✧TELLING TAILS✧

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now мy necĸ ιѕ open wιde
вeggιng ғor a ғιѕт aroυnd ιт

 already cнoĸιng on мy prιde

 ѕo тнere'ѕ no υѕe cryιng aвoυт ιт

***

 The young witch passed out as soon as she had rested her head to the pillow. And it was Orion that seemingly stopped his wife from distrusting her sleep, because even Regulus entering in to check hadn't been enough to wake her.

Kreacher shared that the young mistress had come in close to four in the morning, and it had been confirmed as she suddenly emerged with her hair in a bun and a lounge dress hanging from her shoulders.

Otto suggested that she takes a few days off, especially when her birthday was just a few daays down the line, on top of that a small three-day course had popped up near the end of August. It was perfect as the new couple would probably be calmed down from their honeymoon phase to be able to attend it. 

Rabastan had written her a quick letter, after last night it was probably the best idea to keep some distance, ether had been so caught up in the moment yesterday and to save themselves for marriage that it would probably be best to spend the day away from one another. Which allowed her to figure out more about her wedding dress, more importantly, the underlings as she was starting to feel the stress of how many years of a build up?

Currently she stood in stockings and a very laced bracer that gave her more than enough cleavage. She wrote down the number on the tag and was going to request it in another color.

This innocent white wouldn't last more than their honeymoon.

Green. Silver. Black. Blue. Perhaps some purple? 

Otherwise her panties and bras were all neutral colors, her mothers doing as she was a young witch. The switch over to more feminine and promiscuous attire.

The knock at her bedroom door prompted her to grab her silk robe and peek out of her bathroom. "Darling are you busy?" 

"Does a crisis count?" She chuckled, turning back to her closet and looking over her given undergarments.

Walburga looked at the scene and let out an amused laugh, shaking her head as she too reminisced at feeling this way.

"Are we doing a little bit of inventory? Your honeymoon should call for a few more pieces." Aurora ran a hand through her hair and rolled her eyes.

"I think I have more lingerie than actual clothes packed for that...And I don't even know where we're going." 

"Cissy has all that handled darling, after your birthday your dresses should be done." She smiled brightly, at the mention of her daughter's dresses, it was one thing to see a sketch...But she was entirely excited to see her daughter's work.

"Your dress should almost be done as well...And my birthday dress...Merlin." Walburga saw the growing stress in her daughter's eyes and claimed that she could go and pick them up when the time comes, granted it was her trying to regain the timezone different from Germany that today would be a relaxing time.

Aurora spent the rest of the afternoon learning a new song and adding to her own, personally it was a struggle in having the house full and not allowed to sing in worry that her parents or brother would enter the room.

"An outfit is never finished until you have the perfect set to match it with...There are no shortening of styles, perhaps we need to find you a new one?" Walburga was pushing this because she wanted a grandchild, and what else would fuel this if her daughter wasn't dressed to seduce.

"I'm thinking more about what's under my wedding dress...The ones I've made are all a little revealing and—" 

"Like I said Cassi, when the dresses come we'll figure it out then." The mother then suggested that she really relax. Meaning that her being distracted by a book would keep her mind wandering, but instead the girl was at her desk for the remainder of the night planning her lab time accordingly.

Regulus returned home from spending it with the Carrows, but he made it a point to visit Rory and although it was obvious that he purposefully fell asleep in her bed...He had planned it prior.

However the coin on her desk seemingly grew an insignia, another reason for being called...Looking back to the bed did she suddenly grow concerned at the fact that Reg was open to discovering that she was absent.

Allowing her wand to drop from her sleeve did she whisper the smallest of any sleeping spells. Surely it'd expire after she returns, but the young witch needed to hurry along.

Not only that, but she also needed to be quick and careful as well, whatever Albus needed it must be important. So redressing, she held the cloak securely around her neck as her feet and body lingered out of the window. 

