A/N: This is a story of original characters in the Harry Potter universe that have been developed over many years on a Harry Potter RPG site: virtual [dash] hogwarts .org

The site is full of HP nuances, like Sorting, Quidditch, Dueling and classes. You can develop your own character from the start. There will be canon characters throughout this fic, but I've got a lot of love for my original character, Aurora, whom you will find on VH if you decide to check it out.

The last day of summer was always one that made Aurora Braelin-VonHaus feel sorrowful. Sure, it meant that vacation was at an end, but that didn't really mean too much for her since she still worked the summer at St. Mungo's when she wasn't at Hogwarts. This was something that she and her husband, Spike VonHaus, always seemed to disagree on. Frequently, he'd remind her that she didn't need to work, she was with him and they had more than enough wealth that she could stay home with him and their two new additions to the family. She could see herself being happy with that life, at least for a while before she went mad with boredom-not that she thought her children were boring by any means. Though, she knew deep down that she was undeserving of the life of luxury that he was offering her. She was a woman of action; anyone who knew her could vouch for that, and she loved having a sense of purpose. What greater purpose was there than helping people and saving lives? It was important to her, and every time Spike brought it up, she never hesitated to remind him that her work was just as important as his. Her livelihood had nothing to do with money. It was deeper than that.

Everyone was in the backyard that day, August 31st, celebrating birthdays and mourning the last day of summer at the same time. Spike had the BBQ going, surrounded by the other men of the family and was producing hot dogs and hamburgers, steaks and pork chops left, right and centre. There was beer for the adults-the men mostly-and soda, juice and water for the kids. Aurora opted for a bottle of water, steering clear from the alcohol. There was a time, long ago, when she thought the answers she was looking for could be found at the bottom of a bottle or two-definitely more. She never classified herself as an alcoholic, and kicked the crutch easily enough after having an epiphany during her time in Paris all those years ago, but she drank seldom ever since, regardless.

A large pool had been magically created in the backyard for the happy occasion, and Aura's adopted cousin, Selina, was on duty, diligently watching over all the children that were being loud and splashing water all over the place, including in each other's faces. She could hear Selina calling out to them to settle down before someone got a finger in the eye or worse. Mercifully, the two new additions to the family were upstairs, sleeping and blissfully unaware of the party happening outside. Aurora kept a baby monitor nearby so she could hear when they demanded her attention.

Sitting at a table under the cover of a large canopy, she sipped her water and watched the kids horsing around in the pool. She smiled, because it was rare moments like this that would always be with her. She wasn't a fan of the sun, and while she could appreciate gorgeous days, if she had to sit outside for any length of time, the shade is where she would rather do it.

Alexandria Turlough, cousin and best friend, came over to the table and presented Aurora with a hot dog before sitting down in the chair next to her. She glanced at the offered hot dog and accepted it, even though her stomach wasn't hungry enough to want to eat it. Still, it was the thought that counted, and the healer smiled gratefully towards her cousin, who was as radiant as ever with a growing belly that demanded more than one serving from the BBQ. "Thank you," she said, capping her water and taking a bite. Merlin, it was the juiciest hot dog, ever. If there was one thing Spike knew how to do (which isn't to suggest he didn't know a lot of things), it was how to have a kick-ass BBQ. Alex hummed her response, having already dove into her own meal.

Alex had just about finished her hot dog and hamburger by the time Aurora had eaten half of a hot dog. "Everything okay over there, Squirt?" Alex inquired, nudging her with her elbow. Of course she'd notice the lack of appetite.

Aura smiled, nodding her head, lost in the memory that was being made at that very moment when Jacen jumped off the diving board and pulled one leg up to his chest in a very successful jack-knife. Water shot up a good fifteen feet into the air, but its arc had the water descending in the direction of the two women. Water plopped down heavily onto the canopy and Aurora chuckled to herself. "Everything's perfect," she said after a moment, and right then, she wasn't entirely sure she believed herself.

"Going back tomorrow, eh?"

"Tonight, actually. For a couple of hours. Just to set up the Wing, get everything in order before tomorrow. But, yeah, I'll be heading back on the train tomorrow morning." Now, it felt like it was a necessity for her to ride the Hogwarts Express to the castle. She didn't need to. Apparation to Hogsmeade was just a blink of an eye away, but ever since that year she had taken the train with her eldest boys simply to watch over their first train ride to the castle, and the attack that nearly took them from her, she rode it every year now, keeping a watchful eye on all of her children and all of the other children she felt equally responsible for. This, Alex understood without question.

