When the day disappeared in the night (Astoria)

Alaska was walking down unusually quiet Knockturn Alley. It was most likely because it was in the middle of the day, yet dark cloudy sky and depressing atmosphere did not make it seem so. Life wasn't really different for her, but she was sure it changed for many others. She couldn't imagine life of those, who fought against Voldemort. She did not even want to. It was easier to just live her life and pretend there is nothing like good and evil side around. Even with Death Eater for husband.

She was almost home, when her instinct started screaming she was not alone. Looking around dark alley, she drew out her dagger, her eyes going darker in expectation. "Come out, come out, wherever you are..."

Astoria had no idea why they had asked her to go. She wondered if it was because her family was fluent in the dark arts and it’s performers. Or perhaps it was simply the fact that she was small.. quiet. In any case, she was glad to be of help, though she had to admit that she was a little anxious. One wrong move, one missed step, and she would be caught. She could live, of course, but she would never be able to go back. She could only talk herself out of one disappearance. So, with light steps and a hooded cloak, she moved through the street of dark trade. She desperately hoped that she would be able to get what they needed. Most things could be conjured, but food was not one of them, and that was what the camp needed the most.

She was almost there when she heard a voice. It’s familiarity made her start and she paused in her movements. Alaska couldn’t possibly have heard her, but somehow she’d noticed that she was there. She was caught. Letting out soft breath, she weighed her options. She knew that she could fight with her if she had to, but that was the last thing that she wanted. And even more importantly, Alaska could easily yell for help, and the occupants of the Tavern nearby would come out without question. This was her sister, and Astoria knew that she needed to continue with what had been requested of her. “Only if you sure you want to see me,” she said quietly, not showing herself just yet.

The response made Alaska raise her eyebrow. The voice seemed quite familiar, yet she couldn't recall anyone to connect it with. "I don't bite. Unless you bite first," she replied finally. "Are you one of the goodies? Is that why are you hiding? I don't remember Lady Morana having patrol today. And she is the one people usually hide from. Or did you piss off somebody in tavern?" She asked, genuinely curious.

Astoria's smile was dry when she realised that Alaska didn't recognise her voice. She didn't exactly blame her, but she had made the, perhaps incorrect, assumption that they had considered themselves family, at least for a short while. Maybe now she was just another 'goodie', and the fact that they are technically sisters meant nothing. Though, she had to admit that even her parents would have killed her on sight if they knew where she had been and who she'd been fighting for.

Her head held high, as it always was, she stepped from the dark shadows surrounding the alley's edges- just enough for Alaska to see her. "Am one of those 'goodies'?" she said, quietly but still with the same tone she would use during her summers at home with her parents, "I suppose you could say that, big sister."

Alaska could hardly hide shock of seeing her half-sister, standing there, in the darkest shadow. She maybe did not have the perfect relationship with what was left of her biological family, but she was aware of choices her siblings made. Personaly, she was simply happy she did not have to chose herself. "What are you doing here? Trying to get yourself killed or something?" she asked, her voice low.

Astoria tried not to laugh at the way that her sister appeared shocked to see her. Surely it wasn't that bad. Though, even if it was, the camp needed the supplies and she had no intention of not providing them. She remained where she was, not planing on being caught out during a chat with her sibling. "No," she said honestly, "but we desperately need supplies, so here I am. Are you going to kill me?"

That information did not surprise Alaska. At least not as much as following question. "And why the hell would I do that?" she asked, partly confused, partly little angry that Astoria would think something like that. "In fact..." she said, handing over her basket full of fresh food she just got on her trip to the market. "I can make that trip again. It's not like anybody will notice," she winked at her sister.

"Well well well, isn't that Gamp's wife? Who are you talking to? I hope you are not some kind of spy for the goodies. It would be really sad to lose such a good bartender," somebody spoke from behind Alaska, which made her curse silently before turning towards one of the locals, often visiting tavern. She made sure to stand just in his way, so he couldn't see Astoria. "Even if I was, what gives you the right to question me?" she asked, her voice demanding respect. It surely made him lose his words for a few moments.

"I didn't think you would, Alaska," Astoria replied quietly, "I just wanted it out in the open. I'm a traitor. I am aware of that." The brunette shouldn't have been surprised with her sister's response, but she didn't want to be making any presumptions. She was hardly in the position to do so anymore. "My own parents would give me one moment to sweat myself to their cause, or I would be dead. They do not care more for me than that.. man." Astoria's eyes grew a little wider, when Alaska handed her the basket, worry that her sister could be caught clear in her eyes. But her words relaxed her and she gave a genuine smile of thanks.

Her smiles was wiped from her face when an unfamiliar voice broke through the cool night air. As Alaska turned toward the man, obvious to her that her sister was shielding her from view, she took a small step back into the shadow and raised her wand by her side. She did not speak, waiting to see how Alaska dealt with the situation, but ready in case she needed to act.

Alaska waited for response. The man pointed his wand at her, but she did not show any glimpse of fear she most certainly felt. "You are pushing it, Alaska Gamp," the man hissed, trying to get look over her shoulder. "Why are you trying so hard? So I have a goodie there. She came for chit chat and some food and I gave it to her," Alaska said as if it was most casual thing she did that day. The man was clearly shocked by her words. "Go ahead. If you want to look like a fool, that is," she smirked at him. He shaked his head in disbelief, but, just as Alaska wanted, gave up trying to look. "Don't think for a second that your husband's position can anyhow save you next time. Cause next time, it ain't gonna be me. Who knows, maybe next time, lady Morana decides to check up on you herself," he hissed into Alaska's ear and left. Only then Alaska breathed out and let her reall emotions take over. "That was close."

