Author's Note: Hello everyone! I just want to wish you all a happy and healthy new year! I'm sorry for taking so long to update, it has been super hectic with school and all. But I am very happy to announce that I have just completed my Bachelor's degree (which is why it's taken me a while to update, been busy trying to graduate college!). I hope you all enjoy this chapter and don't forget to review please! Thank you! :)

Draco threw his traveling cloak around his shoulders heading towards the door. He had completed his rotations an hour ago and rushed home immediately; forced sobriety was dreadful. It just made everything so real, his emotions made him terribly aware of his surroundings. He hated it.

Pulling the door open he stopped when he saw a haughty bronze haired woman standing in the door way smirking at him.

"Going somewhere darling?"

"What do you want Ramona?"

"Is that anyway to greet a friend? I haven't seen you in months and that's the type of hello I get?"

"Hello dear," Draco said sarcastically. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Wyatt wrote me."

"Did he now…"

"Yes, says that you have been misbehaving."

"…and you're here because…"

"First off, shame on you! And second, I'm here to babysit you."

"Babysit?"

"Yes, as in childmind-"

"I don't need to be minded."

"Oh yes you do, I know all about your drinking and whoring!"

"'Drinking and whoring'? Is that what you two are calling it?"

Ramona nodded enthusiastically. "What do you call it then?"

"I call it having a damn good time! I'm young, only 24, do I not have the right to enjoy myself?"

"No, you have every right to enjoy yourself. But here's the thing, you aren't enjoying yourself. You, my dear friend, are self-medicating."

Draco ran is tongue over his teeth, she was right and he couldn't even deny it. He didn't want to worry about what has become of Aurora or feeling the sharp sting of betrayal. Life was a lot simpler once it got blurry…literally.

He sighed and stepped aside, maybe Ramona hanging around would yield some benefit. "What's the agenda for tonight?" He asked with mild interest.

"I'm glad you asked!" Ramona cheerily reached into her coat pocket and pulled out two ebony rings. She slipped one onto her finger and grabbed Draco's hand and slipped the matching ring onto his. "Tonight you and I are going drinking!"

"What?"

"Yeah, what's the best bar in town?"

"Um, The Lazy Troll. It's a block away from the university."

"Great! Let's go!" Ramona intertwined her fingers with his and pulled him out of the flat.

"Why are we wearing matching rings?" Draco asked shutting the door.

"Well you see," Ramona continued to pull him along. "We're going out drinking but as a 'married' couple!"

"Have you lost your bloody mind?"

"Nope. It's perfect! Because that ring you are wearing works like a magnet. I enchanted it so that you cannot not move anywhere beyond 3 feet from me-also don't try taking it off because spikes will spring out and sever your finger off."

"What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Many things darling, many things."

"What is the purpose of this?"

"So I can't lose you and I can keep track of your drinks!"

"I have to stay within an uncomfortably close proximity to you!"

Ramona stopped and smirked at him. "I prefer intimate-"

Draco shuddered, as much as he tolerated Ramona, the thought of not being able to move three feet from her was disturbing. She was…a bit much.

"Hey don't give me that look. This will be fun, I promise!" Once they were outside the building she stopped. "Okay, where to?"

"We can just Apparate."

"No, I hate Apparating."

"Then how did you get here?"

"Portkey."

"Ah. Okay, fine, follow me."

Ramona looked around the smoked filled bar, "Well this isn't so bad…" she removed her hat and coat taking a seat at the first table she saw.

"Yeah, it's decent. Better than the other dumps in the area." Draco threw is traveling cloak on the chair and tried to walk up to the bar to get drinks but was instantly repelled back towards Ramona.

"What the hell?" Alarmed he looked back to Ramona for an explanation when she held up her hand displaying the ring on her finger. "Oh right…"

"Come have a seat." Ramona waved her hand and got the bartender's attention. "Two bloodhounds please!"

"Sure thing sweetheart!" The bartender shouted back giving her an alluring smile.

Ramona winked and turn to Draco who wore a sour expression.

"First you bind me to you and now you are ordering my drinks?"

"Of course, it's like we're actually married. You don't get a say in your life decisions anymore."

"I can at least order my own drink."

"Fine, what do you want?"

"I want a scotch and soda-"

"Here you are, two bloodhounds." The bartender placed their drinks in front of them.

"Thank you," Ramona shot him her most suggestive smile. "Could we also have a scotch and soda?"

"Sure thing doll!"

"Thank you." Ramona winked again, and the young man left to procure Draco's drink. Once more she turned her attention to Draco who seemed to be in a pouty and sulking mood. "Am I really such terrible company?"

"No." He muttered taking a sip from his bloodhound.

"So what's the problem?" Ramona crossed her arms over her chest.

"I just wanted to be alone this evening."

"Oh come on, that's no fun."

"You and I have two different ideas of what fun is-"

"Scotch and soda!" The bartender returned placing the drink on the table.

"Thanks." Draco mumbled and turned his attention to Ramona. "I still don't understand why you are going out of your way to be here."

