✧AN ARGUMENT AND DISCOVERY WITH A PAINTING✧

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Aurora watched in a theory of boredom as she watched the clock mock her, it was close to three in the morning. Her father's watchful eye just above her to the side, but the added chalkboard was taunting her.

Something was just...off.

"I wish I could help you more my light, but I've told you all I could from the symptoms I remember."

"It's pointless, the project is going down the drain...Maybe the Chinese ministry will come up with it first like they usually do." Orion sighed, he favored his daughter rushing rather than moping.

"Go to bed Cassi, please."
"And lay next to Rabastan? He's going to think I'm a failure." He scoffed, but it only rallied for his daughter to rise up from her seat from the floor.

"How long have we been working on it father? It's already June!"

"And this is a disease that has been taking out the elderly when you were still a child, your standards for yourself are too high Cassiopeia, you need to step away and—" The tears had stopped him in the moment, he wanted nothing more than to hold his daughter.

And she would've traded all the money in the world, just to be in her father's embrace.

"And you're just a painting, you're not real! My father is dead!" A threatening silence had traveled through the room, and the only sense of a distraction had been the fireplace crackling to give her inspiration.

But it hadn't worked either.

"Yes, I am a painting. I am dead. Perhaps it would be better if you un-enchant me before I truly watch you fall apart." She pointed off to the board.

"I wish I could've helped you...A-and Clarissa."
"Cassiopeia, you did. You took away my pain countless time, but my age left me in a weak state." She thought about it once again, when a child would get it, the Dragon poxs would be nothing more than a boosted common cold.

But it wouldn't take their life.

Looking at the childish cure did she stare at it in wonder, and Orion watched in pure awe as her seer eyes had taken over.

Her future self cracked the code, and she saw the moment now to have it in the present.

Senior Black didn't think he could get a migraine, but trying to wrap his head around it. But he still watched history unfold right before him as she dropped the remaining half-inch of chalk to the floor and stood back to see her work.

It had been a blank board just moments ago, but now it was covered. Her sloppy handwriting in an attempt to keep her thoughts in check before they left her mind.

But she managed to capture it.

It caused her to throw a spell from her wand and caused the font to be more legible if she were to share it with Otto or otherwise.

Her previous tears were now replaced by happy and relieved ones, sweet merlin and all the gods and goddesses above did she drop down to her knees and close her eyes. They were the ones to bless her with this epiphany and vision, none of them wished harmed to their follower. But her power steamed from her faith, and she looked off to her father.

"Best start brewing now, an idea is better presented in a solid form than on a board." It was quite easy to brew, she had a few already on standby as her first few theories had been the correct basis...

It's this part where all members of the team went into completely opposite directions. Some thought that it had nothing to do with the ingredients Rory was using, actually nobody had gotten close as she had.

But the vision showed her the rights and wrongs, and she wasn't going to counter or count blessings. She just simply followed the recipe on the board.

However, after all was said and done...The potion was finally brewed and cooled down.

The moment of truth had caused her to take the smallest bit of bacteria that made up of Dragon Pox in a small petri dish, taking a dropped did she apply one drop, only to scribble her findings as it was indeed not enough.

Then a second drop, then a third.

All she needed was progress, finding the dosage amount was the next step anyhow. However it'd be administered, but then the pooling liquid from her potion started to do its job.

"I give you thanks for all you do
for obstacles, and smooth roads too,
For challenges that make me grow
And all the pleasant things that show,
That you are looking after me
I thank you, gods and goddess,

Bless it be."

She felt elated, and even her second and third trial of the four drop effect did she smiled and lean her head back to look at the ceiling.

It was well into morning now, close to five.

The caffeine was surely crashing down now, so she settled everything to be cleaned. Stashed away the Petri dishes to settle, perhaps tomorrow she could see the entire process.

Instead she found herself hurrying to take a shower in the guest bathroom as she didn't want to wake up Rabastan, but she found herself coming back to her study, looking up to her father with a bright smile.

"I'm sorry for what I said father, I really hadn't meant to get so--."
"Cassi, honestly...I have a backbone, now please. Get some rest." She nodded, wishing her father good night, only for him to joke back and claim that it's more morning than night now.

But she shut the curtains and dimmed the lights to allow him proper rest and relaxation, or as much as a painting could get.

When she found herself entering her and Rabastan's bedroom however, guilt washed over as she saw her husband clutching her pillow tightly to his chest.

How many days has she been going at it like this?

Excitement rushed over her as she crawled over him in pure dictation. "Raba...Raba! Rabastan!"

"Hm? Huh?" It always two or more attempts, and it had to be his full name as well.

He however woke up in a panic, especially when he looked at the clock beside him or the beginning sun peeking through the curtain...Had she not joined him at all?

"Rory...Tell me you didn't stay up the entire night to—" she interrupted him with a kiss, and although he was disappointed in having slept alone again. He took this as a sense of an apology, but she paused the motion just as he had risen up to sit and hold her properly.

"I figured it out." Was all she whispered, and he couldn't wrap his head fully around the concept as she had continued the kiss while he froze.

