Post by Milificent Bergstrom on Apr 29, 2006 15:46:10 GMT
Chapter 15: Mooney.
“So Astra, how long you here for?” George asked.
“As long as Voldemort’s on the loose!” she grumbled.
The twins both gave her an inquiring look.
Astra sighed. “Look. If you want to know then ask Ron!” she told them. I am not going to explain it again.”
The boys grinned at each other but wisely kept quiet.
There was a knock at the door and the boys dove behind her bed. She looked around briefly to make sure that they were out of sight before she opened the door.
“Who were you talking to?” her father asked as he entered the room with her sandwich.
“No one!” Astra said quickly. “I was just talking to my self!”
Severus gave her a suspicious look and handed her the sandwich.
“We’ll call you for dinner but don’t be surprised if you don’t see your mother or me too often.” He told her and left.
“Wow.” George said standing. “Compassionate isn’t he?”
“He’s alright. Just under a lot of pressure of this hiding business.” Astra shrugged then clapped both if her hands to her mouth.
“Hiding business?” Fred grinned evilly. “Do tell!”
“No!” Astra said stubbornly.
“Aw, come on!” George smirked. “Have a heart!”
“Me, have a heart? If what I’ve heard about you two and my father facing off has even a spark of truth to it then.” Astra grimaced “Well let me just say that I will not give you fuel to light his fire with!”
“Why one would think that we don’t think we don’t like Snape the way you said it!” George feigned shock.
“But nothing could be farther from the truth!” Fred gasped. “We absolutely.”
“Totally” George grinned evilly.
“LOATH THE MAN!” they said in unison.
Astra looked from one boy to the other with a straight face. She looked about to tell them off when she burst into laughter. Fred and George looked at each other in satisfaction.
~*~
Astra continued to unpack with the help of the Weasley twins. Spending as much time with them as she was, she was beginning to tell them apart. A knock on the door and a call of “dinner” that cheerfully followed it let a trill of excitement run down Astra’s spine. She was going to meet one of the Marauders. The real marauders and not just some writing in a journal. When they left her room Astra practically ran to the stairs. When she got there she remembered the portrait of that surly looking woman and turned to face the twins.
“Who is that painting of downstairs? The one that screams at you?” she asked.
“That’s just the old hag herself.” George grinned.
Astra put her hands on her hips impatiently and tapped her foot. “That doesn’t help me George!”
Fred chuckled. “She’s Sirius’s dearly demented mother.”
“Oh.” Astra said as she dropped her hands. “What did happen to poor Padfoot?” she asked.
“Harry didn’t tell you?” George asked.
“No”
“Well then you should ask him. That’s for Harry to tell, not us.” Fred told her, he then made his way down the stairs.
“But!” Astra began but as George followed his twin she figured it best to drop the subject for the moment at least. She quietly made her way into the kitchen. The sight she was greeted with as soon as she entered made her jaw drop. She had expected the Weasley family and maybe one or two more people a side from her own family. She was wrong, there were at least a half dozen of people that she didn’t know.
Severus saw his daughter’s face as she entered the room and hid a chuckle. He moved beside her.
“Astra, you can sit down.” He chided “They won’t hurt you.”
“Dad who are all these people?” she squeaked.
“Severus don’t be rude!” A very handsome man stated.
“Lupin!” Severus growled. “She’s my daughter. If I want her to know who you are then I will tell her!”
Astra was not entirely sure why but when she had heard her father say Lupin’s name she had a nagging feeling that she ought to remember that name. Or at least it should mean something to her.
“Hate to break it to you Sev.” A woman with bright orange hair said cheerfully. “But you just did.”
“It’s Severus!” he shouted. “Not Sev Tonks!”
“Alright Severus.” The woman sneered. “Don’t get your knickers in a bunch.”
Severus turned bright red and directed Astra to a seat. Astra could have sworn she heard him mumble “Blasted woman. If I didn’t have to lay low I’d blast her into next week!”
