This morning was Potions class—there was no escaping it.
Audrey reluctantly got out of bed and headed to the Great Hall.
Ah, days without ghosts haunting you—those were the good days!
"Morning, Audrey!"
"Morning!"
No sooner had she sat down than she overheard the Slytherins across from her talking about Quidditch.
"Did you hear? Gryffindor is looking for a new Seeker!"
"I know. Apparently, their Seeker got badly injured in the last match and is too scared to play again."
"Hahaha, Gryffindor, huh? What happened to their courage?"
"Don't mock them. Our Terrence isn't much better. He's submitted a withdrawal request to Flint too!"
"Ah? Why?"
"His mother won't let him play anymore. He's the only child, and the family can't risk it."
"So our team has no Seeker now? The substitute, Avery, is only a third-year. He's nowhere near as good as me! Ugh, we'll definitely lose to Ravenclaw after Christmas break."
"I'm sure Professor Snape will hold a selection. There's always a way."
Audrey listened to the Slytherins chatter about Quidditch, unbothered, taking a big bite of a juicy meat bun. The juices spurted into the air, but her eyes narrowed and the meat juices obediently flew back into her mouth.
Quidditch? What did it matter to her? She had more important things to do—like eating her buns.
"Audrey!" Ethellyn came over. "Why are you up so early? When I went to your room, you were already gone!"
Audrey shook her head. She couldn't very well say that her right eyelid had been twitching uncontrollably, keeping her awake, so she'd decided to get up for breakfast.
"Am I really known in your mind as that lazy?"
Ethellyn tilted her head. Isn't she?
"Ethellyn Windsor! I am hardworking! Otherwise, where do you think my singing skills came from?"
Ethellyn hesitated. Well, Audrey's singing was incredible—she must have practiced diligently!
"Ethellyn," Audrey said softly, "have you ever seen Hogwarts at four in the morning?"
Ethellyn's eyes widened. Ah, so that explained it! Audrey had been waking up early to practice singing. Seeing her laze in bed was just her catching a second wind after training!
"Audrey!" Ethellyn's eyes sparkled. "Next time you practice early, you have to take me with you!"
Audrey: …
Oh no, she'd gone too far!
Audrey laughed awkwardly. "We'll see… maybe next time."
Fortunately, a flock of owls flying in saved her from further embarrassment, delivering letters and packages directly into students' hands.
Draco Malfoy opened a package from home with delight. Inside were all his favorite sweets.
"Malfoy," Audrey's sharp eyes spotted her favorite, "all those lemon liquorice candies are mine!"
Draco felt no shame as a "Mudblood" would; he picked up the box and ran over to Audrey.
"Here! I had my mum get them specially!" he whispered, "My father remembered these are your favorite!"
Audrey froze. "You told your father about me?"
"Don't worry, cousin," Draco's voice dropped lower, making sure only she could hear, "my father won't say anything to anyone else."
Audrey frowned, not because of Lucius, but because she sensed an aggressive gaze.
It came from Pansy Parkinson.
Hmph, little yellow-haired brat. What business is it of yours if I'm talking with my cousin?
"Cousin, Dad helped restore your reputation too!" Draco's words brought Audrey back, just as Ethellyn, eyes wide, exclaimed, "Audrey, look at today's Daily Prophet!"
She handed Audrey the paper.
The front page read: "Hydrus Lestrange, wanted for five years, was falsely accused!"
"Another miscarriage of justice by the Ministry!"
"After Bode Gray's capture, he confessed that the Lestrange girl was framed to seize her family's property! There is strong reason to suspect truth serum was used during interrogation!"
"Barty Crouch, former Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Department and now Head of International Magical Cooperation, also provided evidence from that time."
"Hydrus Lestrange's killing of Norsen and Daniel Gray was in self-defense."
Ethellyn clicked her tongue. "The Gray family is finally done for this time."
Draco added, "My father has already taken over all Lestrange assets. Once Miss Lestrange returns, everything will be returned to her!"
Audrey glanced at Professor Quirrell in the staff area. Hah, if it weren't for her father's influence, Lucius wouldn't be so invested.
Ethellyn asked, surprised, "Why is Lestrange's property being managed by your family?"
Draco tilted his head proudly. "Because Hydrus is my cousin!"
Finally, he said it! He didn't explicitly say "Audrey is my cousin," but does it matter?
One day, everyone would know: the greatest singer, Audrey Astley, was Draco Malfoy's cousin!
Audrey facepalmed. Foolish cousin!
Pansy Parkinson slammed her desk, scaring Daphne beside her. She stood, pale-faced, and stormed off! All because of that girl! She would face two months of detention—damn it!
Ethellyn suddenly remembered something. "By the way, do you remember Alan Ashe?" She looked at Audrey. "The sixth-year whose mother is from the Gray family?"
Audrey nodded. "Of course I remember."
"That group that attacked you that night—they were brought in through a secret passage by Alan Ashe!"
"Oh, how do you know?"
Ethellyn sighed. "You're always hiding in your room. You wouldn't know. He was expelled and left Hogwarts yesterday."
Audrey began to feel disdain for Snape.
He was full of suspicion and hostility toward her, yet delighted in giving Slytherin points because of her!
During one class, he gave Slytherin twenty points just because of her.
Man, have some backbone!
"Astley, stay behind."
Ethellyn gestured "I'll wait for you outside" and left the Potions classroom. Audrey walked to Snape.
"What is it, Professor?"
Snape's face was unreadable, making Audrey suspect he'd used a brain-sealing spell.
Is it necessary to be so cautious? I'm not Legilimency-grade.
"I want you to be our Seeker for the House Quidditch team."
Audrey: …
Audrey: ???
Audrey: EXCUSE ME???
Σ(ﾟдﾟlll)
She was shocked enough to produce the first emoticon of this book.
"I refuse, Professor. I don't think I'm suited for Quid…"
"Exemption. I can process your exemption request."
Audrey: …
You can't have both?
She hesitated. Exemption was tempting, but she truly didn't want to play Quidditch.
"Professor, why do you want me on the team?"
"I saw you flying last time."
"Professor, I don't even have a broom!"
"Though I doubt that you can't afford one," Snape said, looking at this peculiar little witch bedding with Galleons, expressionless, "I can provide one for you."
"Professor, I've thought it over. I'm probably still not suited to join the team…"
"Five hundred Galleons, plus an extra five hundred," Snape sighed, a little reluctant. "If you still refuse, then leave!"
"Agreed, agreed!"
Audrey quickly accepted. A free broom, a reward, and exemption!
She really didn't like Quidditch, but Snape offered too much to refuse.
Whose Galleons fall from the sky? Certainly not hers… except these.