Heyyyy, hoped ya liked the last chapter's recommendations! If you did, drop a review on the last chapter, please! I get all these favorites and follows but NOBODY bothers to review! WHY?! WHY?! But that's just the evil ones. Thanks to moonwatchersilveny, a faithful and loyal reviewer whom this chapter is dedicated to.
Words: 2567
Date Updated: 1/7/2021
Around four years later…
"Mother, Father! Three owls!" Draco shouted gleefully.
"Three?" Astra was curious.
As their parents hustled into the room, the family of four read the letters.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Iris Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Astra Malfoy,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Draco Malfoy,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Astra gritted her teeth at the "Iris". She wasn't Iris bloody Potter, abused orphan anymore - she was Astra Malfoy, the Girl-Who-Lived.
She scribbled a quick reply to that letter, not even bothering to use her formal title.
Deputy Headmistress McGonagall,
I, Astra Malfoy, accept your invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I'd like to note that I am ASTRA MALFOY, NOT IRIS POTTER!
Thanks
Astra Malfoy
"Astra, go purchase yours and Draco's books. Draco, please go to Madame Malkin's and get your dress robes." Narcissa said. "Astra has had hers ordered in advance."
"Can't we go together, Mother?" Draco asked her.
"No, Draco. Your father and I have business to attend t-" Narcissa was cut off by her son.
"I meant, me and Astra." He rolled his eyes.
Astra rolled hers as well. Unfortunately, over the years, her brother had turned into a bit of a brat, as well as using rather Gryffindorish techniques to spite those he disliked.
Luckily he had her to rein him in...most of the time.
"Draco Lucius!" Narcissa chastised. "Rudeness does not become you! And absolutely not, for your troubles!"
"S'not faiiiiir, s'not faiiiiiir…" He moaned theatrically.
"Come along, Draco," Astra pulled his hand. "Madam Malkin's is that way." She waved her other hand at the shop to the right.
"I should meet you at-"
"Ollivander's, for a wand check," Draco finished. "Love you."
"You too," Astra gave him a sincere smile before departing for Flourish and Blotts. She walked slowly, and tried to avoid the reporters that had hounded her since she was six.
But she was eleven today, and that meant freedom of sorts. That meant she could learn magic that wasn't elementary! Advanced magic!
She had been disappointed, over the years, when she realized that her father could not teach her any more magic other than the basics - it was highly regulated by the Ministry of Magic.
But that was fine, of course. She had plenty of other magical things to occupy herself with. Like Potions, which Severus taught them twice a week.
She couldn't master it due to her young age, but she was confident in her abilities of the years one through three curriculum.
Like Occlumency or Legilimency. Grandfather Abraxas had discovered that she and Draco both, due to their Malfoy blood, had a slight affinity for Occlumency as their predecessors had so long ago.
They had built off that, and now both she and Draco had sturdy Occlumency shields.
Unfortunately, neither of them possessed any ability for Legilimency whatsoever, which disappointed but did not surprise their grandfather, who was sure that Narcissa's Rosier(a family notorious for their lackluster Legilimency skills) blood had hindered their ability for Legilimency.
Subjects such as History were completed easily then thrust aside for the family trees and histories of their ancestors.
Astra shook off the odd train of thoughts as she strode into the bookshop. She started to collect two copies of the books listed. Around One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, she noticed a bushy-haired girl who seemed to be following her.
She narrowed her eyes but decided to play it safe. "Hello," she said, hoping she sounded friendly.
"Hello," the girl said back. The girl was still looking through the bookshelves.
"What's your name?" Astra hoped she wasn't being too forward.
"I'm Hermione Granger-"
Not a purebloods name-
"And both my parents are Muggles-"
Well, that explains it.
"And it's truly nice to meet you!" The girl finished, and smiled a little uncertainly. She had rather large teeth. "Who are you?"
"Astra Malfoy - I hope I don't sound too forward but why have you been following me?" Astra point-blanked asked her.
"Following you?" Granger blinked confusedly and Astra wished she could melt into the ground.
"Well, you see, you kept...going where I was...and so I assumed…" she didn't have to explain herself to a mudblood!
Your mother was one.
Fine, she'd not call Granger a Mudblood-
Who?
AH!
She had NOT meant to broadcast that thought to her brother.
Mudblood, who?
Hermione Granger.
Seems intelligent enough?
Seriously, Astra?
Just shove her off!
