Asteria's burning eyes begged her for sleep, but she told them she didn't need it.. not until she had found a solution.

"How did they even do it? How did they find out when stuff was going to happen?" She had asked Sinistra.

The woman had just shrugged helplessly. "I don't have an answer to that.. But I do remember meeting Madam Lagarde once, and she said that her visions showed her the right answer to everything."

"Then why don't my visions do that instead of leaving me utterly terrified and confused?"

"She also told me that Seers just know."

"Well, not me. That's for sure."

Last night had gone by at the Astronomy Tower as she had asked Professor Sinistra to lend her different versions of star charts to study; not just any star charts, but the ones who the Seers in the school used to map and study.. and they included Calchas, Cassandra Trelawney, Katherine Lagarde and many other renowned personalities.

She didn't know where she was going with this, but something told her to trust the process.

It hadn't been easy, of course. All of them had different styles, different annotations and interpretations. All those differences made her think if she should just throw all the charts away and make her own version of them. But that would take way too much time..

She stretched her arms, craning her neck to relieve some tension before hunching over the charts on her desk again. 

Saturday mornings were supposed to be relaxing.

Opposite to her tired and restless stance, the boy in front of her seemed very lively and patient, watching the girl intently. There was a Potions' essay in his hands when he had told Ria that he wanted to study with her, but it was long forgotten now.

His eyes hid well behind his round-rimmed glasses, carefully skimming over every feature of hers.. blue eyes furrowed over the charts.. hand resting softly over her cheek while a finger twirled a lock of her dark brown hair.. lips slightly puckered out in annoyance. He stared at them for a while longer.

Though they quickly curled up in a smile, and her eyes met his green ones. "If I remember correctly, Prongslet, you came here to study.. not to admire the view." She taunted.

He couldn't help but smile at this. His heart was shying away, but he maintained a confident stance. "Can't help it, Sunshine. You're too distracting."

She raised an eyebrow. "Am I?" She asked. "What about me?"

He really shouldn't do this. "The way you're causing a little earthquake with your leg.."

Ria was suddenly very aware of her shaking leg. She launched a quill towards him, making him laugh. "You know I can't help it!" She said, face slightly red with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, love! I was joking!" said Harry. "Of course, you're distracting. Look at you! You're prettier than the stars in a night sky."

Ria tried to hide her smile. When she failed, she just looked back down at the star charts instead. "Shut up and study, Potter."

Harry grinned, looking back at his not-so-interesting homework. "Aye, aye, captain."

Now, she was the one distracted from her work. Her mind was going back again and again to the words he had said, and her heart thumped at a quicker pace.

Stop beating so fast, stupid organ.

"That's it?" A sudden voice made them jump in their places. "I thought you were gonna kiss.."

"Jeez! Amelia!" said Ria, ignoring her comment. "When did you get in here?"

She shrugged, walking in and sitting right beside her. "Just a minute ago. Not my fault Cassandra's portrait opens up that quietly. Kind of creepy.. and not safe, if you ask me." She whispered.

"Anyway.." Harry cleared his throat. "What are you doing here? I thought you were with Fred, George and Lee.. testing some stuff."

"Well.. McGonagall caught us." She answered with a sigh. "And then told me to fetch you for your classes with her."

Ria's eyes widened and she collected the star charts in a hurry. "Oh, crap, I'm so late!" She glanced at her wristwatch. How had she not realised?

"Don't worry." said Harry. "I'll keep it all away properly."

Ria sighed in relief. She walked to his side, cupped his face and briefly kissed his cheek. "You're a life saver, Harry! Thanks!" She bellowed as she hurriedly left her dorm.

And it was enough to leave Harry in a blushing mess.

He wordlessly began gathering the star charts, putting his everything into avoiding the Slytherin Prefect's sly gaze.

"So.. prettier than the stars in a night sky, huh?" She wiggled her eyebrows at him. And when he tripped into the desk, she couldn't help but laugh.

"Minnie Minnie Minnie Minnie Minnie MINNIE!" The chants echoed through Minerva's office as the young Edwards dashed into the room, almost banging into the door in the process. McGonagall fought the small, fond smile that dared to grow on her face.

The girl huffed, keeping one hand on the doorway to steady herself, "Minnie." She said firmly, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to be late."

"Come in, Miss Edwards."

"Please, don't stop my lessons. I'll be on time, I promise—"

"Asteria.." The old Professor sighed, making her stop and tuck her lower lip out as an attempt to please her. "You don't need to do that. I'm not stopping your lessons. Come in and take a seat."

