I really don't have much to say about this chapter other than the fact that I hope you enjoy it and Review!
Chapter 3
Aurora didn't want the day to end, she didn't want to say good-bye and then have to wait another week or two to hang out with her friends. But she could see that as the sun started to set that Severus would no doubt want to call it a day soon. He said that there was just one more thing he needed to take care of and that was purchasing her class books.
She had to admit that although Severus was treating them, she really did not see too much of him. He gave her money and let her go off with Ashley and Draco. She supposed that was his way of respecting her want to hang out with her best friends. They ate at a really nice café and had desert in an ice cream parlor. Now they were in Flourish and Blotts looking for their school books.
"Have you read any of Lockhart's works?"
"No," Aurora sighed. "And I don't plan to."
"Me neither."
Aurora turned suddenly to face a red haired girl. She was going down the shelves as well and what was strange she didn't even need an introduction to know who this girl was. The freckles, dark eyes, and red hair was a dead giveaway. This had to be Ron's youngest sibling.
"I'm Aurora Potter." Rory said, smiling warmly.
"Oh I know, I'm Ginny Weasly." She said smiling back. "I wanted to meet you last year, but I didn't get a chance to!"
"So this is your first year at Hogwarts right?" Aurora asked, thumbing through another shelf of books.
"Yeah," Ginny said, smiling. "I'm so excited, what was your first year like?"
Aurora wanted to laugh, but she refrained from doing so and just settled with saying, "it was interesting…you'll probably have a great time."
"So is it true that you live with Professor Snape?"
"Yes," Aurora said with another grin. "He adopted me last year."
"What's Slytherin House like?"
Aurora shrugged her shoulder's and pulled a copy of Magical Me off the shelf.
"It's the same as any other house, I suppose…I mean it's different for me seeing as Professor Snape is my dad… but I can honestly say that it doesn't seem any different than Gryfindor."
"It's cool how you don't let the house grudge get in the way of everything."
"What house do you want to be in Ginny?" Aurora asked, shoving Magical Me back onto the shelf.
"Oh, I don't know…the family wants me to be in Gryfindor-
-I asked what house you wanted to be in, not what house your family wanted you to be in."
Ginny looked down for a moment and narrowed her eyes. It was clear to Aurora that she had not given thought to what house she wanted to be in, she just gave thought to what house her family wanted her to be in.
"I don't know…I guess I never really gave it much thought." She looked up and smiled. "What house did you want to be in, Aurora?"
"I chose Slytherin," Aurora said proudly. "But I had been offered the choice of all the houses, and if I had to choose again I still would take Slytherin."
"Thanks for the advice Aurora," Ginny said warmly. "Maybe we can hang out at the school sometime?"
"Sure, I'd love to hang out with you!" Aurora said sweetly. "You can call me Rory, Ginny…all my friends do."
Aurora felt a little bad for losing Draco and Ashley in the book store, but Aurora had to admit that she had a good time with Ginny. It was nice to have a little girl time, especially when she really only had guy friends at Hogwarts. As Aurora and Ginny continued through the store they couldn't help but notice a mob of people enter the store as well.
"What's all the fuss?" Aurora asked, trying to get a proper view of all the commotion.
But it was a futile effort, Aurora was too short to see anything. But when she noticed a member of the Daily Prophet push by she was left to assume the worse.
"Move along youngsters." The reporter shouted. "This is for the Daily Prophet."
"Who cares!" Aurora spat, getting shoved to the side. "Who are you even trying to get a picture of anyway?"
"It's Lockhart," Ginny groaned. "Here come the bloody fan-girls."
Aurora looked to see if she could find Ashley or Draco in this mess of people, but she had absolutely no luck. Carefully Aurora moved towards the front and her eyes met a man with golden blond hair and the fakest white smile she has ever had the misfortune of seeing. He looked down at Aurora and his eyes widened extremely.
"Could it be…Aurora Potter?"
