All right, well, my favorite character is either Wren (not such a bad thing, eh NikkiStewart110?) or Astra (surprise, surprise). I love Astra for the obvious reasons that any author loves their main character. I'm writing from her perspective, after all, so I have to put myself into her thoughts and plan everything from how she would see it. Then I like Wren just as much because I've planned a lot for her, and I like her character (and feel bad for her...). And there are a lot more reasons, of course, but a lot of them won't come into play for a while, and I can't go spoiling everything, now can I?

~~~~

"Going off to another snogging appointment with Potter, Lewis?"

I stopped walking as I recognized Nico's voice behind me. My hands clenching into fists, I slowly turned around to face him. Ciara was at his side, and both had smirks on their faces, as always.

"I don't see how I could have another one if I haven't even had one, and don't plan to have one," I said coldly. It had been about a week since the incident in Potions, and I was kind of surprised they hadn't sought me out sooner.

Ciara laughed. "Oh, don't deny it. That's what that letter was, wasn't it? Asking you to meet him somewhere to have some 'private time'?"

"I wonder how long it lasted," Nico said slyly, sneering at me as he did so.

"No time at all," I said, reaching for my wand. "It didn't happen!"

"Ah, so now she won't admit it. What, did Potter tell you it would be the last one?" Nico's face was full of mock pity.

"Oh, come off it," someone behind me said. I looked over my shoulder and was surprised to see a girl sporting Slytherin green walking up to stand next to me. I shot Brigitte Myers an uncertain glance, and she just grinned at me, before turning back to Nico. "James and Astra are snogging each other about as much as I'm snogging Professor Flitwick."

"I hope that's not at all," I said, venturing a smile. Brigitte pretended to gag and nodded.

"That's... A perfectly disturbing thought," Ciara said, looking like she wouldn't mind gagging about it, either.

Nico rolled his eyes. "Brigitte, go away. Why are you always with Gryffindors? I don't even know why you're a Slytherin. You definitely don't act like you belong here."

Personally, I would have considered that a compliment and agreed with Nico. After all, from what I'd seen (and based on River's fairly good judgement about everything except Adalyn), Brigitte was a pretty good person. I personally felt Scorpius, and now Brigitte, had simply been placed in the wrong House. After all, Slytherin was a terrible House. However, Brigitte's eyes narrowed, and she said, "I belong here just as much as anyone else in this House! Just because I'm not a bully like you doesn't mean anything."

Nico rolled his eyes. "You're best friends with a mudblood. You-"

"Nico!" Ciara looked appalled. I didn't know she could even be upset with her partner-in-crime, much less shocked and disgusted that he'd say something.

Which brought me to the problem. Mudblood. I had a hazy memory of James and Rose explaining what a terrible word that was. Based on both Ciara and Brigitte's reactions, it seemed to be worse than any muggle swear words I could think of. Filthy blood... He obviously meant River. How dare he?

Nico and Ciara had been arguing the whole time I'd been thinking, and Brigitte had been watching with a shocked and angry look on her face. I drew my wand and pointed it at Nico, nudging her side and pointing at Ciara with my free hand. After a minute, she took the hint and pointed her wand at the blonde girl.

I racked my brain for a good spell. The first one that came was the Cruciatus Curse. Unfortunately, that wouldn't work. My mind quickly went through a list of spells. I wasn't even sure which I was going to do as I opened my mouth to say the words. "Everte Statum!"

Nico flew backwards, knocking over a suit of armor before crashing into the wall. He didn't get up, but I could see him breathing, so he was only knocked out. Ciara screamed, then quickly turned on me. "Locomotor Wibbly!" Immediately, my legs gave out, and I fell.

Brigitte glared at Ciara, then said, "Lacarnum Inflamarae!"

A small ball of fire shot out of the end of her wand. Ciara dodged it, but it scorched the sleeve of her sweater pretty badly. All of us stared in shock at it as it hit the wall and almost immediately sputtered out.

"And that is why you should not play with fire, Ms. Myers," said a voice behind us. We slowly turned to see Professor Patil standing behind us, looking very much alarmed. Nico was just starting to stir, and the professor quickly crossed the corridor to him. She made sure he wasn't on the brink of death, then looked up at the rest of us. "All three of you, come with me."

