Title: Luminescence

Summary: "Astoria's breath caught. That hadn't happened. It was just her imagination. The hat hadn't said…said that" Disappointments, conflicts, and rivalries abound, friendships develop and crumble, family values are challenged, and a mass-murderer causes havoc. The unknown tale of Astoria Greengrass, an in-depth look at her time at Hogwarts, year one. The first in the Of the Stars series

Rated: K, for first-year mischief

Disclaimer: my name is not J.K. Rowling

Author's Note: Referred to as my Of the Stars series, here is the first of my venture featuring Astoria Greengrass in her Hogwarts years and beyond. I'm planning a series of eight books, but we'll see…. Stay tuned for sequels and more sequels.

As we all know Astoria Greengrass is J.K.'s chosen wife to one Draco Malfoy and, yes, that is where this is going.

Of The Stars, Year One

Luminescence

Chapter One – Aboard the Hogwarts Express and Other Disasters, Part 1:

The train was crowded.

Daphne Greengrass grabbed Astoria's wrist so her little sister wouldn't get lost in the muddle. People were talking in the corridor. They were laughing and blocking the way. It was crowded.

"Let go, Daphne," said Astoria.

Daphne wove through the throng of students, ducking under arms and dodging rolling trunks.

"Daphne, let go," Astoria tried again. She dug her heels into the carpet. She twisted her wrist in Daphne's fingers. She stopped short and hung back and tried to doddle as much as possible. Daphne didn't turn a hair.

"Daphne," said Astoria. She gave her wrist another twist for good measure but Daphne's fingers stayed fast.

"Daphne, let go," Astoria adopted her most authoritative tone, the one reserved for the family's undisciplined owl.

Daphne's resolve finally cracked – a smidgeon, "Mum told me to look after you, Tori," she said. "Stop acting like your five years old."

It made Astoria hold her tongue. She stuck it out at the back of Daphne's neck but she didn't say anything. She quickly clamped shut her mouth when she remembered all the people who could possibly be looking at her.

There was a loud guffaw of laughter that preceded their presence and a group of large, raucous boys rushed by. They crushed Astoria and her sister against the wall.

"Hey!" said Astoria. The boys had already past.

Daphne rolled her eyes, "Don't be so almighty, Tori. You're just a first year. They didn't even notice you."

Astoria fought very hard not to stick her tongue out again. The sisters continued down the corridor, squeezing between groups of people and making slow progress through the crowd. Daphne peered into the compartments they past.

"What are you looking for?" said Astoria. Her trunk bumped along behind her. It was loud and hot and crowded. Astoria wished very much that for whatever Daphne was searching she would find soon. Then they could relieve themselves of these stupid trunks.

"My friends," said Daphne snappishly. Shut up, she might have very well said. Astoria glared at her.

They continued. They waited for a pack of seventh year girls to take their conversation into a compartment and then continued on.

"Oh good," said Daphne and stopped short. Astoria bumped into her. Daphne turned around and said, with a glance to the chatting girls inside the compartment, "Listen, Tori. Here we are. Don't say anything stupid, okay? Just act cute. I've told all my friends it's cute to have a little sister."

"I'm only two years younger than you!" said Astoria. Besides, she was cute.

Daphne smirked at her. Astoria glared back. Daphne turned around and slid open the compartment door.

"Hi!" she said brightly.

Inside the compartment were four third year girls, just like Daphne. They were all Slytherins by the look of it, as they had already changed into their green and silver uniforms. One was blond and petite. Another had cropped red hair and glasses. Another had black hair and beady eyes to match. The last was about a foot taller than the rest, and looked like she made a habit of lifting weights.

"Hello, Daphne," said the girl with blond hair.

"Hello, Tracey," said Daphne, "Hello, Pansy, Sophie and Mil."

The girl with red hair said, "We thought you were sitting with your Gryffindor boyfriend."

Daphne laughed a laugh that sounded as though she was trying to convince any bystander that she was not forcing herself to laugh. "I don't have a Gryffindor boyfriend," she hissed aside to Astoria.

