Hey, everyone!
Now i know i havent updated in the past two months and that just makes me want to cringe and hide under my bed for eternity, but i really am sorry. First i had exams for two weeks, then i had a week of farewell parties and packing which was just plain tiring, after that i went on a Europe tour for two and a half weeks( Any Europeans reading) it's a big deal for an African to go to Europe, once i came back i had a day to rest and then had to start practicing our School Play ( whichis abig thing in the community) for three hectic week and last week i started with tests again and this week i'm writting this! You see? Things have been hectic. But i just want to thank every single one of you who have reminded me over and over again and i for those who have favourited this story and followed this story! MEANS SO MUCH!

On the bright side this is aa flippen long chappie and even a AMANDA GETS IT at the end- My apology!

I would also just like to dedicate this CHapter to Nelson Mandela! Such an inspiration to my country and hope he get's better soon.

Thanks to the following:Guest, Awesome Unicorn Guest( Obviously), Fourmaraders,AfterHardshipComesEase,MissCaz( Never missing a chance to review a chapter) , Spottedmask and Weepingangels91011! You guys have really made this worthwhile!

So, on with the long chapter ( Get your butts cozy)

Chapter 34

Now, I know what you all are thinking: A cute guy playing my knight in shining armor, saving me from what James predicted as a concussion by a book avalanche and now I, the post-damsel in distress, rushes in to his big, strong arms thanking him from the bottom of my grateful heart and in one moment I look up in to his eyes and seal our newly found love with a kiss. A kiss that was so powerful that it put me in to a deep sleep only to be woken up by a kiss from one of the three bears wearing a glass slipper-

OKAY! You caught me! I was not paying attention while Alice was telling me about the various fairy tale stories that muggles have. However, I am pleased to tell you that I did remember the glass slipper that probably killed her feet, a kiss worth a hundred years of morning breath, three bears that obviously liked their porridge and then I'm sure she mentioned something about a talking donkey…

Sigh.

Toddlers, what you ganna do, hey?

Anyway, where was I?

Oh-Yes!
Now, if you thought that that was what was going to happen, you are indeed very mistaken. I don't do those kinds of thing. If anything I was probably annoyed more than anything. After what had happened in Gringotts I wanted some time alone, to think, to be scared. I wanted to despise myself for what had come over me, I wanted to question myself for what I almost did, I- I want that to never happen to me again and for that to happen I needed that book, the one he was holding.

I tried to not look into those violet eyes of his, but there was something inside me that kept pulling me to them. I tried to think of something to say, but my mind was blank and all options sounded a tad idiotic and rather creepy. Award person issues. I thought of acting nonchalantly, but I knew that I looked pathetic when I tried to act cool and snotty, then again pathetic seemed to be etched into every fiber of my body.

Be yourself, I heard Ms. Potter whisper to me from the back of my mind.

I could have rolled my eyes at this. I can't, he'll think that I am crazy.

Maybe Hodder did have a point, maybe I was slightly (hear that? Slightly) insane, I guess that it did indeed run in the family. You would think that that would make me feel better, right? Rhetorical, that was.

"That's my book." I blurted out. I looked up at him in shock and my hand flew to my mouth, terrified of what I might say next. He didn't look fazed and I was pretty sure that meant he was shocked. Dammit mouth, this was honestly not how I planned on socializing.

Idiot .

Idiot.

He looked down at the book and his light brown curls swept around with the motion, glowing with (what I hoped) was the lighting. I gave up on not staring, what can I say! I might be as experienced as a brick in the relationship and feeling department, but he was actually strikingly good looking and familiar.

He looked up at me after reading the title and smiled lightly, his violet eyes glittering with some amusement- Great he thinks my stupidity was hilarious, well that had to be better than calling Saint Mungo's for some of those 'special' doctors for those very 'special' people. Great!

I felt the temperature rise in the room as his stare carried on. I tried to make it look as though I wasn't staring, but I couldn't quite put a finger on what was out of place.

He glanced down at the book again and then looked at me, "You're mistaken."

This snapped me out of my trace. I blinked unable to comprehend what he had just said, "E-Excuse me?"

" You're wrong." He said again, more confidently, " The book's not yours."

It finally dawned on me what he was talking about.

The book, right…

Next emotion: Defensive.

I crossed my arms over my chest. Forget handsome and familiar, no one tells me I'm wrong, not even over a book.

"No, I'm not." I said, deadpanned, "I saw the book first and would have gotten to it first, if I had luck and height on my side."

I knew I was being snappy, but still, I was tired, confused, scared, sore and hungry. So, nothing knew then, I guess. My back was paining and I knew it was the bump playing up again, I probably should consult Mrs. Potter before I leave for Hogwarts-

Three second dance party for the Hogwarts part, not the pain part. Who dances over pain? Don't answer that.

Anyway, I was not in the mood for asses who liked to challenge the Great Aurora and all her Awkwardness!

"Doesn't matter if you saw the first," He rolled his eyes teasingly, " Technically it still belongs to the shop until purchased or traded."

Hmm, I guess he got me there:

Smartass.

I raised my eyebrow nonchalantly, making sure he knew that I wasn't intimidated; it's a defense mechanism, what more can I say?

"So, technically it's not yours either. Unless you bought it and then placed it back on the shelf for some cruel idea of a joke." I retorted, challenging him.

He chuckled softly and gave a nod of approval, "Touché my dear, but what stops me from walking over to the counter and buying it now."

YOU'VE GOT TO BE JOKING!

By the feel of it, I seemed to have thrown my back out for that book and I was sort of desperate for any answers. Now this buddy of a boy is telling me he was contemplating on whether or not he should purchase it himself! As if! I huffed, you see this wouldn't have happened if I was tall and had a smidge of luck on my side (You can tell I'm not Irish), but no! Life thought it would be hilarious to make my life harder, didn't it?

I shrugged my shoulders, trying to look indifferent, "Human decency?"

He pretended to think about this, a cease forming on his forehead and again the strange feeling in my stomach started up.

"I guess that would be the most natural thing to do." He muttered and looked back down at the book. I frowned at how he said it, almost as though it confused him too. I tried to look in to his eyes, but with him looking down that seemed to be ever so slightly problematic, so I concentrated on the emotions pouring from him. They were excited, wary, satisfied and, for some odd reason, guarded. I'd never met someone who kept their feelings so protective. They usually don't think too, then again no one really expects me or anyone else to be tuned into their emotions as I was. I mean, I can't remember much of my life before 'captivity' and it's not like the vampires have all that much of an emotional range between the hunger and anger and no one of the Potters and their family know about it. So, why would he try and cover his up?

He looked up and smiled, passing me the book happily, but I could feel the façade of it," Take it." He insisted again, seeing my surprised and hesitant look.

"Don't you-" I started to say, but he cut me off.

"Don't need to, I already read it." He grinned at my dropped jaw.
I shook my head, "Then why tell me you wanted to buy it?" I asked, shocked at what he had said. He kept the book in front of me, his muscular and tanned arm stretched out.

I looked down at the book and then up at him again, unsure of how to proceed. Thanks Mrs. Potter for teaching me about what to do if this happens. To take the book or not?

He shrugged his shoulders in a coy manner and then it was his turn to stare at the book uncomfortably, "I didn't really know what to say to you."

I frowned, why would he be unsure of how to talk to me? I mean, my hair can't look that bad (note the word 'that'), I actually thought it didn't look monkey-styled or nest-styled for once. Hmm, guess I was wrong, how embarrassing.

I shrugged my shoulders too, "You didn't have to talk me." I reasoned, and then took the book from him- Hey! Ever heard the saying 'Never looking a gifted horse in the mouth'? Don't worry; I am aware of the fact that he isn't a horse, that would be weird. "Thanks." I muttered and flipped through the pages absentmindedly, a couple of diagrams catching my eye. I let out a sigh as relief washed over me. This could work, this could really work.

He stared at the book in my hand and then looked back at my face, "Your welcome."

There was a moment of silence and I wasn't quite sure of what to do. Do I introduce myself? Say my surname? Ask for his name? Ask why he looked so damn familiar? Excuse myself and then come back later for the rest of my school books this year? WHAT DO I FLIPPEN DO?

Apparently I needn't worry too much about the silence (Damn silence) all to long as he started speaking again.

"You know, if you're into those kinds of things there are better books." He said and again it took me a couple of seconds to realize what he was talking about.

I hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Tell the truth? Heck no! Say I'm buying it for a friend? Plausible. Tell him to mind his own business and walk away? Rude, and we all know me! I can't be rude to anyone-

Oh, shut up you. I'm nice enough.

"It's fine." I shrugged and leant back against the shelf only to have it be a little further back than what I'd predicted and I tumbled back, falling straight on to my forever-ready-to-catch-me bottom. A loud 'Oomph' echoed around the room and just as I had gone down so had any of whatever dignity I had left, so not that much. I blushed and as quickly as I could scrambled to my feet, ignoring my throbbing bottom. I silently cursed myself as I wiped off my bottom. Seriously- And no! You can't do that whole Sirius Black thing, okay? I am currently mortified and feel that you joking around with my choice of words would not be appreciated all that much, so stop with the sniggering already!

Well, that was the last time I'll ever try to 'act cool'.

"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly and I sort of wished he hadn't.

My blush deepened as I was forced to finally look at him, I nodded, "Yup. This happens every half hour anyway."

He chuckled, a glint shining in those too perfect eyes of his, "Every half hour?"

I nodded again and chuckled, "After a while people just stop offering to help me up."

I thought of Scorpius, James and Albus, they all have seen enough of my clumsiness to catch me before I hit the floor, although I'm sure that I've annoyed them enough times to have them doubt whether or not they should.

He chuckled and shook his head, "That's impossible. A beautiful lady such as yourself probably has men queuing to help you back to your feet." He was retrieving my book which laid discarded in the corner as a result of my gracious fall ( AS IF) and didn't see my deepened ( if that was possible) blush. He bent down, grabbed the book and smiled at me before asking, "And you're sure you're fine?"

Nope, my ass hurts and my face is currently on fire.

"Yeah." I said, silently hoping for my cheeks to cool down along with the entire room.

Maybe Scorpius was right, I always did lie when people asked me. Hmm, note to self: Find better adjectives for the word ' Fine'.

I looked around awkwardly not sure of what to say next. I wanted to ask him if we've met before or maybe even for his name, but alas, I could hardly look at him without forgetting what I wanted to say.

"So, I guess I should get going. Lots of shopping that still needs to be done," I started to trail off with the lie, "and stuff. Nice to meet you though." I sent him a smile and turned away. Yes, I know that was a lie. Yes, I know that I promised James that I would stay in here, but I had a strange feeling about this guy, one that I was sure I didn't really want to find out. I turned around and walked down the aisle only to be stopped by his voice.

"WAIT!" He said loudly and in two strides he was with me again.

I turned around slightly confused at the urgency in his voice.

