Duelling Club the next Saturday was much the same — Aurora was placed in a group with Theodore, Potter, Granger, Leah MacMillan, Frida Selwyn, Susan Bones, and Terry Boot, winning four of her seven matches but still not managing to beat Potter, much to her frustration.
The final Saturday in January, Duelling Club was called off for the event that was the Hogsmeade weekend. Aurora couldn't bring herself to be disappointed, not when she met Cassius in the courtyard at ten o'clock and he slipped his hand into hers, causing a small thrill to go through her and a smile to curve her lips.
She was due to meet with Callidora again at two o'clock in the Three Broomsticks pub, but that still gave her plenty of time to spend with Cassius roaming the streets of the little village. "Honeydukes first?" he asked, swinging their hands lightly. "I promised Viola I'd send a box of Sugar Quills on for Louise's birthday next month."
"Of course," Aurora said warmly, happy to go into anywhere that was warm by the time they reached the end of the long path between the school and the village. It seemed everyone had the same idea, as Honeydukes was even more crowded than usual, and they had to fight through the swarm of people to reach the sugar sculptures: mice and flowers and quills, the most popular item by far. They sampled chocolates and Aurora blushed when a salesperson advertised Valentine's couples boxes. It wasn't that Aurora was inherently opposed to the idea — though she didn't really think she needed heart-shaped chocolates from Cassius to prove that he had feelings for her — but the concept of a 'couple' was strange and rather new and unnerving. It had a definitive air about it, which she wasn't sure that she could quite attach herself to yet. The idea was exciting, but it came with a dangerous and uncertain thrill, too, rather like trying a dangerous racing dive on a broom for the first time.
She was glad to be rid of the store, even though she did buy chocolate frogs to send on to her father, and other bars of chocolate for the Tonkses and Remus Lupin. Cassius did seem rather bored when she went to buy herself a new winter cloak from the robes store, but she tried to keep up healthy chatter about the start of the Quidditch League season. Cassius, as it turned out, was a recently converted fan of the Tutshill Tornadoes, and with Aurora a Holyhead Harpies fans, there ensued a rather passionate but friendly debate over both teams' chances.
With the weather as cold as it was, the pair of them decided to visit the Three Broomsticks sooner rather than later, finding a small booth near the back where they were relatively secluded from the rest of the pub. Pansy had suggested Aurora try to get Cassius to go to Madam Puddifoot's with her, but the spot was known for being a couple spot, and she wasn't sure that she could stand being around so many other couples. Public affection, beyond that which they had engaged in at the ball — which was still relatively hidden and private, in its way — seemed a rather intimidating idea.
She twisted her family ring around anxiously as she waited for Cassius to return with Butterbeers for them. It was another heirloom which she had brought with her today, hidden safely in a pocket on the inside of her cloak — the strange Lapis Nocte ring. Callidora claimed she was familiar with the stone, and though Aurora didn't want anyone to touch it but her, she thought she might be able to have her look at it and confirm their suspicions. It was a better lead than anything else she had, after all. Lapis Nocte could, she discovered, hold remnants of old magic and spirits. They were not real, only traces of memories. The idea was appealing, but she didn't know why it was placed in this ring, beyond her family's apparent interest in death magic, nor did she understand the malevolence that radiated from it. If it did contain any traces of ancestor's spirits, she thought, surely it would not cause her to feel so ill at ease. Family magic ought to welcome her, and most of the time it did — so there was something different about this ring. She just didn't know what, yet.
"Rosmerta's finest," Cassius said, as a bottle of butterbeer was placed in front of Aurora, startling her out of her thoughts. She snatched her hand away from her ring and put on a smile, picking up the cold bottle and shivering.
"They couldn't have had warm butterbeer, no? No one thought to invent that? It's January."
Cassius laughed, and slid into the booth, taking a place beside her rather than across from her. His knee bumped against hers. "It'd probably taste like crap if it was warm."
"I'm sure Rosmerta could come up with something," Aurora sighed, rolling her eyes. She raised her bottle, tapping it against Cassius's. "Cheers anyway."
"Cheers," he said back, and relaxed so that his shoulder was pressed against hers as he drank. Aurora was unnaturally aware of how close he was, of the way the end of her pleated hair swept over one side, just brushed against his own shoulder.
