𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 | 𝑶𝑩𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑻𝑬 ─ 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝒙 𝒐𝒄

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

Things are heating up, and the pieces are
starting to fall into place.

⭒๋⭑

Can you tell if I’m cold?

If I’m out of daydreams?

If I lose what is loved

Will a new love awake me?

I am touched by wonder

When I'm blind in the dark

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ─ Aurora

⭒๋⭑

─────▕⃝⃤─────

The weeks that unfurled between late November and early December were filled with palpable anticipation.

Snow had begun to drift down softly, blanketing the streets and houses in a fine coat of white. Dresses were swapped for trousers and long winter coats, a necessity against the biting cold. Harry, unsurprisingly, sent several letters hinting at his wish to bring a friend to share Christmas afternoon with us.

Andromeda was aglow with the possibility of spending more time with her nephew. She set about preparing everything for the children's return for the holiday season. Elves bustled back and forth through the house, carrying heavy boxes of decorations.

Fairy lights twinkled around the entire mansion. Even the grim gargoyles on the roof were adorned with fluffy scarves. It was ludicrous, but the children would surely find it amusing.

Much to Narcissa’s chagrin. I encouraged both Harry’s letters and Andromeda’s hopes.

This sparked more than one argument between us. She refused to speak to me for a full five days.

I was nearly thanking any higher power that might exist for this brief respite when Narcissa knocked on the door of my wing.

"You haven’t helped a single day this week," she complained, arms crossed and a frown on her face. Her body still leaned against the door, tilted as if unsure whether to enter or bolt.

I raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You weren’t speaking to me."

"Even so."

"I was supposed to talk to myself, like a fool?"

"You’re somewhat of a fool already," she retorted, and the seriousness in her tone made me snort.

I couldn’t feel angry. And for some reason, that was exactly what irritated me. ─ I should be angry.

I dug into my pocket for a watch and pulled on the chain between my fingers, staring intently at the silver hands. The watch showed precisely 5:40 P.M.

Meaning my shift was over and, technically, I had time to help her.

Before I could speak, however, Narcissa lifted something between her fingers. The cord swayed in the air for a moment, and I had to squint to see better. "This is..."

"The amulet you asked for. For the wolf girl," she replied promptly, and I rolled my eyes.

"Hermione," I corrected, tucking my watch back into my pocket.