"Yes?" I asked warily, not sure if whether or not I must be terrified. I sucked in a deep breath and quickly took a step back when I realized how close he was. I ignored the confused look coming from him and tried to not think of that perfect face with those really pretty eyes and those-

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME! Since when have I ever cared about pretty faces and eyes and all that stuff? Sure, I find it unfair that the world's population seems to be better looking than me, but then again, I don't think you have to try hard to accomplish that...

AND THERE I GO AND INSULT MYSELF! URG! Forget this I'm going to be a unicorn, unicorns look so chilled. They're like 'I'm going to go galloping through the open fields and then maybe eat some grass and stuff'. How awesome would that be? Yes I probably sound crazy and no, you are not allowed to offer any mental or psychological advice. Now, all I must do is see a unicorn in real life.

He grinned at me excitedly, and I couldn't help wonder why. It's not like I'm his most favorite person in the world or something, so would you want to flippen grin at me?

"Would you like to go have some ice-cream with me?" He asked coolly, his smile widening a little more.

I shook my head confused, "Have some what?"

He looked slightly taken aback, but answered anyway, "Ahh, ice-cream."

This just deepened my frown, "What's ice-cream?"

I didn't like the expression that followed my question, no it wasn't that she's-an-idiot, but more of an understanding expression as though he knew about my newness to the world around me and that's what worried me. He didn't look like one of the vampires and most definitely didn't reek of one too, he smelt just as nice as he looks- Well that's it, I'm screwed! But then again, just because he wasn't a vampire doesn't mean he wasn't working for them…

No, again. He would still be carrying some odor with him from meetings; it would be faint but still enough to make you notice. Come to think of it! I still reek of Vampire No.5 ! Dis-gust-ing! Or maybe he was just normal? No vampire involvement, no family involvement, nothing. But the feeling of familiarity was too strong for it to be a mistake and that lead me to the next question: Who is he?

He just frowned a little and then suddenly burst in to a wide grin, "Cold and delish, almost magical." He finished off with a playful wink sent my way.

I chuckled stiffly and shook my head, "You don't say."

He chuckled too and then asked, "So, what do you say?"

I wanted to say yes, but even then a little voice told me not to. I frowned with concentration. I had told the Potter's that I was absolutely positive about going in to public. They all thought that it was too soon and with the amount of publicity the family got it wasn't exactly safe, not to mention the new Surname Scandal the newspapers will have because of me and if I was absolutely honest with you, I would say that I was scared. I did think all this was too soon for me, I hardly knew anything about the Wizardry world and it seems that me living with the most powerful and famous in Britain was a slight concern too. I was absolutely terrified that the vampires would recognize me in some way and try and get me again or the Potters and their family. I knew, and so did the rest of the Potters and their friends and family, that the vampires would do anything to get to me, to have me in their clutches again. My dead family is an example of that. Everyone knew that the safest place for me is Hogwarts, that inside those walls nothing can harm me, but future events would soon prove them wrong.

I knew the dangers of coming out in public and I was petrified about it, but I knew that I couldn't hide anymore. I can't live within the shadows just because of the vampires. I had spent so much of my life in a cage, in pain and darkness, I think I deserved a little bit of freedom and happiness. I didn't want to have to be stuck in a cage again, sure it might be a bigger cage with more space, but it would still be a cage and I would still be captured. I wanted a life, like James and Albus and Lily, I wanted to have to deal with school and studying and all the other nonsense teenagers have to grow through. I want to just be free, to live and not just be alive. However, that did not mean I was willing to trust anybody or anything.

I chewed on my lip, "You don't need to do that-"

He cut me off, "I know I don't have too, but I would like to."

I shook my head and took a step back, "Honestly, I'm actually okay. Besides, I have stationery to go buy." I waved my stationery list in the air to prove my point (Cough, lie, cough).

"What if I helped you and we do ice-cream afterwards? It's bound to go quicker and besides, then you won't have to carry all that by yourself." He insisted, sticking his hands into his pockets casually.

I frowned, unsure of what to make of his continuous persistence.

"It will be long and boring." I insisted too. It was then that I realized that I was officially trying to talk someone out of my company…

That's sad.

"Not if there are two of us, it won't be." He countered and I had to give it to him, he's almost as good as I am when it comes to talking-Okay, never mind! You're all right, I suck at socializing.

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him steadily, "Why?"

It was a simple question, one that could be easily answered and yet seemed to be the route of all problems.

Why me?

He frowned for a second before asking, "Elaborate?"

"Why are you so persistent on me having ice-cream with you?" I asked, utterly confused.

He tried to hide a smirk from me, but it was clear as crystal that he found something amusing in my state of confusion.

"Why are you so persistent on not having ice-cream with me?" He raised his eyebrow daringly.

You see, this was where even I was stumped. Why didn't I want to have ice-cream with him? He could have killed or kidnapped me easily with us being alone in an aisle at the back of the shop if he wanted to and he hasn't (Obviously).

I nodded, slightly impressed, "Touché." I paused, before unknowingly began talking him out of it again, "But you see, I was taught that you don't talk to strangers."

He grinned again and stretched out his hand, "Michael or if you like, Mr. Dude- Who- Helped -You With- The- Book, either one works."
I felt a smile creep up my lips, but I didn't take his hand just yet.

"What, no surname?" I questioned, hoping for one more clue to who he could be or at least to who I thought he could be.

I felt his guard thicken around him and knew I hit a soft spot. So much for my answers.

"I'm not a fan of statuses." He dodged my questions for like the umpteenth time, which was actually getting really impressive and annoying.

I rolled my eyes, slightly annoyed, "Of course you're not."

I saw the corner of his lips twitch, " And now it's your turn."

I blinked a few times, feeling doubt settle in, "Aurora B-" I shut my mouth in panic, " Aurora."

He threw me a calculative stare before asking, "What, no surname?"

Now it was my turn to smirk, "I'm not a fan of statuses."

A silence followed as we both just stared at each other, challenging the other to back out, to weaken their defense. I kept my arms tightly folded across my chest in a nonchalant way and he did the same. It was a very strange moment, one that I knew would change things, one that I knew would change my life, I just decided to ignore it at this stage.

I don't know how long it was and I didn't really care, I was staring into the violet eyes of someone who I could just feel a connection build. It was very strange indeed and yet I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

He's face spilt into a wide grin revealing the shiniest and toothiest smile I had ever seen and stretched out his arm to shake, "Pleasure to meet you Aurora."

I felt my face spilt into a cheek hurting smile, "Pleasure to meet you too Michael."

I grabbed hold of his hand and immediately I felt it.

A numbing shock rushed through my hands and I felt the hairs in my neck rise and goosebumps appear on my arms. It felt as though a huge surge of energy rushed through my body leaving a tingling sensation when it went. I pulled my hand away from his and immediately the sensation stopped. I blinked and heard a "Wow" exit my mouth before I could stop it (second time this day).

"What?" he said worriedly as though he had hurt me, but there was something else there in his voice too, it was almost as though he was curious too.

I blinked a couple of times.

"N-Nothing." I stammered

No, I'm just letting myself blow things out of proportion, that's it. No more mysteries, nothing.

I saw his eyebrow raise a little, but he didn't question it further, just as I didn't (audibly) question him and his refusal of using a surname.

"So, I take ice-cream is a 'yes' then now that we're not complete strangers?" He smiled at me charmingly.

I looked outside the window unsure of what to say.

Sure I will be breaking a promise to James and sure, it's not completely safe to go with a random guy into town. However, I did need to do some shopping and there are people around to hear me scream if he tries to pull something 'dodgy', and I'll confess, I am still very curious about him.

I nodded, "Sure, I need to get some shopping done anyway." I paused before saying the last bit, making sure he and I were making eye contact, "But, I'm warning you, try any funny business and I'll kick you so hard even your pictures at home will be crying, got it?"

"Not violent at all , I see." He chuckled before turning serious, "I give you full permission to."

I nodded, "Good." I let out a sigh of relief and then calmed down, "Now, let's get this shopping on the road."

I pulled out my list from my one pocket and scanned through it, then look up at him and clicked my tongue, "And you're positive you want to help me with this?"
He rolled his eyes and then smirked, "Sure, besides how much can there be?"

It was my turn to smirk, "If you say so. Follow me then."

I walked to the front counter where the shop assistant was busy wrestling a book with teeth that kept snapping at his fingers. I stared at the book highly amused, maybe James was right, books hurt.

"Stroke its spin, they say!" he muttered angrily as the book made another snap for his fingers. " A little hard to do when they sink their teeth into your hand. Stupid old syllable."

Michael appeared beside me and stared at the poor, old, terrified man who was currently being harassed unfazed by what was going on and just cleared his throat impatiently.

"Just a minute." The shop attendant muttered and all of a sudden tackled the book to the floor, a loud 'oomph' echoed from beneath the wooden counter. I jumped back in shock.

WHAT THE F-

The small man jumped back up, his grey hair ruffled and cheeks flushed with pink, a grin of victory present on his face, "And what can I do you for?"

I stared at him in shock. Ahh…

I eyed the Munchie Book suspiciously.

Please don't be mine.

Please don't be mine.

"Miss?" The shop attendant asked slightly impatient.

Right, books.

" Ahh, do you have these books in stock?" I asked, too lazy to go look for the books myself. I passed him my book list and silently prayed for them to be normal and plain books, nothing with the ability to rip off a limb every time as I so much as make a doggy-ear on a page. 'Cause I do that a lot, more than a lot and to be honest, I don't think I have enough limbs to last me more than a month if this is the case.

"Hogwarts?" Michael read over my shoulder.

No! I'm going to Cowwarts! Where I shall learn how to milk cows and all that other necessary nonsense. How fun! How exciting! How very sarcastic!

" No! The other one." I said teasingly, rolling my eyes.

"Now aren't you just a jokester." He said sarcastically, fiddling with the sleeve of his jersey.

I nodded and then smirked, "I've been told my jokes are legend."

Actually I haven't, but I laugh and though that might be the epitome of sadness to some it meant the world to me. HEY! I can put that down on my Why-You-Should-Love-Me list:

I laugh at my own jokes, so you won't have too.

"Are they deaf?" he asked casually, looking at me with a twinkle shining in his left eye.

"No." I said deadpanned.

They just didn't exist in general.

He chuckled, "Of course not."

"Your books, miss." The shop attendant said, waving his wand and my whole set flying from various directions of the room.

"What school do you go to?" I asked him casually- Well, actually I was prying, but that's to be expected coming from me.

"Homeschooled, actually. Easier that way." He explained nonchalantly, leaning against the counter throwing me a toothy, white smile effortlessly.

"Oh." I can honestly say I was surprised, "Why easier?"

I tried to slip this in casually, but even I could hear a slight off-ish tone to it. Curse you voice.

He paused for a second before saying, "My, ah, family travels a lot and besides, what's there to do at a school that I can't do at home?"

I was about to answer when the shop assistant interrupted our conversation, "Is this all?"

I looked at the pile of different colored books that were stacked on each other , I scanned over all of them and then nodded, " Oh, yes- wait." I passed The Ways of the Mind- Sir Neptune Black to him, ignoring the questioning look I was receiving from him and asked in a I'm-not-changing-the-topic-but, " Do you have any books on pranking?"
Michael's head shot up from scanning through a list of Newly Released on the desk and raised his eyebrow questioningly. I shrugged my shoulders and said defensively, "What pranking is good for the soul."

