AN: I think this is the end people...if not, there is one more chapter.
Thanks to all who DID support me...and I hope that I can write some more HP
stuff for you. Please continue to Read & Review, as it does help...I think.
If this is not the last chapter, I will let you all know if I write a different story, or I'll try...
Haha, and one more thing. I felt sort of bad when my friend reviewed for my story and was surprised to find slash mentioning. So, now I warn you. THERE IS SLASH MENTIONING IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE STORY. Lol...yeah. And yes, I know that that is a VERY late warning. *starts laughing for no apparent reason*
And, since I realize now that this is probably my last chapter of the story, it's possible that it might not be, but since I have a feeling that it is, I'd like to say farewell. Check up on me stories...I'll miss you all.
~¤Sheetula¤~
Chapter 8 Time Stands Still
Dumbledore smiled at the intrusion, and nodded his head towards Aurora and Harry. "Good morning Miss Malile, Mr. Potter," he said, "would you like to sit?" Snape stood up, silently offering his seat as he moved over to stand by Lucius. Harry took a seat, and Aurora took the seat next to Draco.
"Good," Dumbldedore said, "now, before we get intruded on again, let us hear what Lucius has to say." Everyone turned and looked at Lucius, whose posture immediately straightened. "Well," he said, flicking his hair behind one shoulder, "I suppose you could say that I am the cause of all this." His face remained expressionless as Dumbledore clasped his hands together.
"And what, pray tell, are your reasons for this, Lucius?" He asked softly. Lucius sighed, glancing around. First up at Snape, then down at Draco. He didn't need to look at Aurora, and he practically ignored Harry as he returned his gaze to Dumbledore. "I wanted..." he sighed again, pausing for a few moments, "there are no reasons."
Dumbledore nodded, but as he opened his mouth to speak, Aurora spoke instead. "Professor Dumbledore, sir, please don't punish Lucius for what has happened. In no way do I blame him, or Draco," she pleaded, giving him a nod. A twinkle appeared in Dumbledore's eyes and he nodded. "Any objections?" He asked. No one said anything and so Dumbledore stood up.
"Well then," he said, "I suppose our students should get back to class." Harry rolled his eyes as they all stood up and left Dumbledore's office, but once they got outside, no one left. Lucius walked over to stand before Snape, looking stern, but Harry could see something different in his gaze.
"Severus, I apologize," he said. "For what?" Snape asked, returning the intense gaze he was receiving. Lucius shook his head, and without a reply, he turned to Draco. Draco looked up at his father nervously, not knowing what was about to happen.
Aurora stepped into Lucius' view off to the side and she saw him take a deep breath. "Draco..." he said, "I'm sorry." Then he shook his head and stepped forward to wrap his arms around his son. "I love you," he finally said, immediately feeling Draco's grip tighten on him.
"Do you mean it, Father?" He heard him ask. Lucius nodded. "Yes, I do," he replied, seeing Aurora smile at him.
Harry realized that Aurora had been telling him the truth from earlier, from the way she and Lucius were looking at each other. Draco and Lucius let go of each other just as Aurora swayed on her feet and fell forward, Harry catching her just in time.
Severus, Lucius, and Draco ran over and Harry suddenly felt surrounded by people who 'hated' him.
Aurora opened her eyes at Lucius' call and smiled weakly. "They're calling me back," she said in a whisper. Lucius looked over at Severus and Draco, then back down at Aurora. "Back?" He asked, thinking that she was delirious. She nodded, however, and reached up to touch him.
"I told you," she said, "I had to grant a wish. That was the only reason why I came here." She paused to take a breath, that almost sounded painful. "You know that the title 'Angel' was given to me, and that is a most adequate title. I am an angel." Now, Lucius and the others were convinced she was delirious. "Go ahead and choose not to believe me, but as far as I am concerned, what I say is true."
Lucius took the hand she had raised and held it in his. "I believe you," he said. Aurora smiled up at him, but then closed her eyes. "Aurora?" Lucius cried, panic in his tone. Aurora's eyes fluttered open once more. "I have to leave, Lucius," she said, "please, let me go."
Lucius shook his head, his blonde hair falling over his shoulders. "No, I can't," he said. Tears filled Aurora's eyes. "But you have to," she said, her voice breaking. Lucius shook his head again. "I have to go," Aurora pleaded, and before anyone could say anything else, Aurora disappeared from Harry's arms.
There was a strange silence that followed. Everyone remained where they were, no one daring to move a muscle as Lucius' body visibly stiffened.
He did not cry. Malfoy's never cried, especially when around others. Especially in front of Harry.
