Summer's End
She found it hard to hold the knife, the blood made the handle slippery. She figured she had cut too deep but there was no going back now, her heart hammered against her chest and her breathing became heavy. Astrid knew that the walls were closing in, she knew that eventually it would all come crashing down. Dumbledore had been watching her like a hawk since she came back to Hogwarts, and it was only a matter of time before he caught on to where her power came from. Blood magic was strictly forbidden but Astrid’s family had been practicing it long before they walked the halls of Hogwarts, and she wasn’t going to stop now. She needed to be strong, she knew what was coming.
There had been talks about the Dark Lord’s return, most of it was hearsay but Astrid knew that it was all true. Her father Rabastan Lestrange and her late mother Celine Rosier were notable death eaters, they believed in the pure-blood ideals that had been forced upon them since birth and they had been loyal to the Dark Lord even in his absence.
Rabastan spent most of Astrid’s childhood locked away in Azkaban for using the unforgivable curses, well, he was sent to Azkaban for getting caught. He had enough time to get away, but he foolishly went back to help his brother Rodolphus and sister-in-law Bellatrix. That’s what Astrid was able to piece together at least, most of her direct relatives were dead or imprisoned which left Astrid in the care of Narcissa Malfoy. The two women were distantly related through blood and by marriage, so it came almost naturally for Narcissa to take the young girl in. At first it was awkward being in a home that wasn’t hers, she wanted nothing more than for her father’s freedom, but she was certain that he would never feel the sun on his skin again.
Growing up in Malfoy manor wasn’t as bad as most would assume, the Malfoys treated Astrid well enough, but she couldn’t help feel like a burden. Lucius was polite and kept his promise to her father, she assumed it was to protect Astrid like she was his own and he did. Draco had become her brother, and she would do anything to remain in his favour. That’s why she had to get out of Malfoy manor, as much as she liked having a place to call home, she wanted something of her own and she wanted to prove to everyone that the Malfoy’s had raised her to be a formidable witch.
As her hand became numb for the loss of blood, she remembered exactly how she had gotten herself in this position. It started when the Malfoy’s took a trip to Paris Astrid took the opportunity to venture to Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, she wanted to see her family’s mausoleum for herself. It had mostly been repaired since the Grindelwald incident but there was still some damage. After walking around the mausoleum, she came to the conclusion that her family must have moved all their assets out of there. So, when she returned to the manor she found her way to Lucius’ office, Draco was sitting across from his father and Astrid felt out of place, as she went to turn around Lucius called out her name.
“What did you want Astrid?” Lucius smiled at her.
“Oh, it’s okay, it can wait. I didn’t want to interrupt your talk with Draco.”
“It’s okay darling, come on in.” Astrid smiled and walked over to his desk.
Draco went to stand so Astrid could sit in the chair, “It’s okay, stay seated. I’ll be quick.”
“I know that I turn sixteen soon, but I was wondering if you could take me to the Lestrange vault before then.”
Draco turned to look up at Astrid, but her gaze didn’t leave Lucius, there was a moment of silence before he spoke.
“Draco, would you mind giving us a moment.” Draco moved almost immediately, and Astrid took his place in the chair.
“Where is this coming from?”
“I just wanted to see what was in there, I know that there are a lot of artifacts and historic pieces within the vault.”
“I’ll take you when we get back to England but because I’m not a Lestrange I won’t be able to go in with you. So, I can drop you off and I’ll meet with the minister while I wait.”
“Thank you.” Astrid smiled.
Astrid went to get up, but Lucius reached across the table and grabbed her hand, “Astrid, you know that you’re a part of this family.”
She sat back down, still holding his hand, “I know.”
“Then what’s this really about?”
Astrid chuckled and rolled her eyes; she should have known that Lucius would see through her intentions. Between him and Narcissa, Astrid knew that she couldn’t hide anything.
She let go of his hand then and placed her hands in her lap, she glanced around the bookshelves and noticed a lot of books that were related to the dark arts, most of which she had already read.
“I think – that maybe it’s time that I step out of the Malfoy shadow. I know that when you married Narcissa you didn’t plan on having to take care of me too. I am getting older, and I think it’s time that I branch out. I was thinking about spending some time at the Lestrange estate.”
Lucius sighed loudly, “I always knew this day would come, Narcissa wanted to start visiting the Lestrange estate years ago, but I didn’t want to. I know that it’s your birth right and you have every right to want to become Lady Lestrange.”
Astrid giggled, “Lady Lestrange.”
Lucius smiled at that too, “We should be leaving for home two days from now, then I’ll take you to the vault. Have you thought about looking into the Rosier vault as well.”
“I thought that there were other members of the Rosier family that were entitled to the vault.”
“There is a male heir left, it’s true but your mother had belongings in there that now belong to you.”
“Who is the male heir? Do we know him?”