We took Nico to the hospital wing first, then Professor Patil led us to her office. After ten minutes of listening to Ciara, Brigitte, and I argue about what happened, she gave us each a week of detention and took five points from our House.

Ciara stomped off immediately. Brigitte lingered a few minutes, walking next to me. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah," I said, not sure if she meant it about the falling over or the teasing. "Perfectly fine."

She glared at nothing in particular in front of us. "I hate Nico. How could he say something like that?"

"We won't tell River, right?" I asked.

She nodded. "Of course we won't."

After a minute of silence, I said, "The last thing I need is detention. There's a Quidditch match against Ravenclaw soon."

Brigitte made a face. "I'm sorry. I think you shouldn't have even got detention. We were provoked."

"Yeah," I said, starting to laugh. "If that excuse worked, I'd never be in trouble."

Our detentions were scheduled for every night that week, with Filch. It was terrible, but not as bad as it would have been if it was just Ciara and me. Brigitte and I managed to talk quite a bit, and I learned a little about her. Her family had always been in Gryffindor, with a few Ravenclaw. However, they didn't seem to mind that she was a Slytherin, which I'd heard some families did care about. She was planning on spending a few weeks at River's house over the summer, so River could show her every Disney movie in existence and give her an enormous list of books to read. She had a lot of friends in a lot of different Houses, but River and Adalyn were the closest.

I almost didn't mind missing Quidditch practice (I swear Professor Patil knew when they were). When I got back from my last night of detention, Jaycee told me that I'd have to come early on Saturday to practice. Luckily, I was only the Seeker, and didn't interact with the team as much as everyone else.

As I lay in bed that night, I briefly wondered where my dad was now. Maybe he had a family somewhere. I yawned and forgot the topic in a few seconds as I fell asleep.

The first thing I heard was a cold voice saying, "Wren."

I looked around, quickly taking in my surroundings. I was in a corridor, and it looked like could have been anywhere. I saw Wren farther down the hall and walking away, but she froze as I watched her and slowly turned around. "Yes, sir?"

I turned, as well. The man behind me was the same one who had been in the dungeons with us. He looked hardly any better in the light from the window behind me. Well, he looked very normal, actually. It was his expression - cold, hard, with a malevolent glint in his eye. I involuntarily shuddered.

After a pause, he frowned. I had to turn back to Wren to remind myself that he wasn't glaring at me. If Wren was frightened, she was doing a good job hiding it.

Finally, he spoke. "A few days ago, you sent a letter to someone, didn't you?" I gasped, staring at him in surprise. She'd been seen! Oh no...

Wren's face grew very pale. "I-"

"That 'someone' was the girl who - out of all others - you claim to know nothing about."

Wren didn't say anything. I saw her hands shaking a little, but her face remained unreadable, if pale.

"Now," the man said quietly, drawing closer to her, "tell me. Why would you be writing a letter to someone who you don't know at all? Unless, of course, you've been lying to me this whole time, and you know a lot more about her than you care to admit."

"I didn't write a letter," she said, staring at the floor. "I don't know her, either."

"Lies!" he yelled. He took two long strides and was suddenly standing right in front of Wren. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look up at him. "You lie," he repeated, his tone much quieter.

"No," she whispered.

His eyes narrowed. "The letter was a warning, presumably. It won't matter in the end. Neither will your silence. When the mission is accomplished, and she is in our custody, I'm sure she'll be more than happy to tell me all I need to know, to spare her own life. Perhaps she'll even do it if I promise to condemn you."

Wren didn't answer, just stared up at him, her face betraying that she believed I'd do just that, if given the chance. That hurt. For several seconds, it was deathly quiet. Suddenly, he grabbed her arm, and jerked her down the corridor.

"Fine. You won't admit to your wrongdoing, so you'll simply have to be punished."

Wren's eyes grew wide. "Please, no-"

He stopped instantly. "Would you rather tell the truth now?"

Wren remained obstinately silent.

"Fine, then." Suddenly, he smiled. Not a kind smile, either. A malicious, sadistic smile. "Why don't I give you a taste of your own medicine?"

Wren didn't even have time to protest before he pulled a wand out and yelled, "Crucio!"

