A/N: Thank you to all who have shown interest so far! Sorry it's been so long since I updated, but, as usual, life got in the way. I'm excited we're finally getting into Hogwarts now, so hope you all enjoy this chapter :) Let me know your thoughts!
By the end of the lesson, one thing was confirmed, and Astera was certain that she was going to fail miserably at Herbology. Even Theo was chuckling as he helped pick soil out of her hair from where the plant had thrown it at her. He had been the one to receive the ten house points for correctly telling Professor Sprout that the Mittent plants were named as they had a tendency to throw soil in all directions just to cause mischief. Astera was not so amused, especially when they were set a foot-long essay on how to stop the plants from throwing soil at you. Something she sorely wished she had known during the lesson.
A boring History of Magic lesson came next, where they covered the basics of the witch trials in the middle ages, something Astera had already been taught. This was followed by a quick, but delicious lunch, and a surprisingly interesting charms lesson. Astera had enjoyed this class, levitating her feather minutes after Theo and just before Draco, earning her five house points for Slytherin. She had also liked the professor, a short man with a squeaky voice and a wicked sense of humour. It had made her mind up about going to the choir try outs that evening.
However, whilst she had been in higher spirits on leaving class, the rest of the Slytherins had yet to forget Astera's run in with Peeves, and were laughing about it as they made their way back down to the dungeons to relax before dinner. Theo was kindly trying to distract her, rambling on about how much he had also enjoyed the charms lesson. He's sweet, Astera thought, and it was nice to know that at least somebody in Slytherin had her back.
"So, have you got any plans for this evening?" he asked her causally as they passed by the Great Hall.
Astera considered whether to tell him about the choir try outs, and decided to trust him.
Theo looked mildly surprised. "You can sing?"
"Well, I'm not that good," Astera replied, embarrassed.
"I'm sure you're just being modest. How did you get interested in it?"
"Well, Narcissa taught me when I was younger. It was about one of the only 'how to act like a pureblood lady' lessons that I enjoyed. They used to get me to sing each Christmas."
"A-ha, so you must be good if Lucius wanted to listen to you! I've heard he's a tough nut to crack."
Astera flushed. He didn't know the half of it, she thought to herself.
"So, are you going to try out for anything?" she asked, changing the subject.
"I haven't decided yet, although I would say that the Wizard Chess club is probably more up my street than Quidditch."
"You don't like Quidditch?" Astera asked, feigning shock.
Theo let out a laugh and put his hands up in defeat. "I know, I know, I'm a disgrace to the wizard name." Something in his face darkened. "Or at least that's what my father says. But I can't help that I don't like heights."
Astera could sense the underlying tone, and backed down. She knew what it was like to be a disappointment to someone, as Lucius had constantly reminded her.
"I think that's fair," she said, then realised that they had reached the staircase leading to the first floor. "I need to go find the choir room, or I'll be late. But I'll see you at dinner?"
"Yeah, sure," Theo said. "Good luck!"
"Thanks."
With a quick smile, Astera tugged her bag back onto her shoulder and headed up the staircase, praying that this one wouldn't move before she reached the top.
After asking a terrified Hufflepuff for directions, she reached the choir room a few minutes before the clock chimed six. A number of students were already there, chattering away in little groups as they waited. Astera hung back by the door, feeling uncomfortable. Most of them looked older than her, and, as she took in her surroundings, she realised there was something missing from the sea of people in the room.
Amongst all the robes, there was not a single flash of green.
Immediately, Astera felt self-conscious, adjusting her robe to hide most of her tie. If she hadn't already been feeling nervous enough, she was now plain petrified. The butterflies in her stomach were churning, and her chest tightened. In fact, she very nearly turned on her heel and walked out. Instead, she steeled her nerves with a deep breath. What would Narcissa think if she found out she had run away? Purebloods did not run from things. They faced them head on.
The sound of a wand rapping sharply against a desk had the girl nearly jumping out of her skin as the room fell quiet. Professor Flitwick was balanced on top of a pile of books at the far end of the room.
"Please could you all queue up in an orderly fashion and put your name and house on the sign-up sheet," he announced in his squeaky voice, and there was an immediate shuffling as everyone rushed over to line up. Astera followed hesitantly, joining the very back of the queue.
"The Hogwarts choir is a long-standing tradition," the man continued. "We meet twice a week on a Tuesday and Friday evening, and perform at all the major events. There is also an inter-school competition that we attend annually in the summer, in which all the Wizarding schools in Europe compete.