I'll tell you what I know in a bit.
GREENEYES-
She closed the link.
"Oh, I wasn't following you," Granger said. "I was following the book list, same as you."
Astra cursed herself for stupidity. "Uh..yeah.."
Granger pulled out a book from the shelf.
A Muggleborn's Guide to the Wizarding World
"Oh, you shouldn't read that," Astra blurted out.
"Whyever not?" Granger asked curiously.
"It will only explain the magic, not the culture." Astra explained, feeling a little bit more comfortable.
"The Wizarding World has a culture?" Granger looked quite surprised. "I've memorised all the books I got in September - late birthday, you see, I only just remembered to get this today - and there's absolutely no mention of any culture!"
"Here," Astra reached into her specially embroidered bag. She pulled out Wizarding Culture For the Ignorant and handed it to Hermione.
She was skeptical. "For the Ignorant? Bit rude, isn't it?"
"They tend to be," Astra assured her, then bit her lip uncertainly. "Look...Hermione...the issue...is…"
"Spit it out!" Hermione said impatiently.
"Other purebloods will discriminate because you're a muggleborn," she said bluntly.
"What?! Why?" Hermione was shocked.
"You're invading society, you're poisoning our traditions with your Muggle ones, you're powerless because your blood is tainted by the Muggles', blah, blah, blah," Astra rolled her eyes.
"Powerless? Poisoning? Tainted? What?!" Hermione practically quivered with indignation. "How - how bigoted! How disgusting!"
"Personally, I don't agree. My mother was a muggleborn - Lily Potter - and she was Head Girl and the smartest witch of her generation." Astra said.
"Wait - Lily Potter? Then you're-" Hermione's eyes widened as she connected the dots.
"-Iris Potter, yes, I know," Astra finished wryly.
"Why'd you say you were Astra Malfoy then?" Hermione asked her.
"I am." Seeing Hermione's questioning glance, she hastened to explain, "blood adoption." Hermione only looked more confused.
Astra sighed. "Look, the book will explain blood purity - oh, yes, I should warn you, the book will have quite a bit of bigotry towards muggleborns, but once you get past the drivel you'll find it quite informative - and blood adoptions, the Sacred Twenty-Eight, and of course, since I suppose all you've heard of the Houses is completely biased, the Sorting - speaking of which, which House do you think you'll be in?"
"I don't know, Gryffindor sounds lovely, did you know Dumbledore himself was there? I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad, of course-"
Astra cut her off. "Hermione."
"What?" Hermione gave her a glare.
"First thing? Gryffindor is not the best House. For one, I'm sure all you've heard is brave and chivalrous, but did you ever consider that Gryffindors are also arrogant? No? Well, I'm sure they get quite an ego, with the Headmaster favoring and praising them at every turn. I'm also sure that with the ability to flaunt the rules like this, they turn into bullies because no one will punish their precious Gryffindors!" Astra spat.
She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I just- my god- my parents' friend - was bullied by Gryffindors all his time at Hogwarts, and the Gryffindors were never punished - and truly, I'm sorry for losing my composure."
Hermione looked a little alarmed at this new realization. Then, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why are you telling me this? Why are you helping me?"
Astra raised an eyebrow. "Do you want my honest answer?"
Hermione raised her chin a bit defiantly. "Yes."
"As you wish. I'm telling you because you seem intelligent enough, and Merlin knows the world could use muggleborns who won't worship Dumbledore and will actually use their insight into the Muggle world to help us instead of sticking their heads in the grass because Dumbledore tells them to.
"That was my mother's mistake. If she had gotten into Slytherin she would have been scorned at first, but as she proved her mettle as an intelligent muggleborn in Slytherin, she would surely help improve the world for the better instead of trying to ruin our traditions, like Yule or Samhain.
"I think curating you would be quite the right move. And that brings me to my second point - don't act like a swot. It's not a bad thing to be smart, but it is to show off. That's arrogant and stuck up." Astra finished.
"I suppose…" Hermione looked deep in thought. "You're right." she reached out a hand and took Wizarding Culture For the Ignorant out of Astra's hand and tucked it into her bag.
She stuck out her other hand. "Friends?"
Astra blinked. A friend. Not an ally. A friend. Like Theo. Like Daphne. Like Astoria. Friend. "Friends," she sealed the deal.
She and Hermione chatted as they, together, collected their books, sometimes recommending extras and passages to each other.