Slowly, Lucius stood up, his black cloak falling down to its full length around his feet as he turned and walked down the hall, not speaking a word or uttering a sound. Snape and Draco looked at each other, then Draco looked at Harry, and neither of them spoke a word as they all headed off in seperate directions.
~*~*~*~
Lucius was back in Severus' chambers, thinking. He was totally shattered over 'losing' Aurora, but her departure was fast and unexpected. When he heard all the rumors of her title "Angel", he didn't really expect it to be anything serious. Sighing, he leaned against a wall. He was fidgeting too much to sit. What was he supposed to do now? He came here for Draco, gave Draco what he wanted, and now what?
Lucius sighed again, and just as he actually moved to sit down, Severus bursted into the room. "Nice entrance," Lucius muttered, turning to face the other man. "Draco is looking for you," came the reply. Lucius turned away. "Tell him I'm going back home," he said. Severus stiffened and approached Lucius from behind. "Lucius, your son, whom you supposedly love, wants to speak with you. How strange would it seem for you to leave now just because that girl disappeared?" He snapped.
Lucius whirled around suddenly, making Severus back a few steps. "You don't understand anything about Aurora, Severus!" He cried, then realizing how upset he was, turned away. "Lucius, I'm sorry." Lucius felt two, long- fingered hands slide over his shoulders and could feel Severus draw closer to him from behind. He hung his head, however, and turned to face Severus.
"I'm sorry too," he said, his lips pursing in an unsatisfied smile. A look of confusion passed over Severus' face once again. "For what, Lucius?" He asked. Lucius looked up into the taller man's eyes. "For being so harsh as to when I realized you still loved me after all these years," he whispered softly. A rueful smile passed over Severus' face. "It's alright. I didn't totally expect you to feel the same way as I did," he replied. Lucius hung his head, tearing his gaze from Severus. "But that's just it, Sev, I do," he said, forcing himself to look back up.
Severus gave Lucius one of his rare smiles and nodded, like he knew that this was going to happen, but before he could say anything, Lucius had pressed his lips against his, and ran out the door.
~*~*~*~
Harry couldn't sleep that night. The vision of Aurora disappearing right from his arms kept replaying in his mind like a Muggle movie. Finally he couldn't take it anymore, and he stormed out of bed, digging out his Invisibility Cloak from his trunk. Throwing it on himself, Harry left the Gryffindor Tower, and headed out of the castle.
Why he was leaving the castle, he didn't know, he just needed air. For some reason, he was directing himself towards the lake. The night was lit brightly by a full moon, casting a silvery glow upon everything and reflecting perfectly upon the still lake. Harry ran through the cool night air, running as fast as he could towards the lake. He knew something was there suddenly, and that was why he was headed there.
But when he reached the lake, he was surprised to find he wasn't alone. Draco stood at the shore of the lake, his eyes fixed straight ahead, and about twenty feet from him stood Lucius Malfoy. Harry slowly approached the shore of the lake as well, walking up next to Draco, who glanced at him. Harry returned the brief glance, then followed his gaze towards the lake.
Then, he saw what had brought him here.
Standing in the middle of the lake was Aurora. Her back was to them, however, but she was walking. She stopped suddenly, then turned to look at the people standing on the shore. Smiling, she locked eyes with Harry and winked at him. "See you later," she said, then looked at Lucius and nodded, still smiling. Lastly, she looked at Draco. "You're welcome."
Then, she was enveloped in a shaft of light and when the light went away, she was gone.
Lucius seemed to notice his son and Harry were there and ran towards them. "Draco!" He called. Both Harry and Draco turned as Lucius ran to Draco and hugged him. "Let us go, son," he said, looking at Harry. Draco smiled and walked away with his father, but stopped and looked at Harry. "What is it, Draco?" Lucius sneered. "Bye, Potter," Draco spat, giving Harry a wink that remained unseen by Lucius. Lucius, believing his son was serious, gave a confident grin and turned his son around, both returning to the castle.
Harry sighed and turned back to the lake. "So that's it?" He asked no one. "I believe it is, Mr. Potter," said a voice. Harry turned in fright to see Dumbledore stepping into view from the shadows. "Professor Dumbledore!" He exclaimed softly, wondering if he would be punished for being out of bed. Dumbledore chuckled, the moonlight reflecting off his glasses. "I guess Miss Malile had a knack for keeping people out of bed," he said while he laughed.
Harry smiled, relieved by Dumbledore's humor. "Come, Mr. Potter," he said, "come join me in my room for some tea?" Harry nodded and began to walk away with Dumbledore back to the castle.
'Harry.'
Harry looked over his shoulder at the sound of his name and saw Aurora still standing on the lake, waving. He smiled and winked at her, and finally, she disappeared in the shaft of light again.
