Astra

XXXI - The Divination Class

IF SEEING HERMIONE, LUNA, AND ASTRA together before was a surprise, the students at Hogwarts were dumbfounded when seeing the three girls along with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. They spent hours in the library, pouring over hippogriff cases and newspapers, Luna writing to her father, hoping to find something in previous Quibbler articles.

The safety measures imposed on the students since Sirius's second break-in made it impossible for Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Astra to go and visit Hagrid in the evenings. Their only chance of talking to him was during Care of Magical Creatures lessons.

He seemed numb with shock at the verdict.

"It's all my fault. I got all tongue-tied. They were all sitting there in black robes and I kept dropping my notes and forgetting all of those dates you looked up for me. And then Lucius Malfoy stood up and said his bit, and the Committee just did exactly what he told them..."

"There's still the appeal!" said Ron fiercely. "Don't give up yet, we're working on it!"

They were walking back up to the castle with the rest of the class. Ahead they could see Malfoy, who was walking with Crabbe and Goyle, and kept looking back, laughing derisively.

"It's no good, Ron," said Hagrid sadly as they reached the castle steps. "That committee's in Lucius Malfoy's pocket. I'm just going to make sure the rest of Beaky's time is the happiest he's ever had. I owe him that..."

Hagrid turned around and hurried back toward his cabin, his face buried in his handkerchief.

"Look at him blubber!"

Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had been standing just inside the castle doors, listening.

"Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?" said Malfoy. "And he's supposed to be our teacher!"

Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, while Astra watched in the back, amused. She seemed to know what was going to happen as Hermione got there first -- SMACK!

She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again and Astra started laughing.

"Don't you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul -- you evil --"

"Hermione!" said Ron weakly, and he tried to grab her hand as she swung it back.

"Get off, Ron!" yelled both Hermione and Astra

Hermione pulled out her wand. Malfoy stepped backward. Crabbe and Goyle looked at him for instructions, thoroughly bewildered.

"C'mon." Malfoy muttered, and in a moment, all three of them tried to get away, not noticing the red and gold hair that they now wore, along with some outstanding makeup.

"You know, I think I might take a career in fashion design. Red and Gold just look so hideous on him - it's perfect."

"Hermione! Astra!" Ron said again, sounding both stunned and impressed.

"Harry, you'd better beat him in the Quidditch final!" Hermione said shrilly. "You just better had, because I can't stand it if Slytherin wins!"

Astra felt the need to point out that not all Slytherins were bad, but decided not to in the heat of the moment.

"We're due in Charms," said Ron, still goggling at Hermione. "We'd better go."

They boys hurried up the marble staircase toward Professor Flitwick's classroom, but Astra noticed Hermione disappear. Most likely because of the time turner. She moved on, making it just in time by using a quick passage.