We're in this Together

About a month has passed since I had received the letter left to me by my father, the decision I made that night, to follow my own path as he and my mother had intended for me. Of course, I hadn't made this information known to the other inhabitants of my house, knowing that if I show anything but allegiance to Voldemort, I would be out of the manor, and while that thought isn't exactly unappealing to me, I have nowhere else to go...

I woke up the morning of September 1st, with a new sense of excitement. Today's the day I leave for Hogwarts. The first day of the rest of my life.

I hop out of bed and make my way to the bathroom, where I shower, and brush my teeth, after towel drying and brushing my hair, I leave it to air dry, while I walk to my closet and choose my outfit for the day, settling on a pair of sheer black tights dark green and navy blue plaid skirt, a white button-up top, with a black sweater over it, pulling the white-collar out from under my sweater, allowing it to show, and finishing it off with a pair of black loafers. I leave my closet and walk back to my bathroom to finish doing my hair, keeping it simple with two little braids connecting at the back of my head.

Entering my bedroom I collect the rest of my stuff, I pick up my journal, and my father's letter, sliding it safely into my small black bag, with an extendable charm placed on it, I remove my father's ring staring at it for a moment before I slide it into my bag as well, finishing off my packing with a set of robes to change into on the train. I pick my locket up from under my pillow, and place it around my neck, tucking it under my button-up and sweater, knowing if my uncle and aunt saw the jewelry they would question where they came from.

I take one last glance around my room, only to see the box of pressed daisies from Dobby, and pick that up, placing it carefully into my trunk for safekeeping. Closing my trunk, I place my small bag on top of it, knowing that one of our house elves will bring it down to the foyer. I make my journey down the stair, and into the dining room.

"Good morning!" I greet happily as I take my seat across from Draco.

"Good morning dear." My aunt smiles at me.

"Why are you so happy...?" Draco questions, an obvious tone of confusion in his voice, with his eyebrows drawn together.

"Can I not be in a good mood cousin?" I question.

"I mean you can...but it's new for you." He states. I stare at him in disbelief.

"Wow. Thanks, Draco." I state sarcastically rolling my eyes playfully at him, causing the nine-year-old to laugh at me. My aunt smiles at the two of us, enjoying the unusual happy moment. Only to be interrupted by Uncle Lucius.

"What are you giggling about boy?" He questions dryly while walking to his seat.

Slumping down in his chair, not meeting his eyes, "Nothing father."

My uncle stares at him for a moment, before turning his eyes to me.

"Asteria. Big day today." He says.

"Yes, Uncle," I respond while I begin to eat the food that just arrived in front of us.

"After breakfast, I want you to meet me in my office before we leave for the station." He says.

Great.

"Yes, Uncle," I state.

The rest of our meal is finished in silence. Dread looms in the forefront of my mind, pushing all excitement and happiness of the day into the back of my thoughts, knowing that the conversation we'll be having won't be pleasant...

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After a tense breakfast, my uncle rises and heads to his study, a few moments later the echo of a slamming oak door indicates his arrival. I take a deep breath, air filling my lungs, and slowly release it, as I rise from my chair.

"Don't worry too much Asteria, it will be the same conversation he's been stressing since the arrival of your letter." My aunt states, in an attempt to bring me solace, "when you two are done meet us in the foyer, and we will head to Kings Cross together."

I nod and take my leave. My walk up to his study was quiet, the only sound was the echoing of my footsteps. I try and pull myself together as much as possible, and prepare for whatever last-minute threats he will throw at me while he still has me in his grasp.

I pause briefly at the corner before the long hall his study is at the end of, look around me quickly, checking if I'm alone, and then I pull my locket out from under my shirt, opening it up to stare at my parents. My mother's bright eyes and warm smile stared back at me, and my father looking down at me in his arms, with love and adoration, both reassuring me. I close the locket, tucking it back under my shirt, and stride towards the door with newfound confidence.

I can do this.

For them.