Astoria smirked. She waited for Daphne to introduce her. She waited some more. Daphne didn't say anything. Daphne stepped the rest of the way into the compartment, hoisted her trunk onto the luggage rack and the only sign she made that Astoria was still present was a sort of spasm of her hand that indicated Astoria should sit and sit quiet.

Astoria pursed her lips. She hopped onto one of the benches.

"You can't sit there!" said the girl with beady black eyes. Astoria leapt off the bench in surprise. "Draco's sitting there!" added the girl indignantly, as if it was the obvious thing in the world.

Astoria noticed all of the girls were looking at her. "Oh! I'm sorry, Draco," she said to the bench.

Both the girl and Daphne looked like they would have liked to hit her. "Don't be obnoxious, Tori," said Daphne.

The girl Daphne had addressed as Tracey, with the blond hair, laughed and said, "What's your name, honey?"

"I'm Astoria," said Astoria.

"Oh, is this your little sister, Daphne?" simpered the girl with red hair. Her voice was high-pitched and nasally. Astoria couldn't imagine it doing anything other than simpering.

"Yes," said Daphne "This is Tori."

"Hello, Tori," simpered the red haired girl, "So you're a first year? Don't you worry, you'll just love Hogwarts."

"She looks just like you, Daphne," Tracey squealed, "She has the same nose."

Astoria wrinkled her nose. She didn't notice as Daphne did the same.

"Oh, she's so cute, Daphne!" simpered the red haired girl, "It must be nice having a little sister." Daphne didn't answer. Astoria tried not to roll her eyes. "I'm Sophie Roper, by the way," the girl continued, "And this is Tracey Davis, Millicent Bulstrode, and Pansy Parkinson."

The girl with blond hair, Tracey Davis, smiled at Astoria. Millicent Bulstrode grunted something that might have been a hello. Pansy Parkinson, the girl with the beady eyes and a snub nose, still looked like she wanted to slap Astoria across the face.

"Hello," said Astoria, and didn't know what else to add. She wondered if there was anything she could do to further induce her cuteness or whether or not Daphne was satisfied.

Pansy Parkinson tossed her hair over her shoulder. She was obviously a girl unaccustomed to being left out of the limelight for long. "It's a shame Professor Lockhart won't be returning this year," she said, which was strange because it was completely off topic. She treated Astoria as if she had evaporated into the wall. "I sent him a get well card, you know. He sent me an autographed picture of himself."

"It is too bad, isn't it?" said Tracey Davis, "I wonder who we'll get stuck with this year?"

"Get stuck with?" said Astoria. No one paid her any mind. Daphne didn't even wave her away. Astoria stood in the doorway and wondered if all she could do was twiddle her thumbs and wait.

"I hope it isn't someone like Quirrel. He was just rubbish – he'd jump at his own shadow sooner than face a Vampire," simpered Sophie Roper.

"What ever happened to him, anyway?" said Daphne.

Pansy scoffed with another toss of her hair, "Don't you remember? Potter killed him, didn't he? Had a delusion he was the Dark Lord." Millicent Bulstrode gave a loud, deep guffaw of laughter. Pansy looked at her. Millicent stopped laughing.

Astoria wanted to ask what they were talking about but knew better than to interrupt. She was tired of standing so, casting a furtive glance to Pansy Parkinson, she sat on the edge of the elusive Draco's seat.

"I've already told you," Pansy noticed. She was breathing hard through her nostrils. She looked far angrier, Astoria thought, than the situation should merit. "Draco's sitting there!"

Astoria was going to say that she couldn't see anyone but then Tracey Davis voice whined, "Why does Malfoy have to sit with us. He's such a snob!"

Pansy turned to look at Tracey. Her beady, pinpricks of eyes were flashing. "If you don't want to sit with us you don't have to, Davis," she snapped.

Tracey evidently realized she had trespassed on property not meant to be trespassed upon. "I didn't mean that," she said hastily. "I only…. He'll probably bring along Crabbe and Goyle and they won't fit!"

"She's right," simpered Sophie. "They barely fit down the corridor at all and Mil's taking up the rest of our bench."

Millicent Bulstrode grunted, "Am not."

Pansy crossed her arms, eyes flashing and nostrils flaring.

