✧FIRST DAY OF A HOLIDAY✧

♕♕♕

◊━━━━━✥━━━━━◊

***

━━━━━▼━━━━━

━━━━━▲━━━━━

ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴡ ɪ'ᴍ ᴄᴏᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟᴏʀs
ᴘᴜʟʟ ᴀᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ sᴇᴀᴍs 

ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ's ʙʟᴜᴇ

ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ's ʙʟᴜᴇ

____________
𝙷𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚎𝚢
𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚜

***

Surprisingly enough Aurora managed to get through the likes of dinner before she retreated to her room for a final glass of wine and to soak in the tub.

She had opened up Sirius' gift, and it was two bracelets. One of which was from the marauder as a whole, as they wanted to thank her for all the work she managed for them to prank the school properly, and helping with Remus as well.

All together she had been gifted a charm bracelet with a wolf howling to the moon, a stag, a small mouse, a dog, and her leopard. It had a few lingering additions as well, paw prints...All the above, but the other bracelet had both her house emblem.

It became clear that they had the same idea, she had purchased the boy's gifts as well. Aurora had preemptively thought of this and managed to pack the rest of Sirius' belongings from this home.

It was a perfect gesture as he had a good amount of clothes and trinkets that he missed. Otherwise she made him dog-tags, saying that a mutt like him needs a proper collar.

Engraved is their saying, as well as a k9 and feline print to match their unity.

Reaching to the side of the tub did she lift up the textbook and quill, already reading along with Sirius' message for a good summer and demands to see her sometime within the coming days.

That was going to be tricky, hopefully she can just sneak out one day this week...Aurora wasn't in the loop when it came to the summer at all. Instead she knew of her internship turned apprentice but even then did her father take care of all that.

She wrote to Sirius, thanking him for the bracelets and to pass on her words to the others. Also claiming that she'd try to make it....But she knew her role in the order was going to cost more than trust being broken.

Alastor and Dumbledore had been hesitant, she was going to deal with the same friendly fire by those she loves. But she was willing to bet her own feelings and triumph to what's to come.

*

Cassiopeia Aurora Black had slept exactly 14 hours, 34 minutes. Her body needed the recovery, and it was strongly induced by a well-cooked meal. A few too many glasses of wine and a very comfortable mattress.

Even then she only woke up because Omen was fed up with her human being a bore. 

"O, shhh...Play later." She groaned, but it was Kreacher's acknowledgment to her voice had him bubble with excitement.

"Young mistress, young mistress is awake." 

"Barely Kreacher...Just barely." She groaned, rubbing her eyes to look at the little elf on her bed. She smiled and mumbled a good morning, only for the elf to point at the clock.

It was close to noon.

"What in the—" 

"Good master says young mistress should sleep. Sleep is good...Does young mistress want some tea?" She hummed in approval, trying to rally the fact that she slept for so long.

Instantly she scolded herself and hurried into the bathroom to get a decent shower in. Perhaps that would wake her up.

After her quick shower, a plate of tea and snacks was a waiting for her right beside a given package. Apparently, her relatives and adult friends were sporting their congratulations for her awards and graduations.

But wasn't there to be a party?

She stood there in her robe and sat down at her nook with her hair in a bun at the top of her head. Holding a package was she confused as to what was going on, only to be distracted by the knock at the door.

"Cassi? Kreacher says your awake." 

"I am. Come in." She called out, unsure if it was appropriate for her brother to come in when she was only in a robe.

"Ah, Cassi...Did you get enough sleep? Rabastan owled your father and I in warning." She chuckled at the idea of that and rolled her eyes. 

"I think he's just being dramatic at this point. But I did need to catch up on sleep." Her mother hummed, but then clapped her hands in delight.

The aura around Aurora's mother hadn't faltered, neither did the smile. She blinked up at her mother in wonder...If only she could take a glimpse in her head would everything be unlocked.

But the young witch didn't dare try. Walburga has always been a Black, it was a common talent amongst the family it'd seem. "Not then...Since you're off of school, it's time we up your wardrobe." 

"My wardrobe?" The question was barbaric to say the least.

But then again she wasn't a student anymore, she was an apprentice. She needed to look the part just as much as she had to be the part.

"Of course darling, I can't let you leave the house without you looking your best...Your cousin told me what you need in terms of extra utensils. Have at it Cassiopeia...Oh! Has your father told you about the graduation party?" She nodded and already said she started brainstorming a dress for that occasion.

Even though the party was in two weeks the rest of the community was excited...Because now it was a count down for their an engagement announcement...

It had been a few days after their return when Orion had gotten a parasol for his daughter. She had ordered a limited edition potions book from America that she just had to have...But it came early.

Knowing she was home he continued to her room where he had seen her reside her time there, the piano room or off on the balcony. Otherwise, she was very good at minding her own space and time.

With her voice allowing him entry did he hold up the rather large and thick package in his hand...But a sudden frown crossed his daughter's lips as she groaned.

"What is it Cassi?"

