Lay Me Down Slowly
A soft hum was the first thing that Aurora heard as she was waking up. Everywhere on her body felt weak and tired. Not wanting to move of how comfortable she felt, she rubs her head deeper into the soft cushion her lead occupied.
"Little cygnet, you need to wake up."
Hearing the familiar voice made her heart skip a beat in joy she quickly picked up her head looking to where the voice came from to make sure that what she heard was really true and not her imagination.
"Godmother!!"
Her small body flung herself to Olivia and they both embraced themselves tightly. Olivia's hearts break as she listens to the sobs coming from the frightful child in her arms. All she can do is provide comfort. Running her fingers through Aurora's white hair she sang a small part of the lullaby that she knew could calm her down.
"May you sail far to the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet"
Hearing the lullaby put Aurora at ease knowing that part of her happiness remained alive and will still be with her for the years to come. Aurora pulls away, wiping away the remaining tears. Olivia mentally takes a hold of herself knowing that the next part of their conversation is not going to be easy.
"Aurora sweetie there is...something I must tell you."
Aurora peeked up her head tilting it to the side. On a different occasion, her reaction would have made Olivia think of how adorable she is but for right now she needed to focus.
"What is it that you wish to tell me?"
Umbra was slowly waking up from her nap.
Olivia takes a deep breath and exhales.
Purple eyes held the gaze of gold.
"There is no simple way for me to tell you this..."
Aurora's heart beats faster.
Her palm began to sweat and Umbra, though just waking up, sensed the tension in the room was growing.
"What happened?" Aurora whispered out.
Olivia gulps the nerves down her throat as she forces herself to say the words that are on the tip of her tongue.
"Your father is dead."
Silence.
Olivia analyzed her goddaughter's reaction to seeing how she was taking the news but saw nothing.
Aurora's whole body froze in place.
Not even she could understand her emotions.
She was sad, but not to the point that she would mourn for him.
She was angry at her father, at the world, or was it herself she was angry at.
She can't comprehend what she should be feeling or what her reaction should be.
It's just a blank of - nothing.
And that scares her because she doesn't know if something is wrong with her.
If she should be feeling this way. If she has the right to feel this way or is everything wrong and she should be sobbing around begging the world to bring him back.
Everything felt so confusing.
Emotions swirled like a storm but nothing felt right.
Olivia touches her hand, grabbing onto it.
Aurora doesn't acknowledge the touch.
'So this is what you meant Arthur. No strings attached. Aurora can't get hurt if the man she knew was more of a stranger than a father.'
"How do you feel?"
Olivia felt like this question was the best approach for her goddaughter. She must know what is going on in her mind and needs to know what is the best approach to helping her.
"I don't know."
Aurora's eyes still remained in a daze.
"I don't feel anything."
That's understandable and in a way, Olivia can't blame her. The veela bond stripped her away from the possibility of having a father and mother. Of having a regular life without the trauma of abuse at all levels.
It's okay for her to react and feel this way.
Just the Wizarding World is not going to be thrilled by it and many purebloods are going to feel offended by Aurora's lack of response. Hell, she is pretty sure that a specific Miller is going to try to portray her as evil and negative as possible.
Honestly, wouldn't be the first time someone attempted to do that.
Even Olivia knew firsthand what happens when the press decides to take matters into their own hands and twist the words or the lack of. Turning the news press against their victim just for fame and wealth.
Thankfully Albus was there to save her from their suffocating grip.
'I am going to have to be stronger in order to protect her from the world.'
Returning her attention back to Aurora's she tries to spread her warmth filled with assurance.
"It's alright. You must not force yourself to feel something you do not."
Aurora pets Umbra, finding it helpful to push away the confusing emotions inside her. She runs her fingers through her soft fur allowing this small moment to ease away her frustration with herself.
"What are we going to do now?"
Olivia leans her head back to the pillow, looking to the ceiling, pondering for a moment.
"Well, we wait till I get out of the hospital first and from there we focus on the funeral plans."
Aurora moved close to Olivia's upper body and lays herself there.
"I am scared."
"I know. I am scared too.." she then grabs onto Aurora's right hand with her left wrapping their fingers together, "...but I promise you, I will be with you every step of the way."
Golden eyes glance up at her worried and with a hint of hope.
"You promise?"
Olivia tightens her grip.
"I promise."
~**∞**~
True to her words, Olivia stayed with her.
Every step of the way.
The press kept harassing and pressuring them to put up titles in the daily newspapers about Arthur's death and that no one had seen the Belmont heir. Some are even going as far as to say that Aurora may be behind the death of her own father which she, Trinity, and Henrik all claim to be false and provided proof that Aurora was at the school during the time of Arthur's death.
