Their schedule for the next day was an abomination, Aurora realised as soon as Snape handed it to her. Double Herbology to start off with wasn't too bad, and maybe she thought she could pick up some intel from the Ravenclaw prefects — Padma Patil and Anthony Goldstein — on how Elise was doing, but it was followed by Double Potions, then Arithmancy, and finally another double, this time of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Double Gryffindors," groaned Sally-Anne Perks from across the table where she was sat with Leah. "I'm far too tired for this."

"Me too," Leah agreed. "I'm sure they all hate Umbridge on sight, too; that'll make for a delightful environment in Defense."

"At least it'll make it interesting," Gwen said with a shrug, "and there are less flobberworms involved in that class, so Aurora won't get one stuck in her hair again."

"Thank you for reminding everybody of that particular incident, Gwendolyn."

"Anytime." Gwen grinned, and continued, "Now, Divination is at least going to give me a decent opportunity to nap after lunch, which you know is important to me. And as long as we don't have to use any manure in Herbology again, it could be a successful day."

"Stop being an optimist," Aurora told her with a sigh, taking a sip of her tea. "It's far too early."

"You woke up two hours ago."

"I actually woke up five hours ago because you were snoring."

"Take that back!" Gwen hissed, blushing; Robin had conveniently just dropped into the seat next to her, Theo on his other side.

"It's true," Aurora said, snickering.

"You'd better watch your back for flobberworms."

Herbology, as usual, went fine. Aurora and Pansy were paired up with Padma Patil and Lisa Turpin, the latter a rather serious girl whom Aurora always worked well with, and the work for the first day back was not too strenuous, despite Professor Sprout trying to impress upon them the significance of the workload in their O.W.L. year. Potions was a different story; after a dramatic speech about how he was sure the majority of the class would fail their Potions exam — he gave Aurora a rather nasty look at this part — Snape set them one of the trickiest potion recipes they had ever attempted. It was fiddly, and involved a lot of complex and precise preparation, which suited Aurora well, but resulted in Potter's humiliation when he realised he had entirely skipped a line of instructions and ruined the potion.

"That's my day made," Draco said with glee, after Snape made a spectacle out of vanishing Potter's potion in front of the whole class. His own Potion was an intense violet, and Aurora's had taken on an unwelcome tinge of pale pink; no one but Hermione Granger had managed to properly fulfil the precise instructions, which Aurora was greatly irked by. Snape gave her only a passing glance, and she was forced to take his silence as approval.

By the time they arrived outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom that afternoon, Aurora already had more homework than she could bear thinking about, since Professor Vector had just given them all four hours' worth of equations to work through before their next class on Wednesday. At least there was something of a buzz around the class as they gathered outside, everyone wondering what their new teacher's style would be and, perhaps more importantly, how long they would last in the post and how they would be forced out of it.

"My bet's on some sort of animal attack," Theo told Aurora. "We've gotten close to it before, but never quite reached it."

"I think McGonagall and Snape will fulfil the Sorting Hat's call for inter-house unity and murder her together," Aurora said, and he tilted his head, considering.

"That could be more entertaining. Robin?"

Robin shrugged. "I reckon Dumbledore'll sack her the second he gets back in with Fudge."

"I don't really see that happening, unfortunately, but it's nice to have dreams."

Just then, the door opened, but Umbridge did not appear in the doorway. Hermione took a tentative step forward, and then led the way in to the classroom, where Umbridge already sat behind her desk, smiling round at them all. Aurora took her usual seat next to Theodore at the front of the classroom, Gwen and Robin behind them and Draco and Pansy just across the aisle. Their Professor watched with keen eyes, sizing them all up as the students filtered in. She remained silent, just watching in that disconcerting manner, until everybody was seated, and the door swung shut behind them.

"Well, good afternoon!" she said in her sweet, merry voice. She was met with lacklustre mumbles of greeting in return, and frowned. "That won't do, now, will it? When I speak, I should like you to please reply, good afternoon, Professor Umbridge! One more time, please: good afternoon, class!"

Aurora tried not to grimace as they all chanted back, in sing song voices, "Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge!"

"There now, that wasn't so difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out please."

