CHAPTER TWO
' your godfather is a dog? '

AURORA groaned as the ink bled through her parchment, the result of her zoning off while trying to write her Potions essay. Aurora did well in the class, which was surprising given her obvious resentment for the Professor.

She hated Severus Snape.

She pressed her tongue flat against the roof of her mouth, exhaling heavily through her nose as she slammed the quill down, "Stupid essay."

The sound of laughter caused her to look up, Theo standing over her with his books in hand, "You look like you are having fun, Rory."

"If you are here to bother me, leave."

Theo placed his hand over his heart, the corners of his lips tugging downwards while his brows furrowed, "You wound me, Deveraux." A grin replaced his faux frown, Theo pulling out the chair across from Aurora, "Jokes aside, want help?"

"It's not that I don't understand the essay prompt," Aurora huffed, the corners of her lips turning downwards, "I just don't want to do it."

"Will Aurora Deveraux ever not procrastinate?"

"Honestly? No." Aurora shrugged, putting her parchment into her bag.

She knew the essay would take no time to write. It was only a revision of the Wiggenweld Potion, a first-year potion. Aurora could sit down the night before it was due and write the entire essay within thirty minutes, which is normally what she did.

"You have Transfiguration next, right?" Theo stood up, grabbing his things in his hands.

"Yeah,"

"I have a bad idea."

Aurora stopped collecting her things, looking up to grin at Theo, "I'm listening."

"Want to skive off with me? I'll make it worth your while."

"Theodore Nott, you had me at 'bad idea'."

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

"Finite," Aurora flicked her wand, stopping the disarming spell with natural ease. Defense Against the Dark Arts was easily her favorite class, not only because it came naturally to her but it was a hands-on course.

Ginny groaned across from her, the sound barely audible with their classmates shouting around them, Ginny raised her wand again, halting when Professor Lupin began speaking.

"Expelliarmus, or the disarming spell, is one of the most important defensive spells in a duel. It is basic, yes. But an opponent rarely expects such a basic spell to be used." Professor Lupin spoke from the front of the classroom, his voice loud and clear.

Professor Remus Lupin— Aurora quite liked the Professor. In her opinion, anyone was better than the previous Defense Professor Lockhart, who spent most of their class rambling on about himself or assigning essays about himself. Aurora appreciated that Professor Lupin let them act out their content rather than just read it in their textbook. She had always been a hands-on learner. It was a shame he wouldn't last long in the position, cursed position and all.

Ginny sent a hex towards Aurora, laughing when Aurora stumbled on her feet. With a roll of her eyes, Aurora flicked her hand, this time counteracting the jinx Ginny had sent her way. Aurora grinned, "Come on Ginevra, you can do better than that."

"Expelliarmus!"

Aurora's grin widened, using a spell to deflect the disarming spell again. "Gin, you're not going to catch me off guard with the spell that we are learning this moment. Defeats the whole purpose, don't you think?"

"Fine, you do defense then."

Thank Merlin for Theodore Nott, Aurora thought. Having an older Pureblood friend was proving to come in handy.

"Okay," Aurora shrugged, bending her knees slightly.

Ginny too bent her knees, hands extended downwards, wand at the ready should she have to counteract a spell.

Aurora sent a basic jinx in Ginny's direction, knowing the witch could easily deflect it. Ginny did exactly that, smirking at Aurora as she did so. Aurora grinned in return, catching Ginny off guard as she called out, "Petrificus Totalus!"

Ginny's eyes widened as her body tipped backward, arms snapping down to her sides, and her legs pressing against each other. Her mouth was clamped shut, but she was glaring at Aurora from her spot on the ground. She tried to speak, but it was muffled.

"Expelliarmus," Ginny's wand flew into Aurora's awaiting hand. "Just to be safe. Not that you can use it or anything."

Professor Lupin waltzed over to the pair, a warm smile on his face, "Excellent job Miss Deveraux. Do you know the spell to remove the binds from Miss Weasley?"

Aurora nodded, holding her wand out and whispering the spell, laughing as Ginny was released from the binds, jumping up and smacking Aurora on the arm, "You are the worst! How'd you even know that spell?"

