AN- Hey everyone, sorry for inconsistent posting. School has just stated up for me again and it's been pretty hectic. Anyways here is chapter 7! Nice and long one for making you all wait.
Going to her next class was out of question for Aurora. Her next period, Herbology, with Professor Sprout, started five minutes ago and the dungeons were ten minutes away from the Greenhouse. Aurora couldn't fathom the embarrassment of walking into class late. The Professor would scold her for being late, her classmates would look at her, perhaps another detention would be doled out. Absolutely not, she thought.
It would be much better in Aurora's opinion to not show up at all. She could see Professor Sprout during office hours, explain that she got held back by another professor, or maybe she was sick and had to visit Madame Pomfrey. Yes that would do just fine. Taking a left instead of a right out of the dungeons, she passed by the corridor she had gone down earlier from the Great Hall.
She knew it would be a terrible idea to pace around the halls until lunch. Filch or Mrs. Norris was bound to find her and the last thing she needed today was an additional disciplinarian reprimand by that git. That was precisely why she was avoiding Herbology in the first place. Staying close to the walls of the castle she focused on architecture of the building. The high archways leading into the main courtyard captivated her. She lived in a mansion her entire life, yet she has never seen anything as beautiful as Hogwarts. She never wanted to leave. Term had just officially began and she was already dreading the prospect of being home for Christmas. Aurora supposed visiting her mother would be nice, she did miss her a lot. Her father was a different story. Being home with him for two weeks would be pure misery, especially considering recent circumstances.
Lost in thought at the edge of the courtyard along the arched hallways, Aurora nearly jumped when the bell rang. She hardly remembered an hour out here. It felt like minutes had passed. Following the groups of people, she made her way once more to the Great Hall for lunch. Once seated at her table she eagerly began to pile food on her plate.
"And somehow I'm the pig."
"Ron! You scared me, you could've coughed or something."
"Sorree Ror," He replied sitting down her right and stuffing a bun into his mouth. Taking the seat across from the pair, Harry also started to load his plate.
"Rory, where were you. You never showed to Herbology," Harry questioned. His face appeared mildly concerned. He pushed his glasses higher on his bridge then spooned a serving on rice onto his plate
"Yeah you missed Hermione talking for an hour straight," Ron said rolling his eyes.
"Ronald, I'm starting to think you have a crush on her." Aurora wouldn't be surprised if he did, he seemed to talk about the girl more than Harry or Aurora combined. Sure she could come off as slightly obnoxious, but really she was harmless.
"Blegh," was his only response.
"She is rather brilliant Ron, even if you don't like her. We know you do though," Harry teased.
"Oh sod off, not you too."
"But really, Rory, why weren't you there?" Harry seemed more curious now less concerned.
"Malfoy didn't do anything to you did he?" Ron started, angry again. "If that slimy git did anything to you I swear I'll-"
"No! No! Calm down Ron. He just wanted to talk, nothing happened."
"He's still a bloody prick."
"Well that, I must agree with," Aurora smiled. She enjoyed having friends now. She hadn't had someone her age to talk to or hang out with. Sure she had done that with Draco, but they had been much younger, and he was not the same person anymore. The young, intelligent boy became obsessed with blood purity and spent little of his time doing anything else at the Greengrass Manor than irritate Aurora. She missed what they used to be.
Finishing up lunch, the trio decided that they would pay a visit to Hagrid's. Though they already agreed to meet him later that week this morning, they thought they would take advantage of their long afternoon break to say hello.
Just past one o'clock, the three left the castle and walked through the grounds of the castle. Aurora pulled her scarf tighter around her neck. It was only September, but Aurora did not like being cold. For one it activated her Reynauds, but beyond that she didn't like how the cold air nipped at her skin. It left her feeling numb and always a little sleepy. She was going to dread the harsh winter. She wished there was a way to get to Hagrid's without having to be outside.