Aurora and Theo exchanged disappointed glances as they brought out their writing supplies and textbooks; they usually worked very well together in practical Defense, and they were challenging Duellists for one another, but theory-based Defense classes were almost always wretched and dull. Up at the front, Umbridge had written on the blackboard, and was speaking once more, still in that painful sugar-sweet tone. Aurora wondered how anyone ever believed a word she said with such an insincere manner of speech.

"We will be following a carefully structured, theory-centred, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic this year. Copy down the following, please." On the blackboard, three course aims now appeared. They were hardly revolutionary; Aurora copied them down, annoyed that they were wasting time. And yet, once she finished she glanced over then again and realised there was no real place for the implementation of practical defensive magic. The final aim was stated as 'placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use' but that did not imply they would actually be using the magic itself.

Once everybody had finished copying down, Umbridge instructed them — in the same manner she had greeted them — to take out their textbooks and read chapter one, and then left them to it. It was dull, but if reading and memorising it would benefit her exams, Aurora was willing to try it; it wasn't like she didn't know how to do independent study and practice out of class.

Determined though she was to keep up her concentration on the book, Aurora soon began to note the restlessness of her classmates. Even Theodore wasn't reading when she glanced over at him, and that was when Aurora looked up, realised the whole of her class were near enough staring at Hermione Granger, who had her textbook shut on the desk and her hand waving in the air. In fact, soon the only person not looking at Hermione was Umbridge, who appeared determined to ignore her. This was odd behaviour for Hermione, but as Umbridge clearly did not want to engage, Aurora turned back to her reading, scratching down notes on the few relevant points.

Several minutes later, Umbridge finally addressed Hermione, who asked, in what Aurora recognised to be her voice of the most forced politeness, "There's nothing written up there about using defensive spells?"

Aurora had thought that would be without need of explanation, but it seemed some of her peers had yet to even notice it.

"Using spells?" Umbridge repeated, with an incredulous little laugh. "Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in which you would need to use defensive spells, Miss Granger. Surely you aren't expecting to be attacked during class?"

"We're not going to use magic?" Weasley cried.

Theodore raised his eyebrows at Aurora, to which she shook her head. It wasn't worth getting involved, not yet, but surely she thought, Umbridge would have to concede that there was a practical component to their exam. "Students raise their hand when they wish to speak in my class, Mr—?"

"Weasley—"

"Yes, Miss Granger?" Hermione had found her hand up again. Everyone was watching now, eager, even Draco and Pansy. "You wanted to ask somethig else?"

"Surely the whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?"

"Are you a Ministry-trained education expert, Miss Granger?"

"No, but—"

"Well, then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to discuss the 'whole point' of my class." As if Umbridge's training had been any more rigorous than a last minute, rushed session to pretend she had any qualifications other than being Fudge's favourite. Though that probably did still make her more qualified than Gilderoy Lockhart. "Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way—"

"What use is that?" Potter blurted out loudly, and Aurora cringed. This was the last thing they needed, for him to start running his mouth. "If we're going to be attacked, it won't be in a classroom—"

"Hand, Mr. Potter!"

He thrust his hand in the air, as did about half of Gryffindor house. The Slytherins were keeping quiet, exchanging derisive glances. Gwen watched them all with keen eyes, her lip trembling with excitement. "And your name?" Umbridge asked Dean Thomas.

"Dean Thomas — It's like Harry said, isn't it? If we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk-free."

This was a ridiculous line of argument to hold with Umbridge, Aurora felt. Not because it was wrong, but because she would never admit it was right. "Do you expect to be attacked during my class?"

"No, but—"

"I do not wish to criticise the way things have been run in this school," Umbridge lied with a snide look at Potter, "but but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed, not to mention extremely dangerous half breeds."

Blood boiling, Aurora clasped the edge of her desk to keep herself from snapping.

"If you mean Professor Lupin," snapped Dean Thomas, "he was the best we ever—"

"Hand, Mr Thomas! As I was saying, you have been exposed to spells that have been complex, inappropriate to your age and potentially lethal. You have been frightened into believing you are likely to meet Dark attacks every other day—"

"No we haven't, we just—"

"Your hand is not up, Miss Granger! It is my understanding that my predecessor performed illegal curses in front of you, something which the Ministry had its reserves about being on the curriculum even for seventh year students."

"We learned loads with Moody, though!"

