September 28, 1993
The flash of green light was intense, as it always was. Then there was darkness and a baby crying while a man soothed the child.
"I'll protect her with my life" the gentle voice said. "Always."
Aurora sat bolt upright, she was sweating and her hands were clammy. She hadn't had that dream since starting at Hogwarts, but once again she was forced to reflect on that voice. Who was he? He sounded so familiar, like a person she had known and lost along time ago.
Was the baby in the dream even her?
She got up and made her way down to the Slytherin common room, the other girls had already left the dormitory so she went on her own.
When she made her way into the Slytherin common room, it was packed with people all clustered together around a bulletin board.
"What's going on?" she asked, spotting Astoria and Lyra standing towards the front.
"We have flying lessons with the Gryffindors on October 7th" Astoria squealed.
Great, the Gryffindors Aurora thought before sighing.
"That's great."
"Bet Robbins isn't good on a broom" Talia sneered. The others laughed except Aurora.
"Even better," Draco smirked joining the queue "I bet the squib, muggle lover won't last on a broom." Even more laughter.
Aurora bit her lip before making her way with her head down out of the Slytherin common room.
Aurora skipped breakfast and instead opted to go to the Library alone to finish her Potions essay.
When she went inside the library, to her relief, know one was in there except Madam Pince.
To remain hidden, she went to the back of the Library, just in case someone came in.
She propped her textbook up and began to make the necessary edits to her essay. When she was done, she rolled up her parchment and put her Potions book away.
On her way to Potions, she noticed people staring at her and whispering.
"Did you hear, she hates muggleborns."
"I knew it, she is a Malfoy."
"Are you sure she does?"
"She yelled at Draco and Gryffindors and Slytherins got into a huge fight yesterday."
"Even Potter, Weasley, Granger ad Finnigan took part."
"She looks so harsh."
"You'd have that look about you if you were raised by the Malfoys too."
Aurora could feel her anger beginning to rise as she heard the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws whispering about yesterday's events as she walked through the corridors.
However, Aurora also caught the whispers coming from the Slytherins she passed as well.
"Scum."
"How could the Malfoys have raised such a mugge lover?"
"Yeah, but remember she's not Malfoy blood."
"Muggle lover."
"Blood traitor."
"How dare those Gryffindors attack Draco."
"Oh, did you hear, squib Malfoy is talking to the Gryffindors now. Robbins and the trio, he Weasley twins and the rest of them disgusting."
"Yeah, she's odd."
So, Aurora mused as she approached the Potions classroom, to the Slytherins, she was a muggle loving squib and to the rest of the houses she was a muggle hater. She sighed. She wised the whole school hadn't found out about yesterday's fight, but what else was she to expect?
It was all just speculation on the part of her peers.
She took her spot in Potions beside Demelza.
"I guess the whole school's found about yesterday."
Demelza noded at her.
"It'll be okay, they'll forget soon enough."
"I'm not sure they will."
When Snape strode into the classroom, Aurora took out her essay that she had just finished to place it on her desk.
Snape flicked his wand lazily and all the scrolls of parchment that had been placed by the students on their desks came flying towards him and stacked themselves neatly in a pile on his desk.
"Turn to page 324" he said silkily.
The class did.
"Now tell me, what natural ingredient is used in calming potions, Miss Malfoy?"
"Mint, sir."
Snape sneered "Read the instructions carefully and then begin making your calming draughts."
The class did as they were told. As usual, Aurora helped Demelza with her potion when Snape's back was turned.
When he passed by their table he promptly deducted 20 points from Gryffindor for Aurora having acted like a know it all, which angered her.
She was too good in Potions and magical theory, but not good in magic.
Was she ever enough?
No.
And the not being good at magic thing she felt was strongly related to the fact that she was using Narcissa's wand.
She huffed at Snape to show she wasn't pleased.
"10 more points from Gryffindor for the attitude, Miss Malfoy."
She hung her head and continued working.
When class had ben dismissed, Aurora and Demelza brought their Potion vials up to place them on Snape's desk before rushing out of the classroom.
"Do you always have to loose us points, Malfoy?"
Aurora turned to see the approaching girl. It was the girl she knew to be as Sage from Demelza.
"Which one?" She asked automatically.
"Don't be ridiculous, you're the only Malfoy here right now."
"I don't know then," Aurora answered truthfully "Snape just hates me. Who are you anyway?" She asked already knowing the answer.
"Sage Brown, Lavender Brown's sister."
"Right.
Sage stuck out her chest haughtily and put her nose in the air.
"Now if you don't mind, I'd like to win the house cup."
"Right."
"Do you even care?"
"No", but Demelza had jabbed her in the ribs so she quickly added "well yes, of course."
Sage gave them both a look before marching off, nose still in the air.
That night, it seemed like the whole of Slytherin house was in the common room when Aurora finally entered.
"Hey! Muggle loving squib!" Draco called "come here."
"Draco-" Daphne nudged testily.
"Shove off, Greengrass."
Against her better judgement, Aurora hesitantly made her way to her brother.
"So, still sleeping with Astoria then?"
"You know I am."
"Draco, leave her alone" Daphne tried again to intervene.
"Nah," he smirked.
Then he added "Talia and Hera say you talk in in your sleep and that last night you were whimpering like you were having a bad dream, is that true?"
Aurora didn't respond/
"Is it true little Greengrass, Carrow?"
To Aurora's disappointment both Astoria and Lyra nodded.
Draco smirked even wider.
