A/N: Apologies it's been so long, but here is chapter 5! Thanks to all those who have reviewed, followed and favourited, it means a lot! Hope you all enjoy :) (I'm also on Wattpad and Ao3 under Vesper Logan, as well as Twitter if people want news about updates!)
When Astera peered through the rich green curtains of her bed the next morning, no one had stirred. A greenish light was filtering in through the lake and she could just about make out the forms of Daphne and Tracey in the nearest beds.
She shivered, letting the curtains slip back. It was chilly this morning, she thought. Surprisingly even more so than Malfoy Manor. However, knowing she would not be able to go back to sleep, the young witch forced herself to swing her legs about of bed and grab her neatly folded robes on the nearby chair. Cold immediately spread through the soles of her feet and so she sprinted across the cold flagstone floor to the slightly warmer bathroom, hugging her clothes tightly to her chest.
Once there, she quickly washed herself and brushed her hair with her hairbrush that had already been laid out by the ornate taps of her wash basin, no doubt a House Elf's doing.
After changing from her pyjamas into her uniform and brushing her teeth, she stopped to check herself in the mirror. Straightening her tie, she beamed proudly at the Slytherin smiling back at her. She had done it. She had survived all those years at Malfoy Manor and had made it to Hogwarts; a place where she could finally do what she wanted without Lucius breathing down her neck.
She let out a happy sigh and made her way back through the dorm, stopping briefly to slip her wand into her robes, before quietly making her way down to the common room. No one else was about. She wondered what the time was. Whatever it was, she realised that it must be early.
Curious and not sure what else to do, she started to look around the room, admiring the vaulted ceilings and stopping to look out into the lake. A stray fish swam past leisurely, its fins glinting in the early morning sunlight. She smiled and turned away, venturing to the other side of the room where a large noticeboard was hung on the wall. Several pieces of parchment had already been attached. There was one talking about Quidditch, which was no good for her considering first years never made the team. There was another about volunteering to help maintain the greenhouses to pick up some extra credit in Herbology. Astera wrinkled her nose at that one. Narcissa had once tried to get the young girl to learn about Herbology, saying it was a part of being a pureblood lady to look after the plants of the manor. Thankfully, she had given up soon after Astera had accidentally killed one of her favourite plants after feeding it the wrong growing potion.
The girl let out a little snort at the memory, her eyes roaming the board for anything more interesting. It was then that she saw a corner poking out from under a notice about helping out a Madam Pomphrey in the hospital wing. Curiously, she pulled it out:
'Professor Flitwick invites you to audition for the Hogwarts choir tonight (2nd September) at 6pm in the choir room on the first floor. All years welcome.'
Choir, Astera mused. She had always enjoyed singing along to Narcissa's records. It was one of the few pureblood lessons she had enjoyed growing up.
Making a mental note to go, and carefully placing the notice back on the board, Astera decided to start out for the Great Hall for breakfast. Surely it wouldn't matter if she was a little early?
Slipping out into the corridor, the young witch tried to remember the way she had been brought last night. Heading upwards, she scaled a couple of staircases, taking care not to climb those that were about to move.
She'd reach the first floor and had just deciding against one that was rumbling, when, as she turned back, she came face to face with a small, mischievous-looking fellow, his ginger hair sticking up in all directions as he floated above her head.
He let out a gleeful cackle at Astera's horrified expression. "Ah, an ickle firstie!" he cried.
Astera gulped. This must be Peeves, the poltergeist that the Baron had spoken about the day before. Slowly, she began to back away, before turning and sprinting down the nearest corridor. She spied an open door, and in a blind panic, ran inside, slamming the door shut.
Big mistake. A cackle came from outside the door. He'd followed her. A head poked itself through the door, making Astera jump back in fright. The poltergeist grinned wickedly.
"Found you!" he said. Then, he disappeared.
There was a scaping sound as the bolt on the outside door slid shut.
Filled with dread, Astera lurched forward, grabbing the doorknob and rattling it desperately. To no surprise, the door didn't budge.
"Come on," Astera cried desperately. "Come on, please open!"
The door didn't move. Astera wished she'd thought to memorise the spell that unlocked doors, but she couldn't recall it for the life of her. Frantically, she looked around the rest of the room for some other way of escape, but the room was small with only one small window set high up on the wall and no other doors. The girl let out a groan of frustration. How could she have been so stupid? She knew Peeves was trouble, why had she given him the advantage?
With tears forming in the corner of her eyes, she slumped down against the door. Her first day and she would miss everything. Who knew how long it would be before somebody found her? It was hardly a classroom that she had run into, and this castle had thousands of rooms.
