Snake Charmer

Chapter Twenty-Two

A Week Later

Asteria glanced out the window, she smiled faintly at the memory of her and Tom in the courtyard when she had attempted to throw a snowball at him.

"What are you thinking about?" Asteria's head whipped around at the sudden sound of Tom's voice. She frowned and turned her attention back out the window.

"Barty says that you are refusing the food that Bellatrix has brought to you all day." Asteria scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Would you like me to eat the poison? Do you wish for me to die now Tommy?" Tom frowned and stomped over to her, snatching her by the arm so that she is forced to look at him. She glared up at him.

"What are you talking about?!" Asteria sighed and shook off Tom's hand.

"She hates me and quite frankly she has no problem expressing her obsession for you. For her I am in her way." Tom inhaled a deep breath. But Asteria could see the rage behind his mask.

"Bellatrix is no longer allowed around you at all." Asteria rolled her eyes. Her own anger building.

"Why am I here Tom? I'm of no use to you." Tom considered her question.

"Your Father could use you against me. I can't have that. Many of my other enemies could do the same thing." Asteria rolled her eyes.

"Oh please. A silly girl like me. Everyone knows that you don't love me. You never did. You adored the fact that you made me fall in love with you. I'm nothing to you Tom. So, either you kill me or let me go." Asteria crossed her arms and gave Tom a stern look.

He chuckled softly to himself.

"I'm not letting you go and I'm not killing you. Sooner or later little Dove you will come to terms with that." Asteria's jaw set, and she squared her shoulders. She knew that she was about to let her anger get the better of her, but she didn't care in that moment.

"I hate you."

**** **** ****

Dumbledore paced the length of The Gryffindor common room. He hadn't heard a single thing from his daughter in over a week and he knew that her friends were returning today and hoped that they knew something or that she was at least with them.

The noise from the entry way drew his attention and then several sets of eyes were on him in confusion.

"It's Ari, isn't it?" Remus's breathless tone had his friend's heads snapping toward him and then back to Albus. Who let out a clipped sigh.

"And what do you know Mr. Lupin?" Remus sighed heavily and pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Albus. Who unfolded it in a slow manner.

He was almost afraid of what was written on the inside.

Remmi

I'm sorry that I didn't say good-bye. Don't worry about me. I'm safe for now. Tell Dumbledore not to come looking for me because he won't be able to find me.

I don't know if we will meet again. But I am really glad that I met all of you and that we became friends. Thank you for not giving up on me. I will do what I can to make sure that you all are safe and happy.

No matter the cost to myself. Be safe and I left you and upgraded potion that will help control the wolf part of you in your trunk. Tell Lily that I'm sorry.

Love Asteria Dumbledore-Grindelwald.

Dumbledore lifted his gaze to meet Remus's and then glanced between the lot of them. They all seemed worried. Albus inhaled a deep breath and handed the paper back to Remus.

"I suppose that we have a lot to talk about." Remus nodded slowly and forced a smile.