Lifeline

16. A Family Matter

Third Person POV

Astra stared for a moment, but forced out a reply of 'I'm fine', not wanting to be suspicious. Normally, Astra would have cursed herself for stuttering like she had when she spoke, but she was so overwhelmed she could barely think. First she had been stabbed, then forced to choose between going to the worst place she could imagine and death, then she had woken up confused and unsure. As if that wasn't enough! Now, she met someone named 'Malfoy'?

Now Astra saw it, though. She could see the resemblance between this person and the people who had thrown her away. This guy had the same hair as they had, the same eyes and chin as he had. Now Astra realised he was around eighteen. Now it clicked. So very completely, everything came together. Those people, those horrible vile people, they had gotten another child. This was their new heir, he had taken her place as the heir because she had not been good enough for them. She was born without magic, but since this guy was here in Hogwarts, apparently he had fit the bill. She saw his lips moving, and realised he was asking why she was here. When she said nothing, he somehow thought this meant to ask something else.

"What's your name?"

"Astra." The response was automatic, and when his face changed, she cursed herself internally. She was a Shadowhunter! Usually, she was a pro at keeping her emotions in check. Often, Astra was great at lying on the fly, because that was what she had been trained to do. But she was unable do that now, because she was overwhelmed, because she couldn't think.

Then Astra noticed a flash of blue from the corner of her eye, and turned to see a girl with clockwork tattoos. Before the guy could respond, or before he had even noticed the girl, the world was pulled out from under her, and she was falling. Down, down, down... down a rabbit hole...

***

Drip... drip... drip...

Astra opened her eyes, and had to close them because a raindrop fell into one. She was laying down on pavement, on her back on the ground. She turned her head to the side and opened her eyes again. After a second, she realised where she was. She should have been shocked, but everything was still happening so fast, and she felt like her brain had short circuited. She took a deep breath, stood up, and went inside the institute, everything so heavy on her mind and heart. Mechanically, Astra went through the halls to her room, changing into black sweatpants and a baggy grey t-shirt. Looking around her room, she knew Amelia wasn't here. She went to her aunt's room. Aunt Katy was fast asleep in her room, and Amelia was in her crib, fussy in her sleep.

Amelia was only just starting to speak properly, and only knew a few real sentences. Often, she would just say key words, and whoever she was talking to had to work the rest out. She was a warlock, so her skin was light purple, with designs etched into it that she was born with. Her hair, still short with her age, was bright blonde, and her eyes were blue, bright like the sky. Astra reached into the crib and took her daughter into her arms. Amelia stirred slightly.

"Mama?" She cooed groggily.

"Shh... shh... shh... It's ok sweetie," Astra soothed, whispering so she didn't wake up Amelia more, and so that she didn't alarm Aunt Katy. Amelia yawned, letting out a content noise as she nestled into her mothers chest, and fell back into a deep sleep. Astra went back to her room, and settled into her bed, then fell asleep, comforted by knowing her child was safe in her arms...

***

Jay's full name was Jeremy Bloodwick. He was 5'8, he had dirty blonde hair, warm grey eyes, and when he wasn't on mission, he wore black t-shirts and dark jeans. And right now, he was scared.

Jane Doe had no idea what her real name was. After she was attacked by a werewolf, she woke up with no memory, three bleeding gashes on her neck, and blood matted into her long brown hair. Astra and Jay had found her, bleeding and about to shift for the first time, and they had taken her somewhere safe, and taken care of her. She had soft brown eyes that turned green when she was angry or upset, or about to shift. She was 5'6, and often wore white t-shirts with black zip-up sweaters and tan leggings. She had slightly enhanced strength because she was a werewolf, and she looked pretty, but she didn't put a lot of effort into staying fit. And right now, she was freaked.

This morning, she and Jay had gotten a call from his Aunt Katy, who said Amelia was gone, that she hadn't been in her crib this morning. Aunt Katy, or Katherine Hollow, was 5'7, with blue eyes and dirty blonde hair like Jay's. Like Jay and Astra, she was very fit and exercised regularly, as all shadowhunters did, because they had to for their occupation. When Jay's mother had moved here to live with her husband, Aunt Katy had come with her. Now that Jay and Astra's parents had been transferred to Idris, Aunt Katy was looking after them. Aunt Katy had been so kind to Jane, and she was always there when Jane needed her. She also looked after Amelia whenever Astra, Jay, and Jane were all hanging out together outside of the institute (usually with Ricardo, depending on their relationship status at that time).

Right now, the three of them were in the institute, searching hard for Amelia. Jay was on the floor with his face pressed against the carpet looking under the couch. Suddenly, Jay jumped up, eyes wide. Jane and Katy looked at him.

"What?" Jane asked him, hopeful that he had figured something out.

"Astra's room! We need to check Astra's room, she might have went looking for her mom!" Before he had even finished, all three of them were up and charging down the hall, racing to find out if Amelia was there. Once they arrived outside the door to Astra's room, they came to a screeching halt. They took a moment, looking at each other. Cautiously, Jay opened the door... they all looked in, and were shocked at what they saw. Yes, Amelia was in there, but so was Astra! Astra was there, on her bed, like she had never been gone. Amelia was sleeping in her arms, like she always did. They all stared.

"...Astra?"

Told you I would update this chapter early! Sorry the last one took me so long :(

Unfortunately though, the next one probably won't come for a little over a week or two... I'm on spring break, so I'm gonna take a bit of time. Sorry guys :/

Love you all, and I'll see you soon! <3

-Kaylee