Author's note: Hello beautiful people! It has been a minute since I started writing again and I just want to thank all of you for the support. For those of you who have been reading since the beginning thank you so much! You are all super valuable to me! To my new readers welcome! I hope are all enjoying it! Don't forget to leave a comment! 3

Aurora sat on the sofa in her hotel room smoking a cigarette while sipping on some wine. She was clad in her most comfortable pajamas and dressing gown. Another successful night, it was their final night in Pairs and all of her castmates had gone out to celebrate. They had invited her out, but she declined. Aurora had no desire to explore the city's night life. There was no need, during her younger years Beatrice used to drag her out to the nightclubs of Pairs. The summer of 2001 was the summer of intoxication. Aurora spent the entire summer in the penthouse her parents owned in Pairs. She was practically drunk the entire time, 17 just a few months short of 18 and a whole penthouse to herself, what was a girl to do?!

Naturally Beatrice caught wind of this and seized the opportunity to party whenever she pleased. It was the perfect cover! All she had to say was that she was keeping sweet quiet Aurora company for the summer, no one ever questioned it. At first Aurora wasn't pleased, she told Beatrice multiple times to get lost but like always she never listened 'Lighten up will you! You have this whole place to yourself for 2 months take advantage! Come out and party with me!'

'Come out and party with me' That was Beatrice's mantra.

Eventually Aurora yielded and allowed her to stay on the condition that she was not allowed to have any boys over and that she keeps the "partying" far away from her, she had no interest in it.

Beatrice honored her cousin's wishes…to an extent.

Every time she wanted to go out drinking she would coax Aurora into going with her.

"Come on Rory! Just one drink! It's not going to kill you to go to a bar!"

Even though Aurora swore to herself that she would never go out with Beatrice because she knew well that the "bar" would lead to them ending up at a nightclub, she gave in every time. There was a part of her that wanted to experience the freedom that came with being anonymous. Absolutely no one would know who she was she can completely take on a new identity and none would be the wiser, and that is exactly what she did.

At first she enjoyed the freedom of being whoever she wanted to be, but as the night progressed she hated it. Aurora didn't like how the men would leer and try to grab at her to get her onto the dance floor, Beatrice on the other hand loved it. The loud music, the lights, the smell of liquor in the air, it was at the club where she met her husband, Enrique Amadis…Regardless, the night would always be the same, Beatrice would get drunk run off with some guy. Aurora would have to track her down and pull her away from whatever it was she was about the engage in. They would argue Beatrice would get sick, puke her guts out with Aurora holding her hair back. In the morning Beatrice would be laying on the bathroom floor groaning over her awful hangover not remembering a thing and Aurora would hate her for what she had put her through the night before. Like clock work they would go a few days without speaking to each other then repeat the cycle all over again until Aurora had to go back to America for school.

The two cousins both had an unspoken agreement that they would never speak of the summer of 2001 to anyone. That brief stint of freedom would have landed them in a world of trouble. They weren't particularly close before that point; however, this secret had bonded them.

Aurora chuckled at the memory and ran her hand through her hair. She never thought she would ever miss Beatrice. She was always so demanding and annoying but that summer would have to have been one of the best summers of her life. Beatrice gave her a taste of true freedom. Away from the titles, the pressures of being watched, having to be proper all the time…just all of it. She was grateful to Beatrice for being her unrelenting wild self and for taking her out with her. Lord knew that Aurora had no idea what fun looked like until then.

It felt like a lifetime ago Aurora had almost forgotten that it had even happened until she came back to Paris for the show. Maybe with any luck Beatrice and her husband will come see one of her performances. If she was going to be honest Beatrice would be a welcome sight for once.

Aurora stamped out her cigarette, she should get to bed soon. They leave for London tomorrow morning. After performing in London, they are bound for New York. Her initial anxiety about touring has now subsided and was replaced with excitement. Each performance was better than the last. She was on the cover of almost every newspaper and magazine out there. Countless Muggles and Magical folk would wait outside the theater to try to get an autograph or a photo with her. It inflated her ego a bit, a little self-confidence never hurt anyone. Besides she worked hard to get to her current position. All that she suffered through the years to learn that she still had a shot at this. She loved being on stage, the glamour of it all! And the attention- it was almost intoxicating. She liked to think of herself as a humble person but…God it felt good!

Knock! Knock!

Aurora's face contoured in confusion, she looked down at her wristwatch, it was almost midnight, who could be disturbing her this late?

Knock! Knock!

The knocking was a bit forceful this time.

Aurora stood pulling her dressing gown closed tying it, she walked over to the door pressing herself to it looking through the peephole. Upon seeing who her late night caller was she gasp and immediately opened the door.

