Prologue
In a quiet, secluded cottage nestled amidst the dense woods, a young Aurora Black lay in her crib, her innocent eyes darting around, unaware of the world outside. At just fourteen months old, her life had been a series of coos and giggles. She was the precious offspring of a forbidden love, a secret known only to a few. Jane, her mother, sat nearby, gently cradling Aurora's tiny hand.
In the same room, Aurora’s grandmother, Eleanor, chuckled as she observed the mother and daughter. "You have your mother’s smile, my sweet Aurora," Eleanor hummed as she stared nervously at the baby girl's newly grown platinum blonde hair that fell into her eyes that were as blue as the ocean itself.
As the clock ticked away the peaceful moments, the air suddenly grew cold, and the atmosphere turned sinister. Jane rushed to the window, her heart pounding in her chest. Her breath caught as she saw the unmistakable figure of Lord Voldemort approaching their home.
Fear quickly took control of Jane's body as she ran back towards her baby daughter, bundled her up in her arms, and ran to the nearest door. In a blast, she swung open the closet door and laid her precious baby inside. With all the strength she had, she kissed her baby goodbye and with tears falling from her eyes she quickly whispered a few words to her Aurora, “I love you”. She sobbed, “...I'm so sorry, my star”. Jane closed the door and hurriedly cast a concealment charm that only let the good of heart see what lay inside.
With her baby hidden, she turned to face the impending darkness. She hurried down the stairs only to be met with the sight of Voldermort marching through her front door. Voldemort's darkness quickly swept the room as terror covered the faces of Jane and Eleanor.
“Jane…Elaenor.” Voldemort hissed. His voice dripped with malice. Both women stood fearfully in front of the dark wizard but to their credit never flinched. “I give you one last chance to surrender. Join me and live.”
Jane lifted her head high to speak to the evil darkness, “We will never join you. I’ll make sure your cause will end in ruins!” Her voice was firm and strong as she gripped the hand of her mother for support.
His patience wore thin and with a quick flick of Voldemort's wand a bright flash of green ended the lives of Aurora’s mother and grandmother. Their lifeless bodies crumbled to the floor and Voldermort's sinister laugh echoed through the room. With a swish of his cloak, he departed the once quaint cottage leaving behind a bloodied and horrid scene.
Only minutes later the cottage door creaked open revealing Narcissa Malfoy, the best friend of Jane and godmother to her daughter, Aurora. Upon seeing her friend lifeless on the floor, Narcissa fell to her knees, a grief-filled cry filled the air and she pulled Jane's lifeless body into her arms and hugged her tightly. Narcissa’s tears fell onto Jane as she sobbed in misery. But all of a sudden panic, and pure terror came over her as she saw Aurora was nowhere to be seen. She began to search the cottage, and her fanatic footsteps echoed through the empty rooms.
After searching the cottage anxiously she finally found Aurora trembling in a closet. Narcissa quickly cradled the baby in her arms as sobs racked her body.
“I’ll keep you safe, I promise.” She whispered as she held Aurora close. The sound apparition cracked through the room and with her wand held high, Narcissa quickly turned only to see Albus Dumbledore staring at her with sadness in his eyes.
“You promised to protect them!” She wept while keeping her wand held up and a tight arm around her goddaughter.
“I had no way of knowing-” Dumbledore started apologetically before he was abruptly interrupted,
“You knew! Of course, he would come after her!” Narcissa sneered in response.
“I'm sorry. But right now we have to get Aurora away.”
“NO!” The last thing Narcissa would let anyone do is take away the baby in her arms.
“Miss Mal-” He said with a shake of his head,
“NO! She is staying with me! I promised!” She left no room for argument and Albus nodded reluctantly but kept his gaze weary.
“Who are you doing this for? Jane…or Regulus” He stared down at the baby girl who was still shaking in Narcissa’s arms.
Her voice was feather light as she responded, “Both.”
Aurora crouched down in the rose bushes that scratched her with its sharp branches. With all her might she had to stifle her laughter while she watched Draco count down from 20.
“Ready or not, here I come,” His voice echoes through the air as he spins around already looking for her.
“Aurora! I’m going to find you!” He laughed as he yelled throughout the gardens and ducked his head into the peonies searching for any trace of Dobby or Aurora. In the distance, she can hear the faint snipping of the clippers her godmother was using to trim the lavender. It was the perfect day, the sun was beaming down on Malfoy’s Manor, the air was crisp and smelled of brisling leaves falling from the trees.
“AURORA!” Draco screams from the fountain, already agitated that he can't find her.
“Draco! Do not yell.” Cissa critiques her son as Aurora pushes her hands into her face to keep from laughing.
“But she's not here!” Draco retorts, crossing his arms over his chest.
Cissa let out a bright smile, “Your cousin is here you just have to look better, Draco.”
Aurora looks to the opposite side, she sees Dobby attempting to hide behind a particularly large pot plant. His large ears stick out and his eyes are filled with mischief.
“HA! found you” Draco declares as he approaches Dobby, who wrings his hands nervously but manages a cheeky smirk.
“Dobby thought he could trick Master Draco.” The house elf says in defeat.
Draco confidently smirks and she can basically see his ego growing. "Think again.”
Aurora watched as Draco was practically right next to her, she held her breath and before she knew it Draco quickly turned in the other direction. Aurora giggled to herself as she watched Draco run around attempting to find her with a speed that should not be possible for someone with such little legs. After a while, Aurora started to feel bad and decided to reveal herself.
