A/N: Hello everyone! New chapter yay! Sorry that it's kind of short, but the next ones will be on track with the og story again so they should be much longer. I shall update ya'll tomorrow.

The next several days of break came by slowly for Aurora. She found herself frustrated, often wishing for break to come to an end sooner. She had not heard much else from her friends since Christmas and she felt rather lonely. Aurora considered several times, out of sheer boredom, peeking into Draco's room. Even he seemed like good company at this point, but her pride would not allow her.

She was serious when she said she was done with Malfoy once and for all. His antics, his games, she would not be part of it. In return to her what she said Christmas night, Draco had not bothered her at all. She couldn't quite describe the feeling of his absence. Aurora felt somewhat relieved that he was no longer annoying her, but she could not ignore the deep pangs in her chest whenever she saw him in the corridors after meals or in his room the few times he left the door open. The loneliness must be making her delusional.

She spent most of her time in the manor garden and the library, occasionally going out on long flights with her broom. It all seemed like cheap entertainment. Nothing could seem to quell the boredom that sat like a pit in her stomach. Not even her mother had made an effort to spend any more time with her. Aurelia spent all of her time in the bed chamber wing, even requesting Zorpey to bring meals directly to her room. Aurora could not help but feel that her mother was in fact, like Draco, avoiding her.

By the time Aurelia did decide to leave her chambers, it was the morning Aurora and Draco would return to Hogwarts. Aurora did feel slightly angry that her mother only came out to send them off, but was glad that she would at least get a proper goodbye. She wouldn't see her mother again for the rest of her first year.

"Zorpey will escort you two to the station. I love you both darlings. I hope you had a lovely Christmas this year with Aurora, Draco," Aurelia said stroking Draco's platinum hair. Aurora had to resist the urge to scoff. This Christmas was different, but it was anything but wonderful. It might've in fact, been the worse she's ever had.

"Thank you for having me Aurelia, Aurora was a gracious host."

Once again, Aurora had to resist the urge to scoff. How could he be so fake? She hated everything about this damned holiday.

Melting into her mother's embrace one last time, Aurora released her mother from her hug, and followed Zorpey and Draco to the flying carriage that had since been towed to the front of the mansion.

The ride to the station, as Aurora thought it would be, was awkward. Draco never tore his eyes away from his window. Even when Aurora could tell Draco had caught her staring at him, he made no remark nor moved his head to acknowledge her gaze. Aurora considered attempting to engage in some conversation, but she refused to be the person to break the silence between them. Draco would have to learn that she does not cave so easily. She felt almost proud of herself at her self discipline before returning back to the misery of the long trip. Why they couldn't have flooed? She had no idea.

Filling her time by looking at the angsty boy in front of her, she admired him. Though this is something she would rather die than admit to Draco, it was painfully obvious that the boy wasn't bad looking. It made his crappy personality all the more annoying to Aurora. His hair for once, was not gelled back in that horrendous style and instead drooped nicely on to his smooth, pale cheeks. She remembers often comparing him to veelas when they were younger. She had never seen skin so light. His jawline was much sharper now too and Aurora thought she would like to trace it with her fingers. As if Draco heard her thoughts, his jaw clenched and he began to tap his fingers on the windowsill of the carriage still facing away from her. Blushing slightly, Aurora adverted her eyes to her lap where they remained until arriving at King's Cross Station.

Zorpey bid them goodbye quickly this time, going on about manor duties, leaving Aurora and Draco alone to cross the barrier with their luggage. As soon as the house elf disappeared, Draco left. Part of Aurora felt crestfallen that he had abandoned her. She thought they had a sort of mutual agreement that "I hate you" still meant not being alone, but perhaps he was just better at cutting people off than her. She tried to remind herself that this would be good for her. Draco was toxic and annoying, he was doing her a favor by leaving her. She did not need him.

"Aurora!"

Aurora looked around for a few moments before she found who was calling her. Alex! She had nearly forgotten about the beautiful boy from the bookstore. His white smile gleamed down at her and she suddenly felt like there were butterflies in her stomach.

"Surprised you could recognize me without the teary eyeliner," Aurora laughed. She attempted to play off this first encounter as a joke, but part of her was still embarrassed that she had continued to go out like that after her encounter with that creepy man. The memory made her cringe, but also somewhat smile when she thought of the moment she found Draco again. The rest of the day had all gone well until the bookstore.

"Ah well I'd know that beautiful face anywhere."

Aurora tried to hide her blush. Smoothing her hair behind her ears, and grabbing the handle to her luggage, Alex and her walked to the boundary of Platform 9 3/4.

"So to get through, you just need to walk through this wall."

"Very funny. I'm not stupid."

"No really! I'm aware it sounds ridiculous but- you know what? Just watch me go then you can follow."

