Gwen phoned the very day that their letters arrived from Hogwarts. They agreed to meet to go to Diagon Alley together on the nineteenth, and Andromeda offered to Apparate than there rather than having the Tearstons make the three hour journey to London.

Aurora and the Tonkses went to visit Gringotts beforehand, not only to retrieve money from her vaults but also to ensure her inheritance was in order. All appeared as she had assumed it would: she had inherited most of the Black family fortune, the rest going to Narcissa, as well as most of the family assets, properties, estates, and important jewellery pieces. She didn't retrieve much in the way of jewellery because she would have little use for it at Hogwarts, but she did take a few interesting and magical looking pieces - a series of three necklaces held together by a strange serpentine key, a ring with a large onyx - and the most important piece of all. The Black crest ring.

It was pure silver, with small emeralds around the band and the family crest - a sword on the bottom, an arrow, and two stars, held by large dogs - with the motto toujours pur on the top, facing upwards. It was the ultimate mark of honour, and shrank magically to fit Aurora's finger, as it would for anyone who had the rightful claim to the Black heirship. She'd been uncertain if it would at first, as she was the daughter of a disowned son, and it may instead choose Bellatrix or Narcissa, but the ring seemed to recognise not only her blood and legal status, but her breeding. She was a Black in everything she had been taught, and so she was a Black.

The ring, she knew from extensive study when she was younger, could only be worn by the Head of the House, which was now her. It had a variety of enchantments designed to protect and strengthen its bearer, and the complex magic was to make it especially attuned to other magical presences, especially Dark ones and threats. This could come in useful, but she also appreciated it for its beauty. When they made their way back down the alley, she examined the ring with scrutiny, enjoying the way the yellow sunlight caught the silver and seemed to send sparks into the air. It was gorgeous, and though Dora seemed to think it was too old, Aurora rather thought that was the point.

Five or so minutes later, Aurora waited anxiously with Dora in the Leaky Cauldron, waiting for Andromeda and Ted to arrive with Gwen and her mother. People were coming and going at a great pace, some through the Floo. She watched it intently for anyone she knew - Draco or Pansy or Daphne - but the next person she saw to come through was Ron Weasley, looking rather dishevelled. He stumbled out of the grate, and she ducked down so he wouldn't spot her laughing.

Dora looked over in amusement. "Friend of yours?"

"Not really. Ron doesn't like me."

"Ron?" She glanced up, getting a look. "Oh, those are Bill and Charlie's brothers aren't they? Come and say hello."

"I just said Ron-"

"Eh, he's a Gryffindor isn't he? I bet he is, they all were. He'll be fine if you're with me, I know all the family."

"But Dora..."

She was already making her way over there, and it would just be impolite of Aurora to refuse to join her. Trying to hide her irritation, Aurora followed Dora to the growing cluster of red heads - Ron with the two twins, one of the Gryffindor prefects, and Mr and Mrs Weasley and their daughter who Aurora had met at Lucretia and Ignatius' funeral. "Is that really Tonks?" Mrs Weasley asked, beaming as she came over. "Oh, how are you, dear? Charlie said you did well on your training exams."

"I did alright, I suppose. Mad-Eye puts me through my paces but it pays off."

"Moody? Oh, you didn't say he was teaching you. And Aurora!" Mrs Weasley smiled, just noticing Aurora there. She waved awkwardly. "How are you doing, dear?"

"You know each other?" Ron Weasley asked, looking aghast.

"This is your great-uncle Ignatius' great-niece, Ron."

Weasley looked offended by the idea of being related to Aurora, no matter how distantly. There wasn't even a blood relation, really. "Oh. Cool. Have you seen Harry anywhere?"

"Potter?" Aurora raised her eyebrows. "No. Why, what's he done?"

"Nothing," Weasley said quickly. "Come on, Dad we should find him, and Hermione, they must be here somewhere."

"Oh, Ron, don't go tearing off," Molly Weasley said fretfully, as Weasley left with his older brothers. "Arthur, go with them. You stick with me Ginny, dear. Harry Potter's a good friend of Ron's," she added to Dora, "he's been staying with us for a few weeks, after his aunt-" She broke off. "Well, the boys thought it would be best if he came to the Burrow for a little bit instead. He seems to have missed the grate on the Floo - his first time using it, you can imagine."

