Snake Charmer

25

Narcissa made her way through the manor. She shivered at the draft that ran up her legs. She knew that was she was doing was extremely reckless and would probably get her a beating from her father if he were to ever find out. But Sirius had asked for her help and he hadn't done that since he had left home to live with James Potter. And Narcissa missed her cousin more than anything.

Not to mention what she had to do to get the information from Lucius. But it was worth it. Narcissa quietly climbed the stairs and made her way toward the third door. Where Lucius had said that they were holding Asteria. Narcissa inhaled a steady breath and slowly opened the door.

Her heart broke when she saw Asteria on the floor. The girl was pale and the dark circles under her eyes made it obvious that she hadn't been sleeping. But there was something else. She looked weak. Narcissa rushed forward kneeling down in front of Asteria.

"Asteria? We have to go can you walk?" Asteria lifted her eyes to look at Narcissa. She could see the confusion in Asteria's eyes as she looked at her.

"Narcissa? What are you doing here." Narcissa smiled proudly and gave a small shrug.

"I got the information out of Lucius. But we don't have a lot of time and we need to go before your friends start to worry that I didn't find you." Asteria nodded as Narcissa draped her arm around her shoulders and helped her to stand. Asteria smiled softly and realized something important. Narcissa Black was nothing like her family either.

Once they were outside of the manor Narcissa Apperated them. Asteria gagged as her feet hit solid ground. Another pair of steady hands grabbed Asteria and her head shot up but she instantly relaxed as Regulus smiled down at her. Asteria forced herself to smile.

"I need you to take me to my father. Narcissa you need to come to." Narcissa nodded quietly and followed behind them as Regulus helped her to her Father's chambers. The light knock on the door made Asteria wince. Her head had been killing her since Tom had healed her.

Albus opened the door and his eyes widened in shock as he took in his daughter. She stumbled forward into his arms and sighed at the familiar warmth of her father. Albus ushered them on inside. Asteria settled into a chair as Albus made her a warm cup of tea. His eyes kept wandering over to Narcissa and Regulus.

"Dad. I need you to tell everyone that I am dead." Regulus's eyes widened and Narcissa let out a small gasp. But Albus frowned as he handed her a tea cup.

"And why in Godric's name would I do that?"Asteria chuckled softly and shrugged.

"Because I have to go back to sleep. Things have already been set into motion and I can not change them. But I can end them." Albus's frown deepened as he looked at Regulus. But he was just as lost as Albus was.

"What do you mean by that?" Asteria blinked and just looked at her father.

"I cant tell you.But you have to trust me. I finally understand what papa meant." Albus let out a clipped sigh. He did not like the sound of that.

"What about your friends?" Asteria inhaled a shaky breath and turned toward Narcissa. With a trembling lip she tried to smile at her.

"I need you to tell Siri that I was dead wh-when you found me." Narcissa glanced over at Regulus. The hurt in his eyes let her know that Asteria was going to do something that they really didn't like. Asteria blew out a small breath.

"It's your job to tell Tom that I drowned myself." Regulus's eyes widened as he looked at him in shock. Asteria stood and wrapped her arms around her father burying her face in his chest. Albus held on to her tightly and glanced between the other.

"I don't have to put you back to sleep again. We can send you somewhere safe." Asteria shook her head and pulled back smiling, silent tears streamed down her face.

"Harry will need me." Albus's eyebrows drew together as he stared at her.

"Harry..whose Harry?" Asteria giggled.

"Harry Potter of course."