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November 1, 1972
7:15 am
Quidditch had become a sort of release for Asteria. Every morning, bright and early, she would meet Wood down at the pitch with her bat and her broom (Adonis had followed through with his promise and had owled Callie to purchase a brand new one for Asteria, which she cherished with all of her heart) and would spent hours bludgeoning the Bludgers expertly as Wood threw them at her. Her arms were growing stronger, the bat held in an iron grip as she sent the balls flying across the pitch. Wood had decided to teach her aim first, strength later. He believed that a well-aimed Bludger would do wonders to dispel the enemy, even if it was a weak hit. Asteria had always thought the opposite, but trusted Wood to know what he was talking about.
"You keep goin' at this rate, you'll be even better than me!" Wood exclaimed one early morning, when the sun had barely risen, the remnants of the night still present even as the ball of light began its ascension. "Jokin', as if. You'll definitely be better than Stewart, though, you're givin' him a run for his money."
Asteria beamed at the praise. "All because of you!"
"Little Lion, you flatter me too much," Wood grinned, sending her a playful wink. "But of course, you're right. I expect a letter of thanks from Thomas next year when we win the Quidditch Cup because of me trainin' you."
Asteria laughed once again, troubles momentarily forgotten as she zipped through the air with Wood. She was slowly adopting his mindset; with him, Quidditch came before everything. There was absolutely no time or reason to worry about anything else when she could channel all of her energy and misery into beating a ball across a field. It was a cathartic release, and probably much healthier than any other activities someone in her situation might indulge in. All things considered, beating a ball into the sky at seven in the morning was quite healthy.
"You're doin' great," Wood said, flying over to her with the Bludger clutched tightly in his arms. It squirmed in his grasp, but the Quidditch player wouldn't budge. "Now I want you to try knockin' me off my broom."
Asteria's eyes almost popped out of her sockets as she stared at him, bewildered. "I don't want to hurt you!" she exclaimed, shaking her head vehemently.
Wood sent her a glare that could put her six feet under.
"This is Quidditch!" he yelled, "People get hurt. If you don't, you're doing it wrong. Now take this damn ball and hit it at me!"
Not one to argue with the best player at Hogwarts - sure, she was biased, but you couldn't deny Wood's excellence on the field - Asteria prepared her bat as Wood flew closer to the ground (merely as a means of precaution, so if she did somehow succeed, he wouldn't break any important bones).
The Bludger was unleashed from his grasp, and Asteria found herself zipping after the ball and smashing it with her bat. Wood evaded each one, but one lucky hit sent a Bludger hurtling towards his feet and promptly caused him to fall off the broom. Asteria shrieked and raced after him, promptly getting off her broom and kneeling beside him.
"Are you alright?" she asked, watching Wood clutch his foot beside her. He didn't say anything for a moment, his face hidden so she couldn't tell his thoughts, before he looked up with the widest grin she'd ever seen.
"That's more like it!" he exclaimed, clapping her on the back. Asteria let out a sigh of relief, attempting to get her breathing under control when she realized he was alright. "As proud as I am of you, my foot's startin' to hurt a bit more than I'd like. Mind takin' me to Pomfrey?"
Asteria winced, looking at his ankle that was starting to look a bit swollen. "I'm sorry-"
"Don't apologize!" Wood yelled, and for a moment Asteria found herself scared of him. That is, until his familiar playful smile broke out. "Little Lion, almost no one's managed to knock me off my broom in years. Be proud of yourself!"
Still feeling rather awful, Asteria managed a nod before helping him up to his feet and beginning the long trek up to the fourth floor of the castle. It was an incredibly long trip, given that Wood was almost twice the blonde's size and could barely walk. Every time he put weight on his ankle, he'd let out a string of curses before almost crushing Asteria as he fell limp on her. Of course, she took it in stride, chuckling every now and then as Wood made a ridiculous joke about the Slytherins - which they would be facing that same weekend.
"Merlin, you're good with a bat," he said at some point, casting her an impressed look. "My training's payin' off, ey?"
