𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

xlvi. what the night awaits

· · ─────── · ༒ · ─────── · ·

· · ─────── · ༒ · ─────── · ·
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
❝ What the Night Awaits ❞

Winter felt unusually colder than before, at least in Aurora's mind. The wind blew against her flushed face as she walked up and down the lanes of Diagon Alley with her grandparents on either side. Her hands, although having gloves on, were hidden deep inside the pockets of her thick winter coat. Her grandfather had suggested he charm her clothes for a warmer feeling before they left the house, but Aurora kindly refused the gesture. She wanted to feel the cold. It helped her stay awake after barely getting any sleep.

Having already spent an hour walking around, Aurora had by this time greeted some familiar faces. There was Lisa Turpin, a friend of hers, who was with her mother. They were on their way out when Aurora arrived. Then, there was Lavender Brown and the Patil twins. They seemed to have gone on a small shopping spree. Aurora was even greeted by Wayne Hopkins, a housemate who she occasionally spoke to when in the common room or during the D.A. meetings.

At last, they came to a stop in front of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Strangely, simply looking in through the display windows, it was crowded inside. Aurora couldn't imagine why a shop would be busy on Christmas Eve. She didn't feel like stepping inside once she saw how many customers were there, but she had no choice as she was given a gentle push by her grandmother.

"Why are we here?" she whispered to her grandfather as she moved to stand behind him.

However, Francis couldn't answer. He moved forward in the long line of customers at Catherine's request, but not before he told Aurora to stay put.

Tired of being on her feet, Aurora left her grandparents' side and approached the small sitting area by one of the display windows. Unfortunately, the very few seats that there were, were already taken. As she turned to go back, her name was oddly called out but not from anyone in the sitting area. In fact, Aurora knew quite well who did call for her and there were no words she could use to describe the unsettling feeling that erupted within her. Suddenly, she was no longer cold. She was now building up a sweat and the shop wasn't providing fresh air.

Again, her name was called but Aurora couldn't force herself to face the other way around. Instead, she hurried out of the shop without even informing her grandparents that she was going to step out for a moment. She hurried down the lane, away from the shop, desperately needing to be as far as possible, and nearly slipped on some ice when she was surprisingly caught and straightened up by someone walking past her.

When she turned to thank the guy, Aurora met the stranger's eyes and the unsettling feeling she had got worse. It felt as if her heart sank to the pit of her stomach and a nauseating feeling was coming up her throat. The guy in front of her was unmistakably Phoebe's brother. As remembered, he's a tall and well-built young man with dark raven hair and compelling hazel eyes. He looked unapproachable, mysterious, and even stuffy.