A/N: I am so sorry guys I haven't posted in over a week. I wrote a much longer chapter this time though, so please let me know if you prefer the shorter more broken up ones or the longer one and I will write to what the majority likes!
Though Aurora was tired, she did not sleep well. She felt rather anxious at the idea of her parents' reactions upon receiving her letter. She also preferred not to think of what her father might do once he found out. He was not above corporal or torturous punishments.
The hours ticked by achingly slow for Aurora and it was not until breakfast that she was able to begin drifting to sleep.
"Up!" Hermione shoved her awake. "Come on Aurora! It's been five minutes, you need to start getting ready or else you'll miss breakfast."
"Mmmm." She mumbled into her pillow.
"Harry's been waiting for you in the common room." Lavender announced in a sing-sing voice.
Grumbling, Aurora finally brought herself to get out of bed. Pulling on her robes, she checked the mirror. She found this to be a mistake. The Aurora she faced in the mirror was ghastly. Her almond shaped eyes appeared swollen and her skin looked dull and patchy. Making her way to the bathroom the girls shared, she washed her face, brushed her teeth, and combed out her hair. There was not much she could do to hide the large bags under her eyes, but this version of herself was a drastic improvement than the one who rolled out of bed.
Trudging down the Gryffindor girls' dorm staircase, she was greeted by Harry and Ron.
"Bloody Hell you look awful Aurora."
"Thanks Ronald. You know just what to say to charm a girl."
Ron grimaced, "Sorry. That wasn't what I meant."
Aurora only nodded in response. She was exhausted, conversation took far too much energy.
"But really Rory, what's wrong?" Harry asked, brushing her shoulder with his hand.
"I was just too excited to sleep." Aurora replied reassuringly. Harry worried too much about her.
"Hah! I was gonked out the minute I hit the bed." Ron quipped. The boy spoke rather loudly. Aurora guessed it had to do with the plethora of siblings and eccentric house. She appreciated the chaos though. Her home had been orderly, strict, and quiet. She longed to belong to a family like Ron Weasley's.
Making their way out of the common room and through the castle, they approached the Great Hall.
"I'm so excited for breakfast, I'm starving!" Ron exclaimed
"Oh we know Ron. Don't we Harry?"
"Ay. What's that supposed to mean Rory?"
"Only that you're a pig." Aurora snorted and the three broke into laughter. She was not incorrect. Ron had in fact eaten five servings of last nights dinner. Finishing one was impressive as they were so large. Ron's meal was practically the size of a small Hippogriff.
Sitting at the table, they each looked giddily down at their plate. Once their food appeared, Aurora was not disappointed. Perhaps it was a little wasteful, but who was she to complain over the feast the students were fed for meals.
"We start classes today guys," she said nudging Harry, seated to the left of her. Ron had opted to sit across from them.
"I'm not so sure I'm excited for that part." Ron replied. He looked slightly nauseous.
"Ron don't eat so fast. You're going to make yourself sick."
He only rolled his eyes at Aurora. He went from one bossy mother to apparently another.
As they ate, suddenly a flood of owls filled the Great Hall. Harry sat in awe at the sky as the owls seemed to know precisely where to fly to deliver bundles or letters to their owners. Suddenly a letter fell into Aurora's lap. Looking up, she saw Spry. She smiled at her beloved pet and through her a piece of bacon. Catching it swiftly, Spry turned to fly with the other owls to the Owlry. Aurora made a mental note to visit him later. Examining the lettering on the envelope, she recognized her father's handwriting.
Aurora felt her heart stop and lump in her throat that she could not push away. Better to get it over with.
Peeling off the purple Greengrass wax seal, her fingers trembled as she pulled back the folded half of the page.