"Theo teaches me third-year material when we have free time. He also gifted me a few books from his family library."

"Damn you, Theodore Nott," Ginny grumbled, brushing off her skirt with her free hand.

"Want to go again?"

"Yes and I am kicking your arse this time."

AURORA loved Halloween. From the Hogwarts decorations to the muggle-way of dressing up. She stared at all the decorations that filled the Great Hall, eager for the Feast that would take place later in the evening.

Aurora chewed on her toast at the Gryffindor table, reading a letter from her father as she waited for her housemates to join her. She tried not to look up to the Slytherin table but failed. She rolled her eyes when she noticed Draco Malfoy and the cast around his arm. Oh, how she wanted to hex the hair gel right off his head. Theo was seated near Draco, winking at Aurora when he caught her eye.

"Morning Rory," George plopped down on the bench across from Aurora, grabbing a piece of toast from her plate and biting down on it.

"Morning," Aurora grabbed a plate, piling food on it for George before setting it down in front of him. "You going to Hogsmeade?"

"Yeah, I'll get you something while I'm there, alright?" George grinned as he spread marmalade on another piece of toast, "Shame second years can't come."

Aurora shrugged, pursing her lips. "It's alright, you don't need to get me anything."

George mimicked her actions, shrugging his shoulders. "Wasn't asking. Anyways, where is Ginny? You two are normally attached like Fred and I are."

Aurora sighed, George should know. "She's sleeping in today. Ever since," Aurora paused, trying to find the right words, "since the whole diary situation, she has trouble sleeping. McGonagall taught me how to transfigure our beds to be larger so we share one normally in case Gin has a nightmare. Last night was a bad one."

George frowned, setting his toast down on his plate. "She alright?"

"I finally got her to sleep and I'm going to keep my eye on her today."

"Thank you, Rory, really."

"Ginny's my best friend, I would do anything for her."

   THEO approached the Gryffindor table with Blaise at his side, both boys grinning when they caught sight of Aurora who was seated between Hermione and Ginny. Ron and Harry were across from them, snacking on treats and other things displayed for the Halloween feast.

   "Aurora Deveraux, you are so bloody lucky I love you," Theo leaned over her, plucking a piece of food from her plate. He dropped a Honeydukes bag in front of her, laughing as Aurora opened the bag of jellybeans and jumped up from the table.

   "Theodore Nott, I am so bloody lucky that you love me," Aurora grabbed a jellybean, tossing it into Ginny's mouth.

   "Really Rory, snakes?" Ron grumbled from his spot at the table, yelping when Ginny kicked him, well, Aurora thought she did.

   "You'd think they would be more clever," Theo placed a hand on his hip, peering over his shoulder to scoff at Blaise, "I mean, come on."

   "Mate, let's get back to our table before Weasley and Malfoy both start hexing us," Blaise placed his hand flat on Theo's shoulder, pulling him from the table. Blaise pulled his hand back, rubbing the back of his neck as he stepped towards Aurora who was still standing, popping jellybeans in her mouth and occasionally tossing them into Ginny's or Harry's mouths.

   "Hey, Blaise,"

   "Hey Rory," Blaise held up another Honeydukes bag, "I was going to get you jellybeans too but seeing as Theo bought the entire supply of them, I opted for something else."

   Aurora opened the bag, grinning at the sight of three sugar quills wrapped neatly inside. "Thank you, Blaise, you didn't need to get me anything."

   Blaise shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets, "You're welcome."

   Aurora placed the bag down, leaning forward to kiss Blaise on the cheek, "I owe you."

   "You can buy the treats next year."

   "Deal."

   Aurora waved as they stalked back in the direction of the Slytherin table before she took her seat, a wide grin covering her face as she eyes her treats.

   Ron looked up from his plate, "Rory, we mean well when we tell you that you shouldn't be hanging around that lot. They're friends with Malfoy."

   Aurora waved her hand dismissively, "Please, Theo may want to hex Malfoy more than I do. And as we all know, I would never eat jellybeans again if it meant I could hex Malfoy."

   Harry leaned forward, resting his chin in the palm of his hand, "No one is stopping you from hexing him."

   "Harry! Don't tell her that!" Hermione leaned over the table, swatting at Harry who held his arms up defensively.