I raise my fist and knock softly on the door.

"Enter."

Opening the door, I enter and softly close the door behind me.

"Took you long enough, you insolent child." He spat.

"Sorry, Uncle. Aunt Narcissa asked me to inform you we are to gather in the foyer after our conversation. So we can all head to the station together." I tell him softly.

"Hmmm... I see. Well onto why you are here." He says as I take my seat in one of the black leather chairs in front of his desk. "As you know, when you arrive at Hogwarts you will be sorted into your house, by that dusty old hat. It will be Slytherin do you understand me?"

"Yes, Uncle."

"You will follow the path of those before you. You will not associate with the wrong sort of people. That means, no obnoxious Gryffindors, no pompous Ravenclaws, and no spineless Hufflepuffs. No half-bloods, half-breeds, or Mudbloods. And I know some of Arthur Weasley's ginger spawn will be in your year, as well as three above you, do not associate with them, they're blood traitors. Understood?"

"Yes, Uncle."

"Don't listen to anything that fool Dumbledore says, he has always conspired against the Dark Lord, we don't need to associate with him either." He spits.

"Uncle...may I ask you something?"

"If you must."

"What..." I pause debating if I even want to ask, "W-what happens if I don't get put into Slytherin? What if the hat puts me into a different house? What do I do then?" I ask softly, afraid of his answer. He stares at me for a moment, eyes narrowing into slits.

"If you don't get put into Slytherin...there will be dire consequences..." he says lowly, "understood? You do everything within your power to be sorted into our family house."

"Yes, Uncle..." I say, looking down at my hands.

"And Asteria?"

"Yes, uncle?"

"Don't be like your father..." he says, "we all know what happened to him."

I freeze, staring at him, I can feel the tears welling in my eyes, but I'm quick to blink them away.

"Yes...Uncle."

"Go meet your aunt and cousin. I will be down momentarily."

I nod and quickly exit the room closing the heavy door behind me. I take a few needed deep breaths, and softly exhale, attempting to pull myself together before I rejoin the rest of my family. I can feel the weight of the locket on my neck, the cool, gold chain, and the round pendant resting against my chest. I try and picture their faces, happy, and smiling, trying and imagine what they'd tell me. I stop in front of an ornate gold mirror checking my appearance before I join my aunt and cousin, my eyes look glassy, my face pale as if I'd seen a ghost. I give myself a few fake smiles, trying to be convincing, and then I walk out into the foyer. The two people waiting for me are none the wiser.

My aunt and cousin look over at me, hearing my approaching footsteps. My aunt stares at me for a moment, taking in my features, making sure I'm okay before we have to leave, after checking I'm okay, she offers a soft smile.

"Ah, there you are darling, where is your uncle?" She questions.

"He said he'll be down momentarily." She nods softly and goes back to fixing my cousin's collar. I walk over to my trunks and pick up my small black shoulder bag, putting it over my head so it crosses my chest. And sit silently on the large staircase waiting for my uncle. A few moments later, he arrives, with a quick let's get this over with. Grabbing my cousin's hand and apperate to the train station. My aunt offers me a smile and extends her arm to me.

"Let's go, my dear. Remember, hold on to me and your trunk tightly, don't want to get lost." She states, handing me the smaller of the two trunks, while grabbing the larger one, "Ready? 1...2...3..."

And just like that, we were gone, I hold onto my aunt's arm tightly, and clench my trunks handle, with white knuckles. We arrive, as quickly as we left, and I'm left with that slightly nauseous feeling. My aunt allows me to stand for a moment, while the world stops spinning, and then we walk and join the two other Malfoys. We quickly walk to the platform, my uncle sneering at any muggle who may be looking at us. Before he and my cousins, walk into the wall between platforms 9 and 10, disappearing from sight. My aunt turns to me pulling something out of her pocket, and handing it to me.

"Here's your ticket. Don't lose it! It's very important. Now take your trolly, and walk at the wall, if you are nervous, try running a little. I'll be right behind you. Are you ready?" She asks.

