Aster woke up as someone gently nudged her arm.

"Aster. Its time to get up, you're gonna be late." Came a soft voice, slowly bringing her to the waking world.

When she opened her eyes she saw that she was still clutching the empty frame as if it was a lifeline. Her eyes felt puffy and she ached all over but pushed herself up a sitting position, rolling out her neck.

She was expecting to see Pansy be sitting there looking at her, after all she was the one of the girls who she had relatively frequent conversations. Instead sitting primary on the edge of the bed was Daphne Greengrass.

She had never really spoke to the other girl except a few words. Truthfully she thought that Daphne didn't like her, whether it was because of the tangle of curls Aster called her hair was in direct contrast to Pansy's sleek bob of Daphne's golden tresses. Hell, it could also have been the giant scar that hugged her face which crawled into said hair and down her neck. So to see her there, gently waking her up with a muted curious expression, she was a little surprised.

"Pansy is already at breakfast. She felt...awkward at the thought of waking you." Daphne said in the silence, her sapphire eyes scanning Aster and her appearance, before looking at her watch.

"You should have time to have a shower."

"Er, my hair will I take a while to do.

Probably best to sling clothes on - I had a bath yesterday afternoon at least."

Daphne wrinkled her nose delicately. "I think only washing your hair will tidy it up. I can do your hair - my mother has taught me countless spells for appearances and the like."

"Oh. Right. Thanks."

"No problem. Go have your shower." Daphne shooed her out the room.

Aster rushed her bathroom routine, brushing her teeth in the shower as she stood under it, basking in the feeling of the tears and stress from the day before. Once she stepped out and shoved her clothes on she walked into the room, more than expecting Daphne to have left already, despite saying she would do her hair.

Instead the girl was in the room, flicking through the different things on the dressing table.

"Come here and sit down." She ordered, pointing at the stool.

Once Aster was comfortable Daphne picked up a comb and sectioned off her hair, rhythmically sorting out the tangles and knots, slowly making Aster melt at the unfamiliar feeling of someone doing her hair.

"How does your hair get so..."

"Messy?"

"Yes. I don't think I've quite seen anything like this before."

Aster shrugged, "It's always been like it. It's why I usually just sling it in a plait or something. The curls have more chance to stay restricted."

"I had wondered why you did it. Do you mind if I try something?"

"Go ahead."

Daphne picked up her wand once she had combed through the mess and, ignoring the way Aster tensed, muttered a spell which made it instantly dry to the point it was only slightly damp.

"You've got to teach me that!" Daphne smirked in the mirror as she nodded as she worked her fingers into her hair, nimbly plaiting it on her head before she twisted the remaining into a chignon at the base of her neck. Staring at her hair Daphne then proceeded to tease the plait a little looser and the chignon so it wasn't so sleek.

"You look weird with truly tidy hair." Daphne told her bluntly, making Aster snort.

"You're telling me."

"Stay there for a moment." She ordered as she went into the bathroom before coming back with an emerald ribbon and started to twist it round the knot.

"You were crying." Daphne said in the mirror, making Aster blink. "That's why Pansy didn't want to wake you. She saw the tears and...panicked."

At least the Silencing Charm worked at keeping her sobs from them. "Er. Yes...yesterday...it was hard."

"I'm not surprised. The death of a parent is hard the rest of a year, let alone the anniversary of both." At Aster's shocked expression she rolled her eyes. "My parents may not care about my grades being overly decent, but that doesn't mean I don't think." She shrugged as she finished knotting the ribbon. "I was curious about you, so I looked you up."

Aster bit her lip and cast her eyes down. "Do the others know?"

"Except Nott and Zabini? No. Not that I'm aware of. Avery is more concerned with his sister and his own business, Crabbe and Goyle don't...think. Draco may possibly know but either has enough tact to pretend he doesn't or actually has no clue. And Pansy, well she likes for people to tell her things rather than go digging."

"And you?"

"As I said, I was curious. You and Davis are the only Half Bloods who I interact with on any level. And Davis is an utter cow. I wanted to know who you were. Now get up. We really will be late."

Well that was unexpected. "Thank you."

"You've already thanked me. Don't do it too often or there'll be those who will capitalise on it."