"I had some time on my hands and Wyatt's pleading seemed desperate so I decided to see for myself if you were truly in shambles."

"And what deductions have you made thus far?"

Ramona smirked taking a sip from her drink and placing it back down on the table. "You, my friend, are one miserable wretch."

Draco scowled.

"I didn't think I'd ever see you get so heartbroken over a girl." Ramona turned her eyes up to the ceiling. "There's plenty of others you know…"

"Shut up."

"What? I'm only being realistic here, Aurora is gone and she may not come ba-"

"You don't know that!"

"No, I don't. But do you really think if she wanted to come back she would have at least sent an owl or something."

"Some friend you are," Draco scuffed. "Do you even care? She could be dead for all we know."

"Now you're being dramatic." Ramona placed her hands on the table and leaned forward. "Aurora is not dead, trust me, she may be small and delicate but she is capable of taking care of herself."

Draco fell silent, arguing with Ramona was pointless. Mainly because she was right, Aurora is big girl and she can take care of herself. Draco continued to take sips of his drink when he heard Ramona chuckle.

"What's so funny?"

"Those women over there." Ramona beckoned at the table across from them. "They keep looking over here, and I'm sure there are not looking at me."

Draco looked up and saw three women at a table giggling and quickly averting their eyes when he made eye contact. He sneered in contempt and looked back to Ramona. "Not my type."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really."

"From what I've heard from my dear brother is that you currently don't have a 'type' or standard for that matter."

"Well tell that brother of yours to shove off and mind his own business." Draco downed the rest of his drink and Ramona let out a hum of amusement.

"Excuse me!" She called out to the women across from them. Draco as well as the women looked alarmed.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Draco whispered lowering his head in a poor attempt to hide himself from view.

Ramona paid him no mind and continued. "Can you stop staring? You're making my husband extremely uncomfortable, has got a thing about staring!"

"Lower your voice! Lower your voice. Merlin, what the hell is wrong with you?!" Draco was absolutely mortified by Ramona's episode, he'll never be able to show his face here again!

"Now, now love." She called out catching everyone's attention. "I know how much you hate being stared at and frankly I can't say that I appreciate it either."

The women seemed to be petrified; obviously embarrassed that Ramona had just called them out in front of the whole bar. They shifted uncomfortably in their seats and looked away.

"Honestly." Roman lowered her voice so that only Draco could hear and leaned back in her seat. "Shame on them, staring at another woman's man."

"You are ridiculous." Draco groaned and reached for his neglected bloodhound and drained the glass.

How long had they been drinking? Neither of them could say, but it was 4 am and Ramona stumbled into the flat supporting Draco with one arm around his waist and his arm slung around her shoulders. Perhaps she should have taken her proclamation of counting his drinks more seriously.

"Y-y-you know what?" Draco hiccupped.

"What?"

"I really like those bloodhounds."

"I'm glad you've taken a liking to them. That sort of drink is usually an acquired taste." Ramona continued on making it to the bedroom and plopping him down on the bed so that Draco was flat on his back. She moved to unlace his boots.

"Yeah, they're red!"

"They sure are!" Ramona removed his right boot and moved to work on his left.

"And-and-you know what?!" Draco hiccupped again.

"What?"

"You are right!"

"Am I?"

"Yes!" Draco tried to lift his head and but he was so intoxicated he couldn't even manage that.

"Try not to sit up. I don't want you to hurt yourself." Ramona said pointedly and threw his boots aside.

"No Romy, you're right!"

"Of course I am! I'm always right!"

"Yeah! There's plenty of other women!"

"Er…yeah…"

"Did you see those Mademoiselles looking at me in the bar?" Draco broke out in a laughing fit.

"I sure did." Ramona cooed. "I yelled at them remember?"

"Yeah…" Draco yawned, eyelids getting heavy. "There's plenty of women…but none of them are like Rory…" His voice trailed off as he drifted off into sleep.

Ramona merely shook her head. "Damn, and here I was thinking that Wyatt was exaggerating."

She continued to look down at Draco's sleeping form, she grabbed the quilt and threw it over him and exited his room and made her way to the guest room, it was her fault she allowed him to get smashed tonight so she will assume the responsibility of nursing his hangover tomorrow morning.

XXXX

Aurora removed her shoes and stepped over the threshold into the great Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. In the front of the room sat the statue of the Emerald Buddha.

There was a lot of people here: monks, Thai citizens, and tourists; all came to see and pay homage to the Buddha. She was never particularly a religious person, only attended mass whenever she visited her grandparents, at her aunt and uncles house, or in those rare occasions when she needed to console herself she would pray silently in her own apartment.

Since she set foot in Bangkok Aurora has been nothing but melancholy and couldn't shake the feeling of guilt off of her. Every day it grew stronger, she was feeling lost. What was she doing? She enjoyed her time away from that chaotic mess that is her family, but was she really satisfied? All those people she left behind; her friends, the ones who genuinely cared, what exactly was it that she was looking for?

