Black Soul- George Weasley

The One With The Mentor

There was a silence. Harry looked at Astraea who was close to crying, then leaned closer to the door, desperate to hear more.

"Well, Arthur, you must do what you think is right. But you're forgetting Albus Dumbledore. I don't think anything could hurt Harry or Astraea at Hogwarts while Dumbledore's headmaster. I suppose he knows about all this?" 

"Of course he knows. We had to ask him if he minds the Azkaban guards stationing themselves around the entrances to the school grounds. He wasn't happy about it, but he agreed."

"Not happy? Why shouldn't he be happy, if they're there to catch Black?"

"Dumbledore isn't fond of the Azkaban guards," said Mr. Weasley heavily. "Nor am I, if it comes to that . . . but when you're dealing with a wizard like Black, you sometimes have to join forces with those you'd rather avoid."

"If they save them —"

"— then I will never say another word against them," said Mr. Weasley wearily. "It's late, Molly, we'd better go up. . . ."

Astraea looked at Harry and didn't bother reading his mind. She just went upstairs and into her room. Her father has been singing the lullaby, he has been calling her name, he wants to get her... She knew that her father was mad, but that mad man still thought of her. Twelve years, he still called her name in his sleep and sang for her. She had mixed feelings, but part of her, that mad part perhaps, wants her father to find her. She just wants to hug him and here him sing for her again.

Astraea's eyes widened in realization. Dementors. At Hogwarts. All year. Those soul sucking bastards will be haunting her all year. They had no eyes or sense or anything normal. They suck the happiness out of you and if tempted, they suck your whole soul. Great. Good thing she knows the Patronus Charm to cast them away. 

Astraea slept that night muttering the lullaby. The next morning, she woke up, showered, dressed in her robes and pinned her Prefect Badge on her chest. She headed down to breakfast, where Mr. Weasley was reading the front page of the Daily Prophet with a furrowed brow.

"Anything about my father?" Astraea swallowed hard.

"Still in the wind", Mr. Weasley sighed. "Don't be scared dear".

"I'm not", she smiled.

Astraea saw Harry come down and read his mind instantly. He wanted to tell Ron and Hermione about the conversation and speak to Astraea about it. Astraea was in no mood for chitchat.

Chaos erupted in the Leaky Cauldron as they were leaving; everyone too busy heaving all their trunks down the Leaky Cauldron's narrow staircase and piling them up near the door, with Marama, Hedwig and Hermes, Percy's screech owl, perched on top in their cages. Mr. Weasley, who had been outside waiting for the Ministry cars, stuck his head inside. "They're here," he said. "Harry, come on."

Harry rode with Hermione and Ron.

"You too Astraea", he mentioned to her.

"No thanks", she smiled. "I'll ride with my boyfriend"

Mr. Weasley sighed and mentioned to Percy to ride with him. the whole ride George held Astraea's hand sensing something is wrong, but not asking. They reached King's Cross with twenty minutes to spare; the Ministry drivers found them trolleys, unloaded their trunks, touched their hats in salute to Mr. Weasley, and drove away, somehow managing to jump to the head of an unmoving line at the traffic lights.

Mr. Weasley kept close to Harry's elbow all the way into the station while walking behind Astraea who sense him and rolled her eyes. "Right then," he said, glancing around them. "Let's do this in pairs, as there are so many of us. I'll go through first with Harry, Astraea you go with-"

"Hermione", she finished and Mr. Weasley nodded.

Two by two they went in and then it was Astraea's turn. She and Hermione crossed the barrier and Astraea ran to find  compartment to load her trunk. She was about to carry it when someone stopped her.

"Allow me M'lady", George said and Astraea giggled. He loaded his and hers and then they went outside to say goodbye.

Astraea saw her mother talking to Mrs. Weasley.

"Mother", she said.

Aurora hugged Astraea and kissed her cheeks.

"I will be worried sick about you, so do take care of yourself and owl me daily", her mother said.

Mrs. Weasley kissed all her children, then Hermione then Astraea. Percy then said, "Astraea, come on you have duties"

Astraea rolled her eyes but wished everyone goodbye before following Percy. They went to the very first compartment and saw they were the first to arrive. Astraea sat down waiting for instructions from Percy.

"Before everyone arrives", Percy said looking at her. "let me give you a piece of advice. Don't let anything make you believe you don't deserve this. Other than the fact that Dumbeldore and Professor McGonagall chose you, I have never seen someone as bright as you. You beat me in your marks and you are brave, plus you do that while suffering bullying and your father. Don't let them make you believe you are not brilliant".

"Wow Perce", Astraea muttered in shock. "Thank you, that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, let alone you said to me"

"I am just saying the truth", Percy smiled. "Oh and dump my brother he is bad news".

Astraea laughed and Percy smiled. Who knew Percy can joke around? The others soon joined the meeting and Percy explained their duties that starts with escorting first years to their dorms, to the rounds at night, to the rounds at the train, to taking points from those who misbehave, to making sure that everyone follows the rules. To Astraea everything was easy and good, but the following rules part. She can't follow the rules how will she make others follow? 

Finally, they decided Astraea's shift was last, and they went to the compartments. Astraea sat next to George, who laid his head on her shoulder. She told them what happened with Percy making them laugh really hard on how he is being her 'mentor'.

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