"Where am I supposed to sit, then?" blurted the words out of Astoria's mouth before her brain had a chance to tell her whether or not it was a good idea.

Tracey and Sophie looked at each and raised their eyebrows, evidently not sure and not concerned. Daphne scowled at Astoria for making a spectacle of herself. Pansy spat, "Why don't you go sit with the other first years?"

Given time, Astoria was sure she could think up a thousand retorts to this. Right now, however, her mind was blank. She turned to Daphne as a last resort. "You promised you'd show me around, Daphne. Will you come with me?"

Daphne's eyes flickered to Pansy Parkinson and then back to Astoria. "You're old enough to look around a train by yourself."

Astoria frowned. Fine, thought she, but didn't say anything. She didn't want to be seen in the company of her sister anyway. Astoria climbed back off the bench. The other girls had once again lost interest in her.

"Daphne," simpered Sophie, "Why aren't you in your robes yet?"

Astoria felt only a fleeting sense of triumph as Daphne answered quickly, "I was just going to. Mum got me new ones. Top of the line from Madame Malkin's."

"I don't buy my robes at Madame Malkin's anymore," said Pansy smugly, "Not after she bugged Mum's order…."

Pansy's voice was cut short, for Astoria had slammed shut the compartment door. The corridor was still crowded. They were hardly out of London yet and people were still catching up in the hallways and trying to find compartments.

Astoria frowned at the crowd for a moment before plunging in. She weaved her way between the older, more self-assured students, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible. Daphne had warned her about not singling herself out as a target. That probably included not picking a fight with Pansy Parkinson, who was obviously a girl with connections.

Astoria smothered a sigh. Sometimes she didn't know what was wrong with herself.

She ducked between a group of older boys who were tossing an evil looking Fanged Frisbee at one another. Astoria tried only half-heartedly to look for a compartment with children her own age. She didn't feel very much like talking. She'd have much rather have stayed with her sister, even if it meant sitting ignored in the back corner. She sighed again and continued on her way.

Astoria passed a compartment in which a trio of children were talking. She doubled back and passed it again. She past it thrice and stopped. They looked to be about Astoria's age. None were wearing any house colors, which might have made them first years. Astoria stood in the hallway for several minutes. She stared at her reflection quizzically in the glass and supposed she looked presentable.

One of the children, a girl with dark hair, looked up and noticed Astoria through the glass. The girl smiled invitingly. It would look silly now to turn away, so Astoria took a deep breath and slid open the door.

"Hello," said the girl brightly, "What might your name be?"

Astoria slipped a smile onto her face. "I'm Tori – Astoria Greengrass," she said.

"Hello," the girl replied, "I'm Alyssa Parker."

The only boy present, with straw-like hair and many freckles, said, "And I'm Chris Parker – but you wouldn't know we were twins, would you?"

Astoria shook her head because that was obviously what they were expecting.

"I'm Bridget Thomason," said the last girl, "Are you a first year? I haven't seen you around before."

Astoria felt the smile slip off her face, "Er – yes, I am. Aren't you?"

"Nope," Chris Parker and puffed out his chest in pride, "Second years – Hufflepuffs, all three of us."

"Sorry, if you were looking for kids your own age," Alyssa Parker said after her brother. They didn't look like twins, hardly like siblings really.

"What house do you hope to get in, Astoria?" Bridget Thomason asked companionably.

"Slytherin," Astoria said quickly. The question had hardly been out of Bridget's mouth. "I've got a sister in Slytherin, Daphne Greengrass. And my whole family has been there besides."

Alyssa Parker looked at her brother. Bridget Thomason looked at Alyssa. All three looked back at Astoria. "Daphne Greengrass?" Alyssa Parker asked, "She's your sister, huh?"

"We know Daphne Greengrass, we do," Chris said before Astoria could reply. "I Suppose you know her friend Parkinson, as well?"

From the five minutes in which Astoria had met Pansy Parkinson, she supposed she could understand why the Hufflepuffs reacted the way they did. Astoria, however, breathed deeply through her nose and asked "What's the matter with my sister?"

"Nothing," said Chris.

"I'll show you to some first years if you'd like," said Bridget.

