Chapter Two

Remembering the Past, Embracing the Future

A/N: And I'm back everybody! After what…about a week? I spent some time on this one because I have an outline for the first part of this story and I want the characters to progress in a certain way. I tried to keep Severs non-OOC but with him, it's kinda hard, so no major hate, alright? Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I only own Aurora and any other OC's.

~ oOo ~

"Severus…"

Aurora gazed at the man who had been her Potions Professor during her final year at Hogwarts, but what pierced the witch's heart more than anything was how the man claimed he had once been her friend. Severus' obsidian eyes continued to gaze into her own before Albus' voice interrupted the silenced quarrel.

"Severus, my boy, how can I help you?"

Averting his eyes, the Potions Master glanced up to the Headmaster and noticed how Aurora turned her back to him and faced forward, averting her own eyes as well. His heart beat erratically and Severus had to push a lost sensation he hadn't felt in years deep within the black heart of his decrepit soul. Swallowing, he answered, "Sir, you owled and requested to speak with me."

"Ah, yes I did." Turning to the witch, the Headmaster asked, "Aurora, my dear I must speak with Severus on an important matter regarding the next term. As I said, the proposition is on the table and it's your decision. Take some time and think it over; you know where my office is if you need to speak with me." Nodding her head, Aurora stood to her feet and time slowed as she turned on her heels. As her eyes lifted, she was met with Severus' staring straight into hers as she grew closer with each step she took. With a shaky hand on the door handle, Aurora froze for a split second as she tilted her head towards the Potions Master; his eyes slightly widened once more before she turned fully to face the Headmaster.

"Albus? I appreciate the proposition you have given me and would graciously accept the offer."

With a curt nod, the Headmaster answered and smiled while doing so, "I am happy you've agreed. If you have the time, please meet me again at this time tomorrow and we'll discuss the position more."

"Of course." Opening the door, Aurora bowed her head in Severus' direction, attempting to avert gazing into his eyes once more. "Severus, it was good to see you," she whispered.

"You too, Aurora."

Her lips curled upwards, but as she shut the heavy wooden door before her, the witch could feel the raggedness of her harsh breathing. A crystalline tear fell from one eye and Aurora hastily brushed the damn thing aside. Straightening, the witch could feel a locked section of her heart break open as she was flooded with past memories, sensations, words, friends, names. Aurora walked away from the Headmaster's office and, just as when she arrived at Hogwarts, her life as a student returned to her as she reminisced through the halls.

~ oOo ~

"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily."

"Slytherin!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Ravenclaw!"

A young Aurora stood in the depleting crowd of First Years waiting to be sorted into their Houses; one by one, the rest of the student's names were called and the Sorting Hat was placed upon their heads. Waiting for her own name to be called, the Muggle-born witch took a chance and gazed around the Great Hall. The bewitched night sky was dazzling; the candles were endlessly burning; and the students were chatting with excitement and bewilderment at the new First Years. That is, until the young Aurora caught the eyes of a Fifth Year Slytherin.

Obsidian orbs met ocean blue; Aurora simply stared, too afraid to smile or wave because she was the new student from a non-magical family. The boy simply stared back, his long, black tresses of hair curtained his face. But the young witch could faintly see a smirk grow across his lips.

"Aurora-Nyx Warrington!"

Jumping at the sound of her name, the young girl was the last to be called; she had her attention focused on the Slytherin boy for so long that she missed the other new students being sorted and placed for the rest of their years at Hogwarts. Eagerly stepping forward, she could hear whispers across the Great Hall as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head.

"Aurora-Nyx?"

"What kind of name is that?"

"She looks scared!"

The young witch shrunk under the gazes and whispers of her peers, but the hat upon her head began to speak; the poor girl jumped slightly as the hats booming voice silenced the other whispering students, though its words didn't fix the girls spirit.

"Ah, a bright witch, we have here; very bright, I see. You're someone who dreams of adventure and traveling, do you not?" Aurora mumbled a soft reply, only loud enough for the hat to hear. "My girl, you've got to learn to speak up and state what it is you want!"