There standing 6 feet tall with thick wavey brown hair and identical green eyes to hers- "Emerson!" Aurora gasped! She hadn't seen her brother since Artemisia's baptism. She looked him up and down. Dressed in the finest robes money could buy holding a big bouquet of flowers. He smiled at her, which was odd since he usually sneered at her whenever they were in the same room. Growing up Aurora and Emerson had a volatile sibling relationship, in short, they could hardly stand each other. The name calling, snide remarks, and occasionally a curse would be thrown here and there. However, seeing him here and now Aurora felt…happy? She wasn't sure.

Emerson greeted her with a kiss on both cheeks. "Bonsoir ma soeur."

"Please come in!" Aurora stepped aside letting him through the threshold.

Emerson entered and handed her the bouquet. "Your performance was marvelous."

Aurora felt herself blush; he came to see her show? And he enjoyed it?! "Thank you, I didn't know you would be interested in coming."

"It's not every day one's sister is the star of the ballet!"

Aurora wasn't sure how to react to his praise, this was out of character for him, he usually insulted her calling her mean names. She couldn't even remember a time when he was nice to her.

"Are you feeling, okay?" She asked walking to the kitchen pulling out wine glass. "Wine?" She offered.

"No thank you, however I will take a cigarette."

Aurora gestured to the pack sitting on the coffee table. "Help yourself."

She took her place next him and watched him light the cigarette.

"How have you been?"

"I've been well…I…uh…I'm clean now."

'Oh…" That explained his change in behavior. "Good for you! I'm happy for you."

Emerson Pontellier; the last-born son to Emanual and Ophelia Pontellier and was the most rebellious of the bunch. Well as of late it seems that Aurora had caught up to him in that regard. He attended Hogwarts with his brothers and was no stranger to trouble. The number of owls their parents had received due to his bad behavior was endless. Emanuel did everything he could to discipline the boy, but all attempts were fruitless. At one point he had given up with disciplining him. The rest of his children were mild tempered, what's one black sheep in the herd?

In his youth Emerson was bold, unruly had no regard for authority whatsoever. The world revolved around him, and he was the ruler paying no mind to the adults who were trying to guide him. He just didn't care. It wasn't until he began university when he really began to spiral out of control, constant parties where he drank heavily and indulged in a vice in the form of a white powder. It was exhilarating! The rush he felt from it, he was invincible! Doing whatever he wanted whenever he wanted and not attending any classes ended with him getting expelled.

Their parents could hardly stomach the shame of it. A ghastly son who was both an alcoholic and a cocaine addict! They did cope with it way better than when Aurora took off and left. That's beside the point, old Emanual had enough of his failure of a son and wrote him out of the will and threatened cut him off financially. Naturally Nathaniel stepped to his defense. It took time but he was back in the will and his money…well there was never a stop of inflow of cash. Their father often made threats to cut them off financially but never followed through.

"Should you be smoking these?" He asked his sister who lit another cigarette.

"No, but I could care less. I enjoy them."

"Fair enough…" He held his cigarette to his lips and inhaled, he looked at his sister analyzing her. Now that he thought about it since when did she smoke? Also, when did she look so…mature? It was dawning on him that Aurora was a woman now. No longer a skinny little girl who cried whenever he teased her. She was almost 22, still young but no longer a child.

Emerson felt a bit guilty for always giving her a hard time growing up. He only saw her a few times a year and yet he was relentlessly mean. His bullying got worse when he was using. It was as if his life purpose was to make her as miserable as possible, if he couldn't be happy, she wasn't allowed to be happy either. He was ashamed to admit but back then a part of him absolutely hated her and he couldn't understand why.

"You know, mother and father saw your show as well."

"…what?!" Aurora felt her heart drop to her stomach and hands beginning to get calmly. The mere mention of her parents was enough to induce panic.

"Relax. I think they've come to accept your er…choice...somewhat…I don't know! But! I'll go as far as to say that I think they loved your performance."

"Really? Did they say anything?"

"…No not really. However, they've attended all 7 shows. Each time they seem more enthralled with each performance."

"You cannot be serious."

"I am. Which is part of the reason why I am here."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Mama would like to extend an invitation for dinner."

Aurora immediately felt irritated, the woman wants her to join them for dinner but couldn't come in person and invite her herself?

"Thank you, however I leave for London tomorrow. Perhaps another time."

"Very well. She'll be disappointed to hear it, but she'll get over it."

"How do you know."

"She misses you."

"What is there to miss? She was never involved in my life. If you said she missed, you or Nathaniel I would be more inclined to believe it."

"Don't forget Reginald!"