Astra had never seen another person affect her father this way. It was hilarious to see another adult giver her father cheek. Astra hid a giggle as she sat down at the table full of strangers and waited for the food to be served. She spotted the twins down at the other end of the table. The boys were grinning evilly but sitting quietly as if they were a couple of vipers waiting to strike.
‘Oh Merlin!’ she thought panicked. ‘What are those two planning to do?’ She was some what grateful once dinner was done with not a hitch. But she could feel the tension as the others realized that the twins were quiet all through dinner. Many heads turned their way.
“Alright you two, spill it!” Tonks growled.
“Why Nymphadora we have no idea what you mean.” George smiled sweetly.
“You can’t fool us you two!” the man her father had referred to a Lupin said. “What are you two planning?”
“Planning? Why were not planning anything Mooney!” Fred grinned.
Astra’s eyes widened as she realized just who the man in front of her was.
“You’re not supposed to use that nickname Fred!” Lupin growled. “I am Remus Lupin to you!”
Astra’s eyes fell on the handsome man.
‘This is mooney?’ She thought. ‘I never expected him to look like that!’
Astra cleared her throat. “So you are Mooney?” She asked without thinking.
Lupin’s glare turned on her. “Okay, what have these two mongrels told you?”
“Them?” Astra asked shocked. “Why they told me nothing!”
“They had to of or you wouldn’t have know what that nickname meant.” He told her.
“Well, actually.” Astra blushed. “I found Padfoots seventh year journal a few months back and he mentioned all of you. Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. Harry even told me your real names but I never associated one with the other after I heard my father say your name. Although I should have.”
Lupin’s jaw dropped. “Pa-Padfoots journal? I never even knew it existed.”
“Well you can see it if you like.” Astra smiled.
“I’d like that very much.” He croaked. With a grin of satisfaction spreading on their faces the Weasley twins got up to leave. They were stopped by Lupin’s growl.
“I’m not done with you two!”
“Aw, come on Lupin.” Fred grinned.
“We will continue this in private.” Lupin got up and motioned for the twins to follow him.
Astra looked around at the others. “Why is Lupin so upset that the twins said his nickname?” she asked.
“Remus is a very private man.” A surly looking man growled. “The twins don’t seem to respect that.”
“Ah.” Astra nodded. “and forgive me if I seem rude but who are you?”
“Alastor Moody.” The man growled.
“Your defense teacher.”
Astra gaped. “You’re Alastor?”
“I am and I am an ex-Auror so the defense lessons you will be receiving are going to be more advanced than you have been taught.” He told her. “I also demand constant vigilance and nothing less!”
Astra nodded and got up to leave. She must have looked a bit scared for Tonks tried to reassure her.
“Don’t worry lass.” Tonks smiled. “His bark is worse than his bite!”
“Nymphadora Tonks!” Moody growled. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t do that!”
“What?” Tonks said angelically. “Honestly Moody. You were scaring the poor child!”
Astra left as the two continued their one sided argument. She shook her head as she started to climb the stairs to go back to her room. She stopped as a hand touched her shoulder. She froze and turned to see who was there. She looked into a pair of familiar green eyes.
“Harry?” she whispered, her eyes wide with shock.
“Yep!” Harry beamed at her.
“Ron will be so happy you’re here! When did you get here?” she asked.
“Just now with Dumbledore.” He told her.
Astra grabbed his hand and climbed the stairs as fast as she could. She ran towards the door she remembered that Ron was in and opened the door. She pushed Harry into the room before he could say anything and shut the door behind herself.
“Harry!” she heard as the door closed and turned with a big smile as the others said their hellos. When they were done Hermione broke off from the group and headed for Astra.
“Astra.” Hermione said nervously. “I am sorry I acted the way I did earlier. Instead of letting you know that I was worried about you and that I was glad you were okay, I attacked you. I should have found out what happened before I jumped to conclusions and I wanted you to know that I am truly sorry.”
