We're in this Together

I woke up the following morning with a bright light hitting my face. I open my eyes only to clench them shut again, sitting up and fumbling blindly to find the curtains, when I finally feel them in my fingertips I pull them harshly, and open my eyes slowly, blinking in an attempt to get rid of the spots clouding my vision.

From across the room, I hear one of the girls laugh, "that suns a killer isn't it?" I recognize the voice as Allison, "It happened to me too."

Sitting up I run a hand through my hair softly, nodding with a slight frown on my face. When another face blocks my view from the rest of the dormitory.

"Good morning Peaches!!" Coo's Riley, smiling brightly.

"Morning Riley..."I mumble softly stumbling out of bed.

"Not a morning person?" Hope laughs from her own burrow. I shake my head and walk into the bathroom, closing the door, and locking it behind me.

Turning to face the mirror, I glance at my reflection, my blonde hair loose around my face, slightly tangled and knotted, some of my ends sticking out at weird angles. I sigh knowing it's going to be difficult to tame and continue with my business. Once I'm done, I wash and dry my hands, and make my way back into the dorm, towards my trunk.

Opening the lid, I begin to pull out my clothes for the day, a black skirt, long sleeve turtle neck, a two-tone grey sweater vest, with sheer tights, and my loafers. I also pull out my hair supplies and walk back into the bathroom.

I set my clothes down on the sink, and start the shower, as the water warms I can't help but think about how I should be receiving a letter from my aunt or uncle today, questioning where I was sorted. I allow my thoughts to wander to what my father and mother's reactions would be, my father I'm sure wouldn't be surprised, but my mother I don't know, would she roll her eyes and joke to my father that I always was a daddy's girl, that she shouldn't be surprised she was wrong, could I have expected a letter from my Uncle Sirius, calling me a little puff, and teasing me that even though he was a Gryffindor, and it's "the best house" Hufflepuff was a close second.

I smile at the thought as I hope in the shower, washing my body and letting my hair just damp enough it would straighten my ends back out. When I was done in the shower I turn the water off and wrap my towel around me.

Once I'm dry I pull my clothes on and begin styling my hair, gently drying it with my towel, and then brushing it, pulling the top half of my hair back into a ponytail and tying it off with a black satin hair tie.

Once I was satisfied with my appearance I exit the bathroom, walked back to my bed hang my towels on the hooks by my bed to dry, and fold my pajamas and place them on my bed.

I look at my locket and ring sitting on the little shelf at the head of my bead, I pull them off and put them on. Feeling complete.

Before finally joining my roommates in the same spot we all met in last night. Sitting down softly, I smile and offer a small "Good morning everyone."

I received several good mornings back, Rileys being the most cheerful.

"Good morning Peaches! Isn't it a beautiful day?"

I nod softly, "yes Riley...So far I it is a beautiful day...very...bright." I respond softly, trying not to hurt the girl's feelings for not holding the same fondness for mornings, my quiet response did nothing to deter the girl, as she carried on, speaking of all the things that had somehow already happened and we're excited about.

"Okay Riley, let's let her have a moment," said hope laughing, "not all of us are morning people..."

Riley stops for a moment, taking in the faces of the still sleepy girls around her., nodding firmly, before standing abruptly.

"Breakfast." She states firmly, grabbing my wrist and pulling me up, "breakfast is what we need, the perfect, beautiful, morning."

Riley starts marching towards the door with determination, my wrist still clenched in her grasp, I look back at the other girls to see them laughing and following behind us.

As we leave our dorm room and enter the bustling common room, I see Cedric and a group of boys. Cedric notices me almost instantly.

"Hey, Asteria!" He waves at me, gesturing us over. I wave back and the rest of the girls look at me in confusion.

"We met on the train, and sat together at dinner last night..." I explain as we walk over.

"Hi, Cedric," I state smiling gently.

"Hey! Who are your friends?" He questions looking at the group of us.