"I think so."

"Alright, go on dear."

I nod at her, taking the handle of my trolly, and begin a fast walk towards the wall, closing my eyes as I got closer, only opening them when I hear the bustle of crowds around me. I take in the large crowds of witches and wizards, both young and old, parents dropping off their children. Behind the crowds I notice a bright red steam train, it was beautiful, flawless, and grand. I jump, feeling a hand on my shoulder, and turn to meet my aunt's soft smile.

"It's exciting isn't it?" I only nod in response as she nudges me forward towards my uncle. Together the four of us walk to the edge of the platform so we can say our final goodbyes. Draco walks up to me first.

"Goodbye cousin. I'll see you when you come home for Christmas. You'll have to tell me all about the Slytherin common room!" He says excitedly. I nod softly and tell him I will.

My uncle is next, "remember our conversation. Don't disappoint me." He sneers.

"Yes, Uncle," I respond.

He walks away, my cousin in tow. My aunt looks at me smiling softly.

"Remember what we talked about dear, I'm in your corner no matter what, even when it may not seem like it. Have fun. Make friends. Enjoy this experience, these years go by so quickly. I'll see you when you come home for the Christmas holiday. I expect to hear all about it, but in the meantime, please write. Goodbye, my darling." She kisses the top of my head softly, giving me one last smile, and follows my uncle.

I turn towards the train, walk up the stairs and hand the attendant my ticket, he punches it and hands it back, before taking my two trunks.

"These will be brought up to the castle upon your arrival, and then to your dormitory after your sorting. In the meantime, find a compartment to sit in, you'll be notified when we're close." He states as if it's scripted. I nod, giving him a soft thank you, before turning away from him to find an empty compartment.

After a few moments of walking down the crowded aisle, glancing through windows, I finally discover an empty compartment. I slide open the door, and take a seat next to the window, placing my bag beside me. As I watch the families outside the window say their goodbyes, my eyes catching on a group of redheads, some dressed and ready for the journey to school, a boy who looks to be about Draco's age, and a small girl who is sitting on her father's shoulders. The Weasley's. I think back to my father's letter, the older boys must be Bill, Charlie, and Percy, the twins stand in front of their mother nodding along with whatever she was saying.

Pulling my ring out of my bag and back onto my finger where it belongs, and my locket out of my shirt, I begin to think about what it would have been like if my parents were to have dropped me off...

We arrive at the platform, my mum pushing my trolly, stacked with my trunks and a small cage with a fluffy orange tail poking out of it, I'm holding my dad's hand as we approach the wall between platforms 9 and 10. Mum walks through first, vanishing into the wall, leaving my dad and me behind.

"Alright, little star. Ya ready?" He asks, smiling down at me.

"I think so!" I say excitedly, bouncing up and down on my heels.

"Alright, so what we're gonna do, is run directly at the wall, just like your mum did get it?" I nod squeezing his hand a little tighter, and together we run towards the wall, as we come through, we're surrounded by the noises of the bustling crowd, I look around in awe, my excitement increasing.

"Woah..."

"Pretty cool isn't it?" My father would ask smiling at me, "let's go find your mom. Hmm?" Pulling my hand softly as we push our way through the crowds, looking for the head of blonde hair.

"There she is!" He says, "Ellie!"

He drags me forward. As we approach I see her talking to Molly and Arthur Weasley, their gaggle of redheads behind them.

"Ellie, there you are! We've been looking all over for you!" He exclaims resting his free hand on her shoulder, "what happened to waiting for us at the barrier?" He laughs slightly.

"Sorry love, saw Molly and Arthur, thought I'd say hi!" She exclaims smiling at him.

"We would have caught up with them eventually, El. No need to abandon us." He says sarcastically, "really Ellie, we're hurt. Look, you've broken poor stars hearts. Isn't she darling?" He asks looking at me.