"Yes!" The witch stated more loudly; this caused a chuckle to escape from the other students within the Great Hall.

"Good. Now…I see a difficult past you have faced. My dear, you've been through some struggle in your young years. Your brightness stems from that; you desire acceptance, friendship, and love."

"Why're you saying all of this? Isn't the past mine to keep?"

"The past is what defines you, young witch."

Smirking, the young girl stated, "No, I define myself."

Taken back, the Sorting Hat chuckled, making Professor McGonagall gasp as the hat had never chuckled before, especially during a conversation with a First Year student. "Ah…brilliant, determined, and fiercely loyal to loved ones. There is only one house for individuals such as yourselves. Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table applauded as Aurora took her seat, rethinking the conversation she had with the Sorting Hat. But what she didn't know was the Fifth Year Slytherin stared her down, even after she had taken her seat at the rival table. Feeling eyes were upon her, the young witch turned her head just enough to see the curtain of black hair turn away, shielding the boys' eyes from glancing back at her.

~ oOo ~

"Aurora!"

"Hey Aurora, I need your help!"

"Aurora, do you understand the Transfiguration assignment?"

Everywhere she heard voices of other First Year Hogwarts students and students within years higher than she. Aurora-Nyx was the student they turned to in the need of assistance outside of class. They were her peers and people she became close to, but none of them were her friends. They always looked to her for advice, but there was only one face she looked to for help; but it was an asking outloud for help that she never spoke out loud.

A boy whose face was always clouded by a curtain of black hair.

~ oOo ~

"Excuse me, Severus?"

The Fifth Year with black hair looked away from his book and up towards her eyes. He was leaning against a thick tree trunk with a potions textbook in his hand. She had her specific potions textbook as well and she bent it towards him so he could see. "Yes…?" He said softly.

"Could you…I, well, um…do you think you could…"

"I'm sorry…who are you?" That's not true…I know who you are.

~ oOo ~

"Aurora. Aurora?"

Taking in a deep breath, it was as if Aurora's eyes had opened for the first time, like she had emerged from a deep dive beneath the water. Taking in her surroundings, the witch realized that time had moved on without her knowing; it was already the next day and the time she was supposed to meet with Albus. Smiling, she tucked some hair behind her ear and laughed. "I'm sorry, Albus. My mind must be elsewhere."

"It's the castle. You keep remembering your time here as a student." She chuckled in agreement, and had Albus following along for a few moments. "So, you decided to accept the proposition. Since these courses are still new, I'm leaving the course material up to you."

"All of that, for two classes…up to me? Hmm, that does seem manageable. Now, we've discussed that these would be elective courses, correct? When would these courses be offered? And for what years?"

Leaning forward onto his desk and intertwining his fingers, Albus softly stated, "I want your ideas, Aurora. You know these subjects, what would you think if you were a student scheduled to pass these two classes?"

"Hmm…" Scratching her head, Aurora leaned back in her seat and thought. These courses were focused on Medicinal Potions and Muggle History. Well, for Potions…the students could potentially be in a class such as this, but it would be better off if they had one year under their belt of Potions. As for Muggle History…that's a tough one. "Sir, I think the potions should be offered by at least the second year, that way it gives the students some experience under their belts before they pursue a class that focus on creating a specific use of potions."

Nodding, Albus considered her words and agreed. "Alright, and the second?"

"The Muggle History course seems more of an elective than the other. But, instead of a Muggle History course…what if the class revolves around the use of Muggle technology and how they have created their wonders without the use of magic. I mean…yeah there are students, such as myself, who are Muggle-born…But! There are students who are Half-Blood or Pure-Blood. These students deserve to know humility; not all but…there's probably a few." Shaking her head, Aurora could feel a wash of tears drilling to escape her eyes. She was born Muggle and non-magical. She loved both worlds with every fiber of her being, but she felt that some individuals within the Wizarding world did not understand the complexity and beauty within the world of Muggles. Taking a deep breath, she whisked her head to the side before any water could fall and her sadness to escape. "Witches and wizards been given a gift of having magic to use at their fingertips; I believe they at least deserve to see the amazing world non-magical humans can create."

