A/N - Sometimes I wonder why I'm even still posting this. I'm rapidly nearing as far as I got with writing this last year and idk, does that mean I should continue it now? I've still got a few chapters from last December still writing up so we'll see.
A review would be great
The eerily pitch dark corridors were deserted when Astrid finally began making her way back to Gryffindor Tower later that evening. Dinner had been drawing to a close when she'd left detention after a lengthy two hour session with Umbridge, the day winding down as the sun set over the castle and it occurred to her that soon the throngs of students would filter into the corridors, her friends laughing heartily as they remained blissfully unaware to the nefarious disciplinary techniques she had endured. Immediately, Astrid had scurried to the library, retreating behind a bookcase as she stared at her swollen hand in horror, a sickness rising within her as her eyes bore into her mauled flesh, and in that moment, she had known that she couldn't yet face anyone.
A chill draught crept through the castle as the glowing candles flickered, illuminating the halls as dancing shadows licked up the stone walls, twisting and contorting in the dim light. Astrid tentatively clasped her palm around her burning left hand, the sickening pain throbbing in a dull ache as the reddened flesh continued to swell.
Who does that evil witch think she is? Torturing students – it's absurd!
The voice rattled through Astrid's mind, blurring out the sounds of her heels clicking against the hard, stone floor.
"Oi, Black!"
Astrid jumped out of her skin, startled, as she whirled around to see a familiar blonde wizard striding towards her.
Her eyes narrowed immediately, her face scrunching up in disgust, "Oi, Malfoy,"
The searing sting in her hand reminded her of the fresh cuts marking her skin, digging deep into the flesh, and she quickly stuffed her hand into her robes, concealing it from the boy's sight as he grew closer.
"What are you doing out so late?" He asked her, his robes billowing behind him as he reached the girl.
"I could ask you the same thing." She shot back.
"I'm a prefect," He smirked, puffing his chest out as he squared up to her.
"Ooh, a man with a badge. How impressive." Astrid scoffed, holding his gaze.
Anger flickered through Draco's eyes, but he brushed this off, quickly moving on to another subject, "I see you wasted no time in befriending those filthy bloodtraitors. So typical of you, Black." He snarled, spitting out the words.
"So typical of you to use the same, tired material, Malfoy." Astrid responded without missing a beat, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.
"How do you think those lowlife twins will react when they hear all about your special little gift?" Draco's pale face twisted into a sickening grin, "When they find out how you're going to use that little gem against the beloved Potter?"
Astrid froze as the searing words sunk in, pricking her skin like needles as the smirk fell from her face. She hadn't thought about that. But now, who was to say that Draco wouldn't tell the school about her so called gift? And was it inevitable that she'd have to use her power against Harry Potter?
Draco laughed mirthlessly, the biting sound harsh on Astrid's ears as he circled her, his words taunting, "Or how about when I tell them that you're name is already signed on the Dark Lord's enrolment sheet?"
"You think they'd believe that I'm some kind of death eater in training?" Astrid scoffed, her eyes following the boy.
"They certainly would if they knew who your parents are," Draco chuckled, "Or have you already told them that you're the daughter of famed deatheaters Sylvanus and Alianora Black? No? Didn't think so,"
Astrid eyes narrowed into slits, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you were trying to blackmail me, Malfoy."
"Clearly you don't know better." The boy snorted, amusement etched across his face, "My silence comes at a price, Black."
Ast, are you kidding me? You can't let this arrogant little toad blackmail you! Punch the living daylights out of him! Hex him! Don't just stand there and take it! The voice cried desperately, anger and frustration lacing its tone.
Something within Astrid snapped at these words and before she knew what she was doing she'd whipped out her wand and grabbed Draco by his robes, the tip of her wand prodding his cheek as her eyes flared red.
"If you utter a single word about my family, or my future, I'll make you regret the day you were born." She snarled, her temper overpowering her.
All the amusement had been drained from Draco's face, replaced by a fearful glint in his eye as he processed the situation. Of course, she had an unfair advantage. He wouldn't even bat an eye had she not been so quick, had he been able to reach for his wand in time. His eyes darted from her face to her wand, before settling on her throbbing left hand. Horror and confusion were smeared across his features as his eyes bore into her skin and Astrid followed his gaze to see the deeply engraved scrawl of I must learn my manners marring her flesh. Hastily, she released Draco's robes, the fabric slipping through her fingers as she quickly stuffed her searing hand back into her robes.
"What is that?" Draco asked, regaining his composure.
"Nothing," Astrid spat, digging her hand further and further into cover, twisting the fabric of her robes over it.
"Who caused it?"
"I did."
"Well," Draco responded haughtily, "Maybe you should listen to your hand and learn some manners." Smirking, the younger boy turned on his heel began striding back down the corridor as Astrid stood frozen to the spot, watching his retreating back.
"Draco!" She called after him into the darkness, surprising even herself.
Draco paused, standing rooted to the spot like a statue as he contemplated whether or not to ignore the girl and keep walking. Sighing, he glanced over his shoulder, "What is it, Black?"