"Your hand is not up, Mr Thomas!" Aurora had to commend her for her commitment to the bit; she still sounded like she was singing. "Now, it is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical basis will be more than sufficient to get you through your examinations, which, after all, is what school is all about. And your name is?"

Patil had just raised her hand, a cool expression on her face. "Parvati Patil, Professor, and isn't there a practical element to our exam? Aren't we supposed to show that we can actually do the counter-curses and things?"

Finally, Aurora thought. She watched as Umbridge tried to wriggle out of it, stating, "As long as you have studied the theory beforehand, there is no reason why you should not be able to perform the spells under fully controlled examination conditions."

Even Aurora's friends were incredulous at that. "Without ever performing them beforehand?" Parvati asked, eyes wide. "Are you telling us that the first time we'll get to use spells is in our exam?"

"I repeat, as long as you have studied the theory hard enough—"

"And what goods theory going to be in the real world?" Aurora sighed. At least Potter put his hand up this time.

"This is school, Mr. Potter, not the real world."

"So we're not supposed to be prepared for what's out there?"

"There is nothing out there, Mr. Potter."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?" Umbridge asked.

Aurora knew what Potter was going to say before he even opened his mouth.

"I dunno, maybe Lord Voldemort?"

The name sent shudders sthrough the classroom. Aurora braced herself, trying not to snap and scold him, or Umbridge, or do anything to cause more upset. This was a train wreck.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter."

Umbridge's voice had lost some of its saccharine quality now. Her beady eyes gaze narrowed in on Harry, face paled from fury.

"Let me make a few things quite plain. You have been told that a certain Dark wizard has returned from the dead—"

"He wasn't dead!"

"This is a lie."

"It's not a lie!" Potter yelled. "I saw him, I fought him!"

"Detention!" Umbridge said sharply. "Tomorrow. Five o'clock. My office. I repeat, this is a lie. The Ministry of Magic guarantees that you are not in any danger from any Dark wizards. If you are still worried, by all means, come to discuss your concerns with me outside of class time. If someone is alarming you with fibs about reborn Dark wizards, I would like to hear about it." Of course she would, Aurora thought, annoyed. Mainly to silence them. "I am here to help. I am your friend." She wondered to what extent she really expected them to believe it, or how she could believe it herself. "And now, you will kindly continue your reading."

But they did not. Potter stood up. Aurora shook her head at him, willing him to see that this was fruitless, but he looked her in the eye with a fiery determination, and said loudly, "So you think Igor Karkaroff just dropped dead of his own accord, then?"

Aurora's stomach lurched.

"Professor Karkaroff's death was a tragedy, which the Ministry is still investigating."

"Well, I haven't been consulted about it."

"We are certain there was nothing nefarious—"

"I was there!"

"You found him in the grounds, Mr. Potter, that does not mean you know what happened, or why."

"I didn't just find him, I was with him, and it was murder! Voldemort killed him and you know it!"

The room was filled with a screeching silence. Aurora's head clouded as she stared at Potter, partly impressed by his guts and partly horrified by his indelicacy. For a moment, Umbridge looked like she was going to scream. Then, her face cleared and she said, back with her girlish voice, "Come here, Mr. Potter, dear."

Aurora could hardly breathe. It made her ill, watching as he marched to the front of the class, defiant. Umbridge scribbled something on a piece of pink parchment, and said, "Take this to Professor McGonagall, dear."

He snatched it from her hand, wordless, and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

For a long moment, the class was silent. Then, Professor Umbridge shook herself slightly and said, "Right. Now we have dealt with that nasty conversation, if you could all please return to your textbooks. You will have a twenty-inch essay on this chapter due as homework; any more disruptions like that, and it will be double. Thank you."

Hermione Granger looked like she was biting her tongue from saying anything, but Potter had already dropped the biggest bombshell possible. Aurora kept her head down anyway, and at the end of class, Umbridge addressed them all again.

"It worries me to know," she began, "how many of you have been impacted already by the lies of your classmates, and teachers. But I am here to assure you, you will come to no harm here. School is a place of learning, where you should be safe and nurtured, not thrust into adult politics and fearmongering." Perhaps, Aurora thought, that was true in an ideal world; but the reality was Hogwarts had never really been safe, and they were old enough now that they could call that out. "I do hope that we all can be good friends this year, which is so vital to all of your futures. I am sure once everybody has settled back into the swing of things, we will get along just fine. Now, remember your homework, and I shall see you all next class. In the meantime, if anybody has any private concerns regarding what we discussed, do feel free to speak to me any time. Thank you!"