Hagrid lived in a small cottage hut just a little ways from the Forbidden Forest. The Forest has been noted to be off limits for Hogwarts students. It is a dangerous place where beasts roamed at night according to many, but Aurora felt curious about the mysterious forest. Perhaps the Weasley twins would take her sometime. She was aware of there common adventures around the castle.
Arriving at the front of the hut, Aurora observed the small home. The outside of the hot was gray cobblestone, but the door was a deep mahogany brown. It was actually quite beautiful in Aurora's opinion. She imagined it would be quite pleasant to live here.
Reaching out, Harry rapped his knuckles against the wood a couple times and stood back. The trio heard barks and stumbling from the inside of the cottage as they assumed Hagrid made his way to open the door.
"Ang on! Back Fang!" Hagrid yelled from inside his hut. Letting the trio in, he opened the door widely, while grabbing hold of the collar of a large black dog. Fang, as Hagrid introduced was very friendly despite his frightening appearance. He was just like Hagrid. Aurora smiled at the similarities.
There was only one room in Hagrid's hut with a single, small seating area, a kitchen, and a patchwork quilt thrown onto an unmade bed in the far corner. Aurora found it cozy.
"Make yerslefs at home," He said with a large smile. Aurora didn't know Hagrid very well, but she could tell she liked him already. He had kind dark eyes and seemed excited to have the young visitors with him. Releasing Fang, he bounced towards Ron and immediately jumped on him, forcing him further back onto a couch.
"Argh," Ron yelped as Fang began to assault his face in licks and slobber. Aurora giggled as Ron attempted to push back the determined dog.
"This is Ron and this is Aurora," Harry said pointing his finger at each as he introduced them to Hagrid.
"Another Weasley eh?" He replied. It wasn't much of a question. Ron's vibrant hair and freckles was a dead giveaway. "I spent meh life chasin' yer brothers out of that forest." Ron seemed to go pink as the recognition of his siblings' notoriety.
"Well you know Fred and George," Ron nervously laughed. The Weasleys were a legendary family at this school. The oldest Bill was Head Boy a few years ago, Charlie who also had already graduated, was the Quidditch captain and one of the best players Hogwarts has ever had, Percy, though obnoxious, was the smartest Weasley and on the same path as Bill., but the twins. Fred and George Weasley were unforgettable. Their insane antics were already well known by first years on the first day as their new reign of terror has already begun. They spent half their morning charming the toilet seats in the prefects bathroom to stick to the victims bottom, and started their afternoon releasing firecrackers on the roof of the castle.
"Hmm, and you," Hagrid said gesturing his head towards Aurora. "I don't know you."
"I'm Aurora Greengrass."
Hagrid's face paled once he heard her last name. Aurora immediately looked down. She felt ashamed of her name. Of course Hagrid wouldn't like her now. Most people in Hogwarts wouldn't like her now that she thought of it. The Weasleys were notorious for their success and humor. She was notorious for being a death eater's daughter.
"Nice to meet yeh Aurora," Hagrid smiled. So maybe he didn't despise her. Aurora beamed at his pleasant welcome.
Turning into his kitchen, Hagrid brought over a tray of pastries to the three as they began to tell him about their first day. Most of their classes had gone well according to Harry, Herbology must have been alright.
"Not potions," Aurora added.
"Snape hates me," Harry sighed.
"He can't hate you any more than he hates me," Aurora chuckled.
"Rubbish, Snape 'as no reason to hate you all."
"He gave me detention."
Hagrid seemed slightly surprised. "I'm sure he doesn't hate ya."
Shifting the conversation he turned to face Ron. "How's yer brother Charlie? Great with animals he is," Hagrid grinned widely. So he did have a favorite Weasley.
As Ron went on about his brothers' work with dragons in Romania, Harry nudged Aurora showing her a piece of paper he had found under the pastry tray. It was from the Daily Prophet. The headline read:
Gringotts Break-In!
Aurora gasped. A break in at Gringotts? That was impossible. No one can break into Gringotts.