"Are you really going to tell everyone?" She asked plainly, her penetrating gaze set on him. She didn't trouble either of them with explaining what she was asking about, for they both knew exactly what she meant.
He didn't say anything, his words trapped in his throat as his gaze began to waver. Without a word, he looked away, disappearing into the shadows. Astrid stayed there for a moment, listening to the faint thud of his footsteps as the sound grew quieter and quiet. Backing away from where she was stood, she smiled to herself, for she knew that, for now, all her secrets were safe with Draco.
The waning moon glittered in the sky, an orb of wax illuminating the room as Astrid crept inside, careful to be quiet as beams of silver light hit her face, setting her pale skin aglow. Tiptoeing over to her empty bed, she tripped over a discarded shoe, stumbling forward and inadvertently kicking Alicia's trunk, her toe clipping the edge of the bulky case.
"For the love of Merlin..." Astrid hissed through gritted teeth, hopping around as she clutched her throbbing foot. Ignoring the faint whispers of 'lumos' darting around the room, she continued to curse, jumping up and down in the darkness, her face contorted with pain.
"Guys, she's back!" She heard Angelina whisper as she tugged back the curtains on her bed, the light bursting from the tip of her wand blinding Astrid, who raised her free hand to shield her eyes as she tripped backwards, landing on her backside with a dull thud.
Groaning in pain, she wearily opened her eyes to see her three bleary eyed roommates standing over her, biting their lips to hold back their giggles as they clutched their brightly lit wands tightly in their hands.
"Hi guys," Astrid said flatly, gingerly rubbing her aching rump as Katie hoisted her to her feet.
"Where have you been?" Alicia practically screeched in Astrid's ear, whacking her over the back of her head, "We were worried!"
"What is this? Abuse Astrid day?" Astrid whined, tentatively massaging her head, her hair tangling around her fingers.
"Well?" Angelina pressed, waiting for an answer.
Astrid looked from face to face to see that her friends were not at all happy with her disappearing act, their features dominated by narrowed eyes and deep scowls.
"Detention ran for longer than I thought," Astrid started, rubbing her neck as she struggled to find words. It wasn't a total lie.
"Oh yeah? Ran for five hours did it?" Katie shot back, hands on her hips, but despite her tone, Astrid could see that her expression was softening.
"Where did you go afterwards?" Alicia continued the interrogation.
"I went to the library." Astrid shrugged.
"Why? We were waiting for you at dinner," Katie responded, her brow furrowing.
Astrid opened her mouth to respond when Angelina spoke up, "You wouldn't have been able to stay in the library after curfew, which was over an hour ago. Where did you go after that?"
"I just sort of wandered the halls." Astrid replied lamely, shrugging once more.
"And you didn't run into any prefects?" Alicia asked, suppressing a yawn.
"I bumped into Draco." Astrid said, chewing her lip thoughtfully as the three girls exchanged glances.
"Did he report you?" Katie asked the question on all of their lips.
"No," Astrid paused for a moment, mulling over her response, "We just talked and then he walked away."
"This still doesn't explain why you disappeared in the first place," Angelina responded, exasperated.
Astrid bit down on her lower lip, gnawing at the flesh as she pondered whether to tell them the honest truth about her detention. She stayed silent, hoping they would grow frustrated and simply drop the subject, their shoulders drooping as they grumbled and crawled back into bed. Lowering her gaze, staring intently at the scuff marks on her boots, she found no such luck.
"Astrid, what is that?" Katie cried out suddenly, and Astrid's eyes shot up to see Katie staring at her hand in horror, her face paling. Hastily, she thrust her wand towards Astrid's hand, waving the tip over Astrid's flesh as the light illuminated the ghostly skin. Astrid watched the situation unfold before her as Alicia and Angelina followed suit, raising their wands as their jaws dropped, their furrowed brows knitting together.
"What is wrong with your hand?" Angelina asked shakily, her eyes boring into the mauled skin.
"This was what my detention with Umbridge entailed." Astrid replied softly, unsure of herself as she stuffed her hand back in her robes.
"She made you carve words into your skin?" Alicia spluttered incredulously.
"She has this charmed quill. She makes students write lines with it and whatever they write is cut into their hand." Astrid explained, "It's very complex magic."
"That's why Harry had his hands in his pockets all day!" Katie exclaimed, realisation dawning on her.
"Exactly." Astrid responded grimly, "That disgusting toad is pure evil."
"You have to report her to Dumbledore!" Angelina cried out.
"I don't know if he can do anything. She's from the ministry." Astrid replied.
"You have to try! We'll go with you!" Alicia pressed on.
"Guys, I appreciate your concern but really all I want is to get some sleep." Astrid said sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
The three girls pouted, letting out exasperated sighs as they admitted defeat.
"Fine, go get ready for bed, but don't think that we won't bring this up again." Angelina said, holding her hands up.
Astrid smiled faintly, giving a slight nod to the girl before hobbling over to her bed, a jolt of pain rattling her aching foot, and crawling behind the curtains.
