Secrets and Lies

Another Day

It had been a week since the eight teenagers had been told they were sharing a "flat" instead of having individual dorms. Things seemed to be working out perfectly for everyone except Aster and Draco. They constantly bickered until wands were involved and then others had to break up the arguments. Most nights she either slept on one of the sofas or in a different room.

"We've got duty tonight," Ron reminded the brunette girl as the two walked to class. "Oh, yeah," she muttered. "Are you alright? You seem like your sick," Ron worried. "I'm fine, just haven't been getting very good sleep," Aster shrugged. "If you need we can arrange someone else to bunk with Malfoy," Ron offered. "That's very sweet, but I don't think anyone's going to be up for that idea," Aster said. "Let's just go to Transfiguration," Ron gave the girl a sympathetic smile. She returned the gesture with a smaller smile.

The two walked into the classroom and took their seats behind Justin and Arvid, but in front of Draco and Theodore Nott. "Look what the cat dragged in," Draco muttered. Aster calmly set her books down on her desk. "Oi! Medlar," Theodore called for the girl. Aster turned around and faced him. "You know, it would do you good to do us all a favour and get out of here, Mudblood," Theodore laughed. Draco didn't seem to find it funny.

"Nott, I suggest if you want anyone to have a good impression of you who are you might want to stop calling one of my best friends's a mudblood," Daphne said, handing Arvid his tie, which he had left in his room. "Sorry for making you grab it," Arvid smiled. "Oh! Justin," Aster tapped his shoulder. "Yeah, Tee?" Justin turned around. Aster rummaged through her bag to grab something. She pulled out a wand and handed it to the boy in front of her. "You left your wand on the table," She smiled. "Thanks, I panicked when I got here," Justin admitted. "Greengrass, you're sleeping with Mack? And Medlar's sleeping with Fletchley?" Theodore gasped.

"Nott, don't be daft. None of them is sleeping together," said Draco dryly. "And how do you know that?" Theodore asked, seeming suspicious of his friend. "Fletchley's got a girlfriend, and if they were sleeping together it wouldn't be in their dorms," Draco explained. "How come?" The sandy-blonde boy asked. "Let's just say it would be awkward... for everyone," Draco said, resting his head in his hands.

Right before class started, Ardella and Celina entered the class and took their seats right in front of Justin and Arvid.

Transfiguration seemed to blow-by. The class was nearly over and everyone was packing up. "Miss Medlar, may you stay after so I can talk to you?" Minerva said, standing beside Aster's desk. "Of course, Headmistress," Aster nodded. "Ms Aves, Ms Ravens, Ms Greengrass, Mr Malfoy, Mr Weasley, Mr Fletchley, and Mr Mack," she caught the attention of Ardella, Celina, Daphne, Draco, Ron, Justin, and Arvid. "After lunch, the rest of the day is yours," Minerva told the seven teens.

They all (minus Draco) muttered a string of 'thank yous' and 'yes, Headmistress'. Once class ended and everyone had left, Aster walked up to Minvera's desk where the Headmistress sat. "You asked for me?" said Aster as she caught the attention of the older Scottish woman. "Yes, there's some unfortunate news for you," Minerva said, folding her hands on her desk. "What do you mean... unfortunate?" Aster asked, clutching onto her bag. Minerva let out a deep sigh before continuing. "There was a letter from St. Mungos, addressed to you," Minerva handed the girl the letter. "They've told us what's it's about, but I think it better if you read it on your own," Minerva stood up from her desk.

"You may feel free to have the rest of the day off, as well as duty tonight," Minerva told the girl. Aster wasn't paying much attention. She was too focused on the letter sitting in her hand, her name written across the top left-hand corner. "We'll send someone in as your replacement,"

Minerva placed a hand on Aster's shoulder, which caused the girl to flinch. Minerva took her hand away and gave the girl a sympathetic look. "You may go,"