It took a moment for Aurora to find something to say, searching for a sentence to start a conversation, before she finally asked, "Do you have any predictions about the second task?"
Cassius raised his eyebrows, and then frowned. "I don't know really. I know they got given that clue, and Krum mentioned something about needing to practice swimming while he was near us at dinner last night, but other than that..." He shrugged. "Maybe it's something in the lake?"
"Could be," Aurora admitted. "At least they don't need the Quidditch Pitch yet." They had gotten out for quite a few more practices since term restarted, despite the cold and snow, but Snape had informed Graham a few nights before that use of the pitch would be required for the tournament from the end of March, something which was greatly annoying for all of them. "Susan Bones seems to think Diggory's been practicing summoning charms, and location charms. But she isn't sure."
"I don't know then," Cassius said with a shrug. "Wish I did, though. I mean, it's all anyone's talking about."
"Do you wish it was you?" Aurora asked curiously, and he seemed to tense. "Sorry, but you did seem enthusiastic."
She worried that was too blunt, and her question had misstepped, but Cassius laughed it off, however forcedly. "I guess I'd like to have everyone talking about me for something good. But if I'd messed it up like Diggory did in the first task, maybe not." He chuckled, that same uncertain sound, and then turned slightly, looking out of the booth. "Speaking of — there goes Bagman."
"Really?" Aurora leaned around him, getting a better look. "Can you see Crouch with him?"
"No," Cassius said, "but I don't think he's really the type for the Three Broomsticks, do you?"
Aurora laughed, leaning back, though still trying to watch as Bagman approached the bar, looking flustered. "No, I suppose this place is far too frivolous for him. Though I doubt he'd fair better in the Hog's Head."
Chuckling, Cassius leaned back too, and put an arm around Aurora's shoulder. Her heart thudded again and she bit back a smile, leaning against him and his warm chest. "Now I would like to see him try and get a pint in there. I've only been once and it was enough."
"Really?" Aurora asked. "Why on earth were you in the Hog's Head?"
Cassius groaned. "It's all Graham's fault, first of all."
"Naturally."
"He was the one who dared me. It was last year and obviously none of us were of age, but he wanted to see if the bartender would serve us firewhiskey. So we flipped a coin for it and I had to go in and ask. It was proper weird inside, like. Really dark, I swear I saw a vampire in one of the booths, the whole floor was sticky, and to be honest, I wouldn't have trusted any of those pint glasses. He didn't serve me anyway, told me to get out before he owled the headmaster, which to be fair he probably wouldn't have done, he doesn't exactly look like the type of bloke that'd know Dumbledore, but it was a bit stupid of me to wear my school robes."
"Just a bit," Aurora conceded. "Though I don't know about that Dumbledore point. I think he knows everyone on some level." And he had sent her father to the Hog's Head Inn, she was sure, when he had fled last year. It was where Buckbeak the hippogriff had been sent, before going to a magical conservation park in the Hebrides under the pseudonym Witherwings.
"Maybe. It is a bit creepy how he knows everything. Or he acts like he does anyway."
"It is rather annoying," Aurora agreed. "Anytime I see him he just looks at me, you know that way, when his eyes are just focused on you and it's like he's telling you off without even saying anything? It's like — you know what you did? Even if I didn't do anything!"
"Exactly! Bloody weirdo if you ask me, I'm sure I overheard him talking about vanishing toilets the other day."
Aurora laughed, taking another sip of her butterbeer. "D'you think we'll be able to fly elsewhere once the Quidditch Pitch is being used?" she asked Cassius, when the conversation lulled, and his hand found its way over her shoulder, fingertips tracing the warm wool of her cloak. "On the grounds like in first year lessons?"
"I dunno," Cassius said in a distracted sort of way, looking at her. His eyes roamed over her face and she felt hot under his gaze. "Maybe. Did I..." He cleared his throat. "You look really great, Aurora."
"Oh." She blinked at the sudden change in conversation but it didn't stop a blush from climbing over her cheeks, and the warm feeling growing in her chest. "Thank you."
