When the girls walked into the common room the next morning a baffling sight met them. There were three Conjured boards hovering in the air with scenarios scrawled in an elegant hand along the tops: Slytherin remains the winner, Gryffindor somehow manages to go from last to first and then somehow, Snape and Dumbledore duel over who should win.
Around them, students were calling out to one another, with the two Seventh Year Prefects standing in as auctioneers as they took who betted what, where, and how much.
"Anyone else completely lost?" Pansy asked as she watched the pandemonium take place, the usually rather stoic house boisterously jumping about to yell their bets.
"It's been going on for hours now." Blaise said as bit into an apple he somehow found. "Absolutely mental. How do they think Snape won't find out?"
"He probably already knows." Aster replied as she scowled at the overly tall boy who barged in front of her so she had to go on her tip-toes to see. "Let's be honest, if he can somehow know when Finnegan is about to blow up the classroom then he's likely to realise what his entire House is doing." She said before stumbling and grabbing the nearest person to steady herself.
"Steady on, Potter. I know I'm irresistible but grabbing me is a bit far." Malfoy drawled, sneering as she rolled her eyes at him.
"Sorry, I mistook you for someone else." She snarked without looking at him. Blaise, sensing an opening that would be too much to miss, piped up.
"But you know I'm already here, flower. So who else could you possibly want?"
Aster looked at him baffled for barely a second before she sighed, turned to him and said seriously, "Theo." Which promptly made Pansy and Daphne snigger and Malfoy snort at Blaise staring at her open mouthed.
"Well that's just rude. I was your friend first!"
"I thought that was me." Theo said as he sauntered up to them, a book tucked under his arm. "You just sort of...latched on."
"Like a limpet." Aster agreed, nodding her head sagely. "You know what's going on there?"
Theo looked behind him before shrugging. "They do it every year. They vote on the three most popular outcomes and then bet on the one that will most likely happen. So far, most thing Gryffindor will win."
"Why'd they think that? We're first, they're in last place." Pansy asked, glaring as Davis flounced down the steps into the common room proper.
"Maybe because they seem to somehow do that most years. And now that Longbottom is here, the likelihood has shot up."
"How'd you know that? You're only a First Year!" Malfoy gaped, annoyed that Nott of all people knew; he was a Malfoy, he was meant to know this stuff. Nott was hardly on his standing.
"It's this funny thing. Sometimes, when people open their mouths, words come out. And sometimes, a miraculous thing happens and I listen." Theo said slowly, sharing a grin with Aster.
"The only funny thing here is you thinking you know stuff. That's not exactly your domain, is it?" The blonde sniffed, straightening his robes.
"It's not yours either. Apparently it's your father's." Aster muttered before slapping a hand over her mouth as she realised her volume. "Er...nothing. Is it time for breakfast? I'm starved, come on." She grabbed the two girls beside her as she maneuvered her way across the cramped room to outside the corridor, ignoring the indignated cry of "Hey!" From behind them.
As they walked through the halls they noticed the decorations strewn about the walls of flowers seemingly growing out from the ancient stone, petals falling down and vanishing from the ceiling, making the air smell of roses, jasmine and freesias.
The Great Hall was similarly decorated, although there were vases full of an array of bouquets placed along the middle of the runners. Sprigs of herbs and foliage were scattered about on the tables, in between the plates and food. The floor was also similarly decorated with herbs and flowers, giving the atmosphere an almost medieval feel amongst the millennia old castle.
As they sat down in their usual spaces, Aster noticed that even the food was different, the usual heavier British breakfast fare exchanged for lighter versions. Bowls of freshly made bread was a common theme, with jars of homemade jams, butters and all manners of other accompaniments. Fruit was also another regular item, although throughout the year it was always present, now it was teeming. Whole bunches of bananas sat with a bowl filled with a punnet of raspberries, strawberries and cranberries as blueberries, blackberries and cherries were grouped together nearby. Tubs of yogurts sat with jars of sweet smelling honey, the honeycomb still at the bottom.
Safe to say, Aster was confused.
"Why'd they change everything?" She inquired as she grabbed a few slices of bread, a banana as Daphne spooned in yoghurt to a bowl for her.
"It's the Summer Solstice." Pansy said in confusion, looking at her strangely. "Surely you remember?"
Aster blinked at her in shock. "I thought that was in July."
"Clearly not. Is this another case of your family being weird and doing things differently?"