"I've been playing with my brother for years," Asteria started, but his glare seemed to change her course of thought, "But yes, of course, it's your training, Master Wood." She attempted to bow down to him, but seeing as if he was leaning on her, she found herself almost dropping him.
Finally, they made it back into the castle - and fortunately for them, almost ran right into Lily. The redhead had had her head stuck in her book but had dropped it at the collision.
"Asteria!" Lily grinned, before freezing at the sight of the large seventh year her friend was trying - and failing - to carry. "Oh, erm, hello-!"
Lily's face had turned as red as her hair.
"Perfect timing," Asteria wheezed, "Wanna help me carry Wood to the Hospital Wing? I, erm, think I screwed up his ankle-"
"Stop soundin' so apologetic, that was a bloody amazing hit," Wood interjected, before looking at Lily. "Your friend here's an amazin' Beater, never let her forget that, eh? I'm Wood, by the way, Elliot Wood."
"I know," Lily's eyes widened when she realized what she said, "I'm, er, Lily," the girl introduced herself bashfully, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Stop staring, Lils, and help me with him!" Asteria exclaimed, and Lily reddened even more than anyone thought possible. She stuck her book into her bag before going over to Wood's other side and placing his arm around her shoulder.
It was a sight to be seen, truthfully. Two second year girls helping a very fit seventh year boy up three flights of stairs, before striding breathlessly into the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey, fortunately, was right there, and helped Wood to the nearest hospital bed.
"You girls have a soft spot for this place, don't you?" Pomfrey cracked a smile as she began to tend to Wood's ankle. His eyes were closed, his breathing a lot more even as he no longer had to overexert himself. Both girls smiled chastely, but Asteria was staring at Wood's ankle with alarm.
"He'll be alright by Saturday, won't he?" the blonde asked worriedly, and Wood managed a small smile at the question.
"I've taught you well, Little Lion."
Pomfrey sent a glare at both of them, before rolling her eyes. "Quidditch players," she muttered under her breath, before once again looking back at the two girls. "He'll be alright - his ankle isn't bad at all. If he rests for the next few days, he'll be in top shape for the game."
"Thank Merlin," Wood said, before squinting at Asteria. "Well, I reckon this means we won't be trainin' for the next few days. Think you'll survive?"
"Only if you do," Asteria replied. Lily had remained mostly silent, staring unabashedly at the boy - which, thankfully, he seemed not to notice.
"You know I'd play even if I broke every bone in my body," he said, but Pomfrey shook her head.
"No you will not, Mr Wood!" the Mediwitch exclaimed, but they all knew nothing she said would stop the boy.
After a few more exchanges of small talk, the two second year girls departed. Asteria had to lightly smack the back of Lily's head to snap her out of her trance, after which the redhead blinked a few times dazedly.
"I touched Wood," Lily whispered, making sure no one around them could hear. "Oh, wait till Marls hears about this - she'll be so jealous!"
Asteria shook her head with an exasperated smile, not understanding why Lily and Marlene were constantly flushing around boys. Personally, Asteria thought they were gross! Girls were so much prettier.
As they made their way back to the Gryffindor Common Room, the two girls finally had a chance to talk and catch up on everything. Lily kept her worries to herself, not wanting to anger Asteria this early in the morning - though Asteria loved analyzing other people's problems, she refused to ever talk about her own. In her eyes, hitting a Bludger was more than enough to cure anything.
"I still can't believe you get to train with him," Lily was saying, the dreamy look never leaving her eyes. "I know almost nothing about Quidditch, but even I can tell he's amazing!"
"He is, isn't he," Asteria agreed, smiling, "and he's not afraid to tell me what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it - I feel like I've gotten ten times better in the one month we've worked together!"
The two girls were so invested in their conversation that they didn't notice footsteps gradually approaching them from behind, before a tap on Asteria's shoulder caused her to jump almost ten feet into the air. She whirled around quickly, hand reaching down to her wand, before a wild grin broke out on her face.
