Chapter 3

Meanwhile, while Astrid was in the carriage with Malfoy, Zabini, and the two goons Crabbe and Goyle; Hermione and Ron fit into a carriage with Neville and Lavender. Harry got a pretty vacant carriage, with a blonde haired girl. "Why hello" the girl said dreamily. "My name is-" Harry was cut off "I know who you are. My name is Luna Lovegood" Harry didn't say anything for the rest of the trip.

While Astrid was enduring her carriage ride, Zabini drawled "Why hello lovely" Astrid turned around to this and stood there shocked. Conveniently, Astrid was seated between Malfoy and Zabini. Astrid tried to get up, thinking that if she jumped out; she'll walk the rest of the way. To no avail, Malfoy pulled her back down and said haughtily "Going somewhere, Slayer?" Malfoy snaked his arm casually around her shoulder. Astrid tried pushing his arm off and asked "What are you doing?" Malfoy chuckled "Oh come on…relax…enjoy the ride, while you still can" Zabini chuckled "You have dibs on her Draco? That's too bad, she sure is hot" Astrid exclaimed "Nobody has a claim on me. I am not anybody's property! Especially yours Malfoy!" Zabini laughed "Whoa mate, you got a feisty one here" Draco smirked and said "Well then..it looks like I'm going to have a lot of fun with you Astrid" Astrid tried to pull away, but Draco grabbed on to her waist, and tried to kiss her on the lips; but she turned away quickly and Draco's lips made contact with her cheek. Once the carriage came to a stop: Astrid jumped past Zabini and the two goons and escaped.

After Astrid escaped, she ran into Hermione. "Hermione!" Astrid embraced her friend. "Astrid, are you alright?" Astrid replied "Yes, I endured a ride with Draco and his cronies" Harry came up to her and sighed "Thank god or I would have to hex him into oblivion" Astrid chuckled "Don't worry Harry, Fred and George said they'd take care of him" The golden group laughed and proceeded into the Great Hall.

Once they got there, Dumbledore made the same announcements as he usually did; but then a new one caught everybody's attention. "I am pleased to announce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge" All the students politely applauded and Harry groaned " Oh great" Hermione questioned " What is it Harry?" Astrid answered " That's the vile woman who oversaw Harry's hearing" Ron groaned "Oh great, I'd rather a vampire could teach us" Everybody laughed at Ron's response. "Maybe a good looking one, compared to Lockhart" Hermione and her laughed, while Ron and Harry sighed, while eating the welcome feast.

After all the student body woke up and attended breakfast, the morning was in frenzy, because of the first day. Everybody got their schedules. Everybody sighed " Potions first, oh how lucky of us" Ron exclaimed " It won't be a problem for Astrid and Hermione, seeing as they are the smartest in the class " Harry added "Not to mention the entire school" Astrid blushed. " Stop exaggerating, you guys!" All of them laughed, when they heard a commotion of owls. A light brown owl, with green eyes plopped a letter in front of Astrid, Astrid stroked her owl, and cooed " thank you Hermes" Astrid gave the owl a treat and opened her letter. "Oh look it's from my mum"

Dear Astrid,

How are you doing? It seems as if it's been forever, but I'm fine. Sirius has been keeping me company, and do tell Harry how sorry I am for being secretive. I did it to protect him, like I would my own child. I'm sorry that this letter is brief, but please do reply back and keep up your excellent marks.

Love,

Mum

P.S. Expect a letter from your grandparents.

"What did the letter say Astrid?" Astrid shrugged " Same as usual, but she does apologize for being secretive" Harry shrugged " When you write her, will you tell her I accept her apology" Astrid chuckled " Of course I will, but I'll write to her before I go to bed" Astrid looked up and saw Malfoy smirking at her. Astrid sighed. Ron and Harry both saw why: Harry and Ron both got up. Ron snorted " Come on let's get to class before I decide to wipe that smirk off Malfoy's face" Harry and Astrid stood close to one another.

At the Slytherin table Malfoy didn't look too pleased. " That Potter" Blaise chuckled "How are you going to get to her, when she's with her bodyguards" Malfoy replied "I'll find a way, I am a Slytherin after all"

Once the golden group got to potions early, they sat around for a bit and talked. " You're grandparents are bothering your mum again" Astrid sighed "Not exactly, I love them and she does too, but they can be annoying sometimes" They all nodded in agreement. Everyone was silenced, when Snape entered the dungeon and announced in an even tone. " You all should know the rules by now… and this year is your O.W.L.S and I would like you all to pass with an acceptable" He continued "For most of you, this will be our last year together" Neville upon hearing this looked relieved. "Now! I will be putting you all in assigned seats" The class groaned. "Silence! The person sitting next to you, will be your partner for the rest of the year" Snape read off the pairs " Goyle, and Potter, Crabbe and Weasly, Granger and Zabini…as he continued reading off the named Astrid silently prayed not to get paired with Malfoy. " Malfoy and Slayer" Astrid groaned and looked at Malfoy displeasingly, Malfoy just smirked in return. " Now open your textbooks and make the Draught of Piece that calms anxiety and soothes agitation" Astrid groaned and asked " Would you like me to read the directions?" Malfoy drawled "But of course a pretty lady such as you should. I'll get the items, so don't worry your pretty little head" with that Malfoy smirked and lifted Astrid's chin to meet his eyes. Astrid groaned "Get your hands off me" Malfoy smirked and walked away.

As Astrid and Malfoy made their potion perfectly, Astrid turned her head and saw that Harry struggled, so did Snape. "Potter what this is supposed to be" Harry answered "The Draught of Piece" Snape looked displeased. " Tell me Potter, can you read?" Draco Malfoy laughed, while Astrid looked appalled. "Yes" Harry responded. "Read the third line of the instructions for me Potter" Harry looked at the instructions through the multi-colored mists filling the dungeons. " Add powdered moonstone, stir three times counterclockwise, allow to simmer for seven minutes, then add two drops of syrup of hellebore" Harry looked as if his heart just sank. "Learn to read mister Potter, Evanesco, can't you pay attention like miss slayer clearly does" After that Harry clenched his wand in anger. As Astrid tried to leave class, Malfoy grabbed her wrist, and waited for everybody else to leave. As soon as everybody left, Draco released Astrid's wrist and shoved her into the wall. " What are you doing?" Malfoy closed the gap between them and lifted her chin, to meet his eye level and said " Now I have you, all alone, this is my lucky day" Astrid tried to get away, but Malfoy held her firmly in place, and began kissing her jaw line and took her lips. Astrid struggled but, Draco said smugly "You sure are feisty, don't worry we'll have fun; and besides I will have you" Astrid kicked him in the groin. Malfoy stopped his assault on her lips, and Astrid shouted "Get off me!" Malfoy covered her lips and was about to continue the assault on her lips, when Snape walked in " What is the meaning of this?" Snape looked at the situation " Slayer , move along and here's a late pass, and Malfoy come with me"

After that Astrid left for Defense Against the Dark Arts.