Aurora smoothed out her black graduation gown, and adjusted her royal blue stole (which sat on her shoulders) waiting for her name to be called, she was happy beyond words. When she heard her name she elegantly walked up the stage with her head held high, she shook hands with the President and Provost, smiling as they congratulated her. Aurora looked to the crowd and found her brother Nathaniel applauding her, she looked over and next to him was her father, but unlike her brother he didn't seem happy. Instead he wore a prominent scowl and looked disinterested. Aurora's face fell, even on a day like this he couldn't show as much as an inkling of pride in her, none! Of course, what was there to be proud of? So what? – She graduated university, so had her brothers before her, big deal! But is it really too much for him to at least crack a smile on her day.

After the ceremony had ended Aurora met up with her father and brother.

"Congratulations." Nathaniel said as he gave her a quick hug and stepped aside and their father came into view.

Aurora opened her mouth to speak but Emmanuel held up is hand to prevent her from uttering a word.

"I've been very lenient with you as of late." He said solemnly. "You've had your fun, you've completed university; I think it is best for you to come back with me to France."

Aurora was shocked, what on earth was he thinking?

"Father-"Nathaniel began to protest.

"It is time you settled down and got married." Emmanuel took her hand in and attempt to drag her away but Aurora refused.

"Let go of me!"

"You will come with me now and that is final! Honestly, I've had enough of your games and you shaming your mother and me!" Aurora continued to struggle against her father and Nathaniel protested furiously making a huge scene. This was so humiliating, everyone was watching!

Aurora's eyes sprang open and shut them instantly, the light shining into her apartment was so bright it made her nauseous. Her head was pounding furiously and her stomach turned, she groaned. Her whole body was stiff and her neck was propped in a weird angle- was she not able to make it to her bed last night? Aurora slowly turned over so that she was facing away from the light opening one eye, there was a hand dangling in front of her face-what the-

She was on the floor, which explained why her muscles were screaming in pain, Aurora looked up and found Draco asleep on the couch. Great, he got the nice comfy couch and she got a hardwood floor. How did that even happen?! Aurora groaned and slowly sat up running her hand over her face. This is going to be a long day. She stood up, waved her wand shutting the curtains keeping the light out. Aurora wobbled over to the bathroom, one look in the mirror was enough to make her cringe with disgust. She looked as bad as she felt, her hair looked like that of a banshee standing in all different directions and her makeup was smeared all over her face. Aurora rubbed her stiff neck, she couldn't remember a time when she was in such a pitiful state. Opening the medicine cabinet she reached for the vial of clear liquid that Draco had given her months ago. One sip from this stuff and her hangover will be cured.

Aurora uncorked the vial and took a sip, she felt her headache and nausea slowly ebb away. She moved to the shower and turned the water on. Aurora wiped her face clean from the makeup that stained her face and then reached around to unzip her dress, the material fell pooling around her ankles. She stepped into the shower and let out a sigh as the warm water poured over her body immediately relaxing her muscles. Aurora rested her forehead on the shower wall, her hangover symptoms where gone but she was still exhausted. How was she even supposed to function today?! She originally had plans to meet with her mother for her robe fittings for the ball coming up this December. Ever since she accompanied Draco to the event last year they had an unspoken agreement that she would accompany him again this year. Aurora didn't mind, in fact she really did enjoy herself last year, also these social events were so much more bearable with Draco by her side. They would silently crack jokes about the guests and complain about their parents, it was very entertaining.

Draco open his eyes feeling miserable, maybe getting drunk on red wine was not such a good idea. He heard the gentle hiss of the shower coming from the bathroom, well at least Aurora already started her day. Draco slowly sat up burring his head in his hands, he felt horrible. His skull felt like it was going to split in half, drinking excessively wasn't really an activity that he really liked to part take, especially after his brief history of abuse.

After the war and many healer visits the only thing that was able to console him was fire whiskey. He remembered those late nights at the Leaky Cauldron, always wearing the hood of his cloak low to hide his face, and returning home so smashed he couldn't even make it to his own room, the house elves had to help him. His mother was out of herself and his father was-well-himself as usual, but that didn't mean he didn't care. Lucius had a very different approach with dealing with his son's consumption issue, the wine cellar was strictly off limits and he even threatened to withhold Draco's inheritance if he didn't get his act together. This initially didn't work, it wasn't until he and Wyatt got into a physical altercation where he decided it was probably time to reevaluate his life, he gave the poor bloke a black eye! And for what!? Wyatt was being a good friend, told him that he had enough drinks for the night and Draco, being the self-righteous ass that he was didn't take to kindly to that - Oh man did he feel guilty, Ramona yelled at him and if it wasn't for one of her floozy friends who was holding her back she would have given him a black eye to match.

The bathroom door opened and steam poured out filling the room followed by Aurora. A blue towel was wrapped tightly around her form.

"You're awake." She was drying her damp hair.

"Yes, unfortunately."