She timed it impeccably. The bell rang just then, and while most of the class rushed putting everything in their bags and running out the door, Aurora took her time, keeping an eye on the front of the room. "I'd like to speak to Professor Umbridge," she whispered to Theo, who was stood awkwardly beside her. "You just go on."

"Will you be alright?"

"We've already established nobody's going to be attacked in the classroom, I'm sure I'll be absolutely fine. Save me a spot in the common room, will you?"

"Sure," Theo said, though Gwen gave her a worried look.

"What happened to keeping your head down?"

"I didn't say that, I said keeping on her good side. And to do that, I think we need to have a talk. I'll be fine," she repeated, for all three were giving her skeptical looks. "I'm a big girl I can look after myself. Go, or some first year'll nab our spots on the sofas!"

Begrudgingly, her friends went, and as the last few people trickled out of the classroom, Aurora made her way over to Umbridge, fiddling with the strap of her bag and trying not to let her trepidation show. Her professor turned her wide gaze upon her, eager and intrigued.

"Aurora Black, is it?"

"Yes, Professor Umbridge." She held out her hand with a warm smile. "I wondered if we might have a chat, particularly after what just happened in class. Of course, if you have somewhere to be right now, I'm happy to arrange an appointment for some other time, but I felt I ought to… Well, I know that in the political sphere we have not always agreed, but I want to give you my assurances that I do not let my personal beliefs affect my relationships, nor will I bring them into the classroom; I rarely discuss politics with my school friends anyway. I certainly do not approve of Potter's outburst today."

Umbridge's gaze was suspicious, and no wonder. Aurora had been more and more aligned with Potter, while not openly making any statements about the Dark Lord's return, but she had, after all, voted to keep Dumbledore Chief of the Wizengamot, and despite not declaring a side, would certainly be considered more progressive than Umbridge would like.

"I'm sure I can find time to speak with you now, Miss Black. If you would come with me to my office?"

"Of course," Aurora replied sweetly, with a light nod. "Lead the way, Professor."

Professor Umbridge's office was greatly different from Remus or Moody's. She had remodelled it rather quickly; the walls were now a sweet, light pink, and the carpet a deeper rose shade. Dotted around the walls were various plates and saucers with images of cats on them, and as Aurora closed the door behind them, a bell above it tinkled gently.

It was rather gaudy for Aurora's tastes, but she forced a pleasant smile as she said, "I love what you've done with the place."

Umbridge's smile was razor-sharp. "Do sit down, dear."

Aurora did so, sweeping her robes as she did so. "Thank you, Professor."

"What can I do for you, Miss Black?"

"Well, as I said, I want to clarify my respect for you and your position as my professor. I know that there are some political strains between the Minister and the Headmaster at the moment and I do not intend to get involved in that."

"You do not support Professor Dumbledore?"

"I do not oppose him, necessarily," she said carefully, weighing the line of pandering and realism. "I think he has been a decent Headmaster, but he is also the only Headmaster any of us have known; none of us can fairly say that change in leadership would not be for the best. I'm open to being convinced. I'm not quite so… Stubborn, as some of my peers."

"Indeed." Umbridge smiled, eyes glimmering. "I wonder, Miss Black, how is your relationship with Mr Potter?"

"Fairly neutral. He is my father's godson, so I have to show amicability, and I don't like discord in my life anyway. But I wouldn't exactly call us friends — he is still a Gryffindor, and myself a Slytherin." This was dangerous territory, though. Not only did she feel guilty lying, but she knew Umbridge was waiting for her to slip up, so she could catch her out. "And I think we have rather different outlooks, on life, to say the least."

Umbridge nodded slowly. "I see. And would you say he is… Prone to violence?"

"Violence?" She forced a little laugh. "No, I wouldn't say so. He's annoying, to me, but generally rather peaceable."

She couldn't tell if it was the wrong thing to say or not, but she did not want to give Umbridge another reason to target Potter just because she was trying to get on her good side. "And this summer? These stories he has been telling about Professor Igor Karkaroff, has he been sharing them with you?"