"….oh yes, our dear middle brother…is it bad that sometimes I forget he exists?"

Emerson let out a laugh. "No! I honestly forget he exists as well…and I used to live with him."

"He's just so…quiet…I honestly can't get a read on him."

"Neither can I."

"honestly, I know he's my brother but I have no idea who he really is. What does he like to do in his spare time?! What's his favorite color?!"

"I honestly couldn't tell you."

The siblings both let out a laugh. It was comical, how can one have a sibling who they knew practically nothing about. Once the laughter subsided Aurora looked to Emerson.

"Are you telling me the truth? Does the woman really miss me?"

"Yes…she does…this is a side of her I have never seen before."

"Bullshit."

Emerson sighed, she resented their parents, with good reason. Sending her away like that was something he still didn't comprehend completely but to some degree he understood why, and he envied her for it. Aurora got to be an ocean away from…her…

"Aurora…I'm about to tell you something but promise me you won't breathe a word of it to anyone. Nathaniel and Reginald don't want you to know and frankly I don't think it's right to keep you in the dark."

Aurora tapped her cigarette on the crystal ashtray and picked up her glass of wine taking a sip. "What is it?"

"Mama is not well."

"…what she's sick or something?"

"No, I mean, she's never been well." He gestured to his head.

"You mean she's mentally ill? Since when?"

"Since as long I can remember. I think she has always been ill since before her, and Pere married. Truth is…I envy you."

"Me?! Why? My entire life I've been alienated from the family. The red headed-step child! I wasn't allowed to live in the same house as all of you!"

"I would still take that over living in the same house as that woman."

"…"

"I think they sent you away to spare you."

"It's a family custom, that's how we do things in this family. I'm sorry but I am having a hard time believing that they sent me away for my benefit."

"Oh sister," Emerson chuckled. "You have no idea what it was like living there. If you were to ask my opinion, Ophelia should have never become a mother. Frankly I don't even think she wanted any of us. She probably had us out of obligation."

Aurora said nothing giving him her undivided attention.

"I think she hates all of us. And probably would have smothered all of us in our cribs if she had the chance."

"What?"

"She was never warm or loving as a parent. I swear the way she would look at us…it was like she couldn't stand the sight of us. Her cold hard eyes just looking at us with such contempt as if we ruined her life or something!" Emerson sighed. "There even some occasions when she would scream at us saying how we stole her life from her."

Aurora blinked. "And Pere allowed this?"

"Father's concern for her, seeing as how we were the source of her misery, he took it out on us. Like it was our fault she was miserable. What a load of bull." Emerson began to get angry. He never spoke about his childhood. Therefore, opening old wounds. He felt conflicted, he loved and hated his parents at the same time. Why have children if you never wanted any to begin with?!

This shocked Aurora, their mother wasn't loving towards them either.

"We put on a brave face for you. We didn't want you to see the real Ophelia. When she had you, all she did was cry. She wouldn't go anywhere near your crib; the help took care of you. Well at least, that's what Nathaniel remembers. It was like she had this server case of postpartum depression that just never got addressed. It got worse when we were old enough to go to school."

Aurora sat quietly staring at her brother. She could hardly register what he was telling her. How was this woman be allowed to bear children. Even at her own birth she wouldn't even hold her! She couldn't understand it!

"It wasn't until they sent you away was when father demanded she see a healer. She's been on mood stabilizing potions ever since."

Aurora put the cigarette down and ran her hand over her face. "What an awful story you just told me."

"This is overwhelming I know, and I'm sorry. No one wanted you to know-"

"Know what? That our mother is the most selfish, narcissistic, looney there is? And that our father doesn't have a spine even though he likes to pretend he has one? Ugh and here I was starting to almost miss them! Go back to your mother and tell her to leave me be and that I have zero interest in reconciling whatsoever!"

She was fuming, why did he tell her this? Is her knowing the truth supposed to make her feel better or sympathy for Ophelia? Because she doesn't, not one bit. In fact, it intensified her hatred for her.

"Why hasn't she been committed?!"

"Aurora…please…"

"Please what Emerson?! Aren't you angry?"

"Of course, I am…but she can't help the way she is…it's in the past-"

"In the past?! Her actions molding us into THIS!" She screamed throwing her hands up to herself and her brother. "And I'm supposed to feel bad for her?"

"…I'm not going to tell you how to feel…I struggle with how to feel myself. If it's any consolation at all we didn't turn out so bad."

Aurora scuffed and rolled her eyes. "We could have been so much better than we are now if she had an ounce of maternal love in that black hole she calls a heart."

They sat in silence for a moment. Aurora taking the time to calm down.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Is that why you had your er…problem?"

