AN: I gotta thank the reviewers listed at the end and apologize for taking so long. You might find a couple of errors because I was rushing to fit this in before I go on vacation (tomorrow)! Please R/R and most importantly – ENJOY…

Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns everything except the following: Wild Dreams, Potter Prophecy, Demons, Voicer, Loudspeaker, and (of course) Aurora!

~Ironic Feelings - Part 12~

Hermione woke early Monday morning, despite the later than usual hour she usually fell asleep at.

She smiled happily. Monday mornings were her absolute favorite. Hermione pushed away the curtains around her bed and walked to the bathroom door.

She froze mid-step at the sight of a dark blue bed with the curtains surrounding it slightly ajar. Okay, Monday mornings were now positively loathed.

How could she have possibly forgotten about Aurora? Or the way she was sleeping…

Aurora's arms were crossed over her chest, each hand touching the opposite shoulder. Hermione's stomach did frantic flip-flops.

The way she slept reminded her of a Muggle story bound character: a vampire. But those didn't exist in the wizarding world – they were made up, fictional. Hermione racked her brain for some kind of evil creature she knew (or read) of that existed. Well there were always werewolves.

Aurora – a werewolf? Hermione wrinkled her nose and shook her head. Besides she couldn't imagine Professor Lupin sleeping like that, they never mentioned that werewolves slept in a certain manner anyway.

Wait…or she could be… Yes! It would all make sense and fit in if Aurora was a…a…

Demon.

Aurora's head was tilted and smiling, almost as if she was agreeing. She never heard in any way that Demons slept like that but it was just so…

Factual. Besides, she never heard of Ellington or any magical school in the United States. Then suddenly her stomach twisted in fear.

Aurora must be after Harry. That's why she was asking about him, and didn't even gawk at his scar or say something like, "Harry Potter? Really?"

Quaking at the realization of having as Demon in her room, Hermione went to the bathroom, with frequent backward glances at Aurora. She quickly took a shower, brushed her teeth and combed her wet hair on the way out.

Parvati was standing against the wall, waiting for Hermione. Wondering why there wasn't any quarrel over who got the bathroom second, Hermione's eyes wandered over to Lavender's sleeping form. It didn't look like she was going to any classes today.

Then she saw Aurora standing in front of her mirror playing around with hair charms. Propped open against the mirror was Parvati's book of hairstyling charms. Parvati always used pages 38-76, the casual/sophisticated section, always asking Hermione with help since Charms were never her forte. Aurora, on the other hand, had it open towards the end of the book under the miscellaneous division.

She looked back to see where Parvati was but she was already in the bathroom. Parvati must have really wanted to get away; Hermione didn't blame her.

Hermione turned back to Aurora and her eyes' view was yanked to her neck. Yet there the pendant was, hanging around her neck on a chain like it was just a pretty necklace and nothing more… But it was, it was a whole lot more…Hermione just didn't know what made it a whole lot more. Perhaps it had something to do with Demons, it had to connect in one way or another – perhaps it was locating Harry at the moment…

Aurora saw Hermione in the mirror's reflection and grinned. Her thoughts of Aurora's necklace tracking down Harry vanished.

"You fell asleep early last night." Make conversation, Hermione kept in mind.

"Yeah, what happened to Lavender?" As if the simple statement just made her happier, Aurora's smile extended.

"She was dizzy but didn't want to go us to go to Madam Pomfrey because she was too embarrassed about a boy named Ron." So she already knew about Ron, the boy she bit…Hermione tried not to shiver and concentrate more on making conversation with this Demon.

But Hermione stopped as soon as she saw Aurora's new "hairstyle". Okay…Demons have really weird taste.

"What do you think?" Aurora grinned from ear to ear. Two braids were crossed over the top of her head like a headband, leaving the rest of her hair past her waist and crimped-looking. There were bright turquoise hues flashing off her black hair, especially in stray bangs that reached her chin.

Yesterday, she looked like she could have picked up an electric guitar and rocked along with fellow rock stars like she did so every day. Today she looked much more like a medieval princess. Hermione guessed Demons had a lot of stamina.

Nice compliments, Hermione forced herself to think, nice compliments.