"Potter shares very little with me. That's the way we like it." Besides, she didn't need stories. She had seen the man dying, she had seen the look on Potter's face.

Umbridge stayed silent a moment more, looking at Aurora as though trying to figure out a complex puzzle. Then, she nodded, her smile returning. "Very well, Miss Black. I am glad you came to speak with me; it is so important that we can all work together, after all. That is what will help you with your studies."

"Precisely my thinking, too. Applicable to all aspects of life."

Umbridge's smile widened. "And in the mean time, dear… Well, you seem sensible." It was a lie; Aurora was sure Umbridge didn't believe that. She was testing her. They were testing each other. "Would you keep an eye on Mr Potter? I'd hate to have a repeat of today."

"I shall try," Aurora said, "though Potter and I rarely listen to one another. But of course, it is conducive to everybody's education that we have a peaceful, amicable working environment."

As if Umbridge could ever foster that sort of environment after today. But Aurora smiled, feeling that though Umbridge did not trust her, she did not think of her as an immediate threat, and that could only be a good thing. This way, Aurora might have a better chance of working out her agenda, and by extension, that of the Ministry. And pass her O.W.L.s; she could not be entirely altruistic about the situation.

"Right you are, dear. Now, run along, I must prepare for Mr. Potter's detention."

"Of course, Professor." Aurora stood, still ill at ease with the situation, and inclined her head. "Thank you for seeing me."

She could not return to the common room quickly enough. She had to reassure herself that offering peace to Umbridge did not mean compromising her own agenda. It was sensible, it was necessary, and had Harry not had that argument, it both would not have felt as underhanded nor would it have been as necessary. But hopefully little would come of it. She would not actually spy on Potter, partly because he would realise immediately, though she did think it sensible to have a talk with him about that outburst. Not now though, while he was obviously still furious; Aurora opened the Marauder's Map on her way to the dungeons and saw he was already in the Great Hall, alone and probably stewing in his own frustrations.

"How'd it go with the pink panther?" Gwen asked as Aurora sat down with her and the boys.

"Panther?"

"It's — never mind."

"All is fine. She knows I'm not going to start trouble in class and I know she's a conniving bitch." Robin snorted. "Beautiful sound effect, Oliphant, thank you. Anyway, she wanted to know about Potter more than she wanted to know about me. I didn't tell her anything, just slipped around the issue mainly, but it confirmed what I thought. Fudge wants her to keep an eye on him as well as Dumbledore, put a lid on the rumours about the Dark Lord."

At this, Robin and Gwen exchanged severe looks. Tentatively, Robin asked, "Do you… Think it's all true? About You-Know-Who?"

Aurora gave him a blank look. "Obviously. You know that. We discussed this last term."

"I know, but — well, the Ministry's investigation hasn't turned anything up."

"Because they're ignoring the evidence. They don't want to see the truth, and so, they won't. I saw Potter that night, so did Theodore, and Crouch possessed his father who attacked me."

"Doesn't mean it's You-Know-Who."

"Potter wouldn't lie. Gwen, you believe me, don't you?"

"Yes," Gwen said quickly. "Well, yes, you. I don't know about Potter so much, but I'm not ruling it out, not if it's going to be dangerous to me. And I don't think you'd say something was so if you didn't believe it."

"My mum doesn't think it's true."

"Of course not. Your mum doesn't want to believe it's true, and the Ministry is admittedly doing a pretty good job of covering things up. We have to prepare for the eventuality of the Dark Lord coming out of the woodwork, which the Ministry is refusing to do."

Robin shifted uncomfortably, and glanced to Theodore, who merely raised a brow. "I'm not sure you want to hear what I have to say on this, Robin."

In turn, Gwen turned away to stare at the floor, shoulders tensing. "I believe what Potter says happened to him and Karkaroff," Aurora told Robin firmly. "I've heard his nightmares about it and I don't think you can fake that sort of thing."

Robin chewed his lip, opened his mouth to say something, then stopped, looking over Aurora's shoulder. A moment later, as she twisted round, Draco and Pansy were upon her, each leaning over one shoulder, movements as easy as they had ever been.