When they finished the last book and got ready to say goodbye, Astra made a decision. "You'll be Ravenclaw," she said surely.
"Why?" Hermione asked matter of factly.
"Books." One word was all that was needed.
"Books," Hermione agreed.
"Owl me," Astra told her.
"How?" Hermione giggled a little.
Astra passed her ten galleons.
Hermione stuttered, "M-me? For me?"
"Consider it a gift from a friend. Go to Eeylops Owl Emporium and find a decent one, okay?" Astra said.
"Thanks!" Hermione took the Galleons easily. "Till Hogwarts!"
"Till Hogwarts," echoed Astra.
Dear Astra,
I purchased an owl(as you can see).
I have named him Ember.
What do you think of the name?
-Hermione Granger
Dear Hermione,
Ember is a lovely name.
Your owl is handsome.
I have an owl as well.
Her name is Nemesis.
Okay, maybe a tad dramatic!
But honestly, any better ideas?
-Astra Malfoy
Dear Astra,
How about Lollipop?
-Hermione
Dear Hermione,
The Muggle sucker thingies?
-Astra
Dear Astra,
I never imagined someone so formal could say the word "thingies!"
-Hermione
P.S. Yes.
Dear Hermione,
I'm only formal with people I don't know.
And my parents.
And literally anyone while they're watching.
-Astra
P.S. Then Lollipop is an atrocious name for a dignified owl such as Nemesis, a Bubo scandiacus.
Dear Astra,
I feel for you.
-Hermione
P.S. How long did it take for you to write "atrocious"?
Dear Hermione,
Thank you for your sympathies.
They are much needed.
By the way, how far are you through Wizarding Culture?
-Astra
P.S. I think about seven seconds?
Dear Astra,
About halfway through.
By the way, do you have any siblings?
-Hermione
P.S. I meant it sarcastically, but...cool?
Dear Hermione,
Good!
(So, you've figured out blood adoptions?)
And yes, an adopted twin - Draco.
-Astra
P.S. Odd use of sarcasm, but whatevs.
Dear Astra,
Yeah, the book is...illuminating...once I get past the racial slurs.
It's quite interesting, blood adoption - but how can you be twins if you have different birthdays?
Unless they're the same?
What's he like?
Is it fun having a sibling?
-Hermione
P.S. Whatevs?
Dear Hermione,
Our birthdays changed to fit each other's.
Draco is arrogant, but also sweet to those he loves..
But it will be a while before he accepts you as my friend.
(Whenever I mention you to him in conversation, he mutters Mudblood under his breath, but I'm slowly getting him to stop doing it.)
My parents, of course, know, and I've slightly managed to change their views, so they allow our correspondence.
If you want to know more about the adoption, I've attached an old Daily Prophet article from four years ago for you.
Should be fun?
-Astra
P.S. Slang, my friend, slang.
Dear Astra,
I AM SO SORRY FOR HOW YOUR FAMILY TREATED YOU!
I can't BELIEVE anyone would DO that!
That's so horrible!
But I doubt you want to hear my sympathies, so let's move on to the BLOOD ADOPTIONS.
Honestly!
All I have is a REALLY BLOODY DEPRESSING insight into your life!
-Your Sad & Sympathetic Friend,
Hermione
Dear Hermione,
THEY AREN'T MY FAMILY.
THEY STOPPED BEING MY FAMILY THE DAY I MET THEM.
As for the adoption, well, I really can't tell you everything, sorry.
(But if I could I would).
-Slightly Disappointed,
Astra
Dear Astra,
Muggles aren't bad - just, like, a quarter of them…
Who am I kidding, some of them are disgusting(your relatives come to mind.)
-Hermione
Dear Hermione,
Maybe you're right about Muggles.
I hope not.
-Astra
Dear Astra,
I'm sorry it took me so long to reply, but something horrible happened.
My grandmother died.
It was so quick - my mother got a call, and then she was(This line was scratched out)
She(This line as well)
I don't want to talk about it.
-Hermione
Dear Hermione,
You have my condolences and are forgiven.
Sincerely, Your Friend,
Astra
Dear Astra,
I'm okay now.
-Hermione
Dear Hermione,
I am SO EXCITED FOR HOGWARTS!
-Astra
Dear Astra,
ME TOO!
-Hermione
Dear Hermione,
See you there.
-Astra
Dear Astra,
Until then.
-Hermione