"Err," she started, "sure." She settled on eloquently before quickly changing the conversation. "It's a bit weird how early the school is shutting for summer, isn't it? I mean, it's only June."
"Honestly, Aster," Daphne sighed as she folded her hands on the table, "don't you pay attention? The school shuts today because it's the Solstice. Because..." She left, motioning her hands to get Aster to fill in the blank.
"It's...the...er...oh!" She snapped her fingers as it came to her. "Shows the beginning of a new era."
"Close. It symbolises a new phase of growth." Daphne corrected, sipping at her tea before grimacing and adding another sugar cube.
"That's what I said!" Aster huffed making Daphne raise an eyebrow at her tone. "Well I basically did." She grumbled before moving on. "I still think it's weird that it's the middle of June. Muggles continue until nearly August." She said as she fixed her own tea before realising what she said and quickly adding, "I think."
"Well Muggles do all sorts of things we don't." Pansy shrugged, "and some of them I really don't understand. Like Yule - nearly everyone seems to celebrate the Christian celebration, but only because it features gifts." She sneered, emphasising her point by stabbing her fork into a strawberry. "It's archaic."
"You love getting gifts, Parkinson." Blaise said as he shoved himself into the seat to Aster's right.
"Yes," she agreed, rolling her eyes. "But I don't love Yule and the like simply for that. It's the whole experience of the thing. I'm not wholly spoiled you know."
"No?" Malfoy asked from Aster's left, raising an eyebrow, "who complained that she didn't get her Acromantula silk scarf that she had been hinting about?"
"That's different," Pansy snipped, sticking her nose in the air. "I had been told I would be getting them."
"Did you specify?" Aster piped up, ignoring Malfoy as he knocked his elbow into her as he tried to take more space. Pansy looked at her askance, frowning in confusion. "Well if you didn't specify then it can still be true. You never said when, and neither did they." She shrugged, taking a spoonful of her yogurt as Daphne pointedly looked at the half eaten bowl.
"Why would I need to do that? Nobody does that." I had to, Aster couldn't help but inwardly grumble.
At a tap on her elbow from Blaise, she looked up, smiling a little as he nudged her again three times. You're not alone, he seemed to say. Nodding her head minutely he smiled back before turning to his own breakfast. It was only then she realised someone was missing.
"Where's Theo?"
Malfoy barely looked up before nodding towards the doors to the Great Hall. "Snape pulled him back to discuss something. Didn't care beyond that. Anything interesting and he'll tell us eventually."
"Honesly, Draco," Daphne chided, "your mother would want you to look out for your friends. What if something terrible has happened and is in need of one?"
"He'd either find us or wait, I imagine." He retorted carelessly, making Daphne purse her lips in annoyance, making a note to her to do list when she got home: inform Mrs Malfoy of her son's deplorable civility.
"I get the impression Nott is one to squirrell away behind a book and ignore all his problems, myself." Blaise said as he reached across Aster for the fruit scones.
"Rather like Aster then." Pansy said, shooting the girl a grin so she wouldn't take it personally, making her roll her eyes in response.
--‐--
Meanwhile, as his friends bantered as they ate, Theo followed his Head of House back down into the dungeons to his office. As he walked in, Theo immediately took note that all the ingredients he had in glittering jars were neatly stacked, and the more ghoulish were on eye level for any wayward student to notice. Cobwebs were dangling from corners of misused areas, but if one were too look closely, the shimmer of enchantments and Conjuration glittered faintly. He should have guessed; Snape was an exacting Potions Master and he didn't allow mess in his classroom, so he certainly wouldn't in his own office.
A smaller door was by the shelves, and Theo guessed that his own personal, more valuable stores were inside. Another larger door was in the middle of the wall, slightly ajar, to show a brewing room with a cauldron bubbling away - probably the only reason his professor left it open to begin with. From his slither of a view, he could tell it was immaculately clean - no sign of cobwebs he thought with amusement.
Directly in front of this door was Snape's desk which was a fairly expensive looking writing mahogany desk with a slab of worn green leather in the middle. At first glance it seemed rather incongruous with his dour Potions professor; he knew from the Circle's talk that he used to be a penniless Half Blood, and even now he wasn't one to spend on fripperies. As he assessed it quickly, he caught on immediate indicators. The leather was cracked, ink spots flecking it. Scuffs on the edges as well as knicks decorated the bottom half of the backs - somewhere most, especially in Slytherin, wouldn't look. The wood itself looked soft, clearly worn by possibly countless hands as it passed from owner to owner.