THE END
~¤Sheetula¤~
If this is not the last chapter, I will let you all know if I write a different story, or I'll try...
Haha, and one more thing. I felt sort of bad when my friend reviewed for my story and was surprised to find slash mentioning. So, now I warn you. THERE IS SLASH MENTIONING IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE STORY. Lol...yeah. And yes, I know that that is a VERY late warning. *starts laughing for no apparent reason*
And, since I realize now that this is probably my last chapter of the story, it's possible that it might not be, but since I have a feeling that it is, I'd like to say farewell. Check up on me stories...I'll miss you all.
~¤Sheetula¤~
Chapter 8 Time Stands Still
Dumbledore smiled at the intrusion, and nodded his head towards Aurora and Harry. "Good morning Miss Malile, Mr. Potter," he said, "would you like to sit?" Snape stood up, silently offering his seat as he moved over to stand by Lucius. Harry took a seat, and Aurora took the seat next to Draco.
"Good," Dumbldedore said, "now, before we get intruded on again, let us hear what Lucius has to say." Everyone turned and looked at Lucius, whose posture immediately straightened. "Well," he said, flicking his hair behind one shoulder, "I suppose you could say that I am the cause of all this." His face remained expressionless as Dumbledore clasped his hands together.
"And what, pray tell, are your reasons for this, Lucius?" He asked softly. Lucius sighed, glancing around. First up at Snape, then down at Draco. He didn't need to look at Aurora, and he practically ignored Harry as he returned his gaze to Dumbledore. "I wanted..." he sighed again, pausing for a few moments, "there are no reasons."
Dumbledore nodded, but as he opened his mouth to speak, Aurora spoke instead. "Professor Dumbledore, sir, please don't punish Lucius for what has happened. In no way do I blame him, or Draco," she pleaded, giving him a nod. A twinkle appeared in Dumbledore's eyes and he nodded. "Any objections?" He asked. No one said anything and so Dumbledore stood up.
"Well then," he said, "I suppose our students should get back to class." Harry rolled his eyes as they all stood up and left Dumbledore's office, but once they got outside, no one left. Lucius walked over to stand before Snape, looking stern, but Harry could see something different in his gaze.
"Severus, I apologize," he said. "For what?" Snape asked, returning the intense gaze he was receiving. Lucius shook his head, and without a reply, he turned to Draco. Draco looked up at his father nervously, not knowing what was about to happen.
Aurora stepped into Lucius' view off to the side and she saw him take a deep breath. "Draco..." he said, "I'm sorry." Then he shook his head and stepped forward to wrap his arms around his son. "I love you," he finally said, immediately feeling Draco's grip tighten on him.
"Do you mean it, Father?" He heard him ask. Lucius nodded. "Yes, I do," he replied, seeing Aurora smile at him.
Harry realized that Aurora had been telling him the truth from earlier, from the way she and Lucius were looking at each other. Draco and Lucius let go of each other just as Aurora swayed on her feet and fell forward, Harry catching her just in time.
Severus, Lucius, and Draco ran over and Harry suddenly felt surrounded by people who 'hated' him.
Aurora opened her eyes at Lucius' call and smiled weakly. "They're calling me back," she said in a whisper. Lucius looked over at Severus and Draco, then back down at Aurora. "Back?" He asked, thinking that she was delirious. She nodded, however, and reached up to touch him.
"I told you," she said, "I had to grant a wish. That was the only reason why I came here." She paused to take a breath, that almost sounded painful. "You know that the title 'Angel' was given to me, and that is a most adequate title. I am an angel." Now, Lucius and the others were convinced she was delirious. "Go ahead and choose not to believe me, but as far as I am concerned, what I say is true."
Lucius took the hand she had raised and held it in his. "I believe you," he said. Aurora smiled up at him, but then closed her eyes. "Aurora?" Lucius cried, panic in his tone. Aurora's eyes fluttered open once more. "I have to leave, Lucius," she said, "please, let me go."
Lucius shook his head, his blonde hair falling over his shoulders. "No, I can't," he said. Tears filled Aurora's eyes. "But you have to," she said, her voice breaking. Lucius shook his head again. "I have to go," Aurora pleaded, and before anyone could say anything else, Aurora disappeared from Harry's arms.
There was a strange silence that followed. Everyone remained where they were, no one daring to move a muscle as Lucius' body visibly stiffened.
He did not cry. Malfoy's never cried, especially when around others. Especially in front of Harry.
Slowly, Lucius stood up, his black cloak falling down to its full length around his feet as he turned and walked down the hall, not speaking a word or uttering a sound. Snape and Draco looked at each other, then Draco looked at Harry, and neither of them spoke a word as they all headed off in seperate directions.