Ria nodded with a small sigh of relief. She closed the door behind her and took a seat in front of the Professor's table.

Minerva opened the little jar on her table and slid it in front of her. "Biscuits?" She asked.

It was a daily routine by now. Ria would come for her extra lesson, take two biscuits and then proceed with the learning.

"So.. are we doing the usual?" She asked, making the Professor nod. As usual, Minerva placed a stack of books on the small table that was at the corner of her office.

Ria nodded, turning her chair to face the stack. She leaned forward, staring hard at them, trying to focus her magic towards them.

Just a little nudge would be enough to give her a bit of confidence.. but they wouldn't budge.

Her hand reached out, as if it tried to direct the magic in her body to the right direction. But soon she groaned in frustration.

"Can't I just knock them all off?" She asked. "Why do I have to make only one fall?"

"So you can be precise." Minerva answered in a monotone. "Knocking them all off would be too easy."

"Alright.."

Seconds turned into minutes.. and Ria didn't even realise when time had slipped away through her fingers like fine sand. "Let us stop here, and then continue for the next session. What do you say?"

"What?" The young girl said, utterly confused and slightly angry. Her arm had been throbbing at how hard she was clenching her muscles for the past hour, reaching for the magic to push it out, but it had done nothing. "No— No! Wait, let me try for some more time, please—"

"It's okay, dear." Minerva assured her.

"It's not! I— I couldn't even move it one bit! It's been like this for two months!" Minerva could clearly hear the disappointment in her voice. "I'm.. I'm really trying.. I swear."

"I know.. I know." The Professor said quickly, squeezing her shoulder with her hand. "But you have to have some patience, dear."

Unfortunately, that's the one thing I lack. She thought with huff. Patience.

Minerva's hand was still on her shoulder, and Ria looked up in confusion. The woman's eyes widened now that she had had a proper look of her face. "Merlin.. did you have any ounce of sleep last night?" She asked, and Ria looked away sheepishly.

"Of.. Of course.."

She glared at her. "Don't lie to me. Your eyes give you away. What were you doing?"

"Um.. studying star charts?" She replied. "But— But for good measure! I need to find a way to deal with my visions anyway!"

McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "Well, there are better methods. You chose star charts because..?"

"A Seer should take a path that makes the solution easy to find. Focus on your strengths rather than what you may find more effective." Asteria recited. "'Conquering the Future' by Katherine Lagarde."

"I get visions.. almost like dreams. Astronomy is the one subject related to prediction which is my strength. So.. I went for it?"

McGonagall was staring at her, speechless. "You've been reading books by Lagarde?" She asked, making her nod. "Why?"

Ria was slightly taken aback by her question. "Wasn't she given the title of the greatest Seer of the century?" She questioned. "Why wouldn't I go for her?"

"You do realise she was You-Know-Who's partner in the senseless War he had initiated, don't you?" She snapped, and Ria felt the weird urge to defend her.

"Yes. But wasn't that after the Ministry and the Muggles failed to believe her?" She asked. "I know she did bad things. But she was tormented first, and the side she took in the War was the consequence of it."

Minerva breathed out. "True." She said calmly. "And she was a Seer, yes, but she was also an inventor. An inventor of things that almost seemed barbaric."

"Bright as she was, she had her fair share in the practice of Dark Arts." said Minerva. "All I ask is to not peek into and experiment with her knowledge as if it's a mere child's play. You can never know what it holds at first glance, and you can never imagine the consequences."

Yes, she could. One of them had been that she was stuck in the future with no way out until Minerva McGonagall had come to the rescue. After all, that time-turner her mother experimented with was made by Lagarde.

Ria sighed, looking down at her hands. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

The Professor just gave her a quick nod. "Have you been able to stop the rumbling?"

"The rumbling that happens when I'm too upset or angry? No." She quickly answered. "I can't hold on. I— I try to pull my magic back to me but it just keeps slipping.. as if it's going to escape— or worse.. explode out of me."

Minerva's eyebrows knotted. It shouldn't be that complicated. "Asteria, dear, you need to calm your mind.." she advised. "And working overtime, worrying about your visions and sacrificing your sleep and health is not going to help."

"What else am I supposed to do, then?" She knew Minnie was trying to help but it was hard not to snap. "I have these special abilities, two, for some reason, and I don't have even one under control."

Ria had mentioned that to her before. She hated not being in control of things that concerned her.

"All I am asking.. is to approach both of these patiently. Let's deal with them, one by one."

"It'll be too late." She answered, her voice desperate. And in the back of her mind, the words echoed again.

Knowing everything. Doing nothing.