Theo came to one immediate conclusion; he bought it second hand, likely from a Muggle shop due to its sign of wear. And likely was one of his first purchases as a new teacher. After all, he thought, he knew his predecessor as Potions professor was an ostentatious show off, he wouldn't have thought momentarily to have such an item.
The chair that Snape was moving towards was rather bland, a simple wooden chair with velvet padding on the back and arms, just enough to not be uncomfortable. The chair in which Theo was about to take was even more plain; a simple wooden chair, although he was pleasantly surprised when he found a cushioning Charm on it.
All of this he took in from the moment he saw the office at the door to the ten steps to his chair.
"Mr Nott." Snape said after a few minutes gazing at one of his brightest students steadily. "It has come to my attention that you face a dilemma that most do not." He began, watching as the First Year betrayed nothing, still sitting there with a straight back, hands placed in his lap. He was already a prime Slytherin; much more than Snape's own, what Muggles would call anyway, godson, he thought with an inward grimace.
As Theo remained silent, his mind stuttered, he had an inkling of what this conversation was about, and if Aster hadn't been taken in by her Grandfather, he imagined she would also have received a summons from their Head of House.
"I'm not sure I know what you're saying, sir." He replied, making sure not to sound too quiet or defensive like he wanted to.
Snape sighed in apparent annoyance. "You are a smart boy, Mr Nott. More than most of your peers, and the years above you. I imagine from the moment you stepped into my office you analysed everything in a minute, and made conclusions; which I will neither confirm or deny." He dryly continued, raising his eyebrow pointedly at him, smirking as he noticed the boy's hands twitch at his remark. "You have a difficult homelife, to put it bluntly. Your relationship with your father is something left to be desired, to be mild. No, don't interrupt." He barked, raising his hand as Theo opened his mouth to argue.
"Nobody has betrayed your confidence. I'm merely...observant. I'm unable to provide you a permanent sanctuary, but if you wish to remove yourself from the environment, for a time, then I'm sure Mrs Malfoy and Madam Zabini will happily host you. They have written to me in the past couple times expressing their wishes for me to extend these offers to you. Mothers have a way of finding out the truth no matter if nothing is said."
Theo said nothing, opting to stare impassively at the space between Snape's eyebrows as he refrained from the urge to flinch.Snape sighed through his nose softly, "Mr Nott, it isn't a fault to have such circumstances. The only sin here lies at the perpetrator. You understand that, yes?" At his continued silence, Severus ran a finger across his lip as he contemplated how to get the point across.
"It is my understanding that Miss Potter has also had a...difficult...childhood." He calmly stated, relieved when the boys' eyes finally snapped to his. "Would you consider it a failing of hers to be treated so?"
Theo clenched his jaw tightly, grinding his teeth as he jerkily shaked his head. Taking a deep breath he said softly, "But she had it worse."
"Hm. Does it matter?" At Snape's question Theo glared, clenching his fists.
"Of course it matters! She didn't feel safe, she - she - she was threatened by her family because of who she is!" He bit out, breathing heavily to rein in his temper. It wouldn't do to show his temper. He knew better than that.
Snape leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "And you are not? You feel wholly secure at home, wanted and cared for?" He watched as he flinched, the image of a scrawny, black oily haired boy superimpose over Mr Nott. "Do not judge your circumstances against others. You never know what goes on behind closed doors." He told him sharply, before fixing his cufflinks. "Now, you'll accept the offers of welcome. And you will do so any time you truly need it. I won't expect you to go there at any raising of the voice, but you will go."
Feeling rather brave, Theo raised an eyebrow imperceptibly, "What are you going to do? Dock points? Put me in detention? To be perfectly frank, sir, I really don't put much stock in the point system; I think it rather divides the Houses further." Snape softly snorted in agreement, lips twitching as he looked on as the quiet Mr Nott put on his Pureblood airs. "As for detention...if you could issue it after the start of term then I'd be rather grateful. Otherwise my father will be...um...displeased."
Narrowing his eyes at the boys sudden hesitation and hint, Snape made a mental note to ask Narcissa to make Nott Senior's life Hel.