“Apology accepted.” Astra beamed. Hermione smiled and they joined Harry and the others. They only broke up reluctantly when Ron’s mum knocked on the door and informed them that it was time for bed.
~*~
The days passed too quickly for Astra and before she knew it the others were heading back to school for the next term would soon begin. Astra’s training with Alastor and her father was put off until the others were gone. They said that this was to ensure that she kept her mind on her work. She however had a feeling that it was because there were more pressing issues to deal with than teaching a child protection. Even if that was the case Astra didn’t mind the extra time with her friends. She had known that once term started she would be a very lonely girl. True she had her brother to pick on, although she would have to find a more discreet way of pulling pranks on him and she had Nari to play with, but truth be told, a two year old was not as much as her friends. Next year was also not looking as promising because Harry, Ron and Hermione would be gone. She would just have Ginny, Margot, Aiden and Kaden. As much as she liked Ginny she just was not as much fun as Harry and his gang. Then there was the fact that Draco and his two goons would be gone. As much as she wanted to cheer at that fact, she also had to realize that it would not be such a good thing to have them gone. They were loyal to Voldemort or at least so Harry said and they were not to be trusted as full wizards. They may not have taken the dark mark yet but that was only a matter of time before they did and Draco on the side of Voldemort? That would be terrifying to say the least.
‘Or would it?’ She thought as she entered her room. ‘As big of a bunch of bumbling idiots Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle are, maybe they’d destroy Voldemort’s ranks before Harry could even reach them.’
But as she thought that her stomach turned. She knew that Harry had to battle Voldemort. It terrified her to know and the fact that Harry could very well die and Voldemort live made her tremble.
‘STOP!’ she thought to her self angrily. ‘Harry will win! He has to or we all lose. Especially daddy! If Harry loses daddy dies so no matter what Harry has to win and I will help him in any way I can!’
Astra laid down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She was deep in thought when a knock on her door made her jump. “Yes?” Astra said barely audible so that none of the ghosties that currently resided here would be agitated.
The door opened to reveal her father. He was followed by Alastor Moody. They entered and conjured a couple of chairs. “Astra.” Her father began as he took a seat. “I do apologize for not doing this sooner but I am not going to be able to teach you the defense you need, and neither is Mr. Moody here.”
Astra looked from Moody to her father. “But then who is?”
“Well, I hate to say it sweetheart but it looks like as though it will be Mr. Lupin and the Weasley twins!” her father’s face contorted into disgust at those names.
Astra fought hard to contain her excitement. ‘I am going to be learning with Mooney and the Weasley twins!’ she thought gleefully. ‘Some god up there must really like me!’
Then it struck her. Why wouldn’t her father and Moody be able to teach her? There was some thing that she wasn’t being told here and she was determined to find out what.
“Why are you not going to able to teach me daddy?” She asked.
“Well, because I will not be able to stay in hiding here. Your mother and I are going further into hiding and Moody is coming with us until we get settled in. Dumbledore is our secret keeper and will never let anyone know where we are. Sarul and Nari will be coming with us.” He looked at her. “You however are going to remain here so you can continue to your classes.”
Astra gaped at her father. “You mean I have to stay in a house where everyone is an absolute stranger to me while you and the rest of my family leave?” she shrilled.
“Astra keep your voice down!” her father warned. “Look, we are going to spread the word that you are not really my daughter. That you are actually Astra Jensen. This will place you in a lesser amount of danger. We are also going this to say that you refused to go with us because you found out about my past and denounced us. You will not need to truly contact your father because he will not know any of this but when you get back to school you will be under your new name and not Snape.”
Tears started to flow down her face as she listened to her father’s words. “So am I being disowned?” She choked. “Don’t you want me anymore?”
“What?” Severus looked at her in shock. “No! Sweetheart you misunderstand. Nothing will change between us in our lives except that in order for you to attend Hogwarts and be safe we must do this. You still are and forever will be my little girl Astra.” Severus hugged her.
