To Save a Life

May 1998
Aurora

Aurora paced around the library, her brow furrowed as she listened to the aurors discuss various methods to get into the village and then onto Hogwarts. She said nothing, just listened as they argued back and forth. Every time they started onto a decent sounding plan, someone would voice a drawback. A reason it wouldn't work. Remus leaned against the wall, listening but yet watching her. The feeling that something bad was about to happen had only grown in her over the last few days to a point that she was barely sleeping at night. Just earlier, he had found her passed out in the rocking chair, a sleeping Ryan in her lap. He moved the baby to the crib, but didn't move her, worried that he'd wake her up and interrupt the only decent bit of sleep she had gotten in days.

If she kept this up, she would be in no shape to attempt a rescue mission.

"Why don't we just get to the Hog's Head and then plan from there?"

Aurora stopped pacing, looking over to see Tonks and Charlie walk into the room. Tonks had spent the better part of the last few days in bed, though Aurora should have known that she wouldn't stay there for long. The auror had spunk.

"You should be resting," Aurora said, stepping over to her. Tonks flashed her a smile, her hair now returned to its normal bright pink.

"That's what I told her," Charlie said, frowning at Tonks. She just winked at him, then reached out and took his hand. Seemed they had come clean about their feelings for each other and weren't hiding it.

"I'm fine. Good as new. You've done your work well. Now it's time to focus on saving Ellie," Tonks said, a determined gleam entering her eyes. "Again… why can't we just go straight to the Hog's Head?"

"There are alarms all over the village," Thacker said. "And they've increased patrols of Death Eaters. They're completely random, so we haven't been able to log any sort of pattern to them. No one gets in and out without them knowing. If we apparate in or use any sort of magical means, they'll be alerted to our presence. Probably will be as well even if we go in the muggle way. We haven't been able to get in and properly assess the situation in months."

"But there must be something!" Aurora nearly shouted, causing all of them to look at her.

"I understand your frustration, but it won't do any good for you to get caught before we even get the chance to rescue anyone," Shacklebolt said. Aurora pursed her lips and stalked out of the library, already weary of hearing all the things that they couldn't do.

"I'll talk to her," Remus said tiredly, already moving to follow Aurora. She didn't stop until she was in the greenhouse, staring out of the windows. Her body was rigid and tense.

"I just… something is happening," she said, already sensing that he was there behind her. She turned to face him, her eyes lit up with tears. "Why can't we just go?" He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Honestly, all the sitting and waiting was wearing on him as well. And he couldn't help but think that Aurora was right. He could feel it in his bones as well. Something was coming and it was of the utmost importance that they get to Hogwarts and quickly.

Aurora took a deep breath and walked past him to the doors, shutting them and then turning to face him.

"I can't wait like this anymore," she said, dropping her voice. "I'm going to Hogsmeade." She waited, almost as though she expected him to stop her or try to talk her out of it.

"I agree. I'll go with you," Remus said nearly automatically. "Perhaps it will be easier to get into the village with just the two of us." Aurora then quickly made her way over to where she brewed potions, going through her supplies.

"We might need them," she said, grabbing a knapsack and doing a few spells quickly before grabbing various bottles and vials and putting them inside. She glanced over her shoulder. "Is there anything else that we might need?"

"I don't think so," he replied. "We just need to get to the Hog's Head. Can't use floo or apparate directly into the village, though." Aurora nodded, looking back to the shelves before closing the bag.

"There's an emergency apparition point in my closet," she said. "We can leave through there. Apparate to the Forbidden Forest on the edge of the village and then sneak in by foot." She paused a moment as she furrowed her brow. "I should… I should speak with Mrs. Clark…" She blinked rapidly a moment, the tears springing in her eyes. Remus was at her side, taking her hand.

"Don't go down that road, Rora. We'll get her and then we'll all be here together. Safe," he said softly. She nodded and straightened her back. The two then made for the door, opening it and looking around. They could hear the others still discussing the plan loudly from the library as they quietly made their way to the stairs and up. Aurora quickly went to the nursery where Mrs. Clark was sitting in the rocking chair, reading a story to Ryan.

Taking a deep breath, she walked over and bent down, kissing the top of his head. Mrs. Clark didn't say anything, already guessing what was happening when she saw the look on Aurora's face.

"Mummy has to go, my love," Aurora said softly, touching the tot's cheek. He grinned and reached for her hair. "But Mrs. Clark will look after you until I get back."

"We'll be just fine, Aurora," Mrs. Clark said softly. "You go get Ellie and bring her back." Aurora nodded as she stood up and quickly made her way out of the room, worried that if she stayed she would never leave.

Silently, the two made their way to Aurora's room with Remus shutting the door behind him. He glanced around, seeing everything clean and put in its place. Aurora went straight for the large, walk-in closet, stopping for a moment once inside to grab and jacket and sliding it on, then pulling the knapsack on her back. She then stepped back out.

"Let's go," she said. Remus nodded, pulling his wand out of his pocket as they made their way in. Aurora led him to the back and then faced him, taking his hand.

"I promise you, I will do everything I can to make sure we get Ellie out of there," he said, staring deep into her eyes.

"I know. Just make sure that you're coming back with us," Aurora whispered in return. She then kissed his cheek and closed her eyes. Remus took a deep breath, closing his own eyes as he thought about where he wanted to go.

With a tiny pop, they were gone.

"That won't work either!" Thacker yelled, long ago having lost his temper. "It's like you want to let everyone know we're there!"

Shacklebolt rubbed his face as he leaned forward in his chair. They were getting nowhere, and it felt as though they had been there for hours rehashing the same arguments. He was halfway tempted to end things for the night, but the thought of Evan Selwyn sneaking into the castle to kidnap Ellie - of all the students currently in danger there - stopped him from suggesting it.