Astoria wouldn't have hesitated in using the killing curse, if she believed that her sister was on danger. At one point she almost did, though she was thankful when the man finally let it go and left them be. It seemed that nobody was truly safe in this new world, and she hoped beyond anything that Alaska was taking care of herself. "Yes, it was," Astoria said, her gaze hard as she returned to view, "I hope you're watching your back, Alaska."

The greatest fear that Astoria had was for her sisters. Her parents could look after themselves, and had done her entire life. They had decided on the road they wished to take and the young woman held no regard for their safety. "Daphne is dead," Astoria said flatly, her gaze firm, "Annabelle knows what she wants. She is probably the favourite now. I worry for you. You're a good person. Don't let them change that. And don't let me lose you, too."

Alaska smiled, feeling suddenly very happy. It felt nice hearing someone expressing their concern for her. The more so, that Astoria was her family. "I'm fine. Xanthos seems to be scary enough for people to leave me alone. I went through hell before. All I want is normal life. I like being bartender girl in tavern. The only side I stand on is mine. I have nice place to live, husband, that loves me. It's more, than I ever had. But I know what it's like not to have anything to eat and hide in fear from every fallen leaf. My original name is not Alaska after all," she smiled reminding her sister that she did many things in her life in order to make it here.

"Just look after yourself, okay? And if you ever need, just meet me here. I will give you what I can," Alaska said. She knew she shouldn't be doing this. But she was not going to let her sister starve. "We all chose our paths. Don't let Annabelle's desicion make your mind heavier," she added.

Astoria knew that Alaska could look after herself, and that she was safe for the most part. But she also knew that it hadn’t been so long ago that she was safe as well- at least in her mind- and now she was in danger always. Things could change for anybody, and helping her traitor little sister was not going to do Alaska any favours. But she knew that it was bigger than the two of them, so if Alaska was willing to take a risk with her then she wouldn’t stop her. “Still.. thank you,” Astoria said, “it’s surprisingly easy, being where we are. I mean, I never thought that the day that I lost all of that privilege would come, but now that it has.. it’s not so bad.”

Her fingers toyed with the handle of the basket as she nodded. “I will,” she answered, “as long as you do the same. Annabelle will be fine. If not.. well, at least she still had everything she wanted when she went.” In times like these, it wasn’t fair to anybody to pretend that everything was going to be okay. She’d faced the fact that she could be dead by the end of the year already. “I should probably be getting back..”

Alaska laughed bitterly. "Don't worry, little sister, these days are yet to come," she teased her, knowing that she did not consider her life so bad either after first week on the street. Just because it was away from things she did not like or agree with. "And nonsense. You are going with me and you will eat first," she grabbed Astoria's hand, using back door, leading her straight into second floor apartment, full of luxury and modern both muggle and wizarding stuff.

Astoria couldn't hide the panic in her eyes as her sister took hold of her hand and pulled her away from her hiding place. She didn't argue, as drawing attention to them while they were out in the open was not a good idea. The moment she was led into the apartment and the door was closed behind them, however, she turned on her sister. "What the hell are you doing?" she asked, her voice still low incase they could be heard, "I can't be here! What happens if somebody shows up? What about your husband? He's one of them, too. Do you want to get yourself killed?" Running her fingers over her hair, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Are we safe here?" she asked, this time softly, "I want to stay with you for a little longer, but not if it will end with you in trouble."

Alaska smirked. "Xanthos would not kill me. Lock me in some weird dungeon just to prove his point, which he knows won't work anyway? Probably. Just for the heck of it. But I don't know any kind of information I could give you. And he certainly won't hand me over to the Dark Lord for one basket of food and three cookies," she said, mischief in her voice as she took one of Dahlia's famous cookies and handed one to Astoria with a wink. Truth to be told, she was not as selfconfident inside as she appeared on the outside. But she refused to let Astoria leave without helping her as much as she could. "You know, I have pretty cool bathtub. It does bubbles! And also closet filled with so much clothes, I cannot wear it in my life," she added after a little while as she sat on the counter, taking sip of butterbeer.

Astoria was glad to hear that her sister was not likely to end up in detrimental trouble for having her there. She could deal with a lot of things, but that would not be one of them. Especially when Alaska was only trying to help her. There was a small feeling that she couldn't ignore. "And what about me?" she asked, her tone feeble as she hated being so selfish, "would he not hand me over without second thought?"

Taking the cookie, she took a bite, a smile coming over her features as she took in the taste. The food at camp had been pretty bland since they had left Hogwarts and something with so much flavour was like a gourmet meal to her now. "Wh-what?" she asked, the cookie almost slipping from her fingers, "A bath..." The though of properly washing herself was more exciting than she ever thought it could be, and good, clean clothes was just as thrilling, "I could.. wash my hair?"

"I don't think he would do anything to you," Alaska said matter-of-factly. "The thing is, not everything is black and white. Xanthos is not Death Eater because he wants to follow Voldemort. He took Lady Marvolo's offer, because he despises him," she explained and giggled a little, seeing Astoria's face changing at the idea of bath. "Go ahead, take your time," she said only, sitting down on the couch. "Upstairs, first room on the left. You open the door and by your right hand will be two doors. First is bathroom, second is my closet. Just don't explore anything else. Xanthos would otherwise know someone was in our bedroom. And that would probably cause trouble," Alaska gave her sister directions.