Love The Heartless

Chapter Five

January 1st, 1970

Aurora sat in the common room, sipping the hot chocolate she had made herself. She wasn't a huge fan of tea, and preferred the sweeter hot chocolate to any of the teas she had tried in the past.
The common room was bustling with noise, her housemates had began arriving back from the holidays, excited to see their friends.
"Rory!"

Aurora looked up and smiled at Andromeda as she came running over.
"Thank you for our bags! I was so shocked when I went to put my school books inside and found that I had to quite literally put my whole arm inside just to find them!" The younger witch laughed as she pulled Aurora into a hug.
"You're quite welcome. And thank you for the wand holder and journal. I loved them."
"The journal was from-"

"Oh my God! And you said yes?!" The loud voice of Vanessa Fields, a fellow seventh year, squealed.
Aurora turned and saw a few girls surrounding Bellatrix, all of them craning to get a better look at something.
Aurora rolled her eyes and turned to face Andromeda again.

"What? What's that look for?" Aurora questioned Andromeda. She had a nervous look on her face, looking at her older sister.
"I was going to write you, but-"
"What's going on Andi?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange. I do like the sound of that. It flows nicely." Another seventh year said with a laugh.
Aurora's eye brows furrowed.
"It happened on Christmas. Cissy and I had no idea until she told us. I'm sorry Rory, I-"

"It's okay. Hey, I'm gonna go to bed, okay? I'm glad you're back." Aurora gave Andromeda a weak smile and stood up, quickly walking to the stairs and up to her dorm.

Aurora started pacing the room and took a deep breath. Bellatrix was fucking engaged? To a Lestrange for that matter. Everyone knew the Lestrange family was full of mad people. And they were obsessed with blood purity.
The dorm room door opened and Aurora turned to see Bellatrix walk in.
The two witches stared at each other for a few moments.

"I heard the news. Congratulations." Aurora said evenly.
"Thank you. Rodolphus and I are quite happy." Bellatrix didn't move from her spot in the doorway.
"Nice." Aurora shrugged, pretending that it didn't bother her.

Aurora moved to her bed and grabbed her transfiguration textbook. Their N.E.W.Ts would be coming up soon, and she wanted to be prepared.
Bellatrix continued to stare at her.
"What do you need, Black?" Aurora asked without looking up.
"Just figured you'd have more to say." Bellatrix shut the door behind her.

"I don't know what you expect me to do. I said congratulations."
"I-"
"Do you expect me to break down and cry? To shout at you? To throw things? I don't know what you want Bellatrix, because I don't bloody know you anymore." Aurora shut her book and looked up, meeting Bellatrix's eyes. "You bloody left me. And then less than three months later you're engaged to someone else. You were my best friend, my girlfriend. I loved you, Bella. But I can see how much I meant to you. So, all you're getting is a congratulations. Because you don't even deserve that."
Aurora felt the watch on her wrist heating up slightly. She had worn the watch ever since their breakup, hiding it under her long sleeves. She refused to let her shields down and kept eye contact with the slightly older witch.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to study for my transfiguration N.E.W.Ts." Aurora grabbed her textbook, and walked out of the dorm room, slamming the door behind her.

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"You want to what?" Professor Slughorn chuckled slightly.
"I wanted to know if it was possible that I take my N.E.W.Ts early Professor, so that I may graduate early."
"As your head of house, and potions master, I see no problem with you taking my exam early. But the other professors would have to approve you taking theirs early as well. And the decision would ultimately be up to the Headmaster."
"I understand, sir. I will speak with Professor Dumbledore and the other professors as soon as possible." Aurora said with a nod.