Dear Aurora,
I was displeased at first about your hat placement, but Draco has brought to my attention how beneficial this can be. Not surprised Potter nodded off Draco's attempt to be his friend. His father was a blood traitor too, he's not worthy. You might have a better chance of getting close to him with your house. I want reports back to me about your progress. I expect Draco will keep me updated as well. Your mother says she misses and loves you. Do not disappoint me
Father
Aurora felt relieved. She found it odd that Draco would cover for her like that, but who was she to be unappreciative. Maybe he wasn't as much of a prick as she thought. Smiling at her food she continued to eat. She could actually enjoy her first day of school now, instead of stressing over what her father might do.
"Ay, Rory," Harry nudged her. "I got a letter to visit Hagrid Friday night, want to come?"
"Is that even allowed?" Aurora questioned.
Ron shrugged "Don't know, but Harry and I are going anyways. You can join us."
"Alright then." Aurora smiled. What was the worst thing that could happen. She did not know the half giant well like Harry, but she figured a night around the grounds to finish off her first week would be exciting.
"Ah mum's thrilled I made Gryffindor." Ron stated holding up the letter he received.
"That's wonderful Ron. Speaking of which, did you get a letter from your father Rory?" Harry said pointing at the letter Aurora had next to her.
"Yes. He wasn't over the moon about it, but he wasn't as angry as I thought he'd be. Definitely could have been worse."
Harry nodded and the three began to talk about classes with slight input from Hermione now and then to the frustration of Ron.
Finishing breakfast, and walking the corridors to their first class, Potions with Snape, Harry keep his head down. Everywhere the trio seemed to walk people would stare at him and whisper comments to their friends. Aurora sympathized. She hardly wanted to be known around school for anything, let alone surviving something that took her parents away from her. Perhaps Janus wouldn't be such a loss to her, but she would miss her mother. It didn't help Harry that he looked so much like his parents, and his scar was so apparent. There was no mistaking him for anyone but "The Boy Who Lived". Aurora contemplated consoling him in some way, but she was rather unsure of how. Comforting people was not her expertise and she was afraid her public affection would only draw more attention to him.
Rounding another corner, the three continued on. Aurora found herself very overwhelmed by trying to find the potions classroom. She had learned from Hermione there were over four hundred staircases, all that went in several direction and shifted around the floors. In addition, ghosts littered the hallways, making the space more clustered. Aurora was beginning to feel more anxious with the lack of space. The halls seemed to close in on her as more people filled into the corridor to make their way to their classes. She felt as though everyone was watching her. She knew they were really looking at Harry, but the thought of any eyes on her made her stomach churn. She was starting to feel dizzy and her hands became clammy. She once again began to play with her fingers.
Following other Gryffindor first years, they finally approached the door for potions. Class was not quite ready to begin yet as they were a few minutes early, but they were still able to select a seat. Ron and Harry slid into seats next to each other, a large cauldron in between them. Aurora made the move to sit next to Ron on his other side at the table adjacent to the boys, but not before a hand grabbed her arm.
"Be my partner." Draco said. His pale gray eyes conveyed no emotion. He seemed rather cool and collected. Aurora was unsurprised. He probably felt quite at ease already here. She knew Draco wanted to be the best wizard in our year or perhaps in Hogwarts. His ambition was laughable in her opinion, the boy was nothing compared to Dumbledore.
"I'm partnering with Hermione." That was a lie. Aurora had talked to Hermione this morning, but it had nothing to do with potions.
"I wasn't asking. Come on, I want to get closer to the front."
"And what about Harry and Ron?" She replied trying to pull away her arm. Draco however, did not release his grasp.
"Scarhead and Weaselboy will be just fine without you. Come on Aurora. Please." He did seem a little more sincere. His eyebrows knit together and Aurora could see a little of his facade slipping. No, he was trying to manipulate her. That's what Malfoys do.
"I don't want to Draco." Aurora uttered sternly. She was tired of Malfoy's antics, he was hardly this persistent at home. She was not happy with the possibility of his behavior becoming a daily occurrence.
"There a problem here?" Seamus said as he approached the pair. Harry and Ron stopped their conversation to face Aurora and Draco. Malfoy released her arm.
