Chapter Text
It’s been 1 year since the real Astoria Greengrass died. While little changed in the world, if you asked any of the Greengrass’ nothing was the same. Between Astoria losing her memories and her close encounter with death, and Daphne’s 2nd year involving a basilisk, life was wild. Astoria’s parents were certain they already had grey hairs.
There was no more formal tutoring for Astoria—which she was relieved of. Summer rolled in, and Daphne returned home. To pass the time Astoria decided to continue her little hobby of art. It was as if she was 5 years old again, but rather than hanging silly little homework assignments done in crayon on the fridge, they lined the wall throughout a few hallways. Caroline was all over any drawing Astoria would show her.
She didn’t understand why her mother indulged in this hobby. It didn’t seem very common and she wasn’t even sure if it was acceptable in pureblood societies. (Back in her other life, her passion in art was frowned upon). However, Caroline always had this look in her eyes. She’d hold up a drawing, her eyes a little glossy as she glanced between the drawing and her little daughter. She always studied each painting, pointing out things she liked, things to improve, and then she would put it on the wall with a sticking charm.
Eventually Astoria came to the conclusion that she was afraid. That if she didn’t spend the time now supporting her daughter. If she didn’t look at the painting now, then she would regret it later when no child would run down those hallways.
And then the day came. The small family sat around their dining table enjoying a breakfast of eggs and toast when an owl swooped in dropping a letter in front of Astoria. The letter was thick, barely missing her cup of milk next to her. Her eyes widened, and then she smiled. The large seal with an H graced her letter, and she knew exactly what it was.
She quickly opened it and began reading,
Dear Miss Greengrass,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
And of course following the letter where the list of supplies she would need.
She set the letter down and eagerly looked at her parents. “So, when do we go shopping!” She asked.
The couple looked at each other, a smile still plastered on their faces, but their eyes betrayed their real thoughts.
“Soon.” Was all her mother could reply.
…
Finally after a few weeks of putting it off, the Greengrass family was making their way through Diagon Alley.
Astoria held tighter onto the leash of her new dog. A black poodle named Faust—the name coming from Daphne after jokingly mentioning how she jinxes things. So the black dog needs to have a “lucky” name, she claimed. Faust was fairly large, he reached Astoria’s knees, and a very handsome boy. After Astoria had sent the letter to Dumbledore, there was plenty of discussion between her parents, acquiring said dog, and training him properly. It’s great that Astoria lives in a magical society because the logistics of this already confuse her enough.
Diagon Alley wasn’t particularly busy today, which was just as planned. The family quickly got Astoria's robes, their materials, and their books. It was like any other new student's trip, except they had probably spent a bit more time at Flourish and Blotts than most. That and forgoing the Quidditch shop—Astoria would bet 5 galleons she wasn’t allowed on a broom.
Then, of course, came the most magical experience of the trip, getting her own wand.
Astoria walked into Ollivanders, her parents trailing in behind her. She eyed the stacks upon stacks of wand boxes littered around the counter. There was a sort of musty smell that reminded her of an old antique shop.
She hesitantly walked towards the counter, as if on cue Garrick Ollivander stepped out from behind one of the shelves and gave a smile, “Ah, and there she is, the last Greengrass daughter. I’ve been looking forward to your visit ever since your sister came into my shop 3 years ago.”
It made Astoria wonder if he was always looking forward to giving kids wands, or if he suspected Astoria would actually be different. A brief panic settled in her mind, ever since that day last year, has anyone checked if she still retained her magic? It was a silly thought (probably) but she reasoned she wouldn’t have gotten her letter otherwise. She brushed it off as Ollivander spoke once more, “Now let's get you fitted. Hold out your wand arm please.”
She held out her right hand and let the tape measure do its magic. Ollivander disappeared behind some shelves but quickly came back with a few boxes. He set them down and handed the top box, opened, to Astoria.
“Try this one, maple with unicorn hair, quite bendy.” He said.
Astoria took the wand and immediately dropped it, “I did not like that.” She muttered.
Ollivander gave a slight chuckle, “That's alright.” He said and then turned around once more, completely ignoring the pile he collected before.
