Aurora checked her watch, only an hour until she reached San Francisco. After having coffee with her former headmistress she hopped on the first train to California, she had always wanted to see the golden coast and now was her chance. Also part of the reason why she decided to go west was to see how Eleanor was fairing. It had been quite some time since they last corresponded. Taking a sip from her coffee she continued to gaze out the window, she couldn't wait to set her feet on solid ground. It was a week's train ride from Boston to California and it had been fairly comfortable but nothing could beat walking on solid earth.

She pulled out her sketch pad and turned the pages in order to find a blank one when a photo fell out of the folds. Aurora held it up and smiled bitterly. It was a photo of her and Draco on her 21st birthday. Malvina snapped a photo when they first walked in, she jumped back completely shocked and Draco standing behind her steadying her throwing his head back in laughter.

She should tell him why she left, he out of all persons deserved to know. But how would he react? Aurora didn't doubt for a second that he was angry with her, most likely, everyone was. But this was Draco, would he really begrudge her for this? Aurora let out a heavy sigh, he probably would. He may have been a goof at times but he was a proud goof, something like this would not sit well with him. She reached into her robes and pulled out the chain that was around her neck, on it was the silver ring that Draco had given her. She couldn't say why she decided to take it with her, maybe it was because deep down she wanted to consider his offer, to really give it some thought like he said. But what right did she have to do that? None! She left him high and dry, he at the very least deserved a good-bye. And here she was thinking that she had the right to still contemplate his offer? It was selfish and insensitive, how could she expect him to wait for her after what she's done? He deserved better than that.

Aurora breathed another great sigh and pulled out page from her sketch book and a quill and began to write a letter addressing it to Draco. He deserved to know why she left and where she was going, was there a possibility that he may tell the others where she was, possibility, but oh well. By the time the letter would reach him, she would be out of the country, so it didn't matter, as long as he knew that she was alive and well and he was still in her thoughts. She read over the letter satisfied with its contents and folded it up stuffing it in her bag, she would send it tonight before leaving Eleanor's place.

Standing outside the apartment door Aurora waiting patiently. Hopefully Eleanor was home, it was Sunday so she couldn't imagine why she wouldn't be…unless she was out with some friends but Eleanor was very reserved, she wasn't one for outings. A few more minutes of waiting and she heard the door unlock and open. Eleanor stood for a moment eyes wide gaping at her.

"Aurora?"

"The one and only." Aurora offered a soft smile.

Eleanor moved to greet her cousin in the traditional French fashion, a kiss on both cheeks.

"What a surprise! I didn't expect you to-"

"I know this is all so sudden, may I come in?"

"Of course, of course!"

Eleanor ushered her into a decent sized two bedroom flat. Aurora looked around, it was homey and comfortable.

"Would you like some tea? Coffee?"

"Coffee please. I'm exhausted."

"How did you get here?" Eleanor flicked her wand and the coffee maker sprang to life.

"Train."

"All the way from New York?"

"No, Massachusetts, I was in Boston for about a week."

"Oh, I see, doing a bit of traveling before you start graduate school?"

"Um…you could say that." Aurora responded slowly raising Eleanor's suspicion.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, nothing…" Aurora waved her off. "How are you? How are your studies going?" She asked changing the subject in hopes of distracting her.

"They're going well, but don't think you can change the subject on me cousin. I'm not stupid, I know what you're doing. Now tell me for real, what brings you here?"

"What, is it suddenly a crime to come visit my own kin?" Aurora asked affronted.

Beep, beep, beep. The coffee maker sounded and with another lazy flick of Eleanor's wand the cupboard opened and two mugs emerged, the coffee pot released itself from the coffee maker and poured its contents into the mugs.

"No, no problem at all…"Eleanor filled the mugs with cream and sugar and stirred them with her wand. "But it isn't like you to just turn up out of the blue, that's more Beatrice's style don't you agree?" She handed Aurora her mug and Aurora took a sip of the hot liquid.

"What can I say, she rubbed off on me."

"Hmmm."

"What?"

"Why do I get the feeling that you are in some sort of trouble?"

"I don't know what you mean." Aurora sniffed.

"Rory…" Eleanor gave her a wary look.

"What?" Aurora refused to meet her cousin's eye.

"Something is going on and you're going to tell me."

"I most certainly will not!"

"Oh yes you will.

"No I won't."

"Want to try your luck?" Eleanor smirked and pointed her wand at Aurora.

Aurora reached into her pocket for her wand forgetting that she had left it in New York when she had that-hm- minor episode.