It was clear why he'd said it when he leaned in, and Aurora wasn't quite sure what to do. It didn't feel as natural as it had at the Yule Ball, perhaps because of Cassius's rather obvious attempt at instigating a kiss. Nevertheless, she responded, enjoying the feel of his arm around her shoulders, their knees pressed together and their lips against one another.
The kiss broke apart sooner than usual, both of them flustered and uncertain, but Aurora smiled at Cassius and took a sip of her butterbeer to avoid any resounding awkwardness. They were spared the ordeal of mentioning it by the sound of Harry Potter shouting across the pub at Rita Skeeter, who was clad in lime green and looking around with great interest. Aurora retreated further into the seat, hoping that Rita Skeeter hadn't seen her and that she wouldn't try and spin gossip out of that kiss.
"Idiot," she muttered, hearing Potter yell about Professor Hagrid. "She doesn't care, she's only going to generate scandal."
"How about the Hagrid you know?" Rita Skeeter asked Potter, eyes bright as she held a quill poised over a notepad. "The man behind the muscles? Your unlikely friendship and the reasons behind it? Would you call him a father substitute?"
Even Aurora felt that was low, and swept a great feeling of annoyance through her. The woman had no right to question Potter, especially not in that subject area.
"You horrible woman," Hermione Granger was saying, voice shaking with fury. "You don't care, do you, anything for a story, and anyone will do, won't they? Even Ludo Bagman—"
"Sit down, you silly girl, and don't talk about things you don't understand. I know things about Ludo Bagman that would make your hair curl... Not that it needs it."
The pub was near silent as Granger stormed to her feet, hailing Potter and Weasley out of the pub with her. Aurora kept quiet until the volume picked up again, and murmured, "She's going to have Skeeter after her now. She won't appreciate being talked to like that."
"Did you hear what she said about Bagman?" Cassius asked, twisting around to get a better look. "I wouldn't think Hermione Granger would care — that was Hermione Granger, wasn't it?"
Aurora nodded sharply. "Hermione Granger cares about strange things sometimes. She's taken a dislike to Skeeter already — not that I can blame her, I hate the woman too."
"Even though Draco worked with her?" Cassius asked, and she groaned.
"I'm furious with him. Not because of what he said, though I think it was wholly unnecessary and the bit about Vincent and a fucking flobberworm was wholly fabricated — but it's her. She's awful. Didn't you read what she wrote about me last year?"
"Can't say I did," Cassius said lightly, "I know there was something nasty in the Daily Prophet, but I didn't think it was worth my time to read what other people thought of you."
She wasn't sure if she could take that as a compliment or not, though it seemed it was meant as such. With a tense smile, Aurora checked her watch, seeing that it was just past noon, and she had an hour before she had to meet Callidora. She and Cassius finished off their Butterbeers before heading out into the cold of the village, where he went to find Graham and Aurora went in search of a book about magical geology — Stones, Rocks, Sand, and the Magic of the Natural Unalive. It had a wretched title, in her opinion, but seemed promising and informative, and when she had asked Madam Pince if the library had a copy she had been told that such books were not for children to handle, though Pince likely thought that about most books.
Aurora started on her book as she waited for Callidora to arrive, making notes in the margins of the introductory pages while she sipped a mug of hot chocolate. Theodore, Millicent and Daphne came in while she waited, casting her curious looks as they passed. Theodore wound up taking a seat across from her as he waited for the girls to get their drinks, and he frowned over at her book.
"Magical geology," she said before he could ask what she was reading, "Stones, Rocks, Sand, and the Magic of the Natural Unalive, by Herbert Mite."
"That's a bit of a mouthful," Theodore said.
"I thought so too," Aurora said, taking a sip of hot chocolate. "It is interesting though. I wish we learned more of this sort of thing in school." Her eyes flicked up to meet his blue gaze. "Sorry, did you want something?"
"I was just curious," he admitted, "you've been so engrossed in reading recently, but I know it's not all for class because you'd have discussed it with me when you don't understand it."
"Who said I don't understand what I'm reading?"
"No one," Theodore said, "you just get that look on your face sometimes and I can tell. Not that I blame you, geology sounds both dull and confusing."
"The second definitely," Aurora admitted, smiling as Millie and Daphne came over. "The first, perhaps, but I've a project to work on."
"What sort of project?"