It was like she had a third sense for it, when she knew that someone was going to try and abuse her fame her head was sent into such a whirlwind of anxiety that the person next to her could feel it as well. But before Aurora could properly react golden bonehead already had her up in front of everyone and was shaking her hand so violently that it would surely pop out of its socket.
"Big smile Aurora," he praised. "Together you and I will make the front page."
Aurora felt her glasses slip to the rim of her nose as Lockhart continued to try and dislocate her wrist. With a somewhat frustrated sigh, she attempted to pull her hand back.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Lockhart continued, clearly ignoring her discomfort. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! When little Aurora here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, she only wanted to buy my autobiography-
Aurora rolled her eyes; she hadn't planned on buying any of his novels.
"Which I shall be happy to present to her now, free of charge," Aurora jumped slightly as the crowd broke into random applause. "She had no idea that she would shortly be getting much more than my book, Magical Me."
What did he mean by that?
"Yes that is right, this September I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
The broke out into another burst of applause but Aurora could not be anymore mortified! What was Professor Dumbledore thinking, hiring a fool like him? This had to be some kind of joke, surely the Headmaster wasn't so desperate for a new teacher that he would stoop so low as to hiring this bonehead! Aurora wanted to sneak away from the limelight but before she had a chance to break free Lockhart shoved a stack of books into her free arms, almost causing her to tip backwards.
Her eyes tried to scan across the store, now that she could see maybe she could identify Draco, Ashley or her father. But to no avail she was left with only being able to see Ginny and her many brothers. Finally, once Lockhart was back to posing for many pictures Aurora slid into the crowd. She grinned slightly and tipped all of her books into her cauldron.
"You have these; I'd rather die than read his crock."
Ginny laughed but accepted the books. Aurora knew that the Weasly's had trouble with their finances, but she could see that even with those little setbacks they were probably one of the happiest and richest families she has ever met!
"Ah Ms. Potter," a cold voice breathed down her neck. "Isn't it sad when someone can't even go into a bookstore without making the front page."
"Leave her alone," Ginny spat. "She didn't want all that."
Aurora wasn't sure who this man was until she turned and got the chance to stare him right in the face. And the moment their eyes met she knew exactly who this had to be. This was Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy.
"Hmm let me guess," Mr. Malfoy cackled. "Red hair, freckles, tattered second hand book."
He lifted a small textbook from Ginny's cauldron and tossed it back down.
"You must be a Weasly."
Aurora felt her blood boil as Ginny blushed furiously and said nothing.
"And you…" Mr. Malfoy smiled. "You are the one I have heard of all Summer…Aurora Potter this, Aurora that…hmmm."
He held out his hand for Aurora too take, and at first she contemplated ignoring his gesture…but it was clear that Mr. Malfoy would not allow her that luxury.
"Lucius Malfoy," he pulled her forward. "Forgive me."
Taking his cane, which had a creepy snake head at the top of the wood, he moved her bangs to the side and stroked her scar with his thumb.
"Your scar is legend," he whispered. "As of course is the wizard that gave it to you."
Aurora pulled back and felt her eyes darken extremely.
"Voldemort killed my parents, and he tried to kill me." She snarled. "He was and is nothing more than a common murderer."
"You must be very brave to say his name," Mr. Malfoy snarled. "Or very foolish."
"Aurora's a hero." Ginny spat, attempting to stand taller.
Mr. Malfoy laughed coldly and dropped another book into Ginny's cauldron.
"Consider that a charitable donation." He said sweeping away. "Come along Draco."
"See…see you at school Rory." Draco whispered, lamely.
Aurora wanted to say something; she wanted to complain how Draco shouldn't just roll over for his father's bad behavior. But then she remembered the reprimanding she used to get from Uncle Vernon. She had no place whatsoever to tell Draco to man up, when she at one time didn't even have the bravery to reveal her abuse to Severus.
"Sorry Aurora," Ginny said, softly. "Malfoy's dad is a real troll."
With a sad smiled Aurora nodded, she hoped that Draco would never turn out to be like his father. However wealthy and powerful he was would never change the fact that he was and forever would be a huge git!