"Where's your wand?"

"I-ugh-"

"You left your wand in New York?"

"…yes…"

"Why."

"Don't need it."

"Oh no my dear, it appears you certainly need it now."

"Oh come on! Is this how you treat your guests? You threaten to hex them?"

"Only guests that would dare to lie to my face under my roof."

"That's the thing isn't it, I haven't lied."

"I suppose you're right, you didn't lie to me." Eleanor lowered her wand.

Aurora took a breath of relief when Eleanor continued, "you are only withholding the truth from me. Now out with it!"

"Have you ever considered going into law? You'd make a better law witch than that cow Rhea."

"Duly noted. Now do you plan on telling me why you are here wandless, or do I have to force it out of you?"

"Okay fine!" Aurora gave an exasperated huff. "I packed my things and took off."

"Pardon?"

"You heard me."

"You're not serious are you?"

Aurora said nothing.

"You seriously ran away?"

"I wouldn't call it that, I would prefer going on a 'self-awakening adventure'." Aurora chuckled.

"This isn't funny." Eleanor began to lecture her younger cousin. "No one knows where you are?"

"Nope."

"Good lord Rory, how stupid could you be?!"

"Hey!"

"Everyone is probably worried sick about you! How can you be so irresponsible?!"

"Like you're one to talk!" Aurora spat.

"Excuse me!" Eleanor gaped at her cousin's tactlessness.

Aurora immediately realized that she had crossed the line. "I um…" she cleared her throat awkwardly. "If you really think about it, you kind of ran away from us as well…"

"The two don't correlate." Eleanor was now fuming, how dare she just show up unannounced and to treat her in this manner?! "May I remind you that you forget yourself cousin, my reasons are completely different from yours, whatever they may be."

"And what makes my reasons invalid, eh?" Aurora stood from her seat challenging her cousin. "Is it because I've never been married? You consider me a child because I am not yet a "woman" and have not seen conjugal life? Is that it?"

Eleanor said nothing.

"Let me tell you something, I am here today because of the threat of marriage. My father made it very clear that if I do not find a suitor then I won't be permitted to continue my studies."

"But they're your parents Aurora-"Eleanor argued weakly.

"Parents? 'Parents' you say? I have nothing of the sort!"

"Aurora you are being unreasonable, please go home and try to work things out with them."

"Are you out of your head? How do you expect me to work anything out if I won't be heard?!"

"Maybe Nathaniel-"

"Do you expect me to hide behind my brother every time I have to face my father? There's only so much that Nathaniel can do and I don't want him fighting my battles for me, especially not this one."

Eleanor let out a great heavy sigh. "Fine then, you leave me no choice."

"What are you planning to do?" Aurora asked eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"You may go on your travels if you wish, just know that as soon as you leave I will send an owl to your father telling him that you were here."

"You wouldn't!" Aurora gasped in horror.

"Oh yes I would-"

"Honestly, Eleanor, I thought you of all persons would understand!"

"Well clearly I don't! Is this all worth giving up your family?!"

"I'm not-"

"Don't you dare complete that sentence! You are running away from your family, and for what?"

"FOR THE CHANCE TO BE MY OWN PERSON FOR ONCE!" Aurora shouted no longer being able to compose herself. She was hurt and angry that Eleanor would suggest going back. Well what about her-eh? She left her husband and moved to another continent, and to top it all off she barely spoke to anyone in their family, that damned hypocrite. Who was she to tell her what to do?!

"Please don't shout in my apartment."

Aurora took a deep breath once again regaining her countenance. "I apologize for any offense. It seems that you and I don't see eye to eye on this matter so I will take me leave now."

"Auror-"

"Please." Aurora held up her hand silencing her cousin. "I appreciate you hospitality, and take care." Without uttering another word Aurora rushed out of the apartment.

"Good lord." Eleanor shook her head and walked over to her desk. She had meant what she said about telling her uncle of Aurora's whereabouts. It may not reach him in time but it's better than not knowing where his daughter is.

XXXX

Wyatt stood in the flat disgusted by the noises that came from the bedroom. Under any circumstance he would have applauded his friend on his latest conquest but Wyatt didn't feel any felicity for his friend's sake. In fact he was feeling miffed on behalf of another.

The creaking, the moans, the grunting. It was disgusting. "Draco you blithering idiot." He muttered as he stepped over an empty bottle of gin that was laying on the floor and pounded loudly on the bedroom door halting whatever sordid activity that was happening behind it. He heard irritated whispers and rustling, they were probably getting dressed.