"Oh, yeah," Dora said, "my mum says I used to go missing all the time when I was little, kept turning up in the wrong places. Course, I still do that now when she's trying to make tea."

Aurora laughed, and Molly regarded her warmly. "And you, Aurora dear, how have you been holding up? The boys told us about the end of term."

"Oh." Aurora blinked, flushing. "Well, I'm alright, I'm just glad we all got out okay. And Dumbledore showed up right on time, too."

"Even so, that was a very brave thing you did. I daresay I was worried about you from some of Dumbledore's letters, but I'm glad you're settled now." Aurora smiled, first at Molly and then at Dora, who grinned back at her. "Oh, is that your mother coming over, Tonks? Who is that she's with?"

Aurora glanced over. "Oh, that'll be Gwen and her mother. Gwen's my roommate at Hogwarts, her parents are Muggles, so they didn't - they weren't really sure they'd be able to get in alright."

"Ah, of course. We were meant to be meeting the Grangers at Gringotts, I do hope they've made it alright. Andromeda!"

Upon realising Molly Weasley was there, Andromeda and Ted both hurried over, with Gwen and her mother in tow. "Who's this?" Gwen whispered, glancing at Mrs Weasley.

"Weasley's mum."

"Really? How d'you know her?"

"We're all related somehow."

"Really?"

"That's the pureblood way. My grandparents were cousins."

"That is absolutely disgusting."

"It's just tradition."

"Oh, and you must be a Muggle!" Mrs Weasley said, sounding quite delighted. "My husband Arthur works with Muggle Artefacts at the Ministry, he finds you all ever so interesting."

Mrs Tearston blinked. "How lovely."

Gwen looked rather uncomfortable, so Aurora suggested they move on into the alley. She had already gotten her gold from her vault, but they did still have to exchange Gwen's Muggle money for galleons, which Ted had said he thought would take a while, if the goblins were as bothersome as they were when he was their age. Mrs Weasley and Ginny went to try and track down Potter, but Aurora and Gwen passed the rest of the Weasleys looking anxiously around the alley.

"Knowing him he's gone off to Knockturn," Aurora muttered under her breath.

"Knockturn?"

"Down there. It's creepy, I've never been allowed down."

"Sounds right up Potter's alley."

Aurora laughed. "Was that meant to be a pun?"

"Perhaps." Gwen grinned, running up the steps into Gringotts bank, the sun catching her golden hair as it swung around her shoulders.

The goblins seemed to enjoy making the currency exchange difficult, as they didn't regard Muggle pounds as real gold like they did their goblin-made galleons, and the goblin serving them got into a rather heated squabble with Gwen's mum which Andromeda had to diffuse hastily. By the time they left Gringotts, it was almost time for Gilderoy Lockhart's signing to start. Andromeda told Mrs Tearston about all of his books as they made the walk down to Flourish and Blotts.

"He's the one whose books we have to get for class?" Gwen asked.

"Yeah. His writing's average quality but the plots tend to be rather far-fetched and there are a few inaccuracies. Though I suppose that can be put down to creative license - all authors take some liberties." Aurora wrinkled her nose. "I think he's interesting but overrated, and Dora agrees."

"Mad-Eye's done a million times what Lockhart has," Dora told them with a proud grin. "You don't see him bragging about being in Witch Weekly."

"Dora, Alastor Moody is in no state to win Witch Weekly's best smile award," Ted said, though he was grinning too. "Personally, I think Lockhart's a bit of an idiot."

"Ted!" Andromeda scolded with a frown. "He is interesting and the girls could learn something from him."

"You'd learn loads more from Mad-Eye. Course, he'd probably call you both scrawny little imps." Dora ruffled Aurora's hair, which made her squirm, but she did appreciate the familiarity of the gesture. "And he'd be right."

Aurora laughed disgruntedly as they ducked inside the bookshop, which was already full of people. The golden haired Gilderoy Lockhart stood up on a stage, posing for a camera. He didn't look up to much when she saw him in person. "Come on girls, let's get a bit nearer to the front."

"Mum," Dora whined. "It's crowded with people we won't be able to breathe. How about you watch him with Dad and Lucy and I'll help the girls find their books."

"Oh, alright, if you really don't want to see him. But if you pick up a copy of Magical Me, mind and get it signed."

