My mind turns your life into folklore ¦ Amy

[Alora Veda Astor]

Christmas had been a fairly low key affair for Alora. With no family to spend the Holidays with; she had spent the day at the castle for dinner with the rest of the outcasts, and then retired to her homely flat above Madam Puddifoots for a glass or three of wine. alfie edward o'callaghan had joined her the next day for a modest dinner in her flat where the atmosphere had been mixed to say the least. Regardless, she had enjoyed it and by the new year they had already planned about a hundred different Herbology experiments to launch into for the new year.

It was a cold and dark evening after a long day of teaching and grading in the end of January when she was in one of the back Greenhouses checking up on one of the projects. Alora did daily checks on these little projects of theirs. Hidden away they occupied the back greenhouses. The back greenhouses were her private domain, hidden away from the school greenhouses, they were the more dilapidated of the few. Untouched by the destroying of Hogwarts in the years before, Alora had put money into restoring them for her own private use. One was used for business purposes, producing bits for Alfie's business. Another one she used one as an office, lit up with homely fairy lights and decorated with more personal affects.

Standing back by one of the potting trays, she leaned against the platform and took notes on a clip board of her observations. She'd share them with Alfie tomorrow, send them by owl or they could meet up in the evening and talk through their findings. If he was free that was. For now she'd just hide away in the warm greenhouse, with her favourite slow jazz playing in the background.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Late January 2028

With Toby's advice ringing in her mind, Amy had steeled herself to finally speak with Alora. It's not like Amy could watch her from afar or take any classes. Her sister taught at MAGIC, and Amy had no interest whatsoever in plants. To her, the idea of diving into stinky dragon dung was her boggart. Probably. She hadn't faced one since third year, and then she'd been absolutely terrified of snakes. The way they slithered just didn't make sense... but she'd grown more used to them and less afraid. So dragon dung was probably her boggart now.

Amy slunk around by the greenhouses, careful not to be seen or heard. It was cold and dark, and Amy tugged the hood of her cloak over her head. She moved slowly, like a shadow clinging to the long ones drawn by the various plants beyond the glass walls. At last, Amy spotted a shock of red hair, and knew that her target was in sight. She almost wanted to run away - but that wouldn't be very brave of her, would it? Amy chewed on the inside of her lip thoughtfully. Toby's kind face came to mind once more. What was the worst thing that would happen? Alora would want nothing to do with her, but Amy would still have the opportunity to study with one of the leading alchemists of her time.

Steeling herself, Amy shoved away her nerves and slipped into the greenhouse. The door creaked on it's hinges, unceremoniously announcing her entrance. Amy grimaced, but willed her face into one of neutrality. "Hi," said Amy, pulling her hood off her head and straightening her hair. Amy took a step closer, her gaze hungry as she noted each individual similarity they shared. Their chins were built the same. Their hair was the same shiny texture, though coloured differently. Alora's eyes were the same shape as hers. "Alora, right?"

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Lost in the soft warmth of the music, Alora hadn't noticed anyone enter her hideaway. So enthralled in what she was doing, she had forgotten to put up the usual wards to alert her of anyone creeping around. The music was old, what her Grandfather had listened to in the comfort of the Den in their vast townhouse. The Dean Alora was usually not allowed by her Grandmother to venture into but was often to be found there; learning anything she could from Ackerly Astor. It had lulled her into a false sense of security. As the hinges of the door sounded the arrival of someone, she whipped around with a half smile playing on her lips. At first, she thought it must be Alfie, after all, he was the only one who ever bothered her out here. The only one bothered to venture through the jungle of plants or across the lawns to see her.

Except it wasn't alfie edward o'callaghan at all. With that, her face fell, rather noticeably so for a moment before she reinflated herself and a frown of confusion crossed her face. Instead, it was a girl at least ten years her junior. A student at LIFE assumedly. The frown creased her brow as she unknowingly took in features that mirrored her own a little too much. She didn't notice it though, she had no reason to suspect anything. Her primary emotion was confusion. It was true, sometimes the rare LIFE students sought her out for assistance on research pieces of projects they needed assistance in, and she was usually quite pleased to help, enthused even. But they usually dropped her some sort of line f communication first; they didn't just spring themselves on her like this on a Friday evening as she had a drink and continued her private studies.