Through her peripheral vision, Aurora could see Albus contemplating her words, all the while, not able to take his eyes off his hers. The glance of Headmaster Dumbledore could always see straight through Aurora and notify her change in behavior. Readjusting his glasses, Albus questioned, "If you're willing to teach, I approve, Aurora."

"Thank you Albus, I won't let you down."

"I never doubted you, Ms. Warrington. So, the last item I believe we should discuss is your living quarters, as you'll be living here throughout the school year. Now, Potions is still held down in the dungeons, and we still plan to hold your class down there as well, just in a separate classroom. Your other class will be held on the fourth floor, with Muggles Studies. As you know, the professors have their living quarters near their classrooms, but yours are split…"

"Well…if I were to choose, could it be in the dungeons?" Albus raised an eyebrow, but his eyes were twinkling with mischief. "Being in Gryffindor, I lived within the high tower for seven years, I think a changing of scenery could be nice."

Nodding, Albus added, "That can be arranged. The new year starts in only a few weeks, you can move in any time between now and then. But my advice would be to start all your lessons now."

"Oh goodness, yes, that will take some time to complete. I'll get those done soon. But, would it be possible to see my quarters now? I would still like a few days left at home with my mother, but -"

Raising a head to politely interrupt the new professor, Albus stated, "Of course, my dear. I understand how close you are with your mother. I've already spoken with the rest of the staff and they're aware that you will be joining us here. Let me walk you down to the dungeons and you can see your new quarters."

~ oOo ~

Although the summer heat was blaring outside the castle walls and gentle breeze drafted heat through the windowless halls, but as the Headmaster and the new professor made their stretch down towards the dungeons, Aurora could still feel the damp coldness deep within the castle's depths. The pair turned around corners, walked down several flights of stairs before they entered the lit hallways of the dungeons. As they were making their way towards the Potions classroom, the wood door opened and Severus stepped out and only noticed the two when Albus called his name.

"Ah, Severus!" The Potions Master nodded his head towards the Headmaster and gave a swift glance over towards Aurora, though their eyes did not meet as they had the previous day. "I'm glad we ran into you. I just remembered that I must go and speak with Minerva regarding the matter we spoke of yesterday, but I am in the midst of showing Aurora her living quarters. Do you think you could show her while I go and find Minerva?"

Blinking, an emotionless façade grimaced the wizards face. Severus could see a sparkle once again in the depths of Albus' eyes, and the Headmaster's small smile was portraying a hidden secret. Sighing, the Potions professor nodded and Albus exclaimed his content. Turning towards Aurora, Albus said his goodbyes and asked for her to owl the date when she decided to move in. Watching his whimsical robes make their way out of the dungeon, Aurora looked up towards the Potions Master. Was he always this much taller than? She asked herself as she realized that he eye-level only reached Severus' chin. It was quite unnerving having to look upwards into his eyes.

Sensing the awkwardness between the two, Severus turned over his shoulder and began walking away. "This way," he said simply. The low manner of his voice almost forced the witch to pause in her place; a tremor and a shock both soared within her small frame. Damn…that voice still affects me the way it used to…

The walk was much shorter as they were closer to her new quarters than she realized. Severus paused in front of a large portrait and the witch smiled at the individual within. The portrait was that of Delaney Melani, a Muggle-born witch from the nineteenth century who sought to bring peace between the Wizarding world's ideas of Muggles being "insufficient". The thought that Dumbledore gave this portrait to Aurora was fitting, and Severus had to tighten his lips from smirking at the coincidence.

"Aurora, this will be your portrait and quarters for the time you're here. See to it that you treat this portrait with respect…" Turning on his heels, Severus made past Aurora, who stood in her spot, slightly dumbfounded at his words. But as he walked past the newly hired professor, Aurora could hear another sentence escape the Potion Masters lips. "…she didn't respect my decision…" Though his words were quiet and mumbled, she knew that Severus had wanted her to hear what he had said. Turning to watch his back walk down the hallway, the witch couldn't help but call out to the man.