"Around the corner to your left, they're separated according to transfiguration pranks, potion pranks," Staying away from those, "charm pranks and magical animal pranks. I'll keep your stuff here while you go and see what you would like."
I thanked him and rushed off to where he said they would be allocated. I almost forgot about Michael (which is nearly impossible) , but he caught up quickly , apparently surprised at my speed- Yes! I am quite fast for a lazy person, now stop judging you lot.

I turned to the left and felt ready to die.

A whole aisle dedicated to the fine arts of pranking. This was my dream, this is what I have been waiting for. I swear this would be the perfect time for a host of angles to come cascading from the ceiling with a golden light shining throughout the air as they sing songs of such beauty that even the morning birds stayed silent to listen.

" Oh my." I breathed out and leaned against the aisle opposite it, hand over my chest. Such beauty, such-

" HELL YEAH, THEY WON'T KNOW WHAT HIT THEM!" I threw my fist in the air excitedly. I rushed over to the transfiguration section and poured over them. Thousands of books with just as may pranks, ideas, spells and hints. This was my idea of heaven. I ran to the very edge of the aisle and started grabbing as many books as I could as I made my way across. To be honest I wasn't even sure what books I was taking anymore, all I knew was that I stayed clear of the potion pranks. I would like to prank them not kill them.

HA HA!

Once I reached the end of the aisle I almost collapsed from exhaustion and the weight of the books. Then again, I do almost collapse after walking up the stairs, but I guess that is just from pure laziness…

I should really look into fitness. I mean, it's all about running, jumping, arm movements and sweating and- NO! HELL NO! I'm okay being lazy. Lazy is nice, lazy is easy.

"I don't think you have enough books." Michael said, leaning back against the opposite shelf nonchalantly. I almost dropped all the books, forgetting all about him… Hard, but not impossible when faced with Pranking Material.

I shrugged my shoulders, trying (and failing) to act as though I hadn't run the 1200 meter race. I tried to hide my heavy breathing and ignored the sudden heat increase in the room- Micheal or laziness? I put that aside for now and looked down at the stack of books in my hand, "I think this will do for now."

He shook his head and walked towards me and picked up a book, "You took four of these."

"I did?" I asked with a frown and started looking down at the pile confused.

He chuckled and removed three, putting them back on the shelf. Hmm, a Greek God librarian?

"Two of these." He muttered and removed one of them from my decreasing in size pile, placing them on the shelf again.

He looked at the remaining books in my arms and whistled, " You really like your potions do you?"

What a stupid question! I honestly wouldn't even blink if potions decided in taking a leap off a bridge. Stupid subject it is, be that because I am awful at it or because I really couldn't give a damn about the various types and properties of each type of ingredient. WHO'S WITH ME?
" Nah-ah!" I shook my head and then pulled a face of utter disgust, "That is a bad subject, an evil one." I said seriously, shuddering at the memories that popped into my head.

"And why is that?" He asked looking at me perplexed. His violet eyes shining with amusement- Told you all I am hilarious!

I shuddered again involuntarily, "Bad things happen in potions. I mean, I don't read the side-effects on the back once and my tutor goes home with tentacles coming from," I paused and shuddered, "places where tentacles shouldn't be coming out from."

He smirked of a second and I resisted the urge to slap him. Rule number 25: Do not punch strangers unless for self defense.

Damn…

Stupid rules forcing me to comply and be more appealing to society.

"Anything else you need or can we get going?" He asked changing the subject, but not removing the smirk.

I shook my head, my curls jumping up and down with the movement, "Nope, I'm all set."

I didn't speak to him again until after we left the store, him being kind enough to carry my bags, which I carried for about three seconds and almost had my arms fall off in the process.

Note to self: Definitely reconsider this fitness goal.

He just swept down and grabbed the bags from my hand and refused to have me carry them again. I kept glancing at his face, waiting for him to collapse in pain or hear his breathing uneven a little, but no! Not only was he too good looking for mine and his sake, but he just had to be fit and a gentlemen… Sigh, and then there was me.

He just strolled there in the street perfectly at ease, which ended up making me feel at ease and that just felt strange. I actually just forgot about everything for a moment and enjoyed the walk through the busy streets.

We next bought my trunk which was bronze and red leather with fancy lettering of my known initials on the top. After paying four gallons and left the shop as the proud owner of the A.B red and bronze trunk.

Mrs. Potter had bought everything else that I needed a while ago such as my potions kit (blah), my scrolls, quills ect. So before I knew it I was on my to Fortescue's ice-cream parlor pulling my trunk with me down the twisting and turning alleys and ignoring Micheal's protests.

"What does your family do?" I asked once he finally gave up on trying to convince me to let him push my trolley.

The sun was shining in the sky above us and even in the middle of one of the busiest places known to witches and wizards I could still get a sense of welcoming from the sun. I loved the way my skin just seemed to soak up the heat and light from the sun, the energy now coursing through my veins. It didn't feel half as strong as when Michael had touched me, but I could feel some form of power.

"Family?" He asked, looking down at me with a frown of confusion.

I looked away quickly, keeping my attention on the crowded road ahead and nodded, "You said they travel a lot."

And just like that his shields were back up and I knew whatever he said next would be a diluted version of the truth. I internally sighed. It really looks like my life was going to be a series of mysteries and half-truths.

"Oh, yes they do indeed." He said quickly, "They're scientists."

Lie.

I didn't think it would fall under social etiquette to call someone out on their lie, so I just let the topic go. You see! I do have some sense of human decency! I could've pestered him on and on about it, but I didn't! Therefore a reward in needed, but what? Half day with Amanda? Oh please, oh please, oh please.

We arrived at a colorful shop with big umbrella's outside and people licking different types of colored watery solid-ish stuff. I eyed it suspiciously and stayed close to Michael, hoping he would fend me from whatever those people were eating. To be honest, I was slightly (Yes , I know my 'slight' is never really ever slight. Thanks for pointing it out again) apprehensive and unenthusiastic about the whole ice-cream thing, which is weird seeing as if it was ever possible to marry food, I would have four donuts on my ring-finger already. He walked in through the transparent glass doors and straight to the white marble counter and looked up at the magically changing pictures. I tried to copy him and act completely at ease, but within three minutes I was as confused and lost as I could get, which was surprisingly saying a lot. I blink a couple of times, trying to solve the following conundrum, but it just made my head hurt again and I stopped before I pulled another stunt like that in Gringotts- And there I go blushing with mortification!

"So, what do you want?" Michael asked, still staring at the changing pictures with a frown. Maybe he also didn't know what was going on either, which I highly doubt, but it was nice to know that I wasn't alone.

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know, and you?"

And to be honest I really didn't, there were so many options , various colors, shapes, sizes, flavors, toppings and so on and so on. It was sort of off-putting when you concentrate so hard you start to get dizzy. But this was okay, I was putting more focus onto what he was choosing. As the saying goes: You are what you eat.

Funny, I don't remember eating Legend.

HAHAHAHAHA-

Okay, that wasn't funny.

(Awkward silence)

Moving on then…

"My usual." He grinned and turned to me, "Chocolate or Strawberry?"

This caught me by surprise and I blinked with confusion, "W-What?"

He rolled his eyes, "You really should have mentioned you were deaf when we first met." Insert death-glare from my side and I hope for your sake that you're all death glaring with me, "Chocolate or strawberry?"
" Chocolate, I'm not stupid." I answered immediately, still annoyed at being called deaf.

He's mouth pressed together as he tried to not smile or laugh, he cleared his throat and asked the next questions, "Cookies or berries?"
" Cookies." I said this like it was the most obvious thing in the world, which it was, of course.

He nodded approvingly and muttered an audible, "Duh." Under his breath in an attempt to imitate me and despite everything, I found myself laughing. It was a careless laugh, a good heartwarming one too.

Once I had calmed down enough I asked, "And now what do we do?"

He threw a lopsided smile and I felt something flutter in my chest, but I pushed it aside, passing it off as heartburn.

"And now you can go and find us a table outside well I order." Michael said, drumming his long fingers against the white counter.

"It sounds like you're trying to get rid of me?" I asked playfully and a little skeptically.

He threw his hands in the air and sighed dramatically, "Alright, you got me. Guess my plan's out."

I just winked and walked out of the parlor with a visible smirk on my face.

It was a little hard finding an open table with the immense population that enjoyed 'ice-cream' hogging all the nice tables, but I managed to find a table just beside the street. It wasn't as busy anymore with everyone having lunch.

I rested against the chair and felt drained. So, I just sat there watching as people walked in and out of shops wondering what's going on in their lives, their secrets, their goals and dreams, their failures and their greatest regret. For once I tried to see what they were feeling instead of feeling it myself.

I thought about next year this time and what would have changed, I thought about school and whether I was going to enjoy it, I thought about the vampires and when they would come after me. I wondered about Albus too and whether he was actually really happy, 'cause in the end that's all I really wanted actually. But what I thought about most was Michael.

There was something off about him. Sure he's handsome and charming, but there's something about him that makes me know that he's hiding something. I don't know what it is, but all I do know is that it's important. I pictured his face again in my mind and I tried to think of why it looked so familiar. He wasn't a Potter, a Weasley or a Malfoy. He definitely wasn't a vampire or a werewolf, trust me when I say that I would recognize the reek of either of them-

Not that Teddy smells or anything!

No! Never! He smells like daisies and roses and, ah, chocolate! Yup, everyone loves the smell of chocolate, right?

…

…

…

Shit! He's going to kill me, isn't he?

Damn.

"And now what's with that face?" A loud voice said over me.

I jumped up in fright and whelped attracting strange looks from, well, people in general. I smiled a slightly panicked , but very much embarrassed smile and apologized quickly before quickly sitting down again, my face back to its normal ( and possible permanent) red blushing state. My autobiography would probably be called 50 Shades of Red, and now that's embarrassingly sad.

"Nothing." I grumbled and crossed my arms and shrugged my shoulders.

He just laughed well naturedly and I couldn't help but crack a smile too. Not that it was funny or anything and it wasn't, and that is what I told him exactly. Although, I think it was ruined by the large grin on my face-

What? I thought we all were quite aware of the fact that I suck at being serious, apparently not.

He chuckled again and tried to keep a straight face, but I could just see amusement radiate from all around him, "Of course not. Although admit it, you would've been rolling on the floor laughing if it happened to someone else."
He sat down and it was only then that I noticed what he had in his hand; two cones with both with brown circular lumps of 'ice-cream' and a purple lump on top of mine, whereas he had a white one on top of his and just to top it off, crushed cookies sprinkled on top of mine with a piece of chocolate sticking out at the top. He chose the more manly topping and went with sprinkles.

I chuckled somehow knowing he was right, "Only if I caused it and there's a 99% chance that I did."