“I believe that the Nott boy’s mother was a Rosier from her mother’s side, kind of like Narcissa but if you wanted to contest the claim, I’d help you.”
Astrid nodded, “Maybe. Well, thank you again, for everything. I should go get ready for dinner. Draco said Narcissa made reservations at a fancy restaurant.”
Astrid finally got up to leave and was heading toward her room when she sensed Draco come up behind her, “What did you and father talk about?”
Astrid didn’t answer him and continued walking, Draco didn’t say anything else but followed her anyways.
Once they reached her room, she opened the door and took a step in, “Well are you coming in?”
Draco rolled his eyes before stepping into her room and making his way to sit on her bed, “So?”
“I asked him if he could take me to the Lestrange vault. That’s it.”
“You’ve never been very interested in your family before, why now?”
“I- it’s hard to explain.”
“Try me.”
“Draco, you just wouldn’t get it. Your family knows it’s history, where you come from. You have your parents that answer any questions you have.”
“Astrid, you’re acting like you don’t know your family history, which is a lie.”
“There’s a huge difference between reading about your family from the Daily Prophet and books than actually hearing it from them.”
Draco shrugged, “I guess you’re right. My mother hardly speaks of her mother and most of the Rosier’s have been killed or imprisoned, mhm, kind of like the Lestrange’s as well.”
There was a moment of silence between the two of them before Draco burst out laughing, “Do you think you’ll be behind bars any time soon?”
“Oh, get out! You annoying brat!” Astrid made her way to the bed and picked up a pillow and started hitting him with it.
That’s when they heard someone clear their throat, they both paused a moment before looking toward the door. It was Narcissa dressed in a beautiful dark green gown, “Your father would never let either of you get arrested let alone be put on trial.”
Draco nodded and Astrid hit him one more time before he got up and hugged his mother, “Go on, get dressed for dinner.”
Draco left and Narcissa walked over to Astrid’s bed and sat down, “You should start getting ready too.”
“I know, I already have a dress picked out.”
“Good, now about the Lestrange estate. Your uncle and my sister don’t have an heir so everything is left to you since they clearly won’t be needing it.”
Astrid must have looked shocked because Narcissa smiled before she began talking again, “What? I said only the truth, the Lestrange’s won’t be free in this lifetime, so it leaves you as the heir.”
Narcissa grabbed Astrid’s hand and smiled, “Don’t ever feel like a burden, you are family. Even when you run off and get married this will still be your home, okay?”
The softness in Narcissa’s voice made Astrid tear up, her throat was tightening, and she knew that if she tried to speak her voice would certainly crack so she nodded her head in agreement. Before leaving Narcissa placed a kiss upon her head.
Dinner went well, Narcissa didn’t just make a reservation at a restaurant she bought out the entire restaurant for the night. The next two days were filled with shopping and visiting other pure-blood families. They apparated back to Malfoy manor before the end of summer break, there was some things left to do but Lucius kept his promise.
Once she was able to access the Lestrange vault she finally understood the importance of her family’s motto, corvus oculum corvi non eruit, as she walked through her eyes scanned all the jewels, books, and artifacts. If the ministry ever found out about some of the objects in the vault, they would seize everything. She swore to herself that she wouldn’t tell a soul, her father and uncle’s possessions and secrets would become her own.
She found a leather-bound journal that unlocked as soon as she picked it up, it gave off odd energy and as Astrid opened it the words projected in her mind, as if the writer was in the room talking to her.
November 16th, 1768
It’s been a couple of months since father has passed, Corvus has taken to being the head of the family well. He seeks knowledge and power like a bloodhound, and it may bring disaster to our family.
He said that he had found a new source of power and that he would show me when the time was right, I fear this new power he speaks of will do more harm than good.
Only time will tell.
The diary belonged to Falco Lestrange and as Astrid looked through the family archive, she realized exactly how many Falco’s there had been. She was grateful that he had dated his entries and as she kept reading, she found his words and thoughts addicting. As she sat there in the vault reading the diary she realized how late it had gotten and she promptly got up, hoping that Lucius hadn’t been waiting too long.
She took one look last look around and walked out of the vault, there was a goblin waiting for her and he bowed as they locked the vault back up.
“I hope that everything was satisfactory Miss Lestrange.”
“Yes, thank you. I was wondering if I could access my personal vault as well.”
“Of course, it’ll take us a moment to get there, and I assume you have your key?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I need to remind you that because you’re still a minor you will need a guardian with you if you wish to withdraw galleons.”
Astrid nodded as they made their way to her own vault, the vault belonged to her mother before it was hers and when she missed her, she would visit it. She mostly looked at her mother’s belongings, there were some old dresses and jewelry that were outdated but beautiful.
