Astoria
Chapter 1: Debates (1995)
The new school year started with yet another scandal revolving around Harry Potter: two Dementors found their way to Potter's house, forcing him to use magic to flee them away from his Muggle family. It was all the school talked about. That, and Potter's claims that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was back. And Cedric Diggory's death that started these claims. Some people said Potter was a liar and killed Cedric for "eternal glory". Others reasoned that the Tri-Wizard Tournament was a dangerous game anyway, and didn't think having it was a good idea in the first place. But there was a fraction of people, mainly Potter's inner circle, who believed You-Know-Who was back.
But Astoria Greengrass had other things to worry about than rumors.
"I don't know about this new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," said Torrance Blood, scrutinizing his Defensive Magical Theory textbook. "I can read this whole thing in a day, it's so thin!"
Astoria shook her head at her friend's complaining as she continued writing a letter to her parents.
"You would," she chuckled.
"Don't tempt me."
"I don't have to. I know you will anyway."
Torrance smiled. "You know me too well, you do." He opened the new book and started to read.
They sat in the Slytherin common room in comfortable silence, as they always did. The two friends enjoyed being in each other's company, knowing that they could take refuge here. No Gryffindors would look at them like they were wannabe Death Eaters. Hufflepuffs couldn't suck up to Astoria because of her family's social status. Ravenclaws couldn't make snarky remarks about how she and Torrance always got better grades in Potions because Professor Snape favored his own House.
Astoria felt most at home here, sitting with Torrance in the Slytherin common room, squeezed into their little alcove. Usually they did homework here, but they didn't have much yet, considering the school year has only just begun.
She sighed as she folded her letter into an envelope and sealed it. "Fancy a walk to the Owlery?"
"Hm?" said Torrance, not looking up from Defensive Magical Theory.
"I'll take that as a 'yes, but I can't put this book down, so you can just drag me to wherever you're going'." Without a response, Torrance allowed Astoria to hoist him up and guide him with her to deliver her letter.
As they trekked out of the dungeons, Astoria overheard her sister and her snobbish friend, Pansy Parkinson, talking about boys.
"He's so mysterious," Pansy said rather loudly. "He doesn't talk much, but when he does it's, like, the smartest thing you'd ever hear in your life!"
"But isn't his father intimidating?" Daphne whispered. "We've only gone to a handful of the Malfoy parties…"
Pansy blushed. "Draco is nothing like his father. He's much more… robust."
The pair giggled.
Astoria didn't catch the rest of their conversation, and didn't want to. Although she didn't know Draco Malfoy that well, she most definitely wouldn't call him robust. Handsome, yes, but robust?
"Well, that's not right…" Torrance mumbled, head still buried in the textbook.
"What?"
"Draco Malfoy." He flipped to the next page. "He's handsome at best, but he's anything but robust."
Astoria rolled her eyes and smiled. "I should've known you were listening to them…"
"Don't pretend like you weren't too."
For some reason, it was much more difficult for Astoria to walk the Owlery steps. "Remind me to ask Professor Snape for an owl hutch towards the bottom."
"This is ridiculous!" Torrance said.
"I know! I think my back is sore just from-"
But Astoria was cut off by Torrance's remark. "No, not the steps. This chapter!" He brought the small book up closer to his face and read aloud. "'Jinxes are a use for offensive purposes, and can only be repelled by way of a protection spell, such as Protego, or Expelliarmus, in which the opposing Wizard's wand is shot out of his hand.'"
"We know that."
"Oh, it get's better," he says. Astoria sat down on a bench and began tying her letter to the family owl while Torrance continued his rant. "This bloke basically says that counter-jinxes are not real spells of defense."
"They aren't?"
"They are! In all intents and purposes, counter-jynxes are used to snap back what your opponent sends at you. It's the perfect karma-enhanced magical punch to the face!"
"But you aren't really defending yourself."
Astoria loved debating with Torrance, just as much as she loved watching Torrance debate their teachers and peers. He always won a debate, even ones that were basically unwinnable. He'd take the least popular opinion and have everyone eating out of the palm of his hand in a matter of five minutes.
Her owl flew away and she dusted herself off, dragging Torrance down with her. They debated the entire journey back to the common room. Astoria ignored the dull pain that was coursing through her lower back. She didn't want to worry Torrance over a very slight annoyance. And it was most likely nothing to worry about anyway.