A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! I LOVE reading them, its a bit sad how giddy I get reading them. Here's part 9! OH! Personally I'm a very visual person, so check out my profile for links to outfits, character photos for my OC's and such. Read and Review!

Astrid's POV

Once we had returned from Hogwarts, Harry went back to living with the Dursley's, Hermione returned to her parents, Ron went to the Burrow and I joined my father at our house next to the Grangers. Hermione and I only spent a week or so at home before we knew we needed to relocate to a safe-house. After much deliberation, Hermione decided it was best to modify her parent's memory by erasing her existence from their lives and sending them off to Australia each with a new alias. I knew it was a very difficult thing for Hermione to do; my father and I comforted her after she had sent off her parents and came to stay with us a few days before leaving for the Burrow. It's amazing the type of strength you're forced to develop when in such horrible, dark times.

Hermione had been stealthily in contact with both Harry and Ron to discuss and prepare for their search of the Horcruxes. They had asked me to join them in their search, but I declined. I had really considered it, but I knew that someone had to stay at Hogwarts and keep an eye on Snape, who had been named the new Headmaster. I had a feeling that the younger students would need protection at school since Death Eaters were now in employ as teachers. Also, I felt that Harry, Ron and Hermione would have better luck with only three people as it would be easier to hide and move from place to place with only three instead of four.

Today however, we were leaving for the Burrow, where we would spend the rest of our summer holiday. I was sitting on my neatly made up bed and was looking around my room that I had grown up in. The walls were painted a soft aqua and were covered in a plethora of bewitched photos. I had thought about taking them all, but decided to only take a couple instead. It was nearly impossible to choose because they all meant so much to me. As I studied them all, I noticed that Neville was in a majority of them…waving and smiling back at me. It made my heart sink when I thought about him, I still hadn't seen him since school was let out. I wrote him nearly every day; apologizing and telling him how much I missed and loved him, but I had yet to receive a single reply…he probably didn't even read the bloody letters…the stupid prat. I shook my head of the negative thoughts and stood from my bed, walking over to the array of photos.

The first photo I chose was a family portrait that was taken a day or so after I was born. My mother was holding both me and my sister in her arms and my father was standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders. Little Lucille and I were cooing and gazing up at our mother…I really missed them both, even though I had no memories of them. The next photo I packed into my bag was one of my mother and Sirius…it was a photo Sirius had given me for my fifteenth birthday, shortly before he was killed. The two lovebirds were still at Hogwarts in their last year and were goofing around, dancing in the middle of a courtyard at Hogwarts. It perfectly captured the two and their love. I then grabbed a photo of me, Sirius, Harry, Hermione and Ron. It was taken during the summer before our fifth year when we were all at 12 Grimmauld Place. We looked so happy; we were so naïve back then and had no idea how tragic the next few years would be for all of us.

The last picture I decided to take was one of me and Neville. It was taken during the Yule Ball in our fourth year; it was my fondest memory and what I used to produce a Patronus. I was dressed in a crème colored strapless gown. I remember that I felt like a princess in that gown, especially when I would spin while dancing and the dress woudl float out around me, swishing with grace. Everyone was dressed up so nicely and everything was positively beautiful. The night was full of fun and romance. In the photo, Neville and I would dance for awhile before stopping to wave at the camera, still holding hands. We were one of the last couples on the dance floor and Ginny had taken the photo for us. As I studied our faces, I could tell that dancing was one of the few places Neville looked perfectly confident. He wasn't tripping over his own feet or stepping on mine, he led us gracefully around the dance floor, my dress sweeping and flowing dramatically. I believe it's safe to say that this was one of the best nights of both of our lives. I put the photo into my bag then gave my room a last once over before heading down the stairs to join my father and Hermione in the living room.

"You ready then, Astrid?" My father asked.

"Yeah, I've got everything I need." I replied smiling sadly, this was probably the last time I would set foot in our home for a long time. I could only hope and pray that Death Eaters wouldn't destroy it while trying to track down my father or Hermione's parents. We each made our way into the fireplace separately and used Floo powder to travel to the Burrow. Green flames surrounded me and then died down as I stepped through the fireplace to see Aunt Molly waiting next to Hermione and Ron who were hugging each other.

