Warning
Some parts may be slightly graphic for young readers. Viewer discretion is advised (I've always wanted to say that!)
Disclaimer
Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling; I own nothing you recognize and all the ideas you don't. This is semi-AU fiction, though I'll try and stick to canon as much as I can.
I'd like to thank everyone in the Harry / Fleur Discord Server. Without their help and constant encouragement, this fic would probably never have seen the light of day. Especially you MJ Bradley, your work inspires us all.
Lastly, I'd like to give my utmost thanks to Dr Prophet and Lyrical for taking out the time and beta reading this chapter. You guys are the best!
Chapter 1 – A Sliver of Dawn
"Oh, what have we here boys?" A snarky drawl carried across the silent corridor.
Halting in her tracks, Astoria Greengrass felt something clench uncomfortably, dread turning her insides leaden. She recognised that voice. Cursing her misfortune, she twisted around and slipped her wand from her sleeve.
But of course, the one time I'm by myself!
Swallowing, Astoria tried not to let her unease show.
Before she could utter a word, a swift "Expelliarmus!" ripped her wand from her grasp, and it flew behind her assailants, clattering against the floor, rolling further away
Astoria recoiled.
"Who would have thought we'd find little Astoria, wandering the castle… all alone."
Astoria sucked in a shuddering breath, edging away from the trio of shadowed forms looming before her, her palms clenched into tight fists.
She adopted a cold expression, attempting to channel her sister's infamous persona while subtly scanning the passageway, hoping against hope that someone might be nearby. However, the hour was late, with curfew fast approaching, and she hadn't seen a soul since leaving the library.
Swallowing once more, Astoria's throat went dry. A cold chill tingled down her spine, intensifying the clenching feeling inside her, leaving her breathless.
If I were to scream now, would anyone hear me?
Taking an involuntary step back, she felt herself press against the cold stone of the castle walls. Wandless and effectively cornered by vindictive Slytherins, she was well on the verge of panic.
Think! What would Daphne do?
With that thought firmly taking hold, Astoria attempted to centre herself and regain her composure. After a few deep breaths, she straightened her posture and looked up at her assailant.
"Step aside, Malfoy. I have no business with you," she declared, doing her best to emulate her sister's icy demeanour. Yet, even to herself, the attempt rang hollow.
"Oh, but on the contrary, little Greengrass, I am certain that you do," Draco sneered, the tip of his wand glowing an angry red.
She knew she had to stand strong, but she could feel her facade cracking under the weight of vulnerability and terror.
Why couldn't father have taught me the way he did Daphne?
In her desperation, Astoria tried to peer behind Malfoy and his thugs, but their towering forms blocked her view of the rest of the corridor. With no one else in sight, her hope of an unexpected saviour faded fast.
"Your sister had the gall to humiliate me, a Malfoy, in front of our entire house!" Draco raved. "Thought she'd get away with it, did she?" The blond leered down at her, a sadistic grin stretching across his pale face, the glint of promised violence in his eyes.
He is unhinged!
Astoria's shoulders trembled, her fingernails cutting crescents into the palm of her hands.
"Daphne," he spat her name, with sheer loathing, "will learn her place, as will you. Diffindo!"
Astoria barely managed to cover her face in time.
She screamed as a large bloody gash cut deeply into the soft flesh of her hand. Hot tears streamed down her face as she crashed to the floor, holding on to her burning arm, doing her best to stem the bleeding.
"Help me! Someone, please, help!" Her shrill wail tore across the silent corridor as Astoria screamed as loudly as she could manage, pain and desperation giving her voice strength beyond its usual limits.
Not a moment later, she felt the tell-tale sensation of magic encompass her throat and any further cries or pleas were silenced.
With the sensation of cold dread seeping into her veins, Astoria gazed tearfully back up at her assailants. What does he intend to do with me?
The three boys anxiously whirled around, wands raised, searching the corridor for any sign that they had been discovered.
For those few precious moments that their attention was diverted, Astoria hoped and prayed, begging whatever deity that may be listening to answer her desperate plea.
But it was all for not.
No one was coming.
Draco turned back to her and glared. "Since you seem so eager to scream, how about I give you a real reason to?" Behind him, Crabbe and Goyle cracked their knuckles, brutish sneers firmly in place.
Astoria paled. Her arm was on fire, it hurt more than she had ever hurt before, and she felt her heart hammering in her chest. Never before had she taken the blonde ponce seriously. Daphne had all but insisted that he was all bark, merely a spoiled child very much unlike his father, the ruthless Lord Malfoy.
Oh, how wrong you were dear sister. The malicious gleam in his eyes was nothing short of terrifying.
Draco had his wand raised and ready to cast again, it's tip glowing a sickly yellow, when all of a sudden, a bone-chilling draught swept through the otherwise empty passageway, giving him pause.
A distinct odour of ozone permeated the air.
That was when she felt it.
A tempestuous surge of magic swept through the corridor; fierce, electrifying, and thunderous.
Astoria failed to recognize its source, yet despite its unfamiliarity, she found herself involuntarily seeking solace within its tender grasp. For a moment, she felt her agonies start to ebb away, and with a sigh of relief, Astoria melted into its soothing embrace.
Just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished, leaving behind only a memory of her momentary comfort and an unsettling emptiness. But before she could lament its departure, faster than she could comprehend, the magic surged back with a vengeance.
Astoria's weary eyes, struggling to stay open through sheer determination, witnessed a shockwave reverberating through the corridor. With a primal roar, an ethereal tempest of energy seized control, casting her three assailants off their feet like leaves in a gale. Their bodies mercilessly hurled backward, crashing into the unyielding wall with a thunderous boom.
Amidst pained gasps and the tell-tale snap of broken bone, they lay there with an ominous finality, and Astoria knew she wouldn't have to worry about them rising again, at least not anytime soon.
Once more, she felt the unfamiliar magic surge through the corridor, enveloping her in its protective embrace. This time, she welcomed it with open arms as relieved tears trickled down her cheeks.
Amidst the pain and fatigue, she scarcely registered the sound of looming footsteps as someone approached, before they abruptly halted and crouched before her. Slowly, albeit curiously, she lifted her head, her pale blue gaze meeting its mirror in the scrutiny of concerned, emerald eyes.
Author's Note
Fairly short, I know. But this is it for now.
I've made quite a few adjustments to strengthen the chapter to ensure it flows better and maintain thematic consistency.
Thank you,
Serenity
16.03.24