   "Yeah, Rory, wand," Ginny held her hand out, waiting for Aurora to put her wand in her palm.

   "This is rude," Aurora pouted, placing her wand in Ginny's palm.

  Of course, they had no idea that Aurora had another wand hidden under her thigh. Aurora watched as they delved back into a conversation before pulling it out. She held it in the direction of the Slytherin table, murmuring a jinx beneath her breath.

   Draco shot up from his seat, yelping as he swatted at his robes. Theo met Aurora's eyes, laughing when she winked in his direction. Blaise was also holding a laugh, trying to disguise it with a cough as Pansy tried to help Draco.

   "Alright, who did it?" Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, glancing around the table.

   "I don't even have a wand," Aurora shrugged, popping a jellybean into her mouth.

   "Wasn't me, Snape's been watching me all night," Harry mumbled, shifting uncomfortably under the Professor's gaze.

   "Want me to hex him for you?"

   "And how would you do that with no wand exactly?" Hermione turned in her seat, narrowing her eyes at Aurora.

   Aurora was normally a good liar, excellent really. But blimey, Hermione Granger was terrifying. Even for a third year. Aurora held the wand up, "Well, I may have another wand."

   "Where did you get that?"

   "Grabbed it from Theo's pocket when I hugged him earlier."

   "Aurora!"

   "What?" Aurora gestured to Theo across the room, who was clapping and laughing, not at all bothered by the fact that she had pocketed his wand. "He knew that I did it. Besides, I took one for the team, you're welcome."

   Ron wrapped his hand around Hermione's wrist, "Come on Mione, even you can admit that was bloody amazing."

   "Brilliant," Harry grinned, stealing some jellybeans from Aurora.

   Ginny groaned, playfully smacking her palm against her forehead, "Please do not inflate Aurora's ego anymore."

Too late, Aurora grinned.

SIRIUS Black was easily finding a way on Aurora's most hated list. Which, yes, was a real thing.

First off, he brought those terrifying dementors to the school but then he scared the Fat Lady right off of the painting. There was one thing Aurora got very moody about. And that was her sleep.

After stuffing herself full at the Feast, Aurora had never been more excited to climb into bed and sleep until the next afternoon. Until Sirius Black scared the Fat Lady off and Aurora couldn't get into the common room. So instead of tucked away in her bed, she was in the Great Hall, surrounded by all of Hogwarts student body.

Ginny held Aurora's hand in hers, yawning as she leaned her head on Aurora's shoulder, "Think they found the Fat Lady yet?"

"I hope so."

Headmaster Dumbledore cleared his throat, causing the murmur in the room to come to a stop. "The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle. I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately," Dumbledore paused to speak to Percy Weasley before turning back to the students, "Oh, yes, you'll be needing," Dumbledore stopped, waving his wand with a simple flick, nodding when purple sleeping bags covered the floors.

Ginny squeezed Aurora's hand, leaning closer to whisper, "Rory, I can't. What if I have a nightmare. I can't do this."

Aurora turned to Ginny, "Hey, I'll be right here, okay? How about we find Fred and George, they can sleep on each side. We can even share a sleeping bag if you want."

Ginny, who was normally bold and courageous, cowered into Aurora's hold, gingerly nodding, "You don't mind?"

"Not at all," Aurora looked around, catching sight of Fred who looked relieved to find them. "Come on Gin, I found Fred."

"Thank you, Rory."

Aurora pursed her lips, exhaling through her nose. Forget hexing, Aurora would strangle Tom Riddle or, Voldemort, with her bare hands should she ever get the chance. No one, not even an evil dark wizard, would get away with hurting someone Aurora Deveraux loved.

   "WOW,"

   Aurora glanced down at the map Harry had placed in front of her. She glanced around the empty common room before redirecting her attention to Harry. He smoothed out his unruly hair, grinning at Aurora, "Cool, isn't it?"

   "It is," Aurora lifted her finger, running it over the names on the front, "who is Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs?"

   "I don't know," Harry huffed, taking a seat beside Aurora, both still staring at the map with admiration.

   "The Marauders Map? Reckon the Marauders were a nickname for the group?"

