Snowflakes fell on the ground, covering it with it's white beauty. Christmas break had arrived and the halls and rooms of Hogwarts were decorated with the warmth of Christmas. Laughter filled the halls and excited whispers about presents was the top subject. Students throwing snowballs, making snowmen and drinking hot chocolat in front of the fire.
Christmas atmosphere everywhere.
Well, correction, not everywhere. On the first floor, in the dark office of Professor Snape, was I sitting sweating like a pig from concentration to resist the Veritaserum that ran through my blood circulation.
"Come on Miss Aurora, you're not trying! Tell me how Potter got so good in Potions!" Snape bellowed at me, his hands on the arms of the chair I was sitting on. I kept my mouth shut, not attempting another try at covering my mouth with my hands as it didn't help at all during the last few times.
"TELL ME!" In shock my mouth opened a bit and I heard myself utter the first words. "Harry has.." I clasped my mouth shut, please Aurora keep the words down, I pleaded with myself.
"okay let's just keep it at this for today. Do try to keep your mouth shut about all of this during the next 10 minutes, then the potion will have lost it's effect. You may go." His cloack swished as he turned around towards his desk. "Professor, is it even possible to get better at this?" I asked him hesitantly. "Miss Aurora you still have a long way to go but it's a start, you already can resist this long but it's not enough. We'll continue next time." After that I was met with only the sounds of him scribbling marks.
I swiflty grabbed my bag, taking my queu to leave, passed through the DADA classroom and into the hallways. It was almost lunchtime and I was sure Harry, Hermoine and Ron would tackle me again with questions of where I had been these past weeks as I had missed a few studymoments and all.
I searched for the three of them in the Grand Hall and made my way over to them on the Gryffindor table. "Hi guys, I'm famished. Hey Hermoine I have a few questions on that rune essay we have, I think I have missed some of the assignement. Before you say anything, yes I realize sleeping in class is not accepted i but in my defence I was really tired and I have never missed a class before." I rambled letting the Veritaserum free, I couldn't care less anymore as long as the right secrets remained a secret.
I watched Hermoine open her mouth to say something and close it again looking at me in thought. I gave her a cheesy grin and grabbed a bun and some pumpkin juice. "Wow you're quite bubbly, even for your normal behavior." Ron commented me as I just couldn't seem to sit still. "Where have you been lately Aurora? You miss our meetings, you hardly have time to even utter an excuse to not talk to us. What's going on? Did Malfoy do anything to you when you got stuck under that piano?" I blinked at the questions thrown at me.
"Oh I'm so sorry you guys, but it's been so busy, with all the assignements, extra class from Snape and my new album, my mind that won't leave me alone. Save me." I uttered at them. I popped a small tomato in my mouth and smiled at them.
"Why didn't you ask for help with your assignements if you feel you can't handle it? I help Harry and Ron with their homework, that does mean I can help you as well." Hermoine took my bag and rummaged through it. "Let me see that rune essay, have you started yet?" I waved my hands at her telling her to slow down.
I swallowed my tomato and hugged her sidelings. "Oh Hermoine dear dear Hermoine. You know I'm as smart as you are, I can manage them but I think it's sooo sweet you're offering to help, but to please you I'll let you help with the rune thingy. I'm just so sorry I can't spend as much time with you all as we used to. I really am trying my best." I told them. "Look in a few days it'll be Slughorn's party, I'll meet up with you and we can get ready together, does that sound good?" Hermoine nodded and the boys continued talking about quidditch.
As I watched the two boys in deep conversation and Hermione with her book beside I couldn't help but sigh. There were hard times coming up and I was questioning myself, was I really the right person for this mission? I knew the trio would stand together no matter what, but their mission would depend on me keeping them safe. I was scared I would fail them, that's why I was pushing myself so hard in my training.
Every morning I would go on hour run trying to improve my speed, after that would be breakfast and lessons, after my lessons I would work on my homework, do my exercises and then I would go to the library to research on spells, healing charms and potions, on other days there were the lessons with Professor Snape.
And besides all that my manager expected a christmas song for my new mini album that I had to introduce tomorrow to the press. I was glad that I would have a break from singing after that as I had wanted to focus on school.
I shook off my worries and joined the trio outside, packed warmly with my purple scarf and mittens. "Incoming Aury!" I turned around from Hermione and was met with a huge snowball against the side of my head. My mouth dropped open.
"I can't believe you did that! You're going to pay for that Ron!" I grabbed my wand and created a row of snowballs and enchanted them to go after Ron as he had already started to run away. Hermione and I laughed our asses off as they hit them in the back of his head repeatedly. I heard Harry laughing as well and I smirked as I sent some towards him.
That was the beginning of a snow battle of us girl against the boys.
We laughed as Harry had some snow stuck between his glasses as we entered the hallway again where it was nice and warm. "I'm going to change my clothes, I'm soaked." I laughed as I opened my jacket which had some snow in it which dropped to the floor.I waved the group goodbye and went towards the kitchens, as my common room wasn't far from there.
As I neared the portret with the fruit bowl I saw it open and Malfoy stepped out of it. When he noticed me he froze and we just stood there staring at each other. "Not joining your mates in the snow Malfoy? Can't believe you're missing out on all of the fun." I told him, remembering I saw some Slytherins from our year.
He scowled and pushed against my shoulder when he passed me. "Leave me alone Aurora." I shivered. Was it because of his calm demeanor or was I just freezing? Weird. I continued my way towards my common room not noticing the pair of eyes watching me.
Her blond hair clung to her forehead from the snow that was melting in her hair. She shrugged of her coat as she continued her way towards Hufflepuffs secret entrance. I shook my head, the only reason this girl was stuck in my head was because I would see her everyday now, lurking near de Room Of Requirement.
It was like the light side giving me a sign to join them, but I knew I couldn't. In order to protect my family and myself I had to fulfill my assignement.
I continued my way up towards the library, needing to research to fix the device.
Sometimes I wondered when this nightmare would end, maybe it wasn't a matter of 'when' but one of 'if'. And the truth be told, I didn't believe this would ever end. Not even with Potter around.