ASTRIA REGULUS BLACK landed on the damp floor of a dim cavern, her eyes struggling to adjust. She could feel the cold seeping through the fabric of her overdress, stinging her skin. Looking down she saw she had fallen in a small muddy puddle, her light blue dress fading into brown.
"Nice of you to join the party," Lockhart hummed from across the room, readying himself to say something else. However, he wasn't given the chance for Harry and Ron plopped down right next to Astria, shutting the man up. Water splashed up into The Girl Who Lived face, her hair getting wet and curling up at the ends.
Astria nodded a hello to the boys, standing up and walking to a near stone wall, and pulling a torch off it. She grabbed her wand from the side pocket of her overdress and whispered a small Lumos, the magic lighting the thing aflame.
Astria passed the bright orange flame to Harry, "Remember any sign of movement, close your eyes," The brown hair boy informed.
Lockhart and Ron made a sound of understanding, before all three children and the man began walking forward. Harry stayed in front leading the way, Ron close behind him.
Astria watched the murky waters drip from the stone as they went, creatures looming in the shadows. The atmosphere felt stiff and stuffy as if this was the same air from last time the chamber had been opened. Everything felt unpleasant on her skin, the water stale and the air tasting of copper and iron. Astria assumed too many hours in these caves could have many negative effects.
A minute or so later, the soft echo of footsteps became louder, turning into a harsh crunch. Looking down Astria realized they were walking about bones. All around them, as far as she could see, tiny bones scattered, some white, some brown as the water. She watched Ron step onto a rat's skull, a large crack whirling around the cave.
