𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 || 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐧

•𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑•

long chapter ahead!

xxxxx

"What about you? What did your parents say?"

Aurora faltered for a moment, not sure how to provide an answer without offending anyone- by anyone, she meant Sirius. She had also gotten a letter, but a less disheartening one.

"They said to be careful. Something was happening, and they wanted me back home for Christmas. No explicit details."

She was less disturbed about the matter than Sirius Black. But again, she didn't have half of the pressure and problems Sirius carried on his shoulders. Aurora occasionally pitied him, albeit she didn't know the depth of his situation. She was aware that Sirius was nothing like his family, and that was enough of information to make a guess.

Sirius frowned, observing his butterbeer like it was the most exquisite beverage one could lay their eyes on. The Marauders had tried to cheer him up on the train to Hogsmeade but to no avail; he was deep in thought, analysing why every pure-blood student would receive a letter.

Even James was confused. His parents had also sent him a letter. Albeit with no resemblance to the one Sirius received, they still mentioned their desire to see James at Christmas along with Remus. There was no mention of Sirius and Peter, as if the Potters knew they wouldn't be able to visit this time.

"Does this mean we're not invited to James's this year?" Peter asked. Even though the answer was obvious, he still wanted to hear something else.

"I mean, you're always welcome, but I don't think you'll have the chance to be welcome this time," James said, lips pressed in a line. "Your folks were clear about what they wanted."

Sirius let out yet another sharp breath, slicking his hair back dramatically. "That's not fair. Remus gets to spend Christmas with you lot."

Aurora wanted to laugh at Sirius, but she suppressed that laugh into a subtle smile, which she tried to hide. Her fist in front of her lips, her green eyes wandered around to land on anything but him. They landed on Remus, mocking expression, messy light brown hair, and large hands for his thin body. She noticed how he drew a small breath in before talking and how his eyebrows contributed a big deal to his facial expressions.

"Are you only sulking because you want to spend the holiday at Potters?"

"Oh, piss off, Moony, no skin off your nose," Sirius continued grumbling, his eyes narrowing at chuckling Remus. "Euphemia's cookies will fill your tummy fine."

"Pads, I'm not the heir of one of the most powerful and royal pure-blood families in the wizarding world."

"Oi! I'm trying to forget that, be kind, eh?"

Aurora gazed at Remus and his beam, the wrinkles around his chestnut eyes and chapped lips that hovered above almost white teeth. Imperfectly beautiful, that is. After catching Remus's eye, she looked away and pretended to miss him crooking an eyebrow.

"Do you think your mom will still send us presents?" Sirius asked James hopefully. "Or cookies? I can't go through a Christmas without that cookies."

"Do you think your mom will let you receive them?"

"Doubt it."

"I'm sure Prongs will save you some," Remus said. "Quit whinging."

"Maybe Padfoot needs a bit of jollity!" Peter jumped in, eyes filled with mischief. "It's been a while, innit?"

After a few seconds, it clicked in Aurora's mind; too much of a break in pranks didn't agree with the Marauders, apparently. She rolled her eyes but still couldn't hide her curiosity.