"All men by nature desire knowledge." -Aristotle

Chapter 5

I spent another three hours in my room much to my surprise and pleasure. I'd stuck in some Linkin Park and was enjoying the privacy of my room. It actually looked normal and not half so lifeless and dark as the rest of the house. I guessed it was around dinnertime when somebody knocked on my door. I got up from sitting on my bed and sorting through my clothes.

"Yeah. What d'ya want?" I asked, raising my eyebrows expectantly. I stood in front of the partly opened door, clearly saying 'no, you may not come in'. Hermione was standing on the landing looking a little uncertain.

"Dinner is ready." I nodded and quietly shut the door behind me. I motioned her to lead. She looked like she wanted to ask about a million questions; I did not encourage conversation, merely nodding or grunting when she tried to make small talk; she resignedly gave up after her third attempt. By the time we reached the kitchen everyone was seated.

"Hello, there Astrid. Feeling better?" Molly asked kindly.

"I never felt bad, Molly. Thanks for asking though." I said politely. I sat down next to the bumble gum headed chick and Ginny. Hermione sat between Ron and the bespectacled boy. I dished up with everyone else.

"This smells great." I said to no one in particular since I didn't know who was responsible. I was just about to dig in when I caught a furtive look passed between Ginny and Ron. I stopped and considered my plate for a moment. Had they jinxed it? Fred and George probably slipped something in it I realized. Nah, that would have contaminated all the food. They'd probably jinxed the plate its self. I held in a frustrated shout. I was hungry damn it!

Not wanting to rouse suspicion I pretended to drink from my cup; I didn't even let my lips brush the edges. I noticed that several people were shooting me curious glances. Probably wondering what I'm doing here. Well, too bad. Deciding I had to come up with a reason not to eat I calmly turned to the pink haired woman and held out my hand.

"Hi, I'm Astrid." She seemed surprised at first but then she gave me a brilliant smile.

"Wotcher, Astrid. I'm Tonks." I steered the conversation toward something safe, like her hair. We chatted about nothing important for a long time. She tried to subtly steer the conversation towards me a couple of times but I saw what she was doing and tactfully deflected her questions by asking my own. After awhile I actually started to enjoy myself as we argued over the best way to send and defend against different types of curses.

"Nuh-uh, because if you were to miscalculate the spell's strength by even a fraction it would blast through your shield. Remember, Warrington's shield forms a bubble around you, so the strength you put into it is thinned out in order to encompass your entire body. Perhaps if you sharpened the wrist movement you could bring it in close to you, minimizing the space between you and it. That way it would be stronger than if you were to just perform it how it's normally taught. But still…" My head tilted to the side as I considered.

"I understand what your saying, but this other shield doesn't sound any better." Tonks was impressed with my adeptness. Most people were. Dueling spells had become a hobby of mine. I suspected I'd work for the American Ministry in the Criminals Department. Tonks was an auror, a kind of cop, for the ministry here in England.

I ignored my stomach, which must have a thousand protesters parading around in it. I still hadn't touched my food and was waiting patiently to be excused so I could dig through my trunk for some good ol' junk food. Molly hadn't noticed my 'lack of appetite' because I kept stashing bits and pieces into my napkin; I hadn't started off with a lot anyway.

"I think you can run up stairs and eat something now. I'll cover for you." Tonks whispered quietly, having seen the disgruntled glances I kept sending my plate. I gave her a grateful look before thanking Molly and wishing everyone a good night. The Army, as I was beginning to think of the Weasley kids, seemed putout. The twins were clearly frustrated. To them I was a new recruit who had been evading the initiation ceremony. I was a green horn who was causing a disruption in this tight-nit veteran army.

I was pushing in my chair when I saw The Army each gesture or exchange significant looks. Suspecting foul play I ran for the stairs the second I'd reached the stone steps. I heard Tonks laugh and I knew the others had given chase. I'd just reached the hallway when I heard two cracks. Without hesitating I dove under the staircase, crouching low in the shadows. I slowed my breathing until my chest was barely moving.

"Where'd she go?"

"Must be faster than we thought."

"She did out run Buckbeak."

"True." Another crack ended the conversation. I guessed they'd apparated upstairs. I stayed put, I didn't want to run into the other Weasleys who were only now coming down the hallway.

"Smart girl."

"Think she might out fox Fred and George?"

"No. She's not that perceptive. You'd have to be a regular Mad Eye with all the paranoia you'd experience."

"Bill, Charlie! I cannot believe you are sanctioning this kind of behavior. The girl just arrived and no doubt she's under a lot of stress with the move and then the Death Eater activity." I recognized Hermione's 'I know best' tone.

"Ah, come on Hermione. It's a family thing. If she wants to be a part of this family—"

"If she wants to be apart of your family, Ronald, after the way you've been treating her I'll be very surprised." Hermione sniffed.

"Leave them alone, Hermione. I'm sure she can take care of herself. Besides it's not like they're going to hurt her." A quiet voice said firmly. I guessed it to be the Potter boy's.

The voices soon faded as they made their way upstairs. I heard Ginny arguing with someone so I could be sure that the entire Army was gone. Slowly I leaned out from under the stairs. Detecting no other movement I snuck back down into the kitchen.

"Back again I see." Remus was smiling at me from his spot at the virtually empty table. I glared at him. I was so hungry. Looking over my shoulder to make sure the Army wasn't coming, I stole over to Molly and asked for some untainted food to go.

"Can't hide from them forever girl." I stiffened as I recognized the gruff voice of the grizzled, peg legged man.

"So observant. Must have been at the top of your class." I retorted mockingly. Tonks snorted into her napkin and I smirked. I thanked a disgruntled Molly and left with my food.

As I left the kitchen I debated where I could eat my dinner; my room was not an option. The house had become a battlefield and I was out numbered. I crept back under the stairs and ate while I planned. I needed supplies but where to get them? A wicked grin slowly spread across my face as I began to plan. Yes, oh yes. All the children could play this game, only I intended to win.

It was around four in the morning before I managed to crawl back into bed. I'd stayed up all night with Tonks, having recruited her after much persuasion. We'd managed to locate most of the charms and other tricks The Army had left behind. In fact, I'd salvaged whatever I could for later use. We might have gotten the bulk of them but I suspected that there were more. I smiled in satisfaction when I thought of how the twins and the other troopers would find themselves in the morning. It was going to be a great day.

A/N:

Eh. I know I haven't given much detail as to what Astrid really looks like; be patient.

Pensive, the author.