This time he handed her a vine wand, unicorn hair. She picked it up.
“It tingles a little,” she said.
Ollivanders eyes lit up, “Well, give it a wave then!”
She did, nothing happened.
The wand maker furrowed his brow and pulled out a wand from under the counter. He didn’t say anything when he handed the wand to Astoria.
When she grabbed it, she could feel the warmth. She did not need to perform any magic, she knew, “This one.” She whispered, running her hands through the grooves of the wand.
“Ah, 3rd time a charm as they say.” He winked.
Astoria nodded, “What kind of wand is it?”
“I was hoping you would ask.” Ollivander packed a few of the boxes he had grabbed earlier and started putting them in seemingly random spots. “Your wand is beechwood, 10 and a half inches, dragon heartstring for a core reasonably springy.” He paused for a moment, and then pointed at her, “Your wand, Miss Greengrass, despite your young age has chosen you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Many young wizards come and go through my shop, but there’s always a few older wizards that require replacements for one reason or another. But in all my years I have never given a beech wand to someone as young as you. It makes me wonder about the kinds of things you know, or perhaps the kind of adventure you’ve already been on…well that’s not my business is it…In anycase, a payment of 9 Galleons should suffice.” Her parents moved to pay, while Astoria studied her new wand.
It was a light wand in color, but it had a darker raised spiral wrapped around. “Almost like a candy cane…” she mused, “or as if someone had taken a strip of paper and wrapped it around a stick.”
Eventually Faust brushed up against her, and then tugged a bit. She looked up and saw her parents ready to leave, “Ready?” Caroline asked.
“Oh! Yes,” she glanced back to Ollivander, “thank you for the wand.” And then they left.
…
“…and you’re sure you’ve packed your gloves and extra socks.” Caroline said.
“Yes of course, and besides if I really did forget something I’ll make sure to owl you.” Astoria rolled her eyes, and the train whistle blew.
Caroline bit her lip, adjusted Astoria’s robe once more and then gave her a big hug. “Please stay safe,” she said, her arms squeezing her daughter, “stay by Daphne as much as you can, and remember to visit Madame Pomfrey for anything, even the slightest headache and–“
The train whistle blew once more.
“I will, I will, I promise. Now we’ve got to go!” Astoria urged.
The family gave one last group hug, and then Daphne led her sister into the train.
Astoria subconsciously wrapped Faust’s leash around her hand some more as they navigated the train's corridor, passing a few students along the way. Daphne didn’t stop at any of the compartments, she had already picked one out when she loaded their trunks earlier.
Except the younger sister would glance through each window, doing her best to be subtle. She didn’t recognize a lot of students, which was to be expected, be she swore she saw Luna Lovegood in the compartment a few doors down (or perhaps it was Draco Malfoy, they have the similar hair color after all).
Eventually the two sisters settled into a compartment, it didn’t take long for Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode to make their way to them.
“Pansy Parkison, pleased to finally meet you.” She held out her hand for Astoria, it was all formalities really, but she took it anyway. These were Daphne’s friends after all, can’t afford to make a poor impression.
She hummed and then replied, “Astoria Greengrass, and likewise.”
They shook hands, Daphne introduced her to Millie (as they liked to call her) and they quickly settled into relating all the recent gossip.
Faust jumped up on the bench, half his body draped across Astoria’s lap.
“What’s with the dog?” Pansy finally asked.
“He’s a service dog, he’s going to keep me alive.” Astoria replied.
Pansy blinked and nodded. It felt rude to keep asking, so she happily went back to chatting with her two friends.
The steady pace of the train, and the chatters of her sister and friends eventually lulled Astoria to sleep. Her head drifted onto Daphne’s shoulders.
The world was quiet, and then it got cold.
Too cold.
The train stopped, Daphne shook Astoria awake.
“Are we already here?” Millicent asked.
“It can’t be,” Pansy said, “We still have about an hour left surly?”
Astoria bolted up, “The dementors,” she whispered.
The girls panicked, each looked at each other for any kind of comfort.
Astoria slid off her seat while muttering, “Shut the door shut the door.” Each girl quickly scrambled up, Astoria tugged on the door while Daphne and Pansy shut the curtains.