"Very well, Mr Nott." Snape agreed. "I'll give you a detention for next year. But I won't take points this time - we are, after all, likely to win the Cup this year." Waving his hand, he dismissed the boy, watching as he scampered away to join his friends, leaving Severus to contemplate in silence.
He had known, of course, that Miss Potter had a less than savoury family; he had been on the receiving end of their vitriol after all, but to the point that she likely ran away. That was unacceptable.
Although, objectively, he had it worse due to the regular beatings, poverty and plain racism aimed at him, he at least had Lily to run to, and, in her lucid moments, his mother. Eileen Prince had never been a strong willed person, although she was wily enough to most defined belong to the
House of the Cunning. But with her own abuse at her husband's hand, the shame of being rejected by her own family, she quickly became a shell. But at least he had somebody.
From the sounds of it, Miss Potter never did. Someone else to put on his mental list of who to target when the Dark Lord inevitably returns - after all, the family of Potter is a grand prize.
Hours later, after a day filled with lazing about in the sunshine, laughter and teasing, Aster fell into her usual seat at the dining table. She barely took note of the decorations as she listened to Blaise wax on about his native Italy, and their traditions of the Summer Solstice. The food was served as it usually was, although not in full fare, making the First Years frown, wondering if they skimp out on the last evening meal of the year. As the last bite of the meal was eaten, the desserts never arrived. Instead garlands of flowers, bunches of ferns and pine laid on platters.
"If I may have your attention, please!" The raspy voice of Dumbledore announced as he stood from his chair. "As this is the First Years' last day of term, it is my pleasure to announce the evening's festivities.
"As it is that most blessed of days, Litha, the Summer Solstice, we have an evening of frivolity planned. If you will all rise and follow your Head of House to the Black Lake, you will see a most magnificent bonfire ready to be lit. Please feel free to pick a garland, bouquet or confetti and ribbons, to take with you. There is no other agenda other than this - have fun.
"But! Before we all make our merry way," he continued, raising his voice as excited chatter broke out, "It is my happy duty to award the last remaining points and House Cup."
At his pause, everyone seemingly held their breath, the younger years glancing up at the banners, waiting for it to turn to their own House colours. The Gryffindor table in particular looked expectant, looking at Longbottom, with his chest puffed out. Rolling her eyes, Aster perched her head on her fist, wanting the whole thing to be over so she could go to an actual bonfire.
"As it stands," Dumbledore continued, looking at them over his spectacles, "we have Gryffindor in fourth place -"
"Also known as last." Malfoy pompously said, making the table snigger.
"With three hundred and twelve points. In third place, we have Hufflepuff House with three hundred and twenty points. Ravenclaw is in an impressive second with four hundred and seventy two points. And finally - Slytherin has secured their space as winner at a magnificent four hundred eighty two!" He announced to a roar of approval from the Green Table, the other Houses, barring Gryffindor, giving a smattering of applause.
"Yes! Well done, Slytherin...although-" He started, raising his hand for silence. Gryffindors suddenly grinned ferally, as Aster and her peers looked on in confusion. The older years pursed their lips in annoyance, as Snape clenched his jaw tightly, and Fawley narrowed his eyes.
"With recent events, I find that a few last minute points are in order." Dumbledore continued, acting oblivious to the sudden tense atmosphere.
"For Miss Granger, keeping a cool head in a crisis; I give thirty points." He smiled at the red faced girl, who buried her face in her hands. "For Mr Weasley, for the most excellent game of logic and strategy; I give thirty points. And finally, for Mr Longbottom, for standing up for what is right - I give fifty points." Applause broke out amongst the Gryffindors as the Prat seemed to puff out even more, although there were a few that were leaning to each other saying that they still hadn't won.
"But let's not forget those of our friends in Slytherin!" He cried, making anyone of that House snap their heads to look at him.
"For Messers Zabini and Nott, I award twenty points each in soliciting the best course of action in response to the welfare of another student. For Misses Greengrass and Parkinson, I award ten points in the contumacious way of defending their friend." Dumbledore blithely rattled, making the group of friends look at one another, and Theo snort at the Headmaster's choice of words.
"What does that mean? Contu-whatsit?" Pansy asked, looking round at them, Theo merely shrugging as he face forwards again with a smile.
"And finally...to Miss Aster Potter." He began, staring directly at the girl who was suddenly wide-eyed and sitting at attention. "I award fifty points for her ability to overcome deception, wickedness and harm, with a mature nature, one of someone twice her age."
