Astra

V - The Start of Term

THE NEXT DAY, Astra woke up earlier than everyone else, hoping to avoid talking to anyone before classes. She met up with Regulus in the same passageway that she had used the night before and talked about the classes she would be taking. She was able to make it early to all of her classes and did pretty well. 

Transfiguration was by far her favorite, not only because Minnie was teaching her, but because she just found the subject fascinating. She was the first to be able to turn her match completely into a needle, after about 10 tries. Even Hermione Granger wasn't able to complete the full transfiguration, and she looked a bit upset that she wasn't top of the class. 

Charms was pretty easy, though Professor Flitwick gave a nervous chuckle when he got to her name and didn't give her much recognition. She was able to complete the lighting charm, Lumos, at the same time as Hermione, but he didn't seem to notice. Astra wasn't angry at Hermione, though she seemed a bit obnoxious with always answering the question. Astra wasn't like that. She knew the answer, but only answered when called on, not wanting to attract attention to herself.

Professor Binn's class was History of Magic, but Astra was prepared. She finished all of her homework for her other classes during the time period, leaving her afternoon free of work.

Defense Against the Dark Arts was a bit of a joke, but Astra listened to what Regulus had said and kept an eye out for Quirrell. The dead hadn't been around during her classes, but they were looking over anything suspicious in the castle as they told her earlier. Quirrel seemed way too scared to teach DADA, and it was a bit weird that he always wore a turban. The Weasley twins said that it was because he hid garlic in there to fend away the vampires, but that seemed ridiculous.

Professor Snape's class went the worst for the day. Regulus and the others had warned her against it, saying that Snape would most likely be biased to the Slytherins and absolutely hate Harry and her, due to their fathers and James specifically urged her to try and call him 'Snivellus' if she got the chance. However, she didn't expect it to be this bad. When announcing her name, he spat out the name 'Black' as if it was a deadly disease. Once Snape got to Harry's name, he said  "Ah, Yes," he said softly, "Harry Potter. Our new celebrity." Some of the Slytherins sniggered while Snape gave his welcoming speech. Astra didn't pay much attention to it, understanding the basic information about potions and knowing that he would hate her either way.

"Potter!" said Snape suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Hermione's hand was up in the air, but Harry looked like he had no clue. Astra, of course, knew the answer, having memorized the textbooks, but didn't feel the need to raise her hand. She knew that if he was questioning Harry, his least favorite person in the class, she would be next.

"I don't know, sir," said Harry.

Snape's lips curled into a sneer. "Tut, tut. Fame clearly isn't everything." He turned around to face Astra, just as she expected. "Black, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

"It would make a sleeping potion known as the Draught of Living Death."

"Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

"In a goat's stomach."

"What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" Snape seemed to have a need to try and get Astra to get a question wrong.

"They are the same plant, and it also goes by the name of aconite." He looked disappointed and frustrated, but Astra put together the questions. Normally, she would have just let it go, but she did inherit some of her father's confidence and ruthlessness.