Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
★★★
CHAPTER FOURTY-THREE:
the big day
★★★
The soft hum of the ocean was the first thing Aurora heard when she woke. She blinked against the bright light slipping through the heavy curtains, stretching out under the light linen sheets. The air smelled faintly of salt and sun-warmed stone — a reminder that today was different, today was important.
It was already past eleven. Late, by the castle's usual standards, but early enough that the day still felt fresh.
Aurora swung her legs over the side of the bed, toes brushing the cool floor. She slipped on her worn robe — a faded navy blue one she'd had since Hogwarts — tying it lazily around her waist. Her hair was a mess, but she didn't bother fixing it yet. Today, she wanted a slow start. A few minutes just to breathe before everything began.
She pushed open the door to her room. The hallway was bright, full of gold light pouring through the high windows. Down the corridor, Louis was leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed.
He straightened up when he saw her, a lazy grin sliding onto his face. "Morning."
Aurora rolled her eyes but smiled. "Come on," she said, gesturing. "I'm starving."
Louis fell into step beside her without question. The two of them padded quietly through the castle, past tapestries and open balconies, heading for the kitchens — one of the oldest, warmest parts of the building, tucked into the lower floors. The heavy kitchen door creaked open with a soft groan.
Inside, the air was rich with the scent of baking — sugar, butter, a hint of cinnamon. Ted was standing by the main counter, flour dusted up to his elbows as he pulled a tray of golden muffins out of the oven. At the same time, Hestia sat cross-legged on the countertop, lazily swinging her legs and sipping a cup of tea. She was half-listening to Ted ramble about oven temperatures, clearly more amused by the sight of him covered in batter than the conversation itself.
The whole kitchen felt alive — warm and a little chaotic. Ted glanced up and grinned when he saw them. "Oi, you're just in time! Hot out of the oven," he said, holding up the tray proudly.
Aurora smiled, walking toward the counter, the smell making her stomach grumble. "Saving the island, one muffin at a time?"