“Severus we must go. It will be night soon and we need to travel under the darkness so that we won’t be seen as easily.” Moody stood as he spoke.
Severus nodded. “if you ever need to talk to us give a letter to either Dumbledore at school or Lupin here and they will know how to get it to us.” He sighed. “I’ve got to go now, but please remember that your mother and I will always love you. No matter what the future holds.”
With that Astra watched her father leave. As soon as the door closed she turned and sobbed quietly into her pillow. She hadn’t realized that someone had entered the room until a hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up into Lupin’s hazel eyes. They seemed to stare at her in sympathy.
“I know that I am probably the last person you wanted to see right now Astra but I wanted you to know that I’m here for you if you need to talk.” He smiled sweetly. “Or a shoulder to cry on.”
Astra took that as an invitation and buried her head into his chest. Lupin sat down and cradled the crying child. As the tears stopped Astra raised her eyes to meet Lupin’s.
“Why do they have to go? Why can’t they stay here?” she asked him.
“With you continuing school by floo, if you were ever followed back here then that would put them into even greater danger and that is what we are trying to avoid.” He explained. “There will be enough people here to protect you and get you out safely if that does happen but we can’t risk your father being taken. He would surely die by their hands if he was.”
Astra listened to his words. “Your right.” She mumbled. “But I don’t have top like it!”
“Of course not!” Lupin chuckled. “If you liked this I would have to take you to St. Mungo’s and have you checked over! You have just been separated from your parents and siblings. Of course you’re not going to like it!”
Astra smiled. It was very hard to be in a sad or sour mood with Lupin’s cheery face around. His cheerfulness brightened up her gloomy mood quite well.
“So.” Lupin changed the subject. “About this journal of Padfoot’s may I see it?”
“Oh!” Astra gasped as she flung herself off the bed and to her trunk. “Of course!” she rummaged through her trunk and with a gasp of accomplishment she pulled out a worn little book. She held the book out to Lupin. “Here!”
Lupin took the book from her and stared at the cover. He then opened the book and began to read. He chuckled to himself every now and then. After about twenty minutes or so he closed the book and faced Astra.
“May I borrow this?” he asked her.
“Sure.” She blushed. “Actually you can have it. I think it belongs more to you than me anyway.”
“Oh?” Lupin looked at her curiously. “Why do you say that?”
“Well.” She looked at her feet. “Because he was your friend and because you are a marauder.”
Lupin chuckled. “Well I must thank you, but I am sure that Padfoot would prefer that it was put in a place where other kids like your self could use it to get into mischief.” He told her. “That’s what Padfoot loved best anyways.”
Astra looked at him.
“How did Padfoot die Mr. Lupin?” Remus looked taken aback “No one’s told you?”
Astra shook her head. “They just keep telling me to ask Harry.” She told him exasperatedly. “But whenever I do Harry just avoids it! And if one more person tells me to go and ask Harry I may just scream!”
“Well, you didn’t hear this from me if anyone asks but two years back we were in a battle with Voldemort’s followers that had broken into the ministry of magic. Sirius was hit with a full body binding curse by his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange and fell through a portal in the ministries building. We were never able to retrieve him from it.” Lupin explained and as he finished a tear streamed down his cheek.
“Well then how do you know that he’s dead? Maybe he fell through and is still alive on the other side.” Astra said thoughtfully.
“That is the one thing that I cannot answer for you Astra.” Lupin said.
“Ah. Okay well.” She thought her next words out carefully. “if he did die and this is his house then how did the order come by keeping it?”
“Well, Harry is Sirius’s godson and he left everything he had to Harry in the event of his death. Dumbledore just asked Harry if he could continue to use it as the headquarters for the order until Harry wanted it.” Lupin got up. “And now my dear. I must bid you farewell for the night.”
“Good night Mooney.” Astra said absently.
“Good night Astra. But please don’t call me Mooney in front of anyone else. Betweens us fine but never in public.”