"Magnolia!" she screeched, immediately enveloping the girl into a hug. Lily screamed with joy as well, and the three girls embraced like they hadn't seen each other in years - which, to them, it certainly felt like.
"Merlin, I've missed you both so much," Magnolia muttered, squeezing them as tight to her as humanly possible. None of them let go for a solid minute, before finally Magnolia pulled away with a sad smile. The three girls started to walk aimlessly - although, technically, they were following Magnolia, who was leading them as far away from the dungeons as possible (presumably to avoid bumping into her brother). Both Lily and Asteria remained silent, letting the Slytherin girl rant about everything and nothing for the first time in five months. "As much as I wish I could stay with you for the whole day, I don't have much time. Max is quite possibly the biggest arsehole I've ever met, and I don't say that lightly! He really thinks he can control me, just because he's five minutes older - honestly, he has the maturity of a five year old! Mother and Father must have made him feel so much more special just because he got to learn some spells over the summer with them, not me, because I'm a bloody girl and it's 'unladylike.' Seriously, what is this, the 16th century?"
Magnolia slowed down as they got to an abandoned corridor, turning a corner until she stood before a mirror. Lily and Asteria said nothing for the time being, knowing that Magnolia was nowhere close to done ranting about her brother. With a smile at the two girls, she ducked behind the mirror.
"What-" Both Lily and Asteria were befuddled, before hesitantly following Magnolia. Their eyes widened as they found themselves in a rather roomy passage, illuminated only by the light of Magnolia's wand. There was an unlit torch, but with a wave of Magnolia's wand, it started to burn brightly.
"What is this place?" Lily breathed, looking around with wide eyes.
Magnolia shrugged, a sad smile on her face. "I was wandering around one day and saw the Head Boy, I think he was, disappear behind here. So I came back the next day and lo and behold, I found this. I'm certain it leads somewhere, but I've been too afraid to see where it goes alone."
"Let's go find out!" Asteria exclaimed, trudging ahead - but Magnolia grabbed her shoulder, slowing her down.
"I wish I could, but I told you, Max'll probably be looking for me soon," she looked down, pressing her lips together.
"Your brother's really starting to get on my nerves, Mags," Asteria stated, and Lily nodded in agreement.
"Trust me, mine too. And don't even get me started on the bloody company he keeps," Magnolia sank down to the floor, crossing her legs as she leaned her head back against the cold cement of the wall. In the barely lit passage, the shadows playing over Magnolia's face caused her to look much older than she was. Sadder, even. Lily and Asteria joined her on the floor, sitting beside her as they tried to comfort her.
"He's got Mulciber and Wilkes following him around, Snape too, once in a while," at that, Asteria cast Lily a pointed look - but the redhead ignored it, keeping her gaze trained on Magnolia, "and now they've got Black and a few other first years spending time with them. And of course my idiotic brother is the ringleader - it's like he's trying to start a cult, or something. And I know I promised you I'd look after Black, Asteria, but it's kinda hard to do that when he's constantly following my brother around like a lost puppy. Him, Crouch, and Rosier - isn't your brother friends with his older brother? Aaron, I believe? - are basically stuck at the hip, and they're not that bad, but combined with my brother... Times like these I wish I was sorted into a different house - preferably Gryffindor, you lot look like you have so much fun - the prank at Halloween was yours, right? I reckon you got detention for months, but personally, I think it was worth it. It was bloody amazing - and I've totally been rambling, haven't I? I'm sorry, it's just been... It's been a long two months."
Finally finishing her spiel, Magnolia dropped her head into her hands and inhaled deeply. Lily took that as her cue to wrap her arms around the smaller girl, Asteria joining as well. Once again, they sat in silence as they hugged each other, and when Magnolia looked up, there were a few tears streaming down her face.
"Oh, Mags..." Lily whispered, her eyebrows furrowed together in sorrow.
As if coming to her senses, Magnolia blinked a few times and aggressively wiped her tears away. Forcing a smile on her face, she looked at the two girls beside her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin the mood - how've you been?"