Wyatt walked over to the couch and made himself comfortable waiting for Draco and his "friend" to emerge. Not a minute later and tousled looking brunette walked out followed by her host who looked just as disheveled as she. Wyatt grimaced at the pair, oh he had a few words he would like to exchange with his buddy over there but he'll wait until the lady was good and gone. His brown eyes locked with Draco's grey ones glaring daggers at him.

The woman looked between the two men taking a hint that now would be the best time to leave. "I'll see you around." She winked grabbing her coat and boots and left without uttering another word.

As soon as Wyatt was sure she was gone he put his complete and undivided attention on his friend. "I see you didn't bother getting completely dressed." He stated contemptuously, Draco was wearing nothing but a pair of boxers.

"Like you're one to judge…" Draco smile sardonically as he walked over the minibar and fixed himself a drink. "As I recall, you make a sport of running around in your underwear." He drawled.

"Who was that?" Wyatt asked changing the subject, when Aurora left he felt bad for the poor sod, he knew how much he cared for her and he was having a difficult time. But it was now March. Two whole months had passed since she left and Draco hadn't gotten any better, he made a habit of boozing which was no surprise but this? Bedding other women? This wasn't like him. In fact Wyatt was genuinely shocked that he had "moved on" so quickly, what about Aurora?!

"Does it matter? Probably won't see her again." Draco shrugged taking a sip of his whiskey.

"Yes it does matter! How can you just go and sleep with another woman! "

"Excuse me pal, but I can't help but feel that you are being a little hypocritical."

"Hypocr-"

"You bed women left and right, so why can't I? Hell, you haven't been in a serious relationship since-"Draco immediately stopped dead in his tracks before saying something he would regret later.

"Oh no please," Wyatt gnarled dangerously. "Finish that sentence, I'd like to hear what you have to say?"

"It's nothing."

"Really, because it didn't sound like nothing." Wyatt spat venomously.

"What's the issue with me being with other people? Why do you care?" Draco said trying to change the subject.

"What about Aurora?"

The mention of her name made Draco tense.

"What about her?"

"What do you mean 'what about her', it's obvious that you are in love with her! How can you betray her like that?!"

"Betray? Just whose side are you on Wyatt?"

"I'm not on anyone's side-"

"Let me clear things up since you seem to be confused. I never betrayed her, she betrayed me; but hey it's alright she's an adult, arguably, and is old enough to make her own decisions no matter how selfish they are. Also we were never exclusive, so again I did not betray her; I am currently unattached!"

"But you love her…"

"At one time, yes-"

"Oh get real man! Don't you dare try to play off that you don't, I know that you love her otherwise you wouldn't have gone to her parents!"

"How do you-"

"Nathaniel told me, and you are not the only one who was hurt by her sudden departure. How do you think her parents feel?"

"Oh please, as if they actually give a shit, they're probably more concerned about this getting out in the papers. It's a wonder how they've been able to keep it quiet for this long!"

Wyatt let out a satirical laugh. "Really because last I heard Ophelia won't stop crying, and Emmanuel has shut himself up in his study. The only tip they got was that she was last seen in San Francisco in January, and even then she slipped right through their fingers! Nathaniel is searching for her day and night so are Reginald and Emerson. Ramona and I are worried shitless trying to figure out where she might have gone and what the fuck are you doing? Boozing and shagging some harlot because you are so dead set on pretending that you don't care!" Wyatt no longer cared about keeping his composure, he had been frustrated, angry, and scared and he finally had an opportunity to vent it all out. He couldn't careless who it was, and frankly Draco needed to get off his high horse. "Okay, so what? She just took off without giving you an answer? Boo hoo, get over it man! Not everything has to be about you, okay? Clearly something had happened to make her run off like that. You've seen for yourself how distraught she had been before leaving, hell I dare say that you probably know more about it than I do since you probably spent every goddamned waking moment with her!" Wyatt clinched his fist heaving. "If you were man enough, you'd pull yourself together and go look for her! But clearly that's not happening, and you want to know something? Your idleness just shows me that you don't deserve her either!"

Draco grit his teeth, how dare that bloody git question his manhood! "How many times do I have to repeat myself, I-"

"SHUT UP! OH BLOOY HELL!" Wyatt was now shouting at the top of his voice. "YOU LOVE HER! Don't you dare claim that you don't. You seem to forget that I know you man! You are absolutely devastated! You are devastated that she left without saying good-bye, you are devastated that you poured your heart out to her and she never honored your proposal with a reply, it frustrates you beyond words to know that she slipped through your fingers and you haven't the foggiest idea as to where she is or what she is doing or if she's even safe!"