"And think if we go back to the first idea-"

Before Shacklebolt could finish his thought, a spectral falcon flew into the room and landed on the table.

"It's Harry - he's at Hogwarts… Voldemort has been sent for. We must get to the Hog's Head as soon as possible."

It was then that Shacklebolt realized the burning in his pocket. As the others jumped into motion, he reached into his robe pocket and pulled out the coin Neville Longbottom had given to members of the Order should this very thing happen. Already instructions were forming.

There was no way around it - they had to go now. Shacklebolt jumped out of his chair and started towards the door.

"Gather the others. Where's Aurora and Remus?" Shacklebolt said.

"Probably the greenhouse. Charlie and I will get them," Tonks said, the two already turning to run out of the room. They sprinted to the greenhouse but found it empty.

"Where else would they go?" Charlie asked.

"Perhaps the kitchens, or… the nursery," Tonks replied, turning and running out. She bounded through the manor and up the stairs, something in her mind telling her that they were too late. Too late for what, she wasn't sure. They flew into the nursery, finding only Mrs. Clark there with the baby.

"I thought you had already left," she said, a puzzled look on her face.

"What do you mean?" Tonks asked.

"Aurora and Mr. Lupin were here some time ago. They said good-bye to Ryan," Mrs. Clark said, standing with the baby still in her arms. Tonks' mouth dropped open and she groaned, starting out the door with Charlie on her heels.

"What's happening?" he asked.

"Dammit. They've left already," Tonks replied.

"But how?"

"Emergency apparition point in her closet. Nearly forgot we put it there," Tonks said, rushing down to the library. "We need to hurry. They'll need backup."

"Where are they?" Shacklebolt shouted as they ran back in. "Where's Aurora and Remus?"

"They've already left…"

The night was still when Aurora and Remus appeared in the forest just outside Hogsmeade. Aurora looked towards the castle, wishing they could go straight there, but the rational part of her mind won out, reminding her that it was heavily guarded by Death Eaters and there was no way they would find a way passed them on their own.

No, they needed to get to Aberforth at the Hog's Head. Then he could likely help them get inside. Quickly, the two began moving through the quiet forest, coming up on the edges of the village. Remus put his arm out, stopping her as he watched ahead through the branches. He turned to her, motioning that they should do disillusionment charms. Aurora nodded, pulling out her wand and whispering the spell.

Once they were both ready, they crept forward slowly, testing the boundaries of the town. When nothing happened, Aurora almost smiled. Remus took one more step forward and then the quiet was interrupted by screeching. The two barely paused for a moment before launching themselves forward and down alleys and back paths. Ducking behind barrels, boxes and corners. Anything that might hide them further.

As they were about to go around the corner of the building, Remus reached out and stopped Aurora, his eyes fixed on two figures in black robes making their way down the street.

"Bloody annoying caterwaul," one grumbled loudly. "Two in one night! What the fucking hell is going on?!"

"Someone's snuck into the village, that's what," the other shouted back. "If it's bloody Potter-"

"But why would he come here?"

"Like hell if I know."

"Where the fuckin' hell is Selwyn? Isn't he supposed to be out here with us?"

Aurora gripped Remus' arm, her eyes going wide. He was here. The other man snorted.

"No. Said he had some special assignment at the castle. Somethin' the Dark Lord asked him to do," he retorted. "If you ask me, he's probably up there havin' some sort of dalliance with Alecto."

"Surely he's not that stupid," the other replied. "He's asking for it."

"Look, if I knew what that looney was up to, I'd tell you, but I don't. Probably off on some sort of revenge mission behind the Dark Lord's back. One that'll likely get him on the Dark Lord's bad side. So best to let him do what he's doing and worry about ourselves. We don't find those intruders and it's our arses on the line."

Remus and Aurora remained still and hidden until the voices moved away before Remus started out of the alley, moving much faster now. Thankfully it didn't take long to reach the Hog's Head. He quickly rapped on the door.

It opened a crack and then fully.

"Get in here!" Aberforth hissed, motioning to the two. "Death Eaters are searching the bloody village."

"We know," Remus replied. "Is Harry here?"

"Already sent him through the passage with Hermione and Ron. Should be somewhere in the castle by now," Aberforth said, glancing through the curtains before pulling them shut. "Set off a bloody racket. Apparating right into town… Can't just do that..."

"What passageway?" Aurora asked urgently. She couldn't help as everything inside her was jumping and on edge. Evan was possibly at the castle right this minute. They could already be too late. He needed to tell them how to get into the castle right now. Aberforth turned to face the two.

"The one that opened up during first term. Connects to a secret room where many of the students have been hiding," he said. "Take it they sent for the rest of you already?"

"No. We came here on our own. We had word that Evan Selwyn would attempt to get into the castle to take Ellie," Remus replied. Aberforth looked between the two and then sighed, walking over to a large portrait of a young girl.

"He's been there," he replied. "Longbottom told me when I sent for him to take Potter and the others through. Dunno if he's still there, though."

"We must go now," Aurora said, gripping Remus' arm.

"I know," Aberforth replied, swinging the portrait open. "Suspect the others'll be along soon. And if they know Harry's here, it won't be long before they send for You Know Who. Hurry."

Aurora didn't need to be told twice as she dove into the passage, nearly tripping over the rocks as she didn't bother to pull out her wand to provide her proper lighting on the way.

All she could think was that she needed to get to Ellie.

Like I said – things are happening. Lots of action coming up. Man, action scenes are hard to write. Just hope I did them justice.

Thanks for reading and following!