CHAPTER THREE
' don't worry, i can lead '

AURORA toyed with the trim of her skirt, plucking at loose threads on the fabric. Her eyes kept going from the window inside her compartment to the doors, waiting for Ginny.

Ginny had invited her to go to the World Cup with her but Aurora's father had her decline— wanting to spend more time with his daughter before the summer ended. Aurora and Liam Deveraux had always been close, especially so after they lost her mother to a Muggle disease when Aurora was young. Liam protected his daughter with everything in him and often didn't like her to travel without him should something happen to her.

Aurora had sent Ginny letters following the attack at the World Cup and Ginny had responded to them all but Aurora needed to see her in person. Ever since the incident with Tom Riddle's diary, Aurora worried for Ginny.

   The compartment door slid open, Ginny grinning as she walked in, "Rory!"

   Aurora was up in an instant, pulling Ginny into her grasp, "Ginny! Are you alright?"

   "As I said in my letters, I'm okay. A bit frightened is all."

   "Fine, I'll stop pestering you," Aurora smirked when she noticed Ginny sigh a breath of relief, "about the World Cup at least. Now, how's Harry?"

   Ginny took her seat, crossing her arms over her chest and responding in a grumble, "Why would I know?"

   Aurora leaned forward, nudging Ginny's knee with her hand, "Oh I don't know, maybe because you fancy him."

   "Do not!"

   "The blush on your cheeks and the Valentine's day letter you sent him our first year says otherwise,"

   "Aurora Deveraux!"

   AURORA'S laughter filled the air as Peeves continued to toss water balloons in their direction. Ginny shrieked, lunging to use Aurora as a shield. Aurora pointed her finger in the direction of the poltergeist, "Peeves, you git!"

   Professor McGonagall continued to yell at Peeves, who ignored her, this time throwing balloons at a group of second years, drenching them. Aurora was still laughing as Ginny pulled her into the Great Hall, careful not to slip on the wet floors.

   They took their seats, greeting the people across from them. Aurora felt a gentle tap on her shoulder causing her to turn her head to the side, "Harry!"

   Harry gave her a one-sided hug, "Good summer, yeah?"

   "Yeah, you?"

    Harry nodded, smiling at the younger girl who he had begun to see as a sister, "Good. The Weasleys saved me from my house for a bit. Gave my family quite a scare. It was brilliant!"

   Aurora pouted. "I wish I could have been there for that! Your cousin Dudley sounds like a proper git."

   Harry nodded in agreement, "He is."

    They fell silent as McGonagall entered, the sorting of first years beginning. Aurora never paid much attention to the sorting, only clapping when her housemates did and occasionally greeting the first years if they took a seat near her.

   They began eating and Aurora spent most of the meal listening to Hermione and Headless Nick talk about the elves that worked at Hogwarts which led to Hermione refusing to eat another bite.

   Hermione turned to Aurora, "You don't have any elves, do you?"

   "At home? No. Dad had them growing up but they were treated well and paid. When he married my mum she was terrified of them so my father refused them when my granddad offered the family elves."

Hermione seemed relieved, nodding her head before looking at Aurora, "Your mum, is she a Muggle?"

"She was, yeah."

"Was?"

"Ron!" Ginny hissed, smacking her hand on his across the table.

"It's alright." Aurora set down the tart she was eating, leaning her head on Ginny's shoulder when she spoke, "Mum died when I was young from cancer."

"Cancer?"

"It's a Muggle disease. It's essentially an abnormal growth of cells. It can involve different body tissues," Hermione answered for Aurora, nodding when Aurora shot her a grateful look.

"Blimey, that's awful," Ron wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve, "I'm sorry Rory."

"It's alright," Aurora took Ginny's hand under the table, "she was a beautiful and kind woman. But Dad said he was bloody terrified of her the first time they met."

   Ginny nudged Aurora with her shoulder, "That sounds familiar."

   "What?" Aurora grinned, "The beautiful or kind?"

   "I was going for terrifying but I suppose those are fitting also."

   Aurora opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by Dumbledore, who had stood up from the table and approached his podium, "So! Now that we are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that—"

   Aurora had already zoned out by Dumbledore's third sentence, toying with Ginny's fingers. She glanced up, catching Theo's eye from the Slytherin table. He was sandwiched between Blaise and Daphne Greengrass. Theo gave her a mock salute and a wink, chuckling when she mimicked his wink.

   Harry's voice gained her attention as murmur filled the Great Hall. Aurora looked to Ginny who had her brows furrowed, "The Quidditch-cup isn't happening this year."

   "What?" Aurora's expression was similar to Ginny's, her brows drawn together and nose scrunched.