There was a specific ring that she wanted to get; it was an oval emerald on a silver band. Narcissa had told her that the ring used to belong to Astrid’s grandmother and was a family heirloom that had been passed down through the first-born daughter. Most families had heirlooms and traditions like this, and Astrid thought it was time to connect with her Rosier roots, she had only really grown up with stories about her father’s family. After retrieving the ring, she returned to the goblin and presented the ring to him, “Just this, no galleons.”
“Very well Miss Lestrange.” The goblin locked the vault and proceeded to help her onto the cart. As they were heading back to the main lobby, they drove by vault number 374 and Astrid wanted to stop and go into it, but she didn’t have the key. It was the Rosier vault and as they continued their way, but Lucius’ voice popped into her head. She remembered when he said that he would fight for her to have access to the vault, her heart swelled at the memory. They made it to the lobby and Lucius was talking to Bartemius Crouch Sr. when Astrid and the goblin approached. Before departing the goblin bowed to Astrid and wished her well.
“Miss Lestrange, what a pleasure to see you.”
“Minister Crouch, nice to see you as well.”
“I was just talking to Lucius about the internships the ministry has during the summer, I was hoping that I could sway him into allowing you and Draco to apply next summer.”
Astrid looked at Lucius before continuing to talk, when their eyes met, he gave a small nod.
“That would be lovely, I look forward to applying.”
“Oh, applying is just a formality for you, I know you’re a bright witch and have a dazzling future ahead of you. Just don’t tell anyone else about my bias.”
The older man winked at Astrid, and she smiled back before looking to Lucius, “Well, it was nice seeing you Barty, but we should be off. Astrid has some shopping to do before the school year starts and Narcissa won’t be happy if we are late.”
“Have a good day, and I hope to see you next summer Miss Lestrange.”
As the two of them watched the minister walk away Astrid thought about what her future would hold. Growing up Astrid knew the fate of female pure-bloods and she always assumed that after graduation she would be matched with an heir to another pure-blood family and then become an ornament within their society, left to collect dust until a celebration or photo-op.
Narcissa and Lucius refused to make a match for Astrid when she was younger, and they were even willing to allow Draco to follow his heart as well. It was something so unspoken of within their society and Astrid admired them for raising her and Draco the way they had.
Of course, the two of them were spoiled rotten and had egos the size of dragons but Astrid tried her best to be a good person, Draco could be a handful at times but his intentions most of the time were good.
“Find everything you needed?”
“Yes, I found the ring from my vault and this journal from the Lestrange vault.”
“A journal?” Lucius raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, it belonged to Falco, it’s enchanted, and it allows the reader to actually hear his voice. It’s super cool.”
Lucius nodded before extending his elbow for Astrid to grab, as the two of them started walking Astrid could feel eyes on her, as she briefly looked around, she saw Harry Potter starring at them. Their eyes met for the briefest moments before she looked away.
She wondered what he was doing at Gringotts and then like he could read her mind Lucius whispered, “He has vault here, his family had money.”
Almost all of the pure-blood families had vaults deep within Gringotts, so Astrid wasn’t surprised to learn that Harry had a vault here.
Once they were finished getting supplies for school Lucius and Astrid made their way home and were greeted by Narcissa, “Hello, lovelies, how was your day out?”
“Everything went well dear; Draco and Astrid have been invited to be interns at the ministry next summer.”
“Those internships are coveted by many students at Hogwarts, you two will need to keep your grades high.”
“I think Minister Crouch made it clear that we would have spots regardless of our grades.” Astrid giggled.
“Nepotism will always outweigh hard work.” Draco said as he entered the hallway.
Lucius rolled his eyes and Astrid smirked at his comment, Draco started to head for the kitchen and Astrid followed him.
Once they were sitting at the counter Dobby started preparing tea for them, “How was your visit to the vault?”
“Good, I retrieved this.” Astrid showed Draco the journal.
“Oh, cool, an old journal. Falco Lestrange… which one?”
“The first one I believe. It’s enchanted and when you open it you can hear his actual voice. Cool huh?”
Draco opened the journal and cocked his eyebrow, “I don’t hear anything and nothing is written on the pages.”
“Weird, let’s see.”
Draco handed the journal back to her and when she opened it Falco’s voice started speaking, “Can you hear it?”
Draco shook his head, “No I can’t.”
Astrid started laughing, “What a peculiar journal.”
After they finished their tea, they both retreated to their rooms, Astrid laid on her bed and began reading the journal. It was filled with mundane observations about the wizarding society and his family.
In some passages Falco wrote about the new power his brother mentioned, as the night turned to early morning Astrid was reading the last pages of the diary when she finally put the pieces together.
Blood magic. That’s how the Lestrange’s were able to grow their power over the years and why they placed so much importance on blood purity.
Once Astrid finished the final entry she walked to her balcony and sat at the table, she watched the sun rise and that’s when she decided she would begin the practice of blood magic. She wanted the power that it brought, and she wanted to prove to everyone that she was worthy of praise and status as the Lestrange heir.