Gripping her luggage handle tighter and checking her surroundings quickly, Aurora walked through the barrier that would take her to the Hogwarts Express. As soon as she walked through, she already felt another step closer to home. To Ron. To Hermione. To Harry. Seconds later, Alex followed.

"Sweet!"

"What?" Aurora never heard that term before.

"It means like cool, great."

"You Americans are silly."

"Says the one with a funny accent."

"Absolutely not. That's all you."

"Agree to disagree," Alex chuckled.

Aurora melted into his voice. She could listen to this boy speak all day. She hoped he would be sorted into Gryffindor.

"What year are you in anyways, Alex?"

"I'm supposedly a third year. It's measured a little differently at Ilvermorny, but the equivalent would be third year." So they wouldn't have any classes together. Aurora frowned inwardly. No classes together, but that didn't stop them from having mealtime together at least. And perhaps they would be able to hang out during breaks and free time.

"Well, I'm only a first year, but maybe we'll still see each other around."

"That would be lovely," Alex said, mimicking her accent.

"I don't sound like that!"

"Yes, you do."

"You have a pretty poor accent," Aurora responded attempting to adopt his American one.

"Not even close."

"I tried my best," Aurora said, an expression feigning disappointment.

"I suppose I can give you a pass just this once since I'm feeling so gracious today."

The Hogwarts train hooted signaling there would be five more minutes to board before leaving.

"Come on, I'll show you where we can put our luggage then we need to find Hermione. She should be on the train already, knowing her. I just know you'll adore her. She's really into reading as well."

"I'm excited to meet all of your friends. Except maybe that weird kid you were with last time. He was... interesting."

"Oh, don't worry. Draco is not my friend."

That's right. Draco was anything but a friend. Aurora was becoming angrier with Draco just thinking about his existence. Her mother was an absolute headcase if she thought Draco Malfoy and her would ever be able to be a good match. Forget marriage. He was a leech.

Once boarding the train, Aurora found Hermione very quickly. Her hair was so distinguishable from the crowd on the train. It was impossible to not spot the girl even if she was facing away .

"Aurora!" Hermione exclaimed. She jumped from her seat in her compartment to engulf her in a hug.

"Mione, I sure missed you over break."

"Yes. Well I'm excited that we will all be back together by dinner."

"Hermione this is Alex," Aurora said, gesturing to the taller boy behind her. She was sure Hermione saw the blush spread on her face as she said his name.

"I don't think we've met. What house are you in?"

"Oh, Alex is American. He's transferring this term from Ilvermorny."

"American," Hermione said interestedly. Oh he was going to be very popular once the girls of Hogwarts got wind of his accent.

"Yes, hello Hermione."

Even Hermione Granger melted like butter when he spoke.

"Oh," Hermione muttered, and tucked her hair behind her ears, her face suddenly flushed.

That seemed about right. Alex had that effect on girls. Part of Aurora felt jealous already. She knew it was unreasonable. Alex and her had just met and they were simply friends, but she still felt that she had the rights to him first. She, of course, met him before any of the other girls at Hogwarts. Aurora halted her train of thought. She was being ridiculous. He's a person, not property. It was hardly appropriate.

The ride to Hogwarts felt much quicker to Aurora than the first time. She, Hermione, and Alex had gotten well acquainted by the end of the hours long journey, and Aurora was sure that Alex was the most charming boy she had ever met. She had to force herself not to stare at the bronzed boy before her. He was perfect in every way. Beyond appearance, Aurora found Alex to be kind, intelligent, and funny. And superficially, though it made Aurora feel guilty to boil him down to his looks, the boy was gorgeous. A Greek God.

Once the Hogwart's Express was came to a stop at the ravine at the school, Aurora felt butterflies in her stomach. She didn't feel quite so anxious now, but more excitement. Aurora couldn't contain her smile as she thought about being reunited with Harry and Ron. She had missed them more than they could ever know. In a way, they, along with Hermione, had become the family she never really had.

"I wonder when they'll sort you, Alex," Aurora said, following the group led by Hagrid back to the castle. She made a note to visit him later.

"I would guess tonight at the feast for new term," Hermione responded.

"Kind of nervewracking that you get sorted in front of the whole school though."

"Oh don't worry too much, Alex. I thought I was going to die when it was my turn, but I"m fine."

"Thank you, Aurora. That was very comforting," Alex teased.

"Sorry."

"So what house should I want to be in?"

"Well, Aurora and I are in Gryffindor. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are respectable as well. But you do not want Slytherin."

"Slytherin? And why's that?"

"They're all blood supremacist arseholes," Aurora responded, her tone layered with poison.

"Seems very generalizing of you."

"You just got here. The house itself would be fine if the people were different. You'll come to understand," Hermione assured Alex.