"Oh, these are my roommates," I explain, "this is Riley Matthews, Hope Mikaelson, Allison Argent, and Hannah Elise." I introduce each girl with a small gesture to each of them, "girls this is Cedric Diggory."

"Hi everyone! It's nice to meet all of you, these are some of my roommates, Jack Wilder, and Timothy Greengrass." Cedric introduces, "guys this is Asteria Black."

"Greengrass?" I ask.

"Yeah..." he trails, "Black?"

I nod once, a silent understanding between the two of us, we're both going to receive angry letters from home once the word gets back.

"We were just headed to breakfast." I inform them, "would you like to join us?" I ask.

The boys nod, and we all exit the common room and begin our ascent to the great hall.

Once we arrive, we all take our seats at the Hufflepuff table and begin serving ourselves.

I reach for a couple of slices of toast, eggs over medium, sausage, and a cup of tea. We all begin eating, light conversation was being made between the group when suddenly were joined by Conner.

"Good morning Kiddies!" He says brightly reaching across the table to ruffle Cedric's hair as he sits beside me, "How was your first night in the Hufflepuff common room?"

The group of us all responded with words of approval, with the exception of Riley, who had to make her shining review known.

"It. Was. Fantastic!" She squeals smiling brightly, as the rest of us laugh at her optimism.

"You're very cheerful...It's weird." He says glancing at the rest of us, "I like it. Weird is good. Now, who are you people I don't know?"

One by one the group introduces themselves, once we're finished Conner nods once, "Got it. Well, I'm Conner. Conner Murphy. it's nice to meet you all."

As we wrap up our introductions, a squat little witch with short, grey, wavy hair, approaches.

"Ahh, Mr. Murphy...Welcoming the first years are you?" She questions with a small smile.

"Well, you know me, professor, always doing my part for the school." He responds winking at her.

"Mhm sure you are... anyways, here are your schedules, Mr. Murphy, here you go. Ms. Matthews, there you are dear, Ms. Mikaelsson, here you are, Mr. Wilder, Mr. Greengrass..? Well here you are, Ms. Argent, here you go, Ms. Elise, there you are love, Mr. Diggory, Here's yours, and finally Ms.- Ms. Black?"

I look up at her smiling softly, raising my hand to take my schedule.

"Any relation to Sirius and Regulus Black...?" She questions.

"Yes Professor, Sirius is my uncle, and Regulus is-was, my father..." I trail off, nodding at her.

"Ah...I see, well, I assume Elodie was your mother then?" I nod in confirmation, bringing a smile to her face, "Well, in any case, welcome to Hogwarts dear. I'm sure you'll excel just as your parents did." As she said this she hands me my schedule and begins walking back to the high table, bringing my attention back to her, I speak up quickly.

"Actually Professor Sprout! I was wondering if you could help me schedule a meeting with the headmaster, I have a note from Mr. Ollivander I'd like him to sign." I explain to her.

She nods, "I'll see what I can do for you dear. See you in Herbology!" And then she was gone, taking a seat next to Hagrid.

"You already need to meet with the headmaster?" I hear from behind me. Turning around in my chair I see two almost identical faces staring back at me.

"Wow, Steria...That's gotta be a new record."

I roll my eyes at the two of them, "Not for the reason you two think, I need him to sign something for me."

"Ever the overachiever, aren't you love?" Jokes Fred shaking his head.

"Are we surprised?" Asks Charlie walking up behind the twins.

"No. Not in the slightest." The two boys respond simultaneously.

"Hi Steria, how're you settling in?" Charlie asks throwing an arm around my shoulder bringing me into his side with a light squeeze.

"Good so far. All my roommates are nice, and I've met some new friends through Cedric." I say gesturing to the table, my new friends waving back.

"You're replacing us already?!" Questions George.

"We're hurt Asteria, really hurt." Finishes Fred.