Doing this a few times before gave her an advantage now, but it was the agile strength of her counterpart and a flawless shift into Salem to the nearest building that allowed a proper landing. Her four paws making the diligent effort as she was already a given pace away.

It was another small jump into the air as she returned to her human appearance, and another second before Apparating to the middle location all before taking the safe house building into her view. She didn't mind the walk, but her heels created an ominous sound as she hurried along.

A powerful witch like herself shouldn't be afraid, but after witnessing the last get together she would have to be cautious to everything.

The last time she was present in this complex she had only seen Remus and the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Potter. It took a moment to recall the proper knock, but she was almost instantly greeted by Peter, and a friendly smile and hug followed her arrival. However members were still piling in, and yet the horror that lingered their faces at her attendance was making her mood already sour.

She had come with little to no new information. As she hadn't learned all that much from the ceremony other than the in the moment task that she hoped they managed well enough. Perhaps she should ask Narcissi for some tea in the near future to rally her lack of knowledge, instead of waiting around for answers to come to the light.

Her ability of legitimacy would come in handy, the only debate would be how well Narcissa is in defending her mind.

"Pads is here...Came back two nights ago." Peter informed, and she smiled at the thought. Only the smile didn't last long as the hatred rallied on Sirius' face when he spotted her, scoffing off into another direction and not giving her another glance.

Fine. She thought, screw him! 

With that in mind she found her footing and continued on in to not linger. Every time she came into this setting she would need to remind them of her true allegiance, and it was getting rather pathetic and repetitive. Had Albus not urged her to think properly on the manner multiple times, she would've quit under the general disregard her brother had on her last time.

As she found a seat beside Remus, each offered a kind smile to one another as it was a blessing for either to know that they were safe. 

More so for Remus' case.

While Lily came over and gave her a greeting kiss to tell her in secret that she was going with the dress idea she had given prior.

"Don't want to sit next to your brother then?" Aurora turned her gaze over towards the man of the hour and she tilted her head, oh so like her feline. 

"Why? So you can ignore me directly?... Rather save myself the embarrassment and you the trouble." She offered, Merlin had he missed her. 

Just her kind face and her speaking made it all the worth in coming back.

He had been nervous about the meeting tonight, knowing that everyone available, including Remus would be here. 

And yet...it still irked him that she didn't tell him about the engagement.

"I see you're still wearing the ring." She blinked unknowingly, and Sirius instantly got the impression that he caught her off guard. This was the first time the two siblings saw one another since Rabastan had proposed, sure she saw the others and heard his second-hand anger through them...but to see him make a comment about the ring?

"Sirius the wedding is happening whether you like it or not." She stated, and Lily sucked in a breath....This was going to get ugly.

"You mean whether you like it, face it Rory you fell into their trap. Why was I the only one to see it?"

"So my position here is at a loss, isn't it? Why did I brother sneaking out of the house, at least Regulus is better company than you!" She growled, and that had ticked the last straw as his chair skidded against the wooden floor.

"Tell me Rory, is it enjoyable to live in a house full of murders...Or is Bella being your new sister a favorable addition? Shall we prepare for you to take the mark?" She gritted her teeth and shook her head.

"Unlike you Sirius, I am owned by mother and father until I'm eighteen. Not like you care to remember that portion, why else do you think they scheduled the wedding when they did?! Legally I am their's and next I'm Rabastan's. I have no physical rights because I'm a witch. I'm the middle child...Who, might I add, picked up the slack you threw on my shoulders. Spare me your bloody pity or your hatred. Don't see why I bother trying...It was nice seeing the rest of you." She growled, continuing to walk towards the door, only to be stopped by Dumbledore himself.

"Unfortunately my dear I need you to hear this before you part ways." She narrowed her eyes towards her former headmaster, but doesn't budge. 

"Then I'll return in a bit, the air is toxic Albus." Was the final whisper she admitted as she followed in pursuit of the door. All fo this caused Sirius to slump back down into his chair.