He laughed straight out and it was a genuine laugh, nothing fake or guarded, but genuine. Apparently I wasn't the only one to notice his dropped guard seeing as I felt the surprise and the renewing of his shields again. I'm sure how to explain how I this only that I knew. The easiest way to at least attempt to explain it to you is by asking how you know when there's tension in the room, without anyone telling you, but your own intuition. Hopefully that makes sense, if it doesn't just nod and pretend like it does.

He passed me the brown and red-ish ice-cream and I took in gingerly and slightly (there's that word again) anxiously. The first thing to hit me was how cold it felt beneath my fingers, hence the word: ice-cream.

He just gazed at me coolly, totally at ease, before chuckling, "I promise you it's not going to bite."

I raised my eyebrow, "Knowing Magic folk, they probably tried."

I thought of James, Fred and Dominique (who I've only met once, but heard of quite a lot) who all had an impish demeanor about them-

Heck! I probably would!

"Well, go on then." He said excitedly and watched me like a hawk.

I looked down again and the only vaguely appealing thing was the chocolate sticking out at the top. I frowned and looked back up at him, "And no staling?"
He just rolled his eyes and carried on staring at me.

"Geesh." I muttered under my breath. He honestly reminded me of Albus when he stared blankly at me like that.

"One." I breathed out and looked down at the ice-cream, " Two." I moved closer to the purple 'stuff'.

"Three." Michael said proudly and I gave my ice-cream a giant lick.

…

…

…

" OH MY SOUL!" I gasped and shut my eyes.

The feeling of ice surrounded my brain and I felt shivers up and down my spine, I almost dropped my ice-cream.

"Press your tongue against your palate." Michael instructed and without even questioning it, I did it and almost immediately the pain and sensation went away. I opened my eyes slowly, scared it would come back again. I blinked a couple of times and before I could ask Michael already had the answer waiting for me.

"Brain freeze." He answered patiently." It usually happens when something cold touches the roof of your palate, the sudden temperature change of the tissue stimulates nerves to cause rapid dilation and swelling of blood vessels."
He saw my expression and quickly apologized, but I dismissed it quickly.

"Why apologize for knowing something." I shrugged my shoulders and I was actually being serious, I did indeed find that fascinating. "People care too little about knowing things these days, so it's nice to speak to someone who does."

Any guesses to who I was referring to? I'll give you a clue: Her name starts with the letter 'A' and ends with the same letter.

"Knowledge can be a dangerous device if in the wrong hands." Michael muttered, not looking at me, but rather the sky deep in thought. He's violet eyes clouded and his light brown hair danced with the breeze, he had a troubled expression and old almost as though he meant more to what he said.

"Knowledge can be dangerous in any hands." I countered back and it was true.

All people are capable of good and bad, of mass destruction and eternal peace, of love and hate. And I think in Gringotts I showed it, I was prepared to kill someone purely out of enjoyment and curiosity, but in reality I couldn't gossip behind anyone's back much less kill them. I didn't consume power in Gringotts, it consumed me. But knowledge, it's something that will always be needed, consumed and used for as long as we live, it's eternal, it's infinite.

He seemed to snap out of his 'mood' and looked at me again, his eyes shining with curiosity and... nervousness?

"So what do you think? About the ice-cream?" He asked easily and it was as though the last three minutes never happened.

I looked down and grinned, "The best thing I've ever tasted. It's so creamy and sweet and cold and fuzzy." I licked my lips and thought, "Is that- Is that raspberry?"

I looked down at my Red-ish and brown ice-cream and then back at him.

He shrugged his shoulders carelessly, "I thought you might like raspberry."

I blinked a couple of times, "It's my favorite."

I shouldn't have said anything seeing as it just widened his smirk, but I was really surprised that of all choices he could've made he chose my favorite.

"Guess I should get bonus points for that too then." He shot me a smug look and then licked his own ice-cream.

"For being right?" I asked, but I already knew the answer.

"Yup." He popped his 'p' and leaned back against his chair and licked away at his very-manly- sprinkled ice-cream, " One for knowing you would like ice-cream and then two bonus for-"

"Guessing my favorite fruit." I finished his sentence, I followed his suite and leaned back against my chair licking (more like devouring) my ice-cream enthusiastically. "Although I don't think the latter should count for anything."

He pulled an outraged expression although I could see the tease behind it, "Do you have any idea how many topping choices there are?" He didn't wait for me to answer, "Thousands, and that's why I come here."
He ended off with a wink and relaxed back in his chair, all casual and stuff. I just rolled my eyes and kept attacking my ice-cream like a homeless person.

"And you come here often?" I asked, not really paying attention to anything other than my beautiful, scrumptious and delicious ice-cream.

He nodded, "More than what's considered healthy, and you? Any favorite places?"

I shook my head, "Nah, but where there's food, there is me."

He chuckled softly and licked his ice-cream again and a minute of silence followed as we both licked away contently. I was happy he didn't force on any small talk, I really was. If there was one thing that I found anymore embarrassing than, well my life could be one of them, is small talk. You either talk or you don't, none of that "So, how's the weather?" stuff.

I looked at Michael and found his eyes were on me as though he was taking in everything, a fascinated stare. I tried not to be uncomfortable about it and act like I haven't noticed, but I knew my 'acting cool' method never works and only lands me in to a bigger or more embarrassing mess, but I needn't have worried as he started speaking again.

" What is it that your parents do?" He asked. I think he intended to make it sound casual, but caution radiated off him.

I paused in mid-lick and stared at him surprised. I blinked a couple of times and when the shock wore off I closed my mouth realizing that I probably looked slightly ( There's that word again)stupid. I hadn't thought of my back-up story all that much, I wanted a story in which I wouldn't have to lie all that much, but that was a little easier said than done.

"They're dead." I said stiffly and resisted the urge to wince. I know it's been almost nine years since her death, but it still felt as raw and painful as if hearing it for the first time. And as for my dad, well I can't remember him at all.

He looked surprised, be that for me being blunt or them being dead I wasn't sure, when it came to this guy I wasn't sure about a lot of things.

He stayed silent for a few seconds and then bowed his head.

"I'm sorry for your loss." He said with an understanding look to him. I hated that look, I really did. It was the look that made me really feel like an orphan, like I really had no one.

"It's alright. It happened a while ago actually." I said shrugging my shoulders, "Besides things are pretty okay as they are."

This made him frown for a moment, which I tried not to put too much thought on so obviously my mind was full steam ahead. Stupid mind. Clever and as brilliant as hell, but sometimes stupid.

" And why's that?" He asked, and I wasn't sure if it was my imagination or not but he seemed to be sitting straighter in his chair.

I opened my mouth to answer, but paused.

If there's one thing that I've learn throughout my whole life is that you never ever tell a stranger anything about where and with whom you stay, that's asking for an attack, especially if that family just happened to be the most influential in the whole of Britain.

" I live with some really good people." I said and then almost dropped my ice-cream in shock. I lifted my wrist up and saw the time, "People who don't know I'm away from the bookshop."

I looked up at Michael, but he just shook his head, laughing, "You still have twenty minutes. Sit and eat, you little rebel."

I pulled a face at the word 'rebel', but did as he said anyway. I didn't want to leave him. I sort of just hoped that time would slow down a little more and I could spend time sitting at Fortescue's ice-cream parlor with the Greek God next to me.

"If I'm really a rebel, shouldn't I do the exact opposite of what you said?" I asked, taking a giant lick of my ice-cream. The sun was behind a cloud and the streets darkened, I shivered and started mentally slapping myself for not bring a jersey.

He just shrugged his shoulders and wiped his mouth with a napkin, his lips turning redder than what they originally were, " You've done it anyway. However," He leaned closer to me, his cool breath smelling of strawberries. He looked me in the eyes with his own vivid violet ones, " I'm more interested in who these people are that you live with."

This broke me out of my trance and I leant back against my chair, having only realized then that I leaned closer too. I stared at him coolly and shook my head, " No."

He leered, leaning back again. Look completely unfazed at my answer, he actually looked as though it was game, a game he intended on winning. " No? And why may that be?" He paused thinking aloud, " Your refusal to answer means you're hiding something." I stiffened, my grip tightening around my cone, "But what?" He stared at me without blinking and licked his lips, " A secret? A past?" He paused and then grinned darkly, "Maybe yourself? Or maybe them?" A shiver went down my back and I forced a growl back into my throat, before I could even think of a wand a strong wind blew past us, sending a couple of hats and umbrellas to go flying. My hair flew in the wind, looking like dark brown ribbons.

Stop! A voice screamed from the back of my mind. This brought me out of my trance immediately, the wind died down to a breeze until it just stopped. From the corner of my eye I saw that his ice-cream laid splattered on the floor next to mine and the funny thing is that the first thought to come to mind was ' What a waste.', not any paranoia of scaring people with wind or accidentally hurting someone or even the where the wandless magic came from or the anger. This made me terrified, my lack of thought on anything other than what I felt in that moment, whether that be power-hungry , sadistic or angry. I wasn't sure if this was a part of the Blacks Give and Take, but it was something new, something selfish and raw.

Michael had stopped talking and was staring at me in confusion, as though wondering if that wind fiasco had something to do with me or not. I blinked a couple of times and then came to my decision: If he wanted to act mysterious, then so would I.

I shook my head slowly and threw his a sadistic smirk of my own, "No, as in I won't speak of them because I don't want to." I looked up at the sky and saw that the sun was now out from behind the cloud causing strange shadows to form in the corners. "One thing about me though Michael, is that I'm a very private person, therefore so is my family life."

He cocked his head to the side, "I will find out though."
I shrugged my shoulders. I knew that the moment my full name is mentioned outside the safety of the Potters mansion I would have a hell of a lot of publicity for a while until it finally dies down.

"They're rich." He said, his eyes looking me up and down, his long fingers touching his chin as he thought, "Your robes. They're too fine for an average family to afford, Egyptian maybe."

I didn't say anything, not only because I was slightly angry that he managed a right guess within thirteen seconds, but also because I had no idea where these robes came from.

"Maybe." I said, trying to sound like I was cool and mysterious, but with my ice-cream on the floor, splattered, it was a little hard when I was just fiddling with my thumbs.

" So, rich and over-protective, due to the fact that you don't want them to find out you aren't where you said you would be." He added the last part quickly, seeing my eyebrow raise threateningly.

I shook my head and said simply, "Not really, I just don't like lying."

He chuckled under his breath, "Of course not."

This time I did raise my eyebrow threateningly," What? You don't believe me?"

He shook his head and chuckled again, "Of course I do. You just look too innocent."

This time it was my turn to laugh, "Trust me. I'm not innocent."

He chuckled and was about to say something again when one of the worst voices I could ever hear while I hiding away , trying to act like I belonged here and hadn't secretly snuck out of a book shop with a stranger to have ice-cream.

" Aurora!" A voice I knew too well yelled in surprise a distance behind me.

I froze.

Oh, crap.

Okay, first don't turn around. Keep your back to him- Good like that and slowly die.

I started sliding down slowly in my seat, until my butt was on the edge .Michael was staring at me like I was crazy as I mouthed, 'Cover for me'. He just looked back passed my chair and I saw his mind put it all together, he looked down at me and smirked and I just managed to internally growl with frustration and roll my eyes with exasperation.

