Heirs of darkness

Unspoken bonds(4)

The next day, Aurora's head was pounding as she awoke in her dormitory. The remnants of last night's late-hour conversations and smoky atmosphere from the Slytherin common room still lingered in her mind. The foggy sensation made it difficult to focus on anything other than the throbbing pain behind her eyes. Slowly, she turned her head to the side and noticed Pansy and Daphne hugging each other on Pansy's bed, their faces serene and content.

Aurora felt a genuine happiness for them, a small smile touching her lips despite the pounding headache. There was a sense of comfort in seeing her friends finding solace in each other, and she quietly hoped that whatever was growing between them would last.

Just as Aurora was considering whether to try and catch a few more minutes of sleep or drag herself out of bed, Millicent woke up with a loud groan, her voice rough and irritated. The noise was so startling that it jolted Pansy and Daphne awake as well, both of them blinking in confusion as they pulled away from their embrace. Pansy shot Millicent a sharp look, but Millicent was too busy rubbing her eyes and muttering about her aching back to notice.

Aurora's gaze drifted toward the clock on her nightstand. When she saw the time, a cold wave of panic shot through her. They were all late for class. Without a word, she jumped out of bed and began scrambling to get dressed, her movement prompting the others to do the same. The room was filled with frantic energy as clothes were tossed about, shoes were hurriedly put on, and half-combed hair was pinned back in the most efficient way possible.

It was a miracle they even made it to Snape's class. The moment they burst through the dungeon doors, Snape's eyes narrowed at them, his expression darkening with displeasure. "Twenty points from Slytherin," he declared coldly, "five from each of you for your lack of punctuality."

Aurora bit back a groan. She hated losing points, especially from Snape, who was usually more lenient with Slytherins. They found their seats, and Aurora settled next to Theo, who greeted her with a soft kiss on the cheek. The simple gesture made her headache ease slightly, and when Theo touched her hand, holding it under the table for the rest of the class, she found herself relaxing more and more.

Though the lesson dragged on in Snape's usual meticulous and exacting manner, Aurora felt comforted by Theo's steady presence beside her. She could feel the warmth of his hand against hers, the pressure of his fingers grounding her, keeping her anchored in the moment. He had a way of making the most mundane classes bearable, even enjoyable at times, and Aurora was grateful for that as they worked together on their potion, passing notes and exchanging glances that made her feel more at ease.

By the time lunch arrived, Aurora's headache had dulled, replaced by a keen appetite. They all gathered in the Great Hall, plates quickly filling with the usual hearty fare. Conversation turned to the upcoming Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament, and speculations about what it might involve were thrown around the table with eager enthusiasm.

"Maybe they'll make them duel a dragon," Millicent suggested, though there was a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

"Been there, done that," Draco remarked dryly. "No way Potter could handle that twice, anyway."

Aurora rolled her eyes at Draco's predictable dig at Harry Potter. "Sometimes I think you're secretly in love with Potter," she teased, her voice light but edged with a touch of exasperation.

Draco's expression darkened, but he quickly brushed it off with a smirk. "Please, Aurora, don't project your own fantasies onto me."

Aurora snorted in response, but the playful banter served to keep the mood light. They continued to toss ideas back and forth, ranging from underwater mazes to enchanted forests filled with all manner of dangerous creatures. Despite the underlying tension surrounding the Tournament, there was a strange excitement about it all, a buzz of curiosity that kept everyone engaged.

After lunch, Aurora went through the motions of her remaining classes, though her thoughts kept wandering back to the conversation at lunch. She was still mulling over Draco's words when Pansy suddenly grabbed her arm, yanking her away from the group and pulling her into a quiet alcove.

"I think I'm dating Daphne," Pansy blurted out the moment they were alone, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Aurora blinked in surprise, processing the words. "What do you mean, you think you're dating Daphne?" she asked, leaning back against the cold stone wall.

Pansy let out a shaky breath, her eyes flicking nervously around the empty corridor. "We... spent the night together," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "At first, I thought it was just because she was drunk, you know? But today... she's been really nice to me, in a way she hasn't been before. I don't know what to think, Aurora."

Aurora's surprise softened into understanding as she took in Pansy's anxious expression. It was clear that her friend was navigating unfamiliar territory, and Aurora could see how much it mattered to her.

"Pansy," Aurora began, choosing her words carefully, "I'm happy for you. Truly. If this is what you want, then don't overthink it. Just... see where it goes."

Pansy seemed to relax at Aurora's words, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Thanks, Aurora," she said, her voice sounding more relieved now. "I'm just... I don't want to mess it up, you know?"

Aurora nodded in understanding. "You won't," she reassured her. "Daphne likes you, clearly. And if she's being nicer to you, then that's a good sign. Just be honest with her, and with yourself."

Pansy nodded, the nervous tension easing from her shoulders. "I will," she promised.

The two of them lingered in the quiet space for a moment longer before heading back to the common room. The conversation left Aurora with a warm feeling, a sense of contentment in knowing that her friends were finding their way in the complexities of relationships, just as she was with Theo. It was a reminder that even amidst the chaos and the challenges they faced, there were still moments of connection and happiness to hold onto.