A/N I actually think this chapter is the worst of all, but it's marginally important enough that it can't be cut and I don't have the inspiration to rewrite a chapter I wrote 8 months ago, so here you go. The next one will be better, I guess? And the one after that is romantic, so just look forward to that and skim read this because again, it's bollocks.
The Great Hall was sparse when Fred and Astrid waltzed in, their hands still linked, laughing over a joke Fred had just told. They're hearty chuckles were spoilt by something hitting the back of Fred's head. Rubbing his scalp, he whirled around to spot their friends grinning at them, already seated at the Gryffindor table, where they had just been beckoning them over with wildly elaborate hand gestures to grab their attention. When that proved futile, George had taken it upon himself to throw a bread roll at his brother. Dropping Fred's hand, Astrid skipped over the table, swinging her legs over the bench as she plopped herself down beside Angelina, who was rolling her eyes and sighing elaborately as George, who was pressed up against her other side, continuously prodded her shoulder. A chuckling Fred slid into place between Katie and Alicia around the other side of the table, tossing the bread roll back at George, where it hit him square in the jaw.
"Honestly boys, didn't your mother ever teach you not to throw food?" Katie rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner, blowing a wisp of hair out of her eyes.
"When have you ever known us to listen to our mother?" Fred shot back with a grin.
"Touché." Katie replied, sipping her pumpkin juice.
"So what was with all that hand holding?" Alicia asked, directing the question at Fred and Astrid as she raised her eyebrows.
"Hand holding? What hand holding?" Fred feigned innocence, a goofy grin plastered on his face.
"I think you're seeing things, my dear." Astrid chipped in, shooting Fred a wink as she played along.
Alicia huffed out a sigh, "Great, now there's three of them - Fred, George and Astrid."
"George, stop it!" Angelina cried out all of a sudden, exasperated, and all eyes turned on her.
"Not until you give me five good reasons why you won't at least go on a date with me." George whined, continuing to poke her arm.
"Here's one – because you won't stop prodding me," Angelina retorted, but it was undeniable that a grin was hovering on her lips.
George dropped his hands, shuffling away from her in defeat, before announcing, "I'll wear you down eventually."
"We'll see about that," Angelina turned away from him, hiding the blush creeping into her cheeks.
"Smooth, Forge. Really smooth." Fred smirked at his brother, before taking a wolfish bite of his sandwich.
"Because you're such an expert, eh casanova?" George replied, grinning, "You've got mustard on your chin."
Laughing, Fred wiped his face with his sleeve, earning him a disgusted look from Alicia.
"I'm guessing you never learnt table manners either." She said, turning her nose up as she eyed the yellow stain now blotting the fabric.
"Can't say that I did," Fred winked at her, his smile unwavering.
"Oi, close your mouth Fred, you're putting us off our lunch!" George called across the table.
"Git," Fred retorted, tossing an orange at his brother.
"Thanks Freddie," George caught the orange, a smirk plastered on his face, "I could use some of my five-a-day."
Fred responded to this by poking his tongue out at his brother childishly.
"Stop it, you two!" Katie giggled, shoving Fred playfully.
"Sorry Katie." The twins chorused, grinning at each other.
"It's almost frightening how often you talk in unison," Astrid remarked dryly, looking at the pair.
"It's a twin thing." They spoke in sync once again, their smiles unwavering.
"Annoying is what it is." Angelina chipped in, once again batting away George who had slid closer to her.
The good natured chatter was interrupted by a tawny owl swooping overheard, circling the room before diving down towards the table, nearly clipping Fred's with its sharp talons. Uncurling its razor-like talons, the owl dropped a scarlet envelope onto the table, landing beside it as it folded its wings back, cooing as it pecked at George's sandwich.
"Get away, you stupid bird!" George batted the owl away with his hand. The owl darted forward, pecking its pointed beak at George's fingers, before spreading it's wings and taking flight once again, almost taking George's head off just as he swiftly ducked, whacking his head on the table.
Grumbling, he raised his head, tenderly rubbing the red mark spreading across his forehead. All eyes turned back to the envelope, the silence almost suffocating.
"Uh-oh." Katie murmured, voicing everyone's thoughts as they eyed the howler.
"Who's it for?" Angelina asked, eyeing the letter warily.
Now you've done it.
"It's mine." Astrid spoke clearly, her gaze steady as the group turned to stare at her. She knew it was hers; it had to be. Reaching out a shaking hand, her heart pounded in her chest, cracking her ribcage, and her fingers clasped the letter, curling around the envelope as she dragged it closer. Gulping, she kept her eyes down as she tentatively peeled open the envelope.
With a jolt, the letter sprung to life, darting out of the envelope, which a startled Astrid promptly dropped, and hovering in mid air.