"Aurora?" The voice was closer now and I internally started to get very creative and colorful with my words.

I'm not here. Go away! I internally screamed. Seriously, this was getting embarrassing, not only him yelling my name in the middle of Diagon Alley, but also my luck. I honestly think that I've seen people who open umbrellas under roofs have better luck than me.

" Aurora?" This time the voice was directly behind me and I let a sigh of, well, surrender. I mean, I'm all for fighting to the end and all that nonsense, but even I know when it's time to draw the white flag and I can state that when the enemy is above your very own head that's a reasonably good time to. I sat up straighter and put on the biggest, toothiest and fakest smile I could manage before turning around to face my… Well, whatever he wanted to be.

"Allie-Poo, darling!" I gasped, absolutely 'surprised' (wink, wink), "Fancy meeting you here."

My sudden and quite unusual enthusiasm made him raise an eyebrow, but he was still in too much shock or confusion to do much about it. I knew that this wouldn't work on him (It never did) but it was worth a shot, "Tell me, where's your dovelike girlfriend, I thought she would have dragged you off to go stare at dying animals or -"

He cut me off, which I found very rude seeing as I wasn't done asking if she had fallen down a well yet or- I'm joking, I would never wish that on anybody, maybe get a bald spot, but never fall down a well. No, that wasn't sarcasm , though this sentence is probably a lie…

"What're you doing here? James said that you would be in a bookshop for the hour-" He questioned me, not having noticed Michael sitting across me, which I find strange seeing as he's a little hard to not notice.

Michael chose that moment to interrupt , which I was sort of happy he did due to the fact that I'm quite lazy and don't really do 'explaining' my whereabouts a motivation to momentarily change my ways .

" Ahh, yes. That would be my fault." He said confidently and sent me a wink for who-knows-what reason. He stretched out his hand, "Michael."

Albus hesitated, looked at me, frowned and then only reached out to shake his hand, "Albus."

I watched Albus to see if he showed any indication of what happened to me when I first touched Michael's hand, he didn't and they let go, the ice was clearly not broken and the atmosphere awkward ( partially due to me) and tense ( Due to them… and maybe me).

"Ah, Albus Potter. Harry's boy." Michael said and looked down at me with triumphed eyes, I silently groaned and cursed Albus's bad timing.

Albus winced and I knew that the whole 'Harry Potter's son' situation got to him. He hadn't told me, but somehow I knew that he hated it, let's call it Aurora's Amazing Intuition with a 23% chance of Accuracy.

Albus ignored the comment and turned to me, his mouth open to ask me a question but I beat him to it with the answer, "I did go to the bookstore." I said pointedly, and then rolled my eyes, "And that's where I met Michael." I pointed to Michael, "He helped me get all my books and offered to take me out to get ice-cream, and well you know me: never saying no to food and stuff."

To be honest, I don't think I have ever seen a girl who says no to food- Well, except Amanda, but I was starting to think that she's not a girl at all. I wonder if Al would be angry if I confronted him about my realization. Probably, but come on! The girl said no to chocolate, surely that must be a reason to go get her checked out.

"You had ice-cream?" Albus asked and for some reason his facial expression was a little hurt, which just confused me a little more than I would have liked.

However, I answered his question enthusiastically, hoping to pass on the happiness I felt, "Yup." I even added a little nod, "It was so delicious!" I grinned and unintentionally licked my lips. His facial expression still looked a little disappointed and for some reason I couldn't stand it. Maybe it was his favorite and was scared that I didn't like it? Yeah, that had to be it! And so I started talking about ice-cream and just as the excitement grow so did the speed of my talking. So there I was spouting nonsense as usual, " It's so devilish looking before you taste it, like multicolored clouds or something, and it's really cold, but the moment you taste it you feel as though everything in life makes sense again! You know what I mean?" I looked up at Albus's bewildered face and waited a millisecond, but he was taking too long and looked too confused that I just carried on, "It doesn't matter! Besides, that's not the most important part! They come in different flavors too!" By this stage my eyes were bulging so much I thought they were a few seconds from falling out. "I had chocolate, and raspberry- Did you know he knew my favorite fruit is raspberry?"

This seemed to snap Albus out of his bewildered faze," You like raspberry?"

I nodded so viciously that my curls jumped around too, "Of course I like raspberry! But that's not the point!"

Albus shook his head in fondly, chuckling a stiff chuckle, his previous moody mood gone "And what's the point?"

I paused, not really thinking of what the point of this conversation is. I shrugged, "I don't know." I looked over at Michael for some inspiration, when I remembered, " Michael has sprinkles on his."

"What's wrong with sprinkles?" he demanded, his eyes showing confusion and surprise. I blushed a little bit with the way he was staring at me and looked at Albus instead.

I shrugged again slowly, "Well, they're not very manly."

Albus's mouth dropped to the floor before being overcome with a 'coughing fit'. Hmm, at least he had the audacity to hide it, "And what would you classify as manly?" He asked with sudden interest.

Michael looked at Albus then back at me, "Yes, what?"

I honestly thought my face was about three seconds from burning off. I looked down at my feet and shrugged, "I don't know." I paused, choosing my words carefully, "It's just that sprinkles just seem so cute and- Damn it's hot!" I started fanning my face, avoiding their stares.

I looked up at the bright and sunny sky peeping through the open spaces between the tall buildings.

Yup, definitely the weather… Sort of.

" ALLIE!" A screeching sound echoed again in the open space. We all looked back to see who it was, although it wasn't necessary, we all (meaning Albus and I) knew who it (unfortunately) was.

I groaned loudly, "What's this? A reunion?" Albus didn't hear, he was looking at Amanda and, to my disappointment, so was Michael. Jeez, what's up with boys and this girl? Sure, she's pretty and all (not that I'm jealous), but I think I would prefer spending time locked up in a cage filled with hungry, ferocious lions that spend a minute in her company!

I looked over at the two boys on either side of me and they both seemed a little dazed, I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes, focusing on the bear she was carrying…

Hmm…

First things first, let me first explain to you the size of this bear just so that we're all on the same page. This Teddy bear was massive! Think of the biggest teddy bear you've ever seen and then picture it four times bigger. It was three quarters her length and white and fluffy. She walked over to us all elegantly, without tripping or stumbling-Although! I'm pretty sure that teddy would soften the landing. The wind blew her bronze colored hair away from her face so that it looked like perfect model pose and yes, I do know about models, I have read more than my fair share of Lily's magazines. I looked to my left and then to my right at the boys, only to find that they both still seemed to be in a daze, although Michael a little less than before (thank goodness).

"I was wondering where you got off too." She said in her usual high-pitched, sickly sweet voice, "Although, you could have waited."

She was still speaking directly to him, not having noticed me due to the fact that I was shorter than the two boys, slightly behind them and, well believe it or not, but she doesn't like me.

Albus just nodded, looking quite upset with himself as though he just broke some else favorite broom, " Sorry, babe." He maneuvered his way around the fat teddy bear and kissed her on the forehead. I just stood there and pulled a face, resisting the urge to comment or be well insulting- Which was very hard and I now get a lifetime supply of free cookies and sleep… No? Damnn…

Amanda hardly paid attention to Albus as her eyes fell onto me, a snotty, "Oh." Escaping her mouth. Albus turned to see what she meant and her face turned ugly again, "That's why."

Now, I'm not sure what she was on about, maybe she was crazy and was speaking to herself or maybe she was referring to why Albus left so her so quickly, either way, it wasn't on my list of Importance.

Albus ran his hand through his dark hair nervously, it was one of his many trades, " Ahh, yeah." He cleared his throat uncomfortably, "I saw Aurora here and got a little worried."

Though this touched my heart, it didn't seem to warm hers. She crossed her arms with an expression that clearly stated that she was not impressed and I was pretty sure she would have said something if she hadn't notice Michael.

It was amazing how quickly this girl's demeanor could change, it's quite impressive actually. Immediately her annoyed face turned all happy and sweet again, which made her look almost as cuddly as her teddy bear.

"Oh, hello." She looked at Michael with newly found interest, "Didn't see you there." She let out a sweet laugh. I looked up at Albus and Michael to see if they had any idea about what's going on but both of them just looked as confused as I was- Well, Albus and I did, Michael was just creped out (understandable).

After a millisecond of silence (awkward silence for that matter) Albus finally spoke, "Right, Amanda this is Michael. Michael Amanda."

She put on a coy smile, "Hey."

Michael waved his hand awkwardly, "Yeah, hey."

If Amanda noticed the awkwardness that radiated in the atmosphere around us, she didn't let on, her three second attention span was all on Michael. I saw her look at Albus from the corner of her eyes and then flicker back to Michael, then once again her whole attitude changed again from coy and sweet to cool and none caring, "You don't go to Hogwarts, do you? I know everyone and I've never seen you before."

Maybe it was the way she was staring at Michael that made angry or the fact that she was staring at him in that way in front of Albus, whatever it was it just made my blood boil.

"He's homeschooled." I snapped, glaring coolly at her, "Now that that answers your question, don't you have any more bears to go stuff or people to bore?"

Albus looked outraged and I could tell that I sort of crossed the line with that comment. It sort of scared me when Albus showed people he's angry, usually he would just make snide comments or ignore you and stuff, but never clearly show he is furious…

Woops.

I wish I could say that I truly felt guilty about snapping at Amanda, but the truth is that it felt good, from the moment I first met her I didn't like her, but at least I had the decency to ignore her, she on the other hand made it her goal to make you as unpleasant and upset as she could. However, I am proud to say that I have always kept my cool and never physically did anything to her. You know, it was easier with the vampires, if you didn't like them you slapped them, almost break your hand on the armor-like skin, but still it felt good and that's quite therapeutic. But then you come into society where you can't slap or punch people every time they do something you didn't like, because of stupid things like, it's not nice, or that it's not adult-like or maybe because it's illegal. Like I said,

stupid things.

"Aurora." Albus said warningly, his green piercing into mine, his lips pressed together.

I will be the first to admit that it did unnerve me a bit, which is understandable seeing as he's had fifteen years to practice the Weasley-Mother-Of-All-Glares and I've had like, a month and a half.

Michael stepped in front of me, almost blocking Albus from my view, "She did nothing wrong."

I looked at the back of Michael's head absolutely flabbergasted. He didn't know me, not very well for that matter and yet he was willing to stand up for me. Now, I know I'm as good as this whole 'Girl' thing as I'm good with potions – don't snigger. But even I must admit that I felt an 'aww' pop somewhere in the back of my mind. I was truly touched by it…

Albus opened his mouth to say something, but Amanda cut him off, glaring directly at from behind Albus's back, "Let it go, Albus." She took a step around Albus and walked closer to me, but Michael stood as a shield between us, protecting me. She was still hold her teddy and looked down at it fondly than back at me with a cold expression, "I'm glad you mentioned the teddy actually." She sent me a sweet smile showing off all the pearly white teeth she possessed. "It was a gift actually from Albus," She paused dramatically, "for becoming a Slytherin prefect."