As the students reached the end of their walk to the Hogwarts castle, Aurora was relieved. The trek was not too far, but the steep pathways through the valleys to the castle were steep and Aurora found herself to be out of shape. Instead of flying when she was home, maybe she would take up running. Though her mother would probably tease her for acting like a muggle. She hoped her mother was doing well. She hated to leave her alone in the manor with Janus.

"What time is it?" Aurora asked Alex and Hermione.

"Just about six. Dinner is in fifteen minutes."

Aurora nodded in acknowledgement. Unfortunately there would not be time to give Alex a tour of Hogwarts. It would have to wait until they had break tomorrow.

Walking through the corridors to The Great Hall, Aurora beamed. The feeling of being away from Hogwarts was not something that could be described with words. It felt like a piece of herself was missing when she wasn't here.

Once in the Hall, it was only seconds before her eyes found her target. Harry and Ron sat antsy at the Gryffindor table. Harry's leg bobbed up and down and Ron tapped his fingers on the table as their eyes swam the crowd for Aurora and Hermione.

"Come on, the boys are already looking for us!" Aurora cried, resisting her urge to sprint.

As Aurora, Alex, and Hermione got closer to the Gryffindor table, Harry and Ron located the small group, Harry pointing his finger to direct Ron to them.

"Harry," Aurora muttered sweetly into his neck as she enveloped him into a hug.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too. Home wasn't any fun without you guys. How was Christmas at Hogwarts?"

"Christmas was great. Would've been better with you and Mione though."

"Maybe next year. Anyways Harry, there's someone I want you to meet. This is Alex."

"Nice to meet you, Harry," Alex said, extending his hand out to Harry.

Harry took it, eyes widened in surprise, "You're American."

"I have a feeling I'm going to get that a lot."

"Probably," Aurora chimed in. "Alex just transferred from the American magic school."

Sitting down next to Harry, and gesturing Alex to sit as well, the group was finally back together. Like Harry, Ron was also baffled by Alex's accent.

"Maybe they'll just let you pick a house," Ron suggested once the group settled down.

"No, I don't think so. it's never happened in the entire history of Hogwarts."

"It as nice going a week without being corrected constantly."

Aurora kicked Ron from under the table.

"Ow!"

"Be nice," Aurora warned, attempting to give him a stern look, but it was practically impossible for her to be serious with Ron Weasley.

The room filled with the familiar chatter of students and Aurora felt warm. She talked animatedly with her friends about the holidays, consciously not mentioning spending Christmas with Draco, or the incident with her father. It was not something she needed to bother her friends with. Harry and Ron had quite an interesting Christmas together at Hogwarts. They told a tale of Harry's invisibility cloak and a special mirror, as well as per usual, the exceptional food. Ron felt it was quite necessary for the rest of the group to understand how delicious it was. Though Aurora was already familiar with Hogwart's meals, the mirror would be something she would need to investigate soon. Hermione and Alex had a nice Christmas as well. It made Aurora jealous to see such functional families. She had the money, the last name, but she did not have the love like her friends, besides perhaps Harry. Though their situations were not the same, Aurora could appreciate the similarities.

"Welcome back students!" A voice boomed from the front of the Great Hall. Dumbledore.

"I hope everyone had a great break. It's nice to see so many faces back at Hogwarts. You were all very missed. And now we have approached the start of second term! It has come to my attention that certain students have been sneaking around the castle." Dumbledore's eyes went to Harry, though they did not look stern, they sparkled with appreciative mischief.

"I advise you do so at your own risk. But now before we start the feast, we have a new student with us tonight, Mr. Alexander Montgomery. If you could come forward and get sorted now."

Alex looked much more uneasy than he had minutes prior. Aurora attempted a look that was meant to be soothing, but the expression of anxiety plastered on his golden face did not change.

"Wish me luck guys," he said as he slowly lifted himself from the table.

Aurora felt anxious just for him. She imagined herself in his shoes. All the students and faculty staring at her. The feeling of being exposed. She shuddered at the thought, but kept her eyes firmly glued on Alex as he walked to the stool with the Sorting Hat. McGonagall stood by it, her face glistening with anticipation.

The hall for once seemed to become silent for what seemed like the first time ever. Not even Parvati and Lavender dared to gossip as the handsome boy approached the stand.

Alex seemed surprisingly calm to Aurora as he gracefully took a seat on the stool and placed the hat on his head. His brown eyes looked straight forward, in a fierce but confident stare. There was something so beautiful about the way he fixed his eyes, and the way his brows furrowed as if he was in deep concentration.

The room sat in silence for several more minutes. This had to be one of the longest sorting ever.

"He's been up there for nearly ten minutes," Hermione whispered to the group.

"I don't think it took anyone in our year this long to be sorted," Ron added.

Aurora was too on edge to engage in the group discussion. It had to be nearly over.

And then in the sheer silence of the Great Hall, the Sorting Hat announced Alex's fate.