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 give thanks to everyone in the Harry / Fleur (Flowerpot) Discord Server. Without their help and constant encouragement, this fic would probably never have seen the light of day. Especially all the beta readers for all their time and effort with this chapter.

Chapter 4 – To Ties That Bind

The Hogwarts grounds were bathed in the soft hues of dawn as Astoria Greengrass found herself wandering amidst the tranquil beauty of the school's expansive gardens. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds provided a soothing backdrop to her troubled mind, offering a momentary respite from the turmoil of the previous night's turmoil.

As she meandered along a winding path, Astoria's gaze fell upon a majestic oak tree, its sprawling branches reaching skyward in silent reverence. A sense of serenity washed over her as she approached the ancient sentinel, its gnarled trunk serving as a silent witness to the passage of time.

Beneath the sprawling canopy of the oak, a figure sat in silent contemplation, his countenance softened by the tender embrace of dawn's first light. Astoria found herself drawn to him like a moth to a flame, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken gratitude. With each step, she willed herself to find the courage to express the depth of her appreciation.

Approaching him, she noticed the way his tousled hair caught the morning sun, casting a halo of golden strands around his head. As he turned to face her, his emerald eyes held a glimmer of surprise and curiosity, welcoming her presence amidst the tranquil solitude.

"Harry," she greeted him, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest.

"Astoria," he responded, his smile gentle yet genuine. "What brings you to this quiet corner of the grounds?"

Summoning her resolve, Astoria took a deep breath, her words tumbling forth in a rush of sincerity. "I wanted to thank you," she began, "for your bravery last night. You intervened when Malfoy and his cronies had me cornered. Your actions saved me, Harry, and I'm in your debt."

Harry's countenance softened, his eyes reflecting a depth of understanding that both comforted and unsettled Astoria. "You're welcome," he replied simply, his voice carrying a sincerity that resonated with her.

A shared moment of silence enveloped them, the weight of Astoria's gratitude palpable in the tranquil morning air. Then, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, she reached into the recesses of her robes and retrieved a small object, carefully wrapped in a scrap of parchment.

"I wanted to give you this," she offered, extending the gift towards him.

Accepting it with a curious smile, Harry delicately unwrapped the parchment, revealing a delicate pendant fashioned in the likeness of a tiny acorn. Intricate engravings adorned its surface, catching the morning light with a mesmerizing sparkle.

"It's exquisite," Harry murmured, his fingers tracing the intricate lines etched into the pendant's surface, as if unravelling a tale woven within its delicate design.

"It's a token of my gratitude," Astoria explained, her cheeks suffused with a delicate blush. "I understand it's not much, but Daphne and I crafted it together."

Harry's gaze softened, a gentle warmth infusing his emerald eyes. "Thank you, Astoria. I'll treasure it dearly."

A sense of relief washed over Astoria, her gratitude finally finding expression in a tangible offering.

Beneath the serene canopy of the oak tree, Astoria felt a kinship with Harry, drawn to his quiet strength and unwavering resolve.

"Harry," she ventured, her voice tinged with a note of admiration. "I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly you handled yourself last night. Malfoy didn't stand a chance."

Harry regarded her with a mixture of surprise and modesty, his eyes holding hers with quiet intensity. "Thank you, Astoria. I've faced many challenges, but I've learned to adapt and persevere."

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Astoria's determination solidified with each passing moment, her resolve propelling her forward. "I've been contemplating," she continued, her tone growing more assured with each word. "Perhaps there's something you could impart to me."

Harry arched an eyebrow, intrigued by her proposition. "Impart?"

Astoria nodded firmly, her commitment unyielding. "Indeed. I refuse to remain defenceless in situations like last night. I aspire to learn how to defend myself, how to confront adversaries like Draco Malfoy."

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Harry's expression, his hesitation palpable. "I'm not certain I'm the most suitable mentor for you, Astoria. After all, I'm just a fourth year still learning myself."

But Astoria met his gaze with unshakable determination. "You have experience, Harry. You've clearly faced challenges and adversaries far greater than anything I've encountered. I want to learn from you, to gain the skills and knowledge I need to protect myself and those I care about."

Harry regarded her with a mixture of surprise and admiration, his eyes widening.

"Alright, Astoria," he finally conceded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'll teach you what I know. But we'll learn together, understand? We'll navigate it step by step."

A surge of anticipation coursed through Astoria, the prospect of learning magic alongside Harry igniting a spark of optimism within her.

"Thank you, Harry," she expressed sincerely, her voice tinged with gratitude. "I won't let you down."

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

As Astoria and Harry lingered beneath the oak tree, a comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the rustle of leaves in the gentle morning breeze. Astoria found herself drawn to Harry's easy demeanour, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the chaos of their world.

"So, Snape barged into the Gryffindor common room last night, demanding I confess to harming Draco," Harry recounted, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "It was quite the spectacle."

Astoria chuckled, shaking her head. "Snape in a fit of rage? That must have been a sight to behold. He always did enjoy his dramatic entrances."

"Absolutely," Harry agreed, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "I half-expected him to start casting curses left and right, but thankfully, he settled for some angry glaring."

Astoria laughed, imagining the scene. "Well, as long as he didn't start turning students into toads, I'd say we dodged a bullet."

"Indeed," Harry replied with a grin. "Though I'm pretty sure he would've tried if he thought he could get away with it."

Astoria shook her head with a knowing smile.

"So, Snape suspects you, huh?" Astoria mused, her tone laced with curiosity. "Well, he might have his suspicions, but without evidence, he's just grasping at shadows."

Harry nodded, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Exactly. Snape's always been one to jump to conclusions. But I'm not worried. I'll just let him stew in his own paranoia."

"So, how long do you think it'll be before Draco returns from the infirmary?" Astoria inquired, changing the subject to a more pressing matter at hand.

Harry shrugged, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "I'd say it'll be a while. Knowing Malfoy, he'll milk this for all it's worth."

Astoria snorted.

Of course he will…

Author's Note

2 years later, we finally have our fourth chapter up. Lol.

Credit for this chapter goes to a dear friend, Darth Shiro. Thanks for helping me remember how much I enjoy writing.

Thank you,
Serenity
17.03.2024