~*~*~*~
Lucius was back in Severus' chambers, thinking. He was totally shattered over 'losing' Aurora, but her departure was fast and unexpected. When he heard all the rumors of her title "Angel", he didn't really expect it to be anything serious. Sighing, he leaned against a wall. He was fidgeting too much to sit. What was he supposed to do now? He came here for Draco, gave Draco what he wanted, and now what?
Lucius sighed again, and just as he actually moved to sit down, Severus bursted into the room. "Nice entrance," Lucius muttered, turning to face the other man. "Draco is looking for you," came the reply. Lucius turned away. "Tell him I'm going back home," he said. Severus stiffened and approached Lucius from behind. "Lucius, your son, whom you supposedly love, wants to speak with you. How strange would it seem for you to leave now just because that girl disappeared?" He snapped.
Lucius whirled around suddenly, making Severus back a few steps. "You don't understand anything about Aurora, Severus!" He cried, then realizing how upset he was, turned away. "Lucius, I'm sorry." Lucius felt two, long- fingered hands slide over his shoulders and could feel Severus draw closer to him from behind. He hung his head, however, and turned to face Severus.
"I'm sorry too," he said, his lips pursing in an unsatisfied smile. A look of confusion passed over Severus' face once again. "For what, Lucius?" He asked. Lucius looked up into the taller man's eyes. "For being so harsh as to when I realized you still loved me after all these years," he whispered softly. A rueful smile passed over Severus' face. "It's alright. I didn't totally expect you to feel the same way as I did," he replied. Lucius hung his head, tearing his gaze from Severus. "But that's just it, Sev, I do," he said, forcing himself to look back up.
Severus gave Lucius one of his rare smiles and nodded, like he knew that this was going to happen, but before he could say anything, Lucius had pressed his lips against his, and ran out the door.
~*~*~*~
Harry couldn't sleep that night. The vision of Aurora disappearing right from his arms kept replaying in his mind like a Muggle movie. Finally he couldn't take it anymore, and he stormed out of bed, digging out his Invisibility Cloak from his trunk. Throwing it on himself, Harry left the Gryffindor Tower, and headed out of the castle.
Why he was leaving the castle, he didn't know, he just needed air. For some reason, he was directing himself towards the lake. The night was lit brightly by a full moon, casting a silvery glow upon everything and reflecting perfectly upon the still lake. Harry ran through the cool night air, running as fast as he could towards the lake. He knew something was there suddenly, and that was why he was headed there.
But when he reached the lake, he was surprised to find he wasn't alone. Draco stood at the shore of the lake, his eyes fixed straight ahead, and about twenty feet from him stood Lucius Malfoy. Harry slowly approached the shore of the lake as well, walking up next to Draco, who glanced at him. Harry returned the brief glance, then followed his gaze towards the lake.
Then, he saw what had brought him here.
Standing in the middle of the lake was Aurora. Her back was to them, however, but she was walking. She stopped suddenly, then turned to look at the people standing on the shore. Smiling, she locked eyes with Harry and winked at him. "See you later," she said, then looked at Lucius and nodded, still smiling. Lastly, she looked at Draco. "You're welcome."
Then, she was enveloped in a shaft of light and when the light went away, she was gone.
Lucius seemed to notice his son and Harry were there and ran towards them. "Draco!" He called. Both Harry and Draco turned as Lucius ran to Draco and hugged him. "Let us go, son," he said, looking at Harry. Draco smiled and walked away with his father, but stopped and looked at Harry. "What is it, Draco?" Lucius sneered. "Bye, Potter," Draco spat, giving Harry a wink that remained unseen by Lucius. Lucius, believing his son was serious, gave a confident grin and turned his son around, both returning to the castle.
Harry sighed and turned back to the lake. "So that's it?" He asked no one. "I believe it is, Mr. Potter," said a voice. Harry turned in fright to see Dumbledore stepping into view from the shadows. "Professor Dumbledore!" He exclaimed softly, wondering if he would be punished for being out of bed. Dumbledore chuckled, the moonlight reflecting off his glasses. "I guess Miss Malile had a knack for keeping people out of bed," he said while he laughed.
Harry smiled, relieved by Dumbledore's humor. "Come, Mr. Potter," he said, "come join me in my room for some tea?" Harry nodded and began to walk away with Dumbledore back to the castle.
'Harry.'
Harry looked over his shoulder at the sound of his name and saw Aurora still standing on the lake, waving. He smiled and winked at her, and finally, she disappeared in the shaft of light again.
THE END
~¤Sheetula¤~