"Fun class, wasn't it?" Pansy asked with a spark of humour in her eye.

"Potter's cracked already," Draco said gleefully. "Aurora, Theodore, we're all sat over there. Come on and join us before the first years try and move on — they're an infestation this year, I swear." He made to leave, then stopped himself, casting an eye over their friends. "Tearston. Oliphant. Good day."

Then he left and Pansy followed in his wake. Aurora sighed. "I'd better put my bag back in my dorm first," she said, standing up. "I suppose I'll relax before dinner and get into homework later, if any of you want to join me in the library?"

"Happily, if you don't mind dungbombs."

"No, Oliphant."

"I can't stand to look at homework already," Gwen said.

"Theo?"

He shrugged. "I suppose a head start wouldn't hurt."

"It's the first day!"

"Exactly why we need to go to the library, it'll get far too loud in here with all these children jabbering."

Gwen rolled her eyes. "You are still fifteen, you know."

"It is the natural way of fifteen year olds to despise everything eleven year olds do," Aurora said with a sniff. "Though I do need to check in on Elise — I'll do it at tea, don't let me forget." She glanced over to where the rest of her friends were sat, Millie and Lucille and Daphne crowded round a magazine, Vincent and Greg flicking gobstones across the floor. "With any luck, she'll have had the sense to keep out of Umbridge's bad books, too."

-*

"I love Transfiguration!" Elise told Aurora when she met her after dinner, beaming. "We already got to try it, and I wasn't great, but my goblet was almost drinkable!"

"Oh, good."

"And Potions seems really cool, but Professor Snape seems a bit strict. Is he always like that or is it just a show for the first years, 'cause the class is dangerous?"

Aurora chuckled, walking with her cousin in the direction of the Ravenclaw Tower — she was too worried Elise would get lost on her own, and it was vaguely on the way to the library. "He's always like that, but try not to let it get to you. He didn't single you out or anything, did he?"

"Well, he did make a bit of a comment but it was more about you. Basically he wondered if I'd live up to your penchant for trouble — what did you do?"

"Breathe," Aurora replied wearily, and Elise frowned. "He went to school with my dad — and Harry's dad, too — and didn't like them that much. He hold a grudge, for whatever reason." She didn't want to get into the whole possible-death-by-werewolf ordeal right now. That might scare Elise off. "Anyway, don't listen to him. You just do you, and do great as I know you can, and you'll be fine. You've got good seat partners?"

"I'm with Clara in every class," she said, which made sense. "But we were paired up with these two Slytherin girls — Thea Snowdon and Margaret Montague — in Herbology and they both seemed nice."

"Oh, I think I might know Margaret's brother," Aurora said surprised. "Did she mention him — Graeme, seventh year? Slytherin?"

"The Quidditch Captain, she said!" Aurora nodded, grinning. "What is Quidditch? We didn't want to ask in case it was a stupid question."

"It's a sport," Aurora told her with a small laugh. "Seven players fly around on a team, and the aim is to get the most points. Three players try to score goals through hoops, one tries to catch a snitch which is worth the most points. I'm on the Slytherin team, remember?"

"Oh, yeah — so, we get to fly?"

"You'll get lessons soon enough, though once Madam Hooch has taught you the basics I can take you out for practice some time."

"Could we do it now?"

"Not now — I'm sure I'd get in trouble, and I've no teaching experience. Plus, I have to meet my friend in the library to do homework. But sometime, yes. Harry's on the Gryffindor team, too, and our match is always the first of the year, so you'll get to come down and watch it."

"Who do I cheer for, if you're both in it?"

"Is that even a question?" Aurora asked, feigning offense as Elise gave a teasing laugh. "You're a Black, Elise; you'll support Slytherin."

"What about when you play Ravenclaw?"

"I will avert my eyes," Aurora said with a dry smile. "But in all seriousness if you ever support Gryffindor in any of their endeavours, I will not speak to you for at least a week. I take Quidditch very seriously."

"Got it," Elise said with a grin, "my dad's the same with Tottenham and Chelsea. I think I'd be disowned if I cheered for Chelsea."

Aurora laughed, and was pleased that she at least vaguely got the reference, as she knew where Chelsea was located. "I'll pretend to be a Tottenham fan around him then. You haven't had Defense yet, have you?"