"I think it looks"- nice compliments –"unique." She said, forcing a small grin. Aurora smiled wide, obviously pleased with herself.

"Thanks. What're you gonna do with your hair, Hermio-" Aurora stopped in way Hermione couldn't help but think slyly, "You don't have a nickname, do you?" It was odd: she was thankful for getting off the hook with hair charms, yet unthankful for the nickname question. The only nickname she had was Herm, which was, of course, carefully reserved for Harry's use only.

"No," she said quickly.

"Cool," she said, her eyes bright, "I can make up one for you!" Not waiting for Hermione's response she started twirling her hand around a crimped strand of hair, obviously thinking hard. From time to time she'd mutter things like "Onie? No, no…Mi, um, no…uhh… 'Mione? Wow, that's like mad cute!" Aurora turned to face a thin-lipped Hermione; she trying to force another smile. "What do you think? 'Mione?"

"What about you?"

"A nickname? Me? Tons," she said, practically bragging. "Back home most of my friends call me Rori."

"Nice," Hermione lied, but her thoughts where elsewhere. Was "back home" Hell to her? And these "friends" Demons? Of course, Hermione thought undoubtedly.

"Well, um I'll get dressed and we'll go down to breakfast."

"Sure," Aurora said merrily then more carefully: "Then perhaps you could introduce me to your friends. Oh, I dunno, you were with a couple of guys yesterday," she said hopefully and added, "downstairs…"

"Harry and Ron," Hermione stated so that she knew.

"Yeah…hi-them," Aurora said, slipping up. So she was after Harry in one way or another…

"Okay," Hermione said nodding, trying her best not to look suspicious.

"Okay." But Hermione perceived Aurora's hidden pride through her eyes.

***

Harry didn't sleep soundly that night. Actually he didn't sleep at all.

He was too worried about Hermione.

Why hadn't she sent Hedwig back with a reply? Was Hermione angry, upset, injured, wounded or… Harry shuddered. Some thoughts were better left un-thought.

And why did Hedwig fly past his window a long while later than it should have taken to deliver a message? Why did Harry's owl deliberately stop at Harry's window and hoot heatedly? Surely it wasn't because he told him to hurry – he always told Hedwig that…

If only owls could talk.

All the while there was a thought nagging in the back of his mind – perhaps his letter had fallen in the wrong hands? Like Lavender? Parvati? …Or the new transfer student?

After a shower and heading back downstairs to meet Hermione, Ron felt the complete opposite of what Harry felt: eagerness towards the transfer student.

"Do you remember her name? Perhaps I Hermione could ask if she's really single because I'm interested." Harry sighed and shook his head.

"Was I-" Harry imitated Lavender: "'hallucinating' – or did you make out with Lavender just last night in the common room with every single Gryffindor rooting you on?"

Ron turned red and spoke no more of the transfer student. As they made their way to the common room Harry saw it be empty of Hermione or any transfer student.

They took a seat and waited.

And waited. A disgruntled Parvati came down without Lavender…what had happened? Even Ron looked concerned – but then again Ron had his purposes for wanting Lavender present…

And –

The transfer student slowly loomed into view talking to another girl – Hermione, who looked a little indifferent. The new girl had quite a new style done with her hair, which truly was going to make her stand out today. Hermione hadn't even noticed them being there until she got to the landing of the stairs. She looked at the wide-eyed Ron as if she doubted him and then faced Harry.

Hermione's eyes went wide as if she wanted to tell him something, then her mouth shut while a flick of horror crossed her face. She looked away, panicked.

Harry blinked. What was that all about?

"Ahem," the transfer student coughed, picking at her hair. Hermione's mind came back to the common room as if it had been somewhere else.

"Harry, Ron," Hermione said with weak gestures, not meeting their eyes. "This is Aurora. Aurora this is Harry and Ron."

Aurora smiled widely, more at Harry than Ron. "Hi," she said brightly.

"Hello," Harry replied casually. Ron was too busy goggling to answer.

They walked to breakfast, with Aurora in awe at the school, bombarding Hermione with questions. Ron was too busy following the girl in front of him (Aurora) like a zombie, to say anything. Harry tagged along, half upset, half bewildered.

