The Raven's Call

Sparks

Cedric and I have been getting closer recently, he's asked me to help him figure out the tasks for him. "Because you're smart!" He says. So, of course, I say yes.

Friday, November 18th, 1994

After a rather chilly morning spent reading by the fire, I decide to head down to the great hall for lunch. As I reach the doors, I see Asteria standing in the doorway, staring into space. She was miles away, she didn't even notice me there for a good 30 seconds. "Astra, you okay?" I ask, a hint of concern in my voice.. "Yeah, sorry, just in deep thought." She responds, looking down at the floor. "I know it's a full moon tonight. Do you want some company." I whisper in her ear. "You sure?" She mutters. "Of course, I assume you have been taking your potions for the week. I'll be fine and dandy." I say, rather excitedly. "I have, and thanks, that would be great." She responds, us both smiling at each other. "Shall we sit with the twins?" I ask, gesturing towards the Weasley twins, who were beckoning us over from the Gryffindor table. "We shall." She grins.

As we take our seats opposite the twins, an owl swoops down and drops a letter in front of the four of us. It was addressed to the both of them, they look at one another, concern on their faces. Fred tears open the letter and I watch as both of their eyes scan through the contents. "Yes! Yeah!" They cheer after finishing the letter. "Charlie's coming!" They exclaim, jumping up and down in excitement, causing Asteria to jolt at the sudden outburst. "Who's Charlie?" I ask, raising a brow. "Oh, he's our older brother." They respond in unison. Once composing themselves, they explain what their mother had written in the letter. "Charlie works in Romania, looking after dragons there." Fred explains, keeping his voice low so only the four of us can hear. "So, does that mean the first task has something to do with Dragons, then?" Asteria asks with curiosity. "Must be." Fred theorises. "Mum said we had to keep it a secret from Harry.. But, I guess since we told you two.. um.." He mumbles, losing his train of thought. "Do you want to come with us tonight to meet Charlie and see the Dragons?" George asks, interrupting Fred's thoughts. "Hey, that's what I was gonna say!" Fred retorts to his brother, pouting ever so lightly. "Well, I said it first!" George argues, causing Fred to let out an aggravated growl while rolling his eyes. "Calm down, children." I speak with sass, having my arms crossed. "We'd love to." I smile to them. "Wicked." They respond together. "Meet us around 9pm outside Hagrid's Hut." Fred barks to us, a large smirk on his face. "How do you know Hagrid won't be there to catch us?" I ask, raising my eyebrow at the teen. "Well, my smart, strapping friend." Fred sings, gesturing toward me. My cheeks grow pink at his sudden praise. "We overheard Hagrid singing earlier in his hut, something about taking Madame Maxine on a date tonight." He continued, his eyes meeting mine from across the table. "Yeah, so, we meet there and sneak into the forest to see Charlie." George announces as Fred and I maintain the eye contact. "Sounds fun, see you then." Asteria responds, quickly standing to her feet, dragging me with her as she leads me out of the Great Hall, finally severing mine and Fred's eye contact.

 
What was that..? That eye contact.. those sparks..? My cheeks flush red again as I think about it.

"Where are we going, Astra..?" I mumble as she continues to drag me up the staircase, my thoughts quickly dissipating. "Dumbledore's office, of course." She responds. "To ask him if you can accompany me tonight." She continues. My wrist hurts, she has a tight grip. We reach the Griffin statue that guarded the way to the office, her tight grip seeming to get stronger by the minute. "Sherbet Lemon." Asteria announces. The statue began to spin, revealing a spiral staircase as she finally releases her grip on my arm. Maybe the werewolf strength comes earlier than the rest. I look down at my wrist as I nurse it in my other hand, following her up the staircase.

The grand doors to Dumbledore's office opens before we even get a chance to knock. "Good evening, Miss Malfoy, Mister Gau-Grey." He greets us from his desk, slipping up in my last name. He was about to say Gaunt. Of course. "Good evening, Professor Dumbledore." Asteria greets him with a smile as we meet him on the opposite side of his desk. "Is it okay if Atticus accompanies me tonight at the Shrieking Shack?" She asks, in her most polite voice. "Why, I don't see why not. He's a smart lad, after all." He praises, what's with all the compliments today? "I'm glad you have some responsible friends." He continues, looking down his crescent moon spectacles at us. "Um.. about that.." Asteria hums, looking rather awkward, now. "Ah, I see now." Dumbledore thinks out loud, stroking his long white beard for a moment. "You would like the Weasley twins to accompany you too." He states, practically reading her mind. With him being experienced in Legilimency, that was probably the case. "Be careful tonight." Dumbledore heeds. "There's a few new creatures residing in the Forbidden Forest these next few weeks." He says, almost ominously. "Now, off you go, remember, don't be seen. Good night." He waves us off, dismissing us. "But it's still-" I begin to say, but I just can't be bothered. "Never mind." I shake my head, following Asteria back out of the office, the large doors closing behind us. "I don't get it." She speaks up as we make our way back down the stairs. "How does Dumbledore know everything?" She asks, scratching her head. "He was probably reading your mind." I say, nonchalantly. "What??" She asks, eyes wide. "He knows Legilimency, he's the one who taught me." I tell her, shrugging a little. "Oh." She responds, thinking for a moment. "Can you teach me?"

"No."