Always : Theodore Nott

Chapter 9

Aurora entered the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom and quickly took her seat beside Fred. George and Lee Jordan sat in front of them and were busy conversing about a new product idea. Aurora threw a forced smile towards some others she knew in the class; Susan Bones, Angelina, Katie Bell and a few others who warmly returned the gesture.

Aurora sat down, slightly out of breath. After a few minutes, she felt Fred's eyes on her. She turned to look at him.

"Yes?,"she asked.

"You alright?,"he asked with furrowed brows as he looked at his bestfriend who had been staring into oblivion for the last five minutes straight.

No. No she wasn't. Sick to her stomach was more like it. Malfoy. Pucey. How lucky she was to have Nott to tell her what those two had planned for her.

Nott.

His words rang in her head.

Simply "human decency."

Nothing more, nothing less.

Aurora blinked once or twice before deciding it was best to leave the twins out of this tussle with Malfoy, also not wanting them to know she had been with Nott.

"Yeah, of course. Why?"

"You just look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'm fine Fred,"she clipped.

"Rory are you sure? You even left your porridge this morn—."

"Merlin Fred I'm fine. Look at me. All fine,"Aurora clipped.

Fred regarded her for a moment with pleading eyes. He noticed the look of slight distress that had been on her face since she walked into the room and it hurt him that she wouldn't talk to him.

"Okay,"he said lowly.

Suddenly realising her sharp tone, Aurora placed her hand on his arm.

"Sorry Freddie, I didn't mean to be sharp with you. Just tense for the game that's all,"she lied with a small smile.

"You've no bloody reason to be! You'll be great. Don't worry about that,"Fred said with wide eyes.

Upon hearing this George spun around, causing Lee to do the same.

"What's she worried about?,"George asked concerned.

Aurora rolled her eyes at the two. They cared so deeply for her, it was nothing short of heartwarming.

"Nothing, I just hope I'm not too rusty for Saturday,"Aurora said, this time honestly.

George and Lee shared a roll of their eyes, Fred smirking at the action. George then turned to Aurora.

"For Merlins sake Rory. You're the best damned chaser this school has seen in years."

"Agreed,"Lee chimed in.

"Agreed,"Fred said still smirking.

She looked at the three, a smile beginning to form on her lips. She was about to thank them for their compliment when another voice cut her off.

"I reckon I'd give you a good run for your money Jenkins."

Aurora noticed George and Lee's gazes lock onto something behind herself and Fred. Aurora whipped around to see him standing directly behind her. She had to crane her neck slightly to look up at him.

He too dropped his gaze down to her. He could also feel both sets of Weasel eyes attempting to glare him out of existence. Ignoring them, he tilted his head slightly before giving Aurora a wink.