People twisted in their seats as the quartet made their way to the Gryffindor table. Even Malfoy could be seen gawking incredulously all the way over at the Slytherin table.

Hermione glanced back at Harry, found his hand, and sat next to him at the Gryffindor table. Aurora took a seat between Ron and Hermione. Perhaps she'd tell him something?

Dumbledore stood up to make an announcement. The little talking taking place ceased.

"I see our new transfer student cared to join us for breakfast. In case you're wondering, her name is Aurora Lowell and will be staying with us from"- His eyes twinkled- "Ellington, an anonymous wizarding school in America," Dumbledore said, almost as if he were honored (which he probably was). Aurora stood up, did a curtsy along with a little wave before sitting back down. McGonagall beamed. Snape's eyes bulged, his skin ashen as ever, and stormed out of the Great Hall.

Dumbledore didn't seem to think Aurora was dangerous…

But Snape did. Harry couldn't help but remember in their first year when they thought Snape was trying to kill Harry when he was really doing just the opposite…

Aurora couldn't be a death eater; it was too farfetched, yet…

Ginny was sitting across from Aurora; the two of them chatting greatly to even do as much as touch their food. Harry could hear Aurora asking Ron's little sister who Malfoy was. For an odd reason Ginny replied that Malfoy's name was "Draco Malfoy."

Draco Malfoy?

Maybe Aurora was manipulating Ginny, like Tom Riddle did with the diary issue…just at a stronger extent, like the imperious curse…

But Ginny looked so happy and full of energy that she couldn't possibly…

There was a frightening pinch on Harry's arm that made him jump a little because of his abrupt interruption of dark thoughts.

It was from Harry's left, so he assumed it was Hermione that pinched him but she was leaning against her right arm talking with Ginny and Aurora. Hermione's other hand however, was tickling his arm frantically. On her hand was something messily written in running ink.

she's a demon!

Harry's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe his eyes. But whom did she refer to? There was always Parvati, Angelina, Ginny, Pansy…Aurora.

Why hadn't he thought of it before?

Harry reached for the toast in front of Hermione and whispered in her ear, "Is that why you didn't answer my letter?"

Hermione tensed. Traumatized, she faced Harry and blinked.

Inaudibly, Hermione mouthed, "What letter?"

***

It was absolute horror to realize how much power Aurora had.

What did she do with Harry's letter? Undoubtedly it had fallen into her hands – Parvati or Lavender wouldn't have kept it from her, but Aurora…

Who knew with Aurora?

How was Hermione going to talk to Harry about Aurora? Explain to him that he was in serious danger? And the necklace from the Seventh Dream, hidden under Aurora's robes? How?

Harry already looked worried and he didn't even know half the story. Aurora was talking to Ginny at breakfast but wanted to chat with Hermione as well.

Did Ginny know? Maybe she was better off not having a clue for now.

But while they were going to classes there was no Ginny, Hermione hadn't a chance to talk to Harry (or even Ron for that matter) without her butting in. Ron was totally interested and the one most talking and asking question besides Aurora, but every now and then, she'd look at Harry and Hermione curiously.

So the group of them made their way to Charms with Aurora talking all about Manhattan (an island part of New York City) and how crowded it could get…she seemed to like getting along without any magic.

That is, until she mentioned her new broom.

It was a Nimbus 2002, the fastest broom, besides the Firebolt perhaps.

"Really? Can you fly?" Ron asked happily. Hermione could have slapped herself in the face. Ron didn't know this transfer student was an undercover Demon trying to get to his best friend.

"Of course," Aurora said as if everyone could fly wonderfully, "I wouldn't have got one if I couldn't fly well." Ron thumped Harry hard on the shoulder.

"Well Harry," Ron said still smiling back at Aurora, unaware of the drastic looks Harry was giving him. "You're in luck. We need a Gryffindor Keeper for the Quidditch team. What do you say?"

"I'd love to, that is you'd like to teach me the rules in Quidditch." She was regarding Harry as if she somehow knew he was on the Quidditch team; but Ron answered his question.

"Great the next Quidditch practice is-" Harry interrupted just in time.

"We have to have tryouts before anything."