"Rory," Severus said coming through the crowd of people. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah dad," Aurora said, trying to brighten her tone a little. "This is my friend Ginny Weasly."
"Hello Ms. Weasly." Severus said, rather stiffly. "This will be your first term at Hogwarts correct?"
"Yes sir." Ginny squeaked.
"I hope you will not cause me as many headaches as your older brothers Fred and George do."
Ginny blushed and said, "don't worry Professor Snape…I'll behave."
"Hmm," Severus said, smiling slightly. "See that you do Ms. Weasly."
"Yes sir."
"Now Aurora, I saw Draco leave with his father…did Ashley leave?"
"Ummm…I don't think so…I lost him when the blond loser pulled me up in front of the whole bookstore."
Severus's eyes narrowed and darkened, she had a feeling that Lockhart would get it as soon as the school year started and that Severus would be all to happy to oblige.
"Well Aurora go look for him, he mentioned to me earlier about needing a way home and I don't want him getting lost in the Floo Network."
With a nod Aurora turned to Ginny and said, "hey, look for me at school okay…or on the train!"
"Okay, bye Rory."
It had taken a couple of minutes but Aurora eventually found Ashley sitting in a corner reading a copy of Hogwarts: A History. She smiled and sat down next to him. It was dark outside and the book store had taken on a very romantic luminous glow. With a sigh Aurora gently set her head to Ashley's shoulder and smiled.
"So I see Lockhart finally released you." Ashley breathed. "What a twit."
"You're telling me," Aurora yawned. "Dad says it's time to go…he's going to take you home."
"Time sure does fly when your having fun," Ashley said sadly. "Where did pretty boy go?"
"He left already with his dad." Aurora breathed. "That man is a real work of art."
"Yeah, I heard him from over here." Ashley snarled, turning the page of his book. "If pretty boy were a real friend he would have stood up for you."
"We can't all be as brave as you, Ashley." Aurora said smartly.
"I'm just saying."
"I know," Aurora whispered. "But don't okay… it's probably more complicated than what we think it is."
And Aurora was happy that Ashley accepted that answer, she was not in the mood to argue in Draco's defense when half of her thought he was right.
"Ah, here the two love birds are." Severus chuckled, standing in front of them. "Come on you two, I think it is time we retired for the evening."
Aurora smiled slightly. She didn't know why but as the summer continued Severus seemed a little bit more accepting of Ashley. Which was wonderful, because last year she remembered just the mentioning of Ashley would set him off.
Ashley closed the book he was reading and Aurora took that as her cue to get off of the floor as well. The store was starting to empty and Aurora was so tired that her feet just barely carried her to Leaky Cauldron. Severus was going to Floo Ashley home and then return back to the pub so they could run home as well.
"Alright Mr. Blake," Severus said gripping his shoulder's. "I hope you enjoyed yourself."
"Yes sir," Ashley said with a small yawn and a smile. "I'll talk to you on the train Rory."
Aurora watched as Severus and Ashley's bodies were consumed in a green flame and they disappeared. With a sigh she placed her head on the hard wooden table. She knew that Tom wouldn't let anyone hurt her, and that she would surely be safe if she just decided to take a short five minute nap…. What would five minutes do, right?
When Severus returned to the Leaky Cauldron minus one Ashley he found Aurora sleeping lightly on one of the tables. Chuckling lightly he nudged Aurora awake and coaxed to the fireplace.
"Hold on tight love," Severus said, wrapping his arms around her small frame. "And close your eyes."
Aurora really hadn't opened her eyes to begin with, but she did take Severus's advice when it came to tightening her grip. During the summer holidays Severus and Aurora used the Floo Network regularly, it still did not change how Aurora felt about it though. She absolutely detested the spinning and the smell of hot ash as it tried to force itself up her nostrils. It was different at the moment, seeing as she was half asleep it did not irritate her as much. So she walked out of the fireplace unscathed and stumbled upstairs to bed without having to stop and wait for her eyes to stop spinning inside her skull.
"Goodnight love," Severus said from the bedroom door. "I hope you had a very good birthday."
"Thanks daddy," Aurora whispered. "I had fun."