Now heaving the angry words he spoke to her. 

"I just...I feel so much anger seeing her. And what the hell was she balling on about Reg like that? Better company, please." He scoffed on and on until the actual meeting took place.

Aurora had returned twenty minutes after her departure, but even then she did not sit beside him. It had been a long and dreary meeting, one of which Aurora kept her gaze solely onto Albus or Moody. No one else, she was going to sit in this meeting and then leave the second it was finished.

However, Sirius had beaten her to it as he left without another word. And yet, the fact to linger felt more appealing now that he was absent from her sight.

"Rory, are you alright? I know Pads can stir up trouble when he doesn't mean to." Remus whispered, but she rolled her eyes to his softness. 

"Come to comfort me again Remmy? I recall the last visit it was you who had the cold words, it's nothing I'm not used to. Especially from him...It's late, I should get going." He pouted, and he knew all too well that her pity for him would work in his favor.

"Perhaps just a bit of air would calm you down then, I assure you that I'm much better company now." She chuckled, but alas it was all a trap as Sirius was smoking over the balcony with an apologetic look already showcased on his face.

"Pff, always one to apologies away from the public eye but the second it's an argument?" She spoke, squeezing Remus' hand before going closer to her brother. Eyeing down his cig did he grunt. 

"Are you going to tell me they're going to kill me?" The shake of her head was a blessing, but it begged a few more than just a single question. 

"They aren't as bad as cigars, and with the danger we're around?... Besides, I think I can whip up a potion to combination whatever curse they have." He scoffed once again as she knew more than what the curse installed. 

As well as the complications that came with smoking.

Nor did it surprise him that she nicked it from his mouth, taking it for herself to allow a long inhale before returning it back.

He was one for mischief, but seeing his sister doing something so raw felt wrong. Especially when she held it right and all. "Not even a little cough?" She winked in his direction before returning back to look out into the muggle town before them.

Sirius was reminiscing to the time they were both in the Astronomy tower where they shared a smoke.

This shouldn't have been any different.

"Reg talked about you the other day..." He didn't seem so impressed but no matter what, he still wanted to hear it. 

"...He's scared Siri, I know he is...The last meeting I told James that I'm trying to get him to delay getting the mark until after he's graduated." The tone of her voice had cracked as it started turning to the future of their brother.

"...And? What delightful conversation did you have about myself? How I'm a failure?" She shook her head, in taking and interlocking her hand into his, only for him to flinch at the idea of her engagement ring. 

"That thing could be cursed." His comment rendered as a joke in her mind, but he was being a hundred percent serious.

"It's not, I checked. But I wouldn't be surprised if mother put a fertility spell on it." She begged the question but it didn't matter in any regard, however Sirius stiffened at the idea.

"He asked what mine and yours little saying was, it was sort of cute to see that he remembered something like that." He looked up to the sky in hopes of some release of the tension but couldn't manage.

"As within, so without.  As above, so below...Yeah, it's been awhile hasn't it?" She shrugged at the idea. 

"Raba said he'd never fault me for missing you..." It had been true, Rabastan knew more than anyone how much she was hurting, it had been one of the few things he had offered now that they were engaged.

Especially since she was secured in this marriage.

But currently, Sirius had interrupted her at the mention of her fiancee. "Oh, he gets the award for best husband already, brilliant. I don't want him touching you, I never wanted him near you." Aurora closed her own eyes and coward down at his ability to talk her down.

"It's too late Siri, there is barely a window between me being of age to when I'm wed." "But what if you left? You ran off, you can come live with me and Remus. Merlin we'll get a bunk bed, Ciri you can I swear it." That's when the tears came true as she shook her head.

