Snake Charmer

23

Asteria inhaled a shaky breath as she made her way down the empty hallway. The hair on the back of her neck was standing up and there was an eery feeling around her. She knew what she was doing was completely stupid and probably only going to get her caught. But She couldn't stay here.

Asteria made it to a side door of the manor and stepped out into the frigid night air. She hissed as the wind burned her bare skin. It hadn't completely failed her as to why they hadn't given her anything warmer than a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. Asteria inhaled deeply and took off toward the tree line. All she had to do was get inside the tree line and call for Fawn.

Come on Fawn, Dumbledore in need here! She whistled as loudly. She huffed a breath as she picked up her pace. Then something hit her from the side knocking her to the ground, making her head bounce off the cold earth.

She winced and groaned at the same time. She rolled on to her side as laughter filled the air. She pryed her eyes open and pulled herself up on her elbows and she glared directly at Lucius Malfoy. Of course it was this fool. Asteria moved to get up until Lucius delivered a swift kick to her gut.

The air was forced out of Asteria's lungs and black dots danced a crossed her vision as her head made contact with the ground again. She clutched her stomach and rolled away quickly when Lucius tried to do it again.

"What the hell Malfoy!" Asteria's head shot back at the sound of Barty's voice and the thundering footsteps that came toward her. Asteria whimpered as Barty lifted her into his arms as he stared daggers at Lucius.

"The Dark Lord will not be happy about you hurting her." Asteria blinked against the darkness that was trying to overtake her as Barty started back the way that she had ran from.

"And you! I am doing this because Regulus asked me to look after you. But you have to remain in your room if you don't want someone to hurt you." He hissed in her ear. Asteria smirked.

"Do you suppose that he would cry if I died? Or is his heart as black as he says?" Barty's eyebrows shot up as he looked down at the girl in his arms. What the hell had Regulus gotten me into?

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

Remus snatched Sirius by the collar as he lunged at Bellatrix again. But Bellatrix just chuckled.

"I already told you; I have no idea where your friend is." Sirius snarled and struggled in Remus's hold. Lily shoved James backwards away from Severus.

"We know that you took her! Where is she?!" James shouted as he tried to move Lily aside, but Lily just wrapped her arms around James tightly holding him in place. She shot Remus a concerned look. Severus chuckled.

"Bella we are late for potions." Remus let go of Sirius once they were out of sight.

"That is not how we figure out where Ari is. Fighting isn't going to help." Remus scolded. James scoffed and glanced the way that Severus and Bellatrix had gone.

The hard look in Sirius's eyes worried Remus. Because he knew how Sirius could get.

"There is someone else that I can talk to. But I have to do it on my own." Remus shook his head.

"Not happening, If you cant take me or James then you are at least taking Lily with you." Lily frowned but nodded. She knew that Professor Dumbledore was already out looking for her. But she also knew that the boys weren't going to just sit on their hands and hope for the best.

"Come on Lils." Lily swatted at Sirius when he reached for her, making James chuckle lightly.

Sirius had found Narcissa alone in the greenhouse. Narcissa glanced between Lily and Sirius as they sat down across from her.

"What can I do for you cousin?" Her voice was soft, and she glanced back down at her papers.

"I need your help." Narcissa arched an eyebrow and lifted her eyes toward him.

"Help with what?" Lily glanced at Sirius. She didn't think that this was a good idea.

"Our Friend Asteria was taken by Bella and Barty. I don't know what they are into. But I'm assuming that Lucius is in on it too." Narcissa didn't look like she believed a word that Sirius had said. Lily inhaled a deep breath and leaned forward.

"She's Dumbledore's daughter and Tom Riddle wanted her." Sirius's eyes widened and he turned to Lily. Narcissa's face paled as raised her wand and flicked it casting a silencing charm.

"I know who she is. I saw photos of her, from the restricted section. If Bella took her to Tom, there's no way that I'll be able to get it out of her....but there may be another way to find her."