Draco remained silent, Wyatt's words had hit home. He was right, he was absolutely right, he was devastated and frustrated that Aurora left him, she left without saying good-bye what's more he has no idea where she is or what she's up to. Draco watched his friend closely. The last time Wyatt yelled at him like this was about 5 or 6 years ago when his alcohol problem was getting out of hand, if he was in pain he numbed it with a good bottle of vodka. If he was scared witless, gin usually did the trick…he had come such a long way since then and where was he now? Headed back down that same road because he was scared out of his mind and so heartbroken that he rues the day he laid eyes on Aurora Pontellier! He wanted to hate her, but he couldn't, forgetting her was much easier.

"If by some miracle you come to your senses I'll be at the train station. Ramona said that there may be a possibility that Aurora might have gone to Boston and according to Lini she didn't Disapparate when she first left, I'm going to take a wild guess and say that she took the train." Wyatt's voice was calmer now, he looked at his friend once more and shook his head before leaving the flat.

"What's in Boston?" Draco asked stopping Wyatt for a moment.

"Her old school, Ramona thinks there may have been a chance that she went to visit their old headmistress. I'm going to see if I could meet the woman, hopefully she could shine some light as to what Aurora has been up to." Wyatt turned on his heels to exit the apartment. "If you feel like tagging along you are more than welcome."

There Draco stood and continued to take in the words that Wyatt had shouted at him. The sodding fool was right. He was shattered by the whole business. He had no idea what to do with himself. All he had been doing aside from moping around was exactly what Wyatt said, boozing and shagging a strange woman whose name currently excepted him. All he could remember was that she had brown hair and green eyes…Aurora's eyes. Draco flushed red with shame, what the hell was he doing?! No one could ever substitute his dear girl, no woman was up to par with her. He downed the rest of his drink and ran into his room trying to find some clothes, he'll go to Boston.

XXXX

It was a bright March afternoon and Lujain and Alejandro had been given leave to come to the surface for two weeks.

"Hola sol! Hola!" Alejandro stretched out his arms breathing in the cool crisp air.

"It feels so good to be back up on the surface again!" Lujain stepped out of the church behind him, looking up at the sky as if it was the first time she had seen it. "What do you want to do today?" She asked grabbing his arm as they walked down the sidewalk.

"Let's go to the park!"

"Good idea!"

The odd pair walked through the slush, the park wasn't that far of a walk and Lujain would seize any opportunity to walk in the sun. Work had been so stressful in the past few weeks, so many deadlines so little time. She was so grateful that her two week limit was up and was allowed to take leave for another two weeks, Alejandro wasn't supposed to come up the surface for another week but Arzit took pity on him.

The poor boy had been having a very difficult time underground, Lujain kept it to herself that she caught him crying one day. He was far away from his family, lived in a new country, everything was so new and different to him, the last thing he needed was for people to know that he was so homesick that he was reduced to tears. In a way this strengthen their friendship, they were in a silent agreement not to mention it at all, go on as if it never happened. Lujain fully sympathized with him remembering when she first joined the federation she cried every night in her first week, it was difficult business being underground but here they are; well and thriving. And no matter what they will always have each other's support.

Once they reached their destination they walked around for a bit passing snow covered trees and bushes. Most of the snow had been cleared away from the pathway, all that remained was the slush of melting snow catching on the hem of their pants and long overcoats. None of them spoke, they were content with enjoying the day in silence.

"Do you want to sit?" Lujain asked as she produced her wand to rid a nearby bench of snow.

"You sit, I want to get some coffee from the shop over there. Do you want?"

"Yeah sure, if you're treating I won't say no." Lujain laughed.

"Okay, but next time you pay."

"Of course!"

Alejandro jogged to the nearby coffee shop leaving Lujain to her own devices. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the bench so that her face would catch the sun, she loved the warmth on her face. It was so calming and peaceful, in the distance she heard children playing, people walking; a soft gust of wind blew by causing her to shiver. Alejandro better hurry up with those coffees! She heard a screech causing her to sit up and blink up at the sky. It was an owl, and it was flying towards her.

"What the-"

The owl landed next to her holding a letter that was addressed to her in its beak.

