Heirs of darkness

The Space Between Worlds

Aurora Black awoke to a world that felt strangely unfamiliar, yet profoundly comforting. The weight that had been pressing on her chest, the searing pain of the Killing Curse, was gone. She was enveloped in a warm, golden light that pulsed with life, but not the life she had known. This place felt different, ethereal, otherworldly. The last thing she remembered was falling, darkness consuming her, and then... nothing.

Now, she stood on soft, sunlit grass in a place that seemed both like home and a dream. The air was rich with the scent of flowers, a gentle breeze brushing against her skin. It was peaceful, unlike any peace she had ever known.

"Aurora."

The voice was soft. She turned slowly, her breath catching as she laid eyes on a woman with fiery hair and a smile that could light the darkest night. Marlene McKinnon, her mother, stood there just as she had in the old photos. But now, she was real.

"Mum?" Aurora's voice trembled, disbelief clouding her thoughts.

Marlene's smile widened, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Yes, sweetheart. It's me."

Aurora's knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, tears streaming down her face. Marlene rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Aurora in a hug that felt impossibly solid, so real. Aurora clung to her, burying her face in her mother's shoulder, inhaling the scent she had always imagined but never truly known the scent of home.

"I thought I'd never get to meet you," Aurora sobbed. "I've missed you... my whole life."

"I know, love," Marlene whispered, stroking her hair. "I've watched you, from the moment you were born. I've seen everything, Aurora. I've always been with you."

Aurora pulled back slightly, her eyes searching her mother's face. "But it's not the same," she murmured, her voice shaky. "It's not the same as having you here."

Marlene's gaze softened, and she cupped Aurora's face. "I know, darling. But you were never alone. Not even in your darkest moments."

A flicker of guilt stirred in Aurora's heart, a darkness she had long buried. Before she could speak, another figure appeared in the golden light, and her breath caught. It was a man tall, ruggedly handsome, with wild black hair and mischievous grey eyes. Sirius Black. Her father.

"Dad..." Aurora whispered, rising unsteadily to her feet.

Sirius's smile was wide, his pride unmistakable as he enveloped her in a tight embrace. "Aurora," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "My little girl."

Aurora held him tightly, feeling the warmth of her father's arms something she had dreamed of for so long. "I've missed you, Dad. I've missed you so much."

He pulled back slightly, resting his hands on her shoulders, his eyes mirroring hers. "And I've missed you, too. But I've watched you grow, Aurora. I've seen the incredible person you've become."

A lump formed in Aurora's throat, and she shook her head, guilt overwhelming her. "I'm not... I'm not who you think I am," she said quietly, her voice cracking.

Sirius frowned, concern crossing his features. "What do you mean?"

Aurora stepped back, her chest tightening. "I've done things, Dad. Dark things. I've killed people... hurt people."

Marlene's expression remained calm, though a deep sadness flickered in her eyes. "Aurora..."

"No, Mum, you don't understand," Aurora choked out, her voice rising. "I've tried to be strong. But... I've crossed lines. I've killed for survival, and sometimes... sometimes I didn't even hesitate."

Sirius's gaze remained steady, though his expression was pained. "Aurora, we all make choices. Some of them are harder to live with than others."

"But I've done things I can't take back," Aurora insisted, her hands trembling. "I'm not the hero you would've wanted. I'm not... I'm not pure."

Marlene stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Aurora's cheek. "Sweetheart, none of us are perfect. Not even your father. Not me. We've all made choices in dark times. But what matters is that you still  feel this weight. You haven't lost yourself."

Sirius nodded. "You're a fighter, Aurora. You've had to do things no child should ever have to do. But those actions don't define you. It's how you move forward that matters."

Aurora swallowed hard, her throat tight. "But I've become so lost... I don't even know who I am anymore."

Marlene's eyes softened, her voice gentle. "You are Aurora Black. You are strong, brave, and flawed. But you're still full of love, even if you've tried to bury it. You still have so much left to give."

As Marlene spoke, Sirius stepped closer, his hand on Aurora's shoulder. "We're proud of you, no matter what. You've faced darkness, and yes, you've stumbled. But you've also stood back up, time and time again."

Aurora's heart ached, the weight of her past pressing down on her. "But what if... what if I can't come back from it?"

Marlene shook her head, her smile soft but determined. "You can, Aurora. There's always a way back. And you're not alone. You have people who love you, who believe in you. Theo... Draco... they're not ready to let you go. And you're not ready to leave them."

At the mention of Theo, Aurora's chest tightened. "Theo..." she whispered, her heart aching with the memory of his love.

Marlene brushed a tear from Aurora's cheek. "He needs you, Aurora. He believes in you, even when you don't believe in yourself."

Sirius's voice was gentle but firm. "You still have so much left to do. You're not meant to stay here, not yet."

Aurora looked between her parents, tears streaming down her face. "But I don't want to leave you."

Sirius smiled sadly. "We'll always be with you, in your heart. And when your time comes, we'll be here, waiting. But for now, the world needs you, and you need to keep fighting."

Marlene pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "It's time to go back, my love. It's time to live again."

Aurora closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of her parents surrounding her, their love grounding her. She took a deep breath, the scent of flowers filling her senses as she let go of the guilt, the pain.

When she opened her eyes again, the golden light faded, replaced by the harsh reality of the battlefield. The pain in her chest was sharp and real, but her heart was beating. She was alive.

And she would keep fighting.