   Dumbledore held his hands up, the murmur coming to an end when he began speaking again— Aurora was sure to pay attention this time, "This is due to an event that will be starting up in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts,"

   Dumbledore was cut off by a rumble of thunder. The doors of the Great Hall opened, a man in a dark cloak standing in the doorway. Aurora watched as he limped towards the front of the Hall, a clinking sound filling the air when he walked.

   A flash of lightning caused a collective gasp to fill up the Hall, Ginny clenching Aurora's hand in her own. Aurora continued to inspect the man, paying attention to the difference in his eyes. One of them was normal. The other however was not. It was non-blinking, moving in every direction as the man talked to Dumbledore. They shared a greeting before the man took a seat at the teacher's table.

   "May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? Professor Moody."

   Only Dumbledore and Hagrid clapped.

   Oh, Hagrid! Aurora had a certain fondness for the man. She had many things to tell him of the creatures her father had introduced her to over the summer.

"As I was saying, we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year!"

   "You're joking!"

   "I am not joking, Mr. Weasley. Though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into a bar,"

   Professor McGonagall interrupted the Headmaster by clearing her throat.

"But maybe this is not the time. Where was I? Ah yes, the Triwizard Tournament! Well, some of you will not know what this tournament involves, so I hope those who do will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander freely. The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued."

Hermione looked mortified, "Death toll?"

   Her comment was ignored as Dumbledore began to speak again, "There have been several attempts over the centuries to reinstate the tournament," Dumbledore continued, "none of which has been very successful. However, our own departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have decided the time is ripe for another attempt. We have worked hard over the summer to ensure that this time, no champion will find himself or herself in mortal danger. The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money."

   Whispers filled the air at the mention of the prize, Aurora's lips turned, brows raising into an impressed expression.

   "Eager though I know all of you will be to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, "the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on contenders this year. Only students who are of age — that is to say, seventeen years or older — will be allowed to put forward their names for consideration. This is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion. I, therefore, beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen. The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving in October and remaining with us for the greater part of this year. I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!"

"HARRY!"

Aurora ran towards Harry, crashing into him and laughing when he steadied her, "Alright there Rory?"

"Theo told me that Moody turned Malfoy into a ferret! Please tell me I didn't miss it!"

Harry began to laugh, gesturing ahead of them where Mad Eye Moody was levitating a white ferret into the air, rambling about striking an opponent when their back is turned. "You didn't."

"Cool," Aurora stepped forward, laughing with Harry as Moody continued to mess with the ferret.

"Professor Moody!"

"Hello, Professor McGonagall," Moody gave the Professor a curt nod while bouncing the ferret in the air.

"What are you doing?"

"Teaching."

"Teaching? Moody, is that a student?"

Aurora nudged Harry with her elbow, "Technically it's a student in the form of a ferret."

"A prat more like," Harry nudged her back, grinning.

They turned their attention back to Moody. Draco Malfoy now lay on the ground, back in his human form. Professor McGonagall was in the middle of scolding the other Professor, "Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment! Surely Dumbledore told you that?"

   "He might've mentioned it, yeah, but I thought a good sharp shock,"

   "We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender's Head of House!"

   "I'll do that, then," Moody said, distaste evident on his face as he stared at the humiliated Draco, who mumbled something about his father.
"Oh yeah? Well, I know your father of old, boy. You tell him Moody's keeping a close eye on his son. You tell him that from me. Now, your Head of House'll be Snape, will it?"

   "Yes,"

   "Another old friend," growled Moody. "I've been looking forward to a chat with old Snape. Come on, you,"

   Aurora clasped a hand over her mouth to silence the laughter as Moody stormed off, Draco's arm in his hold. Aurora turned to Ron and Harry with wide eyes, "I think that was the highlight of my entire existence."

  AURORA was lingering in the halls, trying to find something to do that would surely get her into trouble.

   Her brows furrowed when she noticed Neville seated by himself in the courtyard, staring at the ground with a grim expression.

   She tightened the Gryffindor scarf around her neck before approaching him, "Neville, you alright?"

   Neville jumped slightly, eyes wide as he stared at Aurora, "Oh, hello Aurora."

   "Neville?"

   "Yes?"

   "I asked if you're alright, are you?"

   Neville didn't respond, only scooting over on the bench to allow room for Aurora to sit down, which she did.

   "Neville? You don't have to tell me what's going on, I can just sit here with you if you want."

   "You don't mind sitting here with me?"

   "Not at all," Aurora smiled at him, using her wand to cast a warming charm around them, "there now we won't get cold."

