Heirs of darkness

The Crescent Pendant(5)

Returning to Hogwarts after the winter break, Aurora stepped off the carriage with a sense of relief. The familiar scent of pine filled the crisp winter air, mingling with the distant chatter of students returning to their routines. Snow crunched beneath her boots, and the sight of the castle looming in the twilight was like a comforting embrace. Despite the looming shadows of Voldemort's return and the suffocating presence of Dolores Umbridge, Hogwarts still felt like home, a sanctuary amidst the storm.

As she walked through the courtyard, Aurora allowed herself a moment to breathe deeply, soaking in the atmosphere of the school she had come to love. The twinkling lights of the Great Hall beckoned, and she made her way towards the entrance. The large wooden doors were thrown open, revealing the bustling scene inside. Her senses were immediately assaulted by the warmth of the hall, the smell of roasting meat, and the laughter of hundreds of students reuniting after their time away.

Aurora's eyes scanned the room, searching for the familiar faces that had come to mean so much to her. It didn't take long before she spotted them Blaise, Pansy, Daphne, Draco, and Theo—standing together by the Slytherin table, their eyes brightening at the sight of her. Without hesitation, they rushed forward, enveloping her in a tight group hug that almost knocked the wind out of her.

"We've missed you so much!" Pansy exclaimed, squeezing Aurora's shoulders with genuine affection.

"Thought you'd decided to stay away forever," Blaise teased, but his smile gave away his relief.

"I would never leave you lot alone for that long," Aurora laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the crackling fireplaces around the hall. She felt Theo's arm slip around her waist, pulling her close, and she turned to face him. His dark eyes searched hers for a moment before he leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a quick, but firm kiss.

"Missed you, Black," Theo murmured, his voice low and sincere.

Aurora melted into the comfort of the gesture, her fingers tangling briefly in the fabric of his robes. The kiss was brief, just a touch of lips, but the warmth lingered, making her heart skip a beat. In that moment, surrounded by her friends, with Theo's kiss still fresh on her lips, the worries of the outside world felt far away.

Later that night, Aurora made her way back to the Slytherin dormitory, her heart still light from the joy of being reunited with her friends. As she entered her room, the familiar green and silver décor of Slytherin house welcoming her back, she noticed a letter on her bed. Her pulse quickened as she recognized the seal a paw print. It was from Sirius.

Eagerly, she tore the envelope open, revealing a small, delicately wrapped box inside. Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened the box to find a necklace nestled inside. The pendant was elegant and understated, shaped like a small crescent moon, its surface glinting softly in the candlelight. Attached was a note, written in Sirius's familiar scrawl:

I wanted to give you this before, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. It was your mother's. Keep it close, Aurora. And the photo... well, I thought you'd like to have it.

Love, Padfoot.

Aurora's breath caught in her throat. She reached into the envelope again and pulled out a small photograph. Her heart ached as she took in the image: her mother, her father, and a much younger version of herself. Her father held her high in the air, a wide smile on his face, while her mother watched them both, her eyes filled with love. It was the first time Aurora had seen a photo of all three of them together, and the sight filled her with an indescribable mixture of warmth and sadness.

She traced the edges of the photograph, feeling a tear slip down her cheek. Holding the picture now, seeing her family whole, if only in an image, made her feel a pang of loss that she had buried deep inside.

Wiping her tears away, Aurora placed the photograph carefully on her bedside table, propping it up so she could see it. She then lifted the necklace from the box, feeling the cool metal against her fingers. It was beautiful, and knowing it had belonged to her mother made it all the more precious. She fastened the necklace around her neck, feeling the pendant settle against her skin, a tangible connection to a past she had never known.

That evening at dinner, Aurora sat with her friends, the pendant resting against her collarbone. The conversation flowed around her, but she was lost in thought, her fingers occasionally brushing against the crescent moon. Theo, ever observant, noticed the new addition to her attire almost immediately.

"Nice necklace," he remarked, his tone playful as he raised an eyebrow. "Have you taken on another lover?"

Aurora rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "If only you knew," she retorted, her hand instinctively touching the pendant. She didn't elaborate, and Theo, sensing the gravity behind her lighthearted words, let the topic drop, but his eyes lingered on her, concern mingling with curiosity.

In the days that followed, Aurora found herself buoyed by the warmth of her friends and the renewed sense of purpose that came with being back at Hogwarts. Despite the constant threat of Voldemort's return and Umbridge's oppressive presence, there was a feeling of normalcy that she clung to. Her friends were her anchor, the ones who kept her grounded. They were always there, filling her days with laughter and companionship.

Theo, in particular, had become a constant presence. They walked together between classes, shared secretive smiles across the Great Hall, and found stolen moments away from prying eyes. The necklace seemed to have a calming effect on Aurora, as if her mother's spirit was with her, guiding her through the chaos that was slowly enveloping their world.

Every now and then, Aurora would receive letters from Sirius, each one a lifeline that connected her to the man she had come to see as her true father. In turn, she would write back, sharing her thoughts and fears, the necklace always lying against her skin as she penned her words. Their correspondence became a secret thread of rebellion, a reminder that family was not just who you were born to, but who you chose to love and trust.

Aurora had found her strength again. She walked through the halls of Hogwarts with her head held high, the pendant around her neck a silent declaration of the legacy she carried. It was a legacy not of darkness and prejudice, as her grandmother might have wanted, but of love, resilience, and the determination to protect those she held dear.

As the winter term unfolded, Aurora embraced the rhythm of school life. Her days were filled with classes, homework, and the usual mischief that came with being a Slytherin. She stood tall against Umbridge's tyranny, always finding ways to defy her without getting caught. Her friends were her partners in crime, the ones who stood by her side through thick and thin.

And as the weeks passed, Aurora knew that whatever lay ahead, she would face it with the same courage and tenacity that her mother had once possessed. She was Aurora Black, daughter of a rebel, a warrior in her own right, and she was ready to take on the world, one challenge at a time.