Title: An Uneventful Year
Characters: Astoria Greengrass

Forum/Challenge: TGS's 'Keeping Up with Cara' Challenge
House: Mahoutokoro (House Mizu)

Prompt: (year) 1997-1998
Points: 5 points

World: Hogwarts
Word Count: 1,158

XXX

Dear Mother and Father,

I have some exciting news: Madam Pomfrey has asked me to shadow her in the Infirmary this year! It's a great opportunity to practice for the practical portions of my OWLs in Potions and Charms. Plus, what would my future husband say if I didn't know how to fix the bumps and bruises that our children will no doubt incur? She has promised not to impose too much, as it is my OWL year, but I'm excited to be working with her.

"I'll need you to help me brew some basic healing potions," the matron said as she showed the young Ravenclaw witch around the infirmary. "The Headmaster used to take care of all of that, but he's far too busy now and Professor Slughorn can't seem to find the time."

However, despite their best efforts, the two witches couldn't keep Dittany stocked. Between the number of students who ended up in the infirmary after detention and the vials that went mysteriously missing, it seemed that their brewing never ended. Astoria found herself sleeping in the infirmary more often than not, as it wouldn't due for her to be out after curfew, even with an excuse from Madam Pomfrey.

Not with Amycus Carrow patrolling the halls.

My classes are all going very well. The new Muggle Studies Professor, Professor Carrow, has taken much different approach to the field than our past instructors. I think I'll still be ready to take my OWL, though I am rethinking a NEWT in the field. I feel my energies would be better spent focusing on my strengths, like Potions and Transfiguration, rather than taking as many NEWTs as possible.

It was everything she could do to hold the contents of her stomach back as she gently wrapped the first year's arm, black and blue and striped with blood.

"Please don't," the boy half whispered, half cried. "Please leave me alone."

"I won't hurt you," Astoria said softly, though he winced as she continued to wrap his arm. She glanced at the matron, who was busy with another half-blood victim of Alecto Carrow's 'teaching methods'. "I promise."

He was so tiny. Had she ever been that small?

"I'm sorry," he cried. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" she asked before she could help herself.

"For being born."

Other than that, it's much of the same here at school. There are a few people who are unhappy with the changing political climate, as Father would say, but nothing too extreme. You know I don't follow that stuff at all; I'm just trying to study as much as possible!

"I think I'm getting the hang of brewing multiple potions at once," Astoria said, grinning as Madam Pomfrey helped her decant the Dittany into glass vials. "I may had brewed too much!"

The matron smiled softly. "I'm sure we'll find a use for it. We always do."

Once the potions cupboard was as full as she could make it seem, she piled the extra vials into a small trunk. In pretty, precise script she wrote 'Extra Healing Potions - Brewed 15/10/1997.' Then she curled up in one of the infirmary beds and cast a series of silencing and privacy charms.

She was still awake an hour later, when the air shifted with a disillusionment charm and the trunk with healing potions was carried away.

They always raided the stores on Thursdays. Setting it up this way just made the whole rouse easier.

Daphne makes sure I still have time for fun. She even invited me to the Slytherin common room for game night! Don't tell her I said this, but she's the best sister I could ask for.

"How are things in the dungeons?" Astoria asked softly. Daphne pursed her lips from across the library table.

"Pansy's still a bitch, and Millicent is just as bad now. She's actually bragging about taking the mark next summer, if you can believe it."

"And Theo?" Astoria liked her older sister's boyfriend, despite his father's Death Eater ways.

Daphne sighed. "Less enamoured with it, now that he's seen what it's done to Draco."

Astoria furrowed her brow. "Draco Malfoy? I was under the impression he was happy to be the Dark Lord's newest recruit."

Daphne shook her head. "He was, but after last year… let's just say I don't think the Malfoys will keep in the Dark Lord's favor very long. Draco's still the same pompous ass, but he's not vicious like Crabbe." Daphne's voice became very quiet. "Theo's teaching me how to throw my Crucios, make them less powerful. He said he learned from Draco."

Astoria raised her eyebrows at that.

I've even made a new friend! She's another Ravenclaw, and she's helping me study for my Defense OWL. Nothing against Professor Carrow, but with five different professors over the past year I'll take all the extra help I can get!

"Awfully late to be out, isn't it Miss Greengrass?"

A shudder went through Astoria as she felt Amycus Carrow slither up behind her.

"I was just heading back to Ravenclaw Tower, sir," she said, putting as much distance between herself and the sallow, leering wizard as possible.

"From the Infirmary? Yes, I hear you've been helping Pomfrey. You know, I could use a… hand… in the Defense classroom as well. I'll write you a pass to be out after hours." His fingers curled around her upper-arm as he made to drag her toward the Defense classroom-and his quarters. Astoria sucked in her breath and shut her eyes hard, desperate to find a way-any way-to not go with this man who was so transparent in his lecherous desire for her.

"There you are, Astoria," said a dreamy voice from behind them. "I'm glad I caught you. Are you ready to finish studying?"

Astoria's eyes went wide as Loony-Luna-Lovegood smiled dreamily. Ignoring Professor Carrow completely, the blonde walked up, grabbed Astoria's hand, twined their fingers together and, almost as if with magic, extracted her fellow Ravenclaw from their Defense professor's grip.

"I think a few more translations with the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc and you'll be ready for the exam next week!"

When they turned down a hall and out of Professor Carrow's sight, Astoria let loose a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. When they finally reached the safety of the tower, Luna still prattling on about Runes, Astoria shut the door behind them and hugged the girl.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Luna cocked her head in response. "For what? You really do need to work on your Anglo-Saxon; Professor Babbling was bemoaning your class the other day because no one had put in the work on that particular runic set yet."

Astoria nodded and opened the door to her room. As she closed it, she heard Luna say, even softer, "Thank you for the potions."

I'll write more when I can, but I expect it will be a fairly uneventful year.

I love you.

Astoria