Aster snorted - if only she knew Aster herself had the heritage who could use the myth to her advantage. "No kidding. But I meant not just for the hair. Waking me up, not being pushy...and talking to me, I guess. I thought you didn't like me."

"I never really gave much thought to you overall, honestly. Don't look like a kicked puppy - I didn't know you enough to like or dislike you." She stated with a dainty shrug. "Now however? I'm more inclined to like you. Just don't hurt any of us."

Aster giggled, "Or betray you?"

"Please. We're Slytherins, we betray each other on a monthly business usually. Definitely once we're older. We're just not as emotional as others for it break alliances and friendships. For the most part, anyway."

"Hm. Loyalty to our own."

Daphne shot her a conspiratol look, "Exactly."

It was weird for the next few days, trying to show Pansy she was fine with her - she even took to heart what Daphne said about her liking people telling her things. She decided that it would be best to let know what the cause of her distress was, she didn't know what she was expecting but a grasp of her hand, making her stiffen, and a profuse thank you for telling her was not it. And like that, it was forgotten. Daphne was not so distant, however she didn't exactly talk relentlessly, but then again, she never seemed to. She had already seemed to have perfected the way a single expression could convey a variety of meanings. Aster was looking forward to an adult version - and was exceedingly jealous at the ability.

The boys treated her the same as usual, giving her the notes from classes she missed and the homework that was set. She had told them about what happened with Granger and they shared her derision of Gryffindor heroics and inability to lie.

So on the following Monday as she was walking to lunch she was confused why Granger suddenly stopped her.

"Can I help you, Granger?"

"Er yes. I'd like to say thank you."

"What...for?"

"Yeah, what for Hermione?" Longbottom said from behind the girl. Oh bloody hell, he was here too?

"Hush Neville! Well...for Hall - I mean Samhain. You needn't have stayed with me. In either capacity."

"Hermione!" Weasley whined. "She's a Slytherin! You shouldn't make her aware that she helped a Muggleborn."

Aster frowned, "The hell is that an issue? Wait, no, I don't want to know. Listen, Granger, I don't know who" She said with a pointed glare at the two boys, "or what made you cry, but nobody should be alone at that." She turned to go before having a thought, "and I wouldn't have really left you to a troll."

"Even though she's a Muggleborn?"

Longbottom sneered.

Aster threw up her hands. " Why is that an issue?"

"You're a Slytherin! You only like Purebloods."

"You're a Pureblood, and I can't stand you. And even if I did - it'd be bloody hypocritical of me to be like that, wouldn't it?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Weasley blustered with a red face.

"I don't need to explain myself to you. I'm missing an important appointment with lunch. Nice talking, Granger." She said before turning on her heel and flouncing away into the Great Hall.

Longbottom narrowed his eyes. "I don't like her. You better be careful, Hermione. She's out to get you."

"Is that right, Mr Longbottom?" Came a stern voice from behind the three of them, making them all wince.

"She's a Slytherin, Professor! She hates Muggleborns."

"Miss Potter was right - that'd be highly hypocritical of her." McGonnagall scolded.

"She's not Muggleborn! The Potters are Purebloods!"

"They were Purebloods, Mr Weasley. Miss Potter's mother was a Muggleborn. Not that it's any of your business. Now run along." She said before sweeping into the Hall herself. The boys stood there gormlessly before scurrying after her, not noticing that Hermione had furrowed her brow and sending glances at the Slytherin Table. McGonnagall had said her mother was a Muggleborn. What happened to her?

The three most dominating professors of Hogwarts observed the Great Hall as they usually did on the next few days after the events of the Troll Travesty - as the staff had taken to calling it. The three of them watched as the students of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff discarded the crisis of the night prior while the Gryffindors were in their usual high spirits. There was a group hanging on to the every word of Longbottom, Weasley and Granger as they told their legendary feat of defeating a monster - their loss of points was forgiven for its cause of heroics for Granger and the wider student body. The Slytherins were more subdued then they usually were, after all their common room was in the dungeons it had been walking about, but more putting on their airs and graces of indifference. Severus however could see the distant stares and tension that rippled across his House.

"Mr Longbottom, Mr Weasley and your Gryffindors seem good cheer, Minerva. And is that Miss Granger sitting next to them?" Albus asked as he moved his breakfast into sections on his plate.

