astronomy • marlene mckinnon

thirty five

Astraea Black did not understand the point of a Halloween celebration, and she did convey her feelings regarding the matter through the entire journey from the great hall to the potions classroom, annoying Isabella Fawley so much that the brunette couldn't wait to get away.

"Well the professors are saying it's to distract the students from what's going on," Isabella said for what felt like the millionth time.

"What's going on is a war," The raven-haired girl shook her head, "And people are dying. And we're having a Halloween celebration, which means we're having a celebration for a festival that honours the dead, so technically we're honouring everyone who's dead but since the first and second years would probably go to sleep by ten, and then the third and fourth by twelve maybe, the rest of the celebration would turn into a typical year-of-the-end party for the fifth, sixth, and seventh years with everyone spiking the drinks, smoking and being very very drunk. That is not honouring the dead."

"So do you want to go or not?" The brunette raised an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling with amusement and slight boredom as the two reached the gates to the classroom.

"I'll show up at eleven maybe," Astraea shrugged as the two entered.

"At the time when everyone starts to get drunk?" Isabella smirked, "Wonderful way to honour the dead."

Astraea made a face at her and she took her seat, "I'm honouring the dead by forgetting about- Sirius what the fuck is wrong with you?"

"What did I do?" Sirius grinned at her as he took a seat right in front of her and Remus Lupin shook his head with a slight smile as he slid into the seat beside the raven-haired Gryffindor.

The Slytherin scowled and threw the same paper scrunched up in a ball that had hit her head a few seconds ago at her twin brother's head.

"There's something written on it," Sirius shook his head, looking at her with feigned disappointment as he threw it back. "You have to read it."

Astraea glared at him as the ball hit her forehead, "I don't want to read it."

"Then I'll be very sad."

"I don't give a fuck."

"Read it."

"No."

"Yes."

"Absolutely not."

"Why not?"

Astraea opened her mouth but before she could say anything, Isabella had spoken up, "For Merin's sake, just read it and put us out of our misery."

Remus nodded in agreement, "Please."

"There's always something stupid written on this kind of shit," Astraea shook her head, but still, she flattened the piece of paper and read what was written on it nevertheless.

She looked up and frowned at Sirius who was grinning widely and she shook her head, her eyes sparkling with slight amusement, "You are not the better twin."

"That's a lie," Sirius pointed at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Explain how."

"Well, I have better hair."

Astraea gasped, "No, you do not. And anyway, I'm better looking."

"No, you are not."

"Yes I am, you don't know anything."

"'That is not true," Sirius crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes.

"That is in fact, very true. You," The raven-haired girl pointed at him, "Are just too dumb to see that."