She sat, knees up to her chest, for what felt like hours, but in reality was probably only minutes. Hopelessness clouded her thoughts as she gazed around her prison.
"Ah, so you're the one Peeves was gloating about?" a deep voice asked, sounding somewhat amused.
Startled, Astera scrambled to get up, looking around the room. There, right by the entrance, a pearly white figure floated. The Bloody Baron. Suddenly, she was glad she had been sorted into Slytherin.
"It's a good job I found you," the ghost continued. "But we'd better get you out of here. Breakfast will be starting shortly."
The Baron glided through the wall, and a second later, the bolt on the door slid open. Astera was free!
"Thank you so much, Mister Baron," Astera said, smiling at him gratefully.
"Baron will do," the ghost responded gently, returning the smile. Astera found this a little disconcerting, considering the ghost was covered in glittering blood. "Now, let me escort you to the Great Hall so you don't have another run in with Peeves. Follow me please, my lady."
Astera nodded and let him lead the way.
The ghost led her right to the entrance to the Great Hall, stopping before the doors.
"Here we are, my lady," he said. "Enjoy your first day, and try not to get into any more trouble."
Then, with a parting nod, the ghost floated through the nearest wall, leaving Astera to shout her thanks after him, hoping that he'd heard it.
When she entered the Great Hall all four tables were full of students. Luckily that meant that no one noticed her as she moved over to the Slytherin table and found a gap between Draco and Theo to squeeze into.
There wasn't much breakfast left, so the girl quickly helped herself to some toast and jam and a goblet of pumpkin juice. She eyed Crabbe and Goyle's piled up plates with a disgusted look. How could anyone eat so much?
Spreading jam onto her toast, which was amazingly still warm, she had barely taken a bite when the first of the owls swooped in from a window in the ceiling. She quickly spied Farren among them, carrying a carefully sealed envelope in his beak, which he neatly dropped beside Astera's plate before landing on the table. He looked at her expectantly.
Chuckling, she tore off a piece of toast that had no jam and gave it to the owl.
"Sorry, I haven't got any treats on me," she said, giving him an affectionate stroke. Farren gave her a satisfied nuzzle, stretched his wings and flew off.
Astera looked down at the letter in front of her. The address was in Narcissa's elegant script. Picking it up, she noticed it was thick for one of Narcissa's letters. Surely there can't be that much to say after one day?
Curious, she opened it and pulled out the parchment. The first page was in the same handwriting as on the envelope. The girl skimmed through it. It was actually a nice letter, telling the girl that she was proud that she had made it into Slytherin, and to keep up with her studies. Of course, she had to mention her precious Draco. Shaking her head, the girl skipped the two paragraphs that gushed about him.
Putting the first page down, she turned to the second. The blood seemed to freeze in her veins. Frantically, she shoved it under the table, praying that no one else had seen the Azkaban stamp of approval in the top corner. As if that wasn't a big enough clue, Astera recognised the spidery handwriting that she usually own saw once a year on her birthday. It was her father's.
Everything about the man made her ashamed. She wasn't even sure what made her read the letter, but for some reason, her eyes took in every word.
My little Astera,
It's been a long time since I've seen you, and I suppose you're not so little anymore. But I want you to know that I still think of you every day. I am glad the Malfoys took you in and are raising you well. We will forever be indebted to them, never forget that.
However, I wanted to write as Lucius unformed me that you started Hogwarts and were sorted into Slytherin. You're a true Lestrange now my girl, and I'm so proud of you, we both are. One day, I hope you will follow in our footsteps and make something great of yourself. Hopefully by then we will be reunited.
Work hard my girl, and I will be in touch again as soon as I can. Lucius will keep me updated on your progress.
Signed,
Your Father
Astera felt her stomach contents roll. Suddenly, her toast and jam didn't seem so appetising anymore. In fact, none of the beautiful food on the table took her interest as she spent the next ten minutes pushing toast around her plate, gazing mindlessly at the wall. She couldn't stop thinking about the offending letter now hidden in the pocket of her robes until Professor Snape came around the table, handing out timetables. She welcomed the distraction.
"Miss Lestrange," he drawled, handing her a piece of parchment. "The baron told me of your… unfortunate run in with Peeves. I suggest you be more careful in the future."
He gave her a disapproving look down his hooked nose and swept away, leaving Astera mortified.
"So that's why you were late," Draco scorned. "You let an ickle poltergeist get the better of you? How pathetic."