   "I think so," Harry nodded, groaning as he tried to push his messy hair away from his eyes. "I'm going to use the map to sneak into Hogsmeade, want to come?"

   Aurora shook her head. She wanted to go but she knew Ginny needed her. "Thank you but I am going to spend the day with Ginny, she needs it."

   Harry grinned, "I'll sneak you guys something back."

   "Thanks, Harry," Aurora glanced back down at the map, feeling something in her chest the longer she stared at it.

   "Watch this," Harry laid his wand on the paper, "mischief managed."

   "Whoever created this map was a bloody genius."

   HERMIONE laid her head in Aurora's lap, letting the girl braid her curls back into sleek sections. "It was horrible."

   Ginny looked worried, her blanket wrapped tightly around her body as she listened to Hermione, "And Harry, how did he take it?"

   Hermione sighed, threading her fingers together anxiously, "As to be expected. I mean, he found out the man practically hunting him right now is not only an escaped murderer. But the man who betrayed his best friend— Harry's father! Sirius Black was the Potter's Secret-Keeper and he sold them out."

   "Where is Harry now?" Aurora noted how concerned Ginny was, storing that information away for a later discussion.

   "He went back to the boy's dormitories. I decided it best for him and Ron to speak first. I don't want to overwhelm him."

   Aurora remained silent, fluently moving her fingers through Hermione's hair as she thought, Sirius Black is definitely on my most hated list now. A frown tugged at her lips the more she thought, Harry Potter truly had been dealt the worst hand in life. Aurora had no idea how he was still able to smile.

   AURORA leaned her head on Ginny's shoulder as they laughed. Lee Jordan's Quidditch commentary never failed to provide everyone with amusement.

   "Jordan! Are you being paid to advertise Firebolts? Get on with the commentary!" McGonagall's shrill voice was heard in the background, barely audible over the cheering.

   Neville sat at Aurora's side, chiming in every few minutes for clarification on different Quidditch phrases and plays that Lee brought up. Questions that both Aurora and Ginny were more than happy to answer.

   Aurora jumped up from her seat, "What the fuck?"

   Hermione didn't glance up from her book, but still scolded Aurora, "Language!"

   "Hermione, look!"

   Aurora gestured up, where Harry was facing three masked figures. They looked like dementors, but they didn't have the same lifeless mannerisms to them. Harry could be seen drawing his wand, his voice booming through the air, "Expecto Patronum!"

   A collective gasp filled the air as Harry called upon one of the most difficult and advanced charms to save him, which it did. Silver light shot out from the tip of his wand, Aurora shoving her face into Neville's chest at how bright it was.

   When the light was gone, Aurora felt herself being tugged to the pitch, Ginny pulling her quickly down to see what had happened.

   Aurora was right— they were not lifeless enough. Instead of dementors, it was three hooded Slytherins, Draco Malfoy was one of them.

   Professor McGonagall came storming towards the Slytherin boys on the ground, her voice shrill and loud as she screamed, scolding the boys for not only their blatant cheating but how dangerous their actions were. Aurora was sure to inspect the Slytherins, noticeably sighing in relief when she realized Theo nor Blaise had been stupid enough to pull something like that.

   Now, she could celebrate the fact that Malfoy had been frightened and the fact that they had won in their common room. Gryffindor celebratory parties had always been the best.

   SCREAMING caused Aurora to jolt awake, immediately grabbing for Ginny. Her brows furrowed when she realized Ginny was still sleeping soundly, not a single noise coming from her as Aurora had believed.

   The noise continued, finally causing Ginny to stir, "Rory, what is that?"

   "I haven't a clue. I'll go check,"

   "Wait," Ginny climbed out of bed too, tugging a jumper over her shirt, "I don't want either of us to be alone."

   "Okay," Aurora held her hand out to Ginny, "let's go."

   Several other students had gathered in the halls leading the common room, sleepily rubbing at their eyes and tugging jumpers on. Percy Weasley was pacing in the common room, "Everyone back upstairs!"

   Aurora and Ginny walked over to Ron, who was trembling, eyes wide and face flushed, "Ron?"

   "Perce, Sirius Black, in our dormitory. With a knife. He woke me up."