"This doesn't involve you." Draco was quick to retort. He straightened his posture and put his hands into his robes pockets. He was trying to look threatening, but Aurora struggled to stifle her laughter. There was nothing terrifying about the boy to her.
"Well it does involve me when you start grabbing girls like that. Touch your Slytherin girls like that, but keep your hands off her."
"Looks like you have another boyfriend, ay Aurora. You're much more popular here." Draco drawled. He was smirking now. He clearly wasn't going to take Seamus seriously.
"Draco stop, you're causing a scene." Aurora whisper yelled next to him. She could feel the eyes watching her, burning into her. She felt the need to run, but maybe running was worse. She was feeling trapped and small again like she had when the people stared at her in the halls.
This seemed to bring Draco back to some sense . Aurora found Malfoy annoying and unreliable, but he understood her distress. Her social anxiety had intensified under the stress of coming to Hogwarts. He shot her a look, one that came off as apologetic then walked away. Aurora didn't know Malfoy had it in him to be decent, but she was grateful he decided to sod off. Seamus nodded to her before walking off to sit next to the boy she thought was named Dean. Taking the seat she had planned next to Ron, more people filled into the room. At last, Professor Snape entered the room from a curtain hanging along the back wall of the class.
Professor Snape was an odd looking man. He sported a semi-long black har cut that appeared greasy. Aurora crinkled her nose at this fact. She didn't like to think of herself as snobbish and who was she to judge someone's hair when her's was hardly ever well tamed, but the man looked like he had not washed his hair in several days. Hygiene was something Aurora did not feel above judging. Draco's hair was always neat. Draco was always well groomed overall, she thought. Snape also had a large hooked nose and walked with a strange attitude. It was possible for it to pass off as a gait, though, it seemed rather purposeful.
Finally, Snape spoke. "Ah, yes. Harry Potter, our new celebrity." He smiled making eye contact with the eleven year old. Aurora rolled her eyes. She was all too familiar with that tone. It was the attitude her father liked to give her for simply existing. She decided she already didn't like this man.
Other students in the room remained silent. Draco, and the Brickbuddies, Crabbe and Goyle, were the only ones to snigger. Several other Slytherins did look smugly at Harry with support for Snape's comment, but said nothing. A pug-looking girl turned her sour face to Aurora. Aurora only broke the eye contact quickly. She wasn't worth her time.
""You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potionmaking," he began, "I don't expect all of you to have the appreciation for it" He aimed this comment towards the Gryffindors. Aurora felt a dull anger rising in her, she didn't find the potions teacher charming in the slightest.
"But for those who have the talent, I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death. But I don't expect much from any of you. Now, Potter!" He exclaimed suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" He looked smug as he asked the question. Aurora was slowly getting angrier, she knew he was only asking to embarrass Harry.
"I don't know." Harry replied very cooly. Aurora could sense his stiffness, but he put up a good front against Snape.
"Well let's try again." Snape quipped sarcastically.
Round two. She had hoped Snape would give up on the childish antic the first time, but as fate would have it she was wrong.
"Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
"I don't know" Harry said again. He looked a lot less calm this time. Aurora could see his face turning redder, but she wasn't sure if it was because of embarrassment or if he was irritated. Snape only smirked, he was enjoying this too much for Aurora's taste.
"Third times the charm, let's try again shall we?"
Here he goes again.
"What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"I don't know." Harry was very quiet this time.
"It appears fame isn't everything ladies and gentlemen. I suppose it was too much to hope you would open a book before you got here, wasn't it." He spat.
"And how was he supposed to know that!" Aurora snapped furiously. She was surprised by herself that she would challenge a professor like that, but Snape had provoked her. "Not much of a professor, pretty childish to pick on an eleven year old, don't you think?"