"Astrid Amaranta Black!" The unmistakeable voice of Alianora Black screeched, the folded letter flapping maniacally, "A Gryffindor? Do you know what an embarrassment that is to this family? And to make matters worse, your father and I just received an owl from the Malfoy's, alerting us that Draco informed them that you've been associating yourself with filthy blood traitors! What next? Mudbloods? Muggles? Your father is absolutely furious – he has half a mind to pull you out of school immediately! If it wasn't for your gift, he'd have half a mind to disown you!" Astrid winced as students from around the hall began to whisper, their eyes boring into her, "You are singlehandedly tarnishing the good name of Black, Astrid! You have a lot of explaining to do, young lady!" The shrill voice echoed around the room as the letter shredded itself to pieces, scarlet shreds of paper piling on the table as a red faced Astrid stared the envelope before her in horror. Murmurs filled the room, her ears burning as gossip of the howler spread like wildfire.
"Let's get you out of here," Angelina whispered comfortingly in her ear, rubbing her back as she helped hoist Astrid to her feet. Astrid felt numb, shaking as she held back tears. Her friends all leapt to their feet, crowding around her as they led her from the hall, glaring daggers at anyone who dared stare at her. Astrid kept her head down, her eyes trained on the blur of the stone tiles as the huddled group herded her out of the Great Hall, leading her outside into the blinding sunshine. Astrid felt a hand grab hers; lacing their fingers together and her eyes darted up to see Fred close beside her, their sides bumping together as he
swung their joined hands back and forth. Shooting her a lopsided smile, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze and she smiled gratefully.
"Right, here's a good place." Alicia announced and they ground to a halt, tossing their bags down as they all flopped onto the grass. Astrid remained rooted to the spot, her gaze hollow as she stared at ground, contemplating making a run for it.
What are they going to say about the letter? She thought, They're going to ask about my gift.
Then you have to lie, the voice replied somewhat shakily, as if it was also unsettled by the howler.
Dropping her hand, Fred placed his hands on Astrid's shoulders, pushing her down towards the ground as she reluctantly gave in, her legs buckling beneath her as she fell to her knees. Satisfied, Fred plopped himself down beside her, pulling his knees up to his chest.
"We're really sorry about that letter, Astrid," Katie started quietly, "Those things that your mother said to you, they were horrid."
"I was expecting it," Astrid mumbled, shrugging.
"She shouldn't have been so rude about it," Angelina piped up, reaching out to place her hand on Astrid's shoulder in a comforting gesture.
Astrid stayed silent.
"Ast, you don't have to answer this if you don't want to, but," Alicia started softly, "What did she mean by 'gift'?"
Astrid's breath hitched in her throat as her heart started thumping, pounding against her chest as it struggled to break free. Her hands grew clammy as her head started to thunder, blood thrashing against her skull, drizzling into her ears. She hadn't been prepared for this.
What do I say, she asked herself, panicked.
Lie, lie, lie! The voice screeched at her, you've got to lie! They can't know, nobody can know.
What can I say? She racked her brains, her heart thumping in her throat.
Anything. I don't know, the voice sounded equally flustered.
Helpful, she shot back.
I've got it! The voice declared excitedly, Say that it's because you're a witch, not a squib!
"She just meant my magical ability. You know, how I'm not a squib." Astrid spoke finally, her voice hoarse, and everyone nodded in understanding.
Good job, the voice whispered in her ear.
"I can't believe it." Astrid shook her head, absently fiddling with a blade of grass that she plucked from the ground, twisting it around her finger, "It's only what, the third day here? Already I've disappointed my parents."
George scoffed, "You don't need them anyway – you've got us now and if I do say so myself, we're a lot better."
"Yeah, we'll be your new family; the updated model." Fred grinned, giving Astrid a playful nudge which roused a faint smile from her, tugging the corner of her lips upwards.
"Thanks guys." She said softly, looking at the group appreciatively.
"Now," Angelina said, clasping her hands together, "How about we head up to the common room for a few rounds of exploding snap?"
Everyone eagerly nodded in agreement, jumping to their feet and brushing themselves down. Katie struck up small talk about Quidditch as they strolled back towards the castle.
"Wait," Astrid suddenly reached out, grabbing hold of Fred and George's sleeves and tugging them back while the three girls went on ahead.
"Yes, Miss Black?" Fred raised a brow, stuffing his hands in his pockets, a smirk playing on his lips.
Astrid took a deep breath, looking at the two pairs of inquisitive blue eyes staring back at her, "I'm really sorry that my mother called you," She paused, wincing at the term, "'Filthy blood traitors'."
"Why are you sorry?" George asked, an amused smile tugging at his lips.
"Because it was uncalled for." Astrid shrugged, looking down.
"Well, she's not exactly wrong," Fred grinned, nudging Astrid.
"Technically, we are blood traitors." George chuckled, "I'm not so sure about the filthy part though."
"We do bathe, you know." Fred added.
"I'll let her know in my reply," Astrid giggled, before adding, "But for the record, you two are so much more than 'blood traitors'."
"Thanks." The twins replied in sync, grinning from ear to ear.
"Now, I believe we have some exploding snap to play." George said, linking his arm through Astrid's.
Fred followed suit, hooking his arm into her free arm, "Indeed we do, Georgie."
Laughing, the trio skipped towards the castle, their arms linked, before they disappeared through the doors, the howler having been forgotten.
