Chapter 20
Chp 20
“You lot stink.” Sirius complains, nose wrinkled, as he bites into a potato.
“I like it.” Remus counters, “it’s like a fireplace but nicer.”
Aurora grins broadly.
“Are you saying you like the way I smell, Lupin?”
“Stop flirting with Moony!” Sirius complains.
“Look who’s talking!”
This turns Sirius a bright red as he fails to find a good comeback.
“By Jove, I’ve cracked the code. I figured out a way to get Padfoot to stop talking!” Aurora exclaims.
“Oh oh let me try!” Peter raises his hand like a proper schoolboy “Sirius start talking again.”
“Oh not you too! You bloody gi-“ Sirius halts as Peter holds up a polite hand. Sirius rolls his eyes.
“Yes, Wormtail, you absolute Id-“
“You like flirting with Moony!” Peter blurts, dodging Sirius’s strike narrowly.
“Nice one.” James claps Peter on the back, who ducks his head bashfully.
“You’re corrupting Wormtail now too? Wasn’t enough to take Reggie, you have to take Peter from me as well?!”
“Oh Pads, don’t be jealous!” James wraps his arms tightly around Sirius, who wriggles around trying to escape.
Grinning and giggling, Aurora takes the other side of Sirius, sandwiching him between her and James. Sirius squirms harder, failing to free himself from their loving grips.
“Ok ok! I’m loved! Now get off of me!!” Sirius shrieks. James relents, laughing lightly. Aurora plants a firm kiss on Sirius’s cheek before finally releasing him.
“I didn’t get a smooch.” James pouts.
Aurora leans over Sirius towards James, before Sirius yanks her back.
“Enough. You’re bloody disgusting, you both need to learn to keep it in your pants.”
“Look who’s-“ Sirius lunges at James, covering his giggling mouth.
——————————————————————
It was close, but Slytherin won the last game of the term.
All of house Slytherin was celebrating, save for three students lying on their backs, looking at the stars.
“It’s just like when we were little.” Aurora remarks wistfully.
“You’re still little.” Pandora snarks. She loved reminding her little sister that she was taller than her. If she wasn’t separated from her by Regulus laying between them, Rory would have shoved her.
She settled for grumpy muttering instead.
“Will everything change this summer, you think?” Regulus asks, suddenly pensive.
“Because of the engagement? Or because we are staying at The Potters?” Pandora asks.
They had all corresponded with each others families and agreed that Pandora and Aurora would be able to spend part of their break with James, Sirius, Remus and Peter at The Potter house. There wasn’t a word big enough to describe how excited she was to spend long summer days and nights laughing with her friends.
“Would it be so bad? For things to change?” Rory questions, thinking of twin houses and open doors and a white dress.
“I guess we’ll find out.” Regulus says morosely.
Aurora pretends it doesn’t hurt her feelings.
——————————————————————
“I don’t want to go.” Aurora moans as she laces her boot.
“Oh now you want to speak up about it!” Sirius rolls his eyes, throwing his hands up in the air dramatically.
It had been a beautiful week at the Potter house. Euphemia and Fleamont Potter had to be the most storybook parents ever. They were warm and funny and kind in a way Aurora had never thought possible to find in a parent, let alone two. She had already grown attached to the lifestyle of sunny broomrides around the grounds, and delicious meals paired with motherly affection from Euphemia. Fleamont was funny in a very paternal sort of way; his non threatening manner and awful jokes put Rory at ease.
They all got along, Pandora fitting in without a hitch. Remus, Aurora , and Pandora often read together while the three other boys flew or wrestled. Aurora would join them once James and Sirius’s pestering wore her down. After several days she actually found flying fun, she was improving quite a bit. She was still nowhere near James or Sirius’s level, but she kept up with Peter easily enough. She both enjoyed and seemed skilled enough at flying very fast.
Aurora doubted she had ever been quite this happy. It was almost perfect. But now it was over.
Pandora embraces James tightly, then Remus.
“We’ll see you soon, before you know it we’ll be back at school.” Pandora assures the room.
“Will you write? Tell us how the dinner goes.” James urges. Aurora nods, blinking back tears.
She pulls James into a tight embrace, burying her face in the crook of his neck.
“Hey, woah.” James soothes, stroking her back for a few moments before pulling away to look into her face.
As James opens his mouth with a concerned look on his face, Sirius steps forward.
“Don’t do it. Don’t go.” Sirius half pleads half demands.
Auroras heart drops into her stomach “Sirius please.”
“No! I don’t know what they’ll do but it won’t be good. You don’t have to go, even for Reg.”
Rory shakes her head. Sirius was never going to stop, and neither was she.
—————————————————————
If all else failed, at least the dress was beautiful. She had been advised to dress formal for the dinner at Grimmauld place. She chose a long dress of blue velvet so dark it was almost black. The heavy fabric was comforting, almost like a blanket. She would need the comfort, her hands shook as she lifted the heavy iron knocker. It was fashioned in the shape of a coiled snake, the scales enchanted to move slowly as the snake curled in on itself in an infinity loop for, well, infinity.