"You know," he said "I've been trying to be nice-"
"No, you haven't" Aurora shot back.
"I've been trying to be nice" he repeated smoothly "but Slytherins don't like muggle loving, squibs who has nightmares, am I right?"
To Aurora's surprise, the common room started cheering, including Lyra, but Astoria had a pained look in her eyes.
"Let's say we get her to never come back and to leave us alone, for good. Shall we?"
More cheers and murmurs of agreement.
"Draco-" Blaise said suddenly stepping between him and Aurora.
"Who wants to do the honours?" Draco said, ignoring Blaise.
"I will!" Marcus Flint cackled approaching Aurora from behind.
"No stop!" Daphne screamed.
But no one was listening, everyone was staring at Marcus and Aurora.
Aurora was scared.
Scared green eyes locked onto to Draco's cold ones.
"Please, I I won't come back here I-"
"Too late" he snapped back at her.
Marcus raised his wand.
"NO!" Blaise and Daphne yelled. Blaise tried tacking Marcus to the ground, but Flint was stronger.
He once again raised his wand and yelled
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Aurora's limbs suddenly all snapped together. The Slytherins shrieked with laughter.
The Slytherins were cheering.
"What should we do with her?" Crabbe asked eyes flashing with distaste at the young girl.
"Stick her somewhere" Pansy suggested snickering.
"You can come back when you've proved you're not a filthy muggle lover and you know who your parents are." Draco hissed.
The Slytherins laughed.
"Take her away, boys!" Draco commanded.
Aurora's scared green eyes were pleading for help, but none came.
"I told you that you didn't belong here" Lyra said sadly to her.
Suddenly Aurora felt herself being picked up by Crabbe and Goyle while the Slytherins clapped and cheered.
Aurora couldn't move.
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
The Slytherin common room went silent.
Professors McGonagall, Dumbledore, Snape and Black had entered the common room unnoticed. It was McGonagall's shout that had alerted the students to their presence.
No one said anything, Aurora was still being held by Crabbe and Goyle and her body still under the body bind curse.
"Put Miss Malfoy down this instant!" Professor McGonagall demanded.
With Aurora still in the body bind when Crabbe and Goyle released her she automatically crumbled to the ground.
Professor Black immediately stepped forward and waved his wand to remove the body bind curse before kneeling on the ground beside her.
"Miss Malfoy, are you alright?"
Aurora just nodded and staggered shakily to her feet. Professor Black stood up as well
"Who did this?" He demanded "100 points from Slytherin and detention for the whole house!"
"Not so fast, Black" Snape interrupted.
Black stared at Snape outraged.
Snape curled his lip
"Why, Miss Malfoy were you in the Slytherin common room?"
No response, but Draco responded for her "she was sleeping in Astoria's dormitory, sir. She doesn't belong here."
"I quite agree" Snape sneered rounding on the trembling girl.
"Severus-" Dumbledore said quietly, "that's enough."
"No it is not! 100 points from Gryffindor for your foolishness!"
"I don't think that's necessary, Severus," Dumbledore said pleasantly, eyes twinkling down at Aurora "50 points back to Gryffindor, but I will leave the other 50 off as we have heard rather unsettling rumors about a scuffle yesterday."
That was somewhat fair, Aurora thought.
"I quite agree with Professor Black," McGonagall said "detention for the whole Slytherin house for abusing and beating up a defenceless first year. I don't care what the reasoning was. Your detentions will last one week and will be for all of you. Starting tomorrow at 8pm. Trophy room."
"But-" Draco started.
"No, buts, Mr. Malfoy" Professor Black said coldly.
Aurora looed at Professor Black, he looked pale and rather gaunt. His eyes looked cold, but she knew it was because of the situation. He met her gaze and gave her a sad smile to confirm what she ad been thinking.
Professor Black's POV
Professor Black's heart clenched when he looked into Aurora's sad green eyes. Eyes that had seen too much pain, just like his own.
She was too small, so small and didn't deserve any of this. He made sure he gave his cousin Daco the coldest look he could manage without being unprofessional.
"Was this. Pre-planned?" He asked slowly.
No answer.
"Mr. Malfoy, answer my question please."
Draco shrugged back at him and smirked in his direction, clearly that was a "yes."
He knew how the Malfoys and Blacks worked and he wasn't surprised to see Draco, his behaviour and his mannerisms. He had become so much like Lucius and he was only 13. He shuddered.
"Pre-planned?" Dumbledore repeated softly in disbelief eyes loosing their twinkle.
No response.
"Very well, all Slytherins in this room will be receiving owls home to their parents. In addition to the loss of points and detentions."
There was an uproar.
"SILENCE!" Snape roared "Everyone get to ed before I do the unthinkable and turn against my own house. Something I don't take lightly."
Professor Black smiled at Aurora when he heard Snape's last words. Aurora just looked away.
Aurora's POV
"Sirius," she heard Dumbledore say quietly. "I think you're the best one to deal with Aurora's situation."
Black nodded and beckoned Aurora towards him.
"Come with me" he said briskly.
Aurora nodded and left the Slytherin common room with Professor Black.
As they walked through the corridors, Aurora had to trot to keep up with his long legs.
They walked in silence until they reached the DADA corridor. They stopped at a door that wasn't his classroom door and Black tapped it with his wand.
"My office" he said in explanation stepping inside with Aurora following closely behind him.
He closed the office door before turning to her.
"Aurora, are you alright? Answer me honestly please."