I looked away. I couldn't handle seeing that. I couldn't stop myself from hearing her screams, though. Tortured and agonizing screams. I covered my ears, but it didn't help.

I ventured one look, and the image I saw was permanently engraved in my memory. Wren on the floor, writhing in pain. I couldn't take it. I knew it wouldn't do anything, but I yelled and ran at the man, and started punching through him.

"Astra! Wake up!"

I sat straight up, crying and screaming and not fully sure if I was still dreaming or awake. When I closed my eyes, I still saw Wren.

When I opened them, I saw Rose. She looked very alarmed. "Astra! It's just a dream!"

It took a few minutes to get my breathing and heart rate back to normal. I'd woken up everyone in our dorm, but Iris and Lacy went back to sleep after making sure I was all right. Colette didn't lie back down, but I ignored her. She was the least of my worries.

I slowly forced myself to recount what had happened. In the moonlight from the window, I could see Rose's expression going from alarmed to horrified as I described it. If I concentrated, I could still hear the screams.

"Oh, Astra, this is awful," Rose said, staring off into nothingness in the center of the room. I knew I hadn't given an account anywhere near as awful as I'd seen, but Rose was probably reliving what had happened to her last Halloween. I couldn't even imagine that kind of pain. "This is the worst dream you've had, I'd guess."

"Definitely," I said, my voice sounding haunted and hollow.

Colette had been listening as I described the dream to Rose, apparently, because she suddenly asked, "These dreams happen a lot?" Strangely, I couldn't hear a hint of anything other than curiosity in her voice.

"Why do you care? Go to back to sleep," I said moodily. Colette was the last person I wanted to discuss this with. She probably already knew what had happened, anyway.

"Fine then," she said, her normal disdain creeping back into her voice. She promptly lay back down.

Rose rolled her eyes in Colette's direction. "Think you can sleep, Astra?"

"Yeah," I lied. "Go back to bed, Rose. I'm fine." Rose nodded and crawled back under her blankets.

I didn't sleep at all that night. The few times I drifted off, I was quickly awoken by the screams, and the image in my mind. Around four o'clock, I finally just got up and wandered down to the common room. I curled up in one of the large chairs by the fireplace and spent the next few hours staring out at the common room, waiting for someone to wake up.

Eventually, the flow of life began a new day, and I let myself be carried along with it. Rose apparently told James and Albus about the dream, because they were both pressing me for details by breakfast. I could only repeat what I'd told Rose. Nothing more. Even though it was still as vivid as if I'd actually been there.

James and Albus were, of course, alarmed by it. James still kept up the argument that it was just a dream. Wren was probably fine. Albus just looked upset, and I felt like it was because it was upsetting me so much.

That morning, James, Fred, and I decided to start coaching some of the first years on flying and Quidditch (I wasn't too upset that Mackenzie didn't want to help). I agreed more as a distraction as anything else, but it was actually really fun (and was a great distraction). Most of the Gryffindor first years showed up, and those that didn't told us they would next time.

Easily, the most enthusiastic of the lot was Cedric. He almost hit Elodie Montero in the head with the Beater's bat in his excitement. James determined that he'd be a far better Chaser than Beater. Caleb Goldstein and Ivory Corner both managed to catch the Snitch, and couldn't seem to beat each other's times in doing so. River and Olivia Rose Stevens, the other Gryffindor Muggleborn in first year (who was no where near as into pop culture as River, since she didn't have a phone and rarely watched television), both knew absolutely nothing about Quidditch, but we're excited to fly all the same.

Dean Malfoy was one of those to not show up, though he ran up to me at lunch to explain. "I had an essay to finish," he said breathlessly. "I spent the whole morning in the library researching Mandrakes for Herbology."

"It's okay," I said, laughing. "Just come next time, right?"

Dean nodded, then started off towards Cedric. He stopped quickly, then turned around. "Astra? You know how that mean girl, Colette, is always looking at Dark Arts books in the library?"

I shrugged. "Well, I suppose so. Why?"

"She wasn't in the restricted section today!" Dean exclaimed. "She wasn't even looking at any of the Defense Against the Dark Arts books!"

"What was she looking at?" I asked curiously.

"Books about dreams, I think. Weird, huh?" Dean laughed. "See you later!" Before I could ask any more questions, he was off.