"Yeah, Mum." I agree, "why are you abandoning us? Aren't we good enough for you?" Willing a few fake tears in my eyes.

"You two are spending too much time with James and Sirius." She says rolling her eyes.

"Too much time-"

"With Prongs and I?! There's no such thing." Says a voice from behind us, causing us all to spin around. "I'm hurt Elodie. Really hurt."

"Uncle Sirius!!" I exclaimed, running into his arms.

"Ah, there's my favorite niece!!" He says lifting me up into his arms and spinning me around.

"I'm your only niece!" I say giggling.

"That's true. I guess that means you're my favorite Black as well."

"Hey!"

"Shush regulus, the better Blacks are talking right now." He directs at my father. Eyes twinkling with mischief, he sets me down, to greet his brother and sister-in-law.

"Did you forget about me, little witch?" I hear.

"Uncle James!" Going to hug him next.

"Hello, little witch. How are you? Are you excited?" He asks.

"Yes!" I shout. He laughs at my reaction, greeting the others around us as well.

"What are you two doing here?" My father asks, "where's Lilly?"

"She's at home with Harry, he's not feeling too well today," James responds to the question concerning his wife.

"But, we weren't about to miss saying goodbye to little witch!" Said Sirius, ruffling my hair. I raise my hands to swat them away before greeting the Weasley family, who have been standing watching the interaction in amusement.

"Freddie!" I shout excitedly, pulling him into a hug.

"Steria, hi!" He says in a similar tone, hugging me just as tightly.

"Alright, I see how it is...no love for the other twin," George states, rolling his eyes playfully.

"Oh Georgie, I have to at least act like Fred's my favorite...can't hurt his feelings with the truth..." I say pulling the other boy into a tight hug, the two of us laughing at his brother's shocked expression.

"Rude." He says crossing his arms, "you know Mrs.Black, I think you're right... she spends too much time with Sirius."

My mother laughs at him, pulling him into a short hug, "Oh Fred, I knew there was a reason, I put my money on you."

"What-" he begins pulling back

"Money?" I finish for him looking at my mother in confusion.

"You know what Elodie, I was thinking the same thing, and then he opened his mouth today." Sirius begins before crossing his arms, "I revoke that. My moneys on George now."

James howls with laughter, as my dad rolls his eyes, smacking his older brother on the back of the head, muttering something about the three of them being ridiculous, before turning to the twins and me.

"Don't worry about it kids. Their bloody idiots."

The twins and I look at each other, and then back to the four adults in front of us.

"You guys are weird," I state, before turning and greeting Molly and Arthur with quick hellos and hugs, as well as the rest of the Weasley children. The train's whistle begins to whistle, warning us of the time.

"Oh dear, looks like it's time children." Said Mrs.Weasley, reading off a list of do's and don'ts to her children as I walk back to my parents, and uncles. Pulling my uncle James into a hug first.

"Bye Uncle James, tell aunt Lils, and Harry I say bye okay? And make sure you guys write me!" I say into his chest, feeling it vibrate with laughter.

"You know I will little witch. I expect a letter with your house in it, okay? And have fun, have fun, keep those two in line okay?" He says in reference to the twins. I nod in acknowledgment, before turning to my Uncle Sirius.

"Bye Pads. Don't forget to write me okay? And send me some muggle sweets when you get the chance! Oh, and watch mum and dad okay? I think they're gonna miss me more than they're letting on..."I tell him softly in his ear, so the others don't hear me. He pulls back and smiles softly at me, resting his hands on my shoulders.

"Of course, I will little one. I'll send some sweets next time I go to town. You better not forget to write me! I can only imagine how much fun you'll be having, try not to get into too much trouble with dumb and dumber." He pulls me into one final hug, squeezing me tightly. "Love you, little witch."

"Love you too, Uncle Siri." Removing myself from his arms I throw myself into my mother's embrace. Inhaling her perfume, so I don't forget what she smells like while I'm away.

"Bye Mum. I'm gonna miss you." I say into her shoulder.