"I don't want to be too late." She quickly added.

"Asteria, you're being too stubborn." She warned her. "I'm sure you don't want me to stop your lessons—"

"No!" She was quick to answer. "No, Minnie, please.. Just— Just let me do what I'm doing.." she pleaded. "I'll manage both.. please.. I can do it, I promise."

Those words from her were like a blow to McGonagall's memories.

"Are you sure, Isabella? You are only seventeen! You don't have to listen to him. It's not your responsibility."

"I know it's not, but he's right. I'm the only one who can do this. It's the safest option; for me and for everyone else.."

"But—"

"I can do it, I promise."

That was where it had begun.. Isabella had told her; that had been the beginning of her cursed life.

Minerva shook the bad thoughts out of her head even though she knew they'd never leave. "Fine." Her voice was small, but enough for Ria to catch.

She smiled. "Thanks."

"Alastor Moody.." the man swayed ever so slightly in his place, looking around the class. "Ex-Auror, Ministry malcontent and your new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher."

Theodore scribbled on a piece of parchment and slid it to Ria. 'New DADA professor.. Suspicious or not, Miss Seer?' Ria rolled her eyes playfully.

"I'm here because Dumbledore asked me. End of story. Goodbye. The end. And put that note away, Miss. Edwards." Ria froze in her position, looking at the man who had his back turned at her. She quietly put her quill down.

"Any questions?" asked Moody. The class provided him a silent response. "When it comes to the Dark Arts, I believe in a practical approach." He added, as the students listened to him carefully; half interested, half creeped out.

"But first, which one of you can tell me how many unforgivable curses there are?" Professor Moody asked, turning towards the board.

"Three, sir." Hermione answered, her voice quivering slightly.

"And they are so named?" He inquired, aggressively writing the word 'UNFORGIVABLE' across the board.

"Because they are unforgivable," added Hermione, "The use of any one of them will—"

"Will earn you a one-way ticket to Azkaban, correct!" He growled, interrupting her and spinning around to face the students. "But the Ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do. I say different!" He banged his hand on the front table, making many flinch. "You need to know what you're up against! CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" The man roared, making some students flinch again.

He looked around the class, "You need to be prepared." He turned towards the board again, "And you need to follow the given instructions, Miss Edwards. When I say 'no', you do not pull that note out again!"

Ria looked at him with wide eyes. "The geezer saw that?" Theo whispered.

Moody spun around, "And I heard that too!" he shouted, launching his chalk towards them that they easily dodged. Ria scrunched her nose in disgust. He was creepy.

He took a step forward. "So, which shall we see first? Weasley!" He yelled again, making Ron jump slightly. He looked at him.

"Yes?" He squeaked.

"Stand." Ron stood up slowly at the Professor's command, looking nervously at him. "Give us a curse." He instructed.

Ron hesitated before answering, "Well— Well, my Dad did tell me about one." This took Moody's attention. "The Imperius Curse."

"Oh, yeah, your father would know all about that. Gave the Ministry quite a bit of grief a few years ago." He muttered, "Perhaps this will show you why.."

"Is this even legal?" Ria whispered to Theo. He gulped nervously, shrugging his shoulders.

Mad-eye opened his little glass jar which contained a spider, and Ron let out a fearful squeak. "Hello, lovely little beauty." Moody cooed, taking it into his hand.

He pointed his wand at it. "Engorgio." He muttered, making the spider grow in size. Ron sat down, his eyes strained onto the bug in the Professor's hand.

"Imperio!" The spider jumped in front of Dean Thomas, who leaned back quickly. Some students chuckled. Then it jumped across the row, right on Crabbe's face and crawled up his head. The mere thought of that bug crawling across her skin made shivers go down Ria's spine.

"Don't worry, she's completely harmless." Moody then moved it on Asteria's hand, making her curse under her breath. He waved his wand towards Ron, making the spider sit on his forehead. A loud laugh came off the desk behind Ria's, where Draco and Blaise sat.

The spider then jumped right on Malfoy's nose, getting the loudest laugh of all. Harry and Ron were literally clapping in joy, while Malfoy pleaded with Blaise to take it off his face.

"Talented, isn't she?" Moody laughed. "What should I have her do next? Jump out of the window?" He asked, pinning the spider to the window glass. The laughter in the class died down. His amused expressions faded away too.

He let her slide over a bucket of water, "Drown herself?" He asked, while the spider wiggled its limbs desperately. The whole class watched in horror.