"Maybe we over did it last night." Aurora said sheepishly as she walked up to him and handed him a vial. "It's that hangover stuff you gave me."

Draco nodded and took a sip instantly feeling better. "So what's the agenda for today?"

"Well-"Aurora crossed her arms and took a seat next to him, Draco swallowed realizing that she was wearing nothing underneath that towel of hers. And unbeknownst to her, she was making him terribly aware of the fact that he had not been with a woman for over a year. What the hell? Was it really that hard to at least put some clothes on?! But alas it's not her fault that he's been sexually deprived and-

"-So what do you think I should do?" Aurora asked.

"What?"

"Were you not listening?"

"Um-"

"Forget it, I already made up my mind. I'm going to cancel today's appointment. It's not like I wanted to go anyway." Aurora stood. "I'm going to get dressed, do you want to go out for a cup of coffee? I really need some caffeine in my system."

"Yeah sure…"

"I'll be back." Aurora began to rush up the stairs- "Oh by the way, if you want to take a shower feel free, you look terrible. Also you may want to change your clothes, I think your dress robes would be a bit overkill for a local town café." She continued up the stairs without waiting for his response. Draco sighed letting his body sink into the couch.

Aurora shut the door behind them preparing to leave the building but was stopped up a frail looking witch.

"Aurora, good morning."

"Good morning Mrs. Coburn." Aurora smiled politely.

"Now dear I told you, it's just Adeline- this must be your boyfriend, I must say I am so happy to finally meet him in person."

The old woman adjust her rectangular glasses to get a better look at Draco.
"Oh, look at you, so handsome-and fit too! Tell me my dear boy, did you play Quidditch in your younger days?"

Draco looked at Aurora not sure how to respond though she wasn't any help either because she just stood there awkwardly.

"Yes, but I'm not Aurora's-"

"Oh I knew it! I know a Quidditch player when I see one-"Mrs. Coburn took hold of Draco's left bicep examining him.

Draco stood there not sure if he should be disturbed or take the old woman's statement as a compliment. Aurora bit her lip to stifle her laughter she leaned closer to Draco and whispered so that only he could hear. "She's totally checking you out!"

"- I remember when I was your age, I was quite a dish back then. I dated a handsome Quidditch player by the name of Clyde Brundee, he play for the Canadian national team, oh lord he had the build of a Greek god and his stamina, ha! Let me tell you kids we received a lot of complaints from the neighbors-"

Draco gasped in disgust and quickly withdrew from the old woman's clutched moving so that he was standing right behind Aurora using her as a buffer. Aurora just stood there with her mouth gaping and horrified that this woman was actually talking about her sex life back in her "glory" days.

"-Quite the party you kids had last night, I hope you were safe-"

"Okay! Well Mrs. Coburn-"

"-Adeline-"

"-Adeline, it was lovely speaking with you, but we must get going, we're kind of in a hurry."

"Oh of course dears! You must come over for dinner one of these days."

"Yes, yes as soon as we are able. Lovely speaking with you good bye!" Aurora grabbed Draco's hand and quickly rushed down the corridor leaving the old woman behind.

Once outside the building Draco began to speak freely. "I don't know about you but I am not having dinner with that old lady, she mad!"

"She's not that bad-"

"She molested me!"

"She just felt your bicep-"

"Without my permission! How would you feel if someone came up to you and started feeling your bicep?"

"One, that would never happen, my biceps are way too scrawny, and two, shut up. I'm a woman, and we get it way worse!"

"We're not going to have dinner with her!"

"Who said we were?"

"-And all that talk of us being safe? She does know that we aren't together right?"

"I've tried to tell her time and time again-"

"And the party last night-"

"Draco, give it a rest. She's old and you of all people should understand how crazy old people can be."

"My father isn't crazy…he's gotten a bit wobbly I admit, but he's not crazy!"

Aurora sighed and shook her head, he's oddly energetic this morning. As for her, she was still tired and wanted nothing more than a cup of coffee, yes she could have made coffee back at her flat but she was hungry too and was in no mood to prepare breakfast. Aurora linked her arm with Draco's and they continued to walk.

"What specials do you think Dalilah has prepared for breakfast?"

"Not sure, but I am in the mood for eggs benedict."

"I want French toast with a side order of onion rings!" Aurora declared.

"What?"

"French toast-"

"I heard you the first time," Draco interrupted, "that is such a strange combination I can't even begin to comprehend.

Aurora shrugged. "Whatever buddy, at least I wasn't felt up by an old lady, I can't wait to tell Wyatt!"

Draco stopped in his tracks pulling Aurora back to him. "You will do no such thing!"

"And why not?" Aurora raised her chin.

"Because you can't!"

"I certainly can!"

"Okay, what do I have to do in order for you to keep your silence?"

Aurora thought for a moment and then spoke. "-Well, you can treat for breakfast this morning because I just realized I forgot my wallet back at my flat-"

"Deal!"