A/N:Takes place in Astoria's fifth year.

Written for:

1st September: Train ride

Back to School: Homework

The train ride back to Hogwarts was the quietest one Astoria had ever taken. No longer did screaming children run down the hallway, or inhaling candy like it was air or rushedly finishing homework, or even smiling until it reached their eyes. The atmosphere was bleak, a cruel reminder of the events of the previous years. Albus Dumbledore was dead, Potter and his friends had run away, and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was in power.

As children from a Pureblood family with a high social standing, Astoria and Daphne were safe in Hogwarts, far safer than at home. The other children - Astoria chanced a look around the train - weren't. There were half-bloods here (Muggle parents in hiding) and blood traitors who held their heads high despite everything.

There weren't any Muggleborn children and it made Astoria want to cry. Their reactions to magic had been her favourite thing and now-

"Astoria!" Daphne called, her voice annoyed as if she had called her sisters name already several times.

Astoria sighed, leaning her head back against the compartments window. In a few minutes, their Pureblood friends would arrive in high spirits.

"Do not let anyone see you like this, do you understand?" Daphne hissed. "I don't care how sad you are. The Dark Lord winning is a victory for our family."

Astoria closed her eyes. "But not for everyone else."

Daphne's eyes widened and she went off on a rant but Astoria wasn't listening. She refused to believe in that kind of prejudice ever again.