She lived on another continent, but she wasn't stupid, she knew her brother had a problem with drugs and alcohol and of course the family did what they normally did. Cover it up and pretend like everything was fine.

"I guess so…I remember just feeling a lot of pressure to keep up with Nathaniel and Reginald…I'm not as smart as Nathaniel, or as talented as Reginald, father often said I wouldn't amoun-"

"I think your smart." Aurora cut him off.

Emerson chuckled. "And what do you know of my smarts, sister?"

"Nothing…I just thought saying that would make you feel better." She giggled.

"Thank you, much appreciated."

"I'm so sorry for everything you had to go through…I'm happy you're doing better."

"Same, I'm happy that you stood up for yourself and are pursing your passion. I also want to apologize for being so nasty to you growing up."

"…go on…" Aurora smirked, this is an apologize she was owed for him being a complete asshole for all these years.

"I think most of it stemmed from jealousy. You got to be so far removed from Ophelia and her insanity. There were times that I wish we could have swapped places."

"I accept your apology. I also used to wish that I was in your place, but after hearing what you have just told me…I'm beginning to rethink my childhood." Aurora let out a dry chuckle.

If someone had told her a year ago that she would be sitting with Emerson speaking civilly and getting along she would have never believed it. So, this is who her brother was, someone who was just as hurt as she was.

XXXX

Aurora sat in hear seat aimlessly staring out the window legs outstretched on the seat cross from her. The train departed the station in Pairs an hour ago, only another hour and a half until they reached London. She was exhausted, didn't get much sleep the previous night due to Emerson's surprise visit. They both stayed up drinking (well only she drank) and talking until 3am. It was not the smartest idea since she had a 10am train to catch but how often did she get visits from Emerson? In fact, this would have to be the first time he ever visited her of his own volition.

Still though she felt awful when she woke, her head was pounding, and her stomach turned. Even now on the train she felt tired and nauseated…what she was thinking?! She knew better than to drink that much before travel. In all honesty she probably drank that entire bottle of wine because she couldn't register what her brother was telling her. Their mother was ill…Ophelia didn't just exclusively hated her? It never made any sense; how could a mother hate her child? Apparently, her mother hated all four of her children. Out of the billions of mothers out there she and her brothers got landed with the one that was incapable of love.

She pressed her head to the cool window and shut her eyes. This was making her head spin. She didn't want to think about it anymore. Ophelia Pontellier was sick, and she is now on medication end of story.

The door to the train car opened and slammed shut.'

"Good news!" An enthusiastic voice announced.

Aurora groaned and pressed her fingers to her temples. Her head was aching!"

"I found some whiskey!"

Asteria Calimeris, one of her castmates. A slender woman of 20 with thick black hair, dark green eyes and cheek bones sharp enough to cut any edge. Aurora liked her, she was a very fun and kind soul. But this morning she's being a little too much fun.

"Asteria, I told you to go find something to help my hangover!"

"Oh Aurora.: Asteria giggled, "Don't you know what the best remedy for a hangover is?!" She took a seat next to her grabbing Aurora's coffee cup from the cup holder. "More alcohol!" She poured the whiskey into Aurora's coffee and then her own. "Salute!" she raised her coffee cup and took a large sip.

Aurora wrinkled her nose. "I think I'll pass. Anyway, we're not supposed to be drinking before performances."

"Nor are we supposed to smoke or have boys in our rooms and yet you reek of cigarettes, and I saw a very handsome man leaving your room in the wee hours of the morning." Asteria smirked and gave Aurora pointed look.

"That was my brother, as for the cigarettes come off it! I know you smoke too!"

"Yes but.. .Tour…Anyway I'm only poking fun. I don't care what you do in your spare time."

Aurora sighed…"give me that damn coffee. Maybe there is something to this remedy of yours."

Asteria giggled and handed Aurora the cup. She like her new friend. Aurora was one of the nicer members of their group. The others were…well…complete bitches. Everything had to be a competition, God forbid someone could ever feel genuinely happy for you. Aurora wasn't like that though. If she paid you a compliment it was genuine, not underhanded for filled with sarcasm. Not everyone was bad though. Vera and Dimitri were very nice oh and so was Ilya. The 5 of them often hung out after recital and shows. Out of everyone in their friend group Aurora would have to be her favorite. She loved her dry sense of humor and how straight froward she was, very American.

"This isn't half bad." Aurora commented.

"See, I told you."

"Yeah, yeah...Do you want to grab lunch after we check into the hotel?"

"Sure! Let's get some exploring in before curfew!"

"Sounds like a plan." Aurora smiled. She was looking forward to experiencing London with her new friend.