'When you've all signed up, if you could spread out and we'll do a warmup together. Then, I'll see you each sing a song of your own choice individually."
There was a shuffling in the line as people pushed their way forward in the middle of the queue, eager to get started. Professor Flitwick didn't seem to notice, or if he did, he didn't acknowledge it.
"We have five places to fill this year," he continued. "Those who are successful will be listed on a sheet that will be hung on the notice board in each house common room first thing tomorrow morning." He smiled widely. "Good luck to all of you."
Once they'd all signed their names, the group spread out, Astera heading away from everyone else and into the darkest corner of the room. In fact, it was so dark that two other girls who had chosen the same spot nearly bumped right into her.
"Sorry," squeaked one.
Astera smiled at them. "No, no, don't worry. It's my fault for choosing the darkest place in the room."
The other one, a taller girl with raven hair just watched her warily and pulled her friend away slightly. But her friend was having none of it.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Odette," the other girl hissed. "That's Astera Lestrange."
"And how many times have I told you, Lydessa, that I don't judge a book by its cover."
Astera couldn't help but let out a smile at the friendly bickering.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," she interrupted them, holding out her hand. Odette stopped glaring at her friend and beamed back, taking Astera's outstretched hand in a surprisingly firm grip.
"I'm Odette, Odette Badeaux and this is Lydessa Paradzai." She gestured to her friend, who was still watching Astera suspiciously.
"I don't blame you for being wary," Astera told her. "But I'm not proud of my father, and I can assure you that I haven't been in contact with him since he… since he went to Azkaban."
She wasn't quite sure why she lied; the letter burning red hot in her robe pocket. Her gut had told her that it was right thing to do, and she couldn't take it back now.
"So, what made you sign up to choir?" Odette asked.
Astera spieled off the answer she had given to Theo earlier, and asked the girl in return.
"I think I fell in love with singing when I saw my first musical in the West End." Odette smiled dreamily.
Astera gave her a funny look. She had never heard of a 'musical' and what in Merlin's name was the 'West End'?
"Odette, she won't understand your muggleisms," Lydessa said, rolling her eyes before turning to Astera. "A musical is a story with songs in it. Muggles go to watch them in big halls, and most of them are situated in London in a district called the West End."
"Oh, I see. They sound fun! The only songs I know are those written by the classics. Celestina Warbeck, Madame Bletchley and some stuff by Eric Percival." She shrugged, but she could feel her face turning slightly pink. She prayed that the two girls couldn't see it in the dim light.
"I'll have to show you at some point," Odette said excitedly. "You know, it's such a shame that wizards don't use electricity. I could have brought my cassette player. I have most of the musical soundtracks on cassette." She paused, and Astera caught the look Lydessa was giving her. "Oh gosh sorry, I just forget! I'm not used to this whole magic thing. Casettes are these little tape things." She used her hands to show a small rectangle. "You put them in the player and they play music."
"A bit like our records," Lydessa put in.
"You'll have to come over in the holidays, I'm sure my parents would love to meet you!"
Lydessa let out a snort. "A Lestrange visiting a muggleborn? That'll be the day."
Astera winced at these words and an uneasy silence fell over the three girls.
Whilst she hated to admit it, Lydessa was right. She wouldn't be able to visit a muggleborn, even if she wanted to. In fact, her stomach clenched at just the thought of Lucius' reaction. He would all but kill her.
The whole audition took about an hour, and by the time Astera had sung her solo, it was dinnertime.
She walked out of the classroom feeling pleased with herself. Professor Flitwick had told her she had a lovely voice, and for once in her life, she was proud. Even if she didn't get into the choir, the fact that she'd had the guts to audition was an achievement nonetheless.
As she had been the last to sing her solo, she expected to step out to a deserted corridor. However, as she closed the door carefully behind her, she was surprised to see the two Ravenclaws – Lydessa and Odette – waiting.
Lydessa was whispering hurriedly to Odette, "I really don't think this is a good idea. She won't be interested in making friends with non-Slytherins, I –"
But Odette had already spotted Astera, and pushed past her friend.
"Astera, wait!"
Astera turned to look at them.
"How did it go?"
Astera blinked. "Pardon?"
"The audition, how did it go? Professor Flitwick put a silencing charm on the room."
"Oh." Astera was taken aback. Why had they waited? "Yes, I think it went alright thank you. How was yours?"
"It was great!" Odette said enthusiastically. "The Professor said I had a really good chance of getting in, same with Lydessa too!"
