Forbidden - Theodore Nott

42.

For the rest of the day Aurora had spent it with Blaise. The two of them took a walk around the grounds, both of them just talking. Aurora felt good after talking to Blaise, as he helped put her mind at ease, made her forget the torment that was going on in her brain. At 7pm, Aurora stepped into the potions classroom. Slughorn was already there, looking at a table full of photos. He turned when he heard the door shutting.

"Hello Aurora". He said softly, a small smile on his face.

Aurora smiled at him. "Hello Professor". She muttered. She looked around the classroom to see that Theo wasn't there yet. It wasn't like he had a far walk.

"You know, I was warned about you before I started". Slughorn said, a smile on his face.

Aurora raised her eyebrow, curious on what he was talking about.

"I was told that you were the recantation of your mother Lily. How you had the same hair as her. How you had the same brains as her and how you were extraordinary smart, and excelled in each lesson".

Aurora smiled slightly at his words.

"I was then told you had the exact same eyes as your father and the same mindset as him. How you had a flare for getting into trouble". He said.

Aurora smirked slightly, her eyes on the pictures in front of her.

"Your mother, oh how I miss her". He muttered as he handed her a photo. Aurora looked down at it, a sad smile on her face. Lily was standing beside Slughorn, the two smiling widely.

"It broke my heart when I found out she was killed. She was a very special woman you know? One of the kindest witches I had ever met". Slughorn whispered.

Aurora passed him back the picture and looked at the rest of the pictures. Her eyes landed on one young boy. It was a picture of the Slytherin quidditch team. He looked like someone she knew, the same black hair.

"Who's he sir?" Aurora asked.

"Regulus Black". He answered, a small smile on his face.

"Sirius' brother?" She asked, a sad look on her face.

Slughorn nodded, his eyes never leaving the picture. Sirius had brieftly mentione his brother to Aurora, how he was stupid and got into the Death Eaters, how he died. Kreacher spoke diffrently of his old master, how he was a kind boy. Aurora knew about Sirius' troubled childhood, how he ran away that Christmas, and how the brother's relationship was never the same.

They both turned as Theo walked in, twenty minutes late. His hands were in his pockets as he strolled towards them.

"I won't ask why your late Mr Nott. I know the three of us have better things to be doing tonight, so I'll let it slide. Next time I won't be so kind". Slughorn muttered as he made his way to his desk.

Aurora looked at Theo, the bags under his eyes had gotten worse. It was like he had no sleep. He looked at her for a moment, before turning away.

"What I want you to both do is go into my cupboard over there and restock my cabinets for me. I trust you both now to go in there, so please don't make me have to leave the door open and watch you". Slughorn said as he sat down.

Aurora and Theo looked at each other. Aurora was the first to move, walking towards the double doors. She opened them and looked inside the large cupboard. There were boxes, with ingredients inside.

Aurora looked down inside one of the boxes a small sigh escaping her lips. The door clicked shut behind her, causing her to look up.

"Let's get this over and done with, I need to be somewhere". Theo muttered. He stepped forwards, moving past her.