"Miss Granger seems to have been brought into the fold. It appears that the events of Thursday have brought a friendship."

"Well bonds can certainly be forged in such trying affairs."

Severus scoffed. "Oh yes, from bullying and exile to the chains of friendship - all within one night. Very believable."

"Oh don't be such a cynic, Severus. You yourself built friendships as a student in such a way."

"I think you've made an error. I made allies. In a House I had to crawl through muck for so much as a consideration."

"What about Lucius? You are close to him, are you not? Close enough to be Draco's Chosen Guardian*?"

"He...sponsored me, as it were, while we were students. Our friendship was made in a rather more bleak setting. As you well know, Albus."

"My apologies, my boy. I didn't mean to demean the circumstances of your past."

"Of course you didn't. You never do." Severus drawled, still more than a little bitter at the supreme subjugation he experienced as a boy, and still did to some extent. Despite having defected two years before the end of the War, there were still those who looked at him with suspicion.

"In any case, I'm just glad Miss Granger is finally making friends. I must confess she had been worrying me, I was worried she was going to approach me about withdrawing from Hogwarts." Minerva said as she watched the girl in question, still trying too hard to partake in the conversations around her.

"Miss Potter seemed to deal with the incident with sensibility." She continued, moving her eyeline to the other girl, as she downed another cup of tea and pointed threateningly at Mr Zabini as he picked up the tea pot. "I was expecting more of James to show. Especially once I saw her there. Appears to be Lily who she has taken after more."

Severus winced. "Lily wouldn't have been there, at all."

"Not even to look after someone crying?" She shot back, knowing full well she had come to the man's aid more than a handful of times.

"Not a complete stranger, no. Maybe when she became a Prefect, perhaps. But not before then, and certainly not as a first year."

"If you say so. Either way, she faced the odds with...well not grace but something akin to it. I overheard Miss Granger approaching her and thanking her the day after, you know. Miss Potter didn't seem to understand Miss Granger's gratitude."

"Of course she didn't. She grew up with Petunia. She wouldn't say thank you even if someone saved her life."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "I'd say you're exaggerating but I don't think you are."

"Was Mr Longbottom there?"

"Yes, he and Mr Weasley. They seemed to be rather astounded that she'd even help Miss Granger out at all."

"Whatever for?" Albus piped up for the first time.

"Because she's a Muggleborn. And she's a Slytherin and the Potters are Purebloods." Severus guessed.

"How did you know?" Minerva gaped, before registering his expression. "Never mind. I soon set them right. Told them that Lily was a Muggleborn, herself. Oh don't give me that sneer, Severus. They wanted to know after Miss Potter told them it would be hypocritical to be so judgemental. Before exiting in a rather self satisfied manner."

"Well she is Potter's daughter. She was bound to have some arrogance."

"She's hardly arrogant, Severus." Albus chastised as he looked at him over his spectacles. "Indeed, on our outing she was rather humble."

"Oh?"

"Hmm. She was fascinated as I told her about James' parents. And kindly asked if I would make the flowers of their wedding on Lily's and James' graves. Then proceeded to take a few sprigs of lavender to Ariana's grave when she saw I too was visiting." Albus smiled softly, "she even waited back a while to leave me be."

Minerva nearly melted before frowning at Severus, "I'm still mad that she got placed with Slytherin."

"Take it up with the Hat." Severus rolled his eyes. "You can take her for all I care."

Albus chuckled. "Oh I think in time you would be quite averse to the idea, actually. She already seems to be well on her way to being a stupendous young lady."

"You say that about nearly every student." He bit back, before thinking, well you do now anyway.

"And they all are in their own way. Ah, post has arrived." He remarked as owls swooped down dropping a hoard of parchments and parcels to the students before a recognisable crow dropped a piece of parchment to Severus and then to Albus.

"Well now I feel left out. Was does Miss Potter say?"

"She wishes to thank me for my time on Thursday, along with a delightful assortment of sweets. Oh! I thought chocolate éclairs were only pastries! How splendid!"

"Albus, it isn't even nine in the morning - far too early to have sugar!" Realising she had lost her boss she turned to the other man, taking in his scowling expression.

"And you? What does she say?" Before another thought hit her. "And where did she get the sweets?"