"Is that what you actually think, Severus?" This stopped the Potions Master in his place. Turning halfway to stare at the person who was once his student, he gritted his teeth, wanting to counter her statement. But she spoke before he could have the chance. "What makes you think I won't respect my portrait?"

With his back still turned, Severus muttered his reply, but Aurora could hear his words clearly. "Let it go, Aurora."

Taking a deep breath, Aurora calmed her mind before speaking. She knew that her emotions were suddenly running rampage deep within her. "No, Severus. It's been ten years since I last saw you, and you…" She blinked away tears, but realized the intent of his words. "Severus…is this all because of what happened…?"

Scowling, the wizard bit back his tongue. "You know nothing."

"No, you know nothing, Severus. You have no idea what I was feeling on my last day as a student here; the pain I felt, the heartache I brought home after I left Hogwarts. To say that I need to treat this portrait with respect tells me that you're still mad at the way I reacted. The Severus I used to know would remember that I was not the one that threw our relationship away." With the last word off her tongue, the portrait swung open and Aurora stepped inside before Severus could form any words within his mouth.

Standing in the same position, Severus could still feel the fierceness of her deep, blue eyes staring into his own. She was right; he had not seen her in ten years since she graduated from Hogwarts. He had heard rumors and stories about her accomplishments since then, but the truth hadn't been revealed until he had read an article about her in the Daily Prophet describing her apprenticeship with the Potions Master at Ilvermorny, as well as the several years she had worked with Charlie Weasley and the dragons. He hadn't known that she traveled to America to learn more about the decrepit art, as some called it. The girl he saw in the Headmaster's office yesterday was a fragment of the Aurora he remembered; the woman who had countered the conversation today was the Aurora he hadn't expected to meet, but she was still all the same. Their history was convoluted, to some degree, and the Potions Master winced as he recollected memories he had tried to forget. In some sense, the memories he had with Aurora brought more pain than when Lily was murdered. No…that's not true, Severus attempted to correct himself. Sighing, Severus left the spot and headed down to his own quarters to finish preparing for the new school year. But there was one thought that continued to rattle his brain despite the deep heartache he held at the mention of Lily.

Still beautiful as always, Aurora.

~ oOo ~

Later that evening, Aurora sat at the desk in her room, Merlin was curled around her feet, as he had been asleep for some time. The sun was setting as she glanced through the window, overlooking the young, Muggle children play with each other outside. Summer meant later hours, which meant the children could play longer outside before having to leave their friends. Smiling, Aurora glanced down at the paper in front of her as she worked on creating an outline for both her new courses.

Her mother was ecstatic that she would be teaching at her old school, but Aurora could sense that her mother was sad, nonetheless. Aurora knew that her sadness stemmed from her daughter leaving home once more. It had been this way for several years, but her mother always supported her no matter what. Glancing over her paper, the witch knew that she had been working non-stop since she had apparated back to her house after leaving Hogwarts.

Severus…

Groaning, Aurora pushed her chair back and rubbed her eyes, unable to concentrate when that man's voice echoed through her mind. She had been so mad earlier that day when he had told her to treat the portrait with respect; Aurora knew that Severus knew she always treated everyone – people, animals, and portraits – with respect. He of all people should know that! Aurora stood and walked over to her bookcase to pull a small, leather scrapbook then reclaimed her seat at the desk. Opening the scrapbook, Aurora watched as memories from each year were displayed on each page. During her years as a student, she had sent letters describing everything she had done as a student.

The first day she rode a broom.

Her first completed potion.

The first time she received detention and lost House Points.

Even the first crush she had.