"Ron mentioned someone tried to break into Gringotts when we were getting onto the train here, but he didn't mention the date," he whispered quietly to her. Hagrid and Ron were still very deep in discussion.
"So? What's so special about it?" Aurora asked softly.
"It's my birthday. That was the day I went to Diagon Alley. We stopped at Gringotts first to get money from my vault and to get a package for Dumbledore. He said it was official Hogwarts business."
Aurora's eyes widened. What was in that package that was so important that someone would break into Gringotts? It didn't seem like a coincidence to her that there was a break-in the same day that Harry was there with Hagrid.
"Hagrid!" Harry called. "That Gringotts thing happened on my birthday. It might've even happened when we were there!"
Hagrid tensed up. This only seemed to confirm to Aurora what she and Harry already suspected. Whoever had tried to break-in were after whatever Hagrid picked up for Dumbledore. Grunting, Hagrid only offered them another hard pastry.
"Yeh know, I've got some werk to do now, Why don't you three head back."
Pushing the three out the door, Harry and Aurora began to fill in Ron what he had missed.
"Where do you think the package is now?" Ron asked.
"I would guess Dumbledore has it hidden somewhere," Aurora suggested.
"I'm sure he does, I just want to know what he's hiding," Harry mumbled. He seemed to be somewhat lost in thought as they trudged on up to the castle again.
Making their way up the corridors and a couple flights of stairs, they arrived to the outside of the Gryffindor common room.
"Fairy Lights," Aurora called out. The Gryffindors had already had to change the common room name as a few other first years unwisely shared it with other houses. Aurora rolled her eyes. How hard was it to follow a simple rule? Even the Weasley twins could manage that one.
"Just Transfiguration left," Aurora stated, falling back onto a crimson couch. The common room seemed less mythical during the day than at night, but Aurora still felt at home in the red and gold room.
Harry sat next to her one the couch, his arm brushing against hers. His face turned red immediately. Aurora felt hot as well, she hoped her tan would conceal it better than Harry's pale skin. Ron opted for a large yellow chair across form them. In between the chair and the couch, was a mahogany coffee table, an empty checkerboard on top.
"Know where the pieces are?" Ron asked checking under the table.
"In the box," Aurora pointed to a small wooden container above the fireplace mantle.
"Fancy a game?"
"Only if you like losing," Aurora smirked.
Aurora turned to face Harry next to her. Her gaze surprised him, his emerald eyes widened under her stare.
"Know anything about Wizard's Chess, Harry?"
"Uhm Roh uh, mentioned it getting on the train. Don't know how to play or anything though."
"Just watch you'll love this."
For the next couple hours Ron and Aurora explained the complex rules for the game as they battled. It was almost identical to chess with a few twists; the pieces moved themselves. Aurora had to admit, Ron was a strong opponent, but he would not beat her. When she was younger her mother taught her how to play. For the days her father ignored her and Draco was unable to come over, her mother sat her down in the manor library for hours. Aurelia Greengrass believed a young lady like herself should be of the upmost sophistication, which included Wizard's Chess. Aurora found this quite ironic as the game was barbaric and hardly ladylike at all. Draco refused to play with her anymore. He didn't like to lose either.
"I swear you're cheating Aurora. No one ever beats me." Ron tried to play it off cool, but she could tell she was frustrating him. He had three pieces left on the board, his only pawn left stood trembling.
"Or maybe you're just not as good as you thought," she smirked. "That's check by the way." Her black knight moved to decapitate the previously trembling pawn.
"Fine you win," Ron grumbled moving his king up a space.
"Checkmate," Aurora stated checking her nails nonchalantly. Ron only grumbled some more.
"Guys what time is it?" Harry asked.
Aurora looked around her. The common room was completely vacant. Unusual.
"Oh bloody hell, it 4:05, Transfiguration started 5 minutes ago!"
Aurora began to panic. Detention her first period. Being forced to ditch her second. She could not mess up third period, she was already in trouble. Why did these things have to happen to her. It's the first day of term.