"You know, Squirt… I have such a bad feeling about Hogwarts this year," Alex confided, swiping a napkin along the corners of her mouth, food finished, mother and baby both satisfied.

Aurora barked a laugh, but made no move to initiate eye contact with her, knowing what she'd see when she did. Worry, fear, helplessness all mixed together out of love, and coupled with painful memories from their youth. "You always have a bad feeling about Hogwarts," she challenged. "Every year."

"And you don't?"

The question made Aurora tilt her head towards Alex while it weighed heavily in her mind. "You know, I'm usually the one with the bad feelings," Aurora pointed out, telling Alex she was worrying too much without saying it outright. Obviously, in that moment, the healer was void of any bad feelings, per se. There was something lurking just under the surface, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"You're usually right about them, too," Alex replied, giving a slight nod to an ability that Aurora had long since lost. Able to see the future when she was but a student in Hogwarts, only to become so damaged at the hands of dark wizards, it was no wonder why Aurora had lost the ability to see the future because of the trauma.

Aurora flicked her eyes to her cousin, and she saw everything she knew she would see directed towards her. "Alex, don't let your mind go there," she said gently. "That's not a path I want you traveling with me." When Alex looked away, her attention seemingly drawn towards the children, Aura knew it was more than that. Her words had struck a chord. Since when did they travel different paths? She didn't need a seers ability to know what was going through the elder's head. "Thinking like that all the time," she continued, looking away as well, "it can change you. It can change the way you see things, and people."

"This isn't small stuff I'm sweating about, Aura. It's not some jaded sort of thinking. It's big, and it's important. Nothing is more important than your safety, and theirs," Alex nodded towards the VonHaus kids in the pool just as Edward jumped on Jonathan and pulled him under the water. "I'm just saying that I-"

"Have a bad feeling. I got it." And it was enough to spring forth her own seeds of doubt on the upcoming school year, and she looked at her children worriedly.

"No-well, yes, but rather, I just want you to be careful." Alex couldn't hide the concern in her voice.

The corners of Aura's mouth twitched upwards. "Always," she promised and went for her water again. She didn't even bother taking a swig. She fiddled with the lid in her hand, because while she hadn't exactly had a bad feeling beforehand, it was definitely there now, more prominent in the back of her mind than usual.

She caught Spike waving at her in her peripheral and she looked over. "Food's ready," she announced to her cousin. Taking Spike's cue, she rose from her spot and wandered towards the pool. "Okay, guys! Everyone out. It's dinner time." She was greeted with a chorus of groans from half of the children. Meanwhile, Edward and Jonathan were eagerly hauling themselves out, bellies longing for food. Aurora stood at the edge of the pool watching the stragglers. Alex's mother, Kathryn, was in the pool with her grandchildren, supervising them alongside Selina, who preferred to stay dry.

Suddenly, something felt off. She flicked her eyes towards her daughter who was whispering excitedly towards Jacen and wrapping herself up in a towel. There was someone behind her. She knew exactly what this was. Hell, she had done this in the past, and now was obviously the time for revenge. "Don't do it," she warned loudly to the one who was plotting against her. "I don't care if you're pregnant. You're going in, too, if you do."

There was movement, behind her, calling her bluff. Turning just enough to grip Alex's arm, she was shoved so unceremoniously towards the large body of water, but she had a strong enough hold on her cousin that Alex fell into the warm water with her, both screaming girlishly until they were submerged. Truth be told, the water felt heavenly on this scorcher of a day. She stayed under for a second while Alex kicked for the surface. Under here, the laughter of adults and the squeals of excited children having witnessed their mothers at play was muffled. There was a sort of peace that came under water. Everything was just shut out. It was solitude and she was weightless in it.

Her head broke the surface in time for Alex to thrust a wave of water in her face with her palm. Aurora retaliated, laughing, engaging her inner child for all of five minutes, bad feelings forgotten. "Alright, alright. You just ate. You know the rule, mommy," she chastised her cousin and swam for the shallow end. "AJ, sweetie, could you grab us a couple more towels from inside?"

