We Will Shine {Book 6 in the Star of Gryffindor Series}

Chapter 41 - A Boggart

~Wren~

I found out about Astra's latest episode the next morning, which was also when Albus and James did. I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help feeling a little satisfaction in that. At least I wasn't the only one out of the loop on something.

"Ciara thinks it's the Imperius Curse," Astra said, shrugging. "Maybe Nico's found a way to cast it from wherever he is."

"Is that possible?" James asked.

"I mean, probably," Colette said, shrugging. "Research on the Unforgivable Curses is forbidden and illegal, and certainly wouldn't end up in the school library anyway. There aren't any historical accounts of this, though, as far as I can remember."

"But that doesn't make sense," I said, frowning. Astra gave me a weird look, and I quickly amended, "Not the spell stuff, I mean. Just that Nico and I were reporting last night. He was with me. He didn't seem like he was casting a spell."

"Maybe he made you forget it?" Colette suggested. "Ciara thinks he's good at obliviating people."

"I... I don't think he'd do that," I said, frowning. "I think I'd notice the hole in my memories, too."

Astra sighed, rolling her eyes. "Whatever, Wren. We're just trying to figure out what's going on. This is more of a lead than we've had in ages."

"I know that," I said, feeling like I needed to defend myself. Astra wasn't trying to attack me, I was sure. "I just—"

"Stop it!" Astra shook her head. "Merlin, Wren. Can you ever just not ruin something?"

I stiffened. Her words sank into my stomach like weights. I wasn't trying to ruin anything. Really... I was going to cry, or snap at her, and I knew neither of those would be helpful. I took a breath, doing my best to act unaffected.

We had grown uncomfortably quiet. Albus, Colette, and James were glancing back and forth between Astra and I, none quite sure what to do. I wasn't sure, either. I didn't want to say something and get yelled at, which seemed like the most likely scenario.

Astra was staring at the table, blinking quickly. I couldn't tell what was going through her head, whether she was getting more angry, or regretting saying that, or simply focused on something else. There was at least a dawning realization that she'd said that, it looked like. After a moment, she looked up at me. "I... Sorry, I don't—"

I shook my head quickly. "It's fine."

"No, I—"

"Astra, it's fine." My tone was more urgent than I meant it to be. I blinked, and looked down quickly. I didn't need to start crying. I'd pushed her to that, hadn't I? No need to make her feel bad.

There were a few more seconds of uncomfortable silence, then Albus chuckled nervously. "Uh, well, what's the news looking like today, Colette?"

Colette took a second to answer. "Oh, um, not much. I guess the Prophet found out Faith Lindsey's writing for the Quibbler. They're completely slamming her today."

"Oh, that's rough," James said. "What're they saying?"

"I think—"

Astra stood up abruptly, and we all glanced at her. Her cheeks flushed a little. "I... uh... I need some air." She turned and hurried off.

We watched her until she was out of earshot, then Colette turned back around to frown at me. "Don't be so dismissive next time, Wren. Do you know how rough the past few days have been for her?"

I wasn't sure I did know; there was more than what she'd told me, it seemed like, and no one else had bothered. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice smaller than I would've liked.