The first month and a half, Aurora spent it in Hogwarts with the few staff that stayed over for summer. It was a boring summer, but she spent it practising new spells and getting a new future profession idea.
After her recovery from the attack, the young Dumbledore tried hard to persuade Madame Pomphrey into teaching her the secrets of medicine and healing. Of course, once she bent under her constant begging and puppy eyes, she was forced to study…a lot.
She was forced to study from anatomy to history and different herbs, but all paid off when she learnt a small but efficient spell which hopefully would help with their adventures.
Her only salvation was the letters she exchanged with her friends. As promised, she kept contact with Hermione every single day, discussing their latest news. And by discussing, mostly referring to Hermione narrating her summer travel and constantly asking her friend to come over.
She kept good contact with all 3 Weasleys, writing them different letters for each. With Gorge, she had a little bit more casual talk while when Fred was included was mostly about pranks and the secrets of the school.
She, of course, kept contact with Ron as well who talked about his summer chores and the fact that he wished he had his room back with Harry.
Speaking of the young Potter, the letters stopped quite sudden after less than a month of their goodbye. It was peculiar for Aurora and she kept writing letters but never received a reply.
However, she also suspected that the family he stayed with, might have found a way in preventing him from replying. Yet, she did nothing spontaneous and decided to wait for a little more.
To pass her summer more pleasantry, life allowed her to spend the months of July & August with the Weasleys at the Barrow. Needless to say, she was very excited to meet the rest of the family. Especially the kind woman who made a sweater for her with her initials. A sweater she still had for the future winter days.
Now, she stood in her Grand father's office with her suitcase and Ruby in her cage. She would use the magical floo dust to teleport to the house of the redheads. It was a very sufficient and useful trick many wizards and witches used but it did have its dangers if you happened to misspell the place you want to go.
She had used it to though, learning it from a young age since that was her way of moving from her muggle house to Hogwarts and back as she grew up.
"Did you pack everything?" McGonagall asked as she stood by her side. Aurora gave a nod with her head, already excited to meet her friends. "All the clothes you might need? What about jackets? Have you taken enough because night can become cold there. Oh, and the presents. You cannot visit a family that will open its doors for you and not give them presents as a small repayment. Your books to study your homework? What about-"
"Minerva" The older Dumbledore called amused, walking towards the woman. "I believe everything is covered. You shouldn't worry that much"
The older witch turned to look at him. "I am well aware, Albus. However, this is the first time and things need to be proper. Knowing Aurora, she can forget certain objects behind"
"I am standing right here you know," the sassy girl said but smiled in amusement, mimicking her grandfather.
Professor McGonagall had been by her side since Day 1. Long before she got a name, before she even attended Hogwarts for summer for the first time. Always by her grandfather's side, she became the motherly figure that Aurora missed in her life.
Teaching her to read, making sure her handwriting with the pen was perfect and even came with her when she had to buy her stuff in Diagon Alley. She was like a mother and a grandmother, looking after her.
Even during school years she did, though more passively and not showing the special bond the two shared.
Yet, Aurora would never complain or change the situation. She adored the older and wiser witch while idolizing her for her skills in transfiguration and combat. She had a story of her own, quite powerful one, but few truly knew it.
Albus laughed and patted her head with his big hand, making sure not to disrupt the neat French braid Minerva had made an hour before.
"Aurora is growing and if things are needed to be sent, there are plenty of ways to do so" the man reassured his loyal friend and companion all those years.
McGonagall looked between the two, seeing the face that begged her to let them go and not worry about anything. Leaving a sigh, she smiled and shook her head. It was in those moments; the duo showed many similarities.
"Very well" she hugged Aurora before fixing a strand that had escaped. "You better take good care Aurora. I will keep in contact with Mrs Weasley. If I hear of any trick, prank or action that is out of line, you are sent back here. Agreed?"
The girl blinked, always taken by surprise by how far the woman could change from caring to strict.
"You have my word Grandmother Minerva" she said, giving a smile.
Immediately, those aged eyes softened at being called a grandmother. She never had children of her own and thus no grandchildren, but that changed when Aurora was born. She had her chance which then became permanent, but she didn't mind.
She saw the young child as if it was her own and ensured she was raised proper. Her mother might be gone but she was still around, and she would ensure that such presence would not be missed in her just-starting life.
The title, she obtained very soon once Aurora got the hang of sentences and phrases. However, it was only used when there were no 3rd parties. Unfortunately, it had to be, but the girl grew up to understand the situation and agreeing.
"Okay then," she said after taking a good image of the child which seemed it was yesterday, had just learnt to walk.
She walked towards the fireplace and motioned for her to take her place. Once Aurora did, she passed her the cup with the magical floo which would ensure her travelling was successful.
The child smiled and took a sufficient portion before looking at the two adults that shaped her life. Well, Hagrid did as well but currently was away for some business which only left her with the two grandparents of hers.
"The Burrow," she said and let the dust fall, quickly her body being engulfed by bright green flames.
Once Aurora arrived at her destination, she started to cough since the fireplace was not fully and properly cleaned. Taking a step forward, she let her eyes and nose calm down before looking where she was.
She was in a small but welcoming living room that gave this homey feeling that only certain places could. The sound of steps quickly made her look at her right where a pair of old wooden stairs existed.
In seconds, she had been picked up by none other than George Weasley who started to spin. "She is here! She is here!" he chanted along with his twin while she chuckled at the welcoming.
Being left down, her hair was quickly messed up from George who received a slap at his hand for running her just-made braid.
"Oh finally. Welcome dear" a new voice said, and the twins parted, allowing their mother to approach.