"Yes?" Drawing herself up to seem more mature and houghty, she peered down their too-similar nose into the face of her unknown sister. "Is there a reason you've come to disturb me at this hour on a Friday night?" Narrowing her amber eyes just slightly, she clutched the clipboard to her chest and tried to work out what they could possibly want. "Were you looking for help on a research piece or something?"

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Remembering the pact she'd promised with Toby on their very first meeting, Amy bolstered her nerves and entered the greenhouse. The strains of soft jazz pealed through the air. Well, at least that was something she could cling to. Alora liked the same sort of music as her. Even if the similarities thus far pretty much ended there. Amy took a deep breath, and greeted her sister. She stepped more into the light, drawing her hood back off her head. Alora's face fell, and Amy wondered if she'd been expecting someone else.

Fear shot through her and Amy was tempted to apologise and turn to leave. But Toby would never face his parents if she didn't show him to be brave. So she straightened her spine and fixed Alora with a look. She was unconsciously mirroring Alora, drawing herself up to seem more mature and haughty in a way to gain respect. Amy searched her face, ticking each physical similarity off as she encountered them. She'd only been half listening to Alora, but grimaced when she suggested research. "What? Me, research plants?" The very idea was laughable. Amy hated getting dirty. "No." She chuckled to herself, shaking her head.

What the hell was she doing? Trying to be coy or something? "Alora," said Amy, tilting her head as she looked at her sister. "Did Amelia ever tell you about the rest of your family?" she asked, her voice quiet but clear as the song ended and they were left in silence.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

At Amy's outburst of stark outrageousness at the idea of her being interested in plants, Alora only furrowed her brow further. What made this girl seek her out in her place of solace then? Surely it wasn't that important that it couldn't wait till Monday to be sought out in her office on campus, or be highlighted in an email. "Well then what-" she began, but then Amy's next words stopped Alora in her tracks.

At the name of her Grandmother, she stiffened.

Nobody had spoken her name in years. Nobody had really had reason to, other than to refer to her as the deceased Amelia Astor's Granddaughter, if at all. Yet here was this girl, uttering it with such a casual tone. Frowning more, her stomach began to turn. Her body sensed danger, but her mind wasn't sure why. Her sense heightened. She was quiet for a moment before starting "How did you...." but she never finished her question, instead trailing off to an uncomfortable quietness. Eventually, she found her voice and her confidence again. Or what she could muster of it anyway. Her voice was slightly more steady and more firm when she spoke again.

"You must be mistaken. I don't have any family. Amelia was the last of my family and she died not long after my seventeenth birthday. I've been alone since then. I don't have any family" she repeated herself at the end as if doubling down on the point and driving it home to more than Amy. A lot of the time she didn't need to remind herself she was alone, it was glaringly obvious with what little correspondence she had with anyone. Or every time she went back to the massive, empty townhouse in Kensington. Her eyes narrowed at Amy, as if daring her to challenge her anymore. What sort of sick joke did the students these days play on seeming figures of authority to get their kicks. Crossing her arms across her small chest, her brow only creased further. "Who are you, what do you want?" she repeated in almost increasing tetchiness, hoping this time the answer would be different.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Alora didn't seem very open to accepting the fact that she did in fact have other family. A mother, a father, a few brothers and most importantly, a sister. But Amy knew - and she teased Alora with the idea that she didn't know something. Amy wasn't sure why she was being coy - she ought to just come out with it. Alora started to speak, then trailed off, the silence between them uncomfortable. Amy said nothing, still taking in the features of her lost sister. But when Alora did find her voice again, it was clipped and dismissive.

"You thought you had no other family," Amy corrected. "And I can prove it," she added, stuffing her hands in her cloak pockets. She'd meant to bring the birth certificate she'd squirrelled away with her belongings - Amy had reasoned that it had been hidden away in the attic, so her mother and father had no need of it. "Oh shit, I've left it in the dorm," she muttered to herself. Alora was kind of scary, looking at her with those narrowed eyes. She was a professor, even if she was Amy's sister. Amy flinched, stopping her rummaging for a moment to level a glare at Alora.

