The Daily Prophet had sent out its papers for the day, gleefully awaiting the fluttering of pages and the fracas it would bring about. Spilled on the front page in block letters was 'WILL THIS BE THE LAST OF THE GREENGRASS FAMILY?', accompanied by a moving picture of a man, with round glasses that were too large for his face and fraying strands of hair stuck to his head, being dragged by his handcuffs. He did not seem the least bit provoked, he merely kept a poker face and did not put up a fuss, as if he had already accepted fate. Words of the article eagerly ran down the front page:
Two wizards have been killed at a street outside a bar yesterday, slightly past midnight. The victims have been identified as members of the fallen Greengrass family. The Greengrasses are one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight who are known to have previously supported the ideology of Pure-blood Supremacy. The couple has two daughters, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass. Astoria Greengrass is currently attending Hogwarts School of Witch-craft and Wizardry. Further details about the two daughters are unknown.
The perpetrator has been identified as Martin McGregor, an unemployed wizard. His daughter, Alice McGregor, is currently attending Hogwarts as well. According to a spokesgoblin of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, the Greengrasses decided to put up a large sum of their inheritance for borrowing, with the belief that this investment would reap a surplus for them. McGregor was the only borrower of their loan. He promised the Greengrasses to return the sum of money with interest after a duration of five years. However, McGregor failed to do so and had delayed the returning of the debt for months, leaving the Greengrasses eventually broke.
A wizard, who wishes to remain unnamed, says that the Greengrasses were yesterday sighted in the bar. Their loud conversation was overheard by many and it is presumed that McGregor had been forced to meet them outside the bar. Due to the remote location of the bar and the late timing at which the incident occurred, no eyewitnesses are available. McGregor has been arrested and will be taken into temporary custody while being questioned by the Ministry of Magic. When interviewed by the Daily Prophet, McGregor had no answer as to whether the incident was of intent or by accident. The Ministry of Magic would like to appeal for eyewitnesses and will provide any updates, if necessary.
OvO
Sir,
I hate everything. I loathe and despise it, I just don't know what to do. I suppose you've heard the news by now, about the death of my parents. You must be thinking that I'm deeply grieved, but no. Professor McGonagall asked me if I would like to be present at the burial of my parents. I refused. I don't know why. I've cried too many times today. I thought that I would never feel much about my parents, but now I feel guilty that I don't want to be at their burial, it seems like the wrong thing to do. And that's a pain that I can't describe. I hate it that everyone is talking about me, they wouldn't leave me alone. Even that idiotic Rita Skeeter appeared at the entrance of Hogwarts to look for me. If it wasn't for Professor McGonagall chasing everyone away, I wouldn't have time by myself now. I feel like there's nobody left to talk to except for you. Daphne has long abandoned her education and our family, she hasn't spoken to us in years. Alice hasn't been talking to me either. I really do believe her father is innocent, he wouldn't do such a thing. I just want all of this to be over.
Astoria Greengrass
OvO
Draco felt a torment that he knew too well. It was one that was harrowing and could never be put entirely behind him. It was still very much clawing at his mind, because the last time he felt it was not too long ago—when his father was sent to Azkaban. Lucius was hauled by the Dementors, their skeletal, decaying hands digging into his arms.
"DON'T TAKE HIM-" Narcissa's words pounded in his head. She was wailing, trying to snatch him back, eyes a bleeding red. Lucius turned his head towards them, his face was hollowed out and ghostly devoid of life. It was almost as if the sockets of his eyes were empty, they were fixed and still. He choked out a weak whisper of words that Narcissa tried to cling on to, but they faded into nothing.
Narcissa collapsed feebly, bringing herself to her knees. It was at that moment that Draco felt himself leaning forward over the edge and he fell. It was a slow agony that refused to stop even as his soul thrashed around. It kept sinking in, until it stabbed him through.
He had suffered it, yet he felt completely at a loss. He wanted to run to Astoria's side and be the one to tell her the white lie that everything would be alright, but he was afraid to. He was not supposed to. The thought that Astoria did not think that she could confide in him was a harsh reality for him to bear. He accepted it. It was for her good, to prevent himself making another mistake again.
