The air inside the Order's meeting room was thick with tension. The large wooden table was cluttered with maps, parchment, and hastily scrawled notes. Candles flickered in their sconces, casting elongated shadows on the walls as the members of the Order settled into their seats.

Asteria stood near the edge of the table, arms crossed, observing as voices overlapped in discussion. Some debated tactics, others argued over details, and a few simply looked exasperated.

"Alright, let's go over this again," James Potter said, rubbing his temples. "We know there's a Death Eater stronghold outside of Dover, heavily warded, but—"

"—But we have no clear way in," Remus finished, sighing. "The wards are too complex, and trying to break them head-on would be suicide."

Marlene McKinnon leaned forward, tapping a finger against the parchment in front of her. "We also don't know who's inside. We can't risk charging in blind."

Asteria tilted her head, studying the map. She had heard enough.

"Then don't charge in," she said, voice cutting through the noise like a blade.

The room quieted. Eyes turned toward her. Sirius, who had been slouching in his chair, let out a low scoff.

"Oh, please, do enlighten us, White," he drawled. "I'm dying to hear your brilliant alternative."

Asteria ignored him, stepping forward and flicking her wand. The map shifted, the wards illuminating like veins of silver. "Your approach is reckless," she said bluntly. "And you're thinking like Aurors." She glanced at Moody, who grunted but didn't disagree. "Direct confrontation isn't always the answer."

Sirius leaned forward. "And what do you suggest? That we ask them nicely to let us in?"

Asteria smirked. "Close. I suggest we walk in."

Murmurs spread across the table. Lily frowned. "We just said the wards—"

"Are designed to keep intruders out," Asteria interrupted. "But they don't stop someone from being let in."

Sirius huffed. "And who's just letting us in? I don't recall the Death Eaters handing out invitations."

Asteria rolled her eyes. "Are you always this slow, or is it just for me?"

James coughed to hide a laugh, but Sirius shot him a glare.

"We find someone inside the stronghold," Asteria continued, ignoring him. "A weak link—someone easily manipulated. Someone we can use."

"Use how?" Frank Longbottom asked warily.

Asteria tapped her temple. "Legilimency."

Several members tensed. Sirius's expression darkened.

"You want to invade someone's mind?" he said sharply.

Asteria's eyes flicked to him, unwavering. "I want to win."

Sirius clenched his jaw, looking like he wanted to argue, but Dumbledore spoke first.

"It is a risky plan," he admitted. "But not without merit."

"Of course you approve," Sirius muttered. "She's your pet project, isn't she?"

Asteria smirked. "Jealous, Black?"

"Disgusted, actually."

The tension in the room crackled like a storm.

Remus cleared his throat, attempting to steer the conversation back. "So, we need an insider. Do we know of anyone?"

Asteria glanced at Moody, who grunted. "There's a low-level recruit we've been watching," he admitted. "Young. Green. Might be susceptible."

Asteria nodded. "Good. Then we get close, gain access, and once we're inside..." She trailed off, letting them fill in the blanks.

James leaned back, rubbing his chin. "We'd have the advantage. No alarms, no backup arriving before we're ready."

Marlene exhaled. "It's dangerous."

Asteria met her gaze. "So is fighting a war with no strategy."

The room was silent. Then, finally, Dumbledore gave a slow nod.

"We proceed with caution," he said. "Asteria, you'll lead the infiltration. Sirius, you'll go with her."

Asteria and Sirius turned to glare at each other at the exact same time.

"You can't be serious," Sirius protested.

"I'm not babysitting him," Asteria snapped.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "I have the utmost faith in you both."

Asteria groaned. Sirius cursed.

James smirked. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

✧˚ · .

The room had emptied, but the weight of the meeting still lingered in the air. Asteria leaned back in her chair, watching as the other women settled in around the crackling fireplace. It was a stark contrast to the tension from earlier—now, it almost felt normal. Almost.

Marlene stretched out on the sofa, kicking her feet up. "Alright, now that we're done planning how not to die, it's time for something far more important."

Asteria raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"

Dorcas smirked. "Girl talk."

Alice appeared beside them, holding a tray. "And tea."

Asteria wrinkled her nose. "No."

Alice blinked. "No?"

Marlene gasped. "Wait—no to tea?"

Asteria smirked at their horror. "It tastes like flavored water. I do not see the appeal."

Dorcas snorted. "Merlin, I think that's the most controversial thing said in this house all week."

Lily grinned. "Alright, we'll let you off the hook—for now. But tell us, Durmstrang? What was that like?"

Asteria shrugged. "Cold."

Marlene rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, we need details! Hogwarts was wonderful—except for the annual near-death experiences, constant rule-breaking, and the fact that half our professors were either evil or completely incompetent."

Alice sighed. "It was still home, though. The feasts, the towers, the Common Rooms..."

Dorcas grinned. "And, of course, the Quidditch matches. You ever play, Asteria?"

Asteria shook her head. "No. But I was very good at hexing people off their brooms."

Marlene laughed. "Oh, you would've fit in perfectly with Slytherin."

Lily smirked. "Please, she'd have made all of Hogwarts terrified."

Asteria tilted her head, lips curving slightly. "Durmstrang does not encourage softness. It is—demanding."

Dorcas leaned forward. "So what, just endless dueling and looking moody in dark cloaks?"

Asteria hummed. "More or less."

Alice frowned. "Is it true they don't allow Muggle-borns?"

Asteria exhaled slowly. "Yes."

The group fell silent for a moment, exchanging glances.

Lily, ever the diplomat, softened her voice. "Did that ever... bother you?"

Asteria looked at her, expression unreadable. "It is not that simple."

Dorcas nodded. "That's fair."

Marlene, ever eager to shift the mood, smirked. "Alright, confession time—did you ever hex anyone for fun?"

Asteria pretended to think. "Once."

Lily grinned. "Only once?"

Asteria's lips twitched. "That they could prove."

Marlene gasped dramatically. "I knew it! What happened?"

Asteria leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "A boy thought he was better than me. He was wrong."

Dorcas smirked. "Did you at least let him recover?"

Asteria sipped her water. "Eventually."

The room erupted into laughter.

Marlene smirked. "Alright, last important question—what's your best embarrassing Sirius Black story?"

Asteria tilted her head. "You assume I have one."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You two can't even be in the same room without glaring at each other. There must be something."

Asteria let the silence stretch, then finally said, "He once fell into a frozen lake because he was trying to impress someone."

Dorcas snorted. "You're lying."

Asteria smirked. "I am not. We were children. He bragged about being able to run across the ice without it cracking. It cracked."

Alice giggled. "Merlin."

Marlene clutched her stomach. "Please tell me someone saw this."

Asteria nodded. "His mother. She was furious."

Dorcas grinned. "I need to bring this up next time he acts smug."

Marlene wiped a tear from her eye. "Asteria, I take back every bad thing I've said about you. You're brilliant."

Asteria smirked. "I know."