Astera glanced at the other girl, who didn't seem to be quite so elated, her dark eyes watching Astera mistrustfully.
"We were actually about to head down for dinner. I wondered if you wanted to come with us? Presumably you're heading that way too?" Odette asked.
"Uh, sure." Astera tore her eyes away from Lydessa to smile gently at Odette.
The whole way down to the Great Hall, Odette chattered away, asking Astera questions about her childhood, growing up in a manor house and what it was like to be a pureblood witch. Astera answered as best she could, but she was somewhat relieved when they reached the doors of the Great Hall. She wasn't used to people showing so much interest in her.
As the two Ravenclaws headed to push the door opened, Astera hung back, shifting on her feet uncomfortably.
"I… er… think I better had over to the Slytherin table," she told them tentatively.
She was well aware that news that she was hanging round with a half-blood and a muggleborn would soon make its way back to Lucius if the Slytherins saw her. No doubt that would at least end in a howler, if not worse. Knowing Lucius, he would consider pulling her out of Hogwarts all together, and she could not risk that. Not now she'd finally got here.
Out of the corner of her eye, Astera saw Lydessa roll her eyes, folding her arms across her chest.
"I really do appreciate you waiting for me," she continued, trying her best to ignore the girl. "It was very kind, and I hope that we all make it into the choir." She let out a small smile.
"It's no big deal. I hope we do too, it would be so fun." Odette smiled brightly. "We'll see you around then."
"Yeah, sure," Astera murmured, as Lydessa took Odette by the arm and all but marched her into the Great Hall, leaving Astera alone in the entranceway.
In secret, she was nervous about seeing Draco. No doubt he would ask where she'd been since the end of class, and she really didn't want him to know about choir. He'd only tease her relentlessly, as evidenced by the fact no other Slytherins were at the audition. It would be even worse if her audition wasn't successful.
Taking a deep breath, the girl steeled herself to join her fellow housemates and entered the Great Hall. However, on turning to the Slytherin table, she immediately spotted Theo sat with Draco, Crabbe and Goyle, all laughing loudly, and her heart sunk. If Theo mentioned choir, then her secret would be up.
She dithered at the door, considering whether to turn around now and head back to the common room. Her stomach protested at the thought of lasting until breakfast, but she'd skipped dinner at home a few times when Lucius had been in a particularly bad mood, and she knew it would settle down when she was away from the delicious smell of pumpkin soup.
She'd just turned to move back towards the door, when she glanced back one more time at the Slytherin table. Something she regretted immediately.
Out of all the luck in the world, Theo took that moment look up and catch her eye, a grin spreading on his face as he waved. Cursing inwardly, Astera reluctantly smiled back. She couldn't leave now, it would be rude, and so she made her way over with a sigh.
"Where have you been?" was the first thing out of Draco's mouth as she sat down on the bench next to him. "I haven't seen you since class finished."
Thinking on her feet, she quickly answered, "Some of us like to get a head start on our homework. I've been in the library."
She glanced at Theo, who crinkled his brow like he was about to say something. She shot him a warning look and turned back to Draco.
"Oh," the blond boy said absentmindedly, clearly already bored with the conversation.
However, the ever-jealous Pansy wasn't about to leave it there.
"The library," she scoffed. "Perhaps the Sorting Hat made a mistake with you. If you're not careful, the Sorting Hat will realise it made a mistake and re-sort you into Ravenclaw with the rest of the know-it-alls, or even worse, in with the people-pleasing Hufflepuffs."
Crabbe, Goyle and Zabini dissolved into laughter, and even Draco's lips curled into his signature smirk.
Astera stared at Pansy. She could feel the insecurity rising within her. Pansy may have been stupid, but she certainly knew how to play people's weaknesses. The thought of not being good enough to be in Slytherin was certainly Astera's.
"Ignore them," Theo said from her right, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Astera looked at him, fighting away tears. She would not be weak.
"Thank you," she said.
"How was it then?" he asked quietly. "The audition."
"I think it went okay. There were no other Slytherins there, but that was probably a good thing."
"I'm sure you'll have done just fine," Theo said encouragingly.
Astera smiled back at him, before helping herself to the pile of potatoes in front of her, suddenly feeling hungry.
"I may actually head to the library after dinner," she said as she moved onto the chicken. "It is probably best to get a head start on some of this homework. Do you want to come? I could probably use some help on the Herbology essay."
"Sure." Theo's smile came easily. "But only if you help me with the research for History of Magic."
Astera laughed. "I wouldn't expect anything less from a Slytherin."