"No," Astoria answered, "I'm fine, thank you." And then the door was closed and Astoria was standing in the corridor. It had somewhat died down for traffic during the time she'd been in the Hufflepuff's compartment.

Astoria walked down the hallway in a huff, stomping her feet in an exaggerated angry way (this she stopped when she remembered all the people possibly looking at her from the compartments). She hadn't liked those children at all, especially the way they had spoken of Daphne. Besides, Hufflepuffs….

Astoria sighed and stopped to stare out the window. They had left the city and were passing farm houses and fields of corn. She realized with some satisfaction that it had begun to rain. The clouds had been threatening since early that morning. She basked in the gloom.

Astoria supposed it was too early to consider returning to her sister's compartment, at least not to expect a friendly welcome. She sighed again. Hoping not for an occurrence like the one with the Hufflepuffs, she walked back down the corridor.

Soon enough Astoria happened upon another compartment that looked promising. A boy and girl had taken up residence, chatting away amiably. They looked about Astoria's age and, with her fingers crossed behind her back, Astoria knocked on the glass. Both girl and boy looked up and looked invitational.

With a toss of her hair and a mental note to keep her shoulders back and chin up, Astoria slid open the door. She said, "Hello, I'm Astoria Greengrass." The boy and girl looked at her. Feeling a rush of nerves, Astoria stammered, "Who are you? I mean – what are your names? You are first years aren't you?" She didn't think she'd made the right first impression.

The boy was thin, had a pale face and a mop of curly red ringlets atop his head. The girl was tiny, had a long nose, and brown hair she'd pulled into a long tail at the nape of her neck.

"I'm Stephan Edgecombe," said he, "Yeah, we're first years. You are too, right?"

Astoria nodded an affirmative and turned to the girl.

"I'm Sara Hibburt," said she, "Pleased to meet you, Astoria."

After similar pleasantries Astoria asked, "Do you mind if I sit here for a bit?"

Sara smiled a kindly smile and said, "Not at all. You haven't been wandering around the corridor all this time, have you, looking for a seat?"

"No," said Astoria, and elaborated at the risk of seeming rude, "I was sitting with my sister, but she told – I wanted to find someone my own age."

"Oh," said Sara, "So you have a sister here? How old is she?"

"She's a third year," Astoria answered.

Before she could continue with a haughty, "And she's in Slytherin." Stephan said, "I have a sister here too – but she's in fourth year. Maybe they know each other?"

Astoria doubted it. Daphne had never mentioned her. She wanted to know which house Stephan's sister was in, but before Astoria could ask Sara said, "I only have a little brother. He's back home. Do either of you have any other siblings?"

"No," said Astoria.

"It's just me and Marietta," said Stephan.

Sara made an attempt at an amusing comment on the fact that they all had only two children in their families. Astoria didn't think it was very funny but forced a smile none-the-less.

"So," said Sara, "do either of you know anything about Hogwarts? Well, I mean, obviously you do, seeing as you both have sisters here and they must have told you something. I know hardly anything about it because I haven't got anyone here before me, you know. I'm just dying to find out more. What do you know? I mean, about Hogwarts?"

Astoria tried to sort out the important parts of this. Stephan beat her to it, "I know a fair bit."

"So do I," Astoria interrupted quickly.

"Did your sister tell you about the sorting, Astoria?" Stephan asked enthusiastically, "Marietta wouldn't tell me anything – she said it would be more fun if it were a surprise."

Astoria smiled and felt a blaze of importance. "Yes, Daphne told me all about it. Apparently they only put an old hat on your head and somehow it – the hat – picks out all your potential for the different houses and places you in the one you're most suited."

Stephan seemed to digest this thought before laughing and saying, "Mum was teasing. She said they'd make you do magic in front of the whole school –"

"But you don't, do you?" cut in Sara, her eyes bulging in alarm.

Astoria laughed, "No, I've already told you. The hat chooses."

"The hat?" Sara said, "But how – does it read your mind, or – or something?"

Astoria didn't know what she meant by 'read your mind'. She nodded all the same. "Well, I suppose it sort of does – but it's just magic, you know."

