Dang, is that ever a hard question. The logical side of me says that obviously Voldemort was worse. I mean, he was ruthless and killed hundreds for no reason other than the fact that they were muggles or muggleborn, or stood in his way. He created horcruxes, seven of them, which is just about the ultimate evil magic. He was heartless and cruel and power hungry. He was an evil dictator who committed mass genocide.

But then there's the emotional side of me saying that Umbridge is much worse. Sure, Voldemort was basically wizard Hitler, but he was upfront about what he wanted. Everyone knew he was evil. Umbridge was a liar. She actually thought she was doing the right thing. She reveled in the power she had to send muggleborns to Azkaban prison. She tortured young students for no other reason than that they disagreed with her. And she seems just as bad as Voldemort to me because I've known people like her. Teachers who hate me for no reason other than that I disagreed with them and stood by it. Who crush their students' will. Who love causing pain to the children they teach. I've never been in a place where I'm scared of being murdered in mass genocide and had to flee for my life. I know some people in the world today have, and my heart goes out to them, but I haven't, and I can't fully understand that fear. What I have experienced is people who abuse their power and take every opportunity they can to hurt me, and corrupt leaders scare me deeply, because of those above you don't have any interests but their own at heart, what can you do?

Sorry to get all deep and solemn there! It's a very interesting question, and I don't have an answer, really. I just felt like I needed to justify the fact that I can't just say Voldemort immediately.

~~~~

Three weeks passed, and to my pleasant surprise, Nico remained an outcast. He'd gone way too far, and everyone knew it.

Nico didn't seem to mind his new social status, which irritated me a bit. The only person who he really tried to talk to was Ciara. I saw her yell at him several times to leave her alone. He would always look like he was going to hit her, but walk away dejected. That was the only time he ever seemed affected by anything (not that he looked remorseful or anything. Just angry). I didn't know if it was bad, but I got a lot of pleasure from seeing their friendship ruined, especially for Nico.

Adalyn was completely lost, I hold tell. I didn't hate her, so I was tempted to talk to her a few times. She wasn't talking to Nico, but she was also avoiding Ciara, it seemed like. I didn't know what had happened between the two girls, but I still felt bad for Adalyn that she'd ever got caught up in any of this. She soon melted into a group of third year Slytherin girls, the ones she'd been friends with before she'd found Ciara and Nico.

Ciara hadn't given up trying to talk to me, but I didn't want to hear anything she had to say. She seemed to grow more and more miserable every time I ignored her, though, and it was getting harder to walk away. The sympathetic side of me was way too strong.

One day, during Potions, I was ignoring her attempts to get my attention from across the room. I'd had Albus and Colette switch sides of the table with me and Wren, even. Nico was at a table at the front of the classroom, alone. Professor Lockley actually allowed a few Slytherins to work in a group of three because everyone refused to be partnered with him. Seeing him working alone gave me immense satisfaction, though he looked no more sullen than normal.

Just before the bell, I knocked over a jar of slugs. It shattered, scattering slugs everywhere, just as the bell rang for class to be dismissed.

"Oh dear," Lockley said, frowning.

"I'll clean it up," I said, tossing my bag back into the table and dropping to my knees. A quick reparo fixed the jar, and I started gathering the slugs, waving my friends on. I'd meet them in a minute.

The room quickly emptied out. As the last students trickled out the door, someone dropped to their knees across from me, silently helping. I knew it was Ciara. I didn't look up, pretending I hadn't even noticed, but she probably saw me stiffen slightly.

"I'll be in my office, girls," Lockley said, and I heard his door close. We were alone.

For a few moments, there was silence. Then Ciara sighed. "Astra, I—"

"I don't want to hear it," I said coldly, without looking up.

A few seconds passed. "Please... Astra, please listen. You don't have to do anything. I just..." Her voice caught. "I'm so sorry."

I didn't respond, so she continued after a moment. "I never wanted you to get hurt," she said quietly. "I swear, I didn't know what he'd do. I'm so sorry... I don't want you dead..."

"Touching," I said sarcastically, forcefully tossing a slug into the jar.

I could hear her starting to cry. "I'm sorry... I didn't... I wouldn't... Please, just look at me." I didn't move, forcing myself to remain still and cold.

"Astra Lestrange, look at me!" she yelled, startling me so much that I actually did.

There were a few tears running down Ciara's face, but she either didn't notice or didn't care. She was staring into my eyes, and I had to fight an urge to look away.

"Astra, please," she whispered. "I'm so sorry. I should've stopped Nico. It's my fault. I'm so sorry..." She closed her eyes. "For everything, actually... We're cousins, and I've treated you so terribly... I'm so sorry..."

"I..." I what? I'm sorry? I forgive you? I can never forgive you? I hate you? I didn't know which choice was best. I didn't know which one was even the one I was feeling. I did know that my bitterness was rapidly melting away, though, whether I wanted it to or not.

"I forgive you," I whispered, then quickly nodded, confirming it to myself. I did. "And I'm sorry, too, for all that other stuff..."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, it's Nico's fault. Not yours. Not completely. It's not like there's any lasting damage. You haven't done anything worse than I've done to you before, I suppose."

A smile flickered across her face, and she wiped her tears away with her sweater sleeve. "Thank you."

For a moment, I picked up slugs and stuck them back in the jar, not saying anything. What was there to say? I'd never talked to Ciara before, not really. Fighting doesn't exactly count, somehow.

"We're not friends," I said after a minute, not looking up. I was asking her if that was true as much as stating it.

"No," Ciara answered.

"But we're not enemies anymore, I suppose."

"No, we aren't." Ciara smiled. "Mum'll be glad. She's been on my case for months now about you."

"I'll tell the Potters to leave you alone, I guess."

Ciara flushed. "Actually, that might not be necessary. Albus helped me talk to you... He knocked that jar over with some spell because he knew you'd stay to clean up..."

I raised my eyebrow, surprised. "That little brat!"

"Don't get mad at him; it's my fault," Ciara said quickly.

I smiled. "I'm not mad. Just surprised he actually did something sneaky. I'll definitely have to talk to James, though."

Ciara frowned. "I'm sorry, but he's a prat."

"I know. But he's also my honorary brother, so he'll listen to me. Maybe."

"Thanks." Ciara placed the last slug into the jar, and I twisted on the lid. I stood up, offering my hand to help Ciara as I placed the jar on the table.

"So, we're neutral, then," I said.

"Neutral. Yes. That sounds right." Ciara stuck out her hand, and I shook it. "See you around, dear cousin."

"See you around, Ciara." With that, we walked out the Potions classroom door and went our separate ways.

