Happy (belated) New Year everyone!
I am so sorry about the delay. I've been trying to plan and write fics, work and I'm a Prefect for Slytherin House on the Harry Potter site I'm on and we're in the middle of hosting an event so this month has just kind of got away from me. I plan to update on the 1st and 16th of every month now.
Enjoy!
LM xxxxx

Finally Belonging Somewhere-Part 39:

Draco received the owl soon after it was sent and was thankful that Aurora was not with him because it certainly was his mother's wishes that Snape was there when Aurora was told. The first person he sought out was Astoria and showed her the letter from his mother.

"Oh Draco! That's great news for Rora! At least none of the other girls will have to suffer like she has," the 13-year-old witch said.

"Yes that is great but now the likes of Natalie and Chloe don't have a home and they could see Aurora as the cause and could come after her. We'll need to keep an eye on her and make sure those girls stay away from her because I really do not want her hurt any more," Draco said.

"When are you going to go and see Snape?" Astoria asked.

"I don't know yet Tori. I need to figure out how I'm going to tell Aurora that that part of her nightmare is over and she will never have to worry about there ever again."

"Maybe that is why your mother wants Snape there when she is told. He may already know. He is your godfather after all," Astoria pointed out before resting a hand on his shoulder.

Draco looked up at her and nodded softly before he sighed and pulled her to her feet whispering to Daphne that he would explain to her later before heading off with Astoria to see Snape.

As Astoria had already guessed Snape did hold a note that Draco instantly recognised his mother's handwriting. There was no mistaking Narcissa Malfoy's handwriting.

"When were you thinking of telling her Draco?" Snape asked as he saw Draco and Astoria about to knock on his office door.

"Whenever you are able to be there. It appears that mother wants you there," Draco said.

"That's because I am being named as her legal guardian in case anything happens to your parents," Snape said, "we tell her now," he said before summoning an elf and asking it to find Aurora Edwards or Malfoy and then bring her to the office. The elf nodded and soon disappeared.

The elf returned with a confused Aurora and Draco sat her on Astoria's lap before he knelt down in front of her.

"Mother has written to us and she wishes she could be here to tell you but the investigation into the orphanage has been completed and the adults from the orphanage will be charged after the way they have treated you," Draco explained, "and all the children are going to be sent to new orphanages where they will be treated nicely."

Aurora seemed to take forever to process what Draco had just said before she suddenly burst into tears and Astoria hurried to wrap her arms around Aurora and then Draco looked shocked. He hadn't been expecting that reaction from the 11-year-old and he had been about to ask what was wrong when the words left the witch's mouth.

"Now they will come after me because they could be split up and they'll just hurt me some more," she cried and rubbed her eyes.

"They go near you Rora and they will be breaking terms that have now been ordered by the child protection office," Draco said softly, "they are not allowed near you and neither is Pansy and they will be breaking all sorts if they come near you."

Aurora looked around before her eyes finally settled on Draco,

"I want mummy," she said through her tears and that just broke Draco's heart because he knew she wanted Narcissa but his mother was busy with things for the ball and he didn't have the heart to tell her so he did the next best thing he could and that was to let Astoria figure out what to say.

"When you get ready for bed we can try the mirror and see if she will get back to you OK? She probably has planned something for you at the weekend which is why she couldn't come and tell you herself but she'll come Rora," Astoria said trying to calm Aurora down as they would have to take her to her Charms lesson after.

Eventually Aurora calmed down but neither Draco or Astoria wanted to let her go to class. They both surrounded her and it was then watching Astoria with Aurora that Draco felt it. Love, but not the usual kind between friends...this felt like what his mother and father had and he had to step back and gather his thoughts.

"I...I think we need to get her to class before she misses too much of class and then we'll be in trouble as well," Draco said and Astoria nodded before Aurora slipped off her lap and the three bid Snape goodbye and then headed to the Charms classroom and then they headed to their lessons.

The day passed without any drama, which meant that Natalie and Chloe hadn't been told about the orphanage and that was a relief as it meant that Aurora was safe but they would probably be told that evening and then the worry would start over Aurora's safety.

Draco got Aurora tucked into bed and then passed her the mirror and she watched the screen before Narcissa appeared on the screen.

"Oh my little flower," she said softly, "I'm so sorry that I wasn't there when you were told but I was unable to get away so I had to leave Draco and Astoria to tell you."

"I want you. I want my mummy," Aurora said, her voice beginning to wobble as she kept her eyes on Narcissa and the mirror and she put her hand on the glass, "please come…"

"I will do my little flower in two days time. It's the weekend then and I will be able to come and hold you. I've got a surprise for you this weekend and you will love it. Are you taking care of all your pets?"

"Yes I am. Draco, Astoria and Charlotte and daphne are helping me too," she said, "we have a timetable too but Lilly and Rose rend to hide in my robes and stay with me all day."

"Well you need to keep them safe and I know you can do that Aurora because you have such kindness and love in your heart to fill a thousand hearts," Narcissa said softly before watching Aurora yawn softly. No doubt it had been a tiring and emotional day for her.

She looked up and saw Draco in the background but Aurora didn't stir and she looked back at Aurora.

"What's that song you love?" She asked.

"Lavender's Blue," Aurora whispered and Narcissa began to sing Lavender's Blue softly to try and lull Aurora off to sleep just like she'd done at the Manor.

She remembered the words perfectly and watched as Aurora's bright blue eyes began to close and eventually she started to fall asleep, closing her eyes and soon fell asleep. Narcissa watched as Draco took the mirror away.

"How did she react?" she questioned her son.

"She burst into tears as she realised that Chloe and Natalie might come after her so we had to tell her that they would now be breaking rules and that they could now be punished if they went near her and that seemed to calm her down," Draco replied as he watched Astoria, "Severus mentioned something about him being Rora's guardian..."

"That's only if something happens to your father and me once we've adopted her and you and Astoria haven't turned 17 yet," Narcissa explained, "yes your marriage contract with Miss Greengrass is being drawn up as we speak Draco," she said, "and that is all I will say on the matter. Now look after Aurora and make sure that she's safe and sound until I can get to her. Goodnight my dragon."

"Goodnight mother," Draco said before ending the connection and then going to get on with his homework, hoping that he could keep Aurora safe until the weekend.