"A bit of manners wouldn't go amiss. Isn't that something Amelia would say?" Amy bit out before she could help herself. She'd thought that plant people were nice - homey, relaxed, understanding. Her impression of Alora was none of this. "I didn't know myself until I found your birth certificate in the attic. Mom and dad never said anything," Amy explained, though she didn't think Alora was very interested without proof. "Ugh! Accio birth certificate!" said Amy, raising her wand. But nothing happened. Apparently, there was a blocking charm on the dorms. "Look, can't you trust me? You're Alora Veda Astor, born in Edinburgh 15 May 1998 to Thomas and Adalina. How else would I know that?" asked Amy, frustrated.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Alora was too stunned to say much, to begin with. This girl was clearly playing some sort of sick joke on her. The pit in her stomach was worsening though with a sense of 'what if'. And for that she despised herself. Angered at the sadly small sense of hope set alight in her. Even if she did have family, she felt she shouldn't acknowledge them. They left her. Her mother left her with that horrible with to grow up in the same way, when she should have saved her and taken her away from it all.

Amy still hadn't explained who she was or even what her name was, and yet, Alora found herself staring at her face and taking in features she recognised as not entirely dissimilar to her own.

Yet with the mention of Amelia, it was all yanked out from under her. Alora had despised her Grandmother, yes, even felt relief when she had died. But she still had some twisted sense of loyalty to her, some sort of Stockholm-esque syndrome for the woman who had raised her. How dare this little beast speak about her. Scoffing at the idea of Amelia correcting her outwardly in public, Alora rolled her eyes and set upon Amy. "You don't know her. You never knew her, don't you dare speak of her" She didn't know the horrible upbringing Alora had had, or the sense of relief that lifted when her death had come. Or any idea of the loneliness of it all, both in the past with her childhood and now. Yet she tried to speak so lightly of it all, trying to use her Grandmother as something to tie them together. Amelia would be turning in her grave yes, but not for lack of manners. Amelia Astor had always schooled Alora on keeping her emotions in check, behind a nice mask of nonchalance. Yet, now Amy was turning her life upside down and the disturbance was clear on her face, in the way her fingers gripped at the edges of the clipboard so tightly her knuckles went white. The more details Amy countered with, as she got more frustrated, the more Alora couldn't ignore. Mom and Dad. Even Amy's accent grated on her, especially with the way she said the words so sincerely. Comprehension was dawning on Alora; Her parents had seemingly stayed together. Apparently had more children by the way Amy was speaking so easily. And still never came for her. Their firstborn. The betrayal dropped into her stomach like a ball of ice, filling her up and cutting through all at once. Like being stabbed in the chest. She took a sharp breath to try and settle the indescribable feeling rising in her.

Hurt. Deception. Abandonment. 

When Amy went on to confirm her place and date of birth, Alora couldn't deny the truth. It was only when Amy spoke their names, Alora dared look at her. "Thomas..." she slowly began to repeat, mulling over the word like a swear word she'd never heard before. "The Muggle" Her voice was dripping with bitterness, not unlike Amelia's used to be when she explained how Alora's mother had run off with a Muggle man. Now it was all coming together; they had gotten their happy ending without her. Taking another breath, her gaze dropped again, worried it would betray her. Hot and angry tears were beginning to gather at the corner of her eyes, and no matter what she was determined not to cry in front of this child. This child had swanned in and just set her world alight with no idea of how hard it would hit her.

It took her a moment to gather herself. To put all the parts of her mind back into a neat order before she answered Amy in a cold voice, trained coolness to show nothing had gotten to her. Or at least pretend it all hadn't, even if on the inside she was crumbling. "I don't need any 'proof'. There's nothing to prove".

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Though Amy tried, rather bluntly more than anything, it didn't look like Alora would take her word for it. Maybe she should have tried a more measured approach. Not to throw all this information at her sister at once. Emotion ripped through Alora's features, first disbelief, then hurt. Amy had memorised the contents of the birth certificate, having stared long and hard at it for many nights. She'd thought this would have gone better - Amy was used to things going her way.