"Astrid dear, so good to see you!" Molly called out as I walked up to her and gave her a warm hug.

"How have you been Aunt Molly? I haven't seen you since the funeral."

"I've been better, but planning this wedding has helped keep my mind off all the bad things." Molly answered honestly. I looked back at the fireplace and saw my father step through with the rest of our things. My father was going to be staying at the Burrow with all of us until I returned to school where he would be moving into different safe-house with other members of the Order.

"Ah, Hello Molly. It's so good to see you." My father said as he walked forwards to hug Aunt Molly.

"It's great to see you too, David." Molly spoke smiling, "You're all just in time for lunch, and I've just set the table…come along." We all followed Aunt Molly into the dining room where the rest of the Weasley family was already seated. Once we managed to all squeeze in around the dining table, Molly began serving the food and we all ate while keeping up a casual conversation.

"So how's the wedding planning been going?" My father asked the family.

"It 'as been going very well." Fleur's English had drastically improved, but she still had a bit of an accent. "Although I am beginning to stress a little…" We continued to chat during our meal and once we finished, Hermione, Ron and I all went upstairs to Ron's room.

"So how have you two been?" Ron asked as we settle down onto the floor by his bed.

"Okay I guess…I haven't really done much but sit around at home, my dad wouldn't let me out of the house." I replied.

"I know how you feel, mums been real mental this summer. Nearly blew a gasket when I told her I wasn't going back to school…and she's been digging to find out what we're all up to." Ron said. "What about you Hermione? You've been quiet tonight."

"It's my parents…I modified their memories and sent them away a few days ago…it really hurts, especially when I see you all with your families." Hermione confessed as she began crying hard. "I didn't think it would be this difficult."

"Blimey Hermione…"Ron said before hugging her tightly.

"Well...I know it's difficult to believe in it, but on the bright side, at least you know their safe and won't be right in the middle of all the fighting." I tried to cheer my best friend up. This whole situation was taking a toll on us and Hermione's breakdown was a prime example of what it was doing to all of us.

Over the next month or so, I spent my days helping the Weasley's and Fleur plan for the approaching nuptials. As the summer progressed, Hermione, Ron and I found ourselves working to the point of exhaustion; cleaning up the Burrow, replacing rotten wood on the house, ridding the garden of pesky gnomes and scrubbing every inch of the family silver and china until it shined brightly and you could see your own reflection. It was a very tiring summer but it did wonders to get our minds off the upcoming months and the terrifying events that were sure to take place. However, when I did have some free time I would always sit down and write to Neville; sometimes it was a letter several paragraphs long and other times it was a mere sentence or two…he never wrote back though.

In the early part of July, my father and I attended Lupin and Tonks secretive wedding ceremony. Since both my "dads", David and Sirius, had been such good friends with Remus, he and Tonks felt it was only right for us to be some of the very few witnesses at the wedding. It was a small occasion but was so beautiful and emotion filled that I couldn't help but tear up a bit as the two soul mates exchanged vows. I wish Harry could have attended, but there was no way we could risk his safety like that. Plus, with the new anti-werewolf status of the Ministry, we didn't dare chance having anyone uninvited show up to ruin the ceremony by looking for Harry.

On the evening of the 27th of July, a few days before Harry's 17th birthday, I found myself standing in the Dursley's living room with Hermione, Ron, Harry and several members of the Order, including my father, Mad-eye Moody, Bill, Hagrid, Remus and Tonks.

"I believe you're familiar with this brew, Potter." Moody said while pulling out his flask.

"No, absolutely not." Harry immediately spoke up.

"Told you he'd take it well…" Hermione said sarcastically.

"I won't let you all risk your lives for me."

"Like we haven't already…" Ron pointed out.

"Yes, but this is different. This is too dangerous, I won't let you."

"Look, I understand that you're trying to be noble Potter, but you've really got no say in the matter. All the wizards here are of legal age and they've already agreed to it." Moody said. "Line up you lot." On his command, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, Mundungus, Fleur and I all lined up in front of Moody. "Fair warning to those of you who haven't taken the potion before, it tastes like goblin piss." He walked over to Fred, handing him the flask.

