One morning, while she was sat at the Gryffindor table with Harry and Ron, Ron received a copy of the Daily Prophet. Harry began reading aloud an article about a Gringotts vault being broken into. With a frown upon his face Harry revealed to As and Ron that he and Hagrid had visited that same vault, 713, on the same day this occurred.
Not very curious, she sat down between Fred and Lee,
"We've got our flying lesson today avec le Slytherins." As informed them.
"Did you randomly speak French there?" Lee inquired but was interrupted by the twins.
"You're a natural. I've never seen someone so comfortable in the air. It's such a shame you'll have to wait for second year to play for the team; you could give the older years a run for their money. I've honestly never seen a better chaser," The twins told her.
"Thanks you guys are amazing Quidditch players too. Your unbeatable and I've heard your commentaries, Lee are unmatchable. Oh, and yes I spoke a whole two French words impressive, huh?" As replied and they all snickered.
Buzzing, with excitement, As found her cousin and they went outside and stood beside two brooms while they both knew neither of them needed the lesson.
After a long conversation, they were joined by their classmates and Madam Hooch. Many teachers still hadn't gotten used to seeing a Gryffindor and Slytherin get along (not since Lily and Severus which didn't last) let alone be so close. The cousins both had a lack of family they could be themselves around and found comfort in each other and wouldn't let anyone change that.
Typically of him, Neville had managed to fall off a broom while they weren't even meant to be in the air. After that experience, As didn't think Neville should fly. Ever. Again.
As, rolled her eyes at Draco provoked Harry and then again as Harry got himself caught. Class was practically dismissed, (though some students were too wimpy to leave and stayed there uncertainly, waiting for a figure of authority to appear and herd them in the right direction) so As hugged her cousin, said goodbye and headed to the kitchens.
Upon returning to the common room she found an astounded Harry and Ron and learned that Harry had been recruited by McGonagall for the house team as seeker. She congratulated him and went over to Lee and the twins as Harry left to be taught Quidditch by Oliver Wood the team captain.
Dramatically she collapsed in Lee's lap, who, by now was used to her antics and his reaction was to wind an arm round her stomach to pull her further back into him. Snuggling into him and closing her eyes she fell into a light sleep.
Time passed and As had not awoken, the three gathered around her decided Lee would carry her upstairs and tuck her in. Usually if a boy attempted to go up the stairs to the girls' dorm, the stairs would automatically transfigure into a slide, preventing him access. However, stairs stayed stairs while Lee carried his friend protectively in his muscular arms. When he got to her bed, he tucked her in and smiled fondly before rejoining the twins.
In the morning, a groggy As woke up and rubbed her eyes. She got herself ready and was met in the common room by Harry and Ron. There, they told her of the previous nights adventures with Hermione and the three-headed dog on the third floor in the forbidden corridor.
After that conversation, the boys went off to the great hall while she waited for the twins and Lee.
"Sleep well, As?" asked the twins mockingly.
"Yeah. Thanks, Lee." She said ignoring the gibe.
The four made their way down the kitchens instead of eating with everyone else in the great hall. It was great for several reasons, not many people knew how to get to the kitchens, the house elves were amazing, and it was useful for privacy and avoiding others.
Officially ready for the day after a hearty breakfast, As and the other three split up. As headed for double charms while the others Defence against the Dark Arts (which apparently was only joke when being taught by Professor Quirrel).
Arriving earlier than the majority of the other students in her class, she chose a seat near to the front. She was joined a short while later by her cousin and their friends (from Slytherin). There were four rows in this oddly arranged classroom. Two rows on each side of the room and all of the rows faced the middle. At the front was Professor Flitwick's desk and his teetering pile of books which he used to stand on and increase his height (temporarily of course).
Today, As and Draco were seated in the front row on the left side of the classroom, opposite Hermione and Ron who had been paired up to many of the others amusement.
Professor was teaching the class the levitation spell, Wingardium Leviosa. First he went through the pronunciation of the spell, then the wand movement before checking they all had their feathers to practise the spell on and letting them begin.
As and Draco were by now aware of one another's strengths and weaknesses and worked as an organised and efficient team. The same could not be said for Hermione and Ron. While Draco and As had almost perfected the spell, Hermione had ridiculed Ron and proceeded to show off by performing the spell first try.
Grumbling to Harry, Seamus and Dean was Ron as he almost yelled across the courtyard after class had finished, insulting Hermione. Hermione ran past, clearly having heard the insults carelessly tossed about in front of her without regard to her feelings.
Seeing the other witch in tears made As roll her eyes but she tailed her as she ran to the girls' toilets. On the way there she suddenly changed course thinking maybe she'd want to be left alone. 'If she doesn't show up in a little while, then I'll go and find her."
As beamed upon entering the great hall, she loved Halloween, even though she knew what terrible event was associated with it. Decorations adorned the walls and tables.
Comfortably seated, As began chatting with her friends. Halfway through the feast she remembered Hermione. Peering round the table, confirmed that she wasn't joining the celebrations. Holding back a sound of frustration, As dismissed herself and slipped unnoticed out of the hall and walked to the girls' toilets where she had seen the other witch disappear.
Muffled cries came from the second cubicle on the right. The green paint that had been slapped onto the cubicles many years ago was chippd and the sinks were grimy with dirt but As found the place mildly interesting and catalogued this in her memory.
"Hermione. You're missing a wonderful feast; you should never let anyone ruin Halloween for you, especially not Ron he's jealous and he'll get over it- I've known him for years. I brought you a souvenir though. Oh and please don't waste any more of my time denying you're here- I'll kick this pathetic excuse for a door down if you do." As was trying to be comforting but she really didn't have the time or patience for Hermione; and she really wanted to be in the hall with her friends celebrating.
Sniffling, a red-eyed Hermione came out of the stall and looked at As.
"You don't seem to like me, and if I'm such a waste of time why are you here?" Cautiously she accepted the proffered orange iced cake in the other girl's hand and awaited a reply.
Hoisting herself up to sit on the sinks As answered, "To be honest I don't really think we'll ever get along very well- personality clash- but no one else is here and I have feelings too. I know what it's like to be an outcast," she paused seeming pained "So here I am."
"Thank you." Hermione said softly.
The girls' moment ended when the door slammed into the wall and a roar sounded. From what As could gather in that short moment, the boys- Harry and Ron- had come on a heroic rescue mission to save Hermione from a troll.
As helped the others dispatch the troll and then rested against the cracked porcelain only just clinging to the wall.
McGonagall held a hand to her chest when she walked into the room as if she had narrowly avoided heart failure.
"Ohh... E-explain yourselves immediately." Snape looked accusingly at Harry and Ron blaming them for putting one of his prized students in harms way (Ascella).
Hermione made a speech about how it was her fault and how Harry and Ron were brave, but innocent. Then all heads swivelled to Ascella. She would have snickered at the sight but would have suffered a miserable lecture so she restrained herself.
"Oh, me Professors? I just came to use the toilet."