"I didn't know her, and I didn't know you, but that's not my fault. I wish I had," Amy shot back, her anger flaring at Alora's barbed words. Amy knew that Alora was only acting like this to hide the pain of her-- their parents abandoning her to live with her granny. Alora seemed to master herself, before speaking in a voice that nearly shredded Amy to bits with its frostiness. This was going to be more difficult than she had anticipate. Amy wanted to stamp her foot and insist that Alora accept the truth, to welcome herself back into the family with open-ish arms, or at least sate her curiosity.

"I don't know why mom and dad did what they did. I'm really sorry they did," said Amy, chewing thoughtfully on the inside of her cheek. "But I can't change it. We can only go forward. You can't deny we look alike - you have the same nose as me. The same face shape. The same as moms," Amy explained. "Please, Alora. Tell me you want to be a big sister..." she added, her voice taking on a pleading tone.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Alora was internally crumbling, it was difficult, but still, she grasped at the parts of herself that hadn't been upheaved and turned upside down in the last few minutes. It was easier that way, to retain some sort of anchor to her life as she knew it. Something before this child had come bursting in and changed it all. After a shaky, half-spiteful laugh, she rolled her eyes.



"No. No you don't wish you knew her, because if you had known you would have known what a monster she was, and then you wouldn't have wanted to know her" Her tone was quiet, but even still. She glanced away again then, taking a breath to steady herself. Was this all really happening? Or was it in her head? Either way, she didn't know how to take it at all. Here was this child bursting into her life, saying she was her sister. Of course, it wasn't a million miles from the impossible that she have a younger sister. But still, the hurt swelling in her chest was just too much to handle right now. Instead, she sighed quietly and mulled it over in silence; her gaze couldn't help but find themselves drifting back to Amy's features to drink them in again and analyse them.



Alora paused, wondering for a moment. Sadness overtook her face as her thoughts went to a far-off place, not looking at Amy now. The ghost of an almost wistful smile crossed her face “Grandfather used to say I looked like her when Grandmother wasn’t around. It was our secret. He said I got my red hair from her. But…” she paused, almost sounding cautious “There were never any pictures of her about. Assumedly Grandmother had them all destroyed after she was disowned…” the sadness grew as her smile faltered “Grandfather died when I was seven, after that nobody spoke of her again. I never knew what she looked like. What she does look like.." eventually she corrected herself, careful to avoid Amy's gaze now. She wasn't entirely sure she wanted to be a big sister, she'd never considered it one way or another.



"I just-" she cut herself off, her voice cracking as she was starting to become too overwhelmed. "I can't deal with this. It's too much..." Her respiratory rate was increasing as she struggled to keep her emotions under control. This was not how she imagined her relaxing evening going.


AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy remained silent, no matter how difficult it was for her. This was not going to plan, though when did the best laid plans ever work out? Alora intoned that their grandmother had been a horrible person, which Amy hadn't realised. The colour had drained from Alora's face, and she took some deep breaths to steady herself. Amy mentally berated herself for going about this all wrong. "You do look like her," said Amy at last, her voice barely above a whisper. Amy wished she could tell Alora just how much, but she was coming to the realisation that this level of betrayal was hard to overcome in such a short time. They were silent for a long while, simply drinking the other in. "You're a bit taller than her though. And... well, she's got these wrinkles next to her eyes from smiling so much, and long days in the sun..." Amy went on, trying her best not to be offensive. Her mother was the happier, more relaxed version of her daughter.

Sighing, Amy drew her hood over her head again, casting her face into shadow. "I understand," said Amy, though she didn't really. The excitement of discovery had fizzled out, and Amy questioned what she was doing here. She'd thought it would be a joyous reunion with her sister, who apparently wanted nothing to do with her. "I'll leave you to it then. But... I am studying alchemy. You can usually find me hanging about Professor Burke's office. Or the MWRC in Hogsmeade. If... if you want to talk more," Amy offered. "I'm sorry to have shocked you like that. But I would like to get to know you more. When you're ready," said Amy, before turning towards the door.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

As Amy only confirmed what Alor had always wondered, another stab hit her chest. Whatever had been hopeful there was sheer panic. In her warped sense of reality, her mother was long dead. Alora had been told she had looked like her. Had. Past tense. Amy just confirmed she did still in fact look like their mother and it was another rumble in her world. Shockwaves continued to run through her as her world as she knew it shattered. The more Amy went on, the more shocked Alora became, it was all too much. Amy had to know that. But then, unlikely so. She was an immature child in comparison to Alora it would seem. To come barging into Alora's lonely life like this.

