Love The Heartless

Chapter Six

January 8th, 1970

"May I have your attention please?" Dumbledore clinked his fork to his goblet, causing the entire student body to stop speaking, and turn to look at their Headmaster.
"Just an announcement before we tuck in for the night. For the first time in Hogwarts history, we have a student who took it upon themselves to go the extra mile, and take their N.E.W.T exams early. They received some of the highest grades this school has ever seen." Dumbledore stated with a round of applause, the student body clapping as well while they whispered, wondering who he was speaking about.
"Please join me in congratulating Miss Aurora Nott, who will be leaving us early to embark on her journey outside of Hogwarts," Dumbledore raised his goblet, and the student body clapped wildly, cheering her on.
All except one person, who was staring at Aurora with no emotion whatsoever.

-------------

"Congratulations, Nott! That's bloody wicked!" A seventh year Ravenclaw gave her a high five as they all flooded out of the great hall.
"Thanks!" Aurora grinned, making her way away from the crowd, taking a shortcut to the Slytherin common room.

Aurora felt her arm being grabbed, and she was yanked into an empty classroom.
"What the hell!" She pulled her arm away from her attacker, and saw Bellatrix standing in front of the door.
"I could ask you the same thing! You're leaving?" Bellatrix asked, crossing her arms.
"There's nothing here for me anymore." Aurora shrugged. "Figured I might as well get a head start on life. Not that I owe you any explanation." Aurora moved to leave the class room, but Bellatrix moved to stand in her way.

"You have nothing here? Was our two years together nothing?"
"You broke up with me! You're engaged to some pureblood piece of shit. You have no right to speak to me any type of way. I hate having to look at you every damn day. I hate what you made me feel for you, and I hate that you had the power to take it away just like that." Aurora snapped her fingers. "I never want to see you, or hear from you again after I leave tonight, Black. I hate you." Aurora pushed passed, leaving Bellatrix alone.

-------------

"Are you sure you have everything packed?" Andromeda asked for the fifteenth time.
"Yes, Andi. I am quite sure." Aurora was trying to not act aggravated. Andromeda didn't deserve to have Aurora's frustrations taken out on her.
"Where are you going to go? Home?" Narcissa asked.
"No," Aurora said slowly. "I plan to get a job somewhere to help me get a place. I have a little bit money put away that will get me a room at the Leaky Cauldron for a bit."
Narcissa made a face at that.
"We all can't afford to stay at the finest hotels in London, Cissy." Aurora joked.
"I know. But the Leaky Cauldron is just so-"
"Brilliant." Andromeda finished with a grin.
"That's one word for it." Narcissa muttered.

"Now, I expect you both write me weekly, and keep me updated on life. Okay?" Aurora turned and placed her hands on her hips, taking on the motherly stance that she'd used in the past when she had to scold the two younger girls.
"You know we will." Andromeda nodded happily.
"Promise." Narcissa agreed.

"Narcissa, I already told Andromeda. But if you ever should need anything, all you have to do is ask. There will always be a place for you both where ever I am."
"I'm going to miss you." Narcissa whispered as she gave Aurora a hug.
"I'll miss you both. I have to get going soon, I don't want to be out too late." Aurora was suddenly overcome with emotion.

The two girls nodded, and Aurora grabbed her bag, the one she had enchanted with an undetectable extension charm, and walked out of the dorm room.

Aurora stood for a moment, taking in the common room one last time. Relishing the memories, the good and bad.

"Thank you." She whispered to no one in general, and walked out of the common room.

------------

February 3rd, 1969

Aurora stood in the middle of the bookstore, Antares, that she had been working at for the past few weeks.
It was a muggle shop, near the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, and the pay was decent. Plus she loved books. So in her mind it was a win-win-win.

"So, Valentine's day is coming up." Her co-worker, Andrea, a smartly dressed woman, said as she leaned over the counter
"That it is." Aurora chuckled.
"Got any plans?"
"Not particularly. I'll probably order in some take out, and watch some films on the telly. You?"
"I plan on going out with some girlfriends. Single life." Andrea shrugged. "Why don't you join us?"

Aurora chewed her lip and thought on it. It couldn't hurt to go out... maybe make some friends of her own. She had been alone except for the letters she had received every other day from Andromeda.

"Where are you all planning on going?" Aurora asked as she put the last returned book on the shelf.
"Just to the pub down the street. It'll be fun. You'll love my mates. They're brilliant." Andrea grinned. She was a nice enough girl, a little odd, but nice.
"You know what, fuck it. I'm in."

"Brilliant! I'll let the girls know. Wanna meet at mine and we'll walk together?"
Aurora nodded with a smile, and turned back to her work.

------------

"Andromeda. I need you to send a letter for me." Bellatrix tossed a letter in an envelope on her sister's bed.
"Depends on who it's to." Andromeda replied, without looking up from her book.
"That's none of your concern, now is it?" Bellatrix snapped.
"If it's to Rory, I'm not sending it. She made it clear that she doesn't want to hear from you. And I'm not about to let you upset her again."

"You'll do as your told, little sister," Bellatrix hissed. "Or I'll have to tell Father."
"Tell him, I don't care. He doesn't scare me." Andromeda shut her book, standing up from her bed. "And neither do you, Bellatrix."
"You should think twice before messing with me, Andromeda. You're not protected by your precious school at the moment." Bellatrix drew her wand.

While that was true, they were on a short holiday from Hogwarts, Andromeda didn't think that Bellatrix would actually hex her.

"I'm not scared of you, Bella. You wouldn't hurt your own blood." Andromeda stood tall, her hand on her wand just in case.
"Your little friend isn't here to protect you either. Or your filthy mud blood boyfriend." Bellatrix sneered.
"How dare-" Andromeda started.

"ANDROMEDA!" Cygnus Black bellowed from the door frame.
Bellatrix gave Andromeda a grin, and slithered over to their Father.
"Is it true, what Bellatrix says. Are you mingling with a mud blood." His voice was cold as ice.

"Father, I- I love him! There's nothing wrong with him! He's smart and funny and-"
"No daughter of mine will be mixing with anything less than a pureblood!" Cygnus shouted, crossing the room in a few steps, backhanding Andromeda across the face.

"CRUCIO!"