Hey everyone!
Happy mid-month updates. Slowly getting back to writing and it feels great to be back. The creativity that has eluded me for the past month is coming back so hopefully I can start writing properly again. Lockdown is easing here slowly and I brought myself two new books so can't wait to have a look at them. Also Rest in peace Helen McCrory aka Narcissa. You will be missed.
Stay safe.
Lots of love,
LSH xx
Finally Belonging Somewhere-Part 91:
Astoria looked at Aurora before saying that she'd take the younger witch for a walk around the Grounds, knowing the whole school would be talking about the trial. The Headmaster said that Hagrid would welcome them if they wished to go somewhere warm. Astoria thanked him and then led Aurora swiftly through the Castle and into the open air.
"Do you want to go and see Hagrid?" Astoria asked as she looked down at Aurora and she nodded softly, "I heard he does make good cups of tea… even if his cakes aren't good." Astoria chuckled with laughter at that before walking around the Grounds for a while. The two spoke about anything but the trial before they heard a voice.
"You two! What do yeh think yeh doing?"
"Sorry Hagrid. Didn't realise where we were heading," Astoria said before Hagrid saw who it was.
"Come 'ere and be quiet," the half-giant said and the girls crept forwards before seeing a unicorn and Aurora's eyes widened as she saw a unicorn and looked at Hagrid, eyes dancing in delight, "go forwards but slowly and quietly," he said to Aurora and she nodded quietly before slowly moving forwards the unicorn.
She stopped as she saw the unicorn look at her and she watched and clutched Annabelle and Princess Sparkles close to her before the unicorn bowed its head slightly. Aurora looked and walked forwards before stopping in front of the unicorn and waiting to see what the creature did. She held her breath as the unicorn nudged her hand and she smiled, beginning to stroke the unicorn's nose softly.
"Hello unicorn," she smiled before Astoria was nudged forwards and soon the two were stroking the unicorn softly. Hagrid would never admit to it but the reason he'd brought the unicorn was for Aurora at Draco's request.
Meanwhile back at the Ministry of Magic the trial was finally beginning to draw to a conclusion and Narcissa was nervous as she looked at Lucius, biting her lip.
"What if she isn't found guilty? What of she's allowed to walk free?" she asked, terrified at the thought that Bellatrix would get away with what she'd done.
"She will not get away with anything. The evidence is overwhelming to convict her," Lucius said as he held her close. The two were sat drinking a coffee whilst the Wizengamot were deciding Bellatrix's fate, "I'm just thankful the girls are back at Hogwarts. Aurora's better off there now," he said as he heard the general chatter down the corridor as people waited.
"Mr. Hagrid… does the unicorn have a name?" Aurora asked as she looked over at the half-giant and stroked the unicorn's nose softly.
"No she doesn't yet. Maybe yeh could name 'er," Hagrid said with a slight smile, "Dumbledore were 'hoping yeh'd find yeh way here soon."
Aurora grinned and looked before thinking.
"Well my unicorn teddy is Princess Sparkles but a name like that would be too long for you," she said before the unicorn nudged her, "you want a long name then… how about Princess Ellanora? Would you like that?"
The unicorn instantly nodded and nuzzled Aurora's hand causing her to giggle softly and Hagrid slowly walked up to the girls before he picked Aurora up and placed her on Princess Ellanora's back.
"She trusts yeh 'Rora so will let yeh ride 'er. Jus' stay still," he said before beginning to walk the unicorn around and Astoria kept behind to keep an eye on Aurora so she wouldn't fall.
Lucius and Narcissa headed back into the courtroom as they'd been told the verdict had been reached and Narcissa turned as white as a ghost as she took her seat beside her husband as she watched her sister appear in her seat, safely imprisoned. Narcissa hoped that her sister would remain locked away, safely away from her family. She'd see justice done no matter what happened in the next few moments. She gripped her husband's hand tightly and pretty much held her breath.
"Guilty and life in Azkaban," were the next words that Narcissa registered and she sobbed in relief as she saw her sister being taken away for good. Her daughter was safe and that was all that mattered to Narcissa in that moment of time. Lucius instantly comforted her as he realised that it was over and that justice had been done for their daughter. The two soon left the courtroom and were shown to the Minister's office where they could process everything before they headed back to Hogwarts to tell Aurora what had happened.
Back at Hogwarts and Aurora was having fun riding on Princess Ellanora and she was sitting still as well.
"You got yeh mother's riding skills 'Rora," Hagrid said as he looked at the girl, "she was good at riding too," he said as he smiled slightly watching as Aurora had fun on the unicorn.
It was beginning to get dark when there was a knock on Hagrid's door and Aurora squeaked as she'd been almost asleep from her riding adventure that afternoon. The half-giant opened the door to find himself face-to-face with Lucius and Narcissa.
"Lod and Lady Malfoy." Hagrid said as he bowed his head, "I'm guessing yeh 'ere to collect the girls? 'Rora's been on a unicorn today."
"Yes! Princess Ellanora she's called," Aurora said as she rushed over to her parents, "I rode a lot and then Mr. Hagrid invited Tori and me for tea. It was lovely."
"Thank you Hagrid. I trust Aurora can come and see Princess Ellanora when she wishes," Narcissa said before seeing a nod, "she loves animals and could learn a thing or two from you. We'll be in touch soon to arrange something soon," she said before leading Astoria and Aurora away.
It wasn't too much longer before Lucius and Narcissa were in their room with Draco, Aurora, Astoria and Charlotte.
"It's over. Bellatrix won't be able to hurt any of us again. She's going to be in Azkaban for the rest of her life," Lucius said and there were three gasps and a look of confusion on Aurora's face.
"I don't understand what you just said daddy," Aurora said, "what's Azkaban?"
"Azkaban is the wizard prison and Bellatrix will be staying there forever," Draco said as he looked at his sister, "basically she can't hurt you ever again," he said and Aurora nodded happily, "that's very good. She shouldn't be allowed to hurt people," she said before smiling softly and smiled. She didn't understand that justice had been done and Bellatrix had paid for her crimes. All she knew was that Bellatrix couldn't hurt her again and that was the only thing that mattered to her.