Love The Heartless

Chapter Seven

February 14th, 1970

Aurora stood in front of the mirror in her room at the Leaky Cauldron, looking over her outfit.
She had gotten a pair of bell-bottomed jeans from the thrift store a few streets over, a simple t-shirt with The Rolling Stones logo printed on it, and a pair of comfortable flats. She wasn't planning on staying long, just enough to get her mind off of her worries.

She had written Andromeda and Narcissa multiple times that week but hadn't heard from either of the girls. She assumed they had been busy, as they would've just returned to Hogwarts from the usual small holiday the school gave them around Valentine's Day.

Aurora grabbed her bag and opened the door to her room at the Leaky Cauldron.
Tom, the innkeeper, was standing on the other side, fist up to knock on the door.

"Nott, you gotta letter." He said in his rough voice. "Just came in."
"Thanks, Tom." Aurora gave him a sickle, taking the letter from him.

Aurora closed her door, looking at the letter. It was addressed to her, but she didn't recognize the shaky handwriting.
She opened the letter, looking it over.

'7 Bishops Ave.'

That was all the letter said. Aurora couldn't help the worry bubbling in her stomach.
First, she hadn't heard from Andromeda or Narcissa in over a week, now she received this letter? Something wasn't right.

Aurora turned and disapparated on the spot.

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Aurora Nott knew she had the correct place. The house - mansion more like it - was huge, with a giant letter 'B' on the gates. She scurried over to the gates, pushing them open.
Aurora drew her wand, not knowing what she would find. Or really knowing how she would get into the house. After all, she couldn't just barge in, wand blazing. Could she?

She walked up to the door, knocking purposely.
After a few moments, the door opened and she looked down at a small house elf.

"I am here to see Andromeda Black." She said in her best pure blood accent.

"Mistress Andromeda is not being available right now." The house elf squeaked out, terror in her eyes.
"Then go tell her that I am here, and she will make herself available!" Aurora snapped. She felt terrible for speaking to the little elf that way, but she was trying to put on a show.

The house elf moved to the side, letting Aurora inside.
"Go fetch Andromeda Black." Aurora commanded.

The elf squeaked again, and popped out of view.

Aurora was left alone, nervously gripping her wand underneath her coat.

"Well, well, well, look who it is." Someone whispered in her ear

Aurora turned and was nose to nose with Bellatrix. Aurora's eyes widened as she took in the view of her ex lover. It had only been a month, but Bellatrix had changed dramatically. Her hair was even more wild than before. She looked like she had lost ten pounds, and there was a look in her eyes that made Aurora uneasy.

"I'm here to see Andromeda." Aurora kept her voice even.
"I'm afraid that's not possible. She is to stay here." Bellatrix began circling Aurora like a lion stalking it's prey.

"I just want to make sure she's alright." Aurora caught a flash of brown hair in the corner of her eye.
"The little blood traitor will not be going anywhere with you, Nott." Bellatrix hissed.
"What has happened to you, Bella? Why are you acting like this? What have you done to Andi?" Aurora turned and faced the witch again.