~~~~

I ran upstairs, searching for my friends. They would know all about my talk with Ciara, since apparently Albus had been a perpetrator in making it happen. Sure enough, the three of them were waiting eagerly, yet trying to make it look as if they weren't, in the common room.

Colette dropped her book before I'd even sat down. "That took a long time."

"How many slugs were there?" Albus asked, laughing nervously.

"Oh, please. I know you knocked that jar over yourself, Albus," I said, dropping onto the seat next to him. "Ciara told me."

Albus's face turned crimson. "So, um, it went well, then?"

"I guess so." I shrugged, and quickly filled them in. I made sure to emphasize the fact that we were not in any way friends, but had simply decided to stop hating each other quite so much, which they all seemed to understand. They'd all be victims of Ciara and Nico as well. Except Colette, of course, but it's not like she was ever pushing for me to make friends with her.

"That's good," Wren said, smiling, once I'd finished.

"And you're not mad at me?" Albus asked, grinning.

"No," I laughed. "I suppose I would've had to talk to her at some point. Better you making me than Aunt Andromeda."

"Speaking of her, how's pressing charges going?" Albus asked.

"Teddy wrote yesterday and said there's a trial set for later this month," I said, frowning. "April something or other."

"Will they be able to do anything?" Wren asked. "He'll just lie again."

"Let's be optimistic, please," I said, frowning. "I'd rather think he'll be in prison by the end of the year."

"They won't lock a teenager in prison," Colette said. She'd gone back to her book several minutes ago, and didn't look up now. "At least not Azkaban."

"Well, I mean, I didn't say I wanted him in Azkaban..."

"It's the only wizard prison in Britain."

