Aurora hadn't shown up for breakfast in the Great Hall until mid-October. Don't get her wrong, Aurora simply never ate breakfast, despite trying, it just wasn't her thing. But this time she did, she didn't know exactly why, she felt like she should go today, even if it was just for a cup of coffee.
Aurora sat at the teachers' table, a book in hand, slowly sipping her coffee. She paid no mind to the sparse activity around her. The Great Hall was nearly empty at this hour—just a few scattered students and teachers quietly enjoying their breakfasts. It was as peaceful as Hogwarts ever got, though that was likely due to the early hour. At 6:30 in the morning, no one was in much of a rush, with classes not starting until 9.
"Aurora!" a voice called out.
She glanced up from her book, scanning the room. Remus Lupin was making his way toward the teachers' table, his steps brisk yet casual. A few curious glances followed him as he passed.
"Good morning," he greeted her, sliding into the seat beside her. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Neither did I," Aurora admitted with a small smile, setting her book aside. "I woke up early and figured I'd come down for a coffee. It was either that or staring at the walls in my quarters. And you? What brings you here at this hour?"
"I'm an early riser," he said with a soft chuckle. "I like coming before the Hall fills up—it's so quiet then."
"I definitely agree," Aurora said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I can't remember the last time Hogwarts was this quiet without a curfew."
Remus glanced at her plate, raising an eyebrow. "You're not eating anything?"
She shook her head lightly. "I'm not much of a breakfast person. I've tried, but it never really worked out for me."
He smiled knowingly. "I rarely ate breakfast before, either. But after coming here, I thought, why not? Free meals for teaching—it seemed like a good habit to pick up."
Aurora nodded, her lips curving into a small smile.
"You know," he added, his tone teasing but kind, "it might be healthier if you had something, too."
"I appreciate the concern, but I don't feel like it," she replied with a shrug. "I'd rather have a bigger dinner in the evening."
Remus chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "Well, at least have some coffee with me. It feels strange to be the only one eating while we're talking."
Aurora smirked and lifted her cup. "I'm already ahead of you there."
"Fair enough," he said with a grin, then took a bite of toast. "So, what book's keeping you company this morning?"
She tapped the cover lightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Just something light to pass the time. Not exactly riveting, but it's better than staring at the ceiling."
"Sounds like you need a better reading list," he quipped, and she laughed, the sound mingling with the soft hum of the quiet hall.
Aurora shook her head, still smiling. "Maybe you could recommend something, then. Surely, you've got a stash of fascinating titles hidden away in your quarters."
"I'd love to lend you something, I've got some interesting titles on my shelf. But promise me you'll be at dinner later—you can't survive on just coffee all day."
"I will," she replied, taking another sip. "So, how's Hogwarts' favorite teacher? A lot of students were worried about you."
"That's kind of you to say, but I'm just doing my job," Remus replied, his voice warm. "As for the students, they definitely made their feelings known. I think I got a full lecture about how I should never disappear on them again."
"Well, that's what the students think," Aurora said with a small smile. "I'm a teacher, so I can't play favorites. But I do enjoy talking with you. So, who led this infamous lecture?"
"Your sister," Remus replied, his expression somewhere between amused and exasperated.
Aurora almost spat out the coffee she had in her mouth when she heard that. She could also see a few people looking at them.
"Fuck. Can't she behave herself?" she asked herself.
"Don't worry about it, Aurora. They were just worried, and Lucrecia just spoke her mind out loud," Remus said, attempting to ease her tension.
Aurora's eyes flickered with irritation. "Oh, I know exactly how she thinks. She can be incredibly blunt, especially when she doesn't know when to stop. Did you give her detention?"
"Of course not," Remus responded, his voice calm. "I understand she was just worried. You know how it is in this job. Every year, there's a new face in this position."
Aurora let out an exasperated breath, her frustration bubbling up. "I don't care about that! The constant turnover doesn't excuse her behavior! She had no right to speak to you like that!" Her voice was sharp, filled with a mix of anger and disbelief.
Before she could say more, Remus reached out and gently took her hand, offering her a steadying grip. His touch immediately calmed her, like a switch had been flipped. Aurora's tense posture softened, and she exhaled a long breath, her anger dissipating just as quickly as it had flared.
"Shhh," Remus whispered, his voice reassuring. "It's alright. Just take a moment. It's nothing, really. Don't let it get to you."