"Don't change the subject," Asteria said assertively. "I know we can't do much to help, but you know you can always find us if you need us, yeah? This stupid house rivalry doesn't mean we can't be friends; your stupid brother can't stop us from being friends. You know I'll fight him if I need to."
At that, Magnolia let out a snort. "I don't doubt that you will." For a bit, the girls sat in silence, before they delved into conversation once again; the absence had not caused any tension on their friendship, and they were able to converse like they always did.
But soon enough, Magnolia stood up after glimpsing the embezzled watch she had wrapped around her wrist. "Damn it, I have to go. It was really nice seeing you-"
"We're walking you down," Asteria interrupted, standing up beside her. "If we run into your brother, we'll say it was a complete and utter accident. I will not let a smelly twelve year old boy control when or not I can see my friend."
The two had a wordless discussion through their glances, in which Magnolia seemed adamant on avoiding Asteria while the latter refused to budge. Finally, Magnolia sighed and shrugged, leading Asteria to beam. And so, Magnolia led the way out of the secret passage - which Asteria made sure to remember the location of, so she could share with the boys later (or maybe she wouldn't, and it would be her and Lily's and Magnolia's secret meet up spot).
The entire time, Magnolia remained virtually silent while Lily and Asteria carried the conversation. She kept glancing behind her and around the corners, as if her brother or any other members of his posse would pop out of nowhere and curse her for being around Gryffindors. Despite that, there was nothing she could do when she rounded a corner only to bump into Avery, Mulciber, Rosier, Crouch and Black.
"Magnolia, where have you been - ah," Avery's lips curled up in disgust as Lily and Asteria appeared behind Magnolia. "Spending time with the mudblood again, are we? Mother and Father won't be happy-"
Asteria immediately lunged forward, before either of the girls could stop her. "Her name is Lily, you disgusting waste of air."
Avery's eyebrow lifted mockingly, as his shoulders jolted up in laughter. "You're one to talk, Grey. I'm sure mummy and daddy are very proud you're a Gryffindor, aren't they?" the boys standing behind him laughed with him, and Asteria's eyes narrowed to slits.
"And how is that any of your business?" her hand crept down to the folds in her robe, fingers wrapping around her wand. "At least I'm not an ugly little git, am I?"
"Asteria-" Lily hissed from behind, but the blonde paid her friend no mind.
Avery laughed, a chilling laugh that would have sent shivers down Asteria's spine if adrenaline wasn't pumping through her, fueled by the anger running through her veins. "At least I'm not my family's disgrace," he shot back, and that was it for Asteria. Her parents' expression flashed through her mind again, and her wand was out in an instant.
"You gonna curse us, Grey?" Mulciber spoke up, sneering. "Trust me, we've all picked up a bit over the summer, haven't we, lads?"
The four Slytherin boys cackled, and Asteria couldn't help but notice the way Regulus's eyebrows furrowed as he did. It was the same way Sirius's did, but Regulus's laugh was so much more malicious. Despite their physical similarities, Asteria could hardly see the relation.
"Asteria, please don't," Magnolia whispered behind her.
"Magnolia!" Avery suddenly said shrilly, "Get over here, now."
"She will do no such thing," Asteria stated, her wand still pointed at the boys. "You have no right to tell her what and what not to do."
"Our father would disagree," Avery snapped. "Magnolia, now."
For a moment, it seemed Magnolia would stay put. And then, her feet slowly shuffled over to where the Slytherins were standing; she cast Asteria a sorrowful look, "I'll see you soon, I promise," she whispered as she passed her by, making sure her brother and his friends didn't hear her, before coming to a halt between Rosier and Black.
"You'll get what's coming to you one day, Avery," Asteria said through gritted teeth, Lily's hand on her shoulder calming her down. "And it won't be pretty. Come on, Lils."
She turned her back, but Avery's next words stopped her in her tracks.
"That's right, run away. Gryffindor my arse - the load of you are cowards."