“I promise!”
“Thank you.” Lupin said as he left.
“So Astra, how long you here for?” George asked.
“As long as Voldemort’s on the loose!” she grumbled.
The twins both gave her an inquiring look.
Astra sighed. “Look. If you want to know then ask Ron!” she told them. I am not going to explain it again.”
The boys grinned at each other but wisely kept quiet.
There was a knock at the door and the boys dove behind her bed. She looked around briefly to make sure that they were out of sight before she opened the door.
“Who were you talking to?” her father asked as he entered the room with her sandwich.
“No one!” Astra said quickly. “I was just talking to my self!”
Severus gave her a suspicious look and handed her the sandwich.
“We’ll call you for dinner but don’t be surprised if you don’t see your mother or me too often.” He told her and left.
“Wow.” George said standing. “Compassionate isn’t he?”
“He’s alright. Just under a lot of pressure of this hiding business.” Astra shrugged then clapped both if her hands to her mouth.
“Hiding business?” Fred grinned evilly. “Do tell!”
“No!” Astra said stubbornly.
“Aw, come on!” George smirked. “Have a heart!”
“Me, have a heart? If what I’ve heard about you two and my father facing off has even a spark of truth to it then.” Astra grimaced “Well let me just say that I will not give you fuel to light his fire with!”
“Why one would think that we don’t think we don’t like Snape the way you said it!” George feigned shock.
“But nothing could be farther from the truth!” Fred gasped. “We absolutely.”
“Totally” George grinned evilly.
“LOATH THE MAN!” they said in unison.
Astra looked from one boy to the other with a straight face. She looked about to tell them off when she burst into laughter. Fred and George looked at each other in satisfaction.
~*~
Astra continued to unpack with the help of the Weasley twins. Spending as much time with them as she was, she was beginning to tell them apart. A knock on the door and a call of “dinner” that cheerfully followed it let a trill of excitement run down Astra’s spine. She was going to meet one of the Marauders. The real marauders and not just some writing in a journal. When they left her room Astra practically ran to the stairs. When she got there she remembered the portrait of that surly looking woman and turned to face the twins.
“Who is that painting of downstairs? The one that screams at you?” she asked.
“That’s just the old hag herself.” George grinned.
Astra put her hands on her hips impatiently and tapped her foot. “That doesn’t help me George!”
Fred chuckled. “She’s Sirius’s dearly demented mother.”
“Oh.” Astra said as she dropped her hands. “What did happen to poor Padfoot?” she asked.
“Harry didn’t tell you?” George asked.
“No”
“Well then you should ask him. That’s for Harry to tell, not us.” Fred told her, he then made his way down the stairs.
“But!” Astra began but as George followed his twin she figured it best to drop the subject for the moment at least. She quietly made her way into the kitchen. The sight she was greeted with as soon as she entered made her jaw drop. She had expected the Weasley family and maybe one or two more people a side from her own family. She was wrong, there were at least a half dozen of people that she didn’t know.
Severus saw his daughter’s face as she entered the room and hid a chuckle. He moved beside her.
“Astra, you can sit down.” He chided “They won’t hurt you.”
“Dad who are all these people?” she squeaked.
“Severus don’t be rude!” A very handsome man stated.
“Lupin!” Severus growled. “She’s my daughter. If I want her to know who you are then I will tell her!”
Astra was not entirely sure why but when she had heard her father say Lupin’s name she had a nagging feeling that she ought to remember that name. Or at least it should mean something to her.
“Hate to break it to you Sev.” A woman with bright orange hair said cheerfully. “But you just did.”
“It’s Severus!” he shouted. “Not Sev Tonks!”
“Alright Severus.” The woman sneered. “Don’t get your knickers in a bunch.”
Severus turned bright red and directed Astra to a seat. Astra could have sworn she heard him mumble “Blasted woman. If I didn’t have to lay low I’d blast her into next week!”