   "Thank you,"

   "Anytime Neville," Aurora was silent after that, just rubbing her hand up and down the boy's back.

   THEO glanced down at Aurora, "Can you see Rory?"

"Not a bit," Aurora huffed, standing on her toes to try and see the arriving students. Ginny laughed at her side, happy that she was able to see the arriving students.

Theo laughed, bending down, "Come on."

"What?"

"I'll hold you up so you can see," Theo gestured for her to climb on his back.

"Theodore Nott, you are an angel," Aurora climbed on his back, securing her legs around his hips where he hooked his arms around her legs.

Aurora moved her S.P.E.W. badge so it didn't hit Theo in the back. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she rested her head on his shoulder and looked out where students were arriving. The boys and girls who had arrived were dressed in fine silk with no cloaks. Dumbledore greeted their Headmaster who Aurora believed was taller than Hagrid, impressive.

Hagrid began to lead the Beaxbatons students into the building while the Hogwarts students waited for the Durmstrang students.

"The lake! Look at the lake!"

Theo turned his body towards the lake, tightening his hold on Aurora when he moved. "Can you see?"

"Yeah,"

Aurora gasped as a ship rose from the water, gliding across the water and towards the shore. People began to climb off the boat when it was anchored and docked, their cloaks large and layered in fur.

"Now that's a bloody entrance," Theo chuckled, lowering Aurora to the ground, "want to go inside now?" He gestured to the way both girls had their arms wrapped around their torsos, "You two look cold."

Aurora and Ginny nodded, Aurora smiling when Theo tossed an arm over her shoulders, leading her inside the school building.

   "WELL, the Goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them to please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber where they will be receiving their first instructions."

   Sparks filled the air as the Goblet turned red, a piece of parchment flying from the Goblet. Dumbledore took the parchment in his fingers, reading it out in a clear voice. "The champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum."

   Once Krum had gone into the chamber and received his applause, the Goblet shot out another name.

   "The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!"

   The goblet turned red, spitting out another piece of parchment that Dumbledore caught in his hands.

   "The Hogwarts champion," Dumbledore called, "is Cedric Diggory!" Cedric rose from the Hufflepuff table, everyone cheering for him. "Excellent! Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real,"

   Dumbledore was interrupted when the fire in the goblet turned red again, sparks flying from it. A flame shot into the air, exposing another piece of paper.

   Dumbledore reached out and grabbed the parchment. There was a long pause as he read the paper, "Harry Potter."

AURORA found Harry at the shore of the Black Lake, skipping rocks into the water, "Harry?"

"What? You come to blame me too?" Harry paused, "Sorry, I didn't mean that."

"It's okay," Aurora shrugged, taking a seat on a large rock, "for what it's worth, I know you didn't put your name in the Goblet."

"You do?"

"Harry, I don't think you would have wasted your one chance for the attention to not be on you."

Harry grinned sheepishly, "At this point, I'd give anything for my name to never be mentioned in the Daily Prophet again. Hermione says Ron's jealous of the 'fame' I have. As if I asked for any of this! I mean, bloody hell, Rita Skeeter asked me how I think my dead parents would feel about me being in the tournament. What kind of question is that?"

Aurora stood up, pulling Harry into a hug, "I'm so sorry Harry."

Harry said nothing, but his body shook against Aurora's, his cry silenced as he shoved his head into her shoulder.

AURORA held Ginny's hand excitedly, ignoring the way that Theo and Blaise were teasing them for their amazement at Hogsmeade. As third years, they were finally allowed to go to the weekend Hogsmeade trip. Meaning, Aurora could buy all the jellybeans her heart desired. She was also excited to try butterbeer for the first time.

   Butterbeer was raved about by almost all the students at Hogwarts and Aurora was more than excited to try it for her first time.

   Blaise opened the door to the Three Broomsticks, holding it open for Aurora, Ginny, and Theo before following them in.

   "There's a table back there," Ginny gestured to the back corner, holding Aurora's hand as she led her back, Theo and Blaise following behind them. They took a seat, Aurora and Ginny beside each other while Theo and Blaise sat across from them.

   "So, what's your brother going to do if he sees you out with," Theo raised his fingers to make quotations with his fingers, "'snakes'."

   Ginny shrugged her shoulders, "If you're talking about Ron, nothing. Now if you're talking about the twins, I suggest you sleep with one eye open."

Madam Rosmerta came strolling over to the table, a rag in hand, "What can I get you?"

   Theo pulled money from his suit jacket, "Just four butterbeers Rosmerta, I got it."

   Madam Rosmerta nodded, smiling as she walked back towards the bar. Aurora leaned over, smacking Theo on the hand, "Hey! I can pay for myself."