She figured it out.
Sweet merlin his wife had figured out a cure to a deadly disease.

He rallied to push his wife down to her dictated side of the bed as she laughed to the ceiling as he was actually ripping the material of her dress.

The clarity and relaxation that she was craving was all that her husband could relish in, the excitement building fruitfully around and about as she couldn't rightly process any of her own movements.

And could only moan in regards to Rabastan's antics.

It was rushed. Passionate and entirely needed.

Either were panting, he looked mighty proud of himself as her exposed breasts were the clear indication that she couldn't catch her breath.

Nor could he get another word from her as she fell rightly asleep, screw a dreamless potion, shagging worked just as well.

But then it hit him. She figured it out, she actually figured it out.

He was sure it was going to take more time, even after the team is scrapped...But now?! It caused him to tug her closer into his hold as he showered her body in kisses.

His voice in pure apology as he had indeed scratched her beautiful skin, enough to break the skin slightly and enough to stain the pillow behind just a tad.

Yes. He was indeed feeling the bliss of marriage.

*

Aurora Lestrange had slept on account for six hours, and the was enough for her body as she started to come to her senses. Even more so when she was wearing panties and her husband's tunic.

The morning was indeed joyous, she had figured out the potion and she was pleasantly rewarded by her husband. The sensation still visibly with her as she sighed further in relief.

"Mistress?... Master tell Daisy and Poppy to get Mistress brunch. Mistress eat in bath." Biting her lip did she agree, she could use a soak, especially as last night's rise off didn't get the entire smell out of her hair.

But the sudden sting didn't pass her notice as she slid the tunic's down her shoulder to see how excited her own husband had been for this morning surprise.

"Guess I have to wake you up with good news more often..." She whispered, smiling brightly to herself as relief never felt or looked so good.

She broke out the best bath bubbles she owned, it must've been a wedding or engagement gift because the soothing elements and visible crystal-like flakes made it pleasing.

Aurora would defiantly buy another, fuck it she was going to order a whole case of it. Especially after going directly under the water for a counted twenty seconds, and her hair feeling washed thoroughly.

Running a hand through her hair did she smile to see the small feast that the elves were serving her here.

"Master see Mistress after bath?" She agreed and popped a chip into her mouth and hummed.

This was indeed perfection, and after finishing the plate to its entirety. And when she did leave the tub, she remained in a light jumper that belonged to her husband and leggings as she was feeling rather cold afterwards that she hurried along.

Her hair was still mildly damp as she knocked at his door, and he close to instantly allowed her entrance, he had been just editing a parcel for a client but seeing his wife sporting his old jumper.

Well what else could he do but grin up to his glowing wife.

"You look well-rested."
"Well-rested and well-satisfied, I'll be sure to wake you up more often that way." His hand had come before him, allowing him to perch his chin as he watched her come forward.

Damnit how hadn't he realized she was getting skinnier.

"Did you eat?"
"Yup, and took a bath...Are you busy?" He was just finishing up the last bit of consultation, but otherwise he was indeed free for his wife.

And he was going to treat her to a dinner out of the manor.

"And Otto? I'm surprised he hasn't come yet." Rory was actually mildly embarrassed, what was she supposed to do now that she's figured it out?

The witch didn't want to vocally say it out loud, so instead she found comfort in the arms of her husband as she hid away in his neck.

Mumbling her thoughts and fears now.

"Well...we could start with telling Otto, not that you've figured it out. But just to come to the manor...Otherwise, I can see dozens of events where I can show off my beautiful potion mistress to the world. Perhaps another Order of Merlin is in range?" Rabastan could tell she was overworked and more than exhausted, but the excitement that fluttered through his little witch was too much for her to relax.

"I will gladly write to Otto myself, we'll celebrate tomorrow after we hear what he has to say." She smiled and nodded, but as he was writing he ordered his wife another cup of coffee to ensure that she was wide awake when presenting her findings.

And perhaps some good luck from the babes?

Cara came bumbling in and added the comfort that her mother needed to enjoy her cup of coffee, and Otto was indeed set to be over in an hour.

Which gave Aurora enough time to get together a sort of pitch, which her lawyer of a husband was able to prove useful. Especially if she wanted to put it into words for someone who isn't a potion fanatic to understand.

Orion was pleased to see the calmness of it, even little Cara and Roe were in the midst of playing in her mum's study now that it was cleared and organized.

And not a chaotic representation of what her mind and emotions were showcasing.

"Mummy! wook!" The mother drew her glasses up to her head and looked down to her two youngest munchkins and grinned down to their drawings.

It was indeed a Regulus situation, these two were progressing much faster than the twins, but it was a constant challenge as Cara and Ronan wanted to play with their older siblings.

Though they were still too young to ride the brooms, but their mummy promised them that they'll be able to in due time.

Rabastan had been the one to greet Otto, but it wasn't his place to share the good news. He simply wanted to see the reaction of it all, but Otto...Like the proud second father that he is, he smiled brightly to see his star pupil and the youngest of the Lestrange children.