"Shove off you two, let her make friends. You can't be all she has." States Charlie rolling his eyes, "anyway, glad you like Hufflepuff so far, one of my best friends is a Hufflepuff actually, I'll tell her to keep an eye out for you! I see you've met Conner, How's it going mate?"

"Oh you know, living the dream Charles," Conner responds teasingly.

"Okay Conrad," starts Charlie rolling his eyes, "when you're done with my little brother's best friend, come find Tonks and me, we have a meeting with Peeves in 10." Before wrapping me in a tight hug, and ruffling the twins' hair, walking over to a girl with pink hair.

I look back at Conner, "Conrad?" I question with a teasing smile.

"Shut up. Don't call me that." He says as he shoves the remainder of his toast into his mouth, and chases after the older Weasley boy.

I look at the twins who shrug. The twins join us at the Hufflepuff table for the remainder of breakfast, and we all compare schedules. As we were finishing up I'm approached by professor Sprout.

"Ms.Black, I spoke with the headmaster, He says he has time to meet with you at noon, here is the password to his office, if you need help finding it one of the older students should be able to help you." She informs me as she slips me a piece of folded parchment, I nod in understanding.

"Thank you, professor!" I say smiling at her.

"Anytime dear."

"So what are we doing for the rest of the day?" Hannah questions, "classes don't start until tomorrow."

"Let's explore!" Exclaim the twins.

The group continues to discuss which part of the castle they want to discover, when a large number of owls come swooping into the great hall, all carrying something. Great... it's the post, exactly what I have been dreading since waking up this morning. A letter is dropped in front of me, as well as a majority of the first years, most likely excited families, wanting to know what house their child was sorted into and if they've made any new friends... I know however what awaits me in my letter is something far more sinister, it is the question that will seal my fate in the Malfoy home, and my response could mean my demise...

My shoulder is nudged by George, who looks at the letter in confusion, as Fred is reading their shared letter first. I shake my head with a wobbly smile and show him who the letter is from.

The boy nods in understanding and throws his arm around my shoulder, giving me a comforting squeeze, as I stuff the letter into my bag to deal with later.

"So, everybody ready?" Questions Hope as she rises from her seat.

The group of us nod in agreement, and we set off, exploring what will be our home away from home for the next several years. The letter was buried in my bag, silently taunting me.

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After a few hours of exploring the castle we head back to the great hall for lunch, the Hufflepuff group walks over to the longhouse table and take their seats, meanwhile, I stay with the twins at the door.

"Asteria, Peaches, are you coming?" Asks Riley with a smile. I look back at the twins who look between me and my new group of friends in light of discouragement.

"Uh... No." I respond firmly, looping my arms through the twins, "I think I'm going to have lunch with my boys today. I'll see you guys at dinner?" I ask softly, hoping I don't make any of them upset, I just made these friends, I don't want to lose them already.

Cedric nods in understanding, and the rest of the group smiles.

"Okay! See you later Peaches!"

I laugh at the strange nickname, "see you later Riley." And with that, the twins and I head to the lions' table.

"Soooo...." Trails George.

"Your boys huh?" Asks Fred, "Always knew you had a thing for our love." He jokes as the three of us join their siblings at the table, I sandwiched between the two.

"Psh...I don't know what you're talking about..." I say, "clearly I was referring to Bill, Charlie, and Percy."

The older boys, snort at the twins' faces and Percy rolls his eyes with a small smile.

"What?!" The twins exclaim.

"Aw don't be sad baby brothers. You can't blame her, we're great." Teases Bill.

"Yeah, how could she resist all this," Charlie says with a wink.

"Exactly." I state, "didn't you guys know? The only reason I'm friends with the two of you is to get closer to your brothers." I tell them.

"Fred?"

"Yeah George?"

"I think you were right about her the first time around...clearly she's no good..."