"Okay, whatever. I just want something to happen, then. Happy?"

"Nope," Colette said dismissively. "Rather bored actually."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked indignantly.

"You can't do anything about that trial. Why focus on it and get stressed out? I'm reading up on the theory of apparition. Much more engaging than all this."

"Why on earth are you reading about that?" Albus asked.

"Dad sent me a book. Thought I'd get a head start for sixth year."

"That's two years away!" I exclaimed, staring at her in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

"Why not? You never know when you'll have to apparate illegally."

"You can't apparate inside Hogwarts," Wren pointed out.

"I don't spend all my time at Hogwarts." Colette rolled her eyes. "What if, the next time you went to Hogsmeade, your mum popped up? What would you do? Try to run away?"

Wren had gone completely white, her hands shaking as she whispered, "You... You think she'd come to Hogsmeade?"

"Of course she wouldn't," I said, glaring at Colette. "She couldn't get past all the aurors. Colette's just being stupid."

"Whatever," Colette said, a flicker of worry in her eyes as she patted Wren's hand. "Didn't mean to scare you. But the point still stands."

"I mean... Isn't trying it early illegal?" Albus asked.

"I would think none of you would care so much about breaking rules. You've all done it enough. Anyway, I never said I was going to try it. Just read about it. You should, too."

I sighed. "Is it super dull?"

"No. It's not that complicated, actually." Colette launched into a very detailed description of the theory of apparition. There was something about three D's, destination, determination, and deliberation, or something. It was a little bit interesting, since I'd actually Side-Along apparated with Teddy before. But only a little bit. Before long, Albus groaned and said he was about to fall asleep, so Colette rolled her eyes and returned to her book.

She did insist that we learn a bit about it, though. That evening, I read a little from her book. The basics. Just be determined about your destination. When you turn, turn with deliberation. Otherwise, you'll get splinched. The end, that's all I care about, that'll tide me over until sixth year.

The next morning, she didn't shut up about it until an owl brought her her copy of The Daily Prophet, and we finally some peace. I got a letter from Aunt Andromeda, something very short congratulating me on the fact that I'd finally seen logic and made up with my cousin. As I showed it Albus, an owl alighted in front of Wren.

"Who's that from?" I asked, frowning at the envelope tied to its leg. Wren never got mail.

"I don't know," Wren said softly. The way she was staring at the envelope told me otherwise. Her eyes were huge, and her breathing had quickened. Her name was written on the letter in nice cursive, I noticed when she picked it up. Her hand shook a bit. Slowly, she opened it.

The blood drained from her face as her eyes scanned the page. I glanced at Albus. He looked as concerned as I felt.

After a minute, Wren let the letter fall from her hand, staring ahead as if she wasn't seeing the Great Hall. I slowly reached forward and picked up the parchment. "May I?" She nodded ever so slightly, and I help up the paper for Albus and I to read.

It was from her mother. I saw the signature at the bottom before I'd even read the thing. That awful, vile woman. I quickly read the note.

My dear Wren,

You don't know how much trouble and pain you've caused your father and me. You have disappointed us beyond words. You're a disgrace to our family. Child, if you think your torment was bad, it has been more than surpassed by ours, our shame over you. And you can expect much worse punishment than before if you're ever caught. And you will be. You can't hide behind Potter forever. If my uncle has to take you by force, unimaginable pain awaits you.

I don't want that. I want you safe. I want you protected. The only way that can happen is if you come back on your own. Please come back. You'll be safe and cared for, a powerful figure in the new world. Return to us.

Love,
Your Mother

I looked up at Wren, who was staring at me now. "She... I..."

"She's lying, obviously," Albus said, with so much confidence that I glanced at him in confusion. I, for one, was ready to march up to Mr. Potter and demand that he do something, somehow find the Predatels and put an end to this. As I looked at Albus, though, I realized he was lying. He was trying to protect Wren. And that was what needed to happen right now. She needed to be reassured that she was safe, because she really was. Even if her dad was somewhere out in the Forbidden Forest, flying around, he couldn't do anything. He'd have to somehow get her off the grounds and away from everyone else to escape. And that was impossible.