"Got loads of experience with that have you, Moody?" Fred joked as he took the flask, Moody did not look amused however. "Just trying to defuse the tension is all." Fred took a drink and passed on the flask to his twin before he shrunk down to Harry's height and began to slowly transform before our eyes. The flask made its way down the line and eventually I was holding it. I pinched my noise and swallowed the rest of the potion. Moody was right, it tasted exactly how I imagined Goblin piss would. I scrunched up my face and immediately felt the bones in my body popping and stretching as I grew a few inches to be at Harry's height; I could feel my face changed shape, my vision went blurry and suddenly I was very aware at how tight my jeans were now…especially in the groin region. It felt bloody bizarre to have a penis, there is no way in hell I would ever trade in my womanly bits for a penis…it's much too strange to feel something hanging from you!

I managed to push the thought from my head and all of us new "Potters" got changed into matching outfits. It was quite strange to look down at my body and see Harry's instead. I also felt sort of bad for Harry since everyone was getting a clear view of his body. Once we had all quickly finished dressing into the matching clothes, Mad-Eye moved back to the front of the group and got our attention again.

"Alright Potters, pair up with your protectors." I walked over and stood by my father who would be flying us to our old house on a Thestral. "Potter…the real one, you'll be with Hagrid and will be heading to Ted Tonks house. Now let's all get ready." We all followed Moody out into the street where we all settled on the various brooms, Thestrals and the flying motorbike. It was eerily calm out, and even though I couldn't see anyone else, I knew we were being closely watched. "All ready?" Everyone nodded in unison. "All together then, one…two…THREE!" We all lifted up into the sky, and the moment we were above the houses on Privet Drive, there were several loud cracks heard as Death Eaters apparated on brooms all around us. I aimed my wand, as did my father, and we began duel with the two Death Eaters that began to tail us closely. I narrowly dodged a jinx before stunning the Death Eater and causing him to fall from his broom just as my father cursed the broom of the other Death Eater, causing it to buck wildly.

Suddenly every single Death Eater and Voldemort himself all headed straight for Hagrid and the real Harry. Something had given him away and the Death Eaters were hot in pursuit. Myself and some of the other Potters were able to curse and stun a few of the Death Eaters before we were all too far from Harry and Hagrid, having flown off in separate directions towards our various destinations. In a few excruciatingly long minutes my father and I reached our old house. We hopped off of the Thestral who flew away, back to Hogwarts, and we quickly sprinted to the grubby looking hand mirror which was our portkey that instantly transported us into the swamp surrounding the Burrow. We landed with a splash, somehow during the transport with the portkey I had severely injured my leg; I attempted to stand but fell back down, a fiery pain shooting up my body. My father saw the unnatural angle of my leg and quickly loaded me into his arms, sprinting for the Burrow so we would be inside the safe zone.

As we entered the yard behind the Burrow, I somehow managed to notice several of the Potters and the protectors entering the safe zone while I was still in severe pain; all the Potters, myself included, we close to being back to themselves again. I shut my eyes tight and winced at the horrible pain that seemed to be multiplying as my body's bones reformed back to my own self; but it seemed my body was having difficulty doing so because of my hurt leg. I looked at my injured leg and immediately regretted it, shutting my eyes tight and forcing myself to swallow back the bile that was on its way up my throat. My leg was completely twisted and gnarled looking somehow; the pair of pants I was wearing were stained dark red with my blood but I still managed to see that my tibia had gone through the skin and was poking out of the ripped jeans. With my eyes still shut, I could tell we were moving fast as my father took me into the house.

"What's happened to Astrid?" I could hear Ginny call from outside. I then felt myself being place on something soft, one of the couches in the living room I assumed. Right as my father stepped away I heard someone scream, it was Aunt Molly.

"Astrid! Oh dear, what happened?"

"Something with the portkey, she must not have had a firm enough grasp when we were transported." My father spoke frantically.