She tried her best not to flinch as the knocker fell, loudly ringing like a death knell.
Squaring her shoulders as the door swings open, her gaze is met with empty air. A moments confusion is met with swift understanding as her eyes fall to the house elf at her feet.
“Greetings, my lady. Welcome to Grimmauld Place.”
Recognition dawned on her. Regulus had spoken with fondness for the houses chief elf.
“Hello Kreature, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
The house elf takes a sharp breath inward, before suddenly bowing so low his nose touches the floor.
“The young miss flatters Kreature, who does not deserve greeting from her ladyship. We can see why Master Regulus has taken you to wed.”
A blush creeps to her cheeks as Kreature turns his head sharply and flinches.
“That’s enough Kreature.” A voice cold as steel cuts the air around them. Icy eyes bore into hers, before outright scanning her from head to toe. Aurora had the distinct feeling of being catalogued like an exotic stuffed bird in a museum. Fighting back a shiver, Rory lifts her chin higher, stands a little straighter, and wonders if there is a spell that makes someone’s very gaze freeze the blood of their opponent, because if so, Walburga Black had cast it.
Before she even has time to curtsy, Walburga has already turned on her heel.
“Come. Everyone is waiting.” She throws over her shoulder and walks without looking back to check if Aurora is following.
Aurora takes in as much of her surroundings as she can while keeping pace with Walburga, Kreature close at her heels.
The first thing she notices is how dark the house is. Heavy drapes adorn the windows, providing little contrast to the dark wood paneling. Wall sconces holding candles provide flickering light as they clear the hallway and enter the sitting room.
Rory’s heart flutters like a caged bird as she scans the faces gathered on various couches. Regulus rises from his seat when he sees her, crossing the room to join her.
“Everyone, I would like you to meet Aurora Lovegood.” Regulus announces, presenting her to the room. Cool stares meet hers, assessing.
“Rory, this is my cousin Narcissa.” He gestures to the platinum blonde girl, who blinks and inclines her head regally.
“I’m Bellatrix.” The wild raven haired girl cuts in, extending a slender hand.
Aurora takes her hand in her own quickly. “We’ve met. We went to school together while you were still at Hogwarts.” She reminds the older girls, who nod, obviously not remembering.
“Of course you’ve met Mother.” Regulus continues. Aurora isn’t sure met is the right choice of words, but she smiles and nods anyway.
“Suppose that just leaves me, then. Orion Black.” The salt and pepper haired man introduces himself.
She manages a curtsy this time, pretending not to notice the snicker Bellatrix lets out, or the way Regulus tenses even more at her side.
As one, they move to the dining room. Orion and Walburga take their seats at either end of the long dining table.
As Narcissa and Bellatrix sit, Rory looks to Regulus for guidance, who has blessedly taken the empty seat next to Walburga. He places a subtle hand on the arm of the chair next to him, covertly withdrawing it as she slips into the seat.
It isn’t long before the first course is served and the questions begin. It starts off as expected; the basic questions about her life, her heritage, her schooling. Walburga doesn’t even try to hide her dissatisfaction when she learns Aurora doesn’t play an instrument.
Beside her, Regulus is straight backed, movements precise and careful. Under the table, his foot has found its way to hers, a reassuring comfort hidden from sight.
She keeps expecting them to ask about her health, it’s the question she had been dreading the most. She was well aware of what the Black family likely expected of her, should she marry their heir. It was expected of her to produce the next heir to the Black fortune. A healthy heir. To her, the apparent hole in the conversation was obvious, but no one else seemed to notice.
It occurs to her that Regulus may have warned them off the topic beforehand. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. On the one hand, yes, she didn’t want to discuss her on and off health issues, or how they may be passed on to a future child. It was true, she didn’t want to discuss that, but she also didn’t love the idea that everyone had agreed to something about her, without her.
She was so involved in parsing out her own emotions, she had lost track of the ongoing conversation. Aurora made an effort to tune back in.
“It’s simply dreadful. A disgrace against the wizarding world and families like ours who have worked so hard to protect legacy after legacy.” Walburga declares, the table nods.
“Certainly shouldn’t be mixing, luckily it’s not much of an issue in Slytherin. Can’t say the same for Gryffindor though, even the pure bloods are tainted by the company they keep.” Bellatrix wrinkles her nose in disgust.
“Don’t fret, things are changing every day more and more in our favor. We have almost complete control of the Ministry of Magic now.” Orion pats his nieces hand reassuringly.
“Indeed. Won’t be long now until the Dark Lord rises and takes care of the mudblood issue entirely.” Walburga agrees.
It’s a great test of will to keep her mouth shut and her body still. She clenches her fists in her lap, feeling her nails digging into the soft flesh of her palm. Regulus taps her foot once with his.
She taps back twice.
She could get through this, it was only one dinner. She could hold her tongue. As the seconds tick by, it becomes more and more apparent to Aurora why Sirius left.
Her heart lurches at the thought of her friends.
That nasty word echoes in her head.
Mudblood.