But the press and reporters wanted to speak to Aurora and ask her endless questions about her father and how she felt, etc, etc.
So Olivia had to change their routine in getting to places never had a solid pattern and always kept switching.
After being dispatched from the hospital a day later Olivia got straight back to work in creating the funeral service for Arthur. She had asked Aurora if she wished to participate or do something for her father. But she declined and let Olivia handle everything.
Again she understood her reaction and thus didn't pressure her to reconsider.
Henrik did help in parts of the planning.
It did make sense, after all, he is the successor to Arthur's company in dealing with dragons and the merchandise for trading goods. In a few days, Henrik was going to earn the title of CEO of Belmont's Enterprise being the youngest at 25 to take control of the company.
Of course, Olivia and Aurora got the invitation to the celebration and reluctantly accepted it because she knew it was important that Aurora made her presence there at the party.
After all, once she comes of age the company will then be passed down to her.
Until then Henrik was going to do all his power to make sure everything was ready for when the true heir sat on the throne of the office.
(*But the author here is such an asshole and enjoys making ppl suffer including herself so that will be impossible to happen ^-^*)
The day had arrived and those invited attended the funeral.
Everyone wore completely black clothing and Olivia made absolutely sure that no one bothered Aurora with their foolish questions.
She had Henrik who happily agreed to look after Aurora as she made sure everything ran smoothly. Trinity helped make sure she wasn't over-stressing herself and when she was Trinity took control of the wheels as she forced Olivia to rest.
With everyone settled down and no problems needed to be dealt with, Olivia finally approached the metal silver casket mentally preparing herself for what was to come.
Her heart came to a complete stop when she saw Arthur's body.
His skin was now completely pale white. The pink plump of his lips was faded. His midnight-black hair was dull. His cheekbones were more defined than before.
But even then to Olivia's eyes he still remained handsome as he was in the living.
Alastor approached her and gave her a comfortable tight hug behind. He places his head on her right shoulder and remained silent just providing emotional support since she very much needed it.
She leans into his touch. Finding comfort in the rich cologne that he always wore. His slim yet slight muscular arms secured her body in precaution in case her body decides to give up on her.
"I felt at peace when I saw them," she whispers between them.
"A part of me didn't want to leave. Just wanted to stay there with them forever. No worries. No responsibilities. No pain. No heartbreaks. It felt beautiful."
Alastor remained silent but his heart stung as he listen to how she felt being on the other side. His grip tightened slowly as he closed his eyes, trying desperately to not allow himself to feel. But as much as he tried he couldn't push away he couldn't help but think.
'I wish you would feel this way about me like how I feel about you.'
Shaking his head clearing his mind, and breathing to calm down his aching heart, he decided to focus on comforting her.
"So why did you come back then?"
"Because they wanted me to look after Aurora."
She then walks towards the casket, which makes Alastor reluctantly let go.
He quickly looks away as she places a kiss on Arthur's lips feeling his heartbreak into a million pieces.
She turns around and he follows like a lost puppy down the small steps.
"I have to find Aurora and Henrik so that they both can say their last goodbyes."
Alastor gives her a small smile but his brown eyes were darker almost close to black.
"Are you alright?" Olivia frowns, eyes filled with concern.
The black lace sleeve of her shoulder fell slightly Alastor saw this and with the tip of his fingers, he lift the sleeve back to its proper spot.
"I am fine love," his British accent sent a small shiver down Olivia's spine that she quickly pushed away. He then spoke in French again, "Go look for them. I will be with Kingsley."
It didn't look like she believed what he said but left nonetheless.
He tried his hardest not to break apart knowing the girl of his dreams would never be his. A large palm touched his shoulder and a brotherly feeling of understanding and pity course through him.
He turned knowing who the person was.
Albus had just arrived.
"I am sorry my old friend", that is what Albus' eyes told him.
Alastor just shook his head took a breath and walked away out of the building.
He was itching to smoke and drink whiskey.
Albus watched in sorrow as his friend walked away.
~**∞**~
For the sake of appearance.
Aurora approached the casket.
Henrik and her godmother stood behind her creating a wall from the watchful eyes that followed her every movement. Thankfully her godmother gave her a small black Victorian-style hat that has black lace in front covering her face from everyone.
Seeing her father the feeling inside her was cold.
The numbness was slowly slipping.
A part of her started to cry inside.
She reached out to touch his hand.
Cold and limp.
No blood was coursing through his veins.
Right, when she wanted to pull away and walk back to her godmother she turned to Henrik asking him with teary eyes, "Can you lift me up, please?"
