Snake Charmer

27

She knew that they would come looking for her. Her friends had the Gryffindor bravery after all. But her? Not so much anymore. The only thing that filled her mind was the thought of vengeance and she knew exactly where she needed to go to get their attention. The slithering worm. 

She glanced around the small study. Who would have thought that Severus Snape would end up being a teacher. He hated the younger students when they had been in school.

"Oh Snivellous!" She called loudly. She knew that he was here. She could sense his magic. Thundering footsteps sounded behind her. A wicked smirk graced her lips as she turned as the door opened and. She tilted her head at him, his eyes widened at the sight of her, and she caught his hand reaching down toward his robe pocket.

"Grab for your wand and you will be dead before you can draw it. You are going to listen and then you are going to deliver a message to your master." She growled. Severus slowly lifted his hands into the air as a show of surrender.

"Asteria there are things that you don't know-" She shot forward, taking his knee out before she wrapped her hand around his throat snarling.

"You. Don't. Get. To. Speak." She spat. Severus saw then that she truly was the heir of Grindelwald. She had the same manic look in her eyes that he had seen in his photos. 

"Say it then." She smirked at him.

"Tell Tom that I'm coming. I'm going to take his death eaters out one at a time. Very slowly. And then I'm coming for him. After all a mere snake is nothing compared to Dragon." She released her hold on his throat as she moved passed him, she stopped at the door, but she didn't turn to look at him again. "You are only alive because Lily believed that there was something redeemable in you. But if you get in my way Severus. I will cut you down."

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 Asteria was true to her word, and she did hunt down the death eaters. No matter how hard the guys tried to talk her out of it. They were still terrified of her when she was angry and there was nothing that was calming her anger. Asteria leaned against the wall furthest away from the kitchen table. She had to wear some of Sirius's clothes from when he went through his "Rocker" phase. But the red leather jacker was growing on her. Her father had sent her money, but she refused to spend it when she found out that Dumbledore had not been protecting Harry the way that he thought that he would.

Infact Tom was able to fully return last year after the Triwizard tournament accident where one of the students had actually died. She stared at the group of Teens that were staring at her curiously. The two tall twins would look at each other and grin, but other than that they were waiting for one of the adults to say something. But the girl with brown curls and brown eyes was looking at her like she was familiar. 

Asteria smirked at her and pushed off the wall.

"What's your name girl?" The girl arched an eyebrow at her and glanced at the red head next to her. 

"Hermione Granger." Her eyes scanned the girl, and she nodded slowly.

"Do you know who I am?" Amusement was evident in her silvery orbs.

"Asteria Grindelwald." Hermione replied confidently. She was impressed. The girl was smarter than she looked.

"It's Dumbledore actually. My father made sure that I didn't have my papa's last name." All of their eyes widened as they realized that her father was gay. She didn't see how that was so surprising. These kids really didn't know anything about her father. A hand came down and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. She lifted her head, and Remus gave her an encouraging smile. Asteria huffed and rolled her eyes before she dropped her arms to her side and offered a smile. 

Remus had encouraged her beforehand to try and be polite to these kids and it was hard for Asteria. She wouldn't have even been friends with Remus and the others if they hadn't pushed themselves on her. 

"She's a bit cranky. But Regulus went to get snacks. So, Ari will be better in no time." Her head snapped toward him as she scowled silently cursing him. 

"Shouldn't you be older than them if you went to school with them?" Remus chuckled to himself and Asteria turned her attention to the red head next to Hermione.

"You must be Ron. James has told me about you. I should look as old as Tom Riddle. But There is an advanced sleeping potion that stops aging. Answer your question carrot top?" She grinned when Ron's face turned as red as his hair. 

"Oh, I like her." One of the twins said and Remus chuckled.

"Yes, well She's off limits to you two. She'd tare your heart out." Asteria laughed and shook her head. "I can't tell you how many times that she outright rejected Sirius." Asteria dropped her head into her hands. That was the last thing that she wanted to be brought up. Her eyes went straight to the doorway as James stepped inside.

"There you are Jamie." James's eyes lit up at the sound of the nickname and he smiled at her.

"I haven't heard that nickname in a very long time. Ari there is someone that I want you to meet." Asteria straightened as a boy stepped in after James. Her gaze met his and her chest tightened.

"You have your mother's eyes."