Elise shook her head. "No, but one of the seventh years said Umbridge is a bit... Funny."

"That's one way to put it. Just be wary with her, alright? She's very political and so am I, and even though I don't bring it into the classroom, I don't know what she thinks of yet. Oh, and it might help if you avoid mentioning any connection to Harry. They had a bit of an argument in class today, I'm sure you'll hear all about it soon enough — nothing like that stays secret in Hogwarts for very long."

"An argument? With a teacher?"

"With a teacher," Aurora nodded seriously. "It's not as uncommon as you nigh think, I once screamed in Snape's face — though that was exceptional circumstances. Anyway—"

"That's why he doesn't like you?"

"He's always hated me."

"Do you get into trouble a lot?"

"I am surrounded by trouble, I never get myself into it. Most of the time. Anyway, this is you." She stopped outside the tower door with the grand eagle doorknocker, and Elise beamed.

"Good, it's so confusing getting anywhere here. D'you want to come in?"

"I'm not allowed. Houses don't mix."

"Oh, but we don't have a password or anything you just have to say a riddle. Apparently people's friends come in all the time to borrow books and things. The prefects said sharing knowledge is the point of Ravenclaw Tower, and anyone who wants to do that is allowed."

"Even so, I've got to go see Theo, and then I've a meeting with Dumbledore." He had sent her a short note during dinner with nothing other than a time - half past eight - and the words sugar mice, which was presumably his new password. "Some other time, yeah?"

"Alright," Elise said, hoisting her bag on her shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow? I'm super excited for my History of Magic class!"

Oh, dear.

"I'm sure you'll love it."

"Me too! Have fun in the library!"

As the eagle on the door began to ask Elise a riddle, Aurora made her way back the way she had come, up the stairs onto the next floor and along to the library, just in time to catch Theodore entering its double doors, which was unexpected considering he had left dinner long before she had.

"Nott!" she called out, and he turned. Aurora sped up, making an effort to smile as she noticed the slight redness around his eyes, like he had been crying. "Hey." She almost put a hand on his arm, then stopped herself; what if he wanted to pretend he didn't look like he'd been crying, or what if he didn't want her to try and comfort him? "You okay?"

He nodded determinedly but didn't meet her eyes. "Fine. Well. Fine enough. I thought we could start with that monstrosity for Umbridge?"

After a moment's contemplation, Aurora decided not to push it. She was no good with emotions, and it wasn't her place to try and make him talk, if that was all he wanted to say. "Whatever you want," she said lightly as they entered the library, hoping he understood. "I've got to head around half eight though, unfortunately. Meeting."

"Quidditch?"

"No, no, it's a — a potential Arithmancy study club." She scrambled for something he had no interest in.

"Oh, dear."

"Yes, today's class was wretched, so Granger and I and a couple of Ravenclaws are looking into extra revision, as a precaution."

She didn't like to lie to him, but until she knew what Dumbledore wanted she could not come up with any better excuse or good reason why she might meet with him. And Theodore didn't push her, like she didn't push him, though she could see the lingering curiosity in his eyes.

At twenty-five past eight, with an outline and first few paragraphs of her summary written for Umbridge, Aurora packed up her things and made her way to Dumbledore's office. Being back there caused a shiver to go down her spine; her memory flooded back with a stinging pain in her cheek and a choking feeling tightening around her neck.

"Good evening, Professor," she greeted, voice faraway as she stared around.

"Good evening to you, too, Miss Black. Please, sit down. Lemon drop?"

She eyed them warily as she sat down. "You were trying to get rid of them last term."

"They're fresh, I promise." His eyes twinkled and she begrudgingly accepted. Pleased, Dumbledore clasped his hands together and smiled at her. "How has your first day been?"

"Not too bad," she said placidly. "Quite a heavy day, scheduling wise, but it's always good to be back at Hogwarts."

"I understand you had class with Professor Umbridge this afternoon. How was that, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Illuminating," she replied, mimicking his words last night. "We did little other than read through our textbook, though the Gryffindors made things a bit more exciting."

"Yes, I heard Harry has been dealt a detention already."