"Oh darling, I'm gonna miss you too." She states, pulling away and tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. "Be good. Don't listen to everything Fred and George say...you'll end up in detention more than I'd like. Stay on top of your classwork. Listen to your professors. Please don't forget to write us! I wanna know where you're sorted as soon as possible, I have a bet going with your aunts and uncles. I love you, darling. I'll see you at Christmas." She gives me one final hug, and a kiss on the forehead.

"I love you too mum. See you at Christmas." I say softly watching as she joins my uncle's behind my dad.

"Don't I get a hug little star?" He asks, and that's all it takes for me to launch myself into his arms, tucking my head into the space between his neck and shoulders. I can feel my eyes burning as I hug him tightly.

"Bye Dad," I say softly, still wrapped in his embrace.

"Goodbye, darling." He says running his hand through my hair. "Don't forget about me okay?"

"I could never."

"Good. That's what I wanted to hear, I'm gonna miss you so much little star, but you are going to have so much fun. You're gonna make so many friends, and you and the twins will get into all sorts of mischief, I just know it." He says quietly. I nod my head against his shoulder.

"Dad...?" I ask softly.

"Yes, love?"

"What if I don't get put into the same house as Fred and George?"

I hear him chuckle softly.

"Oh my dear, you will end up exactly where you are meant to be. And if that's in a different house than the twins, that's okay. You will make so many friends where ever you end up."

"What if we don't talk anymore?"

"Little star, those two boys aren't going anywhere. They love you, and you them. Even if you grow apart, you will always find your way back to each other." He says, pulling away from our tight embrace, "Now, the Obligatory dad speech okay? Bare with me. No Boyfriends. You're too young for that. Don't get into too much trouble okay? And please remember to write me. I wanna hear all about it." He says with a gentle smile.

"Okay, dad." I say hugging him one last time around the waist squeezing tightly, I feel his arms around my shoulders, kissing my head, "I love you, dad."

"I love you too little star." He says into my hair, "Oh I left something in your trunk for you, okay? And uncle Remus sent chocolate, I slipped a bar into your bag okay? Eat it, you'll feel better. His words." I nod in response, when I hear the final warning for the train, and feel a hand landing on my shoulder. My dad looks over my head and smiles.

"Ah, there's your knight in shining armor." He teases.

I pull my head away from his chest and look over my shoulder to see Fred smiling at us. I slowly release my dad, and back away unlit I'm next to the boy, who grabs my hand in support.

"Don't worry Mr. Black. I've got her. We're in this together." He says looking at my dad with a smile. My father nods, a small smile on his face.

"I know you do Fred. I couldn't ask for two better friends for my daughter than you boys. Now, you three better go find a compartment otherwise they'll all be taken."

We nod, and join George, who's still waiting by his parents for us. I look over my shoulder one last time, watching as my family waves at me, my mum now wrapped in my father's arms, with my uncle's standing on either side of them. Only looking away when we have to get on the train.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the door sliding open, and two ginger heads popping in. I stare at them in surprise.

"Hi Asteria, mind if we join you? Everywhere else is full." George asks.

I nod slowly, surprised that they're sitting with me willingly, especially after the events that took place at Diagon alley.

"Cat's your tongue again Black?" Fred questions as he and his brother take their seats across from me. I spin my ring around my finger, before answering.

"I just...I don't know...I didn't think you two would want to sit with me..."I trail, "you seemed pretty eager to get away from me at our last meeting." I finish.

The two stare at me surprised. I see George elbow his brother in his side, causing him to sigh.

"Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot." Fred begins, "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions so fast, our dad helped me realize that. Can we start over?" He asks looking over at me. I look down at my hands in thought, my parents would want me to be forgiving, befriend the twins from my youth.

I nod softly. Causing the twins to smile brightly at me.

"Well okay then. Hello, I'm Fred Weasley."

"I'm George Weasley."

"Hello, I'm Asteria, Asteria Hecate Black." 

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