Sara's face looked greatly relieved before turning deep red. She stammered her way through another question, "And the – the sorting? Well, I know you go into houses but what – what exactly are they?"

Stephan launched into a description as though he had been waiting on a spring board.

"So," confirmed Sara, looking very puzzled, "Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Hufflepuffle?"

"Hufflepuff," Stephan corrected, "Ravenclaw gets the smart ones – Marietta is there, Gryffindor gets the brave ones, Slytherin gets the clever ones, and Hufflepuff gets the –"

"Duffers," said Astoria, "Daphne says Hufflepuffs are all just a load of duffers."

"No," Stephan replied, "That isn't true – Hufflepuffs are the loyal ones, Marietta says."

"I know hardly anything about magic," Sara said. Her eyes were bulging again and she clapped her hands in front of her chest as though she was imploring someone. "You don't suppose I'll end up in Hufflepuff?"

Stephan shook his head. "No, Sara, you're placed into houses depending on your potential. Besides, none of us know anything about magic, really. We only just got our wands, you know."

Astoria sat quietly on her bench. She'd just realized something quite shocking. Surely it wasn't normal for a young witch to ask so many questions. Surely a young witch would simply know. After all, Hogwarts was considered a matter of common knowledge among wizard families.

Sara was in the middle of nodding her head when Astoria's thoughts escaped her mouth, "But why do you have to ask? Didn't your parents tell you anything?" Astoria didn't realize until after she'd said it that perhaps she had been rude.

Sara had turned an even darker red. She fidgeted uncomfortably and twisted her fingers in her lap. She began with great pensiveness, "No – I – you see – I – my Mum and Dad don't know anything more about it all then I. We're not magical, you see – well, except for me, of course, but I've only just found out. Everyone always just used to think I was dotty, when all the strange things happened…. Anyway, I don't really know much at all about magic because – because my parents aren't – aren't witch and wizard, you see."

Sara finished and stared at the floor, obviously waiting for Stephan's and Astoria's reactions.

Astoria sat and stared at the girl in utter shock. A muggle. She had gotten herself into a compartment with a muggle.

Oh," said Stephan's voice, sounding light and unconcerned, "Well that's okay. There are loads of muggle-born students at Hogwarts, Marietta says. They all do just fine."

Sara looked up in obvious relief. She laughed, "Muggle – it sounds so funny. Professor McGonagall – she's the one who explained it all to me and my family – told me that's the word you use for non-magical people."

Stephan laughed in agreement. They began happily chatting about Hogwarts. Sara, after her initial discomfort, seemed unnaturally enthusiastic – about everything.

Astoria silently sat and stared. She watched Stephan and Sara laughed over some incredibly silly bit of gossip. She watched as Sara explained with voluminous hand gestures to match, what Professor McGonagall had told her about the Wizarding World. Astoria sat and stared and realized this was the first time she had come into proximity with a muggle. This was the nearest she had been to that other world, the first time she'd experienced the enthusiasm, the ignorance, the slight foolishness she had been told about.

Astoria stared at Sara and realized she wasn't very impressed. Of all the stories she'd been told she'd expected someone slow and lumbering and stupid, like a slug. Sara was very flighty and seemed on the bursting point of energy. Astoria had taken her for a witch when she'd first stepped in. She wondered uneasily what her mother or Daphne would to say to her if they saw Astoria now.

Stephan and Sara continued to talk. Sara asked questions and Stephan answered her. Astoria watched. Neither seemed to pay her any mind. She wondered if she could slip unnoticed from the compartment before Sara spouted tentacles or took out one of her many muggle electrical devices – because surely she would do something.

Astoria mouth seemed unaware of her brain's desperate plans. It said without her consultation, "You're a muggle?"

Sara stopped mid-sentence to turn and look at Astoria, "Er – yes – at least my parents are."

Stephan said, "But it doesn't matter, really, Sara." Then he shot Astoria a pointed look.

Astoria ignored Stephan. Daphne had told her about people like him, as well. "Then you," she began, "then you don't know anything about us – magic I mean?"

Sara was looking uncomfortable again, "Er – no, only what Professor McGonagall told me."