"I told you, Georgie... now look what we've done. Submitted our innocent older brothers to her treacherous ways." The two have this conversation over the top of my head, and I look to the three brothers across from me, all rolling their eyes, with small smiles.

"We're hurt Asteria. Truly." The twins say in unison.

I throw my arms around the two boys, squeezing them.

"Oh, boys... I was only playing. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings..." I trail, slightly nervous I may have taken my teasing too far.

As I bring my arms back to my side, the twins look at me and then at their brothers. Before I know it I'm squeezed between the two 11-year-old giants, wrapped in a hug.

"Steria...we were only joking," says George.

"Yeah, love...Just messing with you." Confirms Fred.

I nod slowly, I suppose I'll have to get used to jokes now and understand they can take them. The group of us continue to eat lunch, and as we're wrapping up, I ask;

"Do you think one of you can show me to professor Dumbledore's office? I have a meeting with him at noon."

Fred and George nod, "of course we can take you!"

"Not you guys. I need someone who actually knows where his office is to show me."

The twins look at each other, and then back at me with a mildly offended look on their faces.

Charlie laughs at the three of us, "Sorry Steria, I can't, I have to meet with McGonagall about the quidditch schedule."

"Yeah sorry Little one, I can't either, I have a meeting with my advisor to check if I'm on track for my career choice." Responds Bill.

"I can show you if you'd like Asteria. I'm headed to the library after lunch, I can take you there on my way." Says Percy.

I nod and smile, "No worries, good luck with both your meetings." I tell bill and Charlie, "Thank you, Percy, I really appreciate it!" He nods in acknowledgment.

"How long is this meeting gonna take anyway?" Asks George.

"Yeah? What are we supposed to do all afternoon without you?" Questions Fred.

"I don't know, but I'm sure you two can find something to entertain yourselves," I respond rolling my eyes teasingly.

The group of us rose from our seats and began exiting the great hall, Bill and Charlie waving on their way to their meetings. The twins look at Percy and me unsure,

"Percy don't go getting any ideas about stealing her from us." Starts Fred

"Yeah. We know she's great and everything but she's ours." Continues George.

"We found her first." Finishes Fred

Percy rolls his eyes at the two of them, "come on Asteria, the headmaster's office is this way." And with one final wave at the twins, I follow the older Weasley boy down the corridor.

We walked in silence for a few minutes before the question, "Hey Asteria?"

"Hmm?" I respond looking around me, trying to take in the entire castle.

"Why do you need to speak with the Headmaster anyways?"

"Oh, I need him to sign a slip for me to take a book out of the restricted section of the library."

"A book from the restricted section?" He asks, "But you haven't even started your classes yet. Why do you need one of those already?"

"Mr. Ollivander gave me a book to read up on my wand properties. He said something about expecting great things from me, and when I asked what he meant he said I should read this book to find out. So that's what I'm going to do, but I need Headmaster Dumbledore to sign my permission slip first." I state matter-of-factly.

Percy is silent for a few moments, "I see." He states nodding his head, "and remind me again why you're friends with my brothers?"

I laugh at him and shrug my shoulders, "I don't know... they found me one day, and well...what can I say? I've gotten attached."

He shakes his head with a slight smile, "well here we are." He says, gesturing to the passage with a large stone Phoenix sitting in it, "Do you know the password?"

I nod in response, "Thanks again, Percy!" As I wave him off down the hallway.

"See you Asteria."

I turn back to the large statue and pull the slip of paper out of my bag and look up at the intimidating stone statue.

"Lemon drops...?" I offer tentatively, and to my surprise, the statue starts to turn and begin its ascent, stairs come into view, and I cautiously hop onto a stair. I stand in silence, waiting for the spinning to stop, when it does, I'm faced with a surprisingly normal-looking door. I take a deep breath and slowly raise my hand to knock. I am greeted with nothing, thinking perhaps he isn't here yet, but as I turn, I hear a soft,

"Come in."

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