Aurora shook her head and walked forward being careful not to disturb anyone while they prayed. Monks sat in front of the Buddha chanting religious texts, Aurora bowed respectfully and backed away slowly being sure not to turn her back to the Buddha. She took a place behind the monks and sat with her legs tucked neatly underneath her and closed her eyes inhaling deeply. She came here in an attempt to calm her restless mind, maybe then all of these feelings will go away. Once the brain is rested the emotions will calm and she will be able to find inner peace. She relaxed her shoulders resting her hands in her lap and continued to breathe. Clear the mind and breathe. Empty all negative thoughts and breathe. Release everything and breathe. Then one can find balance and peace.

She heard nothing but the sound of her steady breaths and saw nothing but the back of her eyelids. She continued to breathe, with each breath she drifted further and further away from reality. Aurora felt her body move as if the cosmos itself was pulling her away from her physical being, like her spirit was being suspended in midair. Still she heard nothing but the sound of her breaths and then she felt her body jerk and begin to fall.

Aurora felt her body hit the ground. Opening her eyes, she found that she was no long in the temple but backstage of a performance, she heard thunderous applause and the orchestra continued to play. She looked out and saw a very familiar sight. This was her old ballet company, and they were performing none other than sawn lake.

The dancer who portrayed Odette moved with such grace and elegance every leap and twirl was awarded with applause. Aurora moved a bit closer to get a better look, she was so captivated by this dancer's skill she couldn't help but watch in awe and all the same felt a twinge of envy. She could have been great if it wasn't for her injury. Odette continued to dance and when she turned her head to the right her eyes met with Aurora's and smiled. Aurora gasped, the woman she was looking at wasn't just some dancer; it was her, she was Odette! But how?

Odette continued to smile and mouthed. "You will be great one day." And turned her attention back to Siegfried and continued to dance.

Aurora pressed her hand to her mouth trying her best to surpass a sob. She didn't understand what was going on, how could that be her if she was standing on the side watching?! Oh how she moved! She was magnificent! Aurora didn't understand what was happening but one thing was certain she was hit with something she hadn't felt in a long time, hope. Perhaps there would be a chance for her to be great; to pursue her lost dream of being a dancer. She went to take a step closer but felt a strong pull in the middle of her spine.

Letting out a loud gasp she opened her eyes looking around, Aurora was no longer on that stage with the thunderous applause but back in the temple. A monk stood before her smiling, she bowed her head to show him respect and he offered a blessing and a slashed of blessed water.

XXXX

"When do you plan on going back to the UK?" Lujain asked as she stirred her tea.

"I'm not sure yet, probably when my sister sends a howler." Wyatt chuckled taking a bite out of his scone.

It's been two days since they quietly left Accensamque Gemmas and they haven't been doing much other than going to local coffee shops. Lujain thought it was a bit odd, not that she minded Wyatt's company. She actually enjoyed the time they spent together but wouldn't he want to go home? Based on what he's told her about his work, he really shouldn't be meandering his time here in Boston with her. Yet here he sat and seemed reluctant to go home.

"Is that really necessary? Why don't you just go back when she does? Didn't you say that she's currently in New York visiting that friend of yours?" Lujain blinked up at him.

"Yes, but…" Wyatt stopped second guessing on whether or not he should finish his sentence.

"But what?"

"Well…" He coughed adjusting his tie.

"Yes?"

"Don't laugh."

Lujain chuckled. "Are you kidding, all you've done is make me laugh." She took a sip from her tea. "You have a great sense of humor."

"Thank you, I try." Wyatt smiled softly.

"But seriously though, out with it."

"…I just find you so intriguing!" Wyatt blurted out no longer being able to contain himself.

"What?"

"You interest me, your life, and your work! I want to learn more about what you do. And I dare say that I'm not ready to part with you just yet." Wyatt pressed his lips together and felt his cheeks grow hot realizing he probably just made myself sound like a creepy git.

Lujain just crossed her arms over her chest and smirked. "Is that really the reason you continue to stay?"

Wyatt nodded. "If you want me to go, I'll understand, we only met not too long ago-"

Lujain shook her head. "No it's fine. But what I want to know is what fascinates you? I'm just an average alchemist, there are plenty like me."

"You humble yourself my dear, I don't know how many times I have to keep preaching to you but you are a very talented witch."

"Perhaps you need to get out more."

"Trust me, I get out more than I would like to admit. There's a brain in that pretty blonde head of yours."

"You're an odd one, you know that?"

"So I've been told." Wyatt took another bite of his scone.

"Most men I meet," Lujain pressed on, "are only interested in my blonde head, never what's inside it."

"What can I say, I appreciate those with a certain level of intelligence."

"Is this your odd way of telling me that I have officially become your friend?" Lujain chuckled.

"Yes, yes it is. Do you accept?" Wyatt raised his eyebrows playfully.

"On one condition."

"Yes?"

"If I tell you all that I know about alchemy then you must tell me all that you know about potion making and more about this dissertation that you are currently working on."

"Deal!"