remember my rules," she said.

"Yes my Queen," they all answered even the little first years. With a single nod, they left for breakfast.

When they arrived, the only tables almost as full as theirs was the Puffs and the Claws, the Gryffindors preferring to arrive a little bit later. She could feel the eyes on them as they arrived, the sight of them certainly different to what it had been for the past few years. The Slytherins each remained standing, waiting until she sat but she had something else she needed to do first. "Narcissa, Severus, Regulus," the three of them tensed as they each looked at her.

"Yes, Astraea?" Severus said, remembering that they were out in the open with the other Houses and teachers around and so called her by her name as she had permitted him to.

"Come," she gestured to the seats around her. "The three of you will sit with me from now on." The shock was clear on their faces before they remembered themselves and simply nodded in agreement.

"Narcissa, sit to my right. Regulus to my left and Severus, you may sit in front of me." The threesome immediately listened and each sat in their spot given by her. She heard Narcissa and Regulus sigh almost inaudibly from beside her while Severus simply stared at her from his seat. She could see the confusion on his face but, she could also see just that small amount of gratitude. Even the places where she chose to seat the three of them had meaning. With Narcissa and Regulus, for them to be chosen to sit next to her, it meant she had chosen them to have her back. They would be the ones to protect her from any sneak attacks or any secret plots against her. They were essentially the spies of her Court, tasked with making sure that while her back was turned as she tended to their House then no one would usurp her. Whereas with the placement of Severus, she had made him her advisor of sorts. Astraea would of course listen to any counsel given to her from any member of her Court but, Severus would be her primary Advisor.

As soon as the four of them had sat, everyone else immediately sat with the seventh years sitting closest to the teachers' table, followed by the sixth years then the fifth years. She and her Court sat in between the fifth and the fourth years. Next to the fourth years would be the third then the second and then the first years would be seated the closest to the door.

Soon the Gryffindors began arriving, loud and as boisterous as ever. Astraea saw a small first year Slytherin stand from his seat recognising him as the boy who sat next to her last night, his fellow Slytherins urging him to go. The boy quickly looked back at his friends before he called out to his friend in Gryffindor. The two boys ran to each other and embraced tightly. She saw how happy the two of them were together and felt a small piece of her heart break. She missed her Harry. The Slytherin Queen gently watched as the Slytherin invited his Gryffindor friend to their table, even gesturing behind the Gryffindor to a small girl with brown, mousy hair and the boy next to her who was quite tall for a first year who must be his new friends in Gryffindor.

The four of them tediously approached the Slytherin table together, not noticing the utter shock and silence around them. When they arrived at the table, the other Slytherins stared at the first year, some of them outright glaring at him but, Astraea put a stop to that. She gestured for the fourth years to move closer to where she and her Court sat, the rest of the years following suit and making room for the four first years. The first years welcomed the newcomers, some of them going so far as to hug the Gryffindors as well. Astraea glared at a seventh year Slytherin who looked like she was reaching for her wand but immediately sat back down when she felt her gaze.

Almost as if sensing her gaze, the group of first years all shyly looked her way. She smiled brightly at the group, some of them even staring dazedly at her and nodded at the group in approval. Her act of approval made them sit up that much straighter before they turned away from her and began eating breakfast and laughing amongst themselves.

"You are certainly going to shake things up," Severus said to her, Regulus and Narcissa nodding in agreement. Astraea simply offered the three of them a smile in response before going back to her scrambled eggs and bacon.

With a quick look to the other tables, Astraea met the eyes of her siblings and sent them each a bright smile. Her violet eyes met James's from across the Hall and she sent him a tentative grin. The boy only looked at her confusedly before turning back to his conversation with Sirius. Astraea sighed inwardly, the conflict within herself strong in regards to James and Sirius. They were good people, extremely strong but they were young.

Young, dumb and extremely prejudiced.

Hopefully, they would change sometime soon or even with her and her siblings here, they still might make the same bad decisions as before.

so what do you think? also please let me know if you see any mistakes :) this chapter was almost 8000 words long...