Dora rolled her eyes as she tugged Aurora and Gwen away. "Middle aged witches are all mad for Lockhart," she said with a sigh. "Right, you'll need the next Standard Book Of Spells, won't you?" She plucked two of those off the shelves, and was surprisingly efficient at finding the rest that they needed, although she did knock over a display of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which Gwen seemed to find amusing.

"Right, that's everything, apart from Lockhart's lot. Shall we brave the crowd?"

They made to push back into the growing throng, but Aurora stopped suddenly when she saw who was on the podium with Lockhart. "Potter," she muttered.

Gwen followed her gaze. "Oh, Jesus, what's he done now?"

"When young Mr Potter here," Lockhart said loudly, "stepped into this shop today to buy his copy of my new autobiography, Magical Me, he had no idea that he would be receiving a full collection of my signed works." He flashed a smile for the camera. "Free of charge."

"Prat," Aurora said bitterly.

Dora nodded in agreement. "He's really playing it up for the Prophet, isn't he?"

"And what's more," Lockhart went on with a dizzying smile, "Come the new term at Hogwarts, he and his friends will be getting access to the real Magical me. I take great pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

Aurora stared, then stared some more. At least it explained the extensive book list. "Good luck," Dora said, shaking her head. "Moody says he's an idiot."

Potter was handed a very large pile of Lockhart's books, and Aurora glared at him. He caught her eye for a moment, before she scowled and he shook his head, moving back towards the Weasleys. "I think I see Mum over there," Dora said, moving them along. "Oh, she looks excited, that's not great. Dad's going to make a bad joke now, just you wait - there he is." Ted was grinning, and Andromeda shook her head at him, laughing reluctantly.

"Famous Harry Potter," said a very familiar voice from nearby. Aurora turned around, seeing Draco standing with an overly smug smile that didn't quite suit him. "Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."

"Draco?" Aurora said loudly.

He startled, turning to look at her. Potter and the Weasleys all turned too. Draco burst into a smile when he saw him, quite a change from his demeanour earlier. "Aurora!"

She grinned, bounding over with Gwen in tow. "How are you? How was the gala?"

"It was alright." Draco shrugged. He lowered his voice. "I was just telling Scarhead here all about it."

Aurora turned to Potter. He was glaring at her, and though she had a moment of hesitation, she smirked at him. "Enjoying a little spotlight, are we?"

"No," Potter said stiffly, going red. Aurora laughed.

"Leave him alone," Ginny Weasley said, surprising Aurora, and apparently Potter, too.

"Only a little teasing," Aurora said lightly. "Come on, Draco, let's go somewhere else to speak."

She was about to lead him away, when his father appeared. Lucius was just as cold as always. "Ah," he said softly. "Aurora. Yes, I did wonder when I'd next be seeing you..."

She forced herself to smile politely at her. "Afternoon, Mr Malfoy."

"Dear me, Draco," he said, surveying the Weasleys. "What interesting company to find yourself in." His eyes fell on Gwen, who Aurora noticed looked incredibly uncomfortable. "And who is this?"

Gwen stared at him. "Gwendolyn Tearston."

"Tearston?" He raised his shrbows, looking between her, Draco, and Aurora. "That isn't a name I recognise."

"Gwen's a housemate of ours," Aurora said quickly, for she knew what was going to follow that comment. "My roommate."

Lucius sneered. "Is that so? Come, Draco, I find our present company... Lacking. In more ways than one."

But Draco had noticed the ring on Aurora's hand and his mouth fell open. "You got the ring!" he said, and Lucius turned around sharply. Potter and the Weasleys all looked rather bewildered, and Aurora smirked as she held her hand out to Draco.

"Of course I do."

Draco stared. "I forgot you'd have it now. Gosh, how does it feel?"

"Not particularly powerful," Aurora said, weighing her words. "More just... comfortable. I'm meant to wear it."

Draco grinned. Weasley was staring at Aurora's ring. "You're really wearing that?" he spat. "I thought they'd have melted it down."

She whipped around, narrowing her eyes. "Watch what you say, Weasley. This is my family's legacy." She sneered. "I'm sorry you don't have one."

