Love The Heartless

Chapter Two

September 7th, 1969

"Come on Rory! I want to get down to The Three Broomsticks before it gets too busy." Bellatrix whined.
Bellatrix had woken uncharacteristically early, especially after a hectic first week back in school. If anything, Aurora had a crazier first week. She had packed her schedule with so many classes that she hardly had time to sleep.
"I'm sorry. I had astronomy with Fancourt last night and we had to look at the stars at midnight." The brunette rolled her eyes.
"See anything interesting?"
"Yes. One of my favorite stars. The third brightest star in Orion. But to me, it's shine is nothing compared to the real life one down here." She winked.
"Oh, hush you. You're the one who's named after a Goddess of morning and stunning lights."

"Learn to accept a compliment and then we'll talk, love." Aurora said through their legilimency link, which they nicknamed 'quick post'. It was like sending an Owl, but much quicker. They were getting better at sending them longer distances too without having to make eye contact.
"I'll gladly accept anything from you any day, Rory." Bellatrix's voice rang through her head.

"Alright. I'm ready. But can you tell me why we're up this early? The Three Broomsticks doesn't even open up until noon." Aurora slung her bag over her shoulder.
"I wanted to spend some alone time with you. I've missed you."
"I missed you too. Lead the way." Aurora opened the door and smiled at her girlfriend as she walked out.

They had 'officially' started dating in fifth year. So today was their second anniversary. The slightly younger witch wondered if Bellatrix had remembered, because she'd had her shield up all week, only letting Aurora in slightly.
The two made their way down the path from Hogwarts down to Hogsmeade in silence, both stealing shy smiles every once in a while.
Bellatrix took Aurora's hand and led her slightly off the path.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see. Or you probably won't until I show you."

They walked a little further until Bellatrix stopped and turned to Aurora with a wide smile.
"This is something that I've been studying since last year. And yes, I did get help from Andromeda because I technically couldn't do it myself. This place has been sitting abandoned for years, so I figured it was okay." She wrung her hands nervously.
"What's been sitting abandoned for years Bella?" Aurora furrowed her eyebrows.
"Look right there." Bella pointed to the right and grabbed Aurora's hand.

A building came into view immediately and Aurora felt stupid for not realizing it was missing.
"You cast a Fidelius Charm?! Bella, that's- that's extremely impressive and thoughtful."
"Andi is the secret keeper. I didn't tell her why though. But I'm pretty sure she knows. But I have a feeling that bad things are coming, and I want us to have somewhere to go in case all hell breaks loose, even temporarily. Is that ok?"
"My love, this is the best gift anyone has ever given me. Show me inside?"
Bellatrix smiled and drug her girlfriend inside.
"It's definitely not like either of our houses. But it's a place where either one of us, or both of us, can go if needed. And it needs a lot of work but-"
Aurora stopped her girlfriend's rambling with a kiss.
"I love it. And I love you."
"And I love you. Happy anniversary love."

"Well, what I got you pales in comparison but..." Auora was suddenly embarrassed of her gift. She was excellent at charms. But not like Bellatrix once she set her mind to it. She didn't have money like the Black family, mostly because Mother and Father hardly paid attention to her unless it was to order her around like she was a house elf.
"You didn't have to get me anything." Bellatrix said sincerely.
"To anyone else, this looks like a regular watch. But, I charmed it. It warms up a bit when it's me trying to talk to you by quick post." Aurora handed Bellatrix a small, silver watch with a leather band. "The watch won't tell you the time, but I found it in a little muggle shop when I was on my way to Diagon Alley and something told me I had to get it. I tried to get it fixed but..."
Aurora trailed off and looked up to see Bellatrix staring at her mouth slightly agape, with wide eyes.