He moved her back to his hand again, finally taking off the curse. He looked around the class in all seriousness. "Scores of witches and wizards have claimed that they only did You-Know-Who's bidding under the influence of the Imperius Curse!" He explained. "But here's the rub: How do we sort out the liars?" Behind Ria, Draco cast his gaze down.

A small silence followed, and then he spoke out again, "Another, another." Several hands were raised into the air, among which, surprisingly, was Neville's. His hand was halfway through when Moody commanded him to stand.

He stood up slowly and nervously. "Professor Sprout tells me you have an aptitude for Herbology." Neville nodded.

"There's the—" He hesitated, before looking up firmly and continued, "The Cruciatus Curse."

"Correct! Correct." The Professor beamed and placed the spider in front of him. "The torture curse." He muttered. He raised his wand and growled at the creature.

"Crucio!"

The word caused a sea of emotions to flow through Asteria, though she didn't know why. The way the spider squirmed under the curse, making loud squeaks of pain, it reminded Ria of the effect the Dementors had on her. Her vision had suddenly trapped her in darkness but she was still conscious, staring at the spider.

The spider's squeaks slowly transformed into a little girl's shrill screams. She cried.. cried and cried until she was out of breath, until Ria could literally feel her own throat burn. She pleaded to someone.. begged.. but all was in vain..

Ria shuddered. No, no, no, no, no, stop.

The older woman shouted the curse at her, and the little girl screamed again.

"Stop it! She can't take it!" Ria begged for the little girl, but she found herself back in her classroom, teary-eyed while the entire class looked at her. Shards of glass spilling on the floor took her attention.. the jar that once held the spider had shattered.

The tears spilled down her face, and she looked at Moody. "Please stop.. It's bothering her." It was a plead.

Even Neville was still in his place, eyes closed at the horror happening in front of him. Ria had a feeling it had bothered him too.

Moody walked towards her and placed the almost lifeless spider in front of her. "Do you know the last unforgivable curse, Miss. Edwards?" He asked. Ria shook her head slowly, moving her eyes away and fixating them on the shattered glass jar instead.

Another reminder of her failure..

"Miss Granger?" He asked, still not taking his eyes off the Slytherin girl.

"Avada Kedavra.." Hermione breathed out, shuddering at those words. The Professor nodded and pointed his wand towards the creature.

"Avada Kedavra." He hissed, and a green jet of light hit the spider. It flipped on its spot, drop dead. Ria stared at it now, not knowing what to think.

Knowing everything. Doing nothing.

Was the girl alright?

She hoped it wasn't one of her visions. That poor girl.. she sounded so young.. much younger than her.

Did she need help?

If she did.. would Ria be able to find a way to help her before it's too late? It made a chill run down her spine. She rubbed her hands up her cold arms.

"The Killing Curse," Moody grumbled, and Harry stared mindlessly at the Professor's wand.. that green light was too familiar. "Only one person has known to survive it.. And he's sitting in this room."

At the same time, Ria and Harry looked at each other; Ria because she wanted to see how he was doing after this display of Moody's, and Harry because he'd rather look at her than feel the burden of all eyes on him.

Moody's fake eye glanced between the two, and he took his hip flask out of his pocket to take a big gulp.

Asteria felt restless. And it wasn't just her thoughts this time.. her blood was boiling underneath her skin, giving her this weird feeling that made her want to gnaw her flesh off and relieve the ick.

She had no choice now but to take it. Just a little bit. She assured herself. I'm not supposed to get used to it, but a small sip won't hurt.

The portrait of Cassandra paid her no mind when she stood in front of her dorm. "Let me in." said Ria urgently, but the Seer seemed too concentrated on the crystal ball in front of her.

"I said let me in." She commanded. Cassandra looked up at her with her beady hazel eyes, hand extending to point towards her.

"What do you see, young Seer?" She asked with a sense of authority in her tone.

"Hmm.. let's see." Ria gave out a laugh of disbelief. "Oh, there it is! My nails clawing off your portrait if you don't fucking let me in NOW!"

Cassandra Trelawney almost stumbled off her chair, but quickly opened the way to her dorm. Ria muttered an aggressive 'thank you' before stomping inside.

She threw her bag on the couch and rushed to her room, scavenging through her drawers to find that one bottle of Potion. She hurriedly took a large gulp, and within seconds found a certain sense of peace.

Draught of Peace.. if only she could use it every time. But Snape's words never left her mind.. "If she did, she'd be helpless without it later."

She leaned against the wall, the screams playing in her head over and over again like a tape recorder. Her eyes pooled with tears again. Why did it affect her so much? She hated it.

