Hey everyone!
Can we just say that the final quarter of 2022 sucked for me? My nan has had to have a transfusion and operation in a week so it's been super crazy the past 3 weeks. The great news is, although I never reached the 50k, I did manage to get some parts written. I have a lot of time off before I head to my dad's and actually feel like writing again! I promise to do better next year and get back to normal as I do love writing all these stories for you. Thank you for baring with me with everything going on.
Have a magical holiday time and I will see you in 2023.
Lots of love always,
LSH xxx
Finally Belonging Somewhere-Part 105:
Astoria stood there in shock before she rounded on Lucius and Narcissa in an instant.
"I'm sorry but what was that? You don't just drop something on Aurora like that and then expect her to be fine with it!" she yelled, surprising her family at the tone of her words, "she is so nervous around new people and then you do this? Are you crazy?" she asked before turning to face Meredith, "nothing against you, of course, Meredith, more against Lucius and Narcissa."
"None taken. This was not the way I wanted her to find out about me either," Meredith said as she nodded, accepting the Greengrass girl's apology before turning to her brother and sister-in-law, "next time don't get me involved in anything before she knows." All Lucius and Narcissa could do was nod before they, and everyone else, headed off to try and find Aurora. The Highland nights could be bitter and the girl wasn't dressed for the outside weather.
Meredith grabbed Astoria's arm,
"I need to be the one who finds her. Are there any places you think she could be?" she asked, "I know you want to find her but I need to get her to trust me as soon as possible."
Astoria sighed as she looked at Meredith. The Malfoy witch was right in that she wanted to find Aurora first but knew, at the same time, it was a chance for Meredith to break down barriers with Aurora.
"The library or the stables," she said after a few moments pause of thought, "if she was here someone would have found her by now. I just hope you know what you're doing. I don't want her spooked by anything else today."
"Everything will be ok Astoria," Meredith said, "I just need to speak to her and get her to trust me," she said before asking which direction the library was, thanked Astoria and then dashed off in the direction of the library.
A thousand thoughts raced around Meredith's mind as she searched for the library. Yes she was an Auror and had been away on a top secret mission but that didn't mean that she should've been kept a secret from family.
First of all find Aurora, get her to at least trust me enough to get her back to the big house. Then I will have to deal with my brother and Narcissa. Then I can work on getting to know my niece… And I thought being an Auror was complicated. Welcome back to family life Mer!
She found her way to the library and searched everywhere. No sign of Aurora and her heart rate increased as she realised that must have meant Aurora was in the stables. She hurried downstairs again and grabbed the first item of warm clothing she could before rushing towards the stables. That was the only place she'd remembered seeing when she'd arrived at the Greengrass Estate.
Meredith shivered slightly at the cold but kept rushing as fast as her boots would let her. She reached the door and then heard a voice…
"Hestia… why would mummy and daddy do that to me? I thought they loved me. Family don't lie to each other… do they?"
Relief washed over Meredith and she walked into the stables, silently cursing herself as she heard the sounds of her heels echoing off the walls. She stopped in front of Aurora, who was stood by Hestia with her wand raised.
"I see you know the first thing when you hear noises. Impressive," Meredith said, "you can put it away. I will keep you safe should anything come here with the intention of hurting either of us. What's the horse's name?"
"Hestia. She's the littlest adult horse that James and Cait gave me," Aurora said as she watched Meredith closely, "who are you?" she asked, the words having been on her lips since Meredith had found her.
"I'm your daddy's sister, your aunt, Meredith and I've been away and nobody has been allowed to say anything. I never dreamt they'd keep my existence from my niece though. They shouldn't have done that Aurora and I will be speaking to my brother and sister-in-law about all of this once we're back in the big house," she said.
Meredith watched Aurora and saw the girl shiver at the cold and she knew she needed to do something.
"Aurora… will you let me come and wrap this around you. I don't want you getting ill," she said and Aurora had to think before shaking her head. Meredith sighed softly, "I will be gentle and I will step back afterwards… please?" she said before Aurora thought and then finally nodded softly.
Meredith went and put the cloak around Aurora, instantly stepping back afterwards, keeping to her word.
"An aunt is a pretty big thing to leave out of any conversation. Why did they do it?" Aurora asked as she looked at Meredith.
Meredith glanced around and saw that Draco and Astoria had arrived and she nodded at the two before they both nodded and headed back to the big house.
"I want to go and see her," Narcissa said, "I need to see she's ok…"
"With all due respect Lady Malfoy," Cait said, "the best thing you can do now is let Meredith earn Aurora's trust. I know that is hard to hear but I understand why my granddaughter delayed heading to the stables." Narcissa had sighed but remained rooted to the spot.
"That was a big thing to hide from you. That was wrong and I will speak to them about that," Meredith said, "you should have been told about me. I've been away and had no idea you'd been found until I returned to the Manor yesterday. I'm sure that there are a lot of worried people back at the big house… can I take you back to the big house? I don't really want to leave you here and I need to have that talk with mummy and daddy don't I?" she spoke softly as to avoid spooking Aurora. The girl nodded softly and the two headed back to the house, Meredith staying close to Aurora but not touching the girl.
The two headed to James' study and Narcissa went to hug Aurora but the girl just headed out and upstairs to Astoria's room.
"Let her cool off a bit. She's hurt and upset," Meredith said, "you and I need a little talk don't we Lucius, Narcissa… I want to know why I was kept a secret from my niece. Start speaking now…"