Astoria frowned at the ground, aware that Stephan was frowning at her.

"But that doesn't matter does it?" asked Sara, her fears evidently newly aroused. "I mean – I've been reading up a good deal on it and… well, you don't think I'll be behind in any of the classes do you?" She addressed Stephan, who shook his head.

"You'll be fine, Sara, really," he said, "No one minds." Astoria took his glare without a flinch.

"I don't know," said Astoria baldly, "I already know a good deal about magic. Daphne and Mum have told be an awful lot about Hogwarts…."

"Yes, but most of us aren't nearly that far ahead," said Stephan.

"Yes, of course, I probably have an advantage," said Astoria.

Sara looked uncertainly from Stephan to Astoria. Astoria met her gaze and dared her for a confrontation. "Do you know then," said Sara timidly, "er – what exactly will the classes be?"

Astoria paused, thought for a moment, and entered into an explanation reluctantly. She didn't have time to explain things to a muggle, she told herself. Herself did not listen.

She was just on about the third year electives when Sara interrupted, giggling, "Did you say there's a Muggle Studies class?"

"Yes," said Astoria.

"But what ever for?" said Sara. This was why Astoria did not have time to explain things to muggles.

Stephan said, "We know just about as much about muggles as you know about wizards. That's why you won't have to take that class – you're already an expert!"

Sara looked cheered. Astoria said, "I don't think I'll be taking that class either."

"Why not, Astoria?" asked Stephan. He was smiling but Astoria thought his eyes looked cold.

"Because," Astoria answered. Daphne had told her this last spring when she'd been choosing her own third year electives, "I won't need to. Magic is so much easier than the muggle way of doing things. Why should I need to learn it? It would be a complete waste of time."

Perhaps that last bit was a little overdone. Sara's face fell. Stephan said, "I think it could be fascinating."

Sara said with what looked like an imitation of a smile, "Yes, I suppose you might think that, Astoria. But really, a lot of what we – I mean, muggles – do is just the same as magic. We still get just as much done. We just do it differently."

"Exactly!" said Stephan, as though Sara had just proven the point of the century.

Astoria made an expression she imagined would appear politely incredulous. "I – er – I think I've got to go," she said. She got up from her bench, "I promised my sister I'd be back in time for lunch."

"Oh, alright…" said Sara.

Stephan didn't say anything. Astoria could feel his eyes like two sharp icicles on the back of her head. She slid the compartment door shut behind her. She took a deep breath to refresh herself. Astoria had heard nasty things about muggles polluting wizards' air supply but she wasn't sure if she believed all of that.

She began walking back down the corridor in the direction of Daphne's compartment. She told herself not to, but her head seemed to swivel on its own accord and she looked back through the glass to Stephan and Sara. They were once again talking animatedly together.

Astoria felt an odd sort of pang in her stomach that might have been jealousy, or hurt, but she squashed it impatiently and immediately. What did she care, if they got on better with each other than with her? Astoria would probably not even need to associate with them once they got to Hogwarts. They were hardly Slytherin material, after all.

With a sigh, Astoria realized she was once again standing outside her sister's compartment. She felt curiously disheartened. She blamed it on being tired and hungry. She hoped Daphne and her friends would be more welcoming.

Astoria slipped quietly through the door. Daphne turned momentarily to share a smirk. None of the other girls seemed to take any notice of her. Astoria looked around at the company, put her hands on her hips, and quipped, "I see Draco hasn't shown up yet."

Daphne rolled her eyes in a way that suggested she wished she could clap a hand to her forehead. Both Tracey and Sophie smiled. Millicent Bulstrode did nothing more than snore loudly, having fallen asleep. Drool trickled from her gaping mouth.

"Pansy went out to look for him," Sophie simpered.

"Didn't you find anyone else to sit with?" said Daphne.

Astoria rolled her eyes. "No," she said, "Everywhere is full." Tracey sniggered.

"We're full as well," said Daphne

"Oh no," Sophie simpered – Astoria's mind screamed at being addressed as though she was five-years-old, but worked hard so it wouldn't show on her face. "Tori can stay."

