The Return

Chapter 2

September 1st had arrived, the day Astrella, Astrea, and Lucius would board the Hogwarts Express. The past 38 days had been a complete wreck for Astrella. She was constantly walking on eggshells, trying her best to maintain her composure and avoid any punishments. It wasn't an easy task, as her family members seemed to take pleasure in punishing her for the slightest mistake.

In fact, during the last week of July, Astrella was locked inside her room for six days straight as punishment for something she didn't even remember doing. The only thing she received during that time was a single meal per day, leaving her feeling weak and hungry. However, Astrella refused to give up hope, and spent the time plotting a plan to escape her current situation.

The entire month of August was a nightmare for Astrella. Her family members continued to use the cruciatus curse on her, even for the most minor of errors. However, to her surprise, she found that she was somehow able to withstand the torture, perhaps due to her aunt's tolerance for the curse. Still, the pain was excruciating, and it left Astrella with scars that would never fade.

During this time, Astrella also learned that her mother, her aunt's sister, was not the person she had always thought she was. It turned out that she was a multifaceted individual, and that there were aspects of her personality that she had kept hidden from Astrella all these years. This revelation left Astrella feeling confused and unsure of who she could trust.

Despite all of this, Astrella was determined to make the most of her time at Hogwarts. She couldn't wait to be surrounded by new people and to learn magic in a safe and nurturing environment. She packed her bags with care, double-checking to make sure she had everything she needed, and she couldn't wait to leave the oppressive atmosphere of her family home behind.

Astrella was feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as she prepared for her mission at Hogwarts. She knew that any mistake could have serious consequences, but she was determined to succeed. To ensure that she had everything in order, she meticulously planned out every detail and recorded it in a journal she found.

The journal was similar to the one her mother had gifted her, and Astrella wondered if it belonged to her aunt. It was old and worn, with pages that were yellowed and slightly frayed at the edges. Despite its age, it was still functional and Astrella was grateful to have found it.

For her outfit, Astrella chose a lovely brownish-beige colored dress that had a classic and timeless design. It was modest, with a moderate length that went down to her knees, and featured a deep V-neckline with short sleeves. The dress had a fitted silhouette that hugged her curves, giving her a flattering and polished look. It was made from a soft and smooth fabric with a slight sheen, which made it comfortable to wear even for extended periods. The dress that Astrella wore for the occasion was not only lovely, but also impeccably paired with a stunning pair of maroon-colored heeled boots. The boots were made of high-quality leather, which shone under the bright light of the room. The heels were not too high, but just high enough to make her look taller and more confident. The boots also had a beautiful, intricate design that added a touch of elegance and sophistication to her overall appearance.

Astrella styled her hair in a half-up style, with the top half of her hair pulled back and secured with a hair tie, while the rest of her hair cascaded down in loose curls. She applied a light makeup look, with subtle eye makeup and a natural-looking lipstick. Overall, she looked poised and confident, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Astella, come on! We're going to be late!" Astrea shouted impatiently from the bottom of the stairs. Astrella's heart raced as she quickly grabbed her brown trunk, which proudly displayed the Hogwarts logo on its front, and scooped up her beloved cat, Fleta, with her free hand. She sprinted out of her bedroom and down the stairs, her nerves on edge.