"Seems like someone is helping their mummy? Perhaps you two will be potioneers as well." Cara seemingly babbled at the idea, itching for the attention of a newcomer and greeting them properly with a kiss.

Rabastan didn't know how he felt about her kissing every guest, but supposed it was an adorable sight for an almost one-year-old.

"Ronan, do you want to show Otto?" The boy hurried along to the chalkboard and tapped it to flip around, and it caused the elder wizard to take in the board in its entirety...Even with Cara playing with his grey beard couldn't distract him as he stared at the board.

Rabastan has only seen a few grown men cry, but even without him actually testing the potion himself, he caught her explanations in the corner.

Everything made sense.

"You—You brilliant bloody genius!" He cheered, and the pure excitement in the room was worth all the sweat and tears if it meant others wouldn't be affected by the illness instead.

The babes enjoyed their parents and 'Oh-Oh' profusely grinning and cheering, but soon they were sent for their daily nap, but that allowed Aurora to properly explain the likes of the potion and to what she accomplished in her labs.

"The board is close to terminating the team."

"But I—I figured it out! We can—" Otto shook his head, Rabastan was in need of responding to a few co-workers and it gave the two proper time to plan.

"Aurora...Why did you brew this potion?" The question confused her, taking a step back she scoff.

"Because my father died from the illness, Clarissa, my uncle, because I don't want other people's loved ones to lose someone when it could be cured." The man held his expression for longer than what Aurora was comfortable with.

And if confused her until he pulled her into the third embrace of the day.

"The board's main objective is to make money, they see this as a means of profit, to withhold it from the public...Who have you told about this?"

"Nobody, just you and Rabastan. I haven't even left the manor since..." Otto wasn't proud that his student started to lose track of her normal life, but sighed further as she was just a tad bit naive when it came to this step.

"You're so young Aurora, but you know how ugly the potion world truly is...The board will capitalize it and hide it from the community until the patients are desperate."

"But you're not like that...I know you aren't." Otto agrees to that statement, but he had been foolish at the beginning of his career.

Now he wanted to make it up and teach her the proper ways.

"When is the last time you were in the labs?" She narrowed her brows and began to look back into her documents. "When I found the truth about Clarissa, and no...I haven't told Rabastan." He wasn't there to judge her choice, he trusted her in the sense of dealing with it in her own way.

And it was slightly horrifying to think of.

"When was that?...At least two months?" She nodded and frowned at her unreliable consultation acts. "They would take it away from me, wouldn't they?" She questioned, but Otto smirked.

"Not with my help, or your husband's. We'll say you unofficially left because your children needed you. I'll put it in now, and everyone could testify that you've been away. The team will be scrapped by Friday, but there would be no point in waiting. Saturday you'll come in and 'tell me the news', this will work Aurora. We just have to be patient and smart on how we act." She knew that this was the right way to do it, she trusted Otto Hanson and he wouldn't put her career in jeopardy.

"Now we need an apothecary to—" The devilish grin rose tremendously as she opened her middle draw and revealed the given percentage that Malfoy had forked over unwillingly.

"HOW?!" She now sat on her desk as she glanced at her father's portrait for a moment and shrugged.

"Malfoy is an arse, and I managed to get his wife impregnated. He gave me ten million and then this if the child was a boy—And Draco is just one in a week's time. The funds are in my account that I'm hiding from my husband, Father...That is not to be shared." Otto chuckled, looking down once again to the document.

She held a portion of the Malfoy apothecary under her fingertips, which would indeed make the process much easier.

"Had he been that desperate for a child?"
"Yes, but he was more in the works of making an apology because he asked me to carry his child..." She wasn't shocked that her father had now shouted his disagreements.

"...That's also something Rabastan does not know." Otto had the same reaction as Orion, and she was in the midst of two angry father figures.

"So while I'm booted off the team I'll keep testing for a proper dosage, there are too many variables that I can't check here...It'll—"
"We'll move it to my facility, the academy shouldn't be funding cures like this Aurora. But the wizarding world is desperate for...Well for this." He gestured proudly to the chalkboard, but then it came time to what those variables were for her to focus on.

The cure worked in odd amounts, dependent on age, weight, gender and how long they have been feeling ill.

But without subjects to test on, it was difficult to progress any further without the means.

Rabastan came into the room a bit later, and he was introduced to the plan. Although he saw that his wife had little patience left in her, she agreed to the decided timeline.

The potion may be done, but the process was going to take a month or longer to fully enter shelves.

"When this is all over, you'll be sick of celebrating Aurora. I promise you that." She instated one final goodbye before Otto was off to start the first part of the plan.

The twins had finally returned, and like a true family had the six of them enjoyed the works of the Mistress of the manor...Because their world was surely going to change.

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Date Posted: 11-25-19

Time: 9:05

Words: 2289

I honestly never meant for Otto to become such a recurring character, but then he turned into Rory's mentor and I actually love how he's turning into a second father figure for her:)

Who's your favorite character? 
Who's your least favorite character?