OvO
Sir,
I had missed my lessons for the entire week. I felt too ashamed to show myself in front of the others. Professor McGonagall was understanding and did not say anything against it. I haven't been doing anything. I get up, stare at the walls and do nothing else. I feel like this is all my fault.
Astoria Greengrass
OvO
Sir,
I'm sorry I haven't written to you for some time. I'm feeling better now. Hagrid asked me to have tea at his place. He gave me some cake that took me some courage to swallow down, it seemed to have gone stale and the frosting was sliding off. The only reason I ate it was because he told me that it was leftovers from Harry Potter's birthday cake, I hope that wasn't from ages ago. Hagrid is such a wonderful person. I'm not one of his best students when it comes to Care of Magical Creatures, I'm surprised he even thought of having me over. He didn't bring up anything about my parents, which I'm grateful for. I spent the whole afternoon listening to him tell me stories about Harry Potter. He says that what I'm going through is normal, in fact Harry didn't have it that easy when he was recovering from his parents' death. Harry isn't as strong or brave as I thought, that makes me like him even better. I do think Hagrid misses having someone for company. I should visit him more often.
Astoria Greengrass
OvO
Sir,
I've been trying to find time to talk to Alice, but it's difficult. She has been sitting away from me during lessons and ignores me whenever I call out for her. I can't blame her. Things must be hard for her and she probably thinks that I'm mad with her over what her father has done. I'll just have to be patient and find a better time to be with her. The Daily Prophet has been circulating more articles about me, I've been hearing students spread rumours about me and that makes me greatly frustrated. But there's nothing much that I can do about it. You'll be astonished to know that Samira has not been bullying me over this. In fact, she has not spoken a word about it. She has only gone about with her typical snarky remarks about me being stuck-up. That makes me rather relieved and contented. Maybe Samira won't humiliate me as much as I thought she would. That is a relief.
Astoria Greengrass
OvO
Sir,
I went to Hogsmeade today. Honestly, I can't be bothered by what the other students think about me anymore. I went to Honeydukes and one of the students from the Gryffindor Quidditch team said something foul about me. I yelled back at him and the whole shop was entertained by the row we had. Great, now I'm really going to be infamous in Hogwarts. I got myself some chocolate peppermint No-melt Ice Cream. That should last me for a good length of time. I also bought a few packets of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum since I remembered that Draco once said he hadn't eaten it in ages. I'm not sure when I'll have the chance to pass it to him, I'm tempted to have some of it for myself in the meantime. He won't know it.
Astoria Greengrass
OvO
Sir,
I went to Diagon Alley to see George. He was fixing back a piece of wallpaper that had peeled off when I arrived. It was an incredible surprise later when Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger turned up. I was in such awe of them that I was literally breathless. George was kind enough to introduce me to them. Hermione was very warm towards me but Ron seemed confused as to how he should regard me. Perhaps I was paying too much attention to his red hair and came off to him as disturbing. Hermione had a short chat with me while Ron brought George aside for a discussion. She was very keen to ask me about my schoolwork and I was quite afraid that I would say something that was not factually accurate. Hermione is the brightest witch of her age and I wouldn't want her to think poorly of me. It seemed that George had mentioned me in his conversation with Ron because I saw him pointing at me. I hope it wasn't anything bad about me. I was close to bursting with excitement when I left after seeing them. It's only a shame that I didn't get to meet Harry Potter.
Astoria Greengrass
OvO
Sir,
Professor Slughorn has finally pestered me to go for one of his Slug Club meetings. I have been making up excuses and giving them a miss. I do like Professor Slughorn, but I don't take much pleasure in associating and mingling with other people. I've been looking through my Potions textbook since I've heard him hint at me that he has a tendency of testing his students at such meetings to further weed them out. I'm especially dreading this meeting because Alice will be there. I don't think she would be willing to see me. Hopefully tomorrow night won't be a highly strung one.
