interlinked: fred weasley

chapter 1

Messy.
The best and only way to describe Astara Thorn.

As someone shakes her body, Astara bolts up, with a cold sweat, starting to make its way down her forehead. "shhh it's okay, it's just me Tara, it's Ray Ray. It was just a dream Tara, it wasn't real. You're okay, you're safe."

"It was just a dream", Astara whispers, mainly to herself, struggling to catch her breath. She looks up at her younger sister, as Rayla's hands reach up and wipe the few remaining tears away.

"You need to get up before mom and dad come up here, we need to be at the station in an hour. So get up, get ready and make sure you have everything."

"Shouldn't it be me telling you all of that?". Astara's younger sister has always been so mature, especially for her age. Normally Astara is the one who looks after Rayla, but after days like yesterday, Rayla usually takes charge. "Thanks for waking me Ray Ray, i'm up now, so go get ready sweet."

"Yeah okay, just make sure to cover them up, you know what they're like, if you don't." Her words came out as no louder than a whisper, Ray's mind casting back to what happened the last time.

Astara already knew what she was talking about, just by the look on her face. She hated the fact that she couldn't protect her sister the way she needed too. She did everything she could to save her but sometimes it just wasn't enough. "Come on Ray Ray, you're starting your 4th year today! Think about all the good things that's going to happen this year. We'll be back where we belong. Our real home." Astara already knew what she had to do. She needed to distract her sister from the thoughts that came barrelling through the walls they have to put up. The walls they use to protect themselves. "Is Jasper up yet? We both know how long it takes for him to do his hair." Astara was thankful the joke about their older brother made Rayla laugh. Rayla laughing and smiling always helps Astara think everything will be okay.

"Yeah he is, i woke him up first. Always have to be one step ahead. I still don't understand why he takes so long, it's not like he's got anyone to impress. He can't even get a girl to look at him!" Astara tried to cover her laugh, as Rayla laughed loudly at her own joke.

Rayla leaves her sister's room, so they can both get ready, leaving Astara with her own thoughts. She knew that as soon as they all got to Hogwarts, they'd all be okay. Being surrounded by magic and being around all of their friends. It would help them, more than anyone would ever care to know.

They all make their way downstairs after getting ready and Astara doing a checklist, with both of her siblings making sure they'll have everything they'll need. Breakfast is already on their plates, their father sitting at the head of the table, with the cold expression that never seems to leave his face, as he reads the daily profit. Without saying a word, they all sit down, looking blankly at their breakfast, their appetite quickly deteriorating, after seeing their father sitting their, and their mother nowhere in sight. A cold shiver runs down Astara's spine as her father starts to speak, without moving his eyes from the paper. "You better have everything you need. We'll be leaving in 10, so eat quickly. We don't want your breakfast going cold."

They all quickly pick up their cutlery and eat as quickly as they could, still being polite, not wanting to get a punishment for being rude. Once breakfast is over, the three Thorn siblings get their trunks and packs everything into the car, once again, making sure they have everything they need. As soon as everything's packed away in the car, they all get in and the cold shiver quickly returns as their mother gets into the passenger seat of the car. Throughout the whole car journey, none of the three siblings dared to say a word, unless they're spoken too. After a long and uncomfortable car journey, they arrive at platform 9 3/4, being thankful nothing was said about the day before.

The three siblings take their luggage from the car and turn to look at their parents, dreading what they might say. Coldness. That's all she sees. No love, no comfort, no care. Just pure coldness. "You best hope for your own sakes, we don't get any letters saying you're in any type of trouble and if i do, there will be hell to pay when you get back." The threatening words coming from their mother's mouth, already making them terrified about going back to the place they have to call home and they haven't even left yet.

The goodbyes were quick and unemotional, as usual. Astara let's out a breath she didn't know she was holding, as she watches her parents car drives off. Her parents never went through the enchanted wall. None of them knew why. It's not like they're muggles. Both pure blood, from the purest blood families out there. They didn't mind the fact that their parents never went through the barriers, they were overjoyed to say the least. They could finally be at home. Their real home. They can finally live in peace, even if it was for a short while.