The three abruptly got up from their seats, the Transfiguration room was not far from the Gryffindor common room. They could be at class in two minutes if they ran. Racing down the corridors, portraits yelling at them, they approached the final staircase that would take them to McGonagall's room.
Suddenly, the staircase shifted.
"Ah!" Aurora screamed. Bringing up the rear of the three, her foot had barely made contact with the bottom of the stairs when it began to shift. Tripping back with nothing but the multiple stories below to catch her fall, she desperately grabbed at air to regain her balance. This had to be the lamest way in wizarding history to die.
"Rory!" Harry yelled. He instinctively grabbed her wrist. Ron followed closely by and grabbed her other one. Working together, they were able to pull her up and onto the first step of the case.
"Hold on, it's still turning!" Harry pushed Aurora into his chest and grabbed the banister around her. She was grateful for the safety of his arms, considering her newfound fear of heights. Finally connecting with another wall, the staircase clicked into place, and the halls remained still once again.
Aurora legs felt like jelly and she was still trembling under Harry's embrace.
"Oh, sorry," he said pushing himself off her. Aurora thought he might be blushing again, but he had turned himself away from her.
"Now we're even more late," Ron groaned. Continuing down the corridors to find the Transfiguration classroom, a task that would now take longer as they had to wind down more passageways, he mumbled on about Weasleys and always being late.
At the end of a long hall, they finally stood outside the Transfiguration classroom. Aurora felt suddenly nervous. She was about to enter class. Late. Of course everyone would look at her. How could they not? She was fifteen minutes late. The only solace she felt was that she would not be entering the room alone. But then again of course she would be going in with Harry Potter. His existence invited stares.
"Alright let's do this," Ron stated. He did not sound confident either. McGonagall was a fearsome women, scarier than Snape in Aurora's opinion. They needed to prepare themselves for what awaited them.
Busting open the door and creating a booming echo as it made contact bouncing off the wall, The class inside was dead silent and shaken by the sudden noise. They all shifted in their seats to look at the scene behind them. However, Aurora noticed no McGonagall. She sighed in relief. The eyes of her class made her anxious, but it was a small consequence compared to the wrath she would've faced had McGonagall been present.
"Can you imagine the look on McGonagall's face if she saw we were late?" Ron said to the other two, gasping for air. His voiced seemed to echo into the silent classroom. Aurora wished he would be quieter. They were drawing way too much attention to themselves.
Suddenly, a tawny cat that Aurora had not previously noticed leapt down from where it was perched on the professor's desk. But no, suddenly it was not a cat, it was McGonagall staring down at the three disapprovingly. Shit. Shit. Aurora could not afford to get into trouble again. She looked around the room. She had this class with Draco, he would surely report this to her father, this was her second slip up today.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron gasped in amazement. Aurora rolled her eyes. Perhaps McGonagall would be charmed by Ron's reaction and the three would get off easy. Maybe just a scolding. Aurora prayed she would not receive a second detention of the day.
"Well thank you for that assessment Mr. Weasley. Perhaps it would be more useful if I were to transfigure you three into a pocket watch. That way one of you might be on time to my class."
"We got lost," Harry quickly lied. Well it wasn't entirely untruthful. They might have just been a few minutes late had the stairs not moved them to an entirely different part of the castle. Had they not ran, they would've easily been several minutes later.
"Then perhaps a map," McGonagall replied strictly. "I trust you don't need one to find your seats."
Walking away to the front of the room again, Harry grabbed a seat next to Aurora. Ron grumbled. This meant he would have to sit in the last available seat, next to Hermione Granger.
The rest of class passed by quickly. As they missed at least a quarter of it, McGonagall's lecture was much shorter for them. The goal was to turn a matchstick into a needle. However, by the end of class, only Aurora and Hermione had managed to make any progress. Hermione's "needle" was silver with a pointed end, but still did not quite appear right. It was far too thick and was easily snapped in half. Aurora on the other hand was able to cleanly transfigure the matchstick into a needle.
