Before The Past

Ch. 40

July 10th, 1996

Dearest Aroura, 

I realize that this letter may come at a different time than usual, but I wanted to be the first to wish you a happy birthday. I know you don't usually celebrate, but I hope that when I'm able to see you we can celebrate properly in some way. 

-M

July 10th, 1996

Dear Matteo, 

Thank you for the birthday wish, and I agree I think we should celebrate. We should also celebrate yours since yours will have passed at that point too. How are you holding up? I heard about what happened with the bridge and the plans for more muggle attacks. I also heard that the Malfoy's have offered to host the Dark Lord. Does that mean you'll be staying there too? I can always ask to arrange for you staying here? I'm sure many other house holds would be more than happy to host you. Please let me know. 

Yours truly, Aroura 

July 12th, 1996 

Dearest Aroura, 

I appreciate the concern, but unfortunately he is requiring me to stay with him. Although the circumstances aren't ideal, there's not much I can do about it. I'm doing well though, thankfully I haven't been very involved in much, but staying inside an empty room all day has become tiresome. I've been counting down the days until I can finally visit you and be anywhere but here. 

-M

July 13th, 1996

Matteo, 

I can't wait to see you either. To be honest I'm losing my mind not being able to do anything. Although I would like to ask, are my parents there often? They never truly tell me why they're out so much, but I'm smart enough to figure out that everyone's been a lot more active lately. I've also managed to listen in on a few of their conversations and all they can talk about it what they've done and what's going to happen. I know I've asked this a lot, but are you sure you're alright? Although your writing may hide any form of emotion, I still worry. I'm not sure if I should be worrying, or why I do, but I do hope that you know you can truly talk to me. 

Yours truly, Aroura 

P.S. I know this may seem a bit personal, but what did your parents look like? 

July 15th, 1996

Dearest Aroura, 

I apologize for not writing the past few days, I've been far busier than I had anticipated. I can assure you that I'm alright, and there's nothing to worry about. You should be more worried about yourself. None of this is right and it shouldn't be happening, but I do hope that you'll find some peace in knowing that I'm also here and that there's no need to worry about me. They do frequent the house often, but mainly only when he calls for meetings. You've gotten yourself quite a reputation here, your parents won't stop talking about you. I also have no recollection of what my parents looked like. They were gone before I could really remember them, perhaps another way for him to keep power over me. I'm afraid if you have any questions about them, I probably have the same ones. Why do you ask? 

-M

July 16th, 1996

Matteo, 

I'm not sure how much better I do feel about the reassuring words, but I'll do my best. I do also hope that they say good things about me. I can't imagine what would be so important about me since they never talk to me in person anyways. I was simply curious, I wanted to know more about you and was also wondering if one of the portraits in my home may have them in it or not. I'm sorry that they weren't around very long, I imagine it's hard not having anybody to have close to you. Your birthday is in a few days, do you have any plans on what you're doing? I'm not sure if you've ever truly celebrated your birthday before, but I'd love to be able to celebrate with you if you'd let me? I could ask if we could have you over for dinner? Maybe go out and do something to celebrate your new freedom? If not I completely understand as well. 

Yours truly, Aroura 

July 17th, 1996

Dearest Aroura, 

I'm curious about this portrait, but I'm afraid dinner won't be possible. I would like to visit, there's just no need to celebrate something I have no interest in. All it means for me is I'll no longer have to be tied to one place. I hope that the last few days have treated you well, with the news that's been going around. Although I wish I could tell you more, there's not much room for me to talk. I've been advised to allow your parents to break any news to you.  They're constantly mentioning you to me, much about what you've done and how lonely I've been this summer. I think they're trying to hint at something more, but I'm afraid we're already a bit further ahead than them. 

-M 

July 18th, 1996

Matteo, 

I'm surprised they'd even acknowledge my existence outside of the house at this point. Although they have been a bit more talkative these past few days and have mentioned you once or twice. I'm not sure what you mean that we're further ahead than them, but I have noticed their interest in our relationship. Although we may only be friends I think they want us to become more than that, and if I'm being honest I wouldn't mind that either. I may be getting a bit too ahead of myself though, seeing as I haven't been able to get a straight answer out of you. 

Yours truly, Aroura 

July 21st, 1996

Matteo, 

Happy Birthday! I noticed you haven't written and I assume it's because you're busy, but I'd still like to send this. I do hope that my last letter wasn't too forward and I wasn't overstepping. I was hoping that when you come to visit we can do something outside or away from the house? I realize it may seem a bit selfish to ask, but I too would like to be somewhere other than here. You may also not receive this until after depending on when you arrive, so discard this if you don't get it in time. 

Yours truly, Aroura

July 24th, 1996

Matteo, 

I got word of what's to come, I hope that isn't why you've stopped writing. To be honest I'm quite scared. I'm not sure if I even want it to happen, I've heard that Draco is also getting it which I already had a suspicion about. Did you know about this? Have you already received it? I need to know if you're alright, and I understand if you're busy, but I'd at least like some sort of update from you. I'm afraid you may be the only person I can talk to about this. 

Aroura 

August 3rd, 1996

Matteo, 

Are you alright? I haven't heard from you and you never came to visit, I'm beginning to worry. Most of my days seem quite muddled with stress and thoughts about what's to happen. Will I see you there? Please at least write something to me. 

Aroura 

August 10th, 1996

Matteo, 

This is the last time I'll write to you. If you've got nothing to say to me then I guess I shouldn't bother wasting my parchment. I'm still here if you need me, although slowly the hopes of you saying anything are slowly fading. I'm afraid to even send this letter, but I suppose it's a last ditch effort to try and communicate with you. There are only a few days until the ceremony and I'm hoping I don't see you there, but the chances of that aren't likely. I'm genuinely debating on running away, or to play sick so I don't have to do it. You may never see this, so I imagine admitting to such a thing isn't as much of a concern. I hope you're doing alright. 

Sincerely, 
Aroura