"Whatcha got there fella?" She asked as she took the letter from him. He cocked his head to the side and hooted at her. "I suppose you want me to give you something?" The owl just blinked at her. "I can't really promise anything good…" Lujain removed her glove and reached into her pocket and pulled out some crumbs. "This is honestly the best I can do."

The owl hooted at her angrily and bit her. "Ouch! Alright fine!" She nursed her finger. "Don't eat it then, whatever." The owl screeched and they flew away.

Lujain shook her head. "Temperamental." And proceeded to open the letter, it was from Aurora! She enjoyed these "status reports" she received from her every now and then. Last time Aurora wrote was a month ago and she was treading through the amazon rain forest. Now it seemed that she was in Japan and has plans to hike up Mt. Fuji tomorrow. Man the girl was really living wasn't see. Lujain continued to read the letter when she heard two men arguing not too far from her. It appears that one of the men was getting fed up with following his friend around on some pointless trip, and the other was just as frustrated due to the other's lack of "dedication". Lujain grimaced, she hated it when people argued in public. It was distracting and embarrassing to witness. It appeared that the man who was not so keen on "this trip" had had enough and stormed away from his friend, who was now left huffing and puffing at his futility.

The man who was left behind stomped over to the very bench that she was occupying and threw himself down leaning forward resting his head in his hands in sighing in frustration. Lujain felt sorry for him to some degree, she didn't understand the circumstances of the argument but she still felt for the poor guy. Getting into an argument with your friend is not a fun time, even worse when it's in public. She gently cleared her throat.

"Rough day?" She asked gently.

He blinked up at her. "Oh, you have no idea."

"I'm sorry." She said sympathetically. "I'm sure whatever it is, it will sort itself out."

"I hope so…"

She nodded and went back to reading her letter, smiling at a story that Aurora had thrown in. Apparently the crabs in Hokkaido were just as delicious as they were rumored to be and she had broken some sort of record for eating the most crabs at a local restaurant.

"What's so funny?" The young man asked.

Lujain looked up at him, quite a handsome fellow wasn't he? With dark brown eyes, thick bronze hair, chiseled face, and a lean built to boot.

"Sorry, I don't mean to be meddlesome. I was just-"

"It's okay." She said she reassured him gently. "It's just a letter from a friend of mine. She's been doing quite a bit of traveling."

"That's nice."

"Yeah. I have to admit, I'm a little envious of her."

"Really? Why is that?"

"I just wished I had the time to travel, I'm tied down to my work."

"Oh really? What do you do?"

"I'm a-I guess you can say that I'm a scientist of some sort…"

"What area?"

"Erm…" Lujain hesitated, who does one explain alchemy to a Muggle? What was the closest thing that alchemy came to? Chemistry? Yes that's it, chemistry. "I'm a chemist."

"That's really interesting."

"Yeah, it's more interesting in theory than in practice."

He chuckled. "Tell me about it."

"If you don't mind me asking, what was that thing with you and your buddy just now?"

"Oh, we just had a little tiff."

"Trip isn't going as planned?"

"Not in the slightest."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's alright, he's been under a lot of stress lately."

"Really?"

"Yeah, a really good friend of ours has gone missing."

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry to hear that! Were they abducted or something?"

"No, no, nothing like that. She kind of lost her marbles and took off and now we're trying to find her."

"And you think she might be somewhere here in Boston?"

"Well I doubt that she's here now, we're trying to pick up some clues on whether or not she was here or not."

"I see…" Lujain checked her watch realizing that it had been nearly 20 minutes since Alejandro left to get them coffee, the poor kid probably got lost trying to find his way back, or was busy flirting with some unfortunate lady. She would place her money on the second scenario.

"Well," she stood from her seat. "Speaking of friends, I seemed to have misplaced mine. It was lovely meeting you…"

"Wyatt, my name is Wyatt." He reached out to shake her hand.

"Wyatt." She repeated slowly. "I really like that name."

"Thank you, and your name is?"

"Lujain, my name is Lujain."

"That's a beautiful name, isn't it?"

Wyatt's complement made Lujain blush. "Thank you, it means sliver in Arabic."

"That's very interesting, well I don't want to keep you. I hope you are able to locate your friend."

"Thank you, and best of luck to you. I hope you are able to find your friend and that they are safe and sound."

"Thanks." Wyatt watched her walk away. She was a pretty little thing wasn't she? Shinny blonde hair, bright ember eyes, soft delicate face, very polite and soft spoken. Wyatt shook his head, snap out of it you bloody fool! You have bigger things to worry about than that pretty young lady.