"It's not that simple Siri, they won't allow it. It's a binding contract already. They'll come after me, they didn't care about you. But the world is watching now, losing Andy was one thing...You were, you were going to be the master of the house, and now that is passed on to Reg...And he's just a boy. If I leave...He—he'd have to take care of it all." Sirius hadn't thought of his younger brother in any regard, not at all. 

Nor did he take Aurora's role into consideration either.

"I'm sorry Rory...That you have to deal with those bloody bunch." 

"It's alright, honest. Because he and I made our own saying. 'As the universe, so the soul,' rather cute, and fitting for him if he does end up selling his soul." Sirius didn't allow himself to look at her for that one, he knew that they needed to be close. His younger siblings needed to be together, especially if he couldn't be there to protect them.

"L...Last night I—I thought something happened, but Dumbledore explained that there was a raid." She leaned into her brother's shoulder and allowed her eyes to close and wrap around in his scent. 

"I didn't mean to scare you but...Circi I don't think Harper was prepared to see what Avery does." He failed to make the connection in his sister's invitation, but she was there as a wife to be in support of Rabastan.

So that meant most of her friends were there in a front row seat.

"The Dark Lord wants me to train my own ladies in waiting or whatever the hell his true intent is. I suppose us ladies are more classically trained, not like Bella could be tamed." This was information set for Dumbledore, that Voldemort has this much trust in a member without the mark.

"I assume mum or father told you..." Now it caught his attention, his body now angled to her entirely, so she took a long inhale of the crisp night's air before diving into the story.

"When you were born mother had a vision, of her next child being favored by the Dark Lord...And here I am, in the holding cell of whatever vision she had. She didn't know I would be a girl, and I don't think the Dark Lord cares all that much on my gender, and we can thank Bella for that. But whatever his intention is for me...They won't be innocent." His eyes flared in recognition, as to why she had gotten the smartest of the Black genes. Of course their uncle had acquired a few of these traits, but even he admitted to the difference between himself and his niece.

"T-that...That explains a lot Rory." He whispers, but it didn't aid the fact that his parents found themselves beating her, starving her more than he can count. Or making her act like someone she's not.

The mere remembrance of her being possessed still sent him into a panic as it could happen again.

"Merlin that's rubbish, that batshit crazy old hag was deleted when she had me that she jumped at a dream...? I don't want you with that bastard, but at least you can defend yourself when the time comes rather than whatever they put you through." Sirius didn't blame her for looking away.

"That's why mother and father wanted me to be a boy, for the Dark Lord to favor another son. But here I am unbalancing the line." She chuckled, but it wasn't lite. Airier than anything he could've heard from her.

But a sick and twisted thought manifested into his mind of the Dark Lord taking his sister as his own bride. Perhaps this marriage with Lestrange would be for the best, to secure her to someone. 

As much as he doesn't want to admit it, Rabastan had always treated Aurora with care and kindness.

Mindful of the time he wasn't kind or caring.

This dated back when they were all younger as well.

"And how are you meant to come to a meeting when you're a little wife?" She rolled her eyes and smirked. 

"The same way I managed to get here tonight, Reg is just sound asleep in my bed beside Omen with a lil spell. Come now it was harmless." It wasn't jealousy...No. It is. But he didn't believe it to be, especially since he was the one to leave.

"You two still do that?" She nods, leaning further onto the balcony refusing to look directly into his gaze. 

"It's different now Siri, I swear to you it is...Call me manipulative but it's so easy to talk around mother and father, they think I could do no wrong...And yet here I am, feeding you lot the bit of information I can gather. And once I secure my position as a wife it'll get easier." He let out a ghastly noise once more.

"And what will you do trapped in the Lestrange manner?" She smiled, actually laughed at his prediction. 

"Merlin brother, you think I'd settle on just like that? I'm going for my potion mistress title, though I have to figure out how I'm going to make it to their wedding..." It was relief that flooded through him, he knew how much James adored Aurora like his own little sister.

Even Lily favored his sister, the two were close during Evan's Snape days, but reunited soon after.