"I'm glad." Severus said placing a kiss to her forehead. "Tomorrow Albus will be visiting, he has a present for you."
"Okay…will he bring cake?"
Severus laughed and pulled her blankets farther up around her.
"I sure hope not, the last thing you need is sugar."
He waited to hear some type of snide comment but to his surprise Aurora remained silent. He should have known that the only way to keep Aurora from arguing back would be sleep. With a light chuckle Severus walked out of Aurora's room, gently closing the bedroom door behind him. Today had gone well, despite Lockhart's abuse of her fame. He could not wait till school started just so he could terrorize the new teacher. He could only imagine the type of headaches he was going to have to deal with so long as that man taught at the school.
Thank the Almighty that Aurora was not one of those girls that fell in love with the platinum blond, blue eyed, bright smiled type of men. If she was one of those Gilderoy Lockhart fan girls he would no doubt have to throw himself against an electric fence. He knew teenage girls all too well and he knew that the squeal of a teenage girl was enough to make his eardrums explode.
He did agree with Aurora when it came to Dumbledore's insane choice with teachers, but unfortunately nothing could be done. He had tried to figure out what Dumbledore was playing at but it just left him with one of the most unbearable migraines imaginable.
When morning came Aurora found that it wasn't a very bright one. The sky seemed dark and loud thunder clouds loomed over their home. This made it all the more difficult for Aurora to force herself out of bed.
"Aurora!" Severus called from downstairs. "It's time to get up!"
How did she know that her father would be trying to chase her out of bed? It was like his morning ritual. Maybe today was one of those days that she should just play sick.
"Aurora Evans Snape," Severus snapped. "If you want to see your grandfather I would suggest you getting up now!"
With a yawn Aurora slipped out of bed, put on her robe, and stumbled downstairs. Aurora loved Professor Dumbledore and it seemed that no matter what type of mood she was in so long as she saw the Headmaster she could usually crack a smile. Maybe it was because the man before her insisted on wearing the most outrageous brightly colored robes; or maybe it was because he always rewarded her with a big hug whenever they saw one another. Either way, the day just got thirteen times better from him coming to visit her.
"Good morning my dear girl!" Dumbledore praised as Aurora rushed over to hug him."I am so sorry that I could not see you yesterday but Severus said you guys had plans and I did not want to impose."
"Oh," Aurora said smiling. "That's okay Professor Dumbledore, we had a lot of fun."
"So I have heard," the Headmaster chuckled. "I also heard that you had the pleasure of meeting our new teacher."
Aurora didn't say anything, she actually turned to see the expression Severus wore. And of course the one time she needed to read his expression Severus turned away and stepped out of the living room into the kitchen.
"Your silence is answer enough, my dear." Dumbledore chuckled. "I suppose I should give you your birthday present!"
"Oh Professor you didn't need to buy me anything!' Aurora said blushing.
The Headmaster took out his wand and conjured a rather large box wrapped in shiny green paper and tied with a beautiful silver bow.
"My dear child," Dumbledore laughed. "As a grandfather I believe it is my job to spoil you rotten."
"Merlin." She heard her dad grumble from the corner of the room.
Smiling Aurora took the box into her hand and held it in her palms. It was rather heavy, but Aurora could not for the love of her imagine what it would be. She had spent time with the Headmaster during the summer but not enough for him to really know what she wanted for a birthday present; maybe he had guessed.
Slowly Aurora pulled the bow from the box and began stripping it of its beautiful covering. As the paper fell to the floor Aurora found herself on the verge of tears. It was a photo album and on the cover was a picture of James and Lily, and they were holding her. Her hand shook slightly as she opened the book and found a picture of her mother smiling brightly at her.
It brought back the memories of last year, when her mother's voice was in her head…talking to her. It actually upset her, she had let the man that killed her beautiful mother and brave father get away…she had let him escape.
"Aurora?" Albus asked.
Feeling several tears slide down her face and the smile that had once been there turn into a horrible frown Aurora threw the album down and raced out of the house.
(no flames :) )