Ignoring the dreamy "who cares" from Albus, Minerva waited on Severus who sighed before folding the note.

"I have quickly learned its best not to question on how Miss Potter does things. Such as her near sentient familiars, even by magical standards. As to what she wants - she has only said she and Mr Nott would like to see me. Why she didn't just turn up is beyond me."

"Courtesy, perhaps? I hope everything is alright. I get the impression that she wouldn't come to an adult easily."

"She wouldn't." He bluntly remarked. He certainly never had as a child - or adult, to be honest.

Realising that he wasn't going to elaborate she went back to her breakfast, moving the scant few sweets away from Albus.

"You're going to rot your teeth."

"I'm over one hundred, Minerva. I am much too old to care about such things."

"And your excuse for moving your food around the plate like a child?"

Albus smiled benignly, "I think it's best to not take oneself too seriously. And children have so much to offer us."

"McGonnagall looks like she wants to throttle Dumbledore." Blaise said as he looked up at the High Table.

"I'd give her a hand. Father says he is an old fool who should have retired years ago." Malfoy sniffed.

"You've said." Theo rolled his eyes before looking at Aster. "Looks like Snape got the note."

She flicked her eyes up, before realising he was staring at her already making her flinch and go back to her cup of tea.

"We'll go to him after breakfast. Get it over and done with." Theo sighed, taking in the tense posture Aster was almost vibrating with, and the half bowl of porridge she had left with no interest is going back to.

"What you wanting Snape for?"

"To tell him of your forbidden love affair with Longbottom." Aster replied automatically, making Malfoy huff in irritation and the others snigger.

Realising that nothing else could be done, Theo waited until Snape had already left for five minutes before he prompted Aster to get up and follow him.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea, Theo. I doubt he'll take us seriously. Or do anything."

"Aster. He's an adult, and our Head of House, we need to tell him. We can't exactly do anything ourselves. We're kids and know few spells. It's his job to look after us."

"Wonder what that's like." Aster muttered to herself as Theo knocked on the door and going in once allowed.

"Mr Nott, Miss Potter. You wished to see me." Snape said as he sat behind his desk with his usual eyebrow raised.

"Yes, sir."

"Well, take a seat. I won't...bite."

"I highly doubt that." Aster mumbled, scowling at Theo as he kicked her in the shin, making Aster look up to see Snape's narrowed eyes. Paling at the realisation he heard her, she ducked her head and shut up. Theo could take the reins, he was the one who wanted to do this.

"Well? I don't have all day. It maybe Sunday, but not all of us can laze about." Snape barked in the ensuing silence.

"Right. Yes, sir. Sorry, sir." Theo gulped. "Well, thing is I don't know how to broach the subject."

Snape sighed through his nose, "Is someone being bullied, Mr Nott?"

"Not...exactly. It's more about a teacher." He really hoped he wasn't finally being brought up about his methods of teaching dunderheads. By Potter's own crotch spawn of all children.

"Oh? And who would that be?" He slowly said, leaning forwards in his chair.

"Professor Quirrell, sir." Well that was a bloody shock. What did Squirrell have to do with anything? And bullying at that.

"Er. Well. Um." Theo trailed off uncertainly, before almost whimpering out loud at the foreboding look on his Head of House's face.

"Oh, for the love of -" Aster muttered before speaking up. "He's bloody crazy!" She snapped, making Snape look to her.

Ignoring his sneer and unimpressed look she pushed on. "We're serious. He just - he seems to hear weirdly loud. Malfoy and Blaise will mutter and be well, twats, about him and he can hear them. From across the classroom. And his eyes flash red."

Snape blinked, remaining expressionless, as he took this in. He would consider it to be childish thoughts if it wasn't Mr Nott who helped bring this to attention. And Quirrell was hardly the best person to make into a villain. Himself, however.

"And its happened more than once. He taught us a week or so ago, I can't remember, and the class was laughing and he just...lost it. His eyes went red - dunno if anyone noticed though. And his stammer - which is clearly frigging overdone - went as he shouted."