"Look at my little sister, demanding freedom. Why do I suspect that Rabastan will bow to the whims of you as Orion had done with Walburga?" It was always strange to hear their parent's first names coming out of his mouth, but her smile never faltered.

"It could be worse, imagine if the pureblooded society had us marrying one another...If they're marrying cousins like our parents then it could only get worse...Never better." In reality, Sirius missed these little chats. And she smiled at the idea.

"We could message in code, you could pretend to be one of my friends in America. If something were entirely wrong and Albus' message won't reach me." He nodded at the idea, surely he could pretend to be a girl right? Ask random shit. Or rather he writes on a letter above the other?

"Sounds like a mission for the Mauarders, time to regroup." He cheered, he called out to his three mates and they smiled at the happier siblings. 

"We need to make a much more protected messenger book for Rory and I, or Rory and all of us." They began formulating a plan, all creative ideas were allowed and set. Remus offered that a small watch or something could share the message to only her eyes.

Thus it set her out in looking for a large pocket watch the next time she is in town. Unfortunately Sirius had asked if he could go with her, as though it were a normal thing to do...But it wasn't possible, they would never be allowed to be seen in public together.

With it already close to morning, it caused Aurora to hurry up and out of the flat with quick kisses, plus promises and demands of staying safe. But the second she left, Sirius despised the feeling of watching her go. 

It left an empty pit in his stomach, leaving his protection...His happy smile dwindled within the moment she exited.

"It's alright pads, but stop pissing her off because one day she's going to walk out and not come back." Remus offered, putting his hand onto his mate's shoulder. It was fitful that the Black son did not get any amount of sleep that night, instead he stay awake as he had to watch his sister live her life being imprisoned by the same community he had...

He had to get her out.

*

With the set motion of an added pocket watch to the countless items that tied her to the Order, it defiantly sparked a new issue of anxiety. It burned in the pocket of her cloak, but it was set up in a simple idea of it projecting the same messages that the book has...though she could not respond unless she sent out a patronus.

Currently she was sketching out a few outfits in complete boredom, course nothing about this summer was going to be boring as her father knocked at her door.

And something about sketching panties with her father at the door was normal.

"Rabastan is downstairs, you're being summoned." It kicked her into gear, claiming that she would only need five minutes to change.

"Well I'll be...Five minutes actually meant five minutes." Rabastan joked beside his father in law and she narrowed her eyes to her fiancee. 

"I can take another five minutes if you prefer." She tempted, but he offered his arm and they said their goodbyes, all before he heard an earful.

"Bastard." 

"Please, my brother gave me that name before I could talk." Rolling her eyes did the two continue forward to the meeting, and unlike the last get together, this was set up as a proper sit-down meeting.

Rabastan lead the way down the table and pulled out the chair for his little wife, she turned to see Avery beside her. And he was promptly hiding his smirk.

"Should I even ask or does this concern Harper?" 

"Bit of both, she's driving me up the wall about what get as your wedding gift." It sounded odd that this is that sort of talk that came up, but Rabastan shot a warning glare and it silenced him in the instant.

As she looked around the room she felt sectioned off, as the only female other than Bellatrix...Only Ravenclaw, but then she was the only one without the given mark.

Part of her refused to look at the tattoo that graced Rabastan's inner wrist. The good thing is that they didn't have to wait all that long before the Dark Lord had come in and graced them with his presence.

Aurora had sat in polite silence, twiddling her thumbs, smirking when a joke had passed and attempted to diminish any thought of being a member of the Order.

The thoughts truly burned now, and with her birthday in two days time, it put into perspective to how old she was getting.

"I need a few of my followers to attend a social gathering in the coming days...Cassiopeia, your ladies...Do you believe they would be up for this task?" So perhaps Aurora had left the detail from Rabastan and Avery, but it had escaped her mind in their involvement.