Before Lily could stop her, Asteria whirled around and sent a jinx at Avery. There was a bang and he fell to the ground, clutching his nose as a disgusting yellow liquid squirted from between his fingers. He howled in pain, writhing on the floor but Mulciber immediately stepped forward and cast a spell in Asteria's direction - it seemed to hit her, but she felt nothing. It was only at Lily's horrified gasp that Asteria frowned, before realizing her head felt a lot lighter. Frowning, she reached up to make sure that her head was fine - only for her fingers to make contact with skin. With wide eyes, Asteria rubbed her hand all across her scalp and came to the horrifying conclusion-
Her hair was gone.
"I'M BLOODY BALD!" she yelled, her voice echoing throughout the empty corridor. "YOU MADE ME BALD?"
Without missing a beat, she hurled curse after curse at the Slytherins before her. Lily had frozen in horror, not knowing how to stop Asteria, while Magnolia had grabbed Black and Rosier and disappeared. Mulciber and Asteria were practically dueling in the corridor, Avery still squirming on the ground as Crouch disappeared - he would return moments later with Flitwick.
Asteria's vision had turned completely red. Her hair had been one of her favorite features, beautiful golden hair flowing effortlessly down her back - and now it was gone. Though she had no doubt that Pomfrey would be able to grow it back, Asteria still mourned its loss and all that it meant to her.
If Lily hadn't been so horrified by the numerous hexes and jinxes that Asteria was sending the Slytherins' way, she would have laughed at her friend's baldness. As it were, she could do nothing but stare at the girl her friend had morphed into. There was a hostile sort of look on her face; her eyes were wild, filled not with mischief but venom.
"Ms Grey!" Flitwick's voice seemed to draw Asteria out of her stupor, and her wand fell limp in her hand as she stared at the two boys before her. Avery's nose was still spritzing pus, Mulciber's face was bruised and swollen. She seemed not to notice the cuts on her arms and face, her chest heaving as she glared at the boys before her. "Mr Mulciber, Mr Avery! What is the meaning of this?"
Asteria whirled to face the professor, "Professor, they called Lily a- a-"
"They called me a mudblood," Lily whispered, her lips pursed. It was not the first time, nor would it be the last.
"And they insulted-" Asteria started again, but Flitwick put a hand up.
"I don't want to hear it. You all know dueling is strictly forbidden in our corridors! You will take this up with your head of houses, and meanwhile, I will write home to your parents."
Asteria's blood ran cold. For a moment, she went deaf; Flitwick's mouth was moving but she could not hear what he said, her eyes widening in fear as she realized what she had done.
And yet, she couldn't regret it. Her friends came before her fear.
"But, professor-"
"I don't want to hear it!" Flitwick repeated, his voice piercing more than it usually did. To Asteria's horror, Filch appeared as well - most likely drawn by the echoing sounds of spells being cast and shouting. Flitwick turned towards the caretaker. "Filch, if you could please accompany Ms Grey and Ms Evans here to McGonagall's office - I will take Mr Mulciber and Mr Avery to Slughorn."
"As if I've got a choice," Filch's expression was terrifying. "Students misbehaving - take them to take their Head of House! Oh, I miss the good old days when I could take care of it, but no, I'm just the caretaker. Despicable."
Flitwick pursed his lips. "Filch, if you please."
"Yeah, yeah," the old caretaker muttered under his breath, before grabbing the girls' arm harshly. Flitwick disappeared with the Slytherins, and Filch began leading the two of them up to McGonagall's office. Asteria and Lily exchanged a look, much too afraid to actually speak. "You look ridiculous, lassie, where's your hair gone - no matter, oh, McGonagall won't be happy, no she won't - students dueling in the corridors! Back in my day, we'd hang you up by your toenails - but no, that's medieval now, that's torture!"
Filch continued rambling the entire way there, before finally dropping them off in front of the office. He went in first, presumably explaining the situation to the professor - Asteria was sure he would exaggerate, and her legs almost gave out as she thought of what her parents would do.