"Make way!" I heard Remus call out, "George was hit with a nasty curse." I heard shuffling and opened my eyes briefly to see a bloodied up George lay down on the other couch across from mine.

"Oh George…" Molly whispered, inspecting the wound on his head.

"Blimey Astrid…you look worse off than I do." George managed to make out, weakly smiling at me. I tried to smile back but instantly regretted it as I felt another wave of nausea hit me, forcing me to shut my eyes again.

"Here, I'll take care of him Molly; you tend to Astrid…she needs a better healer than George does." Remus said and I heard footsteps approach as Molly came back over to me.

"Astrid…how are you feeling?" Molly asked.

"Like I'm going to vomit…it hurts…so bad auntie…" I somehow managed to groan out, unfortunately talking was not a good idea at the moment and I began to lean towards the edge of the couch.

"Grab that bin!" Molly called out, I heard rapid movement and just as I had my head leaning over the couch, I felt someone pull back my hair and could feel the presence of the trash bin below me. I instantly opened my mouth and emptied the entire contents of my stomach into the bin. It suddenly got louder as more people entered the house.

"Where are Moody and Mundungus?" Remus asked the new comers.

"Mundungus got scared and apparated" I heard Bill inform us all. "…Voldemort killed Moody." There was an instant feeling of sadness that enveloped the entire room. It was too much for me to handle to think about Voldemort taking another life away from us and I leaned back to the bin and vomited a second time.

"This is exactly why I didn't want any of you to do this…" Harry exclaimed.

"Oh shut it Harry…" I groaned before vomiting a third time.

"Astrid!" I heard Hermione yelled and then felt her kneel next to me and grab my hand in hers.

"Bloody hell…what happened to Astrid and George?" Ron asked.

"Problems with the portkey transport…" My father explained. "And George was cursed by Snape."

"It's okay you lot…I feel a lot closer to God now that I'm holy…geddit? I'm holey!" George managed to joke even when he was bleeding profusely from the head.

"Really George, of all the ear jokes in the world…you choose that one?" Fred laughed at his twin.

It was finally the day of Bill and Fleur's wedding and the Burrow was animated with all sorts of activity and characters. Molly had done her best at healing me, but I still had to wear a cast and use crutches to walk. It was quite embarrassing to use them in front of others, but I luckily was able to be rid of them two days ago, making perfect timing for the wedding. Unfortunately, even though I was no longer in pain, my ankle was still a little weak so I had to bind it tightly with the use of a magically medicated cloth. I was currently sitting on Ginny's bed, completely alone in her room. I was already dressed and fixed up for the wedding but had decided to stay upstairs until the ceremony was about to begin. I looked around Ginny's room where Hermione and I had been staying for the entire summer. I picked up my battered copy of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, opening it up and pulling out a small piece of folded parchment. It was rather beaten from me reading it over and over a thousand times since I first received it about two weeks ago. I unfolded the piece of parchment and read the messy handwriting of Neville Longbottom.

I miss you too.

They were four simple words, but they meant the world to me. I hadn't written him back since because, well...I didn't exactly know what to say. I was particularly anxious this time when I read the words over and over again because Neville would be at the wedding today with his grandmother. Just the thought of seeing him made me lightheaded and nauseous. I had no clue how our encounter would go…would we even look at each other?

"Astrid?" Ginny called my attention as she stepped through the doorway and into her room. "We're about ready to start." I smiled at my cousin and stood up, placing the brief letter back into my book and smoothing out my dress before joining Ginny in the living room where the rest of the family was gathered. A sweet classical tune began to play and I followed my cousins into the tent before sitting down in the second row, next to Hermione, Ron and a disguised Harry. As Bill and the groomsmen followed by the bridesmaids made their way down the aisle, I looked around at the people sitting in the crowd. I instantly found Neville, we locked eyes for a moment and he gave me a small smile before I broke the gaze, turning in my seat to face the front. Next, everyone rose in their seats and watched as the radiant look Fleur made her way gracefully down the aisle. Fleur was absolutely breathtaking in her simple yet stunning white gown and Auntie Muriel's tiara.