   Blaise shrugged off his jacket, "Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Plus, my mother would have my neck if she knew Theo and I didn't pay for you both."

   Madam Rosmerta placed their butterbeers on the table, collecting Theo's money before she walked away. Ginny held her butterbeer up, "I take back anything ill things I've said about you lot."

   Theo winked, tilting his glass towards Ginny, "Cheers."

   Aurora grinned as she held the cup to her lips, taking a sip. Her nose wrinkled at the taste, setting the cup back down. Butterbeer was gross.

DRAGONS were the first task which Harry and Krum had tied for. Aurora thought Harry deserved to win and not only because they were friends.

The talk about the first task when McGonagall announced the news of the Yule Ball which sent the students into a frenzy.

Hermione had been asked, confiding in Aurora that Krum had asked her after spending time with her in the library for a while, begging her not to tell anyone which Aurora promised not to. Ginny too had a date and was ecstatic, even if it wasn't Harry. Theo tried asking Aurora but she declined, encouraging him to ask Daphne Greengrass instead. Blaise also tried urging her to go with him but she pointed him in the direction of a Ravenclaw in her year, Luna Lovegood. She had other plans for the night of the Yule Ball.

Aurora tightened her hold on her bag, roaming the halls after her Muggles Studies class. The sound of footsteps caused her to turn around, stumbling when she ran into something. Well, more like, something ran into her.

Harry pulled the cloak off his head, grinning as he looked at her, "Hey Rory."

"Don't do that," Aurora was laughing as she smacked Harry on his arm.

"Listen, do you have a date for the Yule Ball?"

"Theo and Blaise asked me, along with a fourth-year Ravenclaw but I'm not going."

"What, why?"

"Because, the Yule Ball means most of the Professors will be busy and I'll have free reign of the school," Aurora nudged her shoulder against Harry's, "which means, I can sneak into the Slytherin dorms and mess with their stuff."

"As fun as that sounds, how about you go with me to the Yule Ball instead?"

"Did you not hear me? Messing with the Slytherins?"

Harry exhaled loudly through his nose, "Rory, please. Cho already has a date. Hermione is going with someone. Ginny has a date too. Most people are still wearing their 'Potter Stinks' badges."

Aurora pursed her lips, examining his pleading expression, "Fine."

   AURORA waited for Harry at the bottom of the stairs, already having said good luck to Ginny. Harry smiled as he descended the stairs, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck, "You, uh, you look nice."

   Aurora grinned in response, grabbing his arm, "Come on."

   "Hi, Harry! Hi Rory!"

   Harry's eyes widened when he looked behind Aurora, which caused Aurora to turn around, smiling when she noticed Hermione behind them. Her hair was pulled into a sleek updo and her dress was a Periwinkle-blue, which Aurora noted complimented her skin nicely.

   "Hey Mione, you look great!"

   "Thank you, Rory," Hermione smiled nervously as her eyes darted around, lighting up when she noticed Krum, "I'll see you guys inside?"

   "Yeah," Harry nodded, "have fun."

   They watched as Hermione walked off to Krum, taking his arm with a smile. Aurora peered at Harry, "Let's go. You owe me a dance."

   "Hey, Rory?"

   "Yeah?"

   "I don't know how to dance."

   "Don't worry, I can lead."

THE second task ended with Harry and Cedric tying for first place. The third task was a maze and would determine the winner. Aurora was seated between Hermione and Ginny, Harry's name painted on her cheek and decked out in Gryffindor colors, her S.P.E.W. badge pinned to her jacket.

  Ginny was holding her hand, anxious as they waited for any sign of the contestants who had disappeared into the maze.

   Hermione was rocking on her heels, "Do you think Harry's alright?"

   Ron gave her a look, "Yeah, he's just in a dangerous maze with contestants fighting to the death. Sure, he's alright."

   Ginny was glaring at her brother, keeping Aurora's hand still so she couldn't hex him, "Ron, bugger off."

   The sound of cheers caught their attention, Aurora standing on her toes to look over the crowd.

   "It's Harry and Cedric!"

   Aurora's brows furrowed as she noticed Harry covering Cedric's body with his own, head burrowed so they couldn't see his face. Dumbledore rushed down to the boys, the crowd still cheering and music filling the stadium.

   Someone who had gotten close enough screamed, "He's dead!"

   Harry could be heard talking to Dumbledore, "He's back! Voldemort's back!"

   Ginny was in Aurora's arms in seconds, crying into her jacket. Cedric Diggory was dead and Voldemort had returned.

only a few more chapters until
the time change hehe.

copyright © -loonylupins