Aurora was spared Ron Weasley's wrath by Arthur Weasley's voice cutting through the crowd. "Lucius Malfoy. Fancy seeing you here." Aurora fell back, standing between Draco and Gwen. Potter was looking half-enraged and half-confused.

"Weasley." Lucius said the name with disdain; it was just the same way Draco said it. "Is this your brood here?"

"Yes," Mr Weasley said defensively. He gave Lucius a cold look. "

"I'm ever so glad you found time to come here," Lucius said. "I hear you've been kept quite busy at the Ministry, with all your raids." Mr Weasley tensed, but Aurora noticed Draco did too. "I'd say I hope they're paying you overtime, but..." He plucked a textbook from Ginny Weasley's cauldron and looked through it. It was dog-eared, with a worn cover, and was clearly second hand. "Evidently not."

"Come on," Gwen murmured to Aurora. "We should find Mum."

Aurora gave Draco an apologetic look and a quiet promise that they'd see each other soon before she left. It seemed she'd done so just on time, for a fight had broken out just as they found Dora, and she was fairly certain Mr Weasley had started it.

"Ah, you've got everything," Andromeda said with a smile as they approached. "Good, good. Your mother was just telling Ted about the latest news with the royal family, Gwen."

"Oh, God."

"It's all very dramatic, I must say."

"It is still the tabloids," Mrs Tearston said. "But they say Diana's causing trouble, and after all that scandal with Princess Anne, getting a divorce. What next? If Prince Charles goes the same way, it doesn't bear thinking about."

"Mum," Gwen whined. "Let's just pay for the books and go, no one else cares about the monarchy."

"They're a vital part of our consitutional-"

"Mum! Please! I want to see all the other witch shops and I told Jessie I'd get her something magical."

"Alright," Mrs Tearston said, shaking her head. "But you watch your tone when you're talking to me."

They paid quickly, and Aurora and Gwen went to get their robes fitted together with the promise that they'd meet everyone back at the Leaky Cauldron in an hour and a half. This gave them plenty of time to meander around the alley, popping into a variety of shops. Gwen was greatly intrigued by Gambol and Japes, and Aurora had to tug her away from a section on pimple removers. "It's a joke shop, Gwen," she said, "it'll melt your face off. Besides, your skin's fine."

It was Quality Quidditch Supplies that Aurora really wanted to visit. The new Nimbus Two Thousand and One hung in the window display, with a sleek, gorgeous black handle. "It's the best broom on the market," she said with a sigh. "It's lovely."

"It's alright," Gwen said. "Does the broom really matter?"

"Some people say it does. The broom is only as good as its rider, but a faster broom with a good rider will still outstrip a slower broom with the same quality rider. It's why Potter's so bloody good - he had the Nimbus Two Thousand. But this thing's a step up from that. Merlin, I wish I had an excuse to buy it."

"It does look awfully expensive," Gwen said. "But if you want it, buy it."

"Oh, Andromeda would kill me."

"Your money though."

Aurora contemplated it for a minute, but then shook her head. "No. Maybe once Flint's gone the new captain might give me a chance, and then I'll get a decent broom. Dora has an old Cleansweep that does just fine."

They did both end up getting some Slytherin Quidditch scarves and hats though, and Aurora bought Gwen a book about the Holyhead Harpies. "All-women Welsh Quidditch team," she explained as they left. "They're wonderful."

Everyone was quite cheerful when they reunited in the pub, Dora greatly entertaining Mrs Tearston by turning her nose into a pig's snout. "God I wish I could do that," Gwen said. "Just change my appearance whenever I wanted. I'd turn into Snape and see if he's capable of smiling."

Aurora spluttered, grinning over a pint of Butterbeer. Dora caught her eyes with a grin, and she thought for a moment that this was alright. It was very different to the rest of her life before now, and nothing and no one could replace Arcturus or Lucretia or her grandmother, but this. This wasn't too bad.

A/N- Hi all! Quick note on how second year is going to go, because it will be shorter than the first year. Despite all the Heir of Slytherin stuff, I wanted to give Aurora a year for a bit of a breather and so she could focus on herself and her friends and relationships before her father breaks out of jail and shit hits the fan (read as: fun but also painful to write drama times). I'm excited to get into second year though and I hope you guys are too. Let me know what you guys think and what you want to see in second year, I'm always excited to see feedback and it always means a lot when people take the time to comment.