She was a short and slightly full woman with kind eyes and an apron. Her arms quickly enveloped her in a hug, fully welcoming her without any worries or fears. She immediately gave the sweet vibe of a mother or a woman that would bake cookies and give them for free in return for a smile.
"Hello Mrs Weasley" the girl said, once realizing what had taken place.
Once released, the older woman started to inspect her. "Look at you. You are cuter than what George and Ron described" immediately, the twin turned red on the cheeks while his brother was still missing. "But you look so skinny. Do not worry, I cooked a home-made broth and made plenty for all"
She wanted to chuckle, not expecting such a reaction or comment. It was amusing and showed how much she truly cared. Now, she could understand why that woman knitted her a sweater without even knowing her.
"Ron is finishing some chores outside" George started.
"But we can show you around the house" Fred continued as per usual.
"Boys, I believe a room to leave her stuff is a priority" their mother scolded and then turned to Aurora, giving her a big smile. "You will be sharing a room with my little Ginny. She is actually going to attend Hogwarts for the first time this year, so it is a perfect way for you two to catch up"
Mrs Weasly kept talking while guiding the girl up the stairs to her room. Ruby looked at her owner, taken aback by the bright personality of the woman and the sudden change of environment.
She wasn't a very big fun of changes to begin with.
Once done, the woman pushed Aurora into the room and closed the door behind her. Blinking, the 12-year-old locked eyes with an 11-year-old girl. She had the same hair, eyes and face as all of her siblings, but her body language indicated a much shyer personality.
"Uhm…hi!" she started, seeing the girl being closed to the sudden appearance. "I am Aurora Dumbledore" she let go of her luggage and extended her hand.
"I am Ginny," the girl said, her voice an octave lower than hers.
After the shake, she looked around and spotted another single bed right across from the one Ginny was sitting at. The room was small, barely containing a desk and a wardrobe. A small round window overlooked endless green hills and posters of Quidditch teams and famous young-boy wizards covered the walls.
"Cool room" she commented, moving her stuff to her side and sitting on the bed.
"Thanks" There was another silence and the two girls looked at each other and then elsewhere, not knowing how to intercept or break the ice so to speak. That was until Ginny gathered all her courage. "Is it true that you are friends with Harry Potter?"
Aurora lifted an eyebrow. "Uhm…yeah. We are pretty close you can say"
She leaned closer. "Can you tell him more about him?"
As it was proven, Ginny was a big fan of Harry and had a crush on him. Most of their talks were about him which didn't fully sit well with Aurora but eventually found ways to talk about other stuff.
Her time was spent there with the Twins and Ron who showed her around, worked together on the chores and talked about Quidditch or pranks.
She had met MR. Weasly on her first day and he was as unique as the rest of his family. Fascinated with anything Muggle, he spent a whole hour questioning her on stuff once he found out she spent her whole 10 years in the Muggle world (almost).
However, the vibe of the big family and the peaceful, laidback everyday routine it provided mesmerized Aurora. She had never been somewhere else, having so much fun and having friends without having to worry about her last name or reporters.
There, she was secluded and free to be herself. She was part of a big family and felt what it was like to have siblings and having to do chores while helping in providing for the family. It was a unique experience and she loved each second of it.
She talked about it every day to Hermione and her Grandparents, who seemed pleased with her excellent behaviour. McGonagall even received letters from Mrs Weasley, thanking her of the presents and praising her for how well Aurora was brought up and how mannered she was.
All was perfect but one thing that kept bothering her mind.
Harry.
He had yet to reply to any of his messages and summer was almost over. Something was telling her that it was not because he didn't want to write her back. No, something else was taking place.
One night, two days before his birthday, she sat on the rooftop of the Burrow and looked at the stars. She kept thinking of him, wondering what she could do to help him or check on him.
"Thought I would find you here" George said as he opened the small lot door and climbed up, before sitting by her side.
This place was shown to her by the twin in question, a place she could be alone with her thoughts but also enjoy the majestic phenomenon of endless stars and alignments with faint nebula gasses across the endless black sky.
"I just needed to clear my mind and think" she admitted, looking at him while hugging her knees closer.
"You still worry about Harry?"
"Yeah. Something is odd, I know it. And I suspect its that family of his behind it" she left out a sigh and rested her chin on her knees.
"Well…" the twin started, leaning back on his hands. "Fred, Ron and I talked. We also worry and actually check on Harry *she looks at him* To be more precise, steal Harry and bring him here"
"How?" she asked, frowning her reddish-brown eyebrows.
"We thought to 'burrow' Dad's magical flying car"
"Hold on," The Dumbledore said and cleaned her air. "You said magical flying?"
Okay she might have been into the Wizarding world since birth but having a vesicle with the ability to fly and the license to possess it was something rare. She only knew Hagrid had his special motorcycle but that was…well…not fully legal and he wasn't allowed to use it as often as he wanted.
"That's right. Dad has enchanted his car. He doesn't always use it and it happens to be free tomorrow night"
"Count me in. Whatever you plan on doing, I am joining" she had lowered her legs and turned her body to have the Weasley in her full field of vision. Her hand faintly touched his with this movement, but she didn't seem to pay much attention to it.
He, on the other hand, did and glanced at it before looking into her eager blue eyes. He blinked and cleared his throat, quickly focusing at the matter on hand. After all, Aurora was a mere child and he was not raised in such a way.
Not to mention there was a certain Quidditch player from his year which had caught his eye and was hoping for a…bond upgrading in the upcoming semester.
"I knew you would be in," A new voice said, and the duo turned to look at Fred who popped his head from the door. "We leave tomorrow night, once Mom and Dad are asleep"