She grinned teasingly. "Something of great importance to me, at any rate. You'll find out if I'm successful, Nott."
"Warrington ditched you?" Daphne asked, leaning over Theodore with a cup of tea in hand.
"No, I have to meet someone is all. He's gone to catch up with Montague. And speaking of..." She glanced at her watch and then at the door, just as Callidora strode in, looking extremely bothered by the group of teenagers behind her, and by the cold weather which had caused her cheeks to flush. "I hate to be rude, but she's just arrived."
They all looked to the door, and Daphne raised her eyebrows when she saw Callidora approach. "I recognise her."
"Well, obviously. She is somebody."
"I think that's Aurora for piss off, by the way," Millicent put in helpfully, and Theodore slipped out of the booth.
"So eloquent, Millie."
Aurora chuckled, closing her book and setting aside the refilling quill she had brought. "I'll see you all at dinner. Don't let Daphne force you to look at too much jewellery."
The three of them smiled and moved off, just as Callidora arrived, her eyes bright. "Lady Black," she greeted again, as Aurora rose. "I hope I didn't interrupt."
"Not at all," she said brightly, "I'm so glad you could make it — and thank you, for all your help. The ring has been bothering me for some time."
"I could tell," Callidora said. "Might I treat you to something to drink?"
"It's alright," she said tensely, indicating to her mug. "But you go ahead."
Callidora returned a moment later with a cup of coffee — a rather surprising choice to Aurora — and set a small leather journal on the table between them.
"My father's," she said. "It took some time to find it amongst his old things. He kept an account of the family jewels. I don't know if what you are looking for will be there, he may not even have been aware of it, or interested, but you may be able to find a link. As for the stone itself, I may know a little more. If I could see it..." She trailed off as Aurora tensed. "But I understand you may be reticent."
"The ring is of importance to me," she replied tightly. "But that is also why I need to understand it."
She fished for the ring in her pocket, and Callidora watched with curious eyes. "Why, might I ask?"
It took Aurora a moment to come up with a decent answer. "I suppose, it has intrigued me. Ever since I took it out of the vault at Gringotts. It calls to me, yet I do not understand what it says. I cannot help but wonder, especially with what you have told me..."
"That it may provide connection?" Callidora nodded. "I can see why you might think so. However, I would not be so certain. Even if it is the stone I believe it to be, its properties are ranging and often uncertain. Too few have been able to do any conclusive research into it. But I can, perhaps, help with the curses."
Aurora nodded, and placed it on the table, turning so that she could shield it from the view of any outsiders. Callidora picked it up, held it between thumb and forefinger. "Yes," she murmured, "the stone is as I suspected. But you said — you felt curse magic?"
Confused by the tone, Aurora nodded. "I always have. Dark magic, but there's always been a level of benevolence which was hard to reconcile. And it still... Well, it still doesn't feel safe. Even if it wants to welcome me."
Frowning, Callidora placed the ring back on the table. "I can sense no curse," she said.
Aurora blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"I mean just that. I can sense that there are enchantments — my mother ensured that I was adept at recognising magical traces. But the curse you speak of... No, I cannot feel that. It does not extend itself to me."
"But it is... there. I can feel it."
Callidora shook her head. "Whatever you are feeling," she said, "it is either not there, does not want to be seen by me — or, does not affect me. For..." Her eyes combed Aurora's face, making her feel oddly insecure, aware of her every movement and every breath. "Whatever reason, that may be." She did not like the sound of that. There were many ways in which Aurora was different from Callidora, but few which a cursed ring would recognise, or have been made to recognise. The thought unsettled her, the idea that a part of her family's magic and legacy did not accept her, did not want her. And yet, it did not call to Callidora. She was not affected by that aspect of it, either, and that had her perplexed. If the ring was indeed a remnant of the traces of her ancestors, then why would it reject her family magic, yet also exclude Callidora from the most tangible element of its legacy.
"Lapis Nocte usually works best with ritualistic magic," Callidora said, "which Hogwarts does not like to teach. There will be plenty of material in the manor library, if you would permit me—"
"I will be returning home in the Easter holidays," Aurora said, cutting Callidora off. "I will be able to access the library myself."
