Aurora Black, the daughter of the infamous Sirius Black, has always lived in the shadow of her family's dark legacy. Raised by her strict grandmother, Walburga Black, Aurora struggles to carve out her own identity at Hogwarts. With her sharp wit, fi...
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Winter break had arrived, and with it, the rare opportunity for Hogwarts students to either return home or enjoy the holidays at the castle. Aurora's group of friends Theo, Draco,Daphne, Millicent, Pansy, and Blaise had all decided to stay, enticed by the prospect of a quieter Hogwarts and the warmth of the common room fires. However, Aurora had other plans.
"I need some time alone," Aurora announced one evening as they gathered in the Slytherin common room. The firelight flickered against the stone walls, casting long shadows that danced across the room. "I've got to take care of a few things at my houses."
Theo, who had been sitting beside her, leaned forward with concern in his eyes. "I could come with you, Aurora. You don't have to be alone."
Aurora smiled softly, appreciating his offer, but she shook her head. "No, Theo. I need this time for myself."
Theo's eyes softened, though he still looked hesitant. "If you're sure..."
"I'm sure," she replied firmly, placing her hand over his. "It's just something I need to do."
Before she left for the holidays, Aurora and Theo exchanged gifts in the privacy of the common room. When they both unwrapped their presents, they couldn't help but laugh at how in sync they were. Each had given the other a silver bracelet, adorned with small, emerald-green stones.
"Seems like we think alike," Theo said with a grin, fastening the bracelet around her wrist.
"Great minds, and all that," Aurora replied, admiring the bracelet Theo had given her. It was a perfect match for her own gift to him.
The next morning, Aurora said goodbye to her friends, who waved her off with promises to write and keep her updated on the holiday happenings at Hogwarts. With a final look back at the castle, she boarded the train, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety at the thought of what awaited her.
Her first stop was the Black family manor, where Caraxes awaited her. As soon as she arrived, she made her way to the dragon's lair, where the creature greeted her with a low, rumbling growl that quickly turned into a purr of contentment as she approached. She spent two days there, ensuring that Caraxes was well-fed and cared for, her mind at ease with the familiar routine of tending to her dragon.
But as the days passed, Aurora couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was unfinished business elsewhere. It had been months since her grandmother, Walburga, had passed away, and in all that time, she had avoided Grimmauld Place. She knew she couldn't avoid it forever, and there was someone else there who needed her attention Kreacher, the old house-elf who had served the Black family for generations.
On the third day, Aurora decided it was time to face the past she'd been avoiding. She apparated to Grimmauld Place, the imposing structure looming over her as she approached. The house had always been dark and foreboding, but now it felt even more so, as if the shadows had deepened since her grandmother's death.