My mouth fell open and I was pretty sure a spider would start weaving a web in there if I didn't talk soon. I gasped, "A prefect? Who would make you a prefect?"

She just smiled evilly and turned to Albus who still looked highly annoyed, "Come, Al. I think it's time we start heading back Madam Milkins."

I blinked as I realized something that hurt a lot more than I thought it would, when I got my acceptance letter Albus hadn't said anything, not a word expect that he was going to owl Amanda on being prefect. Now I know that I shouldn't get all depressed and stuff on you guys but damn that actually did sting a bit. I've been living with him for a month a half, I practically considered him my bestest friend in whole world and he didn't even say congratulations to me on my first acceptance letter. Sure, I didn't expect a present, but an acknowledgement wouldn't have hurt.

I tore my attention away from this, deciding to let it go for the moment, and focused on Albus and Amanda again. Albus looked from Amanda to me, his anger gone.

"You ready, Aurora?" He asked a little unsurely.

"What?" Amanda asked, shocked too. Looking between Albus and me in panic. "Not her. You and me." She pulled on his shirt for them to start moving.

I looked between the two of them and as much I would've love to go along just to annoy the living daylights out of her, I didn't want to. I looked at Michael and realized that I wanted to talk to him a little more and maybe I was angry at Albus for being ass.

I shook my head, "It's alright, you two ago head. I'll meet you there."

"You see, she will meet us there." Amanda said quickly, trying to turn his attention away from me.

He ignored her and carried on looking at me unsurely, "You can't walk back by yourself-"

"I'll walk her back. I know where it is." Michael said quickly, looking at Albus with annoyance.

" You-" Albus started, but I cut him off wanting him to just go already.

" Go, Albus. I'll be fine." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

" Yes, come." Amanda said, delighted that I was now out of the way.

He threw me one last look and a semi-glare at Michael and walked away looking back now and then until the crowds covered us from view.

I turned to Michael and let out huge breath that I didn't know I was holding. He looked down at me with his crazy violet eyes and I focused my eyes on the umbrella behind him, so that I wouldn't have to make eye contact.

"And that is my, well, ah, potty trained housemate." I said at last, still staring at the umbrella like, well, whatever you call those creepy people who stare at umbrellas.

Michael shook his head and carried on looking at me, "Is he always such a prick?"

I thought about this thoroughly, labeling the memories as either 'Albus grumpy' or 'Albus not grumpy' and 'Albus grumpy and angry at Aurora' or 'Albus not grumpy and angry at Aurora'. Hmm, the thing that worried me the most was how many memories were falling under 'Albus grumpy and angry at Aurora'… This really got me thinking about how I treat him, between the food stealing, girlfriend insulting and pranking, I was actually surprised he hadn't shown me the door one and a half months ago…

Maybe I should treat him better and show my appreciation more, stop stealing his food, greet him cheerfully in the morning, stop insulting his girlfriend and become best friends with her, maybe even slow down on the pranking and change my whole perspective of life-

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-

No.

However, what I can do is tell him I did think about it and it's like what they say: It's the thought that counts. He just has to grow up and stop PMS-ing about everything.

"He isn't always a prick," I paused, "Sometimes he's sleeping."

Michael smirked and looked down at his own watch and sighed, "I best be getting you back."

I stopped looking at the umbrella and looked at him instead, I don't know why I felt so disappointed to go, it confused me to no end, but I was just really upset to have to say goodbye to him already.

I nodded reluctantly, " Yeah, sure."

I grabbed my trunk with one hand and Michael picked up my parcels using one hand too, which I thought was just showing off, although I was silently very impressed. If I had done that, you would all still hear me moaning in pain about it on my death bed, I swear.

I looked back at the ice-cream parlor and felt a small smile on my lips as I nail this down as one of my favorite places. He held out his arm and without thinking I hooked mine in, and we left the ice-cream parlor once and for all. I never did go back to the parlor, not alone or with anyone else.

We walked through the crowds , more comfortable than when we first met and I wondered if this was how Albus felt with Amanda, if he could just walk beside her and not say anything, although walk away and feel as though he had the best conversation in his life. I'm not saying that I felt like that with Michael. Goodness no! My poor, awkward self would never allow such a long silence, but I couldn't help wonder nonetheless.

We were just passing the one of the thousand Quidditch shops they had here when Michael started to speak. He kept his eyes on the path ahead not looking at me as he spoke, "So, what's the deal between you and Potter?"

It was my turned to look at him now.

Now, maybe it was my logical thinking but he made it sound as though we had a sort of pact going on between the two of us, like a : He gives me food and shelter and I don't murder him (No matter how tempted) in his sleep.

You could see why I thought it best to ask him to repeat himself.

"Excuse me?" I asked , slightly unsure of his question. Well, you would be too, if the first thing that pops into your head is a You-Feed-Me-I-Don't-Kill-You deal.

He carried on looking into the crowed ahead," Is it one of those' You like him, but he likes another girl and that girl just happened to turn out to be a bitch' stories that muggles seem to love to watch?"

Now, if I had any liquid in my mouth it would've been on whoever is in front of me, if I'd been eating something my face would've been purple from choking, if I'd anger issues I would have hit him for saying that, but alas, unfortunately, I'm unstable and that leads to laughing hysterically and hyena-like for who knows how long.

So, there I was laughing hysterically for a good few minutes, attracting several strange looks from by-passers. But I didn't care, the idea of me liking Albus like that was just as absurd as a me doing fitness! Come on, even you all have noticed how Al and I hardly get through a day without arguing or throwing curses at each other about something. Besides, dating a prefect would be bad for my reputation, he sets the rules, I break the rules, he reprimands me about them and I do it again.

Finally, I had calmed down enough to speak again, a little wheezy and pant-like, but still forming words, " No, no, no, no." I shook my head again and chuckled, "You honestly couldn't be more wrong-Well, except Amanda being a creepy bitch, but no."

He looked down at me properly and looked a bit relieved, "You're sure?"

I nodded confidently, "Hell yeah!"

He was quiet for a moment, before muttering quietly, "That's good, that's really good."

I didn't ask him about what he meant, which is strange I know seeing as I was a nosey little girl at times, forever awesome, but still nosey.

We were walking in a less crowed street now, with higher buildings that almost completely hid away the sun, there were a couple of shops along the corner, but not much else. I was about to ask if we were lost when all of a sudden his head shot to the left and growl escaped his mouth. I had no time to ask him what was going on when he grabbed my arm and half sprinted in the opposite direction. He's hand tighten around my arm as I started falling behind and I started panting shortly, a pain started in my side and I honestly thought I was going to die! After a few minutes of hectic walking I spoke, my voice uneven, "Wh-What was all that about?"

He didn't answer me, but carried on walking faster.

Now, I don't like being ignored, Albus knew that, James knew that and even the vampires were more than aware of that, so there was no way that I would allow that. I stopped moving completely which was a brilliant and not so brilliant idea. He almost fell forward and dislocated my arm in the process, but thankfully he caught himself and we were both save from pain-especially me.

"What was all that about?" I asked again firmly, using every ounce of stubbornness I had. I pulled my arm out of his grip and then from the flippen heavy trunk which I had been half sprinting with for the past half mile, and folded them over my chest. If wanted this the hard way, I will give him the hard way.

He grumbled in annoyance, pulling on my sleeve, "Come on." He urged pulling on my sleeve a little harder.

I wanted to follow him and trust that he knew what he was doing, but my trust was limited and this was way passed the usual.

"No." I said fiercely, standing firm. "If you want me to walk you better start explaining."

He looked back and I felt him start to panic again, he looked back at me and my determined face and then sighed, "How about we walk and talk?"

I thought about it and looked around, we were still in the more deserted part of Diagon Alley and that wasn't really safe. Mr. Potter warned me about not traveling to these areas, saying that dark and dangerous things lurk within the shadowed corners, he reckons that some places here were worse than those in Knockturn Alley, which was saying quite a bit. So why on earth did I allow a near stranger to bring me here, I had no clue.

"You promise to tell me what's going on?" I asked, raising my eyebrow questioningly. I would've walked away from here anyway if he had said 'no', but I thought it would be best to try and get some answers.

"Fine."He said impatiently and started pulling me towards the nose of the busy streets.

I looked back and swore I saw something move in the shadow, Michael had been looking back too but whether he saw the shadow I wasn't sure.

He looked back ahead of us and turned sharply right, the noise growing louder and louder.

He slowed down a little, but with the heaviness of the trunk it didn't made much difference.

He 's eyes were narrowed and he looked around cautiously, as though…

"We're being followed." I gasped, my hand instinctively going for my wand in my back pocket. Wacky Wand and Aurora unite to form The Wacky Aurora!

Okay, now that's not encouraging at all.

He shook his head, "Not yet."

I looked back, contemplating whether or not I should tell him about the moving shadow, after a second I debated against it. It was probably a trick of lighting or my brain running out of oxygen or something logical like that.

"You sure?" I asked him doubtfully, still keeping my eyes open on anything lurking where things should not be lurking.

He nodded, "Come, if anything is they won't find us in the crowd."

I nodded and accepted his offer in pulling my trunk- What can I say? My arms were dead after pulling that trunk for the past two miles. He bent down and packed all the packages in to trunk and despite the serious moment I couldn't help feel annoyed that I didn't think of that, it would have saved us both a lot of energy and in my case pain- DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY TIMES THAT BASHED INTO MY ANKLE!?

"Why didn't you do that earlier?" I asked, highly, highly annoyed.

"Because then you would be adamant on pulling the trunk and I would be carrying nothing." He looked up at me with a grin, before shutting it again and standing up. "Best get going."

I nodded and followed him, ignoring the feeling of being watched I was suddenly getting.

Within ten seconds we were back in the crowd of shoppers and I felt us both relax a bit at that.

"Why did you go there?" I asked, it had been bugging me since we started run-walking.

He shrugged his shoulders, " I thought it would be quicker, seeing as we're a bit short of time."

I let it sink in slowly until I was left in awe. I walked a little quicker to fall in to step next to him, " So, you're saying that you lead me through the dodgiest and roughest part of Diagon Alley, so I wouldn't be late?"

Now, I don't know about you, but this was obviously the nicest thing anyone had every done for me, besides the whole having a creepy followers bit, but that I can handle.

He just threw me a lopsided smirk and winked, " You did say that the Potters were over-protective. The last thing you need is them sending out a search party for you."

I chuckled nervously, knowing that they probably would've, "Yeah, that would be embarrassing." I paused before muttering, "Thanks."

He just smiled casually, " Anytime."

I stared at him as we maneuvered our way through the crowd, until I felt I was being creepy and looked away – Okay, I lied! I did indeed sneak a few peeks here and there. It was strange to think that I didn't know him an hour ago and now he has protected me twice, carrying all my parcels, bought me food( Which practically made us best friends) and was more concerned about my punctuality than I was. It was crazy, absolutely mind-boggling.

I looked forward and saw the sign of Madam Milkin's Robes for all Occasions ahead of us and started to panic, before I knew what I was doing, I pulled on his shirt and faced him directly. I'm quite embarrassed to say that he was a good few inches taller than me, so it hurt my neck to look at him.