Astra had never seen another person affect her father this way. It was hilarious to see another adult giver her father cheek. Astra hid a giggle as she sat down at the table full of strangers and waited for the food to be served. She spotted the twins down at the other end of the table. The boys were grinning evilly but sitting quietly as if they were a couple of vipers waiting to strike.
‘Oh Merlin!’ she thought panicked. ‘What are those two planning to do?’ She was some what grateful once dinner was done with not a hitch. But she could feel the tension as the others realized that the twins were quiet all through dinner. Many heads turned their way.
“Alright you two, spill it!” Tonks growled.
“Why Nymphadora we have no idea what you mean.” George smiled sweetly.
“You can’t fool us you two!” the man her father had referred to a Lupin said. “What are you two planning?”
“Planning? Why were not planning anything Mooney!” Fred grinned.
Astra’s eyes widened as she realized just who the man in front of her was.
“You’re not supposed to use that nickname Fred!” Lupin growled. “I am Remus Lupin to you!”
Astra’s eyes fell on the handsome man.
‘This is mooney?’ She thought. ‘I never expected him to look like that!’
Astra cleared her throat. “So you are Mooney?” She asked without thinking.
Lupin’s glare turned on her. “Okay, what have these two mongrels told you?”
“Them?” Astra asked shocked. “Why they told me nothing!”
“They had to of or you wouldn’t have know what that nickname meant.” He told her.
“Well, actually.” Astra blushed. “I found Padfoots seventh year journal a few months back and he mentioned all of you. Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. Harry even told me your real names but I never associated one with the other after I heard my father say your name. Although I should have.”
Lupin’s jaw dropped. “Pa-Padfoots journal? I never even knew it existed.”
“Well you can see it if you like.” Astra smiled.
“I’d like that very much.” He croaked. With a grin of satisfaction spreading on their faces the Weasley twins got up to leave. They were stopped by Lupin’s growl.
“I’m not done with you two!”
“Aw, come on Lupin.” Fred grinned.
“We will continue this in private.” Lupin got up and motioned for the twins to follow him.
Astra looked around at the others. “Why is Lupin so upset that the twins said his nickname?” she asked.
“Remus is a very private man.” A surly looking man growled. “The twins don’t seem to respect that.”
“Ah.” Astra nodded. “and forgive me if I seem rude but who are you?”
“Alastor Moody.” The man growled.
“Your defense teacher.”
Astra gaped. “You’re Alastor?”
“I am and I am an ex-Auror so the defense lessons you will be receiving are going to be more advanced than you have been taught.” He told her. “I also demand constant vigilance and nothing less!”
Astra nodded and got up to leave. She must have looked a bit scared for Tonks tried to reassure her.
“Don’t worry lass.” Tonks smiled. “His bark is worse than his bite!”
“Nymphadora Tonks!” Moody growled. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t do that!”
“What?” Tonks said angelically. “Honestly Moody. You were scaring the poor child!”
Astra left as the two continued their one sided argument. She shook her head as she started to climb the stairs to go back to her room. She stopped as a hand touched her shoulder. She froze and turned to see who was there. She looked into a pair of familiar green eyes.
“Harry?” she whispered, her eyes wide with shock.
“Yep!” Harry beamed at her.
“Ron will be so happy you’re here! When did you get here?” she asked.
“Just now with Dumbledore.” He told her.
Astra grabbed his hand and climbed the stairs as fast as she could. She ran towards the door she remembered that Ron was in and opened the door. She pushed Harry into the room before he could say anything and shut the door behind herself.
“Harry!” she heard as the door closed and turned with a big smile as the others said their hellos. When they were done Hermione broke off from the group and headed for Astra.
“Astra.” Hermione said nervously. “I am sorry I acted the way I did earlier. Instead of letting you know that I was worried about you and that I was glad you were okay, I attacked you. I should have found out what happened before I jumped to conclusions and I wanted you to know that I am truly sorry.”