Laughing, AJ trotted off to do just that. Ascending the steps, Aurora turned back to Alex, giggling like a little girl and extended her hand. Not that Alex needed help, but there was a solidarity to the gesture and Alex took it, allowing herself to be helped out of the pool. "How did you know I was even behind you?" Alex asked in good spirits and took the towel AJ had returned with.

"Those two," the healer pointed at Jacen, and by association, AJ, too. "Can't contain their excitement sometimes. And… I figured you'd try try it after last year." She turned towards everyone else. "Okay, okay. Dinner time. Come on, everyone. Pool's closed."

Ushering everyone toward the table where the men, the husbands-Uncle Mike, Creylen, Spike, Daniel, Aaron-were assorting everything for everyone. Eventually, everyone was sitting at the tables under the large canopy, eating merrily and talking amongst themselves. By the time dinner was done, Aurora was still soaking wet, but Alex had snuck into the house and emerged less than a minute later perfectly dry once more.

She sat next to her husband, arm looped through his, wet head resting upon his bare shoulder. "Great BBQ, babe," she whispered to him. Spike looked down at her with his ocean blues and swooped in for a quick smooch.

"Keep it PG, you two," Sarah said from across the table, but low enough that only they could hear.

"Mum!" the healer admonished, a blush creeping up her neck as she buried her face into Spike's shoulder. "Jeez." The woman had such a nasty habit of making her feel like a teenager all over again, busted for making out with her then partner, whether it was Darcie, or Beau, or Harko, or Lian back in the day. "Want to help me with the cake?" she murmured in his ear. Of course, she meant they were going to snog for a minute before lighting the candles and bringing out the large cake that would be enough for two slices each if people so desired. They went overboard sometimes, but birthdays were a big deal.

Then, who doesn't love presents?

There was eventually more swimming after a sufficient amount of time had passed. The presents were opened, and Edward and Jonathan seemed to be overwhelmed in a good way. They were appreciative to their relatives, thanked, hugged and kissed everyone. That made Aurora a proud momma. The younger twins had woken up, and just as Aurora was about to venture into the house to tend to them, Spike promised he had them and disappeared into the house before she could even rise from her seat. "Wish I could train Creylen like that," Alex muttered over her shoulder, watching the former Slytherin as he went.

Aurora barked a laugh, because yeah, she knew she was very lucky. She had no snappy retort to that, just kept chuckling. The sun was beginning to set, and she didn't want to have to end the party, but it was just about that time. The kids needed to go through their night before school ritual. They needed to shower and get the smell of chlorine out of their hair. They also needed to recheck their trunks and make sure everything was packed (and packed properly). Then, before bed, it was time for a movie, and it was Jacen's turn to pick, which would undoubtedly result in a VonHaus war between the children.

The pool was void of children an hour later, the party wrapping up just in time, really. Alex scooped up Aurora Jr. in her arms and tilted her towards Aurora. "Give Auntie Aura a kiss!" she cooed at her daughter, making Aurora chuckle. She made a point of making a loud smacking noise with her lips on Rora's cheek, much to the young girl's delight. The two cousins managed a one armed hug. "Take care, Squirt."

"You, too, Quack."

She smiled, watching Alex rounding up her family and heading for the fireplace. She waved, sad and slow, before Alex dropped the floo powder to her feet and was gone in the flash of green fire. Selina and her family also opted for the fireplace. Abigail and her family, however, had to drive, so they left an hour earlier, along with Kathryn and Michael.

The house was quiet again, and Deew suddenly appeared next to Aurora, tugging on her sleeve like that of a child. She smiled down at him. "Should Deew clean the house now, Mrs. Aurora?" She had always felt so incredibly awkward with a house elf. She hated that he cleaned for the family, detested that he liked it so much. It's been years, and still it felt wrong.

"No, Deew. That's okay. I can handle it tonight."

"But, Deew insists!"

"Oh, Deew," she sighed appreciatively. She could see from his big eyes that he wasn't going to back down. Had he been that bored today? "If you want -" She didn't even finish the sentence before he was off to do just that. Amused, she went off in search of Spike to tell him the kids were showering, then double checking their trunks. "I'll be back in time for the movie," she added.

Heading for the fireplace, Aurora, too, disappeared in a flash of green fire.