Finally, Filch walked out. He held the door open, a toothy smirk on his face as he beckoned them in. As soon as they walked in, Asteria burst out, "Lily had nothing to do with it, professor! They insulted her, it wasn't her fault, it was all mine, I promise!"
"Asteria!" Lily said, but McGonagall nodded.
"Filch has explained everything to me," she sighed, rubbing her temples. "Ms Evans, you may wait for Ms Grey outside."
"But, professor-!" Lily tried to interject, looking wildly between Asteria and McGonagall.
"Lils, just go. I'll catch up with you later," Asteria smiled at her, the weight half lifted off her shoulders as she realized that at least her friend wouldn't get in trouble. Lily refused to budge, but with a wave of McGonagall's wand, Lily found herself outside and the door slammed shut.
"Filch should've taken you to the Hospital Wing first," McGonagall tutted, looking at Asteria's lack of hair and the many cuts that littered her arm.
"I'm fine, professor," Asteria sighed, before biting her lip. "Professor Flitwick said he'd write home, erm, is that true?"
McGonagall looked sorrowfully down at her student, before sighing. "I don't know what he will or won't do, Ms Grey. Although, it seems like you caused a fair share of damage to Mr Mulciber and Mr Avery, from what Filch has explained. Although I won't write home, I do have to assign detention. In addition to your Halloween prank - Ms Grey, you really need to learn how to stay out of trouble."
Asteria bit her lip, before shrugging. "Trouble's my middle name."
McGonagall fell silent, before a small smile appeared on her lips. "I swear Mr Potter and Mr Black have said the exact same thing to me before," she shook her head. "Very well. An extra two weeks of detention - now go on up to the Hospital Wing. I suspect Ms Evans is still waiting outside, she can help you get there."
Asteria nodded, standing up quickly. "Thank you, professor - for not-"
"You don't have to thank me," McGonagall said, then gestured, "Now go on, your hair won't grow back by itself."
Still disbelieving of how lightly McGonagall had let her off - she was expecting at least a month! - Asteria ran outside of the room, where Lily was, in fact, waiting for her.
"You didn't have to take the blame," Lily said, shaking her head, and Asteria shrugged.
"You had nothing to do with it, Lils, that wasn't a lie," Asteria said. "Now, erm, mind helping me
up to Pomfrey's? My arm's really starting to hurt, and I'm starting to really miss my hair."
"Merlin," Lily breathed, before hoisting Asteria's uninjured arm around her shoulder and leading the way. "At least now you know what you'd look like bald, yeah?"
Asteria glowered at her friend, before subconsciously rubbing her naked head. "I swear, I'll get those tossers back one day."
"I think you already did, Asteria," Lily raised an eyebrow, shaking her head. "This is the second time I've had to walk you up to the Hospital Wing today. You just can't keep yourself from getting hurt, can you?"
"Hey!" Asteria walked with Lily, breathing heavily, "Wood was hurt the first time, not me. Therefore, your argument is wrong."
"Shut up," Lily rolled her eyes, "Did you get detention?"
Asteria nodded, "Of course. Two extra weeks."
Lily clenched her jaw. "I bet Mulciber and Avery got off scot free."
"Scot free?" Asteria scoffed, before frowning, "Probably. But at least I did a number on them, yeah?"
"Yeah..." Lily agreed, though Asteria's vengeful face flashed across her mind for a moment.
"Sorry you'll have to go to Slughorn's alone this month," Asteria smiled sheepishly, and Lily rolled her eyes.
"Oh, please, you're not sorry at all," Lily said, and Asteria shrugged with a smile. "Just don't get yourself any more detentions, I can only handle so many dinners without you."
"No promises."
They walked in silence for a moment, before Asteria smiled. "You'll get to see Wood again," she piped up, and Lily immediately blushed.
"Shut up!"
And despite the events that had transpired in the past half hour, both girls laughed. When together, nothing seemed all that serious. When together, they could handle anything and everything the world threw at them.
Even balding.
✧･ﾟ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