“Apology accepted.” Astra beamed. Hermione smiled and they joined Harry and the others. They only broke up reluctantly when Ron’s mum knocked on the door and informed them that it was time for bed.
~*~
The days passed too quickly for Astra and before she knew it the others were heading back to school for the next term would soon begin. Astra’s training with Alastor and her father was put off until the others were gone. They said that this was to ensure that she kept her mind on her work. She however had a feeling that it was because there were more pressing issues to deal with than teaching a child protection. Even if that was the case Astra didn’t mind the extra time with her friends. She had known that once term started she would be a very lonely girl. True she had her brother to pick on, although she would have to find a more discreet way of pulling pranks on him and she had Nari to play with, but truth be told, a two year old was not as much as her friends. Next year was also not looking as promising because Harry, Ron and Hermione would be gone. She would just have Ginny, Margot, Aiden and Kaden. As much as she liked Ginny she just was not as much fun as Harry and his gang. Then there was the fact that Draco and his two goons would be gone. As much as she wanted to cheer at that fact, she also had to realize that it would not be such a good thing to have them gone. They were loyal to Voldemort or at least so Harry said and they were not to be trusted as full wizards. They may not have taken the dark mark yet but that was only a matter of time before they did and Draco on the side of Voldemort? That would be terrifying to say the least.
‘Or would it?’ She thought as she entered her room. ‘As big of a bunch of bumbling idiots Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle are, maybe they’d destroy Voldemort’s ranks before Harry could even reach them.’
But as she thought that her stomach turned. She knew that Harry had to battle Voldemort. It terrified her to know and the fact that Harry could very well die and Voldemort live made her tremble.
‘STOP!’ she thought to her self angrily. ‘Harry will win! He has to or we all lose. Especially daddy! If Harry loses daddy dies so no matter what Harry has to win and I will help him in any way I can!’
Astra laid down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She was deep in thought when a knock on her door made her jump. “Yes?” Astra said barely audible so that none of the ghosties that currently resided here would be agitated.
The door opened to reveal her father. He was followed by Alastor Moody. They entered and conjured a couple of chairs. “Astra.” Her father began as he took a seat. “I do apologize for not doing this sooner but I am not going to be able to teach you the defense you need, and neither is Mr. Moody here.”
Astra looked from Moody to her father. “But then who is?”
“Well, I hate to say it sweetheart but it looks like as though it will be Mr. Lupin and the Weasley twins!” her father’s face contorted into disgust at those names.
Astra fought hard to contain her excitement. ‘I am going to be learning with Mooney and the Weasley twins!’ she thought gleefully. ‘Some god up there must really like me!’
Then it struck her. Why wouldn’t her father and Moody be able to teach her? There was some thing that she wasn’t being told here and she was determined to find out what.
“Why are you not going to able to teach me daddy?” She asked.
“Well, because I will not be able to stay in hiding here. Your mother and I are going further into hiding and Moody is coming with us until we get settled in. Dumbledore is our secret keeper and will never let anyone know where we are. Sarul and Nari will be coming with us.” He looked at her. “You however are going to remain here so you can continue to your classes.”
Astra gaped at her father. “You mean I have to stay in a house where everyone is an absolute stranger to me while you and the rest of my family leave?” she shrilled.
“Astra keep your voice down!” her father warned. “Look, we are going to spread the word that you are not really my daughter. That you are actually Astra Jensen. This will place you in a lesser amount of danger. We are also going this to say that you refused to go with us because you found out about my past and denounced us. You will not need to truly contact your father because he will not know any of this but when you get back to school you will be under your new name and not Snape.”
Tears started to flow down her face as she listened to her father’s words. “So am I being disowned?” She choked. “Don’t you want me anymore?”
“What?” Severus looked at her in shock. “No! Sweetheart you misunderstand. Nothing will change between us in our lives except that in order for you to attend Hogwarts and be safe we must do this. You still are and forever will be my little girl Astra.” Severus hugged her.
