Heirs of darkness || Theodore Nott

Inquisitorial squabbles(5)

The first Divination class with Firenze was unlike anything Aurora had ever experienced at Hogwarts. As she stepped into the room with her classmates, she was struck by the transformation of the space. The ceiling above had been bewitched to resemble a vast night sky, filled with constellations that shifted and twinkled as if alive. It was a mesmerizing sight, far more captivating than the cramped, perfumed confines of Professor Trelawney's tower.

Beneath their feet, the ground was covered in a soft layer of moss and leaves, making it feel like they had stepped into a hidden grove rather than a classroom. The air was thick with the scent of pine and fresh earth, mingling with a cool breeze that seemed to carry whispers from the ancient trees of the Forbidden Forest. Aurora felt as if she had been transported into another world, one where magic and nature intertwined seamlessly.

Firenze stood at the front, his presence commanding and serene. His half-human, half-horse form looked majestic in the ethereal light of the enchanted room. His coat glistened with a silvery sheen, and his eyes held a depth that spoke of knowledge far beyond human comprehension. Unlike Trelawney, who often seemed lost in her own predictions and dire warnings, Firenze's gaze was steady and direct, grounding yet otherworldly.

"Welcome," Firenze began, his voice a low, melodic rumble that seemed to resonate with the very ground beneath them. "Today, we will not concern ourselves with the trivialities of human affairs. Instead, we will look to the stars and the cosmos. The heavens do not lie, though they may not speak in a language easily understood by humans. They are indifferent to our lives but are not without their signs and portents."

The students listened in silence, captivated by the centaur's words. He spoke of constellations and the movements of planets, of how the stars could predict events of great importance but did not concern themselves with the minutiae of daily life. His teaching was a stark contrast to Trelawney's doom-laden prophecies and obsession with death omens. Instead, Firenze offered a grander, more detached view of destiny one that resonated deeply with Aurora.

As the lesson went on, Firenze demonstrated how to read the stars, pointing out constellations and explaining their significance. Aurora found herself more engaged than she had ever been in a Divination class. There was something about the way Firenze spoke, with a reverence for the universe and a sense of calm wisdom, that drew her in. It was as if he was offering a glimpse into a larger, more ancient understanding of the world, one that transcended the conflicts and pettiness of human existence.

Suddenly, Blaise's voice broke through the quiet, filled with his usual sarcasm. "Why don't we just have the class in the Forbidden Forest?" he quipped, earning a few chuckles from the Slytherins around him.

Firenze's eyes darkened slightly, a shadow passing over his calm demeanor. "I am no longer welcome there," he said calmly, though there was a note of sadness in his voice. "By choosing to share our knowledge with humans, I committed a betrayal in the eyes of my herd. They do not wish to share their wisdom with your kind."

A silence fell over the class, the weight of Firenze's words hanging in the air. Aurora felt a pang of sympathy for the centaur. To be cast out from one's home and people for trying to bridge the gap between worlds was a heavy price to pay. It made her think of her own struggles, the expectations placed on her because of her family name, and the choices she had made that set her apart.

As the class continued, Aurora's mind wandered back to the Forbidden Forest. She had ventured into it once before, on a reckless dare from Draco during their third year. The forest had seemed dark and menacing then, full of shadows and hidden dangers. Now, listening to Firenze speak, she wondered what secrets it held, what ancient wisdom lay hidden beneath its canopy.

After the lesson, Aurora and her friends left the Divination room, their heads still filled with thoughts of stars and destiny. As they walked down the corridor, they spotted Draco and Pansy, newly adorned with Inquisitorial Squad badges pinned proudly to their robes. The sight made Aurora's stomach churn. She knew Draco relished his newfound authority, using it to take points from Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs for the most trivial reasons.

"Look at them, so proud of their little badges," Blaise scoffed, rolling his eyes. The disdain in his voice was clear. While he might have enjoyed breaking rules for fun, the idea of joining the Inquisitorial Squad and becoming Umbridge's pawn held no appeal for him.

Aurora sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. She understood the allure of power and authority, but seeing her friends abuse it so blatantly left a bitter taste in her mouth. Yet she also saw an opportunity. The real objective of the Inquisitorial Squad was to catch Dumbledore's Army, the secret group of students learning defensive magic under Harry Potter's leadership. Aurora knew Draco and the others would not hesitate to bring them down, using any means necessary.

So, she made a decision. Aurora approached Draco later that day and asked to join the Squad. He raised an eyebrow in surprise but quickly agreed, pleased to have another Slytherin on board. Pansy smirked, clearly approving of her choice.

"You made the right decision, Aurora," Draco said, handing her the Inquisitorial badge. "Together, we'll keep this school in order."

Aurora accepted the badge, pinning it to her robes with a forced smile. Her motives were far from Draco's thirst for control, however. She saw the badge as a tool, a way to stay close to the action and, if possible, protect her friends in Dumbledore's Army from getting caught. She would use her position to gather information and warn them whenever she could.

As the hunt for Dumbledore's Army intensified, Aurora did her best to steer the Inquisitorial Squad away from the Room of Requirement, where the secret meetings were held. She dropped hints to Harry and the others, urging them to be cautious. Despite her efforts, the inevitable happened. The Squad caught them red-handed, practicing defensive spells in the hidden room.

Aurora's heart sank when she saw the triumphant look on Draco's face, the way Pansy gloated as they rounded up Harry and the rest of the group. She felt a surge of anger and guilt, knowing that despite her efforts, she hadn't been able to prevent this. As they escorted Harry and his friends to Umbridge's office, Aurora's mind raced, trying to think of a way to help.