"It came early." Now that wasn't what he expected, but seeing as she was covered with paint on both her hands and a bit on her face...It was ultimately a good idea not to hand it to her directly.

"Is that a problem?" 

"Yes...Well no...I just—" She was at a loss for words, and after a considerable amount of time Orion knew best to allow her to sift through her thoughts rather than her forcing a sentence.

"I made a bet with Rabastan that I could handle a week without reading." It took all of two seconds for Orion to understand her reasoning behind her disappoint in it coming so early.

She thought she wouldn't be tempted if it wasn't here.

"Ah...And what is the punishment if you lose?" 

"Nothing...He just thought I couldn't manage...But I've done quite well. And it makes a good chance at ignoring his letters since they count as reading." She smirked, oh she was defiantly her mother's daughter when it came to the inner workings of terms into her favor. 

He even mentioned that Walburga would be proud of that response.

"How much longer for this week of no reading?" 

"I guess until I've satisfied mother's idea of needing a whole new closet...I'm working in a potions lab, I don't think she rightly understands that." He chuckled along, but took a peek at the dresses and attire that she's already managed to sketch.

Granted she has been bookless for the past few days so perhaps it came to no surprise that she does indeed have a dozen and a half outfits and solo pieces to add to her collection.

"Shall I hide the book then?" His little light took one long look at the package before she nodded a confirmation, it wasn't a problem at all. If she wanted a break then she would gain his utmost support.

"Otto invited us to dinner Friday...Just you and myself, I think he's caught on that your mother isn't informative." The smile imminently widened as she was visibly excited to see her mentor again.

"August seems so far for the real work..." 

"The summer will fly by my little light. Go and eat some lunch." She smiled and kissed his cheek before he shared that he was going to head to the Lestranges' manner.

Her blush was prominent but her father didn't comment anything more as he left the manner...Finally. Nobody was home.

The girl instantly ordered her favorite tea and took her music notes and headed to the piano. It was best when nobody was home, there she could properly create her music.

But off in the Lestrange matter, Rabastan was faced with a sudden call to his father's study that had him confused. Already had he been called down prior to talk in terms of his year academically, socially and any matters with the Dark Lord.

Yet this was not a just a father-son conversation, it also involved his future father in law...As Orion sat in one of the armrests by the fire. 

"Rabastan...Let me fix you a glass." Orion spoke, cheerful in more ways than one. Especially after knowing about his daughter's bet with this young man.

"Thank you, sir..." He spoke, taking the odd glass of booze. And without being rude did he look to the time, it was barely passed lunch but he wouldn't deny a settling drink.

"Rabastan, I wanted to talk to you about an arrangement I made a while back." The wording was cryptic, but looking at the well-aged paper he gaped at it...Knowing it had already been enough time to know the truth.

His eyes glanced between either senior in awe at this... "I...Since when did—" 

"Nevermind the little details son." Master Lestrange waved it off, but Orion chuckled.

"Barely toddlers Rabastan, like your father said those are unnecessary details. What you need to prepare for is to be betrothed to my daughter." His eyes turned wide, he knew he forgot a detail, and so he nodded...Questions turned into hours, but either father knew that Cassiopeia would be drilling her future husband about the betrothed necklace around her neck that couldn't be taken off.

He was presented with the said necklace and knew instantly why his father wanted Aurora's gifted Christmas ring to be the same as one of the jewels featured in this necklace.

Platinum, onyx, or diamonds.

It was purposeful since then, that she was betrothed entirely. Even if she needed to have it for more than a few weeks, it's been on her hand for more than a few years at this point in time.

"When am I proposing?" 

"At the graduation party...The wedding as your mother and my wife are obsessing over is to be July 20th." He nodded, staring down at the necklace. But then he narrowed his brow.

"So there's no need for an engagement ring?" 

"Of course there is, but when you were looking for Cassiopeia's Christmas gift your mother thought it best to save the other design for that ring instead. It's in the works as we speak." He smiled, he had thought that as well at the time but didn't share it to anyone.

But somehow his mother knew better.

Now with the date of his proposing in his mind was he inevitably panicking. And both fathers in the room knew that look all too well, they shared their experience and words of wisdom. Probably what the fire whiskey, in the beginning, was for...But one thing is finally certain, and that's when he was thinking of all the blessings he's received.

Sirius had given a partial blessing back in fifth year, granted that was before he really despised his family and the rest but he knew it was in the back of Aurora's mind now.

As Rabastan finally memorized most, if not all the details of how this proposal will work...He turned to Orion and thanked him, as well as pairing a smile to the appreciation.

"Take care of my daughter Rabastan, that's how you can thank me." He spoke, the general threat looming in the air. But it was also a plea in and of itself.

He was going to protect her with his life, or sweet Merlin would he punish himself for failing long before Orion gets a hold of him.

◇──◇────◇────◇──◇

Date Posted: 07-01-19

Time: 3:15

Words:2133

Welcome back! 
Did you miss Rory and Raba;)