~~~~

Jaycee had me come practice every night for a week before the Ravenclaw game. Two whole weeks where I had no free time to search the library. I was glad when the match was finally passed. A win, of course, though it had been very close, and Clarissa had almost gotten the Snitch before me.

James and I kept up the Quidditch lessons, holding them every Saturday morning, and every Wednesday afternoon before regular practice. Most of the first years had no experience whatsoever on a broom, past the flying lessons they'd had last term, but James was a great teacher. Anna and River asked if they could bring anyone from other Houses.

I glanced at Fred. "Well..."

He shrugged. "Depends who it is, I guess."

Anna stared at him, as if she couldn't believe she had to spell it out. "My sister... And Rosemary, of course."

I don't think Fred knew who Rosemary was, but he knew Anna's sister was all right. River only wanted Adalyn and Brigitte, and since I'd told James my reason for my latest detentions, he'd held Brigitte in the highest esteem, so we were able to convince Fred that having two Slytherins join might not be entirely bad. Soon, the lessons had grown past our own House to include any first year who wanted to join, because once we'd said yes to one person, everyone felt the need to bring a friend. Soon, we had more than enough students to make two practice Quidditch teams out of.

The weeks went on, and though my nightmares were a lot worse, none seemed as vivid and real as the one I'd had about Wren. Most of them I couldn't even remember them when I woke up, which was perfectly fine with me.

The first years got better and better, and James joked that there should be a first year Quidditch tournament. Cedric was all for us marching up to Professor Pouri's office right then and telling him about. Neither James nor I was incredibly eager to see the headmaster, though, and I wouldn't for the life of me seek him out of my own accord, so that idea quickly fell away.

On a Saturday about three weeks after the dream, Fred managed to get detention, leaving James and I the all-important task of refereeing the first years' first Quidditch match. We split them into teams and let them go at it. They were pretty good, considering a lot of them had started with only their experience from flying lessons to guide them. Cedric insisted he play Seeker, and since none of them were absolutely amazing at catching the Snitch (the record was Aileen Willard, a Ravenclaw, who managed to get it after three or four missed opportunities), I agreed.

The game probably would have gone in for hours if James didn't call it to a stop after one. Aileen and Cedric had seen the Snitch multiple times, but they hadn't been able to get it. James said that was good enough, since everyone else did very well, and chances were none of them would be a Seeker, at least not for several years. All the House Seekers were fifth year or younger.

Most of the first years put their broom in the broom shed, then cleared out. James and I were just about to leave as well when I noticed Cedric sitting in the middle of the pitch.

I nudged James, then walked over to him. "Cedric? What're you doing?"

He crossed his arms. "I'm not leaving until I catch the Snitch, like Clarissa does."

James and I exchanged a glance, then James shrugged. "Well, all right, then." 

A few minutes later, we were all in the air. James expected me to tell him how to do it, but I didn't really know how. Most of what I did was look around and see it before the other person, which couldn't exactly be taught. I managed to show him how to fake a dive, and thus trick the other Seeker, though.

He caught it a few times. I started to believe that the only reason he hadn't caught it during the match was the distraction of all the activity going on. He just had to learn to tune that out, and he wouldn't be that bad.

James and I were putting the Bludgers away, while Cedric focused on looking for the Snitch. After a minute, James glanced at his watch. "Wow, it'll be time for dinner soon."

"Wanna tell Cedric?"

James looked up at him. "Let's let him catch it first."

"Well, of course," I said, rolling my eyes and smiling. James shook his head at me, obviously trying not to smile as well. He hopped on his broom and flew up to Cedric.

Just as he got to him, Cedric went into a dive. I watched his progress, and James flew after him at a leisurely pace. Cedric stretched out his arm to grab it, and after a minute closed his hand around the golden orb. I was about to start cheering, but James suddenly yelled.