Her mouth slackened, dropping open as if to say something. But then she thought better of it, and swallowed, shutting it again, pausing to survey her apparent sister.

Momentarily frozen, her face resumed the trained blank nonchalance their lovely Grandmother had schooled her in so well. She forced some calm through her, slowing down her breathing and leaving Amy standing in silence for a moment. Eventually, she responded, her voice cooler than she meant, but it was the only way for her to deal with what was going on. To process this. Her voice was quiet now though, with less fight in it. Just the desperation of trying to hold herself together. "I'm sorry you came here expecting me to jump with joy. To be happy. But it's a lot to take in right now. My mother-" cutting herself off for a moment, she corrected herself as she remembered "No both my parents...our parents abandoned me. You have no idea what my life was like. What it has been like growing up, and what it's been like recently. I've been so alone. And now this....this is all too much. Turn this on its head and see how you'd feel about it all. Not good I'd imagine. Not happy. I'm sorry this isn't the happy reunion you'd thought it would be..." trailing off again, her voice cracked, the tears gathered at the corners of her eyes despite her best effort. Another thought whizzed in her mind now, and she was almost scared to ask because it would break her heart entirely. And yet she found it falling from her lips in an almost scared whisper.

"Is there more of you..." Alora wasn't even sure if she wanted to know the answer, if she would be ready to process the truth of it but it was out of her mouth in scant curiosity before she could stop herself from asking.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Alora's response was saddening, but not unexpected. "I don't know what I expected..." Amy admitted honestly. Probably a happier reaction, yes, but still it was a bombshell. Amy listened in silence as Alora spoke, of how their parents had abandoned her. And they had never given an explanation as to why. Why had they left Alora, then carved out a little bubble of happiness in California? She couldn't understand. And they had refused to explain more.

Amy looked down, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "You shouldn't be sorry," said Amy to the floor. "I just wanted to meet you," said Amy in a small voice. It was almost as if she could hear the thundering beat of Alora's heart from this distance, racing towards a crescendo that would only bring more heartache. "I wanted to know you," she added, looking back up at her sister. Amy intoned that she'd like to get to know Alora more when she was ready - patience had never really been her thing, but Amy knew this was a delicate balance to strike. She turned to leave, not expecting Alora to speak again.

Pausing at the door frame, Amy looked back at her sister. She looked so lost - it pained Amy's heart. "Yes. Two brothers," said Amy, watching Alora's face carefully, sure it would crumple.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Emotions heightened, Alora didn't know what else to say as Amy went on. The younger girl had wanted to meet her. To know her older sister. Bile rose in Alora's throat from a mix of sentiments. Her reaction; while not totally unwarranted in her mind, had also been unreasonable in some ways. This girl claiming to be her sister hadn't abandoned her. She had said she never knew Alora had existed. Now she knew of her existence she had actually sought her out, even if Alora hadn't expected it perhaps she shouldn't have been as quick to shut out the girl who was trying. She wasn't able to apologise for it, but it didn't make her feel any less guilty.

With another bombshell dropped, another shockwave ran through Alora. An eerie calm took over as she listened in silence. Her face was still, almost impassive. Keeping her emotions in check was becoming more difficult as the pieces of her now life began to fall into place.

A sister. Brothers. An unknown family. A possibility at a whole new beginning.

Unsure of what to expect when she asked the question, she felt even worse. Amy's answers hadn't given her any sort of peace; if anything they had just caused more questions to spring to life. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed the lump rising in her throat, burying the storm of feelings brewing inside her. Inside she was crumbling, but Amelia Astor had thought her best. She slowly nodded to acknowledge she had heard Amy, but was completely at a loss for what to say. Eventually, she uttered a quiet "Okay.." and let her eyes drop away from Amy's, her heart and mind racing a hundred miles a minute.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Alora didn't seem capable of stringing together any more words. Amy didn't want to push her - she recognised the battle as lost, but that didn't mean the war. "I'll give you all the time you need. I'll just... I'll be around. If you want to talk," said Amy. She gave Alora a small smile, before retreating back the way she had come

end amy