The Raven's Call

I'm Back

The first memory is fuzzy, though I see a small Alex puppy getting pet by first year Asteria and I, Alex happily wagging his fluffy tail as the two of us let out giggles. Then it fades into the next memory, showing Alex and I whimpering over Asteria's lifeless body, the light leaving her eyes. I really didn't want to relive that. The memory fades once more as the next one comes to light. It's Alex's bedroom, I remember from our first day at Hogsmeade, but there's something I hadn't seen before. Alex and Eleanor.. OH MERLIN GET ME OUT-

***

"My eyes..! MY EYES!"
I exclaim.

"What?? What happened?!"
Ron asks, jumping out of his seat.

"ALEX AND ELEANOR! ALEX AND ELEANOR!"
I squeal, rubbing my eyes.

Alex waves his hands.
"Well, I got you out of my head, didn't I?"

I blink, looking at him.
"Who knows, maybe that won't work on those death eaters, they might be pervs."

"Ah, yeah. You're probably right."
Alex mumbles, rubbing his chin.

"Alright."
I say, another sigh escaping my lips.
"Who next?"
I ask, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Uh, me, I guess."
Ron spoke up awkwardly, raising his hand a bit.

"Yeah? You ready then?"
I ask, readying my wand. 

"Uh, yeah, I think so.."
Ron nods.

"Remember, it's all about willpower."
"Legilimens!"

***

The first memory I see is of Ron, Harry and Hermione in our first year, playing a life-size version of Wizards Chess.
"Not me, not Hermione, you!"
Ron says, before he sacrifices himself to win the game. The next memory fades in as Ron and Harry are screaming their heads off, driving away from a hoard of giant spiders, then another memory comes to light as Ron lays in his bed, looking back at Harry with a sour look.
"Piss off.."
He mumbles, before throwing the blanket over himself. Then Hermione's voice comes through.
"Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon."
She says before she, Ron and Hermione giggle amongst themselves.

***

I pull myself from Ron's memories, rubbing my temples.
"Alright.. take a break, we'll try again tomorrow."
I then turn to George.
"You think you got what it takes?"

George nods, smiling proudly.
"I got this."

I nod.
"Legilimens!"

***

Firstly I see Fred and George sneaking into Filch's office, stealing the marauders map with big grins on their faces, before I see them in the snow, throwing snowballs at the back of Professor Quirrel's turban and laughing, then George grows older, smiling and laughing as he dances with Asteria at the Yule ball. And lastly, I see George, Fred and Asteria hiding behind a wall, watching as Filch digs into some heart shaped chocolates, which caused massive puss-filled boils to pop up all over his face. Gross.

***

I pull myself from the memories once more.
"You do not, in fact, 'got this', George."
I say, using my fingers as quotation marks.

"Hey, I tried."
George said with a laugh.

I chuckle back with a small smile.
"All right, we'll try again tomorrow."
I say, dismissing the three boys.

***

We train everyday, for a week and a half until it was time to go back to school. 

Wednesday, January 10th 1996 

School returned as normal, though the ministry announced that one Bellatrix Lestrange had escaped from Azkaban, having had help from her cousin, and Azkaban escapee Sirius Black. Lies. Sirius was at Grimmauld Place with us. I overhear Asteria and Draco talking over at their breakfast table, after having read that article.

"Hey, look, Astra!"
Draco exclaims.
"Aunt Bella's finally out of Azkaban. You think she'll bring us gifts?"

"When do you think she's had the time to get us gifts, Draco. Honestly."
Asteria responds, rolling her eyes.

"Speaking of gifts.."
I say with a grin, walking up to the Malfoy twins with my hands behind my back.
"I got something for you, Draco."

"If it's another apple, I swear."
Draco mumbles with a frown.

"It's an apple."
I say, handing it to him, my smile growing.

He looks at the apple, then back at me.
"Good to have you back, Grey."
He says before taking a bite.

"Why are you talking to him?"
I hear Pansy ask.

"Shut it, pug face."
Draco and Asteria yell in unison.

I grin and walk back to my table, taking a seat beside Luna. 

"Hello, Atticus."
Luna greets me with a smile.
"Did you hear Hagrid's home?"
She asks as she piles her plate full of pudding.

I'm about to answer before a ruckus back at the Slytherin table catches my attention.
"Listen here, PugFace. I've had enough of you. I thought we were friends, but obviously not. I'll fucking curse you if you talk shit about any of my friends again!"
Asteria shrieks before storming out of the Great Hall. 

Pansy really pissed her off this time.

"Atticus, I think your Ferret wants you."
Luna speaks again before stuffing her face.

I look down at Stella, who's been tugging at my cloak.
"Huh- Sorry."
I say, picking her up and putting her in my hair.
"I'll see you later Luna." 
I say, somewhat distracted as I exit the hall, heading for the Undercroft.

***

"What's up?"
I ask as Stella transforms back into her usual self.

"I want to be in Dumbledore's Army. I want to fight. If there's conflict I can't do much as a ferret. I wanna do this."
She tells me, she'd obviously thought this over a lot.

"Well if you're sure."
I say with a shrug.
"I won't stop you. I'm okay now, I don't need you as my emotional support animal. I'd much rather have you be my sister, anyway."
I smile.

She grins and hugs me.
"So what's first, I can't wait to actually attend classes now!"

"Gods, you sound like me in first year."
I say through a small chuckle.

***