"Of course my Lord, unexpecting and innocent." Avery held a smirk as he lightly nicked her chair at his side. Her hand swatted underneath the table.

"Perfect, although it would be ideal that you yourself attend the party...It would counterproductive to attend a potionless event." She nodded her head in appreciation to how he was considerate to her image.

It was the first time Rabastan and his mates had seen the Dark Lord or Rory interact with him, sounding like such a normal conversation that it allowed the fiancee to grasp her small little hand. Though it wasn't the one sporting his ring, it was indeed sporting the betrothed ring from years ago.

As the meeting proceeded young Cassiopeia had a rather brilliant idea. Although it did counteract and diminish the good her transfiguration had done for Remus, but it would allow her to help her girls.

Her loyalties were going thin already, but it wouldn't stop her from trying.

The meeting was concluded with a few raids that she would tell the Order, but other than that it was seeming difficult to get the Dark Lord attention.

"Did you have another dream?" She looked up to Rabastan and she shook her head. 

"I want to know more about what he wants of my friends...Did you want to do something afterward?" He nodded, kissing her cheek gently before heading with his mates to the side.

"Leave us." The Dark Lord ordered, his hand gesturing for the young Ravenclaw to come closer.

"My Lord, I don't know how comfortable I am not being there with my Ravenclaws." He nodded, his dark aura growing as he never been contradicted, but the girl bowed her head and smiled.

"I have an alternative...If you're open to suggestion my Lord." He was intrigued, her curiosity was at a minimal and she was waiting in anticipation for his answer.

"Of course...Let us test your creativity." She smiled in delight. "At first I was going to ask if I could take a poly juice potion, but I don't rightly know who I would take in that regard..." He waited patiently, and then she smiled as she took out her wand.

It was a very big note that he didn't feel threatened by the young Ms.Black as she transformed into Salem. The young witch sat down on her rump and looked up to Lord Voldemort before bowing her head.

"Lestrange never spoke of this talent." He sounded a tad bit angry, and she immediately switched back to skin as she shook her head. 

"It's illegal my Lord, I didn't tell him because if I ever got caught he'd face trouble as well...And I doubt he would've allowed me to continue this study." He thought for a moment before a joyous smile erupted.

"You would go as a pet?" He questioned, and she perked her lips and thought for a moment. 

"I do not want them going without my aid, whether I stay with Clementine or Amelia...It doesn't matter, but when they do learn of my ability then they won't feel alone." The obvious gesture of being faithful for those in her house and friend group gave him another aspect against Ms.Black.

"Ingenious...Though difficult learning to turn yourself into an Animagius?" She nodded. 

"The room of requirements provided privacy when I was dealing with the unstained transformations." The conversation turned into how the young witch had become a young animagius, the only aspect he hadn't expected was that she was barely a third year.

A third year.

Her intelligence shined through even further as he chuckled, dismissing her and she hurried along to exit the room only to find Rabastan still talking with his own group.

"I'm sorry...I didn't know how long it was going to take." She spoke, kissing Rabastan's cheek before he wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her into his hold.

"Not to worry love, how about we get going?" Whatever the conversation was he allowed it to pass as he escorted his little witch out of the manner and off.

He was a genius to bring her to a beautiful waterfall, he had gotten the location from Narcissa but that was beside the point. Aurora, even in her dress and cloak, managed to begin throwing pebbles as though she hadn't talked to the Dark Lord for half an hour.

"Your flock is growing, isn't it?" 

"I swear I was going to tell you, didn't realize it would be so close after the wedding." He supposed his Ravenclaw was over her limit in terms of what to focus on.

Her apprenticeship and classes, the wedding, her birthday...The honeymoon. The last one had been more of a hope on what she was focusing on, and had he seen her drawing board this morning then he would get the message.

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Date Posted: 07-18-19

Time: 9:43

Words: 5203

Who's your favorite character in the HP universe?

Any tv show suggestions? I need a new one to get into:)