"I write her a letter
just a few short lines,
and suffer death
a thousand times."
Asteria O'Connor, sole heir of a prestigious wizarding family,
has other plans when the self-proclaimed Marauders decide to
torment her and her housemates.
It's abo...
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aster
The familiar feeling of apparition never gets any easier. The pressure from all sides, loss of breath, darkness and tightness of space still makes me want to throw up every time.
My father has only ever accompanied me to platform nine and three quarters once, for my first year at Hogwarts. Even then, it was only to whisper in my ear all of the things that would happen if I didn't get into Slytherin. Now I usually travel with Reggie, who's parents don't see him off either.
I let go of Kreacher's grip so that I can place my hands on my knees and take slow deep breaths in order to prevent myself from vomiting. I glance to my left to see Regulus' amused expression. He's always recovered quickly from the sensation. I give him a look that says 'do you want me to throw up on your shoes' and stick out my tongue at him once I regain my composure.
I turn towards the house elf. "Thank you Kreacher."
"Anytime Miss O'Connor," he replies in his gravelly voice. "Always a pleasure to serve."
I give a soft smile as Reg says thanks to him as well. At the cracking sound of Kreacher disapparating, Reggie links his arm in mine. We walk out of the empty alleyway and cross the street into King's Cross Station. We share an excited glance before running through the magical brick wall together. No matter how many times I do that, it's always as thrilling as the first.
I smile widely at the hustle and bustle of people in front of us; weeping mothers and fathers holding onto their children as if they'll never see them again, frantic first years trying to get on the train before all the compartments are filled and friends rejoicing after being apart for a whole Summer.
Reg drags me by the arm which snaps me out of my trance.
"Come on," he encourages. "We have to go find Sev. He's probably already in a compartment."
"But I'm tired," I whine playfully.
He turns to look at me with raised brows. "Then maybe you should have gotten to sleep earlier last night like I suggested."
I jut out my lower lip, feigning hurt. "Hey, it's not my fault that I'm so talented at making shadow puppets," I say with a baby voice.
"Yeah well, you kept me up half the night as well so we're in the same boat. Come on now."
He begins to drag me along again and I laugh loudly as we bash into practically everyone close to us. Even though he's a talented Seeker, Reg has never had the best coordination on foot. Luckily, I got Kreacher to shrink my luggage down to pocket-sized before we left. With a large hard trunk in my hand, I could be giving a couple first years concussions with the speed we're travelling at. I've already sent the family owl, Wool, ahead of us, so that I don't have to carry her. Reg stops suddenly just as we get to one of the steam engine's doors, causing me to crash into his back.