Moonridge covered her face with her hands, leaning forward slightly. Remus, sensing her distress, gently placed his hand on her back, stroking it in a calm, reassuring motion. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, just being there for each other.
"Hey, sister!" Lucrecia called out from across the room.
Aurora looked up, her gaze immediately locking on her sister's familiar smile. And, Merlin, Lucrecia started walking toward the teachers' table.
"Professor Lupin," Lucrecia said politely, "I'm glad to see you're doing well. And how about you, Aurora?"
Aurora didn't respond right away, trying to maintain her composure.
"Aurora?" Lucrecia repeated, her voice light with curiosity. "Well, I suppose I won't find out. Anyway, have a nice day, Professor. You two look cute together," she added with a sly smile before turning and walking back to the Gryffindor table.
After finishing her third-year class, Aurora stood at the front of the classroom, the last of the students filing out and leaving her alone in the quiet space. The warm afternoon light filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the desks. Her eyes lingered on the scattered papers and textbooks before she bent down to pull something from the bottom cabinet of her desk. She was lost in her thoughts, planning out her next lesson, when a shy voice interrupted the silence.
"Um... Professor Moonridge?"
Aurora started to rise, but in her haste, she knocked her head against the desk. "Fuck" Wincing, she rubbed the spot where she'd bumped it, then looked up to find Harry standing before her, looking uncertain. "Yes, Harry?" she asked with a smile, her expression softening.
"I... well, you said you knew my parents, and I was wondering," he began, his words tumbling out in a nervous rush.
Aurora gave him a reassuring smile, sensing his discomfort. "Yes, I can tell you about them, Harry," she said gently.
Harry smiled shyly at her. "You mentioned them once, Professor, and said you could tell me more."
Aurora paused, her expression softening as she spoke. "Well, I was 12 years younger than them. James and Lily moved to Godric's Hollow after they finished Hogwarts. Lily used to chat with my mum over the fence about gardening and Muggle things. At first, they didn't even know we were magical, until they met my dad at an Order of the Phoenix meeting. It's an organization that fought against the Death Eaters."
She sighed, her eyes distant as memories flooded in. "Your parents got engaged pretty quickly, and Merlin, their wedding... it was beautiful. I was there. And then, not long after, Lily was pregnant with you. But things... changed. They vanished. We thought they'd moved away, but they didn't, they hid themselves from the world. The next time I saw them, it was at their funeral... they were both gone."
Harry stood there, his expression somber as he absorbed Aurora's words. He hadn't expected such a personal and painful recount of his parents' past.
"Thanks, Professor... for sharing that with me. I never really knew what they were like."
Aurora's smile widened just slightly. "I know it's not easy, but they're always with you, Harry. In your heart, in the way you live your life."
Harry felt a lump in his throat, but he nodded again. "I'll remember that."
Harry was about to leave the History of Magic classroom when Aurora suddenly stopped him at the last moment.
"Harry, I didn't know your parents well, they were just very kind to me. I was still a child back then, not even ten. But there is someone who knew them much better... though, I'm not sure if he's ready to talk about it."
"Who is that?" Harry asked, hope creeping into his voice.
"Professor Lupin," Aurora replied quietly. "He was their best friend, visited them often. I'm not sure if he remembers me from that time, we never really talked about it, but I can ask him if he's willing to share some memories with you. He might even have some things of theirs still."
"Professor Moonridge..." Harry's voice faltered, his gratitude evident. "I don't know how to thank you."
Aurora smiled gently. "You don't have to, Harry. I just want their memory to live on. They were truly good people."
Aurora watched Harry for a moment, her expression softening. She could see the hope and longing in his eyes, the unspoken desire to know more about the parents he barely remembered. She felt a surge of protectiveness for him, a sense that she had to help in any way she could.
As Harry began to leave the room, she stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the misty grounds of Hogwarts. The memories of the past seemed to blur together, the faces of James and Lily Potter, so full of life and laughter, and the haunting emptiness left after their deaths. Aurora closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of their absence. She knew, however, that some memories were best kept alive, especially for those who had lost so much.
The classroom around her was quiet, save for the distant sound of students' voices in the halls. The thick, worn curtains swayed gently in the breeze. Aurora leaned her head against the cool glass, lost in thought, wondering if Remus would be willing to share his memories with Harry.
After a long pause, she finally sighed, turning away from the window and back to her desk, her fingers lightly tracing the edges of an old, worn-out book. She didn't know what the future held, but she hoped that Harry would find some peace in the stories of his parents' past.
It was the least she could do.