“Be very quiet, and try to calm down.” Astoria whispered again.
Pansy burst out “Calm down! Calm down!? How can I-“
She was quickly shut up by Millicent bringing her hand over her mouth and promptly shushing her.
It got colder and colder, Daphne held onto her little sister. With every passing second a feeling of dread washed over them.
Astoria felt sick, tears slid out of her eyes. She thought about everything that was supposed to happen, the war, the deaths. What if she couldn’t stop it all? What if her interference caused the future to be worse? And oh, oh how her life would be so short. She was an inch closer to dying everyday. Would it all be worth it?
She looked up, trying to keep her focus. Pansy and Millie were also crying, clutching each other as they shivered. Then she tried to look at her older sister. Daphne had her face buried in Astoria’s shoulder. She wasn’t crying, but she could hear faint, “Not yet, please, not yet.” Coming from her.
Astoria reached down, feeling around for her wand. She tried, she tried so hard to think of anything but the inevitable quest she placed upon herself that was doomed to fail.
She studied Daphne some more, and then closed her eyes. She tried to think of anything, first of Faust who was growling trying to keep what was wandering around the trains from coming. Then she thought of her parents, they loved her right? (She ignored the thought of how sad they’d be when she died). She thought about her summer, the paintings, Champion who she jokingly convinced her loving sister to get.
She opened her eyes and then she said the words, “Expecto Patronum.”
It was quiet, her words had no weight. Her memories were not enough.
Faust barked, it was a call for help. When he did, the lights flickered on. (Astoria would later say Faust has incredible timing and is their lucky charm, Daphne would agree.) Faust barked again as he checked on his owner.
Outside the compartment, one Remus Lupin would pause outside their door. He stumbled as he did and the first thought that crossed his mind, “Padfoot?”
He had driven the few dementors away that had slipped inside and was checking the rest of the train.
But the bark of a dog made him ache. It was a grim reminder of what he had lost. He didn’t open the door, he thought about it of course. But perhaps it might be too painful if it was, (he ignored that part of him that logically explained that it can’t be). Remus Lupin didn’t want to face him yet. “Some Gryffindor he was.” He thought, and continued on.
…
When they got off the train everyone seemed to be in a daze. The rumor had already circled around that the famous Harry Potter had fainted on the train. It kept everyone distracted about what just took place, and it was needed, despite poor Harry taking the fall for it. Astoria thought about confronting Harry later. She didn’t want him to feel bad about his episode earlier.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Hagrid called for all the first year.
Daphne stopped her before she could follow. “Stay by Hagrid alright? Don’t fall in the water. And…good luck.” She smiled and adjusted Astoria’s robes a little and then patted her on her way.
It made Astoria smile, Daphne is a lot like their mother.
Faust’s leash was loose in her hand, she mindlessly followed all the other little kids. Then they reached the bank of the lake, there were multiple boats waiting for the new students.
Hagrid instructed that there could only be 4 to a boat. Astoria made her way to one, it was a bit rough as Faust was getting himself settled as well. With Faust, only 2 other students could join her boat.
Finally, after a good while getting everyone into a boat and making sure they were all seated correctly. Hagrid started to lead them.
Astoria took back everything she saw so far in the magical world. Diagon alley was a marvel, seeing witches and wizards in their everyday lives. The bustle of people and items that lined the shops. Even the station and Hogwarts express had such an aesthetic appeal.
But as the boats carried them, they could all see Hogwarts in its full glory. It was unlike something she’d ever seen before.
The night was young and Hogwart shined. There was no modern day pollution covering the mountains or stars that decorated the night sky. And the lights that blazed through the windows of Hogwarts gave the castle so much life. The castle blended with the sky despite the fact that it was a ginormous castle. Astoria could make out the tall towers, and it filled her with excitement. It was like she was a princess, and this was her castle (a castle she had to share with hundreds of others, but one could pretend right?)
No one fell in, luckily, and the group seemed to perk up more since the train incident. There was a light conversation going around as they got out of the boats.
When they were finally making their way up the steps of Hogwarts, a sense of relief washed over Astoria. Finally, she was here. Finally she can make a difference.