Before she could lift the bottle up to her lips again, a warm embrace made her halt. And more tears spilled out. She sniffled, making him rake his fingers through her hair in efforts to calm her.

"It's okay.." Harry had seen the horror on her face. He had never seen her look so timid.

"I don't know what happened.." she whispered, hands clutching the fabric of his uniform. "I don't know what is was.."

"It's okay." He said again. "Whatever it is.. we'll figure it out, alright?" She nodded.

"Ri?" Blaise's voice made them look at the doorway.

"Hey.." she mumbled, slowly separating from Harry.

And as he watched Blaise pull her close and gently wipe her tears away, a feeling of uneasiness washed over Harry. Though it eased just a bit when he saw Theodore coming in too.

Right.. they were her friends.. caring for her just as he was.

"What happened? Did Moody do something that we missed?"

"No.." she shook her head.

"Did you see another vision, then?" said Hermione, who had just walked in with Ron.

Ria shook her head again. "I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Her voice was distraught. "I saw how it affected you, just like Neville! Surely, something about the— the Cruciatus Curse must've made you—"

Theodore was quick to cut off her volume with a hand raised in defence. "Woah, woah.. calm down, Granger." He said. "No need to raise voices, alright? She's already shaken up."

Her cheeks went red in embarrassment and guilt, and gave a small nod. "I— I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.." She said to her.

"It's okay.." said Ria. "How's Neville doing? Anyone check up on him?"

Ron nodded. "Yeah, we did, but Moody took him. He seemed a bit worried too, I think."

Ria nodded slowly. Yeah.. sure.

She sighed. "I'm— I'm not really feeling well. I think I'll skip the next lecture."

"Well.. we'll take you to the hospital wing, then." said Blaise, and before she could answer, Harry spoke up.

"I'll take her." He suggested loudly. "I have the next one off.. so no worries."

Ria shook her head. "Thanks, but I need some rest. I'll just— I'll just take a nap."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded in answer before taking a step back into her room and closing the door. Her friends outside exchanged awkward glances before walking out of her dorm all together.

Ria leaned against the door and sighed. Like hell she was going to get any sleep..

Later that day, Ria found herself casually strolling towards the Gryffindor common room. She rarely went there, since Harry, Hermione and Ron were the ones that usually visited her in her dorm.

When she entered, she raked her eyes around the common room. She could feel eyes on her, though only some. But that didn't really bother her anymore. People judged all the time.. it wasn't like she could do anything about it.

Her eyes lit up at a familiar face. "Ginny! Hey!" She smiled at the redhead, walking towards her. "How're you doing?"

Ginny smiled back with a nod. "Good. Did you.. need anything?"

Ria nodded. "Actually, I was here to see—"

"Oh.. Harry is in detention with my brother." She answered. "I know. The term has just begun. But it was Snape so.."

"I— I know that." Ria answered. "I was here to see Neville."

Ginny's eyebrows frowned in confusion. "Ah.. he must be in his dorm. I'll tell him you're here to meet. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks." She smiled, and Ginny nodded with a small smile before leaving.

Pretty sure they hadn't really talked that much, but Ria did help Neville in Potions sometimes.

When Neville came down, he had the same questioning expression that Ginny had before. "Hey, Asteria." He gave her a small smile.

"Hey, Neville." She smiled back. "How're you doing?"

"Well.. I'm okay." He answered. "Are you alright? You look like you haven't slept for days."

Oh Merlin, do I really look that bad right now?

"I'm— I'm good." She nodded. "But— uh.. I'm not talking generally, you know? During Moody's class today.."

Neville smiled again. "I'm alright, now. Thank you."

But Ria just shook her head. "I saw that you felt bothered." she said. "I'm not asking that you tell me why, of course. But if something about Professor Moody is bothering you, we can just say so to Dumbledore—"

He chuckled this time, his demeanour light. It threw Ria off. "I'm not just saying for the sake of it, Asteria. I really am alright." He said. "I talked to Professor Moody, and I realised he was right. He's just preparing us for the worst. He seems to know what he's doing."

Ria felt a sense of unease from the way he talked and answered. He seemed too calm. But she just nodded.

What was it that she was seeing? The future? The past? Or just an illusion that was completely made up to throw her off tracks? What was it?

Could it be that she was just paranoid? Moody was an Auror.. An Auror that had put many wizards from the bad side in prison. He was the best way to subtly prepare students if something bad was to come their way. Maybe that was why Dumbledore had appointed Moody.

A sudden sense of relief washed over her. And when Asteria left the Gryffindor common room that night, she felt much calmer than she had all day.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

[word count: 4415]