Lily, Mary, Marlene, Remus, so many dear faces flash in her mind, all of them mixed blood. She didn’t understand, couldn’t understand what supposedly made them lesser. She had done nothing to earn whatever privilege her ancestry afforded her; and despite Walburgas sentiments, she doubted her family had either.
“Aurora?” A clear voice rings, scattering her thoughts.
Everyone was staring at her.
Narcissa clears her throat daintily “I would be interested to hear what you think on the matter, given your… diverse school chums.”
So much for keeping my mouth shut.
It was clearly a trap, If they knew she spent time with the marauders and the rest, they knew she didn’t care about any blood purity nonsense.
“I can appreciate the work that goes into preserving a family line.” She begins carefully.
“I personally don’t take into account someone’s blood when I make a friend, but rather their character. Their actions.”
Bellatrix snorts, rolling her eyes.
“Character? Actions? You say that now, but come start of term, you’ll go back to your little mischief makers.”
“That will end. Won’t it, Aurora?” Walburga’s voice has gone silken, she cocks her head to the side predatorily.
“Because if you are to marry my son, you must be mindful of the company you keep and how it reflects on the family. Family requires sacrifice, we have all sacrificed in order to be a part of this family.”
Walburga rises from her seat.
“Come.” She commands, leaving the table and walking into the hall. Aurora scrambles to follow, practically dragging Regulus along by the hand with her for fear of being alone with his mother.
Walburga leads them into a room papered with ornate floral wallpaper. She flourishes her hand at the wall grandly, silently imploring Aurora to look.
Upon closer inspection, the wallpaper was in truth, a mural. A family tree. Spindly branches connect miniature portraits of Black family members, along with their names in elegant script. Aurora spots familiar and new names. Narcissa and her husband Lucius; Bellatrix, Orion and Walburga of course were there.
“Everyone on this wall has made innumerable sacrifices in order to be one of us. To uphold our reputation. You can do that, can’t you?” Walburga purrs.
“Yes, Mother.” Regulus replies instantly, robotically. Her blood heats in anger.
How dare he speak for me, how dare he-
Her eyes snag on a dark stain on the wall she hadn’t noticed somehow. There were more than one. Not stains, she realizes with horror, burns.
“Very well. The wedding will be in two weeks, everything is taken care of.” Walburga strides out of the room, pausing in the doorway to regard Aurora slyly.
“Just think, soon you’ll be there.” She gestures to the wall with a pale hand.
“What is worth more, a few friends, or an entire dynasty?” With that, she exits, leaving them in silence.
Auroras mind is reeling, she struggles to find the words, to pick the order in which they spill out of her mouth.
“I won’t-“ she begins, but halts as Regulus holds up a hand, eyes flashing in warning. He strides over to the door, shutting it firmly before casting a hushed silencing charm.
“I won’t stop seeing my friends.” She declares firmly, fighting the urge to stomp her foot like a child.
Regulus shakes his head “No, of course not. I never expected you to.”
“But you said-“
“I lied. Because I know you don’t like to; which you’re going to have to get over with this family, by the way.” He takes her hands in both of his. “I never actually expected you to give them up.” His voice is so soft, his face so open, she can’t help but melt. Softening, she turns back to the family tree.
“What happened?” She asks, pointing to the circular burn marks on the wall.
“My mother happened.” Regulus replies morosely. He moves to the wall and points to a burn above him.
“This was Andromeda; Bella and Cissy’s sister, she married a muggle, so Mother burned her out.”
“Your mother did this?”
Regulus nods.
She was struck by the violence of it, the clear anger and aggression in the act of burning a portrait of a family member. Marring their face. But of course she knew that Walburga Black had done far worse to her very own sons.
She scans down the wall to another burn mark, this one is beside Regulus’s portrait.
She moves to touch the mark, feeling the roughness of charred material.
“Is this…?”
He nods sadly “Sirius. Yeah.”
They both stare at the black splotch for a while.
“Two weeks? Isn’t that a little fast?” She speaks, finally breaking the sad silence.
“Are you having doubts? You can always back out.” Regulus reminds her.
Aurora startles, “No! It just took me by surprise I guess. And I’m upset my friends can’t be there.”
“Pandora will be there.”
“Yeah. Only Pandora. I won’t have anyone else there.”
“You’ll have me.”
“I should hope so!” She laughs, followed by a knock at the door. Regulus opens it, revealing Kreature standing in the doorway, head bowed.
“Kreature apologizes for the interruption. Mistress has need to know how you plan on departing?”
“I guess that’s my cue.” She says dryly.
“Thank you Kreature, I’ll be taking the floo.”
“I’ll fetch the powder, Mistress.” Kreature bows, and departs.
“I guess I’ll see you at our wedding.”
Regulus laughs and takes her hands, pulling her into him softly.
“I’ll see you there.” He croons, kissing her hair.
“And I’ll write.” He kisses her forehead.
“And I’ll think of you daily, as always.” He kisses her cheek.
Aurora grins “You old sap.” Tugging on his lapel, she brings his lips to hers.