The class sat in silence for a minute. Snape himself was unmoved. His composure didn't change as he made his way closer to the violet-eyed girl. The class turned to all face her as he got closer. In the corner of her eye she could see Draco. He seemed shocked, but there was something else on his face that she couldn't pick up. She didn't feel intimidated by Snape's towering presence, but the eyes of her classmates staring at her made her heart beat faster. Her mouth felt dry and her feet went numb. She felt a strong desire to disappear.
Shifting his head to the right to stare directly at Harry he snippily stated, ""For your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite. Why aren't you all copying that down?"
Several pens scraped across parchment as the students went to write it down.
"Ten points will be taken from Gryffindor for your attitude Potter. And you, Greengrass, you have detention Friday night with Hagrid."
At least she had an excuse to be out rather than sneaking out to go to Hagrid's.
Aurora groaned. This was still not how she wanted her first class to go. Of course she had managed to get detention on the first day. She didn't know what had been wrong with her. Snape was insufferable, she knew that, so why did she have to make such a scene in class. Hopefully no one would talk about her later. She felt nervous at the thought of her being the start of a rumor.
The rest of class resumed uneventfully. Snape completed his first lecture, not making eye contact with her at all. Aurora felt some relief from that. At last, the bell signaling for the next class began. Getting up form her seat next to Ron, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, thanks." Harry smiled at her.
"Yeah." she managed out. As she, Ron, and Harry left the class, Draco remained outside the classroom.
Ron was about to say something when Draco held up a hand to cut him off. "I'm not here for you Weasel, I need to talk to Greengrass," He said gesturing his head towards Aurora.
"Go ahead guys, I'll catch up with you later." Aurora was not in the mood for further drama today, she found it easier to just let Malfoy have something.
"What were you thinking you idiot!" He yelled at her once everyone had left. Normally between classes the hallways would be packed, but Snape's break period for his own private experimentation would be next, leaving the dungeons deserted. Aurora only glared at his outburst. If she wanted to be lectured she would have stayed at home for her father to do it.
"Don't look at me like that Aurora. Seriously, it's our first day what is wrong with you." Draco seemed strange to her. It was so unlike him to not be collected and composed, especially in public.
Aurora sighed, "I don't know, it's just, Snape was getting to me."
"You can't talk to professors like that, I don't want to have to report that stuff to your father." Draco expressed. He sounded almost concerned to her. Aurora felt her blood run cold. She had forgotten for a moment that she was his little project.
"I'm not going to, by the way." Aurora was both relieved but puzzled. she was in no position to question his antics however. Her father was already unpleased with her being placed in Gryffindor, talking back to her professor would lead to a greater punishment for embarrassing him. She shuddered a little at the thought. Though she felt braver away from home, Janus' anger certainly struck some fear into her. She resented the man and his wrath pushed her away from him more.
"Draco, I, thank you." She let out a breath. Regardless of what she thought of the youngest Malfoy, he had helped her, and she was somewhat grateful. Though she wouldn't be in this predicament had he just left her alone in the first place.
"But you owe me a favor." He smirked, resorting back to his typical relaxed posture.
"Why am I not surprised. I was stupid enough to think you would actually do something out of the goodness of your heart."
"Doesn't sound very much like me," he chuckled, checking his nails.
"You little insufferable-" Aurora stomped closer to him, buts cut off.
"Listen Aurora. I've decided not to tell your father about what happened today. So you will owe me a favor." he replied darkly. He just loved to hold power over her. Manipulative prick.
"What do you want?" She murmured, looking at her shoes. She would give him what he wanted, but she would not be happy complying with it. It was still better than what would happen if her father knew about today.
Draco stretched out his arm and used his fingers to lift her chin to make her eye to eye with him. His gray eyes challenged her for a second before he simply stated, "I don't know yet. But you owe me." Amused by her frustration he walked away, leaving Aurora by herself outside the potions classroom. She swore in that moment she hated him, more than she hated anyone. Well maybe not anyone her father still topped that list, but she would no be opposed to hexing him. Waiting a few minutes to make sure she would not bump into Draco again, she left the dungeons.