As It Was *Complete*

13. Something Wicked This Way Comes

"Are you excited about a final year at school, Harr-"

"Why do you keep calling me that?" he asked, spinning around once they had stepped outside, dropping her hand and taking a step down to look up at her.

"Calling you what?" Astra asked, confused.

"Harry. You have never called me Harry. Not to my face anyway, so why now? What has happened? Did I upset you or something?" He asked briskly as if trying to get it out before losing confidence.

Astra suddenly felt awful. In truth, she called him Harry because, unbeknownst to him, things had definitely changed between the two of them. He was her actual brother. No more simply saying it or pretending like they used to. He was actually related to her. This would have been good news, but in fact, it was news that she could not share with him.

So she had to think of a lie.

"Is that what has been troubling you? Do you think something is wrong because I used your actual name rather than a simple pet name I gave you back when we first met?" Astra said, laughing and making Harry blush. "I am sorry, Teddy. I did not mean to offend you. It's just that no one ever knows why I call you that, and I hate bringing more attention to you, especially since the war. I am sure you are sick of it."

Harry gave a heavy sigh and sat on the step, pulling her down with him. "Is that all?" He almost laughed. Astra nodded. "Oh, thank heavens. I thought I had done something to piss you off."

"Do you honestly believe if you had pissed me off that I would have been quiet about it?" She smirked and thought she heard a chuckle behind her. She turned, but there seemed to be no one there. "Do you actually believe I would let you away with that?"

"I daresay you wouldn't," he laughed but pulled her into a hug. "But I am so glad. I honestly had no fucking clue what I did wrong so I would have had no clue how to make it right."

Astra laughed. "Well I am glad that you had the balls to ask me rather than fret about it."

"Oh I did fret. I couldn't figure out what I had done and then I panicked that maybe I had hurt your feelings. And I am awful at talking to girls. You know this. You have seen me with Ginny."

Astra pulled back to look at him. "You know I am not Ginny?" She asked. "You know that you do not have to make anything up to me. We have had our fair share of disagreements over the years. We argue but we call a truce so we always remain friends. You can be blunt with me. Tell me anything and I will always be there to listen." She then looked into his eyes. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"

Harry was about to open his mouth when the doors to the Great Hall opened with Remus Lupin and Severus Snape both bursting out.

"Miss McKenna," Snape said coming towards them as both Astra and Harry stood up. "I did wonder what Mr Potter was needing from you that would require you to miss the back to school speech from our new Headmaster."

Harry was about to say something when Astra stepped in. "If you were so concerned about what Harry had to say, then why don't you ask him instead of me? I obviously am not a mind reader and can't predict what he is thinking."

Snape pressed his lips together and Harry tried to hide a smile. "Clever Miss McKenna," he said narrowing his eyes. "Mr Potter, I believe Professor Lupin requires a word with you."

"But -"

"Now!" He barked, making both Harry and Astra jump. Harry walked away with Lupin who gave Astra and apologetic smile. Snape turned to his daughter. "Astra," he started.

"What happened to Miss McKenna?"

He sighed. "I know this is difficult for you. I know that we are asking a lot of you but -"