“HAHA YOU COULDN’T FIND ME, DEE!” She was jumping up and down on the spot like she just won a prize.
“Argh! RORA YOU CHEATED! Draco says furiously, pointing accusingly as Aurora walks out from the rose bush.
She gasps like he was just arrested for murder, “I DID NOT!”
“Children!” Both Draco and Aurora turn to Cissa as she stands to walk over to them. She gracefully kneeled in front of the two children, “How about you two go get cleaned up. You have class in 15 minutes.” Aurora dashes up the grand staircase of Malfoy Manor and enters her elegant room. She quickly retrieves her French homework, determined to complete it before class. But as she flips open her textbook, her gaze slips to the framed photograph on her desk.
Aurora picks up the picture and smiles. In the picture, she, Draco, Narcissa, and Lucius stand together, arms wrapped around each other, their smiles bright and genuine. They look like a family, and in many ways, they were. When she and Draco were younger they were a loving family, well as much as a Pure Blooded family could be loving. But everything had changed a few years back. Lucius was always away on business and when he was there he was pushing the children to achieve the highest possible scores in etiquette and education. He became strict and a bit scary sometimes, never showing any sign of affection or approval. Both Aurora and Draco feel the weight of his expectations pushing down on them. Lucius often belittles and scolds them, pushing the kids relentlessly to achieve a level of perfection that is unattainable. Aurora, with each passing day, finds herself slowly starting to dislike Lucius.
Aurora's mind drifted to Narcissa, how she took her in, providing a loving home after the tragic loss of her mother and grandmother. She doesn't remember anything about them, but Narcissa has always been there to fill her in, sharing stories about Jane, her mother, and her own time at Hogwarts. How they were inseparable, causing mischief and laughter wherever they went.
As for her father, Regulus, Aurora knew little about him beyond the fact that he was Narcissa's cousin and died before she was born. It's a topic that Narcissa rarely mentions, and Aurora has never pushed for details. She's content with the life she has.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a soft knock came from the door.
“Come in.” Aurora gently put down the photo as she turned to the door and a bright smile spread across her face as she saw her Godmother. Gracefully as ever Narcissa glided into the room.
“Rora, do you mind if we speak for a moment?” Narcissa gestured to Aurora’s favorite place in the Manor, the window nook that overlooked the lush gardens and had the softest cushions one could dream of. They both elegantly sit on the nook and Aurora waits for her godmother to begin.
“You know that this family loves you and you will always be a part of it right?” Narcissa’s voice was like a caress of a feather, beautiful and delicate. Aurora’s gut twisted a little bit out of nervousness.
“Of course, Cissa.” Cautiousness was laced in her force as she slowly replied back, “What is wrong?”
Narcissa let out a small breath of air, “We have decided it would be best for you to attend Beauxbatons, in France. It is a wonderful school and you will learn everything a young witch needs. We have already spoken to Madam Maxime-”
“But I was meant to go to Hogwarts with Draco! Like you, mother and father! Why are you sending me away!” A few tears fell delicately down Aurora's face as she looked to the floor. And with a heavy heart, Narcissa brought her into a motherly hug and continued to tell her of her unchanged fate.
“I know my sweet girl. But this is for the best. Please trust me on this.” Narcissa said sadly but Aurora couldn't listen anymore she quickly pulled away from her godmother's arms and ran down the hall and straight into Draco's room. She found him on the floor leaning his back against his bed as his head hung in his knees. Low sobs filled his every breath.
Aurora ran to his side, “Dee!” Draco’s head snapped up and every inch of his face was filled with grief.
“They're sending you away, Rora!” He sobbed painfully, she quickly wrapped her arms around him as they sobbed together for an unknowable amount of time. Once the crying was done a calm quiet took over the room until Draco’s quiet voice filled the space.
“Father told me I was not allowed to cry.” His voice was so light Aurora could barely hear it.
“You are allowed to cry, Dee.” They both hugged each other tightly.
“You were meant to get your letter next week.” Draco whipped his eyes defeatedly, “Now we will never be able to sneak into the forbidden woods or study the stars from the astronomy tower. It’s not fair!”
“I know. But we will write every week! And we can floo-”
“I don’t even get to see you for Christmas!” Aurora’s expression saddened even more. Quietness filled the room for a few minutes more until Draco couldn't take it anymore. “Rora. We have to promise ourselves that we will talk every week. Promise?”
“Promise.”
The next month went by with a blur and by the time she knew it she was standing in front of the Manor with her trunks beside her hugging goodbye to her family. Lucius gave her a small hug and he gave her some small words about making the family proud. Narcissa held her handkerchief close to her chest as she hugged her only daughter goodbye. Narcissa thinks it’s one of the most painful things she ever had to do. But she made a promise to Jane to keep Aurora safe no matter what. So that is what she will do. She would be strong for Jane. The hardest goodbye for Aurora was Draco, he was her brother even though they were only biologically cousins she didn't care. He was her brother. He was always there for her through thick in thin and now for the first time in their lives they were being separated.
“Every week. Promise.” Draco said to her as he gave her a tight hug.
“Every week.” The siblings hesitantly pulled apart. With one last look at her family, she turned and walked into the beautiful blue carriage. Leaving her life and family behind.