Even if Callidora seemed trustworthy, and was family, Aurora did not like the thought of someone else being in the manor without her. That place and its memories were hers, and she did not want someone else to walk through and disturb them. Callidora's eyes glimmered, and Aurora snatched her ring back. There was nothing malicious in her gaze, but that didn't mean that Aurora could ignore her feelings of unease and paranoia. "Do you have any recommendations?" she asked. "I have the Mite book you recommended, which may help, but it would be good to know how the stone might have had the curse afixed to it, or any other enchantment."
Callidora hummed. "Let me think of a list for you. That sort of stone usually requires older magic, much more attuned to nature." She finished off her coffee and pulled a face. "I do miss the old coffeehouses of Hogsmeade. These pubs are filled with students, and you simply cannot get a decent brew anywhere. None of you students know quality."
Rather offended by this, Aurora frowned, and Callidora chuckled. "I thought you might pull that face. I am surprised at you, you know. Your attachment to the family."
Aurora blinked. "Family is family. Why wouldn't I feel attached?"
Callidora waved her hand. "I am hardly attached. Not that there is much to be attached to these days. I would have thought, a young, strong-minded girl like you, might have broken away. Yet you do seem rather too eager to connect yourself to a history which, I'm afraid to say, would not particularly embrace you." Much like the ring, Aurora thought wryly. Perhaps that was a part of it, perhaps blood magic which could identify that she was not pureblood — but she did not know how that might be possible. "Marius certainly isn't."
"Marius was disowned," Aurora said, "when he was a child. I don't — not that I approve," she added at Callidora's stare, "but I have memories to protect as well as legacy."
"Memories?" Callidora raised her eyebrows. "Do you think you remember your family so well?" Aurora didn't like the way Callidora said your instead of our. She clutched the ring tighter in her hand, even when it started to burn and rebel against her touch. "You were only a child. Do you think that Arcturus was so perfect? So welcoming?"
"He loved me," Aurora said defensively. "He cared for me. Who are you to question that?"
"I have no doubts that Arcturus did love you, and care for you," Callidora said. "Rather fiercely, if I recall. But certainly, it was not always that way. Did you know that he tried to arrange a betrothal for you, to a Carrow?"
Aurora blinked. "Of course not — you were a child, these things are always liable to fall through before children reach maturity. But they rejected it, when he was asked about your mother's blood. Apparently it was rather a sore spot. I believe he said that you were a Black before you were anything else. Your mother's blood did not count." Her heart hammered. All this she knew — though not the betrothal part — but hearing it reflected upon by Callidora made it feel more insulting, somehow. "He put down all the rumours, of course, or as best as he could. It was then I believe that he decided you were to be raised as you were, under his rule. No doubts he was kinder than some might have been, but it was out of necessity. To ensure no unwelcome outside influences. I recall you and Draco telling me one Christmas that he was your only friend. It saddened me."
"Arcturus taught me my worth," Aurora countered. "And I know it well. I do not need you to criticise my upbringing. Whether you claim to be family or not." She downed the rest of her hot chocolate, which was by now lukewarm, and stuffed her book and quill into her satchel, alongside her ring.
"I did not intend to insult you, Aurora," Callidora said slowly, "nor Arcturus. I always did care for him, and he was a good man. But you do not remember him as I do."
"I remember him as the most important person in my childhood," Aurora told her sharply. "You certainly did not make an impression."
It was perhaps rude, and Aurora regretted saying it, but Callidora smiled slowly. "I believe we have gone into rather unwanted territory," she said, standing up. "Best, perhaps, to leave the conversation for another day? I shall write to you with your list — believe that I truly did not mean to cause offence. Merely to... Question, your memory. The legacy you are so fond of."
"Of course," Aurora said, struggling to maintain a polite facade. She wished Callidora would leave, before she said something else that made Aurora feel the urge to hex her. Her blood ran hot and furious, and her heart was pounding with anger in her chest.
"Lady Black," Callidora said, taking Aurora's hand, shaking it lightly, then releasing it.
"Mrs Longbottom," Aurora replied, and Callidora's lips twitched up in amusement.
"Oh, you truly are displeased with me."
"Not at all," she lied. "Please, let me walk you out. I must be returning to the castle anyway."
Callidora's faint smile was infuriating.