   Ginny went still against Aurora who immediately squeezed her hand tighter. Percy shook his head, "Nonsense! You had too much to eat Ron. You had a nightmare."

   "I'm telling you,"

   "Now, really, enough's enough!"

    Before Ron could respond, the entrance door swung open, Professor McGonagall entering with a glare, "I am delighted that Gryffindor won the match, but this is getting ridiculous. Percy, I expected better of you."

   "I certainly didn't authorize this, Professor!" Aurora's glared at Percy while he spoke, she never liked him much. "I was just telling them all to get back to bed. My brother Ron here had a nightmare."

   "It wasn't a nightmare! Professor, I woke up and Sirius Black was standing over me, holding a knife!"

   Aurora felt bad for Ron, everyone kept disregarding what he saw, including McGonagall.

   "Don't be ridiculous, Weasley, how could he have possibly gotten through the portrait hole?"

   Ron gestured in the direction of a painting, "Ask him! Ask him if he saw—"

   McGonagall sighed, her robes swaying as she stepped towards the painting, "Sir Cadogan, did you just let a man enter Gryffindor Tower?"

   "Certainly, good lady!"

   Ah yes, Hogwarts is one of the safest places on Earth, my arse, Aurora rolled her eyes. Merlin, she just wanted to sleep.

   There was a stunned silence that hung in the air. McGonagall's eyes had grown in size, "You, you did? But, but the password?"

   "He had them! Had the whole week's, my lady! Read them off a little piece of paper!"

   McGonagall's face had little color left to it, her skin white as she stared at the students, "Which person," she paused to draw in a deep breath, "abysmally foolish person wrote down this weeks passwords and left them lying around?"

   After a few moments of silence, Neville Longbottom's hand slowly began to rise into the air, a collective sigh sounding out at the confession.

   Poor sweet Neville, Aurora grimaced as McGonagall whipped around to meet his gaze, an angry sigh sounding out. Oh, poor sweet Neville.

"YOUR godfather is a dog?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "From all I just told you, from Pettigrew being Scabbers, Professor Lupin being a werewolf, and Hermione used a time-turner to save him, the only thing you're stuck on is the fact that Black's an animagus?"

Aurora leaned back against the wall, grinning at Harry who was trying to brush his messy hair from his face, "In fascinated by it all Potter, don't worry. But, a dog?"

Harry puffed his chest proudly, "My dad was a stag."

"Wait," Aurora's eyes widened, "the map! You don't think they were the ones who made the map, do you?"

"Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs," Harry murmured under his breath, eyes widening to match the expression on Aurora's face, "The Marauders!"

"That's so cool!"

"They learned how to become animagi their fifth year, they helped Professor Lupin through the full moon. They were brothers."

Aurora placed her hand on Harry's arm, recognizing the solemn sound in his voice. Aurora knew that with Harry he hated speaking on things that bothered him. He actually hated talking about himself at all. Aurora always babbled on, helping to distract him from whatever issues plagued him, he told her once that it helped, "You know what?"

"What?"

"I think we need nicknames too."

"Absolutely not," Harry shook his head— amused and no longer solemn.

"Oh come on, 'Chosen One' is so overused!"

"I have to agree with you there," Harry chuckled, "so then, what's our nicknames?"

"Haven't decided yet," Aurora pursed her lips. She shook her head gently before smiling, "Want to use the map to sneak into Honeydukes while I think on it?"

Aurora received no verbal answer, only a grin as Harry began to dig into his bag. Aurora grabbed it from his hands, taking off down the empty hallway, "Come on jellybean!"

Harry caught up to her, glaring down at her head, "Absolutely not. I would take 'Chosen One' over 'jellybean' any day."

"Fine," Aurora pouted, peering down at the map before turning a corner, "I suppose we'll just have to stuff our faces with candy and brainstorm nicknames all night then."

Harry couldn't help but let a smile tug at his lips. Merlin was Harry Potter glad to have Aurora Deveraux in his life.

aurora matches the
marauders energy so well
goodbye.

also, remus and aurora
have no interest in each
other while in the golden trio
timeline. ( i know i don't have
to say this but i feel like someone
will comment something weird ).

copyright © -loonylupins