Daphne huffed and gave in with obvious ill-grace. Astoria, having won these girls' affection, and herself a seat, didn't see fit to argue. She thought perhaps her presence would at least continue to be acknowledged, but all three girls began like they hadn't been interrupted.

"– And Honeydukes, I've heard it's brilliant. I can't wait to go there!" Tracey said.

"You would," simpered Sophie, "As for me, I actually want to be able to fit into my dress robes…."

Daphne laughed before saying, "Pansy says she's going to try and get Draco to ask her. I'm going to get Theo to ask me." Suddenly Daphne's eyes grew wide and she shot an alarmed glance at Astoria.

Astoria smiled devilishly and Daphne blushed. Astoria knew who Theo was – Theodore Nott – Daphne hardly ever shut up about him at home. Tracey and Sophie were already busy gossiping about the boys they wished would take them.

"And then there's the Shrieking Shack. The most haunted dwelling in Britain, you know," Tracey said.

Sophie simpered, "Oh, you sound like that mudblood Granger. No one cares about educational stuff in Hogsmeade."

Tracey turned light pink but laughed like Daphne had when they teased her about having a Gryffindor boyfriend.

Astoria had gone rigid in her seat. Mudblood? She couldn't believe Sophie Roper had said such a thing. She looked at Daphne but was displeased and confused to see that her sister didn't seem at all bothered by the word.

It was a dirty and derogatory name, their mother said, something common and below them. It was much simpler to be indifferent to muggle-borns, rather than call attention to them using strong language. Astoria was shocked Daphne had let it slide.

"Anyway," Tracey said quickly, "I can't wait to go. I wonder how often they'll let us out."

Sophie and Daphne both shrugged.

Astoria tried to make her brain catch up. She pushed past her uneasiness and asked, "Hogsmeade? You get to go third year?"

"Duh," Daphne said, "Don't you remember me asking Mum to sign my permission form?"

Astoria's roll of the eyes was cut short by the compartment doors opening. An elderly witch, with gray hair flying from under of her violet cap, poked her head in to ask, "Can I interest you in anything, dears?"

Millicent Bulstrode seemed to wake on cue and immediately ordered a pile of sweets. The other girls made their choices and soon Astoria was too absorbed in carefully licking her fingers of cream off her pumpkin pasty to care much about the conversation.

The other girls ate their sweets and then went back to talking. Astoria sat and listened, tried not to fall into a doze, and sat and listened some more. She wished she had at least brought a book along to read but even if she had, she wouldn't have wanted to open it at risk of Daphne's friends thinking her a bookworm.

The train rolled onwards. The sky outside went dark and the lights within the compartment flickered on. Astoria sat and stared at the glowing orb of light stuck on the ceiling and counted how many moths were fluttering around it.

Tracey's voice said lazily, "We should be pulling up soon, I expect."

Astoria was just falling into another doze when the implications of Tracey's remark settled in. Astoria leapt out of her seat with a gasp of alarm. Everyone looked at her.

Astoria realized what she had just done. "I'm sorry," said she, feeling flustered and very aware her cheeks had turned red, "I only realized – I've got to go get changed."

Sophie and Tracey laughed in a way that was not with Astoria.

"Well, go on then," snapped Daphne.

Astoria left the compartment as fast as it allowed for extracting her robes from her trunk. She dodged down the corridor and ducked into the girls' privy at the end of the trolley. She was acutely aware of just how much a fool she had just made of herself. She pulled her robes over her head and wondered if she could manage to hide in the bathroom for the rest of the journey.

The wheels of the train screeched and it began to slow. Astoria left the bathroom and thanked merlin she had thought to change on time. Astoria noticed in the compartments she passed that students had begun to take their luggage off the racks.

The train shuddered. It jerked abruptly to a stop. Astoria lost her balance and fell against the compartment behind her.

The lights went out.

2. Author's Note: Thank you for taking the time to read. I would love to know your thoughts, suggestions, praise, or constructive criticism. See that handy review box below…?

Anyway, I will be updating next week approximately at the same time. I already have most of this written so it stands a good chance of being completed*. I'm aiming for about fifteen chapters – give or take a few.

*Famous last words disclaimer