"Do I know you from somewhere?" I asked straight out, "I swear I've seen you before and I'm not trying to sound crazy or anything, "To bad that I do sound crazy, "but I've just been getting this feeling that-"

He put his fingers on my lips and I was silenced by his index finger, " You're rumbling again."He removed his finger and looked down at me with an amused look, " I've noticed you that when you're nervous."

I nodded solemnly and before I could stop myself I was full-steam ahead, "Yeah, it's been a thing of mine. I also I eat too, when I'm nervous, it's quite scary actually. But not as scary as-"

Again he silenced my with his index finger and I could feel the blush start. He scanned my face and touched my cheek – THANKS! LIKE THAT'S GOING TO STOP THE BLUSHING!
Bring on the tomato face…

"No." He said finally, "I have never met you in my life, wish I could say I had, but that would be a lie."

I looked up at him and frowned, his face was the picture of innocence and so were his emotions, but I couldn't help but doubt them. I looked in to his eyes and saw my reflection staring back at me, in his violet eyes I could make out my dark hair and blue eyes, my facial expression completely confused.

I nodded, "Yeah, just a feeling."

I turned my head away and maneuvered my way away from his hand so that there was a decent amount of space between us.

"Look, you don't have to walk any further, it's right over there anyway-" I started, but he cut me off.

"As if!" he said and started walking forward, " I said I would walk you back, therefore I will walk you back."

I followed in step beside him and before I knew it we were both standing outside Madam Milkin's and an awkward silence followed. I looked at him expectantly, but he didn't do much except look a little awkward and unsure himself. I clicked my tongue and thought about the amount of packing I had to do when I got back home, once I ran out of topics to discuss with myself I just plucked up the courage and said the most two poetic words known to man! Everyone please take out something to document this historical and life changing moment, everyone ready? Good.

"Well, goodbye." I said finally.

DO I GET AN APPLAUD? PHOTOGRAPHS? PLEASE EVERYONE CALM DOWN! CALM DOWN- RELEASE MY SHOE!

Now you all probably think that I'm joking, but I can honestly tell you that that is exactly, word for word, what I said.

I took my trunk from his hands and was about to walk into the shop when he stopped me.

"Wait!" He said and reached out for my hand, there wasn't any super natural feeling I got this time, it felt like holding anyone's hand.

"Yes?" I asked him, slightly confused as to why he would ask me to wait. I mean, between my earlier run and carrying this trunk I was going nowhere slowly.

"My bonus points?" he said with a smile.

I smiled too, "Sure, what about them?"

He started opened the trunk and pulled out a dusty old book, I didn't see the title on it, due to the amount of dust on it.

He held it out to me, "Take it." He looked down at the book and then at me again, "For my bonus points."

I didn't want to take it and yet I didn't want to go back on my word and TADA! My morals are back at war.

"Take it."He said again more forcefully, putting it in to my hands. I looked down at it and then back up at him. "Something to remember me by."

I felt a knob rise in my throat and silently cursed myself for getting emotional over someone who I had only known for an hour- Dammit! I'm turning into James and all his soft feelings.

"Ah, yeah, sure."I looked down and up at him, " Thanks."

He nodded, " Now, this is goodbye. See you around, Aurora."

I nodded sadly, but smiled anyway, " You too, Michael."

I took once last look at him and walked through the door of the shop, his book still in my hand, I opened to the front page to see the title, only to find a note below it.

It read:

The Advance Mind- John Meltondale

Below that in neat and nearly perfect hand writing ( Not only was he good looking but his hand writing was legible – unfair) was the shortest of notes and yet one that made me almost drop dead with fright:

Dearest Aurora Black,

I know you will be angry at me for this letter, but I honestly thought it would be best

if you thought I had no idea who you are. But I do, and might I just add that you do look in far better

condition than the last time I had saw you. But that's not the point of this note. The

Point of this letter is more of a warning, one I hope you take into consideration.

The past is a dangerous thing, more so when you don't know which versions to believe.

I trust that this book would help you on your road to your discovery.

Best of luck,

Michael /

(Mr. Dude Who Helped You With The Book)

I stopped dead in the middle of the shop, not noticing Mrs. Potter and Mr. Potter rush over to demand why I was late, or the relieved faces of everyone else in the room( Minus Amanda, but she didn't count), all I could think bout was the book and how does know me! He lied!

I looked up at everyone's faces again and felt panic rush over me:

Please don't be gone.

"Excuse me." I muttered, pushing passed everyone as I made my way to the door. The streets were less empty as people slowly made their way back home after the long day of shopping. I scanned the faces of the crowd, but saw no one who looked like my Michael. He was gone, he had disappeared ten seconds…

I finally went back into the shop, feeling quite dazed. Everyone was still staring at me as though I was an alien that had grown an extra head.

There was a strange silence that didn't suit the family as they stared at me expectantly, waiting for me to me to say something, but I didn't. I just sat there on the wooden bench, staring at them all but not really seeing them. My mind was moving at the speed of light and yet everything was settling in slowly.

"So," James whistled innocently, "Who's Michael?"

The atmosphere was broken by the few groans and chuckles. I guess everyone was right: There was absolutely no way to keep a secret in this family.

"James!" Lily and Rose groaned loudly.

"He gets his tact from you." Mrs. Potter said, looking at her husband fondly.

Mr. Potter looked at her confused, "What tact?"

Mrs. Potter chuckled and then smirked, "Exactly."

"So, who is he?" Ron asked enthusiastically, ignoring Hermione's groan.

I looked up at him confused, "Who is who?"

"Michael." He said impatiently, jumping around like a child on Christmas.

"Oh him," I said sadly and looked down at the book in wonder then back up at them, "You want to know about him?"

They all nodded, and so I told them about him. Obviously I had to change the story a little bit, tell them about my 'sudden' interest in mind-control which hopefully didn't freak anyone out too much, I told them about how he helped me with my book and offered to take me out for ice-cream and how I attempted to talk him out of him ( which made them laugh), I told them about him knowing my favorite fruit when all the girls let out a huge 'Aww' and the boys muttered on about a lucky guess. Albus got sick of it at this point and stormed out of the shop, apparently still quite upset about earlier on, no one paid attention to him and I carried on with my story. I told them about Albus finding me and then Amanda joining us too ( I edited that part so much, it sounded like we were discussing the weather over some tea), how he Albus and Amanda left and Michael walking me back ( which was fantastically edited too). I didn't tell them about the book, but rather planned on telling Mr. and Mrs. Potter later, somewhere more private. Once I was finished, I felt truly awful. I wasn't sure why, but I could just feel my estrogen start working up again. All the girls were cooing and 'aww'-ing on about my story as the boys just watched them in confusion, occasionally scratching their heads.

James on the other hand looked quite upset, " You shouldn't have left that bookstore! I don't care how cute you think a guy is, you stay where I tell you to stay, Missy. It's far too dangerous with the world of today- no offense Dad and Uncle- but, something bad could've happened to you."

I chuckled softly, "I wouldn't be your Aurora if I had stayed put."

He looked as though he was about to argue with that, but he changed his mind and just laughed, ruffling my hair, "Touché."

I smiled softly, but for some reason I just felt worn out, as though I had been running a marathon for the past five years, which was funny seeing as I wouldn't run a marathon for five minutes let alone years.

Mrs. Potter walked over and gave me a hug, "It'll be alright sweetheart."

I nodded against her chest, "I know."

She pulled me back and grinned, "How about we turn that frown up-side down with a brand new wand?"

"What's wrong with my old?" I asked confused, pulling it out of my pocket and stroking it lovingly.

Mr. Potter answered, "It's not made for your type of magic, Aurora. A new wand would work best."

I looked between the two of them before nodding, "You're right." I paused, "But, can-can I keep the ol'Wacky Wand too?"

You would've thought that they would be slightly creped out having someone who name inanimated objects under their roof, but no, they've heard me talking to it far too many times to be creped out now.

"Sure you can." Mrs. Potter assured me, taking my hand and leading me to the door. I followed behind her to the door and a couple of people followed.

I turned around to face them, "And now?"

"We're going to go watch you, duh." Fred said joyfully, trying to trip James as he walked by.

I shrugged my shoulders and rolled my eyes sarcastically, "Of course, how could I have been so stupid."

"So, no pressure or anything." Scorpius said, draping his arm over my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes, "With you guys around? Never!"

Fred turned around, apparently having lost interest in tripping anyone who dared come past him. He snapped his fingers and said enthusiastically, a large smile upon his face, "You know which one you should get? Dragon Heartstring! All the other ones are stupid and make you weak. But no pressure or anything."

And so it begins…

*An Hour Later*

"I'm telling you there was a glow with the Dragon Heartstring!" Fred argued for the hundredth time that passed hour, his hair looking messier and his face redder than before.

"Oh, put a sock in it Fred!"Lily snapped sitting on the floor of Ollivanders. "Nothing happened. Just like nothing happened with the other 123 wands the she tried before that and the 25 wands that she tried after it. But hey! Who's counting."

I looked at all the bored faces and got quite annoyed, what do they have to complain about! I'm the one that has to try all those wands out. Do you know how tiring it is having to stand and wave around 149 wands? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Mr. Ollivander ( Rugged old man, missing a couple of teeth and lot's of hair) was pacing around the shop muttering to himself angrily. At first it was fun when none of the wands were working for me, but once we reached the 50 mark point, things started to turn sour. The Weasleys, Potters and Malfoys were really supportive at first, but now most of them come and go as they please going for fittings next door then either come back or going home when they were finished- . It had gotten to the point where everyone was just walking up to the shelves and pulling out wands for me to try, none of them worked and that was just plain frustrating.

The bell rang above the door and Albus walked in, Amanda by his side, I turned my back to them already in a bad mood as it is.

"How's it going in here?" Albus asked looking at all our 'overly-enthusiastic' faces.

Really? That's honestly the first question he's going to ask when walking into the grumpiest room in the whole of Europe.

Idiot.

"Brilliantly, can't you tell by the fact that we're all still here." I snapped, having had enough of, well, everything today.

Albus frowned and walked to the shelves, "Haven't found one, yet?"

I rolled my eyes, far too sarcastic than I had intended, "What gave it away?"

He's eyes narrowed but didn't say anything about it further. He strolled along the aisle and then looked at my pile, "How many have you tired?"

" 149." I said immediately, looking at the ceiling for inspiration as though the wand would just fall from the sky, I knew that it wouldn't work, but I would also settle on a nice sandwich. SO, LAY IT ON MY SKY!

"And did you choose them or someone else?" Albus carried on interrogating me, scanning the room, looking all professional and, in my hunger and boredom, filled with nonsense.

" Ollivader and your family chose them, why?" I answered, eying him suspiciously.

"So, you didn't choose them?" He asked again, and I could honestly visualize myself hitting him over the head with 149 wands- And no, I am not violent, I'm hungry… YES! I know there's no difference between the two of them. Moving on.

"Yes, now is there a point to these questions or what?" I grumbled, facing him again.