Astoria Greengrass
OvO
"Ah, yes! All of you, Hogwart's best and the brightest, have a seat!" Slughorn fervidly shook hands with a line of students and led them to a roundabout table. He was more than proud to show off the small but lavish display he had set up. There was a bustle of movement as the students settled themselves in their seats, amused that they were being treated by someone so highly. The arranged spectacle boasted porcelain plates laced with gold, tall wine glasses and a large dish in the middle overflowing with Crystallised Pineapples. The students had grimly prim faces and sat stiffly against their chairs. The Slug Club meeting was, to them, serious business to be dealt with.
Slughorn's twinkling gooseberry eyes observed his students and he chuckled heartily, "What are all of you waiting for? Dig in! We shall have some of this before our mains. Leave some for me, of course." The clinking of cutlery resounded as they started helping themselves with hesitance, though eventually they were more at ease with the distraction of eating. Slughorn retied his chequered bow tie before tapping his fingers, which were sticky from eating a handful of crystallised pineapples, against his glass to get the attention of his students. "Today," Slughorn announced with gusto, "We welcome a late member to our Slughorn Club, Astoria Greengrass." Astoria shifted awkwardly in her seat as despising glares were suddenly cast at her. Alice, in particular, gave a sarcastic snigger.
Slughorn, who apparently did not notice the tension, continued with his prepared speech. "Now, Astoria," he cheerfully motioned to her, "why don't you say something about yourself?"
"Well I don't think there's really a need for that Professor—"
"That is a must, Astoria."
Reluctantly, Astoria anxiously pushed herself to quickly conjure up a series of intelligent words. "I enjoy brewing potions—"
"And you are one of my outstanding students!"
"Especially Polyjuice Potion, that is tricky but can be done quite easily—"
"Yes, yes! A most interesting potion indeed!"
"I do want to meet some former members from your Slug Club, Professor, like Gwenog Jones—"
"A most excellent Quidditch player!"
"And Ambrosius Flume—"
"That's my man!" Slughorn exclaimed as he excitedly devoured another Crystallised Pineapple.
"And Lucius Malfoy."
There was an abrupt choking and Slughorn had to slap himself hard in the chest. "I'm…I'm sorry Astoria, did I get that right?"
Astoria sank into her seat, but did not quite see what reason she had to take her words back. "Don't you remember, Professor? His son Draco once told me that his father was in your Slug Club for his brilliant performance at Potions."
There was a cue for the rolling of eyes and the other students remained tight-lipped. Slughorn gave a nervous laugh, "Why, Astoria," he proceeded to take a huge gulp of Chocolate Liqueur from his glass, "I'm sure you know very well what happened to Lucius Malfoy." Slughorn gestured to a large cork board behind them that was pinned with labelled photographs of his acclaimed students. Curious eyes scanned past them and halted at 'Lucius Malfoy', who had had his photograph brutally ripped off from the board, clearly indicative of Slughorn's chagrin. "What he has done and what he is now is no longer of importance to me—"
"But Professor," Astoria's words became faster as she refused to let Slughorn interrupt again, "Surely Lucius Malfoy is now a better person, he didn't go to Azkaban in the end—"
"My dear Astoria—"
"And his son, Draco, is one the kindest people I've ever known—"
"ENOUGH!" Slughorn vehemently slammed the table, breathing heavily as his head glistened in sweat. The students froze and continuously switched their attention between Slughorn and Astoria, wondering as to how this would turn out. Realising his mistake, Slughorn heaved a deep sigh. "I would like to make it clear, Astoria, that people who have fallen into such disgrace are not to be tolerated."
Astoria badly wanted to snap back at him, but resisted the urge to and sulked instead. Slughorn tried to be patient and composed himself, "A grave mistake in the past cannot be forgiven and their descendants have no choice but to bear it—"
Slughorn was still in the midst of his persuasion when Alice got up, close to sobbing and ran out of the room. Slughorn's mouth hung open aghast and he was not sure if he could carry on.
"Excuse me, Professor." Astoria raised her hand and stood up.
"Astoria, you know I have never gotten upset with you," Slughorn desperately called after her, but it was no use.
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