She nodded, understanding his curious look to be an indication to explain. "Hermione Granger questioned Professor Umbridge's course aims, to begin with. There was a conspicuous lack of practical spellwork mentioned and when Umbridge said she did not intend for us to use practical defensive magic until the exam, things went downhill and long story short, Harry wound up yelling at her that You-Know-Who had returned and calling the Ministry liars. Which is true, and Umbridge knew it was true, but of course she did not want everybody else to know it was true. She wasn't impressed."

"And you?"

"Me? No, I wasn't impressed, though I understand why he was angry. It was all very indelicately done, and not the way to handle her."

"And how did you handle her?" he asked and Aurora got the distinct impression that he already knew, somehow.

Well, there was little point lying, and getting ahead of suspicion would only be a good thing, with him just as it was with Umbridge. "I spoke to Professor Umbridge after class," she admitted. Of course, Dumbledore did not look surprised. "I wanted to ensure we had an amicable relationship, at least from her perspective. Both for my education and because, I don't think that further alienating her or the Ministry is a useful thing to do. She tried to get me to denounce Potter, which I didn't, but I think that at least having an idea of what she wants may help us all."

"And what do you think she wants?"

"Control. She wants to achieve this through affection first I think, she kept reiterating the necessity of us all being friends and getting along, though I doubt that'll last long once she realises where most students' loyalties lie. But she also was quite forceful with Potter, towards the end, once he got under her skin. She wants him to say he was lying and confirm the Ministry's narrative so they have control of the situation — in their own mind, of course. And she wants everybody else to believe it, too. And of course she wants to undermine you, but that was obvious."

"As I thought," Dumbledore said, with a sigh. "Never mind."

She stared at him. She should have been surprised by his relaxed attitude, and yet she also knew it was an act. He just didn't want to share his thoughts with her. Not yet, anyway. "She won't stop, you know. I've been hearing rumours already that Fudge might try giving her even more powers."

"I have no doubt that he will. None of this surprises me now, but I am glad you see the pragmatic approach towards Professor Umbridge." That surprised her. He did not usually make such validating comments to her on these sorts of matters. "I would not recommend starting a fight with her."

"I'm not Harry Potter," Aurora said. But that of course, was what he meant to imply. And why? Why sow division between them, now?

Dumbledore merely inclined his head. "Quite. Now, the main reason I asked you to come here, Aurora. When we spoke about the conditions of your support for our little group, you requested information, and teaching. Well, I have come to make you an offer, based on my scheduling and yours. Beginning next week, might we meet every Monday evening at eight o'clock? I can talk you through Alchemy, Occlumency, the topics you raised already. And we can start working on this curse you believe to have upon yourself. If you would still like that, of course."

"I — yes." She hasn't expected that to be so easy. "Mondays at eight is perfect." She would just have to convince Graeme not to hold training on those nights. "Thank you, Professor. I think Alchemy is one of the main areas of curiosity for me, but, it's becoming more and more apparent to me that a better understanding of the magical aspects of life and death may also be of benefit, if I am to study this curse."

Dumbledore paled ever so slightly at those words, his lips turning down and his eyes dimming. Only for a moment, but Aurora perceived it, and hid a frown. "Life and death are tricky matters to discuss," he said slowly. "They require delicacy. And... It is complicated. Studying that sort of thing can be the beginning of a slippery slope. If I may, why would you want to study this?"

"Because I believe my ancestor made some sort of a pact with Death which still affects me, and my family, and that the curse put upon me by Bellatrix Lestrange has interacted with it."

That seemed to throw Dumbledore even more. The smile he drew across his face was shaky at best. "I see."

"It may sound far-fetched, but I have it on good authority—"

"I am sure you do, Aurora. The questions around life and death are complex and unless you have something very specific in mind it may be difficult to study with me. However, I am sure we will find something eventually. In the meantime, we can start Alchemy next week. And that of course, has its own ties to life and death."

She agreed, if only because she didn't really know what it was she needed to learn yet, either. But it was a start, and putting all her cards on the table was the right thing to do. "If that's all, I shall see you next Monday then, Professor," Aurora said as she stood. "Forgive me, I've had a long day and still have a lot of homework."

"Noting to forgive," Dumbledore assured her with his usual smile. The door swung open, revealing the darkness. Beyond she could easily envision the limp body of Barty Crouch Sr., lying on the stones. "Goodnight, Miss Black. I look forward to our meeting again."