"Sure," Aurora said staring at Harry. Hermione tightened her grip on his hand, as if to keep her from him.

"How about seven o'clock tonight?" The words flew out of Ron's mouth before Harry could interfere.

"Perfect."

Charms was typical, despite Professor Flitwick's higher than usual voice whenever having anything to do with Aurora, and everyone seemingly wanting to talk to her, Charms was typical.

On their way to Potions they saw Malfoy heading their way. He didn't seem to have anything to say but sneer…and get a closer look at Aurora.

But Aurora didn't seem to like people taking a look at her. She started out nice –

"I hear your name's Draco – what's it stand for? Dracula?" Draco hesitated, no Gryffindor ever called him by his first name. Ever. But she insulted him.

"Not really, but I do know your name stands for northern lights," he said greasily.

That's when Aurora's really bad attitude kicked in.

***

Severus wasn't at all looking forward to teaching Potions to the fifth year Gryffindors. Even worse, the Slytherins would be there to witness how weak he was.

Usually Severus wouldn't mind at the least to teach the class he was about to. Actually, he enjoyed teasing James Potter's son along with his little know-it-all girlfriend and sidekick Weasley.

But today he was not going to enjoy teaching Potions to the fifth year Slytherins and Gryffindors. He was going to regret it.

Severus eyed his desk…no; he would never be able to fit under it.

The first pupil came rushing into the dungeons. Draco Malfoy was quite flushed for a pale boy. Unusually flushed.

Then Potter came in, followed by Granger and Weasley…and Miss Lowell.

What had Felicity been thinking? What kind of name is Aurora? Not to mention the man she married… Severus realized he had been twisting the sleeve of his robe angrily and immediately stopped.

Her daughter happily skipped into the dungeons; she was obviously too perky to be in a dark, cold place like here.

She waved to him and said, "Hi!" Their eyes met for a split second…she had her mothers eyes… Severus looked away coldly as the classroom filled. From the corner of his eye, he saw Lowell smirk at Draco, just as her mother smirked at him. He looked to Potter and his bighead girlfriend. Their low voices and suspicious faces indicated only one thing. So Minerva hadn't told them, huh?

Felicity had revealed a nasty secret about him…why won't he just return one in favor?

Looks like Dwindlus Potion could hold off to another day, Severus thought… He quickly wiped off the sly grin starting to form in the corners of his mouth.

Severus looked around the class arrogantly and tried with all his might to suppress the laughter about to tumble out of his lungs.

"Today we are going to test who knows how to make diluted Veritaserum knows how to make Veritaserum," He said trying his best to look deadly serious, which was quite in fact hard.

Longbottom whimpered and Granger was on the verge of protesting.

"Professor-"

"Turn your books to page-"

"Hello-o?" Lowell stood up on her stool and waved her hands in the air. Severus cringed. Aurora Lowell was disrupting his lesson already. "She's calling you." Severus whipped around.

"I know," He said trying to sound cool, narrowing his eyes back at her. "What?" He asked Granger in a fatal whisper.

"Veritaserum can't be diluted."

"There are some things you don't know Granger." He advised her, between his teeth. "This Veritaserum can be diluted with something other than water. You are going to turn to page fifty-seven and follow the directions. Is that clear?" He expected no answer but got one anyway.

"Yeah." Lowell said it only to get on his nerves. Severus smiled evilly.

"Well, well. Looks like we have a volunteer to test the diluted Veritaserum. If it turns out correct you won't answer our questions to your darkest secrets." Severus suggested that darkest secrets were something very, very dark. She seemed to look less somewhat less hyper and fixed Severus with a blank stare.

Granger alertness dulled. She wanted to know Lowell's darkest secrets. He ordered Lowell to pair up with Granger and Longbottom, since it was an uneven number.

The books were turned to page fifty-seven and the instructions were followed to make Veritaserum (undiluted). Once the clanking of stirring cauldrons and Severus was tired of criticizing the Gryffindors, he came around and poured 2/3 cup of water in every cauldron, pretending to be exact to measure.

"What's that, Professor?" Draco Malfoy asked sweetly.

"A secret substance," Severus replied with all the seriousness he could gather. "I'm forbidden to talk of it." Draco looked curious but didn't push on.