Snape stared at the two of them for a few minutes, tracing his lips with a finger as he took in the two students. Mr Nott was ramrod straight, his eyes wide as he flicked his eyes back and forth between him and Potter. The girl however sat there scowling at the floor with her arms crossed. They clearly believed what they were telling him, and, strange as it was, he was prone to admit that he had thought that Quirrells speech impediment was a little...strange. There was no pattern to it, and he seemed to sometimes have the ability to be more eloquent than others. It was more than a case of anxiety or a nervous dispositions that was the cause.

Leaning back in his chair, he steepled his hands on the arms of his chair, his staring making the two children.

"Look. I know we're kids," Aster began, making Snape suddenly bring his attention to them again, "so we're not reliable, likely to make stories or whatever." She rolled her eyes. "But, we're not lying. I didn't even want to bring this to you, anyway."

"No? Then why did you?"

"Theo said we had to." She shrugged. "He's smarter than I am, which isn't hard, but whatever." Aster said, lifting her glasses so she could scrub a hand down her face. "Believe us, don't believe us. It's up to you. But -"

"We're worried, sir - sorry to interrupt Aster, and honestly a bit scared. Like I said, I don't know if anyone else has picked up on it, but we're not Gryffindors. We're not keen to run headfirst into something with nothing to go on. And, I don't know, maybe he has some weird eye affliction. I just - we just - thought someone needs to know."

The room fell into silence again, Snape looking at them again, taking in the ticks of anxiety of Nott shifting his feet about and biting his lip before stopping for a few moments. Potter was doing a good impression of folding herself into a ball except for a legs which were bouncing relentlessly, and annoyingly.

"I'll...look into it." He said at last, making two young pairs of eyes snap to him. "I can't guarantee anything. It may, as you said Miss Potter, be a case of...misinterpretation from a childish point of view. I can assure you that teaching has its...drawbacks. Nevertheless, you clearly feel that this is something to be brought to attention."

"Thank you, sir. That's all we ask." Theo graciously said, as Aster struggled to hide her surprise (without success) that an adult was taking them seriously. Even with the subtle digs at their young age.

With their mission accomplished, they got to their feet and walked out, Aster shooting a surprised and slightly suspicious look at Snape. Why did he believe them?

"Told you it would be fine, didn't I?"

"Yes, Theo. Still don't feel wholly satisfied though."

"You're not going to look into this yourself are you? Don't give me that look, your family were Gryffindors."

"And yet I have enough sense to know I'm only eleven and Quirrell is a lot older. I maybe dumb, but I'm not totally thick."

Theo rolled his eyes. "That's not what I meant. And you're not dumb or thick. Your grades prove that."

Walking into the common room they meandered into their corner, snagging the two comfiest armchairs to read until the others blustered down around them, digging out their homework and making general noise.

"Ugh. I don't remember anything about the Dark wand cores. Did we even have that lesson?" Pansy complained loudly as she rapidly went through her textbooks.

"It was one with Qurriell." Theo told her without looking away from his page.

"Oh. Well that explains it then. Everyone is going to fail on that essay. Except maybe Granger."

"Only because the Mudblood has looked at the chapter over seven times and then look at five other books at least about it." Malfoy spat, making Aster freeze up at the slur, before forcibly making herself relax.

"Apparently she writes at least another ten inches on essays." He went on, "I heard Snape and Fawley talking. They even knock marks off for it!" He laughed.

Deciding that she couldn't concentrate on her book, she got up. "I'm going to fly Clacker. You coming, Theo?"

"...Theo?" Malfoy asked with a sneer.

Aster gave him a blank look. "Yes, it's short for Theodore."

"She's called him that for ages, mate." Blaise sniggered. "You're just too self absorbed to notice." He goaded making Malfoy roll his eyes.

"Well go on then." He flicked his hands in dismissal.

"Thank you, my liege." Aster drawled with a mocking curtsy and walked out the common room with Theo and Blaise tailing her.

"I thought you had homework to do?"

"Gods, no. I've already done it. Taken a page out of the Thaster book. Er, the Theo and Aster guideline. Do it as soon as possible so you're not going to lose hours all in one go." Blaise shrugged carelessly.

"Then what were you writing with all the books?"

"Extra credit?"

"That would work if you worked like that, Zabini. But even I don't do that." Theo snorted.

"True. Honestly just extra notes on the topics Quirrell was meant to teach."

They were near the Lake, watching as Clacker flew lazy circles and played with Binky when Greegrass came up to them with a flushed face.