Astera let his harsh words cut into her, not even attempting to respond. Theo, however, was more sympathetic.
"Are you alright?" he said quietly once Draco had turned back to Pansy and Blaise. "I've heard Peeves is a nasty little fellow."
"Yes, I'm fine thank you. I was just careless."
"Don't beat yourself up about it, Astera. It could have happened to anyone, and I'm pretty certain that it will happen to most of us before we leave Hogwarts. Peeves is well known for tormenting both students and staff."
The girl gave him a small smile. "Thanks," she said quietly.
"Have you seen we have potions on Friday with the Gryffindors?" Theo continued, clearly trying to distract her. "That could be an interesting one."
Astera murmured her agreement, her eyes roving over the timetable for that day. Double Herbology first thing, followed by double History of Magic. Then, in the afternoon, they had double Charms. Quite a full-on day, she thought to herself. But she wouldn't let that pesky poltergeist ruin it.
After a slight deviation to collect their books from their dorms, the Slytherins arrived at the greenhouse for Herbology.
It was a strange set up for a classroom, Astera thought as she followed Draco through the door. A long, roughly carved table lined the centre of the room, with matching stools placed along either side. Plants of all shapes and sizes filled the ledges round the edge of the shed, some swaying softly in the non-existent breeze, some making little snoring noises. Astera knew better than to trust that any of them were as sweet and innocent as they seemed. And as if to prove her line of thought, one of them chose that moment to let out a loud burp, emitting a moss green gas. The girl wrinkled her nose as the foul smell of rotten eggs filled her nostrils.
Moving away quickly, she carefully took a seat in between Theo and Draco, pulling a face at the soil and grime filling the cracks in the table. Hastily, she tried to wipe the table clean before gingerly placing her textbook down. She had a feeling she wasn't going to enjoy this lesson.
The door opened then and the Ravenclaws streamed in. On seeing the Slytherins perched at the end of the table, they immediately huddled down the opposite end, casting wary glances in their direction.
"Right class," a spritely voice intervened, and Astera moved her gaze from the Ravenclaws to the plump woman now stood at the end of the table. Her hat was lopsided, patched and frayed, and her robes covered in soil. She smiled brightly at the group.
Astera could hear Draco sniggering as the teacher introduced herself as Professor Sprout. She had to fight not to join him, stifling her smile by thinking of the potentially lethal plants surrounding them.
"Today we will be working on repotting the Mittent Plant. For those of you who are new to the Wizarding world, or who are not comfortable with plants, you will be glad to know that it is harmless.
'Your task for today will be repotting these plants, as they must be kept in fresh soil. These particular plants have not been re-potted since the last academic year.
'To start off with, can anyone tell me why they are called Mittent Plants?"
No one put up their hand, not even Astera. She hadn't looked at her Herbology book yet. In fact, she hadn't even opened it.
"Right then, if no one can tell me now, the first student to find out will be awarded ten house points. I'll pass out the plants. New pots can be found under the table and fresh soil in the back corner. Off you go."
There was a scraping of stools as a mad rush ensued. Astera stayed seated a moment longer, staring at the pile of dirt in the far corner. The thought of getting it under her nails and all down her robes made her feel faintly sick.
Theo seemed to read her mind. "I'll get the soil for both of us," he told her before she could get up.
She shot him a grateful smile. "Thanks, I'll get the pots then."
She watched him walk off before leaning down to collect two clean pots from the piles under the table. However, as she surfaced, she collided with Professor Sprout, who had her hands full of Mittent plants. Dark soil spilt out thick and fast over the table, missing the girl by inches.
Professor Sprout looked down in mild surprise. "Oh, sorry dear, I didn't see you down there."
"It's okay, I should have looked before I stood up so fast," Astera smiled weakly, wincing as she eyed her new textbook, now buried under a pile of dirt.
"Here, let me help." Theo had returned, and placing down the soil he had collected, he rescued the dropped plants and set them to rights.
"Thank you Mr Nott," the professor said, beaming at the boy before turning a steely gaze on Astera. "Miss Lestrange, if you want to pass Herbology, you're going to have to get stuck in."
The girl didn't respond, but, with a grimace, she picked her book up by the corner and shook it before placing it back in her bag.
She couldn't imagine ever getting used to the dirt. She didn't flinch away from a lot of things, but dirt, dirt was something she had never been allowed to play in a child, dirt was something that was cleaned up by the house elves before she even saw it. If anything, Narcissa had brought her up with one motto:
Ladies didn't mess with dirt.