After that, he instructed them to stir for a while then asked Lowell fill a goblet with the "diluted" Veritaserum. She did as she was told and walked up to the front of the dungeons, next to him. He couldn't help but notice that she smelled almost as good as Felicity.

Almost. But almost wasn't good enough.

"Now if you'll drink the diluted Veritaserum," he said in the most unkind way.

Lowell looked down into the potion, raised her eyebrows as if she were about to laugh, and back up at him, shaking her head.

"You really think I'm going to drink this?" she said in a firm voice.

"You do as I say. I am your Professor," he said in a very hard, annoyed voice, "Drink the diluted Veritaserum."

She continued raising her eyebrows and shaking her head. The Gryffindors beamed at her, except for two people in particular.

"You made the diluted Veritaserum wrong, which is why you won't drink it," Severus stated.

"No. The stuff that went in this is mad gross." She was a spitting image of Felicity…

"You will drink the diluted Veritaserum." She rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Make me," she challenged him.

He whispered a curse under his breath. Severus pointed his wand to at her arm holding the cup and slowly, the wand and her arm parallel, moved it up to her mouth-

Aurora Lowell forced the cup down slightly with her grip. Undoubtedly, she was strong: bodily and internally. There was a series of her arm moving up, down, up, down…along with the oohs and ahhs of students. Severus was getting annoyed. He had to know!

Swiftly, Lowell turned around on her heel and twisted her neck so that her head was off to the side. Severus was so used to trying to move her arm up towards her mouth, that he forgot stop as he forced Lowell's arm to swing up and over her shoulder.

He was drenched in "diluted" Veritaserum. The Gryffindors contagious laughter caught onto a few Slytherins. Crabbe and Goyle laughed stupidly because Draco Malfoy hadn't informed them to shut up, for he was to busy pondering Aurora Lowell. She was torn between being from about what Snape might do and cracking up.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor!" Severus roared, shaking with anger. He used a spell to clean himself up. The statement brought abrupt silence to those laughing and caused the Slytherins to grin in a sly manner. "And you-" He declared, seizing Lowell by the collar of her robes "-you will serve detention for-"

"Severus," said a voice out of the blue. It was amazing how Albus Dumbledore had flabbergasted them all. He wore purple robes with a solar design that made his lengthening, silvery beard stand out more than ever. "If you'll please," he said motioning to Professor Snape holding a young lady in an inappropriate way.

Severus, twice as flabbergasted and three times as dreadful, let go of the wide-eyed Aurora Lowell.

"Class dismissed," Dumbledore announced. The gaping students left, as Dumbledore informed Lowell that he's to talk to her later on in the day. But none of this passed through Severus' head. The only thoughts, which he could comprehend, were: he's going to fire me, he's going to fire me, he's going to fire me…

"No, I am not going to fire you," Dumbledore informed, somehow reading his thoughts. "But I will if you bring back all this nonsense and take it out on Aurora, Severus. Felicity's gone. I will not allow you to live the past any longer." Severus found that he couldn't meet his eyes or words. Felicity's gone. Yet she was so alive in her daughter. I will not allow you to live the past any longer. Was he living the past?

Suddenly he felt ashamed. He was living in the past.

"I apologize, Headmaster. It will not happen again."

There was a pat on the back from Albus and he was left in the cold dungeons. Alone.

***



AN: It wasn't exactly how I planned to end it…but it wouldn't have been totally different anyway. I didn't get many reviews for chapter 11…grrrrrrrr to all the people that DIDN'T review and no I wont kill you if you review for this chapter and you didn't review for the last one.

The Very Honorable Reviewers: ~*Hermione*~, harry potter nutter, Hmmmmm...., Nice, SparkyKnight, Sean, Angel Eyez, Hermoine, Minerva and Christina, Flash`Back, A-man (thanx for e-mailing me and reviewing 2x! =) ) Sara Potter, ashkickerchick, and Xugra! Thanks you guys made me real happy! =) Now: I need more reviews if you want another chapter b4 September…ok? And if you want to know anything about the upcoming chapter or me or just have some comments or ANYTHING just e-mail at bklynshyqt1113@aol.com! Bye!