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★★★
CHAPTER FOURTY-FIVE:
till death do us part.
[song recommendation to be played throughout the chapter above]
★ ★ ★
Aurora ran through the castle, the sound of her own hurried footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Her dress swirled around her ankles as she raced toward the infirmary, heart hammering, chest tight with a fear she couldn't name but knew before. James called after her, but she barely heard him—something urgent propelled her forward. He ran behind her, just as fast.
The door to the hospital ward loomed ahead, and she threw it open. Remus, Sirius, and Jackie were gathered around a single bed. Aurora's gaze went straight to the figure lying in it. Magnolia lay there and turned to her. She was lying in her wedding dress, still immaculate but strangely fragile, her chest rising and falling with effort. Her hair, perfectly styled for the ceremony, was now splayed softly over the pillow, pale against her skin. She looked... small. Exhausted. She noticed there was blood on her dress, just at the very top, and her lips had been smeared in a coating of blood.
Sirius stood off to the side, hands clenched at the window sill, staring out as though the night outside could offer answers he didn't have. The sight of him, so tense and silent, made Aurora's stomach twist further.
"What's wrong?" Aurora's voice trembled, rising in urgency. "Mum, what--what happened? James said that you--you were sick -- or you are sick? Is that blood?"
Magnolia's eyes opened slowly, revealing warmth and depth—but shadowed with pain. She swallowed, as if each word cost her effort. Aurora finally saw it as she looked her mother. Magnolia was sick. "Aurora, my love, I've not been well," she murmured, voice faint, almost lost. She closed her eyes briefly, gathering strength, before opening them again to meet Aurora's wide, frightened gaze. "Please come in and sit down beside Remus."
"I can't....I what do you mean you've not been well?" Aurora echoed, panic rising. James closed the door behind her. "Why is everyone in here right now? I thought that the headaches and stuff went. Jackie said that you were all better. What do you mean ? You—someone should have—why didn't anyone tell me that you were still sick?"
As Aurora looked around the room, she suddenly noticed everyone had been crying. The adults in the room shifted uncomfortably. Jackie pressed a hand to her mouth, Damien's jaw tightened, and Remus' gaze flickered between Aurora and Magnolia with an unreadable expression. Sirius didn't move, hands clenched so tightly at the windowsill his knuckles were white. She couldn't see him but wished he would turn around.
