It's been a week since the ball. Things have been quiet ever since. I mostly just sat in our family's library, reading books. It was a Saturday and I had nothing to do. My father told me to get out of the house because he was having a private meeting with some Ministry people. And ONLY Ministry people were allowed in the house. I'm the only one in my family left out. Yes, my mum, dad, and sister all work there. My mum was the Minister's accountant. My father worked along side the minister. And Daphne was my father's secretary. My family was up there in that business, which is why we have so much money. The reason my father wants me to work at the Ministry, is because he can get me a job as head of the group that Potter, Malfoy, and Nott are in. but I want to get my job on my own. Plus, I don't want to work along side Malfoy. Even if I'm the boss of him.

I had been walking around Diagon Alley for about an hour. My father told me to be out of the house for about two hours. I had been in every book store, and bought at least one book from every store. I decided to go shopping for some clothes. I entered a lot of boutiques and bought only a couple of things. Before I knew it, there was only 15 minutes before I could go home.

It was about lunch time, so I decided to Aparate to the Leaky Cauldron for the last 15 minutes.

Finally, the two hours were over and I could go home. I wanted to put all this stuff down. It started to hurt my arms. And I was tired of walking up and down the streets. A relief when I could put these bags down and lay on my bed. But when I got home, that was the last thing I could do.

As I returned home I headed for the kitchen to get a glass of water. I was confused and startled to hear a loud conversation coming from the living room. I was sure that the meeting was over and everyone had gone home, but I was wrong. I walked into the room only to be more startled of who was all there. Only three people, other than the parent, sitting there. Theodore Nott, Daphne, and Draco. Pansy, Milicent, and Blaise were there too. They all looked at me stunned, and everything went quiet.

"Father? I'm sorry. I thought you'd be done by now. You said two hours." My voice was a bit shaky as I said that. I knew something was wrong.

"I know what I said."

"If you would like me to, I can leave again for a while."

"No, no. It's alright. We would like to talk to you."

I thought I knew where he was going. But I was wrong.

"Father, if this is about me working at the Ministry, I told you before, I'll thi-" he cut me off before I could finish.

"It's not about that."

"Astoria," my mother started, "I think you should sit down."

"Why? What's wrong? What's going on?"

"Just listen to your mother."

I sat down on the couch next to Daphne who was looking terrified. She wrapped her arm around me, holding me tightly.

"Dad," I said, "I thought you were having a Ministry meeting, and there's only 3 Ministry people here. Not including the parents."

"I lied so you'd get out of the house for a bit while I talked to these kids and their parents about their mission."

"Their mission?"

"Yes. The mission is to protect you."

"What? Why would I need protection?"

"Before I tell you that, I need to ask you some questions."

I nodded.

"When you were in the library, what books did you read? Whether it was a glimpse, or you read a lot of it. What were they called?"

"Well, I only read about three that were about our ancestors. Alabaster Greengrass, Marissa Greengrass, and this odd one that I've never seen before. Um. It was called Ramiel Reiann."

"You read about Ramiel?"

"Only the first page. It got a bit confusing. In the front cover, there was a piece of

parchment that said 'This book will only appear when the time is right.' I was wondering what it meant."

When I looked around the room, everyone's eyes were wide. As if they were frightened. My mother and Daphne seemed like they would burst into tears any second.

My father started to speak again.

"Did you read anything about a bracelet?"

"A bracelet? Yes, I think I did."

"That's good. What did it say?"

"It said it was a key to something. It held a secret." I stopped to look around. Everyone just looked nervous and as if something was true. So I asked, "Father, can you just tell me what's wrong. Why do I need to be protected?"

The room fell silent.

"Fine. I'll tell you. You need to be protected because you're being watched. Have you read the Daily Prophet recently?"

"Yes. It said something about the Carrows and how they're planning something. But know one knows what."

"Well, we had a spy listen in on one of their meetings and we got some important information on what they're planning. It seems that they are looking for information about Ramiel. Apparently she has a clue that will lead the Carrows to the next Dark Lord. The bracelet has the clue. The book was charmed so that it will only appear when it is ready to reveal the next Dark Lord."

"Wait. Who is Ramiel?"

My mother was the one to explain.

"Ramiel is an ancestors. That is why my middle name is Reiann. It was my maiden name. She was one of the most powerful witches ever in history."

"Oh."

"No one knew what she looked like since there were no cameras way back then. But we found a drawing of her and she looked like this." My mother grabbed an old sheet of paper. I gasped at how she looked. In the drawing, she looked exactly like me. Long brown hair. Same facial features, but just a bit older. She could've been my twin.

"Tha-that looks like me." I choked out. I looked at my parents with wide eyes.

"Yes, she does. The Carrows are after you Astoria. They want you. Ramiel charmed the bracelet so only she can touch it. There is a small locket on the bracelet that has the information. We believe you are the reincarnation of her. Ever since the Trace on you was lifted the book revealed itself and the Carrows have been watching you to wait until you found the book. The Carrows need you to get the bracelet, open the locket, and tell them who the next Dark Lord is. They'll do what ever it takes to get you. But they won't come close. I've asked Daphne and her friends to be your protectors."

"Why them? I mean you could've gotten other people."

"I chose them because our families are close. And I can trust them."

I started to get irritated because I didn't want any of them to protect me. Especially Draco. I didn't know anything about them.

"What if I got some of my friends to protect me. Surely that will still work."

"No. That won't work. These kids have lived through the Dark times and they fought in them too."

"Well, so did my friends. We all did."

"They are older and they know what they're doing."

"Look, I don't want to be protected by them. I don't know anything about them. You may trust them, but I don't. You know that about half the people in here took side with the Dark Lord. Who says that when the new one comes they won't do it again. And what does it matter to you, you supported him. What's the difference now." With that I stood up.

"Well that was different. No one was threatening our family. Now that we've all seen what might happen, we can't join their side again. What's different now is that we have a choice. And we're planning before it starts. They will protect you and that's final." My father spoke through gritted teeth.

"Astoria," my mother spoke, "Just do what your father says. It's for the best. We care about you. And we don't want anything to happen to you. You're just 18."

I knew I wouldn't be able to win this fight. Everyone else was older and they've been through a lot more then I did.

"Fine. But don't expect me to listen to them if I think what they tell me is ridiculous."

I left the room. I thought the whole thing was rubbish. I could protect myself if I just tried. But they wouldn't have it. They'd just do whatever they wanted without me having a say. No matter what. They may be my protectors, but I will fight along side them. And I will make my own decisions, when it comes to be my turn.