"You really think so?" Wren asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Of course. Your mum is trying to scare you back." Albus smiled reassuringly. "You're safe."

Wren smiled weakly. I wasn't sure if she saw through Albus's lie or not, but either way, it had helped. I folded the letter up and stuck it in my pocket. I'd show Mr. Potter during class later that day, after Herbology. Best to let Wren forget about it.

She seemed more on edge than normal through the morning, and Albus and I stuck right beside her the whole time. I didn't know if it was all to do with being scared, either. Her mum has said some pretty harsh things. Even if her mum was an evil dark witch, that had to hurt.

After lunch, we had Herbology, and I suggested we go out early and enjoy the nice day. It was one of the first pleasant ones we'd had this year. Fresh air would help cheer Wren up, too, I hoped.

As the three of us (Colette had opted to stay inside and read) strolled through the grounds, enjoying the day, I couldn't think of anything to say. Which was fine; sometimes it's good to just walk in silence with your friends. It was relaxing.

After a few minutes, Wren opened her mouth. "Do you ever feel like you were sorted wrong?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "The Sorting Hat doesn't make mistakes, silly."

Albus glanced at me, a strange look in his eye that caused my laugh to die on my lips. "Actually, sometimes I think I should've been a Hufflepuff. Especially when I'm following Astra off into danger. I don't feel very brave at all then."

Wren lowered her gaze to the ground. "I don't think I deserve Gryffindor, really."

"Why, Wren?" I asked quietly.

"I was such a coward first year," she whispered. "I don't get it. Why am I in the House of the brave if I'm not brave at all?"

I blinked in surprise. What had come over my friends? The Sorting Hat didn't make mistakes! Everyone knew that. There was a reason each of them was Gryffindor, and I could see it plain as day. I'd never really stopped to think that some people might not be as confident as I was, though, or that some people might feel like they don't belong in their House. I'd never even seen that in my friends before. Had I just been just been oblivious to their doubts? What kind of person did that make me?

But how could neither of them see just how brave they really were?

I frowned at Wren, wondering how to start. I knew once I did, I would be able to keep going, but the right words for the beginning are always the hardest to find. Finally, something clicked.

"I mean, the Sorting Hat doesn't sort you based on what you are, does it? I always thought it sorted based on what you could be. I mean, I wasn't particularly brave when I was sorted, but I knew I could be, and being sorted into the 'brave House' boosted my confidence enough to act like it. So... Wren... Maybe you weren't very brave first year, maybe you were a coward, but who says you are now? Actually, I think you're braver than any of us. Most people would've been too scared to come back after what happened. I would have been. Actually, I consider you the bravest person I know."

Wren stared at me for a second, obviously surprised, then a small smile crossed her face. "Thank you... That's... I haven't thought about it that way..."

I grinned at her, then turned to Albus. "And Albus, you know, even if you're scared, you always stay with me, no matter what trouble I get us in. Like last year. You can't be brave if you aren't scared, you know. I think bravery isn't not being afraid. It's doing what you have to do in spite of being afraid. So you're the second bravest person I know.

Albus blinked. "You never seem scared."

"I'm normally terrified, actually," I said, shrugging. "I've just learned to not show it."

Albus smiled. "Really?"

"Of course. I'm human. Who wouldn't be scared of a giant basilisk? I was probably more scared than you, actually. I couldn't understand what Sulcan was saying."

Albus grinned. "Wow. To think, Astra Lestrange, a human." He looked down. "Though... honestly... That's really reassuring."

Wren pulled us both into a tight hug. "Thank you both. You're so amazing."

"Not as much as you," I said, smiling. "I'm glad you were brave enough to come back."

"Me too," she said. I could hear the smile in her voice.

~~~~

Question of the Day: How excited are you for Fantastic Beasts? Who's already seen it? No spoilers, but tell me how you liked it!

Vote and comment! Happy Thanksgiving, friends! I had a Harry Potter marathon earlier this week (my school had the whole week off, and yes, it was amazing) with about ten of my friends. Let me tell you, you haven't had fun until you've watched 19 hours of Harry Potter, drunk at least two Monsters each, and eaten so much candy that it'd give your dentist nightmares. Try it some time!

~Elizabeth