"You alright, Greengrass?" Blaise asked uncertainly, looking at his two friends.

"No! That idiot is making my life hell!" She steamed, somehow stomping gracefully to the edge of the Lake before storming over to them and back again.

"Er...who?"

"Avery, Aster! Avery! He just keeps following me about and telling me that I needn't bother with work as I'll make a good wife." She sneered. "Like I don't know already! And as if he knows what work is. Please! All he blathers on about is how loyal his family are! That his family are waiting for the opportune moment to destroy the Aftermath! Arrgh!" She screamed, her hair starting to writhe like Medusa.

"They're loyal to who?" Aster asked.

"The Dark Lord, of course!"

"Right. Yes, of course." Lord Whats His Name. Note to self: avoid Avery.

"At least Draco is circumspect in his family's activities. Goddess! Even Crabbe and Goyle don't blab."

Note two (or was it three with Quirrell Avoidance from the summer?) to self: avoid Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle as well.

"To be fair, most of Slytherin has ties to him, so it's pretty safe to say things." Blaise said as he chucked a pebble across the grass, watching as Aster's familiars darted after it.

OK, note to self: avoid the Slytherin.

"Yes, I know, that all of our group have associations but still!"

Note to self: become a hermit.

"Hey! Mum and I didn't."

Except Blaise. He can visit.

"Er...Aster? You OK?"

"I - er - ha - er."

"Oh don't worry. We're not going to say anything about your parents." Daphne waved away, making the boys look at her. "You're not the only ones who know, idiots. I'm more than capable of looking at a book." She sniffed.

"Thank Gods the others won't." Theo muttered before softening towards Aster. "Greengrass is right. You've got nothing to worry about with us."

"The three of us at least. Avery is a total sycophant so be wary of him. Draco just follows his father's lead so again be careful, likewise with Crabbe and Goyle. Pansy is a little difficult."

"Thanks Greengrass. Very helpful."

"Oh shut it, Nott. Lying to her isn't going to help. I mean look at her!" She pointed to her and the vaguely green tint to her face.

"At least you're not with Longbottom." Blaise joked making Aster snort.

"Or Weasley. Thank small mercies." She shuddered. "I'm alright. And, Greengrass is right. It's best I know."

"Of course I am." She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "We Greengrasses may not be the figureheads like the Malfoys but we do have our uses." She eyed Aster before narrowing her gaze. "In fact, I think it's best we...train you on the politics and social niceties of Purebloods."

"Train?"

"Train, teach, whatever."

"...But...why?"

Greengrass sighed in exasperation. "Because as much as people think otherwise, the World is not as shining as they'd like to say. Things are growing in the Dark again."

"Mum said that it never stopped, just kept more hidden. But even she's noticed that there are more whispers. Even abroad." Blaise said reluctantly. "I think Greengrass is right, Fair Flower. You're going to need to know how to navigate your way around."

She looked to Theo who sadly nodded his head in agreement, before looking out to the Lake, not really seeing the landscape, as Clacker squawked and moved to settle on her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek. Binky seemed to be chasing a rat with fervour, she idly noted. She didn't even realise there were wild rats at Hogwarts, she thought they were all kept away for some reason.

"Fine. If...you think that it is...prudent...for me to learn, then I'll do it." She looked back at them, "I don't know why you guys think it's such an issue though. It's not like they'll hunt me. It's Longbottom who's gonna have issues. Well, more than the issues he already has." She snorted as they chuckled.

"Your parents were known to oppose the Dark Lord, and his followers. As their daughter you're going to take the brunt of the...hate from them."

"Oh. Joy. Right then. Best get started." She blew out a breath before trudging to a couple of boulders and snuggling into her scarf as the wind picked up.

Once the others had all sat down beside her, Blaise clapped his hands together.

"Right then! First lesson! The families you need to be aware of..."

A/N:

As my AU has the Wizarding World more Pagan I've decided godparent is a bit redundant. So I've made up something else. If anyone has something that is used for a similar concept for Paganism then let me know - I did have a look but couldn't find anything.

I also don't quite buy that Hermione would immediately be able to easily make friends after Halloween hence her forcing to interact with the others at the table. And due to her isolation previously she would be unused to saying Samhain instead of Halloween.