Hey everyone!

How do I celebrate reaching my 25k Camp NaNo goal? By giving everyone two updates in a month! I'm so proud of myself and most of my ongoing fics all have at least 5 parts between them and these updates. I'm hoping the writing groove is here to stay. It's been wonderful being able to write again.

Lots of love,
LSH xx

Finally Belonging Somewhere-Part 112:

The day finally arrived when Aurora would be going to Hogsmeade with Astoria and her mother. She was excited and had been checking her list over and over to make sure that she had everything on the list. She also knew that the final decision would be with Narcissa on what she could buy.

The plan was for the group to head off once the Prefect meeting had started so there was no way that Draco could see them heading to Hogsmeade. If he caught sight of his sister leaving with his mother and future wife then it would probably arouse his suspicions and that is the last thing that anyone wanted to happen as there would be a few surprises along the way for Draco and Aurora was going to play her part.

"Now have you got your list?" Astoria asked as she did up Aurora's jacket and made sure the girl's wavy golden blonde hair was secured with a headband so it wouldn't get caught in her face.

Aurora looked at the older witch and nodded softly,

"Yes, right here," she said before Astoria took it and secured it in her pocket and they headed to meet Narcissa.

The witch placed a kiss on her daughter's head and then smiled and nodded in greeting at Astoria before they began the walk down to the village.

People were looking at them and wondering why Aurora was being escorted by her mother and Astoria. Some others had realised that it was Draco's birthday coming up and that she was probably going to get his presents.

"Did you remember to bring your list little star?" Narcissa asked as she looked at her daughter.

"Tori has it as she was worried about me losing it," Aurora replied as she looked up at Narcissa with a smile on her face. That smile was something Narcissa was getting used to seeing and it was bittersweet as it was a reminder of what she'd lost and gained all at once.

"I had to help her narrow ideas down though," Astoria replied as she looked at Narcissa, "she had a lot of ideas about what she wanted to get. We narrowed it down to what she could get in Hogsmeade and 99% of it is either Honeydukes or stationary related. Some of the stationary is for her own handmade stuff though," the girl said with a laugh.

Eventually the group arrived in Hogsmeade and Narcissa said that it would be a good idea to head to Honeydukes and get that out of the way as it would probably be the busiest shop. Aurora looked before rushing off to get inside the shop, Astoria soon rushing after her.

Once Narcissa had joined them, Astoria got the list out and passed it to Aurora as Narcissa grabbed a basket and they began to make their way around the shop, putting stuff into the basket for both Draco and Aurora as the girl would want some sweets for herself no doubt.

Narcissa was keeping check on what Aurora was putting in for her and what was on her daughter's list for Draco. She didn't want the two sets of sweets to get mixed up with each other's. She also knew that Aurora may well remember but she could avoid any tears if she could remember herself. There was also the odd sweet slipping its way into the basket for Charlotte and Ellie as well.

The group eventually left a little while later and headed to the Three Broomsticks to see if they could get a table for a quick drink. Of course Madam Rosmerta had kept their usual table free, Narcissa having sent an owl down to the landlady so she was aware of them coming.

It was a case of Butterbeers all round, although Narcissa would probably allow herself a Firewhisky… or two… after hours. She was probably going to need it after a day's shopping.

"Can we go to the stationary shop next?" Aurora asked, having forgotten the name of the shop. She was just too excited to be getting Draco's birthday presents.

"Yes we can. I need to stock up on some things and I'm sure that Astoria will need to stock up as well," Narcissa said as Astoria nodded in agreement.

"I do rather," Astoria said, "my ink is starting to get low," she said, "and I could probably do with a new notebook as well," she said after thinking for a few moments.

The three finished their Butterbeers and then headed to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop so they could get what they needed. It wasn't as popular as Honeydukes so it shouldn't be too busy.

"Now you two go off and find what you both need," Narcissa said, "I will buy it for you both and I also need to pick up something I ordered for Draco's birthday as well," she said.

Astoria nodded, she knew better than to argue with Narcissa, and began to walk Aurora around the shop. She looked at Aurora's list and checked things off as they found it and added it to their basket that the older witch was carrying.

"There's the stickers I needed!" Aurora said as she caught sight of some stickers and put them in the basket. Astoria couldn't make heads or tails as to what Aurora needed half the stuff for but she had a plan and that was all Astoria knew. It was one of those rare moments when she had to trust Aurora knew what she was doing.

Eventually the tow had circled around the shop and had reached Narcissa again.

"I see you've been busy. Did you find everything you needed?" she asked and frowned slightly at the things in the basket.

"Aurora says she has a plan so I trust her," Astoria said as she looked at Narcissa, shaking her head to warn the witch not to say anything. Narcissa caught sight and nodded before paying for everything and separating out everything in separate bags so everyone had their own bag.

"I think the meeting is due to finish soon," Astoria said, "I think we'd better head back to the Castle before that happens so Draco doesn't suspect a thing," she said and Narcissa nodded in agreement.

The three began to walk back to the Castle and Aurora walked happily along as she'd managed to get everything on her list that she wanted. She was determined to give Draco the best present ever and nothing was going to stop her.