Quickly flipping through all the pages, Aurora stopped when she was at the last page and gently ran her fingers of the moving pictures edge. Inside, a seventh year Aurora and Severus, a first-time Potions Professor, were hugging one another; a huge smile was plastered over the girl's face, and the lips of the professor were curled upwards. Turning the last page over towards its backside was another memento. But this piece wasn't a photo, it was a detailed message Aurora had rewritten. The message described the last conversation she and Severus had on the day she graduated from Hogwarts, ten years ago. Aurora had simply glanced over the words, not reading them, but could feel the sting of tears course down one cheek. She had memorized the words long before and remembered what was said during their heated conversation; Aurora didn't need to read over a broken promise to know that she had been forgotten and betrayed.

Slamming the book shut, Aurora cast the album onto her nightstand and continued to work on sorting through necessary assignments and daily lessons that needed to be complete. The witch worked until the sun shone no more and even further into the dead of night. When she finally decided that it was time to sleep, Aurora left all her notes on the desk, changed into her pajamas, and crawled under the covers, her eyes closed and asleep within a matter of minutes. Her dreams were riddled with lost words, destroyed promises, and black eyes that would not stop looking into hers. All night, the witch tossed and turned; she awoke in the middle of the night, drank a Calming Potion, then finally drifted into a dreamless slumber.

This occurred within the following weeks before the new year would begin. Aurora had not returned to the castle since the day she had been assigned her private quarters. Each day that passed meant that she was closer to finishing her lessons and all the assignments she expected the students to complete. She had messaged Albus several times in the weeks she had last seen him, and stated that the next day would be her arrival to stay at Hogwarts for the school year. She would be on the grounds for almost two weeks before the students were to arrive; two weeks to collect all the necessary ingredients she would need; two weeks to think not think about Severus before it would be necessary to see him every day.

On a rainy Saturday morning, the day she would move into her private quarters at school, Aurora stood in the middle of her old bedroom and was arranging all her belongings that she would bring with her; in the background, she was absently listening to a Muggle radio station. One by one, all her robes and Muggle clothing became neatly folded and shrank down into tiny doll size pieces so she could accommodate everything that she needed to bring. Glancing around the room, everything she required had been packed: her clothes, all her books, – textbook and non – scrolls, parchment, quills, ink, and anything else she preferred to have with her. Aurora knew she could take her entire room if she desired; as a witch, she would be able to shrink all her belongings so they could fit within her pocket, but she opted on several belongings. Nodding when she felt she had everything, she wrapped a light cloak over her shoulders and apparated to Diagon Alley.

With a POP, Aurora landed right in front of the entrance into Diagon Alley from The Leaky Cauldron. Tapping the necessary squares with her black wand, Aurora smiled as she noticed the alley was bustling with students and parents, all trying to purchase necessary equipment for the upcoming year. Making her way quickly towards the Apothecary, she heard children laughing and talking amongst others.

"Wow! Look at it! The new Nimbus 2000!"

"It's the fastest model yet!"

"Mom, can I have an owl?"

"I thought you wanted a cat?"

Shaking her head, the Apothecary was in sight as she made her way towards the door, the soft chime of the bell signaling her as a new customer. There were minimal people inside the shop as there was a specific apothecary just for the students. Not needing to glance around the aisles, she made her way towards the counter where one customer was paying for their purchase before she could be helped.

"Yes, can I help you miss?"

Reaching inside her robes, Aurora pulled a piece of paper from when she had order all her ingredients within the last week. As she hadn't been to the apothecary, she had written down all that she ordered so they could know that she was the specific customer. "Yes, I sent an owl last week with a large order for…"

"Ah yes, Aurora-Nyx Warrington, am I correct?"

"Yep, that'd be me."

The lady behind the register smiled before turning to the counter behind her and grasping a rather large, rectangular basket filled to the brim with all the ingredients she would need this upcoming year. "Everything you have asked for, Ms. Warrington."

Taking the basket from the lady, Aurora quickly glanced through to make sure that she had at least two of all the ingredients. Satisfied, she looked up. "I hope I didn't deplete the stores quantities with my order."

The lady waved her hand. "Oh, don't you mind yourself. You requested your order with more than enough time so we were able to order more when the time came for shipping. Were you told beforehand how much this would be?"

"Of course." Pulling a small sack of galleons from her robes, Aurora handed the payment towards the lady and added, "I also provided you with a tip."