Cedric and I both turned to him. He was glaring behind him, at what looked like a very confused bird, or maybe a large moth. "Stupid bird," he yelled. Cedric landed, grinning. James quickly flew down next to us.

"You guys go on up, okay? I'll put Cedric's broom up the other school brooms. Astra, want to take the Quidditch stuff back to Jaycee?"

"All right," I agreed. Cedric and I started up the path to the school while James walked over to the broom shed.

"You're getting pretty good," I remarked to Cedric.

He beamed. "Thanks. Do you think I could borrow the Snitch sometime and show Clarissa...?"

I laughed. "Maybe just have her come watch next time," I suggested. Jaycee would kill us if we loaned out Gryffindor's Quidditch equipment, and Mr. Potter would kill us if we damaged them while they were loaned out.

Cedric nodded, and opened his mouth to say something, when our attention was drawn by a yell from behind us. I turned around, thinking James would be running up behind us, yelling for us to wait so he could catch up. Nope.

Instead, I looked down at James firing spells at someone, someone who was high tailing it into the Forbidden Forest, carrying something. It looked like James's bookbag. I couldn't see who it was from that far away, but I ran back to the pitch as fast as I could, Cedric at my heels.

By the time we'd reached James, the person was already disappearing into the forest, and James was staring forlornly after them. My mind suddenly  made the connection. James's bag, Wren's letter... Oh no, this meant they had the Cloak!

"James, did that person steal your bag?" I asked frantically.

James nodded. "Yeah." Then he shrugged. He shrugged.

"What's wrong with you?" I asked in disbelief. "That means-"

James gave me a pointed look and pointed at Cedric, who was frowning at me in confusion.

"Can't he buy a new one?" Cedric asked.

"Yeah, of course I can," James said, laughing. "You're going to be late for dinner, Cedric, you know. Astra, I need some help."

Cedric took the hint and left. I at least knew I didn't have to worry about him spreading rumors. I swear, that kid thought James was the most amazing person on the planet. He looked personally offended whenever he heard someone mention the rumors, that were thankfully dying down.

As soon as Cedric was out of earshot, I burst. "James! How can you take this so lightly! Wren went to all the trouble of warning us, and now we've lost the Cloak!"

James grinned. "No! We didn't! Astra, I left it with Albus today. I didn't want any of the first years snooping in my bag and finding it."

I could have cried from relief. Of course, I was much to old to cry, so I settled with hugging James and laughing. "Thank goodness! Couldn't you have just told me that?"

James smiled. "Hey, you can be funny when you're freaking out." He picked up his broom, and I picked up mine, as well. I must have dropped it at some point. We walked up to the school in silence for most of the time.

"Did you see who it was?" I finally thought to ask.

James shook his head. "It certainly wasn't Colette, though. Too fat."

I laughing, nodding in agreement. "I suppose she isn't a suspect anymore, then?"

James shrugged. "I mean, I guess her sneaking out to Hogsmeade was a long stretch, anyway."

We walked into the building, which forced us to drop the subject. There were still people darting around the entranceway, most headed for the Great Hall. James and I followed the crowd, and eventually found seats next to Albus. James quietly told him what had happened, and I saw his face growing paler.

"Oh, wow," he whispered. "That's terrible..."

"We have to figure out who 'they' are," I whispered. James nodded. Unfortunately, none of us seemed to know where to start. I glanced up at the ceiling, hoping to get an idea if I looked away from the distracting people around me. I ended up focusing on a bird that had apparently flown through one of the windows and hadn't found its way out. I was about to show Al when James nudged me in the side.

He was pointing at the doors, where Professor Pouri had just walked in. Actually, it looked like he had run in. He was out of breathe, and making an effort to hide it as he slowly walked between the tables up to his spot at the teachers' table. James, Albus, and I watched his progress. As we did, an idea started to form in my head.

"Guys, I think we may have a new suspect."

~~~~

Question of the day: Saddest death in the original series? Explain why, if you can do it without dying yourself.

Next update: Tuesday!

Vote and comment! If you have a question you want to be a question of the day, pm it to me (just make sure you tell me that it's a question of the day!). Thanks, guys!

~Ellie