"Why look everyone, Aurora did it," McGonagall smiled holding her needle up to show the class. Aurora smiled too. She was glad to see McGonagall did not hold a grudge, but she was even happier to have been successful in class. Even more successful than Hermione, which turned out to be a double edged sword as she forced Harry to trade partners in order to learn from Aurora how to do it properly. Leaning forwards she began to meticulously demonstrate to Hermione the transfiguration process. Suddenly she felt the presence of someone on her other side.
"Hm, surprised you were able to do that. Probably beginners luck," Draco smirked.
"Can I help you Malfoy?"
"Nope just observing." Great.
Aurora shook her head and forced herself to concentrate with Hermione. He will get bored soon, she reminded herself. Just don't give him the attention he wants. He only seems to feed of it more.
However, by the end of class, Draco had not gotten bored with her. In fact he continued to mess with her. He would pull onto the back of her skirt hem lightly to distract her or play with her hair while leaning over her and resting his chin on shoulder to observe what her and Hermione were doing. Aurora was getting more and more frustrated by him by the second, but she refused to cave into an outburst. She hardly found his behavior appropriate, especially in class. She felt like slugging him, but the last thing she wanted was for more people to look at her again. McGonagall was grading papers at her desk. Aurora willed she would look up and see Draco was in fact not where he was supposed to be. She was not so lucky. In fact no one seemed to really notice besides herself and Hermione that Draco was hovering around her, but Hermione was far too focused on transfiguring the matchstick to care what he was up to.
As the bell rang, Draco grabbed both his and Aurora's bags and threw his other arm around her waist to guide her out of the classroom.
"Malfoy, give me my bag back. I've run out of patience with you today." She trudged along, pushing her feet harder into the stone floor to make guiding her more difficult.
Draco paid her no attention as he continued down the hallway. She tried to look for Ron and Harry, but her and Draco had been swallowed by the swarm of students. She would have to find them at dinner in ten minutes.
Stopping at the end of a vacant hallway, Draco handed Aurora her school bag back.
"How was your day?" He asked.
Aurora laughed. "Draco you can't be serious. How was my day?" She repeated his phrase sarcastically.
"You had a rough morning I thought I would check up on you." He seemed genuinely concerned. No he doesn't actually care, Aurora told herself. He just wanted to laugh at her. The boy was like poison. Any honey coming from his lips were surely venomous.
"It was fine."
"I know you've been anxious all day. I've been worried about you."
"Like hell you are. You have a funny way of showing it." Draco seemed to frown at her words.
"Believe it or not I am. I know how upset you get in crowds. You looked sick walking to class this morning."
Aurora only sighed. It was true. And though she hated to admit it, Draco knew her quite well.
"You can come to me you know."
"Stop messing with me Draco, I've had enough of you today. Pushing me against walls, touching me, now this, you need to learn some boundaries. Actually yes learn some boundaries. I thought I told you to never touch me like that already."
"No, you said not to touch you like this," he responded cockily pushing her against a wall, edging a foot in between hers. He was dangerously close to her now.
Aurora's breath hitched. She was about to say something, but Draco had beaten her to it.
"I know you're just being prideful right now. I suspected you would be, but I'm here for you." He pulled her into him into a hug. Aurora felt stiff, she had not had physical affection for awhile. She was unsure how to respond.
She hugged back just briefly before releasing him.
"But you do still owe me for earlier," he smirked. He stared at her for another second, winked, then walked away.
Aurora felt confused. Malfoy had to be toying with her. One minute he's threatening her, another he's practically hitting on her, and now he was being pleasant. He's playing mind games. Yes that had to be it. He was cunning and manipulative. Janus wanted him to keep tabs on her, that was why he was acting like this. She snapped out of it. Draco Malfoy would stop walking away from her like this, she was frustrated by it. She would be walking away from him next time, leaving him to be the confused one. Darting across hallways, Aurora made her way to the Great Hall once more and sat at the Gryffindor table with Harry and Ron. The dinner feast would be starting soon.