“Severus we must go. It will be night soon and we need to travel under the darkness so that we won’t be seen as easily.” Moody stood as he spoke.
Severus nodded. “if you ever need to talk to us give a letter to either Dumbledore at school or Lupin here and they will know how to get it to us.” He sighed. “I’ve got to go now, but please remember that your mother and I will always love you. No matter what the future holds.”
With that Astra watched her father leave. As soon as the door closed she turned and sobbed quietly into her pillow. She hadn’t realized that someone had entered the room until a hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up into Lupin’s hazel eyes. They seemed to stare at her in sympathy.
“I know that I am probably the last person you wanted to see right now Astra but I wanted you to know that I’m here for you if you need to talk.” He smiled sweetly. “Or a shoulder to cry on.”
Astra took that as an invitation and buried her head into his chest. Lupin sat down and cradled the crying child. As the tears stopped Astra raised her eyes to meet Lupin’s.
“Why do they have to go? Why can’t they stay here?” she asked him.
“With you continuing school by floo, if you were ever followed back here then that would put them into even greater danger and that is what we are trying to avoid.” He explained. “There will be enough people here to protect you and get you out safely if that does happen but we can’t risk your father being taken. He would surely die by their hands if he was.”
Astra listened to his words. “Your right.” She mumbled. “But I don’t have top like it!”
“Of course not!” Lupin chuckled. “If you liked this I would have to take you to St. Mungo’s and have you checked over! You have just been separated from your parents and siblings. Of course you’re not going to like it!”
Astra smiled. It was very hard to be in a sad or sour mood with Lupin’s cheery face around. His cheerfulness brightened up her gloomy mood quite well.
“So.” Lupin changed the subject. “About this journal of Padfoot’s may I see it?”
“Oh!” Astra gasped as she flung herself off the bed and to her trunk. “Of course!” she rummaged through her trunk and with a gasp of accomplishment she pulled out a worn little book. She held the book out to Lupin. “Here!”
Lupin took the book from her and stared at the cover. He then opened the book and began to read. He chuckled to himself every now and then. After about twenty minutes or so he closed the book and faced Astra.
“May I borrow this?” he asked her.
“Sure.” She blushed. “Actually you can have it. I think it belongs more to you than me anyway.”
“Oh?” Lupin looked at her curiously. “Why do you say that?”
“Well.” She looked at her feet. “Because he was your friend and because you are a marauder.”
Lupin chuckled. “Well I must thank you, but I am sure that Padfoot would prefer that it was put in a place where other kids like your self could use it to get into mischief.” He told her. “That’s what Padfoot loved best anyways.”
Astra looked at him.
“How did Padfoot die Mr. Lupin?” Remus looked taken aback “No one’s told you?”
Astra shook her head. “They just keep telling me to ask Harry.” She told him exasperatedly. “But whenever I do Harry just avoids it! And if one more person tells me to go and ask Harry I may just scream!”
“Well, you didn’t hear this from me if anyone asks but two years back we were in a battle with Voldemort’s followers that had broken into the ministry of magic. Sirius was hit with a full body binding curse by his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange and fell through a portal in the ministries building. We were never able to retrieve him from it.” Lupin explained and as he finished a tear streamed down his cheek.
“Well then how do you know that he’s dead? Maybe he fell through and is still alive on the other side.” Astra said thoughtfully.
“That is the one thing that I cannot answer for you Astra.” Lupin said.
“Ah. Okay well.” She thought her next words out carefully. “if he did die and this is his house then how did the order come by keeping it?”
“Well, Harry is Sirius’s godson and he left everything he had to Harry in the event of his death. Dumbledore just asked Harry if he could continue to use it as the headquarters for the order until Harry wanted it.” Lupin got up. “And now my dear. I must bid you farewell for the night.”
“Good night Mooney.” Astra said absently.
“Good night Astra. But please don’t call me Mooney in front of anyone else. Betweens us fine but never in public.”
“I promise!”
“Thank you.” Lupin said as he left.