The ceremony was beautiful and before I knew it, I was overcome with emotion and both me and Hermione were leaning against each other, crying happy tears. The joining of two souls in holy matrimony was always a beautiful and emotional event, and this wedding was no exception. Once the ceremony had concluded and Bill and Fleur were finally wed, the chairs all disappeared magically as everyone rose to cheer for the happy couple. Bill and Fleur made their way to the dance floor and shared their first dance as a married couple in the beautifully decorated tent. Slowly people began joining the couple and started to dance as well. I grabbed Fred by the arm and pulled him out to the dance floor once a faster paced song started up. We laughed happily as we danced a jig around the floor together, having a blast. We danced like this for a few more songs until a slow one came on. We parted and I made my way to stand on the side of the dance floor, watching all the happy couples dance.

"Can I have this dance?" I heard from directly behind me, I turned and saw Neville standing there shying looking down.

"Of course…" I replied, Neville took my hand in his and we made our way onto the dance floor. Neville then wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him, I could feel the heat from his body radiate against my own. We danced slowly, spinning in circles every now and then. We were silent for a while before I built the courage to speak up.

"I got you letter."I said softly.

"I meant to write sooner…but I didn't know what to say." He replied, still looking down. We had yet to meet eyes. "How was your summer?"

"Busy. Yours?"

"Boring…and lonely." He said, "Hannah and I broke up."

"Why?"

"She spent a lot of time with Ernie…" He sighed before continuing. "She cheated on me."

"I'm so sorry Nev…"

"It's fine…I just didn't think it would hurt as bad as it did." He said truthfully. He finally looked at me and into my own eyes with his. I instantly lost my self in his enchanting gaze...but before we knew it, the song had finished and we moved from the dance floor to stand to the side.

"Neville, there you are! Where have you been, boy?" I looked up and saw an elaborately dressed elderly woman approaching; I knew this was Augusta Longbottom right away.

"I was just dancing with Astrid, gran."

"Go get me some punch, boy, I'm parched." Neville's grandmother said while giving me a hard look. Neville took off and Augusta stepped closer to me, giving me the once over. "So you're Astrid…Sirius and Cordelia's daughter...Humph."

"Yes ma'am…it's nice to meet you." I offered my hand for her to shake, but she ignored it.

"My Neville has told me loads about you." I gulped suddenly and got really nervous. "He must have read each of your letters a hundred times. He saved them all you know." My heart fluttered at the news. "It seems Neville is in love with you, girl…and I'm glad to notice he's picked the right one." I was shocked by her sudden confession…this woman approved of me?

"Here gran," Spoke a nervous Neville as he handed her a cup before giving me one as well. "I got one for you too Astrid."

"I'll leave you two alone then." Just as quickly as she had appeared, she vanished into the crowd to socialize with the other guests.

"What did she say?" Neville asked slightly panicked. "She wasn't too mean was she?" I smirked up at him before replying.

"It's nothing for you to worry about, Longbottom." Just then the tent darkened suddenly and a bright Patronus in the form of a Lynx bounded into the tent before Kingsley Shacklebolt's voice came booming from the Patronus.

"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

The Patronus vanished and there was a moment of silence and disbelief before chaos erupted throughout the tent. People instantly started screaming, the more experienced wizards apparated while parents frantically struggled to find their children and get them to safety. I looked at Neville in horror before we were ripped apart by the crazed crowd. I saw Harry, Ron and Hermione to my left and bolted for them.

"You need to leave! Now!"

"Come with us Astrid!" Hermione begged but I shook my head.

"You know I can't Hermione, it's too dangerous for all four of us to go. Plus, I need to keep watch over the school." Hermione looked upset with my answer, but knew I was right. She stood still for a second before tightly hugging me with all her might.

"Keep safe, Astrid." Hermione barely managed to speak out through her tears; seeing my lifelong best friend crying tore my heart and tears instantly fell from my own eyes. Hermione pulled back and I went on to hug Ron and Harry quickly as well.

"We'll do our best to let you know we're safe…I promise." Harry said to me as we pulled apart. The trio smiled at me one last time and all grasped hands before disapparating before my very eyes. I prayed silently to myself that this wouldn't be the last time I saw my best friends alive.