He nodded quickly, stepping towards her and lifting her small body. She was now tall enough so she pulled the veil away from her face.
Leaning forward she places a small kiss on her father's forehead and pulls away, tucking her head underneath Henrik's chin.
The veil came down covering her face again.
Hours later, the people in charge of moving the casket came forward and everyone followed them as they moved the casket to the family tomb in the cemetery.
Olivia, Henrik, and Aurora were the only ones allowed to walk inside the family tomb. There they watch as Arthur's casket is placed right next to his wife.
With a wave of a wizard wand, the dates of birth and death were marked on the marble stone that seal the casket away.
Arthur IV Belmont
March 20, 1899 - September 15, 1937
The funeral was over and everyone went home.
When it came to the mansion, Aurora didn't want to live there anymore so she moved in with Olivia.
Henrik managed to give Aurora the paperwork for the mansion and everything that her father owned, including the inheritance to the company, just in case something happens.
(*distance whistles*)
Right when she got onto the bed in her new room ready to sleep, a knock came on the door.
Olivia peeks her head inside, "May I come in?"
Aurora nods and watches as her godmother enters, shutting the door behind her, and makes her way to sit on the bed right next to her.
Umbra, who changed her side to be an adult lynx, laid herself on the foot of Aurora laying her head on her front paws.
"I have something to give you."
She pulls out a black envelope that she was hiding behind her back.
Aurora eyed the envelope, her interest, and curiosity peaked.
"Who is it from?"
"It's from your father."
Aurora was shocked to hold the envelope with such caution.
"He wrote this address to you before his passing."
"Have you read what's inside?"
Olivia shook her head.
"I didn't want to intrude. I left it alone waiting for the moment to give it to you."
She then got up from her spot and walked back to the door, turning the doorknob open, she gave one last look at her in a sense of sympathy before saying goodnight and closing the door behind her.
Umbra purrs loudly creating a soft vibration of comfort on the bed.
Taking a deep breath, Aurora analyzes the envelope, flipping it overseeing the familiar dragon wax insignia, and pulls it open. Inside was a parchment. She places the envelope down and opens up the folded parchment reading the cursive ink written on it.
Dear Aurora,
I know that I have no right
nor do I deserve your forgiveness
for the amount of pain
that I put you through.
I deserve every hate and anger that is trapped inside of you.
Deserve to suffer for causing you so much harm,
a child who didn't deserve to be caught in the webs of my despair.
Maybe Olivia was right,
maybe it was for the best that your mother and I never did the veela bond.
Maybe then you wouldn't have suffered as much.
Maybe our fate would have been different.
But there is no point in me dwelling on the "what ifs"
for I won't be alive much longer.
Aurora, there is a great amount of evil in this world.
There will be people who will not hesitate to use you for their benefit.
As there will be people who will do their absolute best to bring you to the ground.
You must not let them win.
You are a survivor,
You are the living proof.
That even in the darkest of times, there could be light, as long as one is willing to believe it so.
I must warn you.
If you shall want to perform the veela bond.
Like everything in life, there is an equal consequence.
If any this must be something you should always think about four or seven times even more.
Never rush through it.
The pain of losing a mate will be more painful than you know it.
In the end, it's your choice to make no one else.
You make the final decision.
As I am writing this I can't help but think how much I wish I could say to you.
So many things are left unsaid.
You never have to forgive me.
And I am fine with that.
Hate me as much as you want.
Just know that despite it all,
I really did love you.
You are my pride and joy.
The elegant flower of light.
I hope that you may find happiness.
Find someone who will love and cherish you.
As your mother and I would be cheering you on in the stars.
Goodbye, my little dragon.
Sincerely,
Arthur Belmont IV
Two small objects slipped out from the confinement of the envelope.
The dragon pin she wore on her 10th birthday and the Belmont's vault key necklace.
Tears splat on the parchment.
Aurora trembles as she holds the piece of paper and the objects close to her chest.
Umbra quickly gets up from her spot sensing her young miss in distress and moves towards her.
Aurora wraps her small arms around Umbra's neck and places her face in her fur.
It was then that she felt comfortable enough to sob freely.
Howl of pain and agony released from her body.
Umbra lays her head on Aurora's shoulder, pulling her closer.
She doesn't recall how long she had been crying.
Only how to drain her body felt afterward.
Umbra's soft purring was smoothed as she sniffed leaning down to the bed.
From there Umbra, still in her adult form, lay right next to her allowing Aurora to curl on her side.
Umbra stayed awake till she felt her owner's body lump against her shoulder and heard the soft snores confirming that Aurora had indeed gone to sleep.
Once she felt that everything was okay, only then did she allow herself to go to sleep.