"Oh miss, that was unnecessary, you didn't have to…"

Placing the basket onto her arm, it was Aurora's turn to wave the lady off. "Please. I did order quite a bit of ingredients; it's nothing much, just an appreciation for providing everything I needed." Turning, she added over her shoulder, "Await any future letter I may send. I'll most likely be requesting ingredients every few months."

"I will jot that down, miss. Have a wonderful day." Turning once more, the bell range, signaling another customer, and Aurora internally groaned as she saw who was walking her way. With eyebrows slightly raised, Severus walked straight towards Aurora, noticing his midnight black cloak was not trailing behind him.

"Aurora. I did not expect to find you here." The deep, enticing echo of his voice penetrated Aurora's body and she clenched her fingers to grip the basket she was carrying even harder. Stay calm Aurora, she told herself.

Rolling her eyes, the witch scoffed, trying to hide the fact that Severus' voice still sent shocks of electrifying heat throughout the expanse of her body. "And why not? I have been hired to teach about Medicinal Potions. Therefore, I will need my own stock of ingredients, won't I?"

Smirking at her comment, Severus couldn't help his sudden desire to reach towards the woman and stroke her cheek. Although she had a very stubborn personality, he could tell the façade she currently had was simply a front; she was only stubborn when she was doing something she felt was right. Deep down, she was still upset. She does have a reason to be, Severus thought to himself. "I thought you were going to use ingredients from my storage."

His comment forced Aurora to relax her tense shoulders. Cocking her head, she squinted her eyes in question and confusion "Use your storage? No…no one mentioned that was a possibility. I guess…" Turning her head to the side in embarrassment, Aurora's cheeks burned with fire. "I just assumed I would need my own since my class will be different than yours." But Severus could tell there was something else on her tongue to be said, and Aurora noticed the raised eyebrow, indicating to spill. Glancing away, she whispered, "I didn't think you'd want me, all of people, to use ingredients from your storage."

"I see." Noticing that she had switched her basket from one arm to the other, he noted that she a fairly large amount of purchase within the basket. He was intrigued; not only by her purchase, but how she planned to run her class and what she desired to teach the dunderheads. "Aurora, if you don't mind me asking, what do you plan on teaching the students?"

Raising her own eyebrows, the witch had not expected Severus to ask her such a question. She didn't think that he would want to speak with her unless required. Maybe…maybe I'm the one with no respect after all… "W-well…" she stammered. "The basic potions, of course. I've decided that this course should be required for all second years, and would be an elective after that. So, it would depend on the class."

"Surely you remember that all First Years are required to learn the Wiggenweld Potion and the Antidote to Uncommon Poisons?" Learning forward, Severus smirked while asking, "Or have you already forgotten the basics…?"

Copying his movements, Aurora leaned closer as ever, their noses barely touching. "Why Severus, are you indicating that the Headmaster of Hogwarts hired a new potions professor who doesn't even know the basics? Or maybe he's trying to replace the current professor…?" Grinning, she straightened her back and excused herself before walking to the door, but as her hand grasped the wrought-iron handle, she could feel the heat of Severus' breath tickle the hairs along her neck; knowing that he had taken a step closer to her, she glanced back around and their eyes locked.

"Aurora…I…haven't had lunch yet, and was thinking of eating at The Leaky Cauldron before heading back to the school."

Severus' held pain and fear; the witch noted that his eyes had not changed in all the years they hadn't seen one another. Looking deep into his eyes, Aurora, once again, felt entranced, as if she could feel herself being pulled to the wizard. The sensation was familiar, she had felt it through all her years at Hogwarts, up until Severus graduated before her, and returned when he became the potions professor during her final year. If anything, what she felt was stronger than she remembered. But the words she heard next sent her heart fluttering into a heap of jumps and swirls.

"Would you care to join me?"

~ oOo ~

Anotherbricinthewall: I'm really glad you liked it and I'm so thankful you revived my new story! And you were the first to do so! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Until next time!

Chocobocolina :3