Hey there everyone! I'm doing ok after the wisdom tooth extraction but haven't been able to write. I'm starting to feel more myself again and am excited to start writing some of my upcoming chapters so I really can't wait to start plotting and writing again over the next few weeks. I have some ideas... just not quite connected the dots as I've thrown in a couple of odd things that weren't in my planning. So off I go to figure this all out!

Stay safe!

Lots of love,

LM xxx

Finally Belonging Somewhere-Part 86:

Bellatrix's trial was drawing closer and the Malfoys soon received the news that they had been dreading: Aurora was going to be called as a witness along with Astoria as questions about the attempted hospital kidnap.

"Harold and Helena will no doubt arrive as Astoria is being called as a witness as well," Lucius said as he read the letter over his wife's shoulder, "but our concern is Aurora and what will happen about her statement. I think we should expose her to it all. There will be protection in place. Bellatrix won't get her."

"Are you crazy Lucius? This is our 12-year-old daughter, our precious darling girl," Narcissa said as she turned and looked at Lucius, "she shouldn't be placed in that position at all Lucius. We should have been protecting her and we almost lost her again…"

"You're forgetting one thing my darling… Astoria… she saved Aurora and I believe that she would protect her in the stand as well," Lucius said, "she loves Aurora… that much is clear to see."

"Astoria or not… she's far too young to be in the courtroom Lucius and that is all I will say on the matter," Narcissa said, "she will have a statement read out in court and she will stay with us and watch everything unfold from the safety of my arms."

"Weren't you the one saying that she needs exposure to things like this?" Lucius asked as he sat down and pulled her onto his lap, "now the first chance we have and you want to keep her protected? If we don't start treating her like a normal child then she will never learn and grow… she'll just stay protected forever."

"But she's special Luc… she's so very special and precious," Narcissa said, "she needs to be protected a little longer."

"Then how will she learn and grow? How will her emotions develop and grow if you're not going to let her do that then she won't have much of a life," Lucius said, "we are her parents and, yes, we are meant to protect her but we also have to expose her to things like this. She needs to do this."

"No she doesn't. She's still only a baby still.."

"She's not that little baby that we had taken from us. She's 12-years-old and lacks so many of the basic emotions that she needs and we have to catch up on her development. There is one way we could settle this however…"

"How?"

"Go to Hogwarts and ask our daughter what she wishes to do. She's the only one who can really say if she can cope with it," Lucius said. Narcissa sighed but knew that he was right and Aurora needed to have a say in whether she thought she could do it or not.

The next morning Lucius and Narcissa told Aurora that they needed to speak to her after school and she wondered what about something and Astoria said that she'd come. Narcissa nodded thanking the girl as she'd clearly heard from her parents so knew what it was about.

After school Astoria and Aurora headed to Lucius and Narcissa's Hogwarts room and Narcissa wasn't there yet but Lucius was there and he got them both a drink and waited until Narcissa showed up.

"Sorry I'm late," she said, "things were a little busy in the Hospital Wing," she added before looking at Aurora, "we've had an owl from the Ministry of Magic about Bellatrix's trial and they want to call you as a witness."

"That means I have to go into court and tell the people what she did at the hospital," Aurora said as she surprised her parents with her understanding, "I read it in one of my books at the orphanage. Someone was naughty and was put before the Wizengamot and somebody had to go and say what they saw as they were a witness. The person was sent to Azkaban for six months," she said, "it was one of my favourite stories to read," she smiled remembering the book.

"And you've just surprised us again little love," Lucius said as he looked at his daughter, "but yes you've been called as a witness because of what happened at St. Mungo's. Your mother and I aren't quite in agreement. I think you're brave enough to be in the courtroom but your mother doesn't want you to be in the Stand and actually tell the court what happened at the hospital."

Narcissa was surprised that Lucius had decided to be that honest with Aurora and he had intended to be… he'd just chosen to keep his wife in the dark over it. He knew that she would have tried to talk him out of it. Yes they had a difference of opinion but they both cared about their daughter.

"Will the Dementors be there… I mean in the courtroom like they were at Azkaban?" Aurora asked as she looked at her parents.

"Yes they will but behind shields from above," Lucius said, "they won't be able get to you because something will be stopping them from getting into the courtroom." Honesty was the best policy and he wanted Aurora to be sure of her decision. It was an important one to make.

Aurora sank back into Astoria's arms as she sat and thought before looking at Astoria.

"What would you do? Mummy doesn't want me to but Daddy thinks I should," she asked the older girl.

"Well I have to go myself as I was there when Bellatrix tried to take you at the hospital so it's up to you but, my little rose, if you think you can be brave enough then I would say yes," Astoria said, trying to help Aurora decide on what to do.

Aurora sat and thought before she sat up and then back down. Minutes passed and she looked around and then at her doll and unicorn teddy. There appeared to be something inside them because she finally spoke.

"Arabella and Princess Sparkles say I should do it," Aurora said finally, "I think I can be brave enough to face Bellatrix in court. I want to say what happened myself. If Tori is there then I can do it too. I can be brave like a Malfoy should. Yes. I will face Bellatrix in court," she said.

Narcissa looked at her daughter,

"Aurora no…"

"No mummy. I can be brave and say that she tried to take me. I'm not afraid of Bellatrix but she should fear me," Aurora said as she looked at her mother, "I have to do this," she said, "and face her I will."