He looked at me with an amused expression and I knew he enjoyed keeping me at his mercy, sadistic bloke he is.

He cleared his throat and started speaking in a pompous manner- James was right, Albus's head is far too big for anyone to deflate it! (Starts crying) IT'S ALL THE BADGES FAULT! KILL THE BADGE! KILL THE BADGE! KILL-

Oh, no.

I need food- I'll eat the badge!

Oh, no! I really need food.

" I read a story a while ago, about a Scottish family-l"

I rolled my eyes interrupting, " Well this is bound to be interesting."

He glared at me and carried on, " And their eleven year old daughter. They had a similar problem with finding a wand for her, just that they didn't have me," He smirked and winked at me.

I pulled a face, "Lucky buggers."

I heard a couple of sniggers and chuckles around the room, but I was enjoying teasing Albus too much to really acknowledge them.

He just looked at me with a deadpanned expression, before moving on, "It got to the point where they were seeing wand specialist and wand makers from all around the world. Until one day, when her family was in Greece, in the one of the biggest manufacturers of wands, she got so fed up that she bended down and grabbed one of the wands she had tried earlier that day, announced that she would have that one and that she wanted to go home. Immediately after that the wand started shooting out red sparks and she had found her wand."

I looked around at all the occupants in the room and saw that they were also quite, what's a good word to use here, baffled (?).

" They're Scottish aren't they, so she probably went to Hogwarts?" I asked, wondering if I would meet her, I would like that.

Albus grinned and nodded, "She was sorted in to Slytherin and I started dating her four years after." He looked at Amanda and smiled lovingly.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

More silence and then you get me.

"AMANDA IS THE GIRL IN YOUR STORY?" I bellowed, not really bothering to keep my voice down. I looked around the spinning room, all the faces getting blurry.

Amanda looked at me and smirked proudly, "Yup." She pulled her wand out of her pocket and I saw it gleam in the light, the strange thing about the wand was that wand was grey, not brown or black, but grey, "Cherry Tree wood ash and Water dragon heartstring, nine and a half inches, flexible."She looked back up at me sniggered at all the attention she was getting.

Mr. Ollivander walked (or rather shuffled) closer to her, peering down at the wand in her hands,

"Mind if I take a look, dear child?"

She looked hesitant for a moment , which I didn't blame her for ( Now don't die of shock all of you). Mr. Ollivander, with his almost translucent eyes and pale skin, just made him look like a professional loony.

He examined it for a good three minutes, well everyone just looked between her and the wand trying to figure out if she was lying, even me and my logical and rational mind was finding it hard to believe- Hey! I know you all are just as doubtful as I am! Doesn't she just look like the person who would steal a loaf of bread and wait for change?

My point exactly.

Mr. Ollivander broke the silence as he muttered, "Typical Greeks, always the rare creatures." He waved the wand and butterflies appeared in the air, "Very functional." He looked up at her and nodded, giving it back to her. "That's a fine wand you have there, very fine."

She nodded and looked at me, "It's never failed me once."

Now, I don't know if it was my hunger-driven mind or if it was true, but it almost looked as though she was warning me, telling me that she would beat to the pulp if she wanted to, and now you all know me well enough, to know that I always love a challenge.

"Whatever." I said rolling my eyes and walking to the shelf in front of me, not really paying attention to the names. I grabbed a box from the middle of the stack and looked down at the name:

Vine wood and Phoenix feather, 10 inches, rigid.

Hmm, that could work.

I turned to them all, "Look now I've been busy with this for an hour, a long, tiring hour. I don't care if this one doesn't work, we are leaving after this." I didn't wait for their approval . I removed the wand from the box and stared at it for a second, closing my eyes.

Please work. I silently begged, and gave it a flick. I felt a warmth under my fingers and then a spark. I was terrified to open my eyes, but once the 'Ohh'-ing started, I was left with no choice. I opened my eyes slowly and almost had to close them again at what I saw.

A color spectrum.

The whole shop lit up as the colors flowed from my wand, every color known to man. I looked up at the ceiling, enchanted by what I was seeing. No flying wands, no having to be careful, it was just my magic and me.

I felt someone behind me, but didn't turn around.

"The Aurora Lights." Albus whispered into my ear and I shivered.

It had been the second time that light had come out of my wand and I had a feeling that there should be some sort of significance to it.

"You're right." I whispered back and reluctantly lowered my wand, the colors fading until they were all gone.

Slowly the applause started and I almost had a heart failure when I remembered I was not alone.
People patted me on the back and started to leave, Fred was clearly upset, but said he would survive only to leave the shop dramatically.

I put my wand on the counter and Mr. Ollivander put it back in to the box and then handed it over to me and I paid. I put my hand on the box ready to take it but he hold on to it tightly. His grey eyes searching mine, "A strange combination you have there, Phoenix feather and Vine wood, I must admit that I had given up hope with anyone buying that wand. Works exceptionally well for Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts, but what do you expect with having a wise wood?"

I blinked a couple of times, "Wise wood?"

"The vine, my dear!" He said as though it were obvious, " Vine wood is the symbol of wisdom in Wandlore."

"And Phoenix Feather?" I asked, quite interested.

"Ah," he paused and looked at me, "Bravery and loyalty."

"But I'm not brave or wise." I said sadly, looking down at the wand, there had to be a mistake.

" Well, you have to be something for this wand to allow you to choose it." Mr. Ollivader said shaking his head, "Good day, Miss. Black."

He turned around to walk through the door ( I'm guessing led to the back of the shop), but I called him back.

"Wait!" I said quickly and he turned around.

"Yes?" He asked, looking quite confused.

"How'd you know I was a Black?" I asked, this was the second time in one day where someone had recognized me, which was getting a little too familiar for my taste.

He smiled softly, showing off his non-existing teeth, " I remember every wand I've ever sold and every face that went along with it, my dear. Blacks, have distinctive features, one in which you are likely to remember." He paused, " Besides, you would remember too if a certain Mr. Sirius Black had charmed your shop to start raining every someone mentioned the word 'wand'." He shook his head and chuckled, "Very bad business that day. Now, good day and best of luck."

He turned and disappeared and I was left more confused than I was in the beginning, although I was mentally High-Fiving gramps for his prank.

I followed Mrs. Potter out of the shop and into Madam Milkin's to go fetch all the new robes for everyone. All the others were gone and I had a sneaky suspicion that they were all at Mr. Weasley's Joke Shop, I found it a tad scandalous to think that I haven't been in there yet, it was quite unfair.

Madam Milkin dragged Mrs. Potter to go look at look at brand new fabric, leaving me and (wait for it) Amanda alone in the room. Now I thought that this was very, very unsafe and slightly irresponsible.

It was quiet for some time and none of us spoke, I was sitting on the chair and she was walking around, fixing her already neat hair in the mirrors. I held onto my Wacky Wand, ready in case she makes a jump at me, but she didn't. After ten seconds of absolute torture she turned to me with a lip-glossed smiled. She looked so pretty that it actually made me question my eating habits- YES YOU ALL HEARD RIGHT! Damn, I have low self-esteem.

"Aurora." She said sweetly, moving forward.

This obviously put me on edge and I wrapped my fingers around my wand, this caught her attention.

She laughed bitterly, "Relax, I'm not going to attack you."

I raised my eyebrow, "Of course you're not."

I didn't listen to her and kept my hand on my wand, staring at her coolly.

She raised her hands, "We're just going to talk. Girl to," She looked me up and down and pulled a face, as though she was staring at a cockroach, "girl."
Now it was my turn to laugh, "You don't even like me, so why would you want to talk to me?"
She paused, thinking about it (Hmm, I wonder if it hurt?), "You're right. I don't want to talk to you, I want to warn you."

She stared at me with her ice-like eyes, the temperature in the room dropping a few degrees.

I raised my eyebrows expectantly, now this is going to be fun.

"Is that so?" I asked, biting my lip to stop a smile from forming.

She smiled an evil smile and her eyes turned red, "You should be grateful I'm giving you that much." She carried on walking closer to me and looked down on me, which I was not comfortable with at all, "You see, I don't like you at all, a pity that Albus does, but I can deal with that later, but for now I'm giving you something I don't give many people, my warning. Either you start treating me with the respect I deserve and leave Albus alone or I make life very difficult for you. I have dealt with stupider girls-" Oh no, she did not insult my intelligence again, " than yourself. Once you take your first step on to Hogwarts soil, you're on my turf, you play by my rules or you suffer the consequences I set out. You got that?"

I looked at her and laughed and laughed again, until finally I just got angry that she would dare try and threaten me, if vampires couldn't even control me, I highly doubt she could.

"No, please feel free to explain it again." I stood up and then gave her the death glare I usually save for those that are trying to kill me, " Now, you might not know me as well as you would like to, but let me tell you something: I do not take onto threats well." I smiled at her cruelly, my voice dropping dangerously, " You threaten me and you've just as well bought your way to a one way ticket to hell. Now, it's my turn to talk. You don't speak to me, you don't do anything 'you think' you can do to me and you certainly don't even try and turn Albus against me, you got that?" I didn't wait for her to answer, " And as for leaving Albus alone, I won't. He's my best friend and I want him to be happy, be that with you or anyone else. This is my family we talking about, you don't hurt Albus in anyway, you don't threaten me in anyway and I will leave you alone. Besides, I can handle you and whatever posse you hang out with any day."

"But could you handle it if were your own friends?" She asked me silkily, not seeming fazed by what I had just said.

I raised my eyebrow, "I can handle everything."

She looked at her watch and then back up at me, "If you say so. But you know what? I don't think I will be the one to hurt Albus, not that I really care," I clenched my fists, " But it'll be you who does the real damage in the end Aurora."
Back then I had been too naïve to take her words seriously and I'm ashamed to say she was right, I probably hurt Al worse than what was considered acceptable to humans. I had hurt him for years on end, I had made him cry, I had made him bleed, I had made him scream, I had made him lose all hope and thus, me. But this didn't matter back then, all I could care about was anger.

"You don't deserve him!" I spat at her.

She laughed, " And what? You do?" She didn't wait for me to answer and carried on talking, " Give me what I want and I won't need to play my cards, don't and one of us gets hurt. Your choice, orphan?"

I ignored the word at the end and just clapped my hands together in preparation, "Bitch, you're so on."

She growled at the word and I was sure she would have retorted if Mrs. Potter hadn't walked in at that moment. She didn't notice the tension in the room and just glided to the front door, turning back at me and winked, "How about I buy you a pet?"

I looked up at the ceiling, someone save this poor, unfortunate animal.

ANNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDD SOOOOOOOOOOOO?

Yes, like i said! A looooonnnnng chapter!

So, what do you guys think? About Michael ( I'll admit i changed his name like a hundred time)? Any thoughts on that? Amanda's warning? Who was following them in the shadows? Albus being an asss?

Any thoughts or ideas?

Next questions: What should Aurora's animal be and what name would fit it? Second last chance to give your imput on Aurora's house sorting? Any ideas in general? ANd Michael?

Again! Really sorry! Hope this chapter made up for it!

Love you awesome bunch,

Prongs4life

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