Aster took a shaky breath, looking down and moving to sit on her hands as she saw they shook.
"So!" Dumbledore exclaimed, reversing the more solemn air once again, "in total - the points now stand as Hufflepuff with three hundred and twelve. Gryffindor with four hundred and twenty two. Ravenclaw with four hundred and seventy two...and Slytherin with five hundred and ninety two points!"
The entire table of the usual stoic Slytherins, erupted, the older years
standing in a flourish and throwing green parks up as the banners unfurled to the Snake emblem, much to Dumbledore's delight and Snape's distaste - if the curl of his lip was to go by.
Once the riotous noise had reduced, the four Heads of Houses descended to escort the students outside to the lake. The Ravenclaws went rather quietly, as usual, throwing annoyed looks at the loudest of students. Professor Sprout hobbled along with her House, talking animatedly with a Fifth Year who kept nearly hitting a Second Year behind him with his exaggerated hand gestures. Professor McGonnagall corralled her lions as they growled and grumped their way out, throwing seething looks at the Slytherins and, lacking all subtlety, accused them of cheating. Longbottom strut out of the Great Hall, proudly boasting on his last minute win, bumping them up. Which was all well and good but he cost them one hundred points to begin with, McGonnagall pointed out. The Slytherins made their way out behind Snape, happily chatting away at a more respectable volume.
"I can't believe that happened!" Pansy gushed, nearly skipping in her steps. "I thought for sure that we were going to have the Cup snatched away from us!" She laughed, swinging her arms.
"Why'd you think that?" Aster asked with a frown, hurriedly ducking and dodging as boisterous students ran amok.
"Well the Headmaster isn't known for his bias for Slytherin. Gryffindor, yes. Slytherin? Not so much." Daphne explained, glaring at a boy as he pushed Aster, making Blaise tuck her into his side.
"Really? I always got the feeling he really couldn't give a fig about it all, to be honest."
"That's because he likes you. You're like a duckling - you can't help but think they're snuggly."
"I was more thinking a cat." Theo disagreed thoughtfully, side stepping a loose root in the grass. "Looks all soft and unassuming, but then she just sort of...takes over."
"I don't take over!" Aster gaped at him. "Blaise, tell him!" She demanded before scowling as she realised what she said. "You know what I - oh never mind." She grumped, crossing her arms.
"I rather think he means you've become a very big part of our lives." Pansy soothed. "And where you've not grown up in our circles, you've provided us with someone to have an outsider point of view."
"You make her sound like a phase, Pansy." Daphne chided. "Due to your rather different upbringing, and due to that, the way you are, we default to look to you. That's all."
As they walked up to the Lake, they noticed the built up pyre and floating carafes of drinks. The trees had ribbons and lace tied, lifting in the slight breeze. Candles dotted about, with torches ready to be lit once the sun set. Instruments played by themselves surrounded them, accompanying the soft chatter from everyone, the professors relaxed as they cast only the occasional glance at the students.
Dumbledore, the Heads of Houses and the Head Boy and Girl lifted their wands simultaneously, casting fire at the pyre. The wood burst into flames, making the students erupt into cheers, and the celebrations begin in earnest.
For hours, the entirety of Hogwarts talked and laughed, the more traditional families leading them into dances, with some - such as the Weasley twins - quickly devolving into their own choreography. Even Filch swept Mrs Norris – his ever watchful and spiteful cat – into their own spinning movements.
Pansy and Daphne dragged Aster by the hand into a whirl of spins and swinging, tripping over their own feet as they devolved into hysterics as Aster flayed about trying to keep up. She eventually shucked her shoes off, as cuts and blisters formed, rubbing her ankles raw.
As the night wore on and midnight came and went, the laughter died down as all turned quiet as sleep attempted to claim them. Only Dumbledore, McGonnagall and Snape seemed to be immune, rousing their colleagues to shepherd their charges to their beds.
Blaise, Theo and Malfoy took charge as Snape prodded them into moving, leading a girl each to the common room, despite their own exhaustion, and shoving them up the stairs to the dorms. Mumbling a good night to everyone, Aster flopped face first on to her bed, not bothering to change. As she drifted off, she realised she never picked up her shoes.
--‐--
A/N: for some reason the line break on FF isn't working for me, hence the dashes. I've also had this in my head for ages and trying to fathom how to bring it about has also taken a while.