The Bitch was being nice. Even more she was making plans with someone. With Dexter of all people because he was sad. She didn't do things like that she was not a comforter, she caused the pain. But for some reason her and Dexter just, well they were similar. He was like the brother she never had. In some regards he reminded her of her deceased father. Not that she was trying to remember or would ever bring it up. Thoughts of her father had just been slipping in everywhere recently. Her slight OCD caused Astrid to be organized in thought process and actions, yet when her father slipped in mind the organization was lost and she couldn't keep him out. So yes she was hanging out with Dexter because he reminded her of her father but mostly she was hanging out with him because she truly felt sorry for him and wanted to cheer him up. They had become friends in the weeks he had been at Hogwarts and though it was through Mason she was determined to make him forget about her best friend for the evening.
They were going to Muggle London, like Disneyland it was one of the most magical places on Earth if you were able to find the right spots. The top of Big Ben was of course one of these spots. It was surprising that more wizards didn't venture to the top, but it was also surprising that wizards still hadn't all figured out the muggle fashion trends. If you made it to the top though it was simply glorious. The city of London stretched out for miles the ocean on one side, city on the other. At night the city lights lit up your features making you feel alive. This is what Dexter needed. Not alcohol and naked escapades around Hogwarts. He needed to get outside these walls and go do something. So once again it was strange but Astrid was taking him to do just that. She had already owled the Queen who was coincidently at the Buckingham Palace. If they had time and Dexter wanted to they were welcome there as well though that was somewhere Astrid could do without going to. She loved the Queen but she didn't want to be reminded that her mother was in the hospital and it was her fault for practically driving her there. She would let Mason decide. Tonight was his night to forget, his night to be free.
She stood by the entrance and exit of the Hogwarts grounds that led to Hogsmeade where they could apparate without getting interrogated by McGonagall upon their return. Her internal clock told her it was eight, and as if confirmation Dexter came down the sloping grassy hill towards her in a summer sweater. Giving him an Astrid smile in the darkness she asked happily, "Ready to go?" At his response she linked arms with him as she used to with Randall and led Dexter through the gate and towards the center of the town of Hogsmeade where she had planned their apparition. She could feel both of their bodies loosen more as they were no longer on the Hogwarts grounds and her smile became more genuine. Reaching the statue in the middle of the town she looked beside her at Dexter who still had that sad look in his eye but looked like he was trying. With a quirk of the lip she said quietly